CHDraftScouting Chase Hammes: A way too early 2019 NFL mock draft (round one)

Mock drafts this early – before the 2018 season has even begun – are about making sure you know the collegiate players to watch this upcoming season and understanding NFL team needs (all 32 of them)  heading into the 2019 NFL Draft. It is difficult to predict what will happen with these kids’ development this collegiate season, but they are players that should be at the top of everyone’s watch list. Here is my way too early 2019 NFL mock draft. Also, if you like this mock or want to give feedback follow me on Twitter @CHDraftScouting.

1. Miami Dolphins – Justin Herbert (QB, Oregon)

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The Dolphins may be in full-on tank mode this season. In other words, they look like they may barely scrape by in 2018. Ryan Tannehill will be 31 years old and Herbert is an amazing prospect that could be Miami’s best pickup for 2019. Herbert has the arm, size, and mobility to be a franchise quarterback at the next level. He broke his collarbone in 2017, but he probably would’ve been my first or second quarterback in the 2018 NFL Draft had he declared. Herbert has wowed me many times on film and he should be highly coveted this next draft season. My best comparison for him would be Carson Wentz.

2. Oakland Raiders – Ed Oliver (DT, Houston)

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The Raiders have had the worst offseason in the league this year thanks to terrible decision making by Jon Gruden. Oliver, the 2017 Outland Trophy winner, would’ve been a Top-5 pick this in the 2018 Draft but wasn’t eligible. Oliver and Khalil Mack would absolutely dominate opposing teams and by adding Oliver, the Raiders would add another elite player to that defense. Oliver moves like a linebacker and is a unique physical specimen. He could be an All-Pro in his first season in the league.

3. Buffalo Bills – Nick Bosa (EDGE, Ohio State)

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The Bills need offensive weapons to complement their future franchise quarterback, Josh Allen, selected in the 2018 Draft. I wouldn’t take a receiver this high, though. Buffalo is lacking a star pass-rusher and that’s exactly what Bosa is. I honestly think Nick is a better player then his brother Joey who has been a star in his first few years in the NFL. Bosa would give Buffalo some excitement and a star defensive player that they need. Bosa was the 2017 Big Ten Conference Smith-Brown defensive lineman of the year and looks to be one of the very best defensive players in all of college football this upcoming season.

4. Seattle Seahawks – Jonah Williams (OT, Alabama)

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The Seahawks are in rebuild mode and it didn’t help that they reached on their first-round pick in the 2018 Draft in running back Rashaad Penny. Seattle still needs help at offensive line and Duane Brown is set to be a free agent after the season. Williams is a big, talented tackle and should be a high pick next spring if he continues his success as one of the best collegiate offensive linemen this season at Alabama.

5. Cincinnati Bengals – Shea Patterson (QB, Michigan)

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The Bengals need an upgrade over below-average Andy Dalton. Patterson played in an air raid system at Ole Miss but it will be interesting to see him in a pro-style offense at Michigan under Jim Harbaugh. Patterson has very high potential, great pocket movement and can make all the throws. He’s a little small for an NFL-level quarterback, but with some development, he could be the face of the Bengals’ franchise in 2019.

6. Arizona Cardinals – Trey Adams (OT, Washington)

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The Cardinals got what I think could be their franchise quarterback in Josh Rosen in the 2018 Draft. The problem is, they’re gonna have trouble protecting him and need an offensive line upgrade. Adams is a big guy (6’8″, 327 pounds) and is pretty agile for his size. He could help the Cardinals protect the very talented but injury-prone Rosen. Adams missed time at left tackle in 2017 due to injury but was 2016 First-Team All-Pac-12 the year before.

7. Indianapolis Colts – Dexter Lawrence (DT, Clemson)

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Who knows what will happen with the Colts in 2018? If Andrew Luck is healthy, they could be better than this spot in the 2019 Draft, but there is no consensus that he’ll be under center this upcoming NFL season. Either way, the Colts still have some positions to address and one of them is defensive line. Lawrence is a big, athletic tackle who has been talked about since his freshman year. Look for him to be dominant this year for Clemson. Lawrence has already gotten the attention of NFL scouts and some have predicted him to possibly go number one overall in the 2019 NFL Draft.

8. Washington Redskins – Easton Stick (QB, North Dakota State)

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The Redskins look like they will struggle a bit this year without Kirk Cousins at quarterback. Alex Smith had a career year in 2017 with the Kansas City Chiefs, but Washington needs to take a look at the quarterback position long-term after the 2018 season. Stick isn’t getting the attention he deserves. Named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference All-Newcomer Team in 2015 as a freshman, Stick went 8-0 as the starting quarterback after Carson Wentz was injured that year. In 2017, Stick led NDSU to its sixth NCAA Division I football national championship in seven years. He has moments when he is absolutely stunning with accuracy, poise, and arm strength; at times he looks Aaron Rodgers-ish.

9. Baltimore Ravens – N’Keal Harry (WR, Arizona State)

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The Ravens got their quarterback of the future in Lamar Jackson during the 2018 Draft, but they need to give him some weapons. The Ravens have one of the worst receiving corps in the league and will need to address that moving forward. Harry is a physical freak at 6’4″, 230, and is a very good athlete. He has been dominant since his freshman year and will be a number one wideout for Baltimore.

10. New York Giants – Andraez “Greedy” Williams (CB, LSU)

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What a great name and a great player. The Giants had a good offseason but still need to fill some spots, including corner and quarterback in 2019. Eli Apple has been a nut case and Janoris Jenkins had a disappointing 2017 season. “Greedy” is one of the best players in the class and will be a lockdown corner from day one.

11. Cleveland Browns – Rashan Gary (DE, Michigan)

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Good news Browns fans, you don’t finish last in your division in 2018! The Browns had one of the best offseasons this year and it will show. Gary is a super talented interior player who is lacking overall production but could have a huge year for the Wolverines. Pairing him with Myles Garrett on the other side via the 2019 Draft could be trouble for whoever has to block them. Gary is already being highly considered as a top pick in 2019.

12. Denver Broncos – Drew Lock (QB, Missouri) 

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Case Keenum got a two year “prove it” deal in Denver (2018) to see if his 2017 season was a fluke or reality. The Broncos could look at Lock and potentially replace Keenum in the 2019 Draft. I really like Lock, but not as much as Stick or Patterson. He has the same traits that Josh Allen has but with better accuracy. Lock has the potential to be a Top-10 pick if he improves from last season. Some draft analysts are saying he’s a Top-5 after he opted not to declare for the 2018 Draft and improve his stock after he threw an SEC-record 44 touchdown passes in 2017.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Greg Little (OT, Ole Miss)

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The Buccaneers didn’t address the offensive tackle position outside of adding Alex Cappa, who will most likely move inside in 2018. Donovan Smith had a very poor season last year and the Bucs need an upgrade. Little was a prized prep recruit and has lived up to the hype so far at Ole Miss. He could fix the left tackle position for the Buccaneers in 2019 and help protect Jameis Winston‘s longevity in the NFL. Little was named the 31st-best player in college football by NFL.com (2017) and listed as the No. 1 left tackle in 2017.

14. New York Jets – Mitch Hyatt (OT, Clemson)

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The Jets need help at offensive tackle to protect recently-drafted quarterback Sam Darnold. Hyatt has been very solid at left tackle for Clemson ever since he took the starting job. He would’ve been a day 2 pick in the 2018 Draft if he had declared instead of opting for another season with the Tigers. With another season under his belt this year, he could easily go this high in 2019. Hyatt was the ACC Jacobs Blocking Trophy winner in 2017.

15. Detroit Lions – Devin White (LB, LSU)

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The Lions took Jarrad Davis in the first round of the NFL Draft a few years ago but he hasn’t been what people thought he would be. White is an absolute animal. He flies around all over the field and can make plays in the run defense or drop back in coverage against tight ends. He is more talented than Roquan Smith, who was highly-coveted this past draft season.

16. Chicago Bears – Clelin Ferrell (EDGE, Clemson)

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The Bears have gone with two linebackers in the past three drafts but Ferrell is too good to pass up at this spot. On the edge, Ferrell is a fantastic pass-rusher and is a very good athlete. Pairing him with Roquan Smith and Leonard Floyd would build a great defense for Chicago’s future. It will be interesting to see how Ferrell does this season with the rest of the amazing Clemson defensive line. Last season, Ferrell was one of five finalists for the Ted Hendricks Award.

17. Kansas City Chiefs – Deandre Baker (CB, Georgia)

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The Chiefs traded away Marcus Peters this offseason and need to build up their defensive backfield. Baker is a baller and was a big piece to the Bulldogs’ success in 2017. Baker and Kendall Fuller, who the Chiefs picked up in free agency, would give Kansas City a young corner duo for the future.

18. Atlanta Falcons – Raekwon Davis (DT, Alabama)

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The Falcons drafted Deadrin Senat this year, but they could still use some help on the defensive line moving ahead. Davis is 6’7″, 306, and is a very powerful athlete. He hasn’t been super productive but he’s destined to have a big 2018 season if he puts it all together. His frame and play style will without a doubt draw comparisons to DeForest Buckner.

19. Houston Texans – Terry Beckner, Jr. (DT, Missouri)

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The Texans need help in the middle of their defensive line or on the other side opposite J.J. Watt. Beckner was a beast in 2017 and will help the interior pass rush and be a good run-stuffer for Missouri in 2018. Beckner could rise higher than 19th if he has another great season. Pairing him with Watt would be a dangerous defensive line combo.

20. San Francisco 49ers- A.J. Brown (WR, Ole Miss)

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The 49ers got their franchise quarterback in Jimmy Garopollo via trade last season, but they need to get him more weapons to throw to. Brown is an animal and will be a number one receiver in the league after he’s drafted in 2019. Brown has a big frame (6’2″, 220) but moves and runs like a slot receiver. The “Jimmy G-to-Brown” combo would be deadly for opposing teams and a threat in the NFC.

21. Carolina Panthers – David Edwards (OT, Wisconsin)

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The Panthers have really tried to get weapons this offseason for Cam Newton by acquiring D.J. Moore, Torrey Smith and C.J. Anderson. The Panthers still need offensive line help and need an upgrade over Matt Khalil for 2019. Sometimes football necessitates change, and Edwards – a former quarterback and tight end who converted to the offensive line – could be a very good left tackle for Carolina and give Newton the extra protection he needs in the pocket.

22. Green Bay Packers – Austin Bryant (EDGE, Clemson)

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The Packers need an upgrade over Nick Perry and Bryant is their guy in 2019. Bryant can play defensive end or outside linebacker and would be a monster pass-rusher for them. Bryant isn’t the best player on that Clemson defensive line this upcoming collegiate season, but he can still be a really good player at the next level. Bryant has been in the two-deep rotation his entire career at Clemson, so watch for his stock to climb if he has a breakout 2018 season.

23. Dallas Cowboys – Collin Johnson (WR, Texas)

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The Cowboys would be a legit Super Bowl contender if they had some better receivers for Dak Prescott. Who knows what is going to happen with the Dez Bryant situation. Johnson is 6’6″, 220, and runs a 4.5 40-yard dash. He would be a lethal red zone threat and would give Prescott a true number one receiver. Johnson could get the Cowboys back to their winning ways if they grab him in 2019.  Johnson could be a carbon copy of Mike Evans.

24. Los Angeles Chargers – Jarrett Stidham (QB, Auburn)

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Everyone knows the Chargers have to eventually replace Philip Rivers. Stidham has the potential to be a star quarterback in the NFL. Stidham struggled in the beginning of the 2017 season and got better towards the end of the year. I can’t wait to see Stidham in a new offense after he was limited by short passes and a run-heavy offense. Stidham has one of the best deep balls I’ve ever seen. He is Derek Carr 2.0. He missed some of the spring practices this year already due to healing from surgery on his non-throwing arm but looks to bounce back.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers – Josh Allen (LB, Kentucky)

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Unfortunately, Ryan Shazier went down with a nasty injury during the 2017-18 NFL season and may never return to football again. The Steelers need to do their best to replace him as he was turning into a perennial pro bowler. Allen will draw comparisons to 2018 Draft selection Tremaine Edmunds with his size (6’5″, 240) and his versatility to play inside or outside. Allen would give the Steelers a young, athletic linebacker that they will miss minus Shazier.

26. Green Bay Packers (via trade with New Orleans Saints)- David Montgomery (RB, Iowa State)

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The Packers haven’t had a solid run game in a while and Montgomery would fix that if they select him in 2019. Under coach Matt Campbell, who has reiterated that Iowa State is pushing for a Big 12 title in 2018, he’ll use Montgomery – ranked third in the Big 12 in rushing yards per game (88.2) in 2017 and only the 14th Cyclone rusher in school history to reach the 1,000 yard mark (1,146 yards) with six 100-yard rushing games last season –  heavily in his offense. Montgomery is a great interior runner who also has speed to get to the outside. He caused 101 missed tackles last year (2017) according to PFF, which was a record for most in a season. He would take pressure off of Aaron Rodgers and give him the best running back he’s had while he’s been a starter in Green Bay.

27. Tennessee Titans – Dre’Mont Jones (DL, Ohio State)

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The Titans didn’t get a defensive lineman in this year’s (2018) class and need an upgrade over DaQuan Jones. Dre’Mont is a high-upside player with very good athleticism for his size (6’3″, 290). He was lost in the depth chart at times last year (2017) with all the talent on the Ohio State defensive line but I expect a big year from him in 2018.

28. Los Angeles Rams – Hjalte Froholdt (OG, Arkansas)

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The Rams don’t have many needs in 2018, but if they needed help somewhere it would be the interior offensive line. Froholdt looks like the best guard in this 2019 class and would protect Jared Goff and clear running lanes for Todd Gurley. The Rams are gonna be dangerous moving forward.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars – Tyree Jackson (QB, Buffalo)

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Depending on how well Blake Bortles plays this year, the Jaguars could take a look at a quarterback in the 2019 Draft. The Jaguars have one of the most talented teams in the league but are limited by their quarterback play. Jackson is 6’7″, 245, and runs a 4.57, with one of the strongest arms I’ve ever seen. Jackson is pretty accurate; he should be getting more buzz this year. If he has a big season then he could be in Top-5 consideration for the 2019 Draft class.

30. Minnesota Vikings – Taylor Rapp (SS, Washington)

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The Vikings are so rich in talent that it’s hard to find a weakness in their roster, but I think they can replace Andrew Sendejo in 2019. Rapp has been a star since arriving at Washington and flies all over the field. He is a good athlete and will be fantastic coming up in the run game. He was an All-Pac-12 First Team selection in 2017.

31. New England Patriots – Joe Jackson (EDGE, Miami (FL))

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The Patriots didn’t have a great pass rush in 2017 and did little to improve that with the 2018 Draft. You can’t have too many pass-rushers on a defense, anyway. Jackson is raw but he’s a really good athlete with good size. If he develops more pass-rush moves this season (2018) at Miami and adds some weight to his frame, he will be very dangerous coming off of the edge in the NFL; especially if he can beef up New England’s defense.

32. Philadelphia Eagles – Rodney Anderson (RB, Oklahoma)

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Philly could use a running back in 2019 because of the number of injuries to Darren Sproles (and Jay Ajayi‘s health is always in the air). Anderson would give Carson Wentz and company a good balance of agility and power. Anderson is also a great receiver out of the backfield. Anderson is splitting time with Trey Sermon on the Oklahoma roster this season, but I expect a big year from him in 2018, elevating his 2019 draft stock.


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