5 surprising picks from Daniel Jeremiah’s Mock Draft 3.0
By Bryan Perez
8. Detroit Lions – Jonah Williams, OG, Alabama
Williams, for my money, is the top offensive lineman in the 2019 NFL draft, but I have him rated that high because of his ability to play tackle. Yes, he can play offensive tackle in the NFL.
But the narrative around Williams kicking inside to guard isn’t just growing louder; it’s crystallizing. And if that’s the case, I don’t see how he’ll end up a top-10 pick.
"Detroit has spent a lot of draft capital on the offensive line, but I could see them going back to the well one more time."
Guards are similar to running backs (at least, they used to be) when it comes to draft value. Sure, a generational talent like Quenton Nelson is worth a top-five selection in any draft year, but unless a prospect is overflowing with as much talent as he was, interior linemen usually wait until the middle or later portion of the first round to get picked.
Williams isn’t a generational guard talent. He’s going to be an excellent starter in the NFL, and yeah, that has value. But if he’s being pegged a guard on draft day, he shouldn’t be a top-10 pick.