The Giants have to take a quarterback, right? And will the Cardinals really take Kyler Murray and dump Josh Rosen? Here’s how we see things playing out with our first 2019 NFL mock draft. Follow Dillon on Twitter at @DillJosephsen. 

The 2019 NFL Draft is projecting to be an incredibly deep defensive class filled with edge rushers and interior lineman. This is also looking like a star loaded wide receiver class and will see guys who contribute in significant ways in their first seasons. Coming off a historically great passing season, expect teams to find ways to better limit the opposing team’s passing or to enhance their own passing attacks.

NFL Mock Draft 2019

No. 1, Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma

New head coach Kliff Kingsbury gets his guy in Kyler Murray. Kyler has incredible arm talent and athleticism to operate an air raid offense that looks to spread defenses vertically. Expect Josh Rosen to be on a different team in 2019.

[Also See: Top 5 quarterbacks in the 2019 NFL Draft]

No. 2, San Francisco 49ers: Nick Bosa – EDGE – Ohio State

49ers lock up the top player in the draft that still addresses their need of a consistent pass rush. Nick Bosa will look to take after his brother Joey Bosa and become an elite and immediate impact.

No. 3, New York Jets: Josh Allen – EDGE – Kentucky

New regime in New York made some hefty moves this offseason bringing in a lot of the star names in free agency such as Le’Veon Bell and C.J. Mosley. Jets are going to bolster their pass rush with one of the top players in the draft in Josh Allen.

[Also See: NFL free agency winners and losers]

No. 4, Oakland Raiders: Quinnen Williams – IDL – Alabama

With 3 picks in the first round, the Raiders should look to take the best player available and then address their desperate needs later. Quinnen Williams will help their pass rush forcing interior pressure, he is also a force in the run game. Williams is an elite talent.

No. 5, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Montez Sweat – EDGE – Mississippi State

Expect the Buccaneers to address one of their biggest needs with an incredibly deep class of pass rushers. Montez Sweat lit the NFL Combine on fire when he ran a 4.41 40-yard dash at 6’6 and 260 pounds. Sweat had a faster 40 time than every running back except Justice Hill. Bucs are securing a special size-speed edge rusher.

No. 6, New York Giants: Dwayne Haskins – QB – Ohio State

The Giants have to take a quarterback, right? Giants have a lot of holes and need a lot of help but they can’t comfortably keep trotting Eli Manning out there comfortably with no long term plan. Who knows. Gettleman is going to Gettleman.

No. 7, Jacksonville Jaguars: Jonah Williams – OT – Alabama

A disappointing season for the Jaguars, they parted ways with Blake Bortles and brought in Nick Foles. The offensive line of the Jags had a disappointing season so expect them to lock up a guy who will protect their new prized quarterback.

No. 8, Detroit Lions: Rashan Gary – EDGE – Michigan

The Lions just brought in Trey Flowers in the offseason but aside from him, they lack any true pass rushers. Defensive minded Matt Patricia and GM Bob Quinn’s experience together with the Patriots should know the importance of defensive line. Rashan Gary gives them a flexible pass rusher who can line up anywhere on the line of scrimmage.

No. 9, Buffalo Bills: D.K. Metcalf – WR – Ole Miss

Signing John Brown and Cole Beasley isn’t going to be enough for the Bills not to consider D.K. Metcalf here. His athleticism paired with Josh Allen’s arm is going to be a lustful thought for GM Brandon Beane. I’m looking forward to watching Allen overthrow Metcalf on go-routes this year.

[Also See: Top 10 wide receivers in the 2019 NFL draft]

No. 10, Denver Broncos: Drew Lock – QB – Missouri

Doesn’t this just make sense for a John Elway pick? There have been so many rumors of the connection between Elway and Drew Lock throughout the season. Elway suggesting 34-year old Joe Flacco is in his prime tells me that he may be on the hot seat but drafting the “future” could keep his job secure.

No. 11, Cincinnati Bengals: Devin White – LB – LSU

Devin White is just too good for the Bengals to pass up here at 11. The Bengals have a lot of needs with their top positions aging and new regime taking over in Cincinnati. White will insert himself as an elite MLB from day 1 and after the Bengals decided to release Vontaze Burfict, this pick makes a lot of sense.

No. 12, Green Bay Packers: Noah Fant – TE – Iowa

The dream scenario for Noah Fant would be landing with Aaron Rodgers. Packers have Jimmy Graham and re-signed Marcedes Lewis but after drafting 3 wide receivers in 2018, I expect the Packers to draft a high profile weapon to maximize Aaron Rodgers’ playing level and time left.

No. 13, Miami Dolphins: Ed Oliver – IDL – Houston

The most optimal decision the Dolphins could make on draft day would be to trade back and collect assets but the 13th pick may not be worth the haul. Miami has a lot of glaring needs so Ed Oliver would make sense as a versatile defensive lineman who can create pressure from inside and out.

No. 14, Atlanta Falcons: Christian Wilkins – IDL – Clemson

The Falcons roster isn’t as bad as their record suggested. They had several severe injuries to their core defensive players. Falcons placed a franchise tag on Grady Jarrett this season but another interior defender is important and can help their decision on whether they keep Jarrett for the 2020 season.

No. 15, Washington Redskins: Clelin Ferrell – EDGE – Clemson

The Redskins have a lot of needs and have made a lot of confusing moves during the offseason which makes it hard to understand what direction they’re chasing. They have a lot of needs but edge rusher is at the top. Clelin Ferrell has length and explosion that will draw a lot of love for edge needy teams.

No. 16, Carolina Panthers: Jawaan Taylor – OT – Florida

Jawaan Taylor is a top prospect in this draft but slips here because teams before this pick had glaring needs. Panthers have a huge need for offensive line to protect Cam Newton and block for Christian McCaffrey. Taylor will anchor this Panthers offensive line for years to come.

No. 17, New York Giants: Brian Burns – EDGE – Florida State

After trading Olivier Vernon the Giants are left with no pass rush. Brian Burns is a long and explosive speed rusher with a nice repertoire of pass rush moves. Burns should slip in the draft because of concerns about his weight but his combine performance at his added weight leaves more room for him to add weight with little athleticism to sacrifice.

No. 18, Minnesota Vikings: Garrett Bradbury – IOL – NC State

The Vikings struggled all season in pass protection and run blocking. With great offensive threats in Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen and Dalvin Cook led by Kirk Cousins, the Vikings will invest in the trenches and enhancing their offense. Bradbury can be a day 1 starter and provide an immediate impact here.

No. 19, Tennessee Titans: Cody Ford – IOL – Oklahoma

With the late season breakout of Derrick Henry and the Titans releasing Josh Kline, I see them investing in offensive line. Mariota dealt with injuries all season being a result from taking hits. Cody Ford is a strong mauler who will help this unit.

No. 20, Pittsburgh Steelers: N’Keal Harry – WR – Arizona State

Losing franchise players in Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell will overcome the Pittsburgh front office to address more pressing needs in their defense. N’Keal Harry fits the Pittsburgh wide receiver model that they tend to draft. He isn’t a workout warrior but has a profile that shows he was productive from a young age and dominant in college throughout his career. Harry has versatility much like Juju that will give them chances to attack mismatches with their receivers.

No. 21, Seattle Seahawks: T.J. Hockenson – TE – Iowa

Seahawks were so heavily dedicated to the run last year that it cost them a playoff game. Hockenson can impact as a menacing run blocker and a great pass catcher for Russell Wilson. This would be an incredible landing spot for Hockenson.

No. 22, Baltimore Ravens: Devin Bush – LB – Michigan

Losing C.J. Mosley in free agency will lead to the Ravens looking to find their replacement early in the draft. Devin Bush was a stud at Michigan and showed incredible athleticism at the NFL Combine. MLB is a crucial part of the Ravens defense and Bush profiles as a top tier linebacker.

No. 23, Houston Texans: Andre Dillard – OT – Washington State

Andre Dillard slips here because of a lack of tape with his ability to support in the run game. Washington State barely runs the ball and when they do, it is never in the traditional sense. Watson was running for his life seemingly every snap, Dillard will step in and be an elite pass protector for their franchise quarterback.

No. 24, Oakland Raiders: Byron Murphy – CB – Washington

After grabbing Quinnen Williams at the top of the draft the Raiders can start addressing pressing needs. Byron Murphy profiles as a great slot cornerback at the NFL level. Being in the AFC West and having to face the Chargers, Chiefs and Broncos who all have great slot receiver use, Murphy is a great add.

No. 25, Philadelphia Eagles: Amani Oruwariye – CB – Penn State

One of the biggest struggles the Eagles faced was in their secondary. Beyond the injuries they dealt with, there was a general lack of talent especially with a true outside corner. Oruwariye profiles as an outside corner with great speed and size who can shadow opposing team’s top receivers.

No. 26, Indianapolis Colts: Jeffery Simmons – IDL – Mississippi State

GM Chris Ballard is doing a great job in Indianapolis since he took over after the 2016 NFL season. He leveraged their draft pick last year into a haul of picks where he hit big on all of the picks. The Colts have a need in their defensive front. Simmons suffered an ACL tear in February during a workout which will lower his stock in the draft. The Colts have the time and a young core to select a guy like Simmons who looks like a potential star but may not be ready at the start of the season.

No. 27, Oakland Raiders: Josh Jacobs – RB – Alabama

Marshawn Lynch, Doug Martin and Jalen Richard are not the future of the Oakland Raiders offense. I expect Jon Gruden and GM Mike Mayock to fall in love with Josh Jacobs for his physicality and explosion despite the poor tests from his Pro Day. He is a bruising back and can impact the game through the air.

[Also See: Top 10 running backs in the 2019 NFL Draft]

No. 28, Los Angeles Chargers: Parris Campbell – WR – Ohio State

With a short window left in Philip Rivers, dealing with Tyreek Hill this season and losing Tyrell Williams to free agency I expect them to find an explosive playmaker. Parris Campbell can stretch the field vertically and will succeed in motion and out of the backfield similar to how the Chiefs used Hill.

No. 29, Kansas City Chiefs: Greedy Williams – CB – LSU

Patrick Mahomes is an elite quarterback and there is no question to that but a large part of his numbers were inflated by the Chiefs being gashed by every team they faced. Getting into shootouts every week the Chiefs are going to address their pass defense. After signing Tyrann Mathieu to play safety or slot corner adding Greedy Williams to play outside will bolster their secondary.

No. 30, Green Bay Packers: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson – S – Florida

After the 2018 draft and the free agency adds the Packers made, it shows that they are placing the emphasis on defending the pass or enhancing the pass. Packers signed Adrian Amos this offseason but shown they are dedicated to adding the premium position players. Adding a guy like Chauncey Gardner-Johnson who can play safety or slot corner would be ideal for the Packers.

No. 31, Los Angeles Rams: Erik McCoy – IOL -Texas A&M

Without many flaws with the team, the Rams will look to replace the losses from free agency that affects their team the most. The Rams lost Rodger Saffold to free agency this season and offensive line is crucial to their team’s success. Erik McCoy is an athletic and strong interior offensive lineman who can make an impact in the Rams high energy offense.

No. 32, New England Patriots: Jerry Tillery – IDL – Notre Dame

Super Bowl champs will look to draft a guy who will make an immediate impact with Tom Brady’s window coming to a close (I think). Jerry Tillery is a high floor prospect who has the size and athleticism that Patriots find great success with. Being able to attack from different techniques will make Tillery an ideal player for the Patriots.