The Big Ten’s Top Five 2019 NFL Draft Prospects
Which NCAA football conference produces the most draft-worthy prospects? A look at each of the Power Five conferences and their 5 best NFL draft-bound prospects.
We move on to another power five conference and their top five draft prospects for the 2019 NFL Draft. Today, we focus on the Big Ten home some of the biggest powerhouses college football programs in the nation.
According to CBS’s latest draft prospect list, five players from the Big Ten are rated in the top 32.
Here’s a look at the Big Ten’s five top draft prospects for 2019.
#5. Dwayne Haskins, Quarterback Ohio State:
Despite only being a sophomore almost all indications are showing Dwayne Haskins will be heading for the 2019 NFL Draft this spring.
Rated the number two quarterback for the 2019 draft by CBS Haskins has a chance to be an early selection in April. The quarterback class is still shaping up, but Haskins has a good chance of being selected in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft.
The Heisman finalist and first team big ten quarterback had a season for the ages. Haskins threw for a nation-leading 4,580 yards and 47 touchdowns. Haskins also showed he is a threat with his legs after rushing for 122 yards and four touchdowns. Even with the incredible amount of passing yards and touchdown passes what may the most impressive stat from Haskins’s 2018 season is his completion percentage of 70.2.
#4. Rashan Gary, Defensive Tackle Michigan
Rashan Gary has been among the best defensive players in the Big Ten the past two seasons. The Junior has already declared for the NFL draft electing to skip Michigan’s Peach Bowl against Florida.
Gary finished his career with 119 total tackles, 23 tackles for a loss and 9.5 sacks. As a junior Gary was named first team all big ten as he recorded 38 total tackles and six tackles for a loss.
Gary will be an excellent run stopper in the NFL especially if he is drafted into a 3-4 scheme where his primary responsibilities will be hunting down running backs.
#3. Noah Fant, Tight End Iowa
Barring any sort of dramatic developments between now and April, Noah Fant will be the first tight end selected in the 2019 NFL draft. The junior has already declared for the draft and has chosen to sit out of Iowa’s Outback Bowl match-up with Mississippi State.
Fant finished his college carer with an incredible 78 catches, 1,082 receiving yards and 19 touchdown catches. Fant’s junior year was his most productive as he hauled in 518 yards, 39 receptions, and seven touchdowns earning first-team Big Ten honors.
At 6’5 and 241 pounds, Fant has also earned the reputation as a great run blocker. Whichever team calls Noah Fant’s name in April will be getting an instant upgrade to both their run and pass offense.
#2. Dre’Mont Jones, Defensive Tackle Ohio State:
One of college football’s best defensive lineman is Ohio State’s Dre’Mont Jones, and his success should continue into the NFL.
Jones was named first team all big ten in 2018 after a season where he got to the quarterback for 8.5 sacks, made 13 tackles for a loss, forced a fumble, recovered three and scored a defensive touchdown.
The Junior has yet to decide if he will indeed declare. It appears that Jones will play in the Rose Bowl against Washington. Should Jones choose to does declare he is widely considered a first-round prospect.
Despite being listed as a defensive tackle at 6’3 and 284 pounds Jones can play anywhere on the defensive line making him extremely versatile and a fit for a variety of NFL defensive schemes.
#1 Nick Bosa, Defensive End Ohio State
The top draft prospect from the Big Ten, and possibly in the entire draft, isNick Bosa.
Brother of the number three overall selection in the 2016 NFL draft Joey Bosa, it’s hard to find a 2019 mock draft where Nick isn’t the top player to come off the board.
Despite missing most of his junior season with an injury suffered in Ohio State’s win over TCU in Week three, Bosa decided to withdraw from Ohio State and declare for the draft.
His career numbers despite only having played two full seasons are better than most college players in four full seasons. Bosa recorded 77 total tackles, made 29 tackles for a loss, got to the quarterback for 17.5 sacks, defended two passes, forced two fumbles and scored a defensive touchdown.
At 6’4 Bosa is extremely lengthy on the outside and has great speed. His brother has 26 sacks in just two full seasons in the NFL and is on his way to a having an incredible career. Many expect the younger Bosa to follow in his brother’ footsteps. When all is said and done Nick may be the better Bosa as he is one of the most talented defensive end prospects in recent memory.
