2019 NFL Mock Draft, 4.0: Quinnen Williams suffers 1st-round slide

With the 2019 NFL draft less than three weeks away, here’s a look at With The First Pick’s Mock Draft, 4.0.

Not much has changed in the draft narrative since word of the Arizona Cardinals’ infatuation with Kyler Murray leaked several weeks ago. And while there’s a chance — there’s always a chance — the Muray rumors are nothing more than the Cardinals’ attempt to drum up trade interest for the first overall pick, it feels like a foregone conclusion at this point that Murray will be the new face of the franchise in Arizona.

As the days continue to dwindle before the NFL draft kicks off, San Francisco 49ers fans are keeping their fingers crossed and are saying a few extra prayers with the hope that Nick Bosa, arguably the best overall player in the class, slips to them at No. 2. Moments like this only happen when a quarterback is deemed worthy of the first overall pick, even if that quarterback isn’t the best pound-for-pound player in the class. And it’s usually the team picking second that is the biggest winner. In 2019, the 49ers are shaping up to be that team.

The closer we get to the New York Jets actually being on the clock, the more it makes sense for the pick to be about QB Sam Darnold. And while there are certainly several defensive prospects who are worthy of this pick (and who actually have higher grades), the Jets can’t ignore the offensive line if they want to truly get the most out of their young franchise quarterback. Taylor, who’s viewed as the most natural NFL tackle in this year’s draft class, may not be the popular pick for fans, but every great quarterback needs offensive tackles they can trust.

The fastest way for the Oakland Raiders to erase the ghosts of the Khalil Mack trade is to get another edge rusher with double-digit upside with their first pick in the 2019 NFL draft. That’s what they do here with Josh Allen, who’s considered the top pass-rushing prospect available. The Raiders have two more first-round picks (No. 24 & 27) and will probably address defense at least one more time before the round concludes. They won’t pass on the opportunity to add a blue-chip edge defender here.

Devin White to the Tampa Bay Buccanneers is becoming a chalk pick at this point, although Houston defensive lineman Ed Oliver is beginning to build some momentum. And there’s always that pesky Devin Bush (Michigan), who’s finally getting the recognition he deserves as potentially the top linebacker in this year’s draft class. But White remains the most logical pick for a team searching for a defensive leader with sideline-to-sideline playmaking ability. White fits the bill.