Full 2019 NFL Mock Draft: Raiders and 49ers land defensive studs
By Justin Fried
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Expect the Bills to continue to build around quarterback Josh Allen by adding pieces around him on offense. Buffalo could opt to fo offensive line here but it doesn’t seem as if the NFL values the offensive line talent this high so instead, they opt to give Allen an offensive weapon in D.K. Metcalf.
Metcalf stands out among a deep, but not top heavy wide receiver class in that he possesses true No. 1 receiver traits. His physical abilities will likely lead to him being drafted very high, despite his lack of experience and production at Ole Miss. Just as Buffalo bet on Allen’s upside last year, they do the same here with the selection of Metcalf.
The Broncos lost longtime starting linebacker Brandon Marshall via free agency and are desperate for a rangy, three-down linebacker in the middle of the defense. Veteran Todd Davis will likely hold down one of the two nickel linebacker roles but 2018 fourth-round pick Josey Jewell remains a liability in coverage and more of a two-down run stopper.
That’s why Michigan’s Devin Bush Jr. makes a ton of sense here at No. 10 overall. For a while, Missouri quarterback Drew Lock seemed like a good fit at this pick but instead, the Broncos opt to select the undersized, but athletically gifted Bush to add much-needed speed and coverage ability to Denver’s linebacker core.
The Cincinnati Bengals are one of a handful of NFL teams that currently sit in quarterback purgatory. Andy Dalton is a serviceable signal-caller but doesn’t appear to be a player that will ever carry a team to the promised land.
As such, the Bengals could look to draft his replacement with Ohio State standout Dwayne Haskins. Haskins broke out in his only year as a starter in 2018 and has shown enough traits to be considered a top option in an overall weak quarterback class. He may not have quite the ceiling of Murray, but he could wind up being an improvement over Dalton.
The Packers doubled up on pass rusher in free agency landing both Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith but that doesn’t necessarily preclude them from drafting one here at pick No. 12. Florida State edge rusher Brian Burns could be a perfect fit for the Packers who addressed the position with two predominantly power-based rushers in free agency.
Burns, on the other hand, wins with speed and bend — and lots of it. There may not be an edge rusher in this class who can dip and bend his body as effectively as Burns and it’s easy to see him being a great schematic fit in the Packers 3-4 defensive front.