2019 NFL Draft Big Board 2.0

Building on Monday’s updated positional rankings, Big Board 2.0 ranks the top 50 overall prospects for the 2019 NFL Draft. By April, the Big Board will be comprised of 300 players.

 

1. Josh Allen | EDGE | Kentucky

Following a senior season in which he exploded for 17.0 sacks, Josh Allen has arguably the highest upside of any prospect in the 2019 NFL Draft thanks to an unteachable combination of speed, bend, length, and athleticism off the edge. Besides being a terror getting after the quarterback, Allen is comfortable dropping back in coverage and has the potential to be a full-time off-ball linebacker. Allen will be close to unstoppable if he learns how to consistently disengage from blockers.

 

2. Nick Bosa | EDGE | Ohio State

I think this draft class has two players worthy of the No. 1 overall pick, so Josh Allen being at the top of my big board is not a slight on Nick Bosa by any means. The former Ohio State star had 29.0 tackles for loss in 29 career games for the Buckeyes, and he projects as an all-around game-wrecker similar to his brother Joey Bosa. While best as a 4-3 defensive end where he can focus on rushing the passer and setting the edge, Nick should have no trouble standing up as a 3-4 outside linebacker or kicking inside in obvious passing situations. Bosa will enter the league with the polish and natural ability to immediately be a threat for double-digit sacks.

 

3. Christian Wilkins | DL | Clemson

A top-end athlete with prototypical size for an interior defensive lineman, Christian Wilkins was the heartbeat of Clemson’s championship season, and he should be able to set the tone for a locker room at the next level, too. Wilkins is scheme versatile defender that can live in the backfield, particularly as a weakside 3-technique with the freedom to chase down the line of scrimmage, and he also has the strength to hold up at the point of attack. The two-time national champion reminds me of All-Pro Fletcher Cox.

 

4. Dexter Lawrence | DL | Clemson

At six-foot-four, 350 pounds with superhuman power and great movement skills, Dexter Lawrence owned the trenches in the ACC, and there’s no reason to believe that won’t continue in the NFL. As a run defender, Lawrence consistently swallows up blockers, and he can collapse the pocket in the passing game by simply overpowering centers and guards. Lawrence will have to answer for the PED suspension that kept him out of the College Football Playoff, but I think he is worth a top-five pick as a dominant interior defender that demands constant double teams and won’t have to leave the field on third down.

 

5. Deandre Baker | CB | Georgia

College football’s premier eraser on the outside, Deandre Baker has the length, instincts, and experience to frustrate receivers by staying on their hip throughout the route. I think Baker’s ball skills (seven interceptions over the past three years) are even better than the numbers suggest, as a) he wasn’t thrown at often, and b) he is able to effectively mirror receivers with the sole intent of not letting them catch the ball. Baker is extremely sticky in man coverage, but he also has the traits to be an excellent zone corner.

 

6. A.J. Brown | WR | Ole Miss

A smooth, well-built wide receiver that can get open or do damage after the catch with craftiness and physicality, A.J. Brown projects to be the dominant focal-point of an NFL passing attack. Brown mostly played the slot at Ole Miss, but he undoubtedly has the all-around skillset to thrive outside, and his baseball background as an outfielder in the Padres organization allows him to track the ball at a high level. I would love to see Brown featured in an offense such as Jon Gruden’s in Oakland or Kyle Shanahan’s in San Francisco.

 

7. Greg Little | OT | Ole Miss

The top offensive line prospect in this year’s class, Greg Little has all the tools to be an elite blindside protector from Day 1. The six-foot-six, 325-pound left tackle has started since his freshman campaign at Ole Miss, and he is patient, poised, and very aware in pass protection. Little keeps a solid base to hold up against power rushers and is comfortable leading the way in space, but he has room to improve as a straight-line run-blocker by playing with more of an edge as a pro.

 

8. Devin White | LB | LSU

A three-down, impact linebacker that was built for today’s NFL, Devin White has the speed and football intelligence to make plays all over the field. White led the SEC with 256 total tackles over the past two seasons, and he excels in all facets of the game, including as a blitzer and in coverage, where he can use his athleticism to get after the quarterback or match tight ends. The former LSU standout is a top-notch leader that can play off-ball linebacker in any scheme, which should make him a consensus top-15 prospect.

 

9. Kyler Murray | QB | Oklahoma

NFL teams obviously need to be 100% certain that Kyler Murray is committed to playing football, but if he is, the reigning Heisman winner has never-before-seen quickness and a cannon arm despite a small frame. While he could improve his overall ball placement, Murray throws with great touch/anticipation and is generally very accurate. I think Murray will be quicker through progressions as he gains experience at the position (just 14 starts at Oklahoma), but the innate ability is what should excite franchises targeting a quarterback in the first round.

 

10. Quinnen Williams | DL | Alabama

A disruptive force for Nick Saban’s defense in 2018, Quinnen Williams has quick feet, violent hands, and elite power to dominate in any role across the line of scrimmage. At the point of attack, Williams’ strength allows him to shed blockers, and his acceleration, closing speed, and burst makes him a very dangerous backside defender and pass rusher in any scheme/system. I am concerned about Williams being basically invisible in the College Football Playoff, though, and I feel better about the Clemson defensive lineman as top-five picks in a loaded group.

 

11. Jonah Williams | OT | Alabama

12. Jaquan Johnson | S | Miami (FL)

13. Jachai Polite | EDGE | Florida

14. Clelin Ferrell | EDGE | Clemson

15. Rashan Gary | DL | Michigan

16. Greedy Williams | CB | LSU

17. Montez Sweat | EDGE | Mississippi State

18. Ed Oliver | DL | Houston

19. Noah Fant | TE | Iowa

20. Hakeem Butler | WR | Iowa State

21. Dwayne Haskins | QB | Ohio State

22. Mack Wilson | LB | Alabama

23. Josh Jacobs | RB | Alabama

24. Julian Love | CB | Notre Dame

25. D.K. Metcalf | WR | Ole Miss

26. Garrett Bradbury | C | NC State

27. David Montgomery | RB | Iowa State

28. Jeffery Simmons | DL | Mississippi State

29. Dre’Mont Jones | DL | Ohio State

30. Damien Harris | RB | Alabama

31. Amani Oruwariye | CB | Penn State

32. Rock Ya-Sin | CB | Temple

33. J.J. Arcega-Whiteside | WR | Stanford

34. Devin Bush | LB | Michigan

35. Brian Burns | EDGE | Florida State

36. Daniel Jones | QB | Duke

37. Dalton Risner | OT | Kansas State

38. Byron Murphy | CB | Washington

39. N’Keal Harry | WR | Arizona State

40. Tre’Von Coney | LB | Notre Dame

41. Darnell Savage | S | Maryland

42. Yodny Cajuste | OT | West Virginia

43. Deebo Samuel | WR | South Carolina

44. Deionte Thompson | S | Alabama

45. Isaiah Prince | OT | Ohio State

46. Germaine Pratt | LB | NC State

47. Nasir Adderley | S | Delaware

48. T.J. Hockenson | TE | Iowa

49. Marquise Brown | WR | Oklahoma

50. Justin Layne | CB | Michigan State