KANSAS CITY, Mo. — We're less than a week from the first round of the NFL Draft, which is set for April 25 in Nashville, Tennessee, so it's time for my initial first-round mock draft of the 2019 season.
[See also 4th and 1 co-host Tod Palmer's 2019 NFL Draft first-round mock, v1.0]
It is based on the best fit for each team to create an impact rather than an attempt to be accurate. That true mock draft will come next week.
Below I choose the best fits in terms of value and talent for each team:
ADDITIONAL NFL DRAFT COVERAGE
[April 10 — Nick Jacobs: Best running back fits]
[April 11 — Nick Jacobs: Best wide receiver fits]
[April 12 — Nick Jacobs: Best tight end fits]
[April 15 — Nick Jacobs: Best interior offensive line fits]
[April 16 — Nick Jacobs: Best offensive tackle fits]
[April 17 — Nick Jacobs: Best edge rusher fits]
[April 18 — Nick Jacobs: Seven-round Chiefs mock draft, v 1.0]
[April 18 — Nick Jacobs: best defensive tackle fits]
[Today — Nick Jacobs: First-round mock draft]
[April 19 — Nick Jacobs: Best linebacker fits]
[April 22 — Nick Jacobs: Best cornerback fits]
NICK JACOBS' 2019 NFL DRAFT FIRST-ROUND MOCK
1. Arizona Cardinals: QB Kyler Murray, Oklahoma
The Cardinals would be wise to squeeze every ounce of draft compensation out of Jon Gruden and the Raiders. Arizona could turn their Murray interest into multiple first-round picks. The organization already may have traded Josh Rosen, the No. 10 pick last season, if they were completely committed to drafting Murray.
The lack of movement tells me the Cardinals are waiting until the last moment to see what offers are on the table. Desperate for offensive line help, multiple picks would steer them in the right direction.
2. San Francisco 49ers: DE Nick Bosa, Ohio State
The 49ers need help at pass rush, cornerback and wide receiver. The organization can get value at wide receiver and corner later in the draft, but premium pass-rushing help goes quickly so this is the ideal spot to address the need with this pick.
3. New York Jets: DT Quinnen Williams, Alabama
Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams wants players who have an edge about them. Williams can dominate an offensive line with his strength. He is the best value pick for the Jets.
4. Oakland Raiders: DE Josh Allen, Kentucky
The Raiders need help with their pass rush and also atcornerback, running back and linebacker. Allen helps replace part of what was lost in the Khalil Mack trade.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DT Ed Oliver, Houston
Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles needs an athletic interior defensive lineman. Oliver provides him the necessary infusion of athleticism for the scheme. A middle linebacker can be found later.
6. New York Giants: OT Jonah Williams, Alabama
The Giants could use a quarterback, but a premium offensive lineman at this spot shouldn't be passed up. The Giants have been on an offensive line-rebuilding project since 2014 and still haven't quite put it together. Williams helps create some stability.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: OT Jawaan Taylor, Florida
The Jaguars' receivers group, offensive line and quarterback were a mess last year. Taylor represents great value to protect their investment at quarterback (signing Nick Foles). Another player who I will be keeping an eye on is Hakeem Butler, who is tailored made for the Jaguars and Steelers. Jags executive vice president of football operations Tom Coughlin is likely having flashbacks to Plaxico Burress with the New York Giants when he watches Butler's tape.
8. Detriot Lions: DE Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
The Lions got their tight end in free agency (Jesse James). Now, they need an edge rusher to pair with Trey Flowers. Cornerbacks and linebackers can be found later in the draft, but Sweat provides Detroit with a versatile pass rusher who has yet to reach his full potential.
9. Buffalo Bills: TE T.J. Hockenson, Iowa
Buffalo did an impressive job this offseason rebuilding its passing game and offensive line around last year's first-round pick, quarterback Josh Allen. Hockenson is the final piece needed to complete the set.
10. Denver Broncos: QB Drew Lock, Missouri
The Broncos have glaring needs along the offensive line and could use a new middle linebacker, but Lock helps them stabilize their quarterback issue long-term. Denver GM John Elway knew what he was doing when he traded for Joe Flacco, adding a veteran quarterback who could buy time until he found a promising rookie to buy him even more time. Lock will need time to learn how to read an NFL defense and two years behind Flacco would do the trick.
11. Cincinnati Bengals: LB Devin Bush, Michigan
The Bengals need to find a new quarterback, restock their wide receiving corp and rebuild the front seven on defense. Bush is the middle linebacker they need to usher in a new era in Cincinnati.
12. Green Bay Packers: TE Noah Fant, Iowa
This is likely a little high for Fant, but this is one of the top three needs for Green Bay. Aaron Rodgers needs help at receiver and the defense lacks a safety, but the best way to keep Rodgers upright is to get him weapons who can get open quicker.
13. Miami Dolphins: DL Rashan Gary, Michigan
New coach Brian Flores needs to stamp his brand on Miami's roster. This isn't the ideal year for a franchise quarterback, so Flores likely will want to build a stout and versatile defensive line in his image. After missing out on Trey Flowers, Gary may be the first piece towards becoming New England south.
14. Atlanta Falcons: DE Brian Burns, Florida State
The Falcons needs a speed rusher off the edge. Burns provides them exactly that kind of pass rusher, who should excel in the dome and in that scheme.
15. Washington Redskins: LB Devin White, LSU
Washington needs help at middle linebacker. White still being on the board provides them with a chance to add the speed they lack at that position. Reuben Foster's future remains cloudy, so he can't be counted on at this time.
16. Carolina Panthers: OT Andre Dillard, Washington State
Carolina needs to find offensive line help for Cam Newton. He takes a lot of massive hits, but Dillard gives them immediate help in pass protection.
17. New York Giants: DT Christian Wilkins, Clemson
General manager David Gettleman appears to like four things in life — offensive line, defensive line, a power running game and trading away top-notch players. Here he adds a powerful defensive tackle who can challenge double teams.
18. Minnesota Vikings: C Garrett Bradbury, North Carolina State
The Vikings desperately need athletic offensive linemen to make their scheme work. Bradbury is the perfect interior lineman to help make that happen.
19. Tennessee Titans: WR Marquise Brown, Oklahoma
The Titans have one truly explosive playmaker on offense last year and it was Dion Lewis after an injury to Delanie Walker. Tennesse needs to give Marcus Mariota an additional explosive presence on offense and Brown could take the offense to a new level.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Lonnie Johnson, Kentucky
Pittsburgh needs help throughout the secondary. They have cornerbacks Joe Haden and Steven Nelson but still need all the help they can get. Wide receiver lost its value when Brown went off the board.
21. Seattle Seahawks: DE Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
The Seahawks will need to find a cheaper option at edge rusher to replace the cost of Frank Clark. Ferrell gives them a solid edge rusher with a controllable cost for the next five years and allows them to trade Clark for future draft compensation.
22. Baltimore Ravens: WR D.K. Metcalf, Mississippi
The Ravens need a youthful deep threat on offense and a receiver who has a big enough body to take hits over middle with a quarterback who still has some inaccuracy issues.
The Ravens need a youthful deep threat on offense and a receiver who has a big enough body to take hits over middle with a quarterback who still has some inaccuracy issues.
23. Houston Texas: OT Bobby Evans, Oklahoma
The Texans ought to spent most of their draft on the offensive line. Deshaun Watson must stay upright this season if the Texans want to stay in contention in a crowded AFC South.
24. Oakland Raiders: RB Josh Jacobs, Alabama
Coach Jon Gruden finds his next power back to replace Marshawn Lynch, a pick he has to make before Philadelphia and Indianapolis take advantage of the value on the board.
25. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Deandre Baker, Georgia
The Eagles could use a physical press corner presence and Baker checks the list.
26. Indianapolis Colts: DT Dexter Lawrence, Clemson
General manager Chris Ballard is about one thing, finding players with a unique skill that sets them apart. The Colts defensive line needs help on the interior and the edge. Lawrence gives them a run-stuffing tackle who allows those around him to make plays.
27. Oakland Raiders: CB Greedy Williams, LSU
Williams' athletic ability would fit in well in Oakland. Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther has a scheme that would properly utilize Williams' ability in zone coverage and allow him to play to his strengths, reading the football and driving on the route.
28. Los Angeles Chargers: DT Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame
The Chargers need to find interior defensive line help to help edge rushers Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. Tillery immediately helps those two with his presence in the middle.
The Chargers need to find interior defensive line help to help edge rushers Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. Tillery immediately helps those two with his presence in the middle.
29. Kansas City Chiefs: CB Byron Murphy, Washington
The Chiefs get a ball-tracking corner and fluid athlete with smooth quarter turns and some of the better speed in the draft.
30. Green Bay Packers: WR A.J. Brown, Ole Miss
30. Green Bay Packers: WR A.J. Brown, Ole Miss
Brown is a slot receiver Rodgers needs to help him over the middle. He will need to develop his route tree quickly, but Green Bay should bring out the best in him.
31. Los Angeles Rams: CB Rock Ya-Sin, Temple
Ya-Sin plays with a style that fits defensive coordinator Wade Phillips' mentality. He has quick feet, good speed and versatility in both man and zone coverage.
Ya-Sin plays with a style that fits defensive coordinator Wade Phillips' mentality. He has quick feet, good speed and versatility in both man and zone coverage.
32. New England Patriots: QB Daniel Jones, Duke
Tom Brady turns 42 this year, so the Patriots need to find his heir apparent before it is too late. A trade partner also may want this spot.
You can listen to the "4th and 1" podcast with Tod Palmer and Nick Jacobs on iTunes, Stitcher , Spotify , and TuneIn. You can also find Jacobs on twitter @Jacobs71.
