There is no shortage of mock drafts in advance of this week’s NFL Draft. Everyone has a prediction of what will occur and an opinion about it. There are a small number of NFL Draft Analysts and mock drafts that I follow every year. Ken Zalis is one of them. He is an NFL Draft and fantasy writer at Press Box Online and has been a top-10 accuracy expert at FantasyPros since 2011. This article will revolve around one of Zalis’ recent mock drafts and provide statistical insight into why I believe each NFL team will target these specific players.
- Kyler Murray | QB | Cardinals – New Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s admiration of Murray is well documented. The Heisman Trophy winner would be a great fit in Kingsbury’s Air Raid offensive scheme. Murray has the arm strength to deliver the football to all three levels of the field. He excels throwing from the pocket, on the run, and consistently works beyond the first read. Murray has the ability to threaten defenses as a passer and runner. He had a 138.6 quarterback rating when throwing from the pocket last season at Oklahoma. It will be interesting to see what the Cardinals will receive in a trade for the former first-round draft pick, Josh Rosen. He struggled as a rookie because of the lack of talent surrounding him. The Cardinals have been aggressive in free agency adding various offensive and defensive players. The roster will be much improved and Murray’s a playmaker that has the potential to take the offense to the next level.
- Nick Bosa | DE | 49ers – Bosa’s accumulated 77 tackles (29 for loss), 17.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two passes defended during his career at Ohio State. One concern is his injury history. Bosa’s dealt with a major injury in two out of four seasons as a Buckeye. The 49ers defense have struggled in recent seasons pressuring quarterbacks. Did you know DeForest Buckner in 2018 was the 49ers player to record a double-digit sack season in six seasons? Bosa would be a perfect fit for the San Francisco defense.
- Quinnen Williams | DT | Jets – The Jets would be wise to draft Williams since he would be the best player available. One of defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ top priorities should be to strengthen the team’s defensive line. Leonard Williams is expected to start at the three-technique and Steve McLendon who re-signed with the Jets on a 1-year deal worth $2.5 million can also be a valuable contributor. The two Williams and McLendon would make a formidable trio who could stop the run and rush the passer.
- Josh Allen | LB | Raiders – Allen could fill the void for the Raiders left by Khalil Mack. The team’s pass rush was abysmal last season getting to the quarterback only 13 times. Allen finished his last season at Kentucky with 17 sacks.
- Devin White | Buccaneers – It would not be a reach if the Buccaneers drafted White No. 5 overall. He would fill the team’s biggest need on defense due to the loss of Kwon Alexander. Alexander signed a four-year, $54 million contract with the 49ers during free agency. If White or Allen is selected in the top-five this would be the first time an LB has been taken that high since 2015.
- Montez Sweat | LB | Giants – It’s possible that the Giants draft a quarterback at No. 6 overall, but they could also use an edge rusher. Sweat is one of the top pass-rushing prospects available in this year’s draft. The Giants defense recorded the second-lowest sack total (30) in the NFL in 2018.
- Jawaan Taylor | OT | Jaguars – Taylor is the top offensive tackle prospect in the 2019 NFL Draft. The Jaguars need help improving their running game and providing additional protection for new quarterback Nick Foles. The team had four different players start at left tackle and three different players start at right tackle due to injuries. The Jaguars allowed the third most sacks (53) last season.
- Brian Burns | DE | Lions – Burns would be a nice complement to Lions free agent addition Trey Flowers. He had 23 career sacks in three seasons at Florida State. Burns is a significant upgrade over the other edge rushers the Lions have on their roster.
- Ed Oliver | Bills – Oliver could replace Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams who recently retired. He finished last season with 54 tackles and has the size and length to occupy space and offensive linemen in the team’s 3-4 defense.
- Drew Lock | DT | Broncos – The Broncos traded for Joe Flacco after four uninspiring seasons in Baltimore. Lock would provide the team’s front office with the succession plan they’ve been unable to execute. He has all the attributes you look for in a quarterback and threw close to 100 touchdowns in his collegiate career. It’s possible that the Giants select Lock at No. 6 overall.
- Noah Fant | TE | Bengals – Fant has all of the physical tools to become the Bengals tight end we all wanted Tyler Eifert to be. He had 78 receptions, 1,083 receiving yards, and 19 touchdowns during his three-year career at Iowa. Fant accumulated 519 receiving yards and seven touchdowns during his final season which resulted in first-team All-Big Ten honors. It will be interesting to see what he’s capable of once unleashed in an NFL offense.
- T.J. Hockenson | TE | Packers – It may come as a surprise to you that Fant was drafted before Hockenson. His versatility as a blocker and a receiver would allow Hockenson to step into the starting lineup in an every-down role for the Packers. The same cannot be said for Fant.
- Dwayne Haskins | QB | Dolphins – The Dolphins signed journeyman quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to a two-year contract worth $11 million plus incentives. The only other quarterbacks on the roster are Luke Falk and Jake Rudock who have combined for only five passes in their NFL careers. It is only a matter of time before Fitzpatrick will implode and Haskins will be waiting in the wings to reinvigorate the franchise.
- Christian Wilkins | DT | Falcons – The Falcons need help on their defensive line. Wilkins can stop the run, pressure the quarterback, and also be used at defensive end.
- D.K. Metcalf | WR | Redskins – There wasn’t one Redskins wide receiver with 45 or more receptions or two or more touchdowns last season. Metcalf’s physique and NFL combine results have been discussed ad nauseam. He could easily be inserted in the Redskins offense as the No. 1 receiver and provide head coach Jay Gruden with a unique offensive weapon that could threaten defenses vertically.
- Jonah Williams | G | Panthers – Williams would fill a huge need for the Panthers and has the skill set to play left tackle or guard.
- Daniel Jones | QB | Giants – Jones would fit in nicely in Giants head coach Pat Shurmur’s offense. He is accurate on short to intermediate throws, but also has the arm strength to attack defenses deep. Duke head coach David Cutcliffe, who helped develop Peyton Manning and coached Eli Manning, continues to speak very highly of Jones in the months leading up to the draft. He could be a tremendous value for the Giants if he is available at No. 17 overall.
- Chris Lindstrom | G | Vikings– Lindstrom is one of the top interior linemen in the 2019 NFL Draft. He could thrive in the Vikings zone running scheme which many projects that the team will run considering the addition of Gary Kubiak to the staff.
- Clelin Ferrell | DE | Titans – Ferrell accumulated 55 tackles (20 of which were for a loss), 11.5 sacks, forced three fumbles, deflected two passes, and scored a defensive touchdown in his final collegiate season. He is the missing ingredient that could elevate the Titans defense to the next level in 2019.
- Devin Bush | LB | Steelers – Bush has been the Steelers radar for months and is set to become the team’s pantheon of linebackers.
- Rashan Gary | DT | Seahawks – Gary’s health issues from last season have negatively affected his draft stock. This is great news for the Seahawks because they could use another player to strengthen their pass rush.
- Garrett Bradbury | C | Ravens – Bradbury won the Rimington Trophy last season. It is an award that is given for the best Center at the collegiate level. Bradbury further strengthens the Ravens offensive line as they continue to lean heavily on the running game in 2019.
- Cody Ford | OT | Texans – Ford is a perfect fit for the Texans as the coaching staff looks to protect quarterback Deshaun Watson.
- Byron Murphy | CB | Raiders – The Raiders defense needs playmakers and Murphy’s presence could breathe life into secondary.
- Andre Dillard | OT | Eagles – It would be prudent for the Eagles coaching staff to inject some youth into the offensive line, especially at the tackle position. The Eagles have drafted four offensive tackles in the first round since 1991 according to Pro Football Reference with Lane Johnson being the most recent back in 2013.
- Jerry Tillery | DT | Colts – The Colts defense would benefit from adding some depth to the interior line.
- Josh Jacobs | RB | Raiders – It remains to be seen whether Marshawn Lynch will return this upcoming season. The Raiders are in the market for a long term solution at the running back position. Jacobs is viewed as the top back in the 2019 class. He excels as a runner and receiver out of the backfield. Jacobs has workhorse potential in head coach Jon Gruden’s offense this season.
- Dalton Risner | OT | Chargers – The addition of Risner would help the Chargers offensive line. The 2018 Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year has the versatility to play center, right tackle, or guard.
- Greedy Williams | CB | Seahawks – The Hawks secondary could use more depth and competition at the cornerback and safety positions this upcoming. Williams could help the team with both of those.
- Johnathan Abram | SS | Packers – Abram led the Bulldogs with 99 tackles ( including nine for loss), three sacks and two interceptions last season. He’s a great fit for the Packers secondary at the end of the first round
- Deandre Baker | CB | Rams – Baker is a lockdown cornerback. He doesn’t allow big plays or touchdowns and is a very good tackler. The Jim Thorpe Award winner would be a solid fit in the Rams secondary.
- A.J. Brown | WR | Patriots – Brown’s a great route runner with very good hands who thrives in the slot. He’d fit in perfectly in New England, but head coach Bill Belichick has never used a first-round draft pick on a wide receiver. Could that change in 2019?
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