Freedman’s 2019 NFL Mock Draft: How the Combine Impacted Round 1
USA Today Sports. Pictured: Joey Bosa, Kyler Murray, D.K. Metcalf
- With the combine completed, it's time to update The Action Network Round 1 Mock Draft.
- Matthew Freedman breaks down each Day 1 pick and has quarterback Kyler Murray as his top overall pick.
Now that we have combine data on prospects, I’m updating my Round 1 mock draft for the 2019 NFL Draft.
This mock draft is primarily predictive but also a tad prescriptive. We’ve taken our best shot at anticipating which players teams will draft based on their various needs, but we also know that not all teams construct rosters in an optimal manner.
Team needs are also likely to change based on free-agent moves over the next week.
While the first round of the draft is likely to see several trades, we haven’t built any trades into this mock. Given that we’re still nearly two months away, trades are just too uncertain and difficult to project accurately.
I’ll regularly update my first-round mock throughout the offseason as we get a more defined sense of the rookie class and team needs.
2019 NFL Mock Draft, Round 1
1. Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray (Oklahoma), Quarterback
- Height: 5’10” | Weight: 207 pounds
- 2019 Age: 22 | Class: Redshirt Junior
Combine performance: Did not participate in on-field workouts
Murray was one of my combine winners thanks to his verified size, and he fits the offensive system of new head coach Kliff Kingsbury, who before he was hired said that he thought Murray was worthy of the first overall pick.
The Heisman Trophy winner led the nation with his 13.0 adjusted yards per pass attempt last season, and Baker Mayfield’s rookie success shows that an undersized spread-system quarterback from Oklahoma can play in the NFL.
It’s not ideal for the Cardinals to select quarterbacks in the first round two years in a row, but they should be able to offload Josh Rosen, who did little in 2018 (albeit in poor circumstances) to suggest that he’s superior to Murray.
Teams without a viable quarterback struggle in the NFL. The Cardinals hope they’ve found their guy in Murray.
I expect him to be a top-two pick.
2. San Francisco 49ers
Nick Bosa (Ohio State), Edge
- Height: 6’4″ | Weight: 266 pounds
- 2019 Age: 22 | Class: Junior
The 49ers have needs all over the roster, and just a month ago Bosa was the frontrunner for the No. 1 pick at -200 odds. He’s a pro-ready prospect with the athleticism and skill set to be an All-Pro pass-rusher within a few seasons.
I’m yet to see a respected draftnik mock him outside of the top two.