1. Cincinnati Bengals: QB Joe Burrow (LSU)
It’s funny how things can come full circle. Burrow — a native of Ohio — began his career at Ohio State before transferring to LSU. In one season, he’s transformed himself into being the best player in college football. The Heisman Trophy winner is decisive with his throws, has tremendous pocket presence, and can spray the ball all over the field. Plus, he’s an above-average athlete, and is tough as nails. Burrow is the perfect player to help rebuild this franchise in his home state.
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2. Washington Redskins: DE Chase Young (Ohio State)
No team can ever have too many pass rushers. Young projects as the top edge guy in this year’s crop, and popping in a few minutes of Ohio State’s film can show you why. He’s both quick and sudden, and has multiple pass rushing moves he can deploy proficiently. Ohio State has had a nice run of producing edge rushers between Nick and Joey Bosa, and Young appears to be next in line as a potential top-5 pick. With Ryan Kerrigan getting older, this pick makes too much sense for even the Redskins to mess up.
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3. Detroit Lions: WR Jerry Jeudy (Alabama)
Marvin Jones Jr. has only one year remaining on his deal. Though wildly productive, it goes against Matt Patricia’s DNA to pony up big-time cash for a receiver in his 30’s. Jeudy represents the type of receiver that can take the top off an opposing defense. Not only is he the most explosive player in this draft, but Jeudy compares favorably to Antonio Brown from a skill-set standpoint. When pairing him with Kenny Golladay and T.J. Hockenson, Detroit has a potentially special group of skill players.
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4. New York Giants: LB/S Isaiah Simmons (Clemson)
Picture a bigger, more athletic version of Derwin James. This is what you get with Simmons. There’s not a more versatile player in this draft. He can be lined up all over the field — whether in coverage or with his hand in the dirt off the edge. There are very few players having the ability to function at all three levels of the defense. Fortunately for New York, Simmons is one of those players.
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5. Miami Dolphins: DB Jeff Okudah (Ohio State)
Ohio State has been ‘DBU’ for the past several years, and Okudah is the premier shutdown corner in this draft class. He has the length (6-foot-1) and ball skills reminiscent of former Buckeye corner Marshon Lattimore. With Minkah Fitzpatrick now in Pittsburgh, it makes sense for Miami to replenish its secondary with the best DB in this draft.
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6. Los Angeles Chargers: QB Justin Herbert (Oregon)
Herbert makes sense at this spot. 37-year-old Philip Rivers is a free agent after this current season. With the Chargers moving to a new stadium, ushering in a brand new quarterback might be the move. If anything, Herbert’s mobility will be a nice change of pace from Rivers and his statuesque style of play.
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7. Carolina Panthers: QB Jordan Love (Utah State)
Out of all the signal callers in this year’s draft, Love may have the most arm talent of them all. The Utah State QB is a tremendous talent, and enjoyed a magical 2018 season when he threw for 3,500 yards and 32 touchdowns to just six interceptions. He’s struggled a bit with his decision making this season, but he remains intriguing enough that a QB-needy team could take a chance on him in the top 10.
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8. Arizona Cardinals: OT Tristan Wirfs (Iowa)
Though there’s a chance he stays in school for another year, Wirfs will undoubtedly be a first-round pick when he decides to join the NFL. Arizona needs to do whatever it takes in order to protect its most precious asset in Kyler Murray. What better way than to give him the draft’s best offensive lineman?
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9. Jacksonville Jaguars: WR CeeDee Lamb (Oklahoma)
While Alabama’s troika of pass catchers get the most national buzz, a Sooner may have a claim as the most explosive wide receiver in college football. Lamb is a gifted athlete who excels both before and after the catch. He scores seemingly every time he touches the ball, and will instantly bolster the Jags’ receiving corps that already features the talented D.J. Chark.
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10. Cleveland Browns: DB Kristian Fulton (LSU)
Cleveland’s secondary has been beleaguered by both injury and inconsistency. LSU DB’s have a 99.9 percent success rate (not an accurate stat, but pretty close), and Fulton checks all the boxes of a potential shutdown corner at the next level. He’s long, athletic, quick, and competitive. In short, John Dorsey will love him — particularly since the Browns might be losing both Morgan Burnett and Damarious Randall next season.
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11. New York Jets: OL Andrew Thomas (Georgia)
If the team holding the No. 1 pick isn’t in dire need of a QB, it wouldn’t be all that hard to imagine Thomas being selected first overall. Every team could use a bulldozer like Thomas on their front line. He’s spent the last two seasons protecting Jake Fromm’s blind side, and has rated as both an elite pass and run blocker. Sam Darnold needs more time to deliver the football, and Thomas will enable him to do just that.
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12. Oakland Raiders: DT Derrick Brown (Auburn)
Based upon this iteration of the first round, Oakland will luck out by taking the most talented player remaining on the board. While defensive tackle isn’t the most pressing need, Mike Mayock and company can’t pass on a legitimate run-stuffing nose tackle. Brown is powerful at the point of attack, and has surprising short-area quickness as it pertains to pass rushing. Duly, he’s cut his teeth playing against top competition in the SEC.
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13. Indianapolis Colts: DL/LB K’Lavon Chaisson (LSU)
SEC defenders are built differently. Chaisson is an exceptional athlete who will likely test off the charts at the NFL Combine. His value dipped a bit after missing all of his sophomore season, but Chaisson has returned strong in 2019. The Colts under Frank Reich play fast and free, and Chaisson would be utilized to his full abilities in Indianapolis. It’s a perfect match.
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14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DB Grant Delpit (LSU)
This might be a bit of a reach. However, Tampa Bay desperately needs defensive help. For as offensive-minded as Bruce Arians is, Jerry Jeudy will be off the board, and it would be a reach to select one of the available quarterbacks here. Delpit is an instant game changer. From the very moment he touches an NFL field, he will make a difference for whichever team he’s playing for. The versatile DB can lineup anywhere — slot corner, deep safety, hybrid linebacker — and has the speed and tackling ability to play on all downs.
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15. Denver Broncos: WR Henry Ruggs III (Alabama)
Denver will be tempted to take a quarterback here. However, we think they’ll stick it out with recent draft choice Drew Lock. Ruggs III makes sense — if for nothing else than the fact Denver NEEDS to get better on the offensive side of the ball. Ruggs III gives Denver a deep-threat element to its offense. He’s also a nice complement to Courtland Sutton.
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16. Atlanta Falcons: DE A.J. Epenesa (Iowa)
Atlanta needs an enhanced pass rush. While talented in his own right, Takk McKinley has battled some injury issues. Epenesa is a rock-solid prospect with many intangibles rooted in winning football. He’s a technically sound edge rusher with violent hands and an above-average burst. Epenesa would fit nicely on what many consider to be one of the NFL’s worst defenses.
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17. Dallas Cowboys: DL Javon Kinlaw (South Carolina)
Dallas will do what Dallas always does: take the best talent available. Kinlaw could vault into the top-15 with a strong combine. A massive man at 6-foot-6, the 310-pound defensive lineman commands double teams on each play. However, Kinlaw is far from a run-stuffing slug. He’s got real athletic ability. When making a comparison to a former NFL player, Kinlaw compares favorably to an in-shape Albert Haynesworth.
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18. Miami Dolphins (from PIT): OL Creed Humphrey (Oklahoma)
The Dolphins need help up front. Miami more than anything also needs some semblance of an identity. Humphrey — an absolute mauler in the run game — fits the bill tremendously well. He plays the game with a mean streak. This is evident upon watching him play for two minutes. Humphrey’s ability to set the proverbial tone is something that will be welcomed immediately in Miami.
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19. Oakland Raiders (from CHI): WR Tee Higgins (Clemson)
The Raiders have had solid contributions from their motley crew of wideouts — Tyrell Williams, Zay Jones, and Hunter Renfrow. However, Higgins would be the best of the bunch. At 6-foot-4, he represents a massive athletic upgrade over Oakland’s current receivers. Additionally, Higgins has a ridiculous catch radius. He’s got the ability to move the chains on third down — while also serving as a very good target in red-zone opportunities.
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20. Jacksonville Jaguars (from LAR): DB Lamar Jackson (Nebraska)
No, not that Lamar Jackson. The Nebraska DB shares a name with Baltimore’s MVP-caliber QB, and may even get drafted earlier than his counterpart (the Baltimore QB was selected 32nd overall in his draft). Jackson has elite size at the cornerback position — 6-foot-3 — and plays the game with a physical edge. He fits the bill of a Jacksonville defensive back.
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21. Philadelphia Eagles: DB Paulson Adebo (Stanford)
Philadelphia definitely needs secondary help. Adebo might be a bit of a reach at this spot in the draft — though the Stanford product looks like a perfect fit for how the Eagles play. Not only is he exceptionally smart, but Adebo is also a major ball hawk. He could end up being one of the biggest steals of the first round.
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22. Buffalo Bills: RB Jonathan Taylor (Wisconsin)
The ageless Frank Gore simply cannot play forever. We love the former Miami star, but it’s unreasonable for the 36-year-old to continue functioning as an every down running back. Devin Singletary is exciting, though he’s more of a change-of-pace back. Taylor is unquestionably the best running back in college football. His patience as a runner is further complemented by a headiness in finding running lanes. Taylor will instantly be in line for 18-to-20 touches a game as a rookie.
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23. New England Patriots: LB Terrell Lewis (Alabama)
The Patriots boast one of the league’s top defenses, though their depth at linebacker is a bit concerning. Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins have played well in 2019, though they aren’t overly talented. Lewis is a highly versatile player. He’s capable of playing as a linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. Duly, Lewis is at his best when putting his hand in the dirt and rushing the passer.
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24. New Orleans Saints: QB Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama)
The injury to Tua Tagovailoa sent shockwaves throughout the college football world. Not only did it crush Alabama’s title hopes, but it also likely dashed Tua’s chances of being the No. 1 overall pick in April. His timeline remains unclear, but it’s hard to imagine 32 teams passing on his talent. With Drew Brees and Sean Payton in tow, the Saints have the cache to take a chance on the lefty gunslinger.
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25. Tennessee Titans: OL Alex Leatherwood (Alabama)
Tennessee’s once-vaunted offensive line has underwhelmed in 2019. Taylor Lewan served a four-game suspension earlier in the year, and since his return, he hasn’t looked like himself. Leatherwood is one of the SEC’s top pass-blockers, and is one of the most athletic linemen in the country. Though he’s a bit raw technically, the Titans are getting a physical freak of nature with the 25th pick.
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26. Minnesota Vikings: DL Neville Gallimore (Oklahoma)
The big DT out of Oklahoma (by way of Canada) has been quite good this season. Though he’s built like a traditional nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme, he actually has very good athleticism as a pass rusher. This sort of versatility will be both welcomed and cultivated by defensive-minded head coach Mike Zimmer. If he reaches his full potential, Gallimore has Pro Bowl appearances in his future.
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27. Miami Dolphins (from HOU): OL Jedrick Wills Jr. (Alabama)
It was unknown whether Wills Jr. was going to leave Tuscaloosa a year early. However, the Kentucky native recently announced that he would forgo his senior season in favor of turning pro. The All-SEC performer is naturally a right tackle. However, some feel as if he may kick inside as a guard down the line. Either way, Miami is getting a battle-tested player with real potential as a run-blocker.
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28. Seattle Seahawks: OL Calvin Throckmorton (Oregon)
Finding protection for MVP hopeful Russell Wilson should be the No. 1 priority for Seattle’s brass this offseason. Throckmorton is as technically sound an offensive lineman as there is at the collegiate level. His combination of length and lateral quickness has enabled him (at various times) to start at right tackle, left tackle, right guard, and center. This sort of versatility is rarely found.
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29. Kansas City Chiefs: RB D’Andre Swift (Georgia)
The Georgia Bulldogs are quietly becoming one of the best producers of running backs in the country. In just the last few years, Georgia has produced Todd Gurley, Sony Michel, and Nick Chubb — all of whom have starting roles in 2019. Swift is arguably the most explosive runner of the bunch. The Chiefs can survive with a running back by committee approach, but they’ve sorely missed Kareem Hunt’s game-breaking talent this year. Swift gives them an extra dimension and another weapon for Patrick Mahomes to utilize.
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30. Green Bay Packers: WR Laviska Shenault (Colorado)
The Packers desperately need an injection of talent opposite Davante Adams. Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Geronimo Allison simply aren’t cutting it. Shenault is one of the most explosive players in all of college football. While explosive and elusive with the ball in his hands, he’s also incredibly strong. The Texas native would be a perfect complement to Adams. Many liken Shenault to a combination of Anquan Boldin and Sammy Watkins.
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31. San Francisco 49ers: OL Darryl Williams (Mississippi State)
SF could be losing upwards of five offensive linemen after this season. With the run game being an integral part of Kyle Shanahan’s offensive scheme, it makes sense for SF to target some O-Line help here at the end of the first round. Williams is one of the more underappreciated linemen in the SEC. However, he’s a very bright athlete with solid lateral quickness and positional versatility (as both a center and guard). Williams is the type of guy who should be a fixture for years to come as an unflashy yet effective player.
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32. Baltimore Ravens: LB Kenneth Murray (Oklahoma)
The Ravens plug-and-play talented defenders better than any team in the league. Murray comes from one of college football’s most prestigious programs, and has the talent of a top-10 player. Aside from being incredibly hard-nosed and physical, Murray is excellent at diagnosing the play and reacting accordingly. He’d be a 10-year starter for Baltimore in the heart of its defense.
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