2019 NFL Draft Review
By Nathan Gosney
1. Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
Grade: B
Analysis: The first selection in the 2019 NFL, (National Football League), Draft was somewhere between a disappointment and a slam dunk. Kyler Murray has been very inconsistent but has shown plenty of promise to be “the guy” in Arizona, having two Pro Bowl selections under his belt already. If Murray can get back to his 2020 form where he scored 37 total touchdowns, the Cardinals have their long-term answer at quarterback like they envisioned back in 2019.
2. San Francisco 49ers: Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
Grade: A+
Analysis: Nick Bosa had big shoes to fill being the little brother of Chargers’ superstar, Joey Bosa. The number two overall selection surpassed expectations and has become one of the premier talents at his position. Other than in 2020 where he missed 14 games due to injury, Bosa has racked up plenty of accolades: Defensive Rookie of the Year, 3 Pro Bowl selections, First Team All-Pro in 2022 as well as Defensive Player of the Year in 2022. If Bosa continues this production, expect a gold jacket for the 2019 number two overall selection.
3. New York Jets: Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama
Grade: A
Analysis: Selecting a Defensive Tackle in the top three in today’s NFL is usually frowned upon. Though if you are getting a player like Quinnen Williams, it would be more than worth it. Williams took a little while to reach his full potential, as he was just a typical starting defender for his first three years in the league. In 2022 under new head coach Robert Saleh, Williams showed his true potential, recording 12 sacks and a First Team All-Pro selection. Williams finally met the expectations of his draft status in 2019.
4. Oakland Raiders: Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson
Grade: F
Analysis: The Las Vegas Raiders, formerly known as the Oakland Raiders, chose to select Clelin Ferrell with their fourth overall selection. This was the first draft shock of the night, as fans and analysts alike were stunned by how early Ferrell went. Being selected this high, the pressure was on Ferrell. He did not live up to the expectations, only recording ten sacks in his four years with the Raiders. Now 49ers defensive line guru, Kris Kocurek, looks to revive the former Clemson standouts’ career.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Devin White, LB, LSU
Grade: C
Analysis: Devin White is a confusing selection to grade. On one hand, he has a Pro Bowl selection and plenty of box-score statistics to show his production as a linebacker. But diving into the film of White, you notice plenty of mental errors, lapses in coverage and general mistakes. For a top-five selection, White is an average selection at best. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will need to look in a different direction soon to replace both White and his running mate, veteran Lavonte David.
6. New York Giants: Daniel Jones, QB, Duke
Grade: C
Analysis: When this selection was announced, draft analysts and fans alike were shocked. Jones was taken too early, proving this throughout the course of his career. After three disastrous seasons from the former Duke quarterback, he looked to finally prove scouts wrong in 2022. During the 2022 season, Jones limited turnovers and showed his potential as a dual-threat quarterback. That season yielded Daniel Jones a new 4-year, 160 million-dollar deal. Unfortunately, so far this season, Jones has looked to be back to his old lackluster play.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Josh Allen, OLB, Kentucky
Grade: A-
Analysis: When drafting an edge rusher in the top ten, you are hoping for a stalwart defender for a decade or more. Josh Allen has been exactly that, and is on pace for the best season of his career this season.
8. Detroit Lions: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
Grade: B+
Analysis: Drafting a tight end in the top ten is unusual, and usually frowned upon. T.J. Hockenson was one of those selections that many analysts felt very indifferent about. Hockenson has been a great pass catcher for both high passing volume offenses he has played for, collecting two Pro Bowl selections. Hockenson now resides with the divisional rival, Minnesota Vikings, and looks to unlock his true potential under coach Kevin O'Connell.
9. Buffalo Bills: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
Grade: C+
Analysis: Oliver was a very divisive prospect in the draft community. As an undersized defensive tackle, mocked to go in the early first round was a tough pill to swallow for some analysts. Oliver has been nothing more than a solid defender for the Bills, giving them a good interior pass rush, using his quickness and agility. Unfortunately, the downside of being undersized at defensive tackle, is you will likely be bullied at the point of attack, leading you to be dominated in the run game. Oliver is a victim of such and is currently just a pass rush specialist for the Bills.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers: Devin Bush, LB, Michigan
Grade: D
Analysis: Bush has had an interesting career as he is now currently a special teamer and backup for the Seattle Seahawks. Going back to his rookie year, this outcome was far from expected. In 2019, Bush was third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting and had an impressive season as both a run defender and coverage linebacker. Unfortunately, Bush tore his ACL after five games in his second season, and has not played the same since. Coming back from his injury, he had two more starting seasons with the Steelers. Bush struggled against the run and was eventually let go, moving on to the Seahawks.
11. Cincinnati Bengals: Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama
Grade: B
Analysis: Williams was the first offensive lineman taken in the draft, and had high expectations to be the immediate starting left tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals. Unfortunately, Williams was immediately named a bust after he tore his labrum before his rookie season began. Returning with a vengeance, Williams earned himself the starting job and has not looked back since. He has been a very solid tackle for the Bengals, now playing on the right side, at right tackle. Williams is not a flashy or top-end talent at tackle, but is a very good starter, and was a good selection from the Bengals.
12. Green Bay Packers: Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan
Grade: B
Analysis: After a slow start to Gary’s career, due to him being buried on the depth chart, he broke out in 2021, recording 9.5 sacks, and became a feared pass rusher. Unfortunately, since that season, health has been a problem for Gary, missing 8 games in 2022. When on the field Gary is one of the NFL’s best pass rushers but struggles to stop the run and to stay healthy.
13. Miami Dolphins: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
Grade: A
Analysis: Wilkins is one of the league’s best interior defenders, clogging the run at an elite level since his rookie year. As a pass rusher, he is very impressive for his large frame, and is very underrated in the aspect of his game. The Miami Dolphins got their tree stump of a defender in 2019 and have not looked back since.
14. Atlanta Falcons: Chris Lindstrom, OG, Boston College
Grade: A+
Analysis: Lindstrom missed most of his rookie season with a foot injury but since he has come back, he has been one of the best interior linemen in the entire league. Not missing a game since 2019, Lindstrom has become one of the key players for the Falcons run-heavy scheme. In 2022, he truly broke out recording a Pro Bowl, a Second Team All-Pro selection and a 102.5 million dollar contract.
15. Washington: Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
Grade: N/A
Analysis: Dwayne Haskins sadly passed away at the young age of 24. No grade will be given to Haskins. Rest in Peace.
16. Carolina Panthers: Brian Burns, DE, Florida State
Grade: A
Analysis: Brian Burns instantly came to the NFL and showed what he could do as an athletic freak edge defender. Burns' first two seasons were very respectable, recording 7.5 and 9 sacks respectively. The following two seasons, Burns earned two Pro Bowl selections, becoming one of the league's feared pass rushers. At only 25, Burns looks to continue his streak of dominance into 2023.
17. New York Giants: Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
Grade: A+
Analysis: Lawrence is one of the league's most underrated defenders. At six feet and four inches and 342 pounds, Lawrence possesses “sub-human-like” athleticism, dominating any offensive linemen in his path. Lawrence made a name for himself defending the run at a very high level. But in the last two seasons, he showed he can also be one of, if not the best, interior pass-rushing nose tackles. Lawrence has a Pro Bowl and a Second Team All-Pro selection under his belt, and has been deserving of a lot more recognition and accolades.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Garrett Bradbury, C, NC State
Grade: C
Analysis: Bradbury has not been anything spectacular throughout his career as a Viking, but has managed to keep his starting role at Center since being drafted in 2019. Though he has improved every season, Bradbury is at best a solid starting center who misses games somewhat often due to injury.
19. Tennessee Titans: Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State
Grade: A
Analysis: Simmons is currently amidst his worst season since his rookie year. But a lot of which has had to do with surrounding defensive talent and situation. Previous to this season, Simmons has been nothing but dominant as an interior game wrecker. As he will always command double teams. Simmons is one of the Titans' best selections in recent memory, recording two Pro Bowls, and Second Team All-Pros.
20. Denver Broncos: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
Grade: C-
Analysis: Fant was an athletic mismatch out of Iowa, and the Denver Broncos hoped that adding him to their offense would yield better results. Unfortunately, Fant did not do much during his tenure with the Broncos being at best, an above-average receiving tight end. Moving on to the Seattle Seahawks due to the famous Russell Wilson trade, Fant is used in a more specialized role, and will likely never hit his proposed ceiling as a prospect.
21. Green Bay Packers: Darnell Savage, FS, Maryland
Grade: B-
Analysis: The Packers' second selection in the first round was Darnell Savage out of Maryland. The versatile prospect was expected to start right away and make an impact. Savage has been a very solid starter since 2019 for the Packers but has yet to be more than that. The now 26-year-old safety looks to earn a nice payday with the team and looks to continue his career in green & gold.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State
Grade: D-
Analysis: This selection was initially meant to be the replacement for Eagles legend, Jason Peters. Peters played another season, giving Dillard time to learn, but when it was Dillard’s time to play, he got injured. This led to Australia’s own Jordan Mailata, with zero football experience, to take the spot. He has not looked back since and has developed into one of the league's best. Mailata is also two years younger than Dillard, leaving Dillard with only nine games of starting experience during his Eagles tenure, and the Eagles to move on from their 2019 first-round selection. Now with the Titans, he has gotten his opportunity to start at left tackle and has not been good. Dillard was a bad selection for the Eagles and is a flawed player for the Titans.
23. Houston Texans: Tytus Howard, OT, Alabama State
Grade: B+
Analysis: Coming from the immensely small school of Alabama State, many were shocked at the selection of Tytus Howard. Howard has been a versatile starting lineman for the Texans, playing in three different positions while becoming a very solid pass protector for Houston. This last off-season, the Texans rewarded Howard with a three-year, $56 Million dollar contract. The Alabama State Product looks to continue his success into 2023 at left guard.
24. Oakland Raiders: Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama
Grade: A
Analysis: With the Raiders' second first-round selection, they took Josh Jacobs, hoping he would be the long-term bell-cow running back they have been looking for. Jacobs has been just that, having 1,000-yard seasons in all but one season thus far. Jacobs is coming off his best season in 2022, being the NFL’s leading rusher, earning a First Team All-Pro selection and two Pro Bowl nods in 2020 and 2022. In 2023, he is currently struggling to get going. A lot of this is due to a very poor offensive supporting cast. Jacobs is one of the league’s best rushers and was the Raider's best selection of the 2019 first round.
25. Baltimore Ravens: Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma
Grade: B+
Analysis: Marquise “Hollywood” Brown was taken for his downfield ability and immense speed. The Ravens needed a threat in the passing game, and Brown was just that. Brown never developed into the “alpha” number-one receiver that the Ravens wished for, but he was always a very important part of the Raven's run-heavy offense. After his best season in Baltimore, he was traded to the Arizona Cardinals and has been their best offensive playmaker since. Brown may not light up the stat sheet in Arizona, but without the former Oklahoma Sooner, this Cardinal offense would be even worse.
26. Washington Commanders: Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State
Grade: A-
Analysis: Recording the fastest forty-yard dash for his position in the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine, scouts started to fall in love with the athletic freak that is Montez Sweat. Washington selected Sweat late in the first round and has yielded the rewards of his athleticism. Sweat has been a very good pass rusher for the Commanders, and is one of the league's most underrated run defenders. Sweat looks to cash in on a big contract this coming offseason.
27. Oakland Raiders: Johnathan Abram, SS, Mississippi State
Grade: D+
Analysis: The last first-round selection the Oakland Raiders had in the 2019 NFL draft was Johnathan Abram. Abram missed all but one game in his rookie season due to injury but was still expected to start in 2020. The 27th overall selection was known for his big-hitting ability, the want to tackle and overall physicality. That transferred to the NFL, but it made him arguably a very dirty player and gave the Raiders a lot of unnecessary penalties. The Mississippi State alumn was a shaky starter for his entire starting career with the Raiders due to his constant lapses in coverages, penalties and attitude. Abram found himself on a different team after the 2021 season. He now resides in New Orleans as a special teams depth safety.
28. Los Angeles Chargers: Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame
Grade: D-
Analysis: As a Charger fan, I was actually excited about the Tillery selection. This was one of my biggest personal misses as an analyst, and unluckily it was on my own team. That said, Tillery was a Chargers front office favorite, and always had a starting job with the Chargers, due to his “highly touted pass rush ability” even though he was one of, if not the league's worst run defenders. This combined with poor attitude, work ethic and lack of accountability, the Chargers after three and a half long seasons, got rid of Tillery. The Notre Dame product had some flashes as a pass rusher, so the Raiders took a chance on him as a rotational defender. Tillery has not been good for them either, garnering idiotic penalties, inability to shed blocks and illegal dirty hits on former teammates.
29. Seattle Seahawks: L.J. Collier, DE, TCU
Grade: F
Analysis: One of the most surprising selections in 2019 was the Seahawks decision to draft the then 24-year-old defensive lineman, L.J. Collier. Collier simply did not work out with the Seahawks, only recording three sacks in 45 games and 16 starts. Collier is now with the Cardinals, landing himself on injured reserve. A bad selection at the time and a bad selection looking back.
30. New York Giants: Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia
Grade: F
Analysis: Another “F” graded selection, is the Giant's choice to draft Deandre Baker out of Georgia. In his one season starting for the Giants, he was picked on all season long and was not good. After a terrible season, Baker found himself in the midst of legal troubles, which prompted the Giants to release him. The Kansas City Chiefs gave him a second chance, where Baker played sparingly, due to injury. With injuries, legal issues and poor play he got released once again. He has not played since 2021.
31. Atlanta Falcons: Kaleb McGary, OT, Washington
Grade: B+
Analysis: The Falcons selected another lineman in the first round in 2019, the second selection being Kaleb McGary. McGary has been the Falcons starting right tackle since his selection and has been a very strong run blocker. As a pass protector, he has been hovering around the average line, having a poor rookie season, but then bouncing back in 2022. During the 2022 season, like his draftee Lindstrom, he broke out. McGary became one of the league’s best run-blocking tackles, dominating opposing defensive lines, while also holding up in pass protection very well. The 2019 draft for the Falcons yielded them a very dominant right side of the offensive line for many years to come.
32. New England Patriots: N’Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State
Grade: D
Analysis: With the last selection in the 2019 first round, the New England Patriots select N’Keal Harry, Wide Receiver from Arizona State. Harry was an immediate draft bust, not recording more than 309 receiving yards in his career. Harry could not separate as a route runner and struggled with injuries throughout his entire career. After three bad seasons with the Patriots, he looked to have a fresh start with the Bears. He was used sparingly, recording 116 yards and a touchdown. He now is a backup receiver for the Minnesota Vikings.