Reports have surfaced that several teams have interest in trading up in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. In my final mock draft of the year, I have a franchise jumping into the top 10 -- and it might not be who you think ...
To see every pick each team holds in the 2019 NFL Draft, click here.
Lot of noise about this pick in the last 48 hours being someone other than Kyler Murray. I'll stick with what I know -- the new head coach really likes Josh Rosen, but he lovesKyler Murray and has for seven years. I think the latter is the guy. Murray handled the criticism of his NFL Scouting Combine interviews with grace, wowed at his pro day and has exactly what it takes in his skill set to excel in a Kingsbury offense. He's the pick.
The 49ers will run this envelope to the podium. San Francisco would be thrilled to see Bosa slip out of the top spot, and I think he does. I'm told that GM John Lynch loves Bosa as a prospect and teammate -- the word back from those in Columbus is that he's the real deal, both on the field and off. Stud.
Believe what you're hearing: The Jets would love to move back and collect a king's ransom for the third overall pick if a team is willing to move up. Let's assume no one gives a "Godfather" offer they can't refuse. I think Williams is the guy, Gregg Williams' scheme be damned. The top overall prospect on many teams' draft boards, he's everything you could want in a young man. Mike Maccagnan is making this selection, with input from Adam Gase and the coaches. All this talk of Gregg Williams loving Ed Oliver is great -- and likely true -- but I don't see the defensive coordinator having the final say here.
I had Ed Oliver going this high to Oakland back in March and got ridiculed for it, but I'm not even certain he'll be on the board by the time the Raiders are on the clock. If he is, this seems to be the pick. Oakland needs to rebuild its defense, and Oliver's the favorite of many personnel folks I speak with. His pro day performance was among the best you'll see -- his three-time All-American bullet point on the resume is not bad, either. He's Geno Atkins Part II -- and under Raiders DC Paul Guenther, he'll be playing in the same defensive scheme that Geno dominated in.
The Buccaneers hoped to bring back veteran inside linebacker Kwon Alexander, but he signed with San Francisco instead. They go right back to Baton Rouge for the next great LSU linebacker and snatch White. I've had multiple NFL personnel men -- not one, but two -- tell me he reminds them of Patrick Willis. Not a bad comparison. The Bucs scoop him up and get a leader for their D.
Allen, the SEC Defensive Player of the Year who had 17 sacks last season, fits everything GM Dave Gettleman loves in a football player. He's a leader. He's a senior boasting a resume checkered with accomplishments. And he's a terror off the edge. He's also a heck of a kid. The Giants may sniff around on the quarterbacks here, but I see them going "best player available" -- as they've indicated they will do, time and time again.
A punishing, hulking big body who'll be an immediate starter on the Jacksonville offensive line. You'll hear lots of talk about TE T.J. Hockenson, the Iowa tight end, or Andre Dillard or Jonah Williams coming off the board here. I think Taylor, the big boy who can help the Jags dominate in the run game, is the more likely choice.
PROJECTED TRADE WITH LIONS: Houston trades up for an offensive tackle to watch Deshaun Watson's blind side, trading picks Nos. 23, 55 and 86. There are three offensive linemen viewed as elite guys in this draft. They'll go early. And teams will trade up to get them.
Many have called Williams "the safest pick" in this entire draft. An absolute gamer who wants to play tackle at the next level but may make more sense as a guard. One of the most competitive players in this class, he'd immediately add toughness and smarts to the Bills' offensive attack.
There's a lot to like about the Michigan linebacker with bullet speed. He's a rocket racing sideline to sideline, and he reportedly interviewed wonderfully at the combine. Teammates love him and he's a leader on the field. Vic Fangio's defense gets this year's Roquan Smith. I don't buy the hype on Denver wanting a QB. Don't see it here.
Hockenson gets a ton of love in draft circles. He could go as high as seventh overall to the Jaguars or fall into the teens. If he's there at 11, I could see the Bengals giving Zac Taylor and Andy Dalton the do-everything tight end.
The Packers give Aaron Rodgers another game-breaker and a player most often compared to Tyreek Hill. He's only 170 pounds and is coming off a foot injury, but I see Brown going as high as No. 12 to Green Bay.
You won't read or hear a bad word about Wilkins, and he's viewed as one of the safest and most reliable prospects in the entire draft. Miami might not need an interior defensive lineman, but Wilkins is the type of player and person you build around. I've heard he could go as high as No. 6 overall. Miami grabbing him at 13 would be a great landing spot.
The Falcons sit at 14 and wait to see who falls to them. I've got them taking Ferrell, the second Clemson defensive lineman off the board and a talented pass rusher who can also stop the run.
Burns is one of those prospects who has risen up boards at the right time. He can get to the quarterback off the edge, but the knock is that he played at a weight that's not typical for an NFL pass rusher. Can he keep on the pounds he put on in the last six months?
All that talk about the Giants loving the Duke QB? I hear there's more than just smoke there -- it's true. Peyton Manning is one of Jones' biggest advocates, and at No. 17 overall -- not six -- this might just be too much for New York to pass on.
Minnesota's No. 1 goal this offseason has been to find ways to keep its $84 million quarterback upright. Bradbury is nasty, versatile and tough. He had a great week in Indianapolis at the combine and is projected to be a Day 1 starter in the NFL at one of the three interior OL positions.
I'm hearing the Titans could easily move back if they don't love a player here, and there's even whispers of them taking a quarterback. I think they sit tight, get the 342-pound defensive tackle out of Clemson, and continue to give Mike Vrabel the type of players he wants to build around on defense.
I've heard whispers that the Steelers may want to move up in this draft to acquire a linebacker, but I don't see Devin White or Devin Bush falling far enough for Pittsburgh to make such a big move. Ya-Sin had a solid Senior Bowl, combine and overall pre-draft process. He could very well be the first corner off the board.
Gary slips to No. 21 and the Seahawks gladly scoop him up. Despite being an absolute physical freak and an Academic All-American, I know Gary's not as high on some teams' boards as his measurements/combine results might call for. A lack of big production last season at Michigan has been a knock.
The Ravens drafted a pair of Sooners last year in tackle Orlando Brown Jr. and tight end Mark Andrews. They go back to the Oklahoma well when Ford slips.
PROJECTED TRADE WITH TEXANS: The Lions move back 15 spots and still add one of the top corners in the NFL draft. Head coach Matt Patricia continues to build his defense with smart, hungry players.
Williams can play and he's got the LSU pedigree and size (6-foot-2) to make it in the NFL. The Eagles add an intriguing physical specimen (see: 4.37 40 at the combine) to their secondary.
Simmons could end up being one of the top pros in this entire class. He's dealing with a torn ACL at the moment. Chris Ballard hit a home run nearly every time the Colts turned in a draft card last year. Simmons -- who could miss significant time his rookie season (if not the whole year) -- might eventually end up as the biggest home-run pick in this draft.
I think the Raiders would love to emerge from the first round with three players who'll start next season. I love Fant and know many around the league who do, too. But I could also see him slipping a bit, merely because of his position and other team needs. If the Raiders get Oliver, Jacobs and Fant with their three picks, it'll be worthy of a standing ovation.
Baker hasn't gotten as much press as Greedy Williams or Byron Murphy, but he's a highly regarded corner prospect, too. He didn't give up a single touchdown over his last two seasons at Georgia. Los Angeles is in an enviable spot -- no dire need and plenty of depth on the roster already.
A big (6-2, 228 pounds) receiver who has impressed in interviews, Harry could definitely go before the more hyped D.K. Metcalf. Seattle scoops up a starting wideout with the Frank Clark pick.
Don't be shocked if Jenkins -- a name I haven't seen in very many mocks -- goes in the first round. He's highly regarded in multiple NFL war rooms. Green Bay has a solid, young offensive line. There's never enough depth when it comes to talented, versatile offensive linemen.
PROJECTED TRADE WITH RAMS: Word is that Los Angeles would be just fine trading down. Everyone I speak to around the league seems to be having a hard time finding a landing spot for Lock, who was very good at the Senior Bowl, interviewed well at the combine and has the experience, smarts and physical build to play quarterback at the next level. John Elway traded back into the first round a few years ago to get Paxton Lynch. The Broncos do it, again, for Lock -- trading away a second-round (No. 41) and third-round (71) pick.
A leader with experience, size (6-3 5/8, 211 pounds) and graced with a Vanderbilt education -- this one makes a lot of sense for New England. Williams has had multiple visits with Patriots brass and could fit right in.
Follow Peter Schrager on Twitter @Pschrags
