The Daily Iowan’s first-round NFL mock draft
With the NFL Draft less than 24 hours away, The Daily Iowan presents its first round mock draft.
Iowa tight end Noah Fant celebrates scoring a touchdown during Iowa’s game against Illinois at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois, on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018. The Hawkeyes defeated the Fighting Illini 63-0.
April 25, 2019
1. Arizona — Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
Murray showed he was a game-changer with Oklahoma. Arizona needs a game-changer.
2. San Francisco — Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
No-brainer here. Bosa is the draft’s top defensive end.
3. New York Jets — Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama
New York needs someone to clog the interior, and Williams is that guy.
4. Oakland — Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
Many thought Oliver was the draft’s top prospect before the season started.
5. Tampa Bay — Josh Allen, Edge, Kentucky
Tampa could use edge help with its 3-4 defense.
6. New York Giants — Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
The Eli Manning era is coming to a close sooner rather than later.
7. Jacksonville — T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
Signing Nick Foles was huge, but Jacksonville needs someone to catch passes from him — preferably a Rob Gronkowski-type tight end.
8. Detroit — Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan
Things just haven’t been the same post-Ndamukong Suh.
9. Buffalo — Jawaan Taylor, T, Florida
Someone needs to protect Josh Allen.
10. Denver — Devin White, LB, Michigan
Denver strengthens its linebacking corps with this pick.
11. Cincinnati — Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
Andy Dalton’s days are, or at least they should be, numbered.
12. Green Bay — Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
Jimmy Graham is on the decline, and Aaron Rodgers could use one of the best offensive weapons in the draft.
13. Miami — Jonah Williams, G, Alabama
Miami has numerous voids to fill, but drafting Williams is a safe pick.
14. Atlanta — Montez Sweat, Edge, Mississippi State
Sweat falls a bit in the draft, but he’s a great pickup at 14 for the Falcons, who ranked 22nd in sacks last season.
15. Washington — D.K. Metcalf, WR, Mississippi
Washington needs help in the receiving game. Badly.
16. Carolina — Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson
With no Julius Peppers, the Panthers need help on the outside.
17. New York Giants — Andre Dillard, T, Washington State
Quarterback? Check. Pass protection? Check.
18. Minnesota — Cody Ford, G, Oklahoma
The Vikings ranked 25th in yards per carry last season. That’s got to change.
19. Tennessee — Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
There’s a chance Wilkins goes earlier, but if he’s available at 19, Tennessee doesn’t pass him up.
20. Pittsburgh — Greedy Williams, CB, LSU
Joe Haden isn’t the same defensive back he used to be — the Steelers need help in the secondary.
21. Seattle — Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State
After trading away Frank Clark, the Seahawks need defensive help.
22. Baltimore — Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma
Baltimore needs speed on the outside. “Hollywood” Brown brings just that.
23. Houston — Greg Little, T, Mississippi
One way to keep DeShaun Watson healthy is to build an offensive line.
24. Oakland — Josh Jacobs, HB, Alabama
Marshawn Lynch retired. Someone has to run the ball now.
25. Philadelphia — Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State
Abram might fall later into the first round, but Philadelphia has a need at safety.
26. Indianapolis — Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
Pete really wanted this pick to happen.
27. Oakland — Byron Murphy, CB, Washington
Oakland goes defense again in the first round here.
28. Los Angeles Chargers — Chris Lindstrom, G, Boston College
Phillip Rivers needs some protection on the offensive line.
29. Seattle — N’Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State
Russell Wilson got his money, now he gets a receiver.
30. Green Bay — Brian Burns, Edge, Florida State
The Packers need edge-rush help, especially without Clay Matthews.
31. Los Angeles Rams — Garrett Bradbury, C, N.C. State
Safe pick for the Rams here. Bradbury gives them the draft’s best center.
32. New England — Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa State
A Calvin-Johnson-like target would make Tom Brady smile.
