Just a little over a week away from the 2019 NFL Draft, and teams are preparing to add young talent to help their rosters take that next step towards Super Bowl 54 in 2020 in Miami. What do experts think will happen in the second half of the first round?
17. New York Giants (from Cleveland)
The pick: A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss — Matt Miller, Bleacher Report
“While he often played as a slot receiver in college, that was more a product of the system at Ole Miss. He also has the ability to win on the outside of the formation. Brown has excellent route-running skills, impressive speed (4.49 seconds) and great physicality at 226 pounds on his 6’0″ frame.”
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18. Minnesota Vikings
The pick: Cody Ford, OL, Oklahoma — Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
“The 49ers would love to get an elite edge player to add to their defense. Bosa would be that.”
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19. Tennessee Titans
The pick: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa — Lance Cartelli, 24/7 Sports
“The Titans need to find out if Marcus Mariota is the long-term answer in Tennessee. Picking up a weapon for the middle of the field should help.”
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20. Pittsburgh Steelers
The pick: Byron Murphy, CB, Washington — Charlie Casserly, NFL.com
“Murphy is an excellent technician at the position, helping to bolster the Steelers‘ secondary.”
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21. Seattle Seahawks
The pick: Brian Burns, EDGE, Florida State — Charlie Casserly, NFL.com
“The Seahawks add a pass rusher opposite Frank Clark, who’s currently set to play the 2019 season on the franchise tag.”
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22. Baltimore Ravens
The pick: Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama — Matt Miller, Bleacher Report
“Alabama’s Josh Jacobs is a power back with moves and soft hands. He’s a flawless receiver out of the backfield, and he has the patience, vision and agility to be a featured back in the Ravens’ scheme.”
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23. Houston Texans
The pick: Garrett Bradbury, OL, NC State — Lance Cartelli, 24/7 Sports
“The Texans’ biggest priority of the offseason is to make sure quarterback Deshaun Watson is better protected in 2019.”
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24. Oakland Raiders (from Chicago)
The pick: Irv Smith Jr., TE, Alabama — Charlie Casserly, NFL.com
“Antonio Brown, Tyrell Williams and Irv Smith with Derek Carr! The Raiders have made a lot of moves this offseason to become a better football team.”
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25. Philadelphia Eagles
The pick: Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma — Matt Miller, Bleacher Report
“Offensive line depth could be a need, but the Eagles are signing many of their free agents there to keep the group together. With Brandon Graham back at defensive end and the offensive line intact, receiver becomes the biggest need. Brown is the best player left on the board to fill it.”
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26. Indianapolis Colts
The pick: Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State — Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
“The Colts need a dominant player inside and Simmons has the tools to do that. Only a torn ACL in January is keeping him out of the top 10. ”
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27. Oakland Raiders (from Dallas)
The pick: Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State — Matt Miller, Bleacher Report
“Johnathan Abram is like Atlanta Falcons safety Keanu Neal all over again. He’s powerful, fast, smart and has the right tools to dominate the middle in coverage and take away the run.”
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28. Los Angeles Chargers
The pick: Dexter Lawrence, DL, Clemson — Lance Cartelli, 24/7 Sports
“The Chargers are extremely talented, but the Bolts could use some help in the middle of their defense.”
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29. Kansas City Chiefs
The pick: Deandre Baker, DB, Georgia — Matt Miller, Bleacher Report
“Baker might not have elite speed, which is why he’s on the board at No. 29, but he is good enough to win against the best in the SEC. He could be a No. 1 cornerback for the Chiefs.”
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30. Green Bay Packers (from New Orleans)
The pick: Taylor Rapp, S, Washington — Charlie Casserly, NFL.com
“Safety was a major problem for the Packers last year, but Rapp and free-agent pickup Adrian Amosare the solution.”
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31. Los Angeles Rams
The pick: Dalton Risner, OL, Northwestern — Lance Cartelli, 24/7 Sports
“Coming off a Super Bowl loss, the Rams must improve their aging offensive line.”
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32. New England Patriots
The pick: Trayvon Mullen, DB, Clemson — Matt Miller, Bleacher Report
“Trayvon Mullen didn’t see a ton of targets in college since ACC quarterbacks avoided him, but when he was challenged, he made plays like the interception and sack that helped clinch a national title for the Tigers against Alabama. Mullen’s size (6’1″, 199 pounds) and speed (4.46-second 40) are intriguing enough without his playmaking skills. ”
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