2019 NFL Mock Draft, 2.0: Post-free agency edition
By Bryan Perez
The Seahawks have a solid pair of receivers in Tyler Lockett and Doug Baldwin, but neither player has the physical makeup of N’Keal Harry, who can finally give Russell Wilson the kind of big-bodied red-zone target he’s lacked in, well, forever, at wide receiver. Harry isn’t a game-breaker, but Seattle already has their speed guy in Lockett. Harry rounds out the passing game well.
There’s always that point in the first round — usually around this mark — that a run on receivers begins. Deebo Samuel becomes the fourth off the board (and second in a row), but he has as much upside as any of the other players who went ahead of him. In fact, Samuel’s ability to create separation in the intermediate passing game will be a gift that keeps on giving for second-year QB Lamar Jackson.
The Texans added Bradley Roby and Briean Boddy-Calhoun to one-year deals in free agency, but neither transaction will deter them from drafting the top cornerback in the 2019 class, Greedy Williams. Williams isn’t without his flaws (i.e., run support), but he has great length and natural coverage skills that should make him an effective starter for a long time.
The Raiders already addressed edge at No. 4 overall with Montez Sweat, so they’re bound to go in a different direction here, right? Wrong. Their pass rush was that atrocious last season. They have to add multiple pieces in this draft, and Clelin Ferrell is a very strong pick at this point in Round 1. He may not have the upside as some of the pass rushers who went ahead of him in this mock draft, but he could have the highest floor of them all. Combined with Sweat, the Raiders will suddenly have some legitimate options to get after the quarterback.
The Eagles have a need at running back and they haven’t taken any steps in free agency to address it. This year’s draft will offer a lot of solid options on Day 2, but with the most highly-regarded prospect still on the board here, Philadelphia will waste little time adding Josh Jacobs, who will bring a three-down skill set to the offense.
The Colts added WR Devin Funchess as the big-bodied complement to T.Y. Hilton, which will likely allow the club to focus its attention to the defensive side of the ball in the first round. They’ll look to strengthen their front-seven, and the best option available (who slid a bit in this mock) is Clemson’s Christian Wilkins. He’ll be a plug-and-play starter from the first training camp practice on.