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

The Carolina Panthers have almost no choice but to go with an offensive lineman in the first round, and Oklahoma’s Cody Ford feels like a perfect fit. He isn’t the first name that comes to mind when discussing the top interior offensive line prospects in this class, but he’s strong, athletic and has experience at tackle, which is a plus. Ford is a plug-and-play starter who will help keep QB Cam Newton safe and out of harm’s way…for once.

The New York Giants make up for what could be considered a big whiff at No. 6 overall with this selection of Jonah Williams, the criminally underrated tackle prospect from Alabama. And, yes, he’s an offensive tackle. The Giants need football players — real, hardcore football players — like Williams to build around, and with an aging quarterback and superstar running back, there’s never been a more critical time to upgrade the offensive line. Williams will be one of the best players to come out of this draft when it’s all said and done.

Christian Wilkins’ draft stock is on the rise in recent weeks, and this is a common occurrence around this time of year. Players who are good, and who’ve always been good, tend to be criticized for limitations or other shortcomings because it’s what’s expected from draft analysts. But come draft weekend? They get drafted in their proper slotting. Wilkins is one of the 20 best prospects in this draft and he’ll come off the board accordingly. In this mock draft, it’s to the Vikings, who add Wilkins to a defensive front that needs a blue-chipper like him to anchor the defensive line.

Teams looking for a safe pick will fall in love with NC State’s Garrett Bradbury, whose plug-and-play skill set has him set up to be a starter the moment he steps onto the practice field in training camp. The Tennessee Titans will be in the market for interior offensive linemen in the draft and with Bradbury on the board here at No. 19, they’ll give him strong — really strong — consideration. With an offense trending toward a power running game with a fragile quarterback, improving the interior offensive line is a sound strategy.

This is a fun pick, isn’t it? Gone from the Pittsburgh Steelers offense is Antonio Brown, and while JuJu Smith-Schuster is on the launching pad to superstardom, the Steelers need another target for Ben Roethlisberger down the field. D.K. Metcalf is one of this year’s pure physical freaks and while he may not be the perfect wide receiver prospect right now, he does have Julio Jones upside. If everything clicks for him in the NFL, he’ll go down as an absolute steal at No. 20 overall.