2019 NFL Mock Draft, 3.0: Murray headlines 4 QBs in top 15
By Bryan Perez
36. . WR. Ole Miss. A.J. Brown. 21. player
Seattle needs to add bulk to its receiver corps and with Hakeem Butler and D.K. Metcalf already off the board, the Seahawks roll with Brown, who isn’t the tallest pass-catcher in the class but at 226 pounds, he offers a big-bodied slot target who Russell Wilson can use to exploit defenses focusing on Tyler Lockett’s speed down the field. Brown isn’t my favorite receiver in this draft, but I think he’s going to come off the board around this range.
EDGE. Florida State. Brian Burns. 22. player. 26.
The Ravens could go with a receiver here, but Burns’ value as an edge rusher is just too appealing to pass on. He’s been a riser throughout the draft process and some analysts have him ranked as one of the top five or six players in the class. And while that’s a bit rich for my taste, he offers great value here at No. 22 and will bring explosive twitch off the edge for Baltimore’s pass rush.
. OT. Washington State. Andre Dillard. 23. player. 10
This pick feels like destiny. The Texans need to add an offensive tackle to protect DeShaun Watson in the worst way, and Dillard projects as one of the best pass-protecting offensive linemen in this year’s class. Can he be effective in the run game against NFL defenders? We’ll soon find out. But Houston can’t afford to pass on him — or any offensive tackle — in the first round this year.
28. . CB. Washington. Byron Murphy. 24. player
Murphy is probably the best all-around cornerback in this year’s class, but he’ll slide down the first round a bit because he doesn’t possess classic NFL traits for the position. And that’s a win for the Raiders, who need cornerback help and land an instant starter — and a guy who can start for years to come — here at No. 24.
RB. Alabama. Joshua Jacobs. 25. player. 54.
If the Raiders pass on Jacobs at No. 24, don’t expect the Eagles to at 25. Do I think Jacobs is a first-round caliber running back? No, I don’t. But he’s the preferred flavor of this year’s draft class and as a result, he’s likely to come off the board to a running back-needy team like the Eagles at the end of the round. It wouldn’t be a terrible pick; he’ll start right away and give Philadelphia’s offense a weapon out of the backfield. But he’s not a game-changer as some in the industry are suggesting.