The 32 best prospects for the 2019 NFL Draft
With the 2018 NFL Draft come and gone, let’s use it as an excuse to look to the 2019 NFL Draft class. Below you can find first-round projections and the projected top players for the 2019 NFL Draft. Nick Bosa is expected to be the top pick.
1. Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
He’s the best-rated recruit ever to go to a Group of 5 school, and Ed Oliver has made life extra miserable for his foes. He already told reporters he’s leaving for the draft after the 2018 season, and he’ll be one of the most sought-after players available.
2. Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
This one’s more of a guess than most, because there’s a good chance Justin Herbert isn’t even in the draft. But the 2019 class appears light on QB talent, and Herbert has the chance to finish the season he started before getting injured in 2017.
3. Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
Nick Bosa might be even better than his brother, the current Chargers defensive end. And that’s saying something.
4. Dexter Lawrence, DL, Clemson
Dexter Lawrence is one of several Clemson linemen who could have gone to the draft this year. He’s fascinatingly talented, and could certainly go higher than this.
5. DeAndre Baker, CB, Georgia
I’m definitely reaching here, but it feels like time for a cornerback, so here’s one.
6. Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss
Greg Little can maul defenders with his 6-foot-6, 332-pound frame, and advanced stats love him.
7. A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss
A.J. Brown wrecked SEC defenses to the tune of 1252 yards on 75 catches in 2017, and while his output could drop without Shea Patterson at QB, he’s already made a name for himself.
8. Anfernee Jennings, LB, Alabama
Jennings is 2019’s designated Alabama linebacker prospect. An injury kept him out of the title game, or else we’d probably all be talking about him a little more.
9. Rashan Gary, DE/LB, Michigan
This class is fulllll of defensive line prospects, which is why Michigan’s former No. 1 overall recruit is down here at No. 9. Gary is poised
10. Trey Adams, OT, Washington
Trey Adams could end up being the top tackle recruit in next year’s class.
11. Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama
In terms of Power 5 defensive lineman, it won’t get much better than the center of Alabama’s defense.
12. Beau Benzschawel, G, Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s going to have a killer rushing attack with Jonathan Taylor, who was a Heisman contender as a freshman in 2017. That’ll shine a spotlight on the Badgers’ O-line, and Bezschawel is as good as anyone.
13. Jerry Tillery, DL, Notre Dame
Notre Dame’s offensive linemen are the school’s story of this year’s draft. Next year it’ll be a defensive lineman.
14. Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama
Alabama’s starting left tackle will be finished with his third season leading a dominant Tide offense, and NFL scouts are going to be drooling.
15. Ahmmon Richards, WR, Miami
Ahmmon Richards will be a receiver on a Miami team that should, in theory, be in the same title-contending spot it was in last year. If the quarterback throwing him the ball is a little better, Richards could get a lot of attention.
16. Will Grier, QB, West Virginia
Will Grier could be leading the most productive offense in college football next year. Media scrutiny (he was busted for PEDs *gasp*) will surely follow.
17. Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
His return completed Clemson’s line for the 2018 season, and Wilkins is poised to have another great year.
18. Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
Drew Lock’s draft stock has soared since the beginning of last season, and he seems like a reliable bet to be at least serviceable in the NFL as of now. But if there aren’t any surefire top quarterbacks, Lock seems to benefit more than anyone.
19. Michael Jordan, G, Ohio State
Billy Price is the OSU lineman scouts like this year. Jordan could go higher next year.
20. Greedy Williams, CB, LSU
Greedy Williams just finished his redshirt freshman season, but is already getting hype as one of next year’s top corners.
21. Josh Allen, LB, Kentucky
Now here’s a Josh Allen pick we can all be a bit more comfortable with. This Allen was mocked in the first round during his junior season, but elected to return to Kentucky for one more year.
22. Austin Bryant, DL, Clemson
Austin Bryant is another D-lineman who elected to stay for his senior season with the Tigers. And all four could potentially go in the first round.
23. Jarrett Stidham, QB, Auburn
Jarrett Stidham has been working his way back into the national consciousness after his one season lighting up the Big 12 at Baylor. He was 39th in ESPN’s Total QBR stat last year, so he’s not a slam dunk prospect, but he could morph into a top-of-the-line quarterback with another year of seasoning.
24. Michael Jackson, CB, Miami
Michael Jackson had 4 interceptions and 34 tackles and 5 passes broken up as a junior. He’s 6-foot-1 and seems to be getting draft hype, so here seems good.
25. Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio State
Ohio State’s downfield passing game was lacking in 2017, but new QB Dwayne Haskins has the potential to open up the field a little more. Campbell, who has blazing speed and averaged 14.6 yards per catch in 2017, would benefit more than anyone.
26. Clelin Farrell, DL, Clemson
Another Clemson lineman. He’s good.
27. Ryan Finley, QB, NC State
Ryan Finley’s teammate, Bradley Chubb, will be a top pick this season. While the QB won’t be leading quite as talented of a team in 2018, Finely still has an offense that’s mostly intact. Could lead to some big numbers.
28. Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina
Deebo Samuel lost most of his 2017 season to an injury, but assuming he’s healthy, a speedy playmaker awaits for the NFL team that decides to take him.
29. Brian Burns, DE, Florida State
Brian Burns had 4.5 sacks for a Florida State team that was dismal in 2017. He’ll be getting a lot more hype this time next year.
30. DeAndre Walker, DE, Georgia
It could be hard to stand out as a defensive lineman in next year’s draft class, but Walker will be playing for a team that’s contending for the title, so he shouldn’t get lost in the shuffle.
31. Bryce Love, RB, Stanford
Love is going to be a leading Heisman candidate, but injury concerns as well as another year of college wear-and-tear could limit his draft position.
32. David Edwards, OT, Wisconsin
This could be a banner year for Wisconsin’s offensive line in the draft. Edwards started his career at tight end after playing option quarterback in high school, so he’s mobile.
With the 2018 NFL Draft come and gone, let’s use it as an excuse to look to the 2019 NFL Draft class. Below you can find first-round projections and the projected top players for the 2019 NFL Draft. Nick Bosa is expected to be the top pick.
1. Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
He’s the best-rated recruit ever to go to a Group of 5 school, and Ed Oliver has made life extra miserable for his foes. He already told reporters he’s leaving for the draft after the 2018 season, and he’ll be one of the most sought-after players available.
2. Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
This one’s more of a guess than most, because there’s a good chance Justin Herbert isn’t even in the draft. But the 2019 class appears light on QB talent, and Herbert has the chance to finish the season he started before getting injured in 2017.
3. Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
Nick Bosa might be even better than his brother, the current Chargers defensive end. And that’s saying something.
4. Dexter Lawrence, DL, Clemson
Dexter Lawrence is one of several Clemson linemen who could have gone to the draft this year. He’s fascinatingly talented, and could certainly go higher than this.
5. DeAndre Baker, CB, Georgia
I’m definitely reaching here, but it feels like time for a cornerback, so here’s one.
6. Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss
Greg Little can maul defenders with his 6-foot-6, 332-pound frame, and advanced stats love him.
7. A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss
A.J. Brown wrecked SEC defenses to the tune of 1252 yards on 75 catches in 2017, and while his output could drop without Shea Patterson at QB, he’s already made a name for himself.
8. Anfernee Jennings, LB, Alabama
Jennings is 2019’s designated Alabama linebacker prospect. An injury kept him out of the title game, or else we’d probably all be talking about him a little more.
9. Rashan Gary, DE/LB, Michigan
This class is fulllll of defensive line prospects, which is why Michigan’s former No. 1 overall recruit is down here at No. 9. Gary is poised
10. Trey Adams, OT, Washington
Trey Adams could end up being the top tackle recruit in next year’s class.
11. Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama
In terms of Power 5 defensive lineman, it won’t get much better than the center of Alabama’s defense.
12. Beau Benzschawel, G, Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s going to have a killer rushing attack with Jonathan Taylor, who was a Heisman contender as a freshman in 2017. That’ll shine a spotlight on the Badgers’ O-line, and Bezschawel is as good as anyone.
13. Jerry Tillery, DL, Notre Dame
Notre Dame’s offensive linemen are the school’s story of this year’s draft. Next year it’ll be a defensive lineman.
14. Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama
Alabama’s starting left tackle will be finished with his third season leading a dominant Tide offense, and NFL scouts are going to be drooling.
15. Ahmmon Richards, WR, Miami
Ahmmon Richards will be a receiver on a Miami team that should, in theory, be in the same title-contending spot it was in last year. If the quarterback throwing him the ball is a little better, Richards could get a lot of attention.
16. Will Grier, QB, West Virginia
Will Grier could be leading the most productive offense in college football next year. Media scrutiny (he was busted for PEDs *gasp*) will surely follow.
17. Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
His return completed Clemson’s line for the 2018 season, and Wilkins is poised to have another great year.
18. Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
Drew Lock’s draft stock has soared since the beginning of last season, and he seems like a reliable bet to be at least serviceable in the NFL as of now. But if there aren’t any surefire top quarterbacks, Lock seems to benefit more than anyone.
19. Michael Jordan, G, Ohio State
Billy Price is the OSU lineman scouts like this year. Jordan could go higher next year.
20. Greedy Williams, CB, LSU
Greedy Williams just finished his redshirt freshman season, but is already getting hype as one of next year’s top corners.
21. Josh Allen, LB, Kentucky
Now here’s a Josh Allen pick we can all be a bit more comfortable with. This Allen was mocked in the first round during his junior season, but elected to return to Kentucky for one more year.
22. Austin Bryant, DL, Clemson
Austin Bryant is another D-lineman who elected to stay for his senior season with the Tigers. And all four could potentially go in the first round.
23. Jarrett Stidham, QB, Auburn
Jarrett Stidham has been working his way back into the national consciousness after his one season lighting up the Big 12 at Baylor. He was 39th in ESPN’s Total QBR stat last year, so he’s not a slam dunk prospect, but he could morph into a top-of-the-line quarterback with another year of seasoning.
24. Michael Jackson, CB, Miami
Michael Jackson had 4 interceptions and 34 tackles and 5 passes broken up as a junior. He’s 6-foot-1 and seems to be getting draft hype, so here seems good.
25. Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio State
Ohio State’s downfield passing game was lacking in 2017, but new QB Dwayne Haskins has the potential to open up the field a little more. Campbell, who has blazing speed and averaged 14.6 yards per catch in 2017, would benefit more than anyone.
26. Clelin Farrell, DL, Clemson
Another Clemson lineman. He’s good.
27. Ryan Finley, QB, NC State
Ryan Finley’s teammate, Bradley Chubb, will be a top pick this season. While the QB won’t be leading quite as talented of a team in 2018, Finely still has an offense that’s mostly intact. Could lead to some big numbers.
28. Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina
Deebo Samuel lost most of his 2017 season to an injury, but assuming he’s healthy, a speedy playmaker awaits for the NFL team that decides to take him.
29. Brian Burns, DE, Florida State
Brian Burns had 4.5 sacks for a Florida State team that was dismal in 2017. He’ll be getting a lot more hype this time next year.
30. DeAndre Walker, DE, Georgia
It could be hard to stand out as a defensive lineman in next year’s draft class, but Walker will be playing for a team that’s contending for the title, so he shouldn’t get lost in the shuffle.
31. Bryce Love, RB, Stanford
Love is going to be a leading Heisman candidate, but injury concerns as well as another year of college wear-and-tear could limit his draft position.
32. David Edwards, OT, Wisconsin
This could be a banner year for Wisconsin’s offensive line in the draft. Edwards started his career at tight end after playing option quarterback in high school, so he’s mobile.
