As we start to wind down the NFL preseason, we are beginning to see just how much impact a rookie can make on the field, in the locker room, and to the culture of an organization. That being said, it is time to look ahead to the 2019 NFL draft and rank the top prospects. Granted, the college football season does not kick off until tomorrow, so these are likely to change. However, if the draft were to occur today, here are some names that the worst of the worst in the NFL (I am looking at you, Jets, Bills, Bucs, and Cardinals) should be keeping tabs on.
Quarterbacks
1. Ryan Finley, North Carolina St.
2. Drew Lock, Missouri
3. Jarrett Stidham, Auburn
4. Justin Herbert, Oregon
5. Brett Rypien, Boise St.
Running Backs
1. Bryce Love, Stanford
2. David Montgomery, Iowa State
3. Damien Harris, Alabama
4. Rodney Anderson, Oklahoma
5. Justice Hill, Oklahoma State
Wide Receivers
1. A.J. Brown, Mississippi
2. N’Keal Harry, Arizona St.
3. Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
4. Stanley Morgan Jr., Nebraska
5. Anthony Johnson, Buffalo
Offensive Linemen
1. Jonah Wiliams, Alabama
2. Greg Little, Ole Miss
3. Trey Adams, Washington
4. Dalton Risner, Kansas State
5. Nate Herbig, Stanford
Defensive Ends
1. Nick Bosa, Ohio St. 1. Ed Oliver, Houston
2. Clellin Farrell, Clemson 2. Dexter Lawrence, Clemson
3. Brian Burns, Florida St. 3. Rashan Gary, Michigan
4. Joe Jackson, Miami (FL) 4. Raekwon Davis, Alabama
5. Chase Winovich, Michigan 5. Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame
Defensive Tackles
1. Ed Oliver, Houston
2. Dexter Lawrence, Clemson
3. Rashan Gray, Michigan
4. Raekwon Davis, Alabama
5. Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame
Linebackers
1. Te’Von Coney, Notre Dame
2. T.J. Edwards, Wisconsin
3. Anfernee Jennings, Alabama
4. Devin White, LSU
5. Josh Allen, Kentucky
Cornerbacks
1. Deandre Baker, Georgia
2. Andraez Williams, LSU
3. Julian Love, Notre Dame
4. Iman Marshall, USC
5. Alijah Holder, Stanford
Safeties
1. Lukas Denis, Boston College
2. Khaleke Hudson, Michigan
3. Marvell Tell III, USC
4. Jaquan Johnson, Miami (FL)
5. Chauncey Gardner, Florida
Top 10 Overall
1. Ed Oliver, Houston
2. Nick Bosa, Ohio St.
3. Ryan Finley, North Carolina St.
4. Drew Lock, Missouri
5. Deandre Baker, Georgia
6. Dexter Lawrence, Clemson
7. Rashan Gary, Michigan
8. Clellin Farrell, Clemson
9. Jarrett Stidham, Auburn
10. Bryce Love, Stanford
Overall, this class features some very real talent on the defensive line and at the quarterback position. Teams that were not able to snatch their projected franchise quarterback in 2018 should be able to find someone here. Up to six quarterbacks could be taken in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. If a team like the Buccaneers decides to move on from Jameis Winston, this will be there year to do so.
For the defensive line, Oliver and Bosa are by far the two best players in the draft, in my opinion. Both of these guys could walk into an NFL locker room right now and start. This draft is pretty thin in the secondary, tight end and especially on the offensive line. Teams needing help at those positions will not find it in the 2019 NFL draft. Obviously, injuries and performance will alter these rankings, but if a team needing a game-changer on the defensive line ends up with the first pick, it may not be a quarterback taken number one.
