2019 NFL Mock Draft: Final 1st-round projections

With the 2019 NFL draft finally here, theScore's Dane Belbeck, Daniel Wilkins, and Mike Alessandrini project the first 32 picks.

1. Arizona Cardinals - Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma

It seems possible the Murray-Cardinals connection was a media creation that the team simply ran with for the sake of maximizing the potential trade value of the No. 1 pick, so perhaps we shouldn't be surprised if Arizona goes elsewhere. But this also makes sense as a follow-up to the Kliff Kingsbury hire. Murray is a perfect fit for Kingsbury's modern offense, and while he has some question marks, he has the kind of upside that could make him a superstar. - Wilkins

2. San Francisco 49ers - Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State

Before Murray lit college football on fire this season, Bosa was widely expected to be the first overall selection in this draft. The Cardinals opting to choose the Oklahoma quarterback will gift the 49ers the best pass-rusher on the board. Bosa will immediately terrorize offensive linemen off the edge and prove invaluable in a division that features Jared Goff and Russell Wilson at quarterback. - Belbeck

3. New York Jets - Ed Oliver, DT, HoustonMitchell Layton / Getty Images Sport / Getty

If Murray is indeed selected first overall, New York has the opportunity to select one of the top defensive prospects in this class at No. 3. Though Quinnen Williams appears to be a more complete player, he may be deemed redundant next to Leonard Williams. But Oliver, an explosive and disruptive interior rusher, fits Gregg Williams' scheme perfectly and recent rumors have strongly linked the Jets to the Houston product. - Alessandrini

4. Oakland Raiders - Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama

Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock will have to be thrilled if Williams is somehow still on the board for their first of three first-round picks. Arguably the best player in this draft, the Alabama standout makes the jump to the NFL after an incredible first season as a starter. He wouldn't fill the Raiders' glaring need on the edge, but Williams' potential to dominate as a pass-rusher on the inside could be every bit as valuable, if not more so. - Wilkins

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Devin White, LB, LSU

Tampa Bay opts for the best linebacker in the draft with the LSU star at No. 5. White showed his incredible sideline-to-sideline ability throughout his college career and his blazing 4.42 40-yard dash at the combine demonstrated his remarkable athleticism. New defensive coordinator Todd Bowles won't be able to pass up the chance to have White leading his linebacker unit for years to come. - Belbeck

6. New York Giants - Josh Allen, OLB, Kentucky

Dave Gettleman could take a quarterback here, but the Giants have been strongly linked to a pass-rusher with their first pick. Allen is a versatile edge defender who could easily be a top-four choice in this draft. Gettleman will see this value and take the safe route in order to bolster one of the weaker spots on his roster. - Alessandrini

7. Jacksonville Jaguars - Jonah Williams, OT, AlabamaJoe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Looking to get the most out of their free-agent investment, the Jaguars bolster Nick Foles' supporting cast with the best offensive lineman in the draft. Whether it's at left tackle, right tackle, or even moving inside to guard, Williams is a cornerstone talent who should be a high-level starter for the next decade. - Wilkins

8. TRADE: Washington Redskins (from DET) - Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State

With a couple of quarterback-needy teams in Denver and Cincinnati soon on the board, Washington opts to trade into the top 10 and grab Dwayne Haskins at No. 8. Alex Smith's status is unknown after his horrific leg injury, and Haskins could immediately be the Day 1 starter despite the offseason addition of Case Keenum. Though the Buckeyes star has only one season as a starter under his belt, his command of Ohio State's offense certainly showed he has all the tools to be a top-end quarterback at the pro level. - Belbeck

9. Buffalo Bills - T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa

With most of the top defensive prospects off the board, Buffalo adds another weapon for Josh Allen. Hockenson is a rare tight end prospect in that he's ready to contribute immediately in every phase of the game. He's a mauler in the run game and a unique offensive weapon that the Bills will have a difficult time passing up if available. - Alessandrini

10. Denver Broncos - Devin Bush, LB, Michigan

Trading for Joe Flacco shouldn't keep the Broncos from drafting a quarterback early, but it certainly could make them feel as though they can put it off another year. In this scenario, Denver instead looks to the defensive side of the ball, adding Bush as an every-down leader in the middle for Vic Fangio's defense. - Wilkins

11. Cincinnati Bengals - Drew Lock, QB, MissouriJonathan Bachman / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Bengals look to Lock as their quarterback savior after Haskins goes earlier in the night. There's a new regime in Cincinnati and head coach Zac Taylor will want to make his mark immediately with a splash in the draft. Taylor spent the last few seasons on the Rams' staff, and one could make the argument that Lock has more talent coming into the league than Jared Goff did. Andy Dalton's days with the club are numbered with Lock the new kid in town. - Belbeck

12. Green Bay Packers - Brian Burns, OLB, Florida State

The Packers recently signed Preston Smith and Za'Darius Smith to bolster their pass rush, but Burns offers a different skill set and excellent value at this spot. A top talent with All-Pro potential, the former Seminole can be used as a nickel rusher early in his career while he adds muscle to his intriguing frame. In a competitive NFC North, one can never have enough impact defenders. - Alessandrini

13. Miami Dolphins - Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida

This should be the floor for Taylor on draft night. With the Dolphins seemingly content to pass on quarterbacks with the intention of circling back to a stronger group of signal-callers next year, setting the foundation around that eventual franchise cornerstone should be the focus. Taylor helps to do exactly that, as he'd pair with Laremy Tunsil to give Miami a strong pair of bookend offensive tackles. - Wilkins

14. TRADE: Houston Texans (from ATL) - Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State

After allowing a whopping 62 sacks last season, there isn't a team that needs an upgrade on the offensive line more than the Texans. Those struggles make this trade into the top 15 necessary, with Dillard being the payoff. The Washington State standout will immediately step in and help protect Deshaun Watson, something that must be done if Houston is to return to the playoffs. - Belbeck

15. TRADE: Detroit Lions (from WAS) - Rashan Gary, DL, MichiganRey Del Rio / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Talk about an ideal scenario for the Lions. Bob Quinn adds picks from Washington while moving down seven spots and is still able to select a player his team could have targeted earlier. Gary's shoulder was recently flagged but we still don't expect him to fall outside the top 20. The former Wolverine gives Detroit's strong defensive line another versatile defender. - Alessandrini

16. Carolina Panthers - Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State

Carolina makes a much-needed upgrade to the defensive front with one of the best athletes in this draft. Sweat is relatively raw as a pass-rusher, so coaching will be key to unlocking his potential, but a rare set of traits gives him limitless upside in that regard. He's already a high-level run defender, so he should have an immediate impact either way. - Wilkins

17. New York Giants (from CLE) - Daniel Jones, QB, Duke

After adding the 17th overall pick in the Odell Beckham Jr. trade, the Giants grab the talented pivot out of Duke hoping he's the long-term successor to Eli Manning. There's certainly a connection between Manning and Jones, as both trained under legendary quarterback guru David Cutcliffe. Jones will learn the position for a season before potentially taking over to form a backfield with the brilliant Saquon Barkley. - Belbeck

18. Minnesota Vikings - Garrett Bradbury, OL, NC State

Unfortunately for the Vikings, the top-tier offensive tackles are off the board, but that doesn't mean they can't strengthen a blocking unit that struggled mightily in 2018. Bradbury profiles as a Day 1 starter and would allow Pat Elflein to shift over to guard, improving two positions with one pick. - Alessandrini

19. Tennessee Titans - Christian Wilkins, DT, ClemsonGrant Halverson / Getty Images Sport / Getty

One of the best players in the country over the past few seasons, Wilkins seems to be flying under the radar as part of a stacked defensive line class. Tennessee gladly takes advantage and adds a disruptive every-down interior player to pair with Jurrell Casey. - Wilkins

20. Pittsburgh Steelers - Noah Fant, TE, Iowa

After losing their best offensive weapon in Antonio Brown, the Steelers add a talented pass-catcher in Iowa's Fant. The ultra-athletic tight end ran an absurd 4.50 in the 40-yard dash at the combine and could immediately become a big-play threat for Ben Roethlisberger. - Belbeck

21. Seattle Seahawks - Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State

Pete Carroll and John Schneider have never shied from selecting prospects who require some patience. After tearing his ACL in February, Simmons likely won't see much action as a rookie, but he's simply too good to pass up at this point. Athletic, versatile, and dominant, the Mississippi State product adds an intriguing long-term piece to Seattle's defense. - Alessandrini

22. Baltimore Ravens - Clelin Ferrell, OLB, Clemson

Baltimore has a major need on the edge after losing Za'Darius Smith and Terrell Suggs to free agency. Ferrell isn't an elite athlete, so he isn't getting as much attention as some of the other top players at the position. Already an advanced pass-rusher and a stout run defender, he could quickly make that look like a mistake. - Wilkins

23. TRADE: Atlanta Falcons (from HOU) - Cody Ford, OL, OklahomaIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

After trading down in the deal with Houston, the Falcons grab the third-team All-American lineman out of Oklahoma. Ford showed great versatility in college, playing both guard and tackle, and will immediately help the league's 27th-ranked rushing attack with his physicality. - Belbeck

24. Oakland Raiders (from CHI) - Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma

After addressing its defensive line earlier, Oakland opts for an offensive weapon here. "Hollywood" - the cousin of new Raider Antonio Brown - adds a dynamic, explosive presence to Jon Gruden's offense. Gruden and Mike Mayock added multiple receivers in free agency, but none of them has Marquise Brown's big-play, deep-threat ability. - Alessandrini

25. Philadelphia Eagles - Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson

Improving the run defense should be a priority for the Eagles, and there may be no better way to do so than by scooping up Lawrence late in the first. Expecting consistent pass-rush production involves some projection, but he should be a major contributor in the ground game from Day 1. Rotating with Fletcher Cox and Malik Jackson, that kind of presence would give Philly a fantastic group on the interior defensive line. - Wilkins

26. Indianapolis Colts - Greedy Williams, CB, LSU

After sitting in the top 20 in most mocks leading up to the draft, Williams falls to the Colts at No. 26. Though there may be some questions about the standout from LSU, there's no doubt he's the top cover corner on the board. Adding Williams to a secondary led by Malik Hooker is a major steal for Indianapolis. - Belbeck

27. Oakland Raiders (from DAL) - Byron Murphy, CB, WashingtonIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

Oakland surely would have loved to add an impact edge rusher with one of its three first-round picks, but alas, the board fell as it did. Fear not, Raider fans; Gruden and Mayock can target one early in the second round after selecting the best player available here. With grit, production, and ball skills, Murphy is exactly what teams look for in a cornerback. With question marks across from Gareon Conley, the former Washington Husky fills a need in the secondary. - Alessandrini

28. Los Angeles Chargers - Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S, Florida

The Chargers continue to add to the secondary after hitting a home run with Derwin James last year. Gardner-Johnson can either complement James as a true single-high safety or rotate down into the slot and work man-to-man against receivers. That kind of cover talent and versatility sees the Los Angeles secondary take another step toward the NFL's elite. - Wilkins

29. Seattle Seahawks (from KC) - Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia

With their second pick in the first round - compliments of the Frank Clark trade earlier in the week - the Seahawks shore up the secondary with Baker out of Georgia. He may not be the most athletic corner in the draft, but one can easily make the argument he's the most versatile on the board. He'll fit perfectly in Seattle's defense. - Belbeck

30. Green Bay Packers (from NO) - D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss

Metcalf's fall ends here, and what a landing spot it is. Despite possessing elite speed and freak athleticism, the gifted wideout isn't receiving consensus first-round buzz due to his unpolished game. Still, we highly doubt he escapes the first round. Metcalf has rare traits and home-run ability that the Packers simply cannot pass up here. A pairing with Aaron Rodgers would be frightening. - Alessandrini

31. Los Angeles Rams - Chris Lindstrom, G, Boston CollegeJoe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Rams have holes to fill on the interior offensive line after parting ways with John Sullivan and losing Rodger Saffold to free agency. Lindstrom steps in as a Day 1 starter at guard, helping maintain the strong offensive front that's been key to this team's success over the last two years. - Wilkins

32. New England Patriots - Will Grier, QB, West Virginia

No, we don't have the Patriots taking a quarterback just to ensure you read this entire mock draft. Grier sneaks into the first round with New England despite the fact it appears Tom Brady is never retiring. The ceiling on the talented West Virginia pivot is immense, and it won't be a shock to see him emerge as a solid NFL starter five years from now. That potential value will be too much for Bill Belichick to pass up. - Belbeck

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