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Mel Kiper's Big Board for 2019 NFL draft: Top 25 prospects and position rankings

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Mel Kiper's Mock Draft 1.0 (1:48)

Mel Kiper runs through his first mock draft, sending Kyler Murray to the Dolphins at No. 13. (1:48)

The NFL combine ahead of the 2019 draft is only three weeks away. That's when we'll finally get accurate measurements on every prospect in this class, and that's when NFL teams will start to cement their draft boards.

With the Senior Bowl over and done with, my updated Big Board rankings for the 2019 class are below. I'm including my latest look at the top 10 prospects at every position, from quarterbacks all the way to kickers and punters. You'll notice some big changes down the list, as I got the complete tape on the 2018 season for every player.

We now know the order for the first round of the draft, and my Mock Draft 2.0 will be out in two short weeks. In the meantime, check out my first mock draft, which came out on Jan. 17. On to the Big Board:

Note: One asterisk denotes that the player is a junior, and two asterisks denote that the player is a redshirt sophomore in 2018.

Jump to the position rankings


1. Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State*

Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 263 pounds | Previously: 1

Bosa remains No. 1 here, and I had him to the Cardinals at the top of my Mock Draft 1.0. He's expected to make a full recovery from the core muscle injury that ended his Ohio State career early, and he could do some workouts at the combine soon. Bosa is an elite pass-rusher who is advanced for his age in his technique; you can probably thank his brother, Joey Bosa, and dad, John, both former first-round picks. He finished his college career with 17.5 sacks in two-plus seasons, most of which were in a loaded line rotation.


2. Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama**

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 289 | Previously: 2

Williams was one of college football's best players -- not just defenders -- this season. And it showed, as he finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting. He dominated LSU with 2.5 sacks and 10 total tackles, and he finished the season with 8.0 sacks and 19.5 total tackles for loss. When I wrote about Williams after the LSU game, I mentioned his ability to use his hands to disengage from blockers. He is so good at destroying double-teams. Williams played only one full season for the Tide, but he was tremendous. He's the best 3-technique penetrator in this draft.


3. Josh Allen, OLB, Kentucky

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 230 | Previously: 3

I pegged Allen before the season as a potential Day 2 pick, after he broke out in 2017 with seven sacks, 66 tackles and one interception. But then he went and had 17 sacks -- with five forced fumbles -- and was dominant this season. I had him all the way up to No. 2 to the 49ers in my first mock draft. Allen is disruptive, and he has the length that NFL teams love as a 3-4 outside linebacker.


4. Devin White, LB, LSU*

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 240 | Previously: 4

White is one of my favorite prospects in this class, and I noted in our draft primer that he's a perfect fit for today's NFL. During a spectacular breakout 2017 season, he had 133 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and an interception. White dominated this season, too, with 123 tackles, including 12 for loss. I love his read-and-react ability. White is not a true pass-rusher, but he could play outside or inside linebacker at the next level. He has some versatility and is extremely athletic.


5. Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State**

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 220 | Previously: 6

Haskins, a third-year sophomore, could be the No. 1 pick if teams try to trade up to make sure they can get the top quarterback. There's a lot to like about him. He has a big arm, shows great anticipation on his throws, takes care of the ball and has solid athleticism (though he isn't a great runner). Haskins never gets rattled, and he excels in big moments. He's far from a finished product, but the high ceiling flashes on tape. There's a long way to go before the draft, but I expect Haskins to be the first QB off the board.


6. Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama*

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 301 | Previously: 11

It's not easy to start for Nick Saban as a freshman, but that's exactly what Williams did when he lined up as the right tackle in Week 1 in 2016. Now he has started 43 games the past three seasons, playing on the left side in 2017 and 2018. Williams could move inside to guard at the next level, and I compared him to Washington's Brandon Scherff in our preview of the class.


7. Rashan Gary, DT, Michigan*

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 283 | Previously: 9

Gary was one of the first underclassmen to declare for the draft. Now he needs to have a strong combine and interview circuit. He dominates when he's at his best; he just manhandles offensive linemen. Also, he has a high ceiling. The problem? Consistency. A defender this big and this talented should create more pressure and disruption. The former No. 1 overall recruit disappears too often for my liking. Gary could play end in a 3-4 defense or three-technique in a 4-3.


8. Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma*

Height: 5-10 | Weight: 195 | Previously: 10

We still don't know if Murray is going to commit to football. He could get a new deal from the Oakland A's, who took him in the first round of the MLB draft last year, and report to spring training in February. For now, though, I'm treating the Heisman Trophy winner as if he's going to be in the 2019 class. And I think he has a great shot to be picked in the top 10. The knock, of course, is his size, but you can't deny his athletic ability, and he has an underrated arm. He can make every throw. I've said several times that he's one of the most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks I've ever seen. Murray won't be for every team and every system, but if he lands in the right spot, he could be a star. Update: Murray announced on Feb. 11 that he's committing to the NFL.

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Murray expects to make decision about draft soon.

Former Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray tells Mike Greenberg that he expects to make a decision about the NFL draft after the Super Bowl.

9. Andraez 'Greedy' Williams, CB, LSU**

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 184 | Previously: 5

Williams burst onto the scene in 2017, picking off six passes as a redshirt freshman and emerging as one of the best defensive backs in college football. He had two more picks this season. Williams has great ball skills and a long, lean frame, and he sticks to wide receivers. The third-year sophomore is the best lockdown corner in this class.


10. Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 185 | Previously: 12

Quarterbacks who go after Baker don't have much luck. He broke up nine passes and had three interceptions last season, and he had 10 pass breakups and two picks in 2018. Baker isn't far behind Williams as the top corner in this class, and there could be two corners picked in the top 10 in April.


11. Devin Bush, LB, Michigan*

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 233 | Previously: 8

Bush is a playmaker. He lines up all over the field and is always around the ball. He caught my eye early last season as a sophomore when he had 102 tackles, including 9.5 for loss, and an interception. He had 79 tackles and five sacks in 2018. I scouted his dad, Devin Bush Sr., a first-round pick out of Florida State in 1995 who had a 41-inch vertical. Bush and White are similar sideline-to-sideline, three-down players who will both vie to be the first true linebacker off the board.


12. Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State*

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 300 | Previously: 13

One thing that really impressed me in Mississippi State's loss to LSU earlier this season was Simmons' hand usage. He knows how to disengage blockers and find the football. He had two touchdowns last season -- in one game. He blocked a punt and recovered the ball in the end zone, then took a fumble 90 yards to the house in a rout of Louisiana Tech. The big man can move. Simmons, a disruptive player on the interior who could play in a 4-3 or 3-4 front, also chipped in five sacks and 12 tackles for loss in 2017. He had two sacks and 17 tackles for loss in 2018. Simmons will have to answer to NFL teams about his 2016 arrest on a charge of simple assault.


13. Ed Oliver, DT, Houston*

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 292 | Previously: 7

Oliver didn't develop consistent pass-rush moves in his three years at Houston, and that's why I have always said the comparison to Aaron Donald is unfair. But he is a really good player and a game-wrecker -- just play the East Carolina tape, in which he had five tackles for loss. His first step is one of the fastest I've seen from a defensive tackle. Could he play end in a 3-4 defense?


14. Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 245 | Previously: NR

Sweat was the top prospect at the Senior Bowl two weeks ago in Mobile, Alabama, and he's back on my Big Board after a couple appearances early in the season. I put him at No. 25 to the Eagles in my Mock Draft 1.0. After putting up 10.5 sacks in 2017, he had 11.5 this season, proving to be one of college football's best edge rushers. His frame has room for more weight, so he could play outside linebacker in a 3-4 or defensive end in a 4-3. He has an outstanding takeoff at the snap and has room to grow in his technique.

15. Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson*

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 265 | Previously: 16

I thought Ferrell could have been a first-round pick in the 2018 draft as a third-year sophomore. He's that good. He had 9.5 sacks last season and added another 11.5 this season. He terrorized Texas A&M and Georgia Southern with two sacks apiece and multiple pressures. Clemson had one of the most talented defensive lines I've ever seen in college football, and the Tigers could have three first-rounders in this draft.


16. Jachai Polite, OLB, Florida*

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 242 | Previously: 15

Polite is an edge rusher who keeps rising, like Kentucky's Josh Allen, and he was the Gators' best player in 2018. He had 11 sacks and 17.5 total tackles for loss. Polite plays with a ton of energy. He's aggressive. This was his first season as a full-time starter because he hurt his shoulder in the middle of the 2017 season. He plays with his hand in the dirt as a defensive end, but I think he's probably a 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL.


17. T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa**

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 250 | Previously: 22

The next great Iowa tight end in the NFL? It could be Hockenson ... or his teammate Noah Fant. Fant got all the pub before the season, but Hockenson is my top-ranked prospect at the position. Hockenson put up better numbers, and he's a better blocker. He's a more complete player, though Fant is more athletic. Hockenson will be able to play right away and line up next to a tackle.


18. Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama*

Height: 5-10 | Weight: 216 | Previously: NR

Jacobs has been getting a lot of buzz from people in the league as an all-purpose back who is extremely explosive. His overall numbers didn't pop as he split time in the Crimson Tide backfield, but Jacobs showed his potential in the College Football Playoff win over Oklahoma, with 158 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. He has some receiving ability and could develop into a complete back. Jacobs is a tough, physical runner who is hard to bring down. There's a lot to like about him.

19. Brian Burns, OLB/DE, Florida State*

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 235 | Previously: 18

Burns, who had 10 sacks in 2018, can bend the edge as well as any other pass-rusher in this class. He has a lean frame, but he's quick off the ball and can use his speed to get to quarterbacks before offensive tackles have a chance to move. Burns had 13.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks last season after 9.5 sacks as a freshman in 2016. He needs more time in the weight room, but he could grow into a 4-3 end in time. There's a chance he rises even higher after the combine.


20. Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 310 | Previously: 21

Like Ferrell, Wilkins skipped the 2018 draft and decided to return for another season at Clemson. Like Ferrell, Wilkins could have gone on Day 1 last year. I have compared Wilkins to former Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen because he's scheme-versatile and could play end or tackle in the NFL. Wilkins had 15 tackles for loss this season, and he was one of the locker room leaders for the national champions.


21. Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss*

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 325 | Previously: 23

Little is a true left tackle. He won't have to move to the right side in the NFL. He's light on his feet and can get to the second level to take on linebackers, and he consistently overpowers SEC edge defenders at the point of attack. The former five-star high school prospect protected the blind side of Oklahoma's Kyler Murray in high school.


22. Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida*

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 328 | Previously: 24

Taylor is a mauler on the edge. He has played both left and right tackle for the Gators, and his technique is still raw, but he has the potential to be the first offensive lineman off the board. Some teams might like him at guard, too, and the versatility is a plus.


23. Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 215 | Previously: NR

Abram flirted with my top 40 all last season, and I feel good about making him my new No. 1 safety in this class. He stepped up during the second half of the season and was a tone-setter for the Bulldogs' defense, finishing with 99 tackles, two interceptions and three sacks. He is extremely physical in the run game and has good hips and feet in pass coverage. Abrams was supposed to compete in the Senior Bowl, but he was held out because of an undisclosed injury. We still need to see his true speed, so I hope he's healthy enough to run at the combine.


24. Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 306 | Previously: NR

Dillard is a big riser after the Senior Bowl. He was one of the best prospects there, and he held his own against every pass-rusher. His strength is in moving his feet in pass protection -- a must for Cougars coach Mike Leach -- and he showed in Mobile that he can handle power rushers, too. If Dillard, a three-year starter at Washington State, tests well at the combine, he could keep rising in the first-round discussion. As the NFL continues to get more pass-happy, teams need left tackles with good feet. That's Dillard.

25. Byron Murphy, CB, Washington**

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 182 | Previously: 24

After redshirting in 2016, Murphy snagged two picks in his first college game last season, a road win at Rutgers. He's a natural playmaker with easy speed. Murphy missed seven games in 2017 because of a broken foot, but he has played well since. He had four interceptions, 13 pass breakups and four tackles for loss. The third-year sophomore isn't as big as former Huskies corner Marcus Peters, but he makes that kind of impact. He could also play some in the slot in the NFL, which is a valuable skill.

Top 10 prospects by position

Quarterbacks

1. **Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State
2. *Kyler Murray, Oklahoma
3. Drew Lock, Missouri
4. *Daniel Jones, Duke
5. Will Grier, West Virginia
6. Ryan Finley, NC State
7. *Jarrett Stidham, Auburn
8. *Tyree Jackson, Buffalo
9. Clayton Thorson, Northwestern
10. Gardner Minshew, Washington State

Running backs

1. *Josh Jacobs, Alabama
2. *Darrell Henderson, Memphis
3. *Devin Singletary, Florida Atlantic
4. *David Montgomery, Iowa State
5. *Damien Harris, Alabama
6. Bryce Love, Stanford
7. *Rodney Anderson, Oklahoma
8. *Tony Pollard, Memphis
9. *Benny Snell Jr., Kentucky
10. Wes Hills, Slippery Rock

Fullbacks

1. Alec Ingold. Wisconsin
2. Chandler Cox, Auburn
3. Winston Dimel, UTEP
4. George Aston, Pitt
5. Trevon Wesco, West Virginia
6. Joe Protheroe, Cal Poly
7. Darnell Woolfolk, Army
8. Carson Meier, Oklahoma
9. Marcus Jones, Gannon
10. Andy Davidson, Army

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Lock happy with Senior Bowl week performance.

Drew Lock breaks down his underhand pass in the Senior Bowl and working toward being the top quarterback in this year's draft class.

Wide receivers

1. *Marquise Brown, Oklahoma
2. *A.J. Brown, Ole Miss
3. **D.K. Metcalf, Ole Miss
4. *N'Keal Harry, Arizona State
5. Parris Campbell, Ohio State
6. Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
7. Terry McLaurin, Ohio State
8. *Hakeem Butler, Iowa State
9. Anthony Johnson, Buffalo
10. *Kelvin Harmon, NC State

Tight ends

1. **T.J. Hockenson, Iowa
2. *Irv Smith Jr., Alabama
3. *Noah Fant, Iowa
4. Tommy Sweeney, Boston College
5. **Kaden Smith, Stanford
6. *Caleb Wilson, UCLA
7. *Dawson Knox, Ole Miss
8. Drew Sample, Washington
9. Foster Moreau, LSU
10. Josh Oliver, San Jose State

Offensive tackles

1. *Jonah Williams, Alabama
2. *Greg Little, Ole Miss
3. *Jawaan Taylor, Florida
4. Andre Dillard, Washington State
5. Yodny Cajuste, West Virginia
6. Max Scharping, No. Illinois
7. Chuma Edoga, USC
8. *Bobby Evans, Oklahoma
9. Kaleb McGary, Washington
10. *David Edwards, Wisconsin

Guards

1. *Cody Ford, Oklahoma
2. Chris Lindstrom, Boston College
3. Dalton Risner, Kansas State
4. *Connor McGovern, Penn State
5. Beau Benzschawel, Wisconsin
6. Dru Samia, Oklahoma
7. Nate Davis, Charlotte
8. *Nate Herbig, Stanford
9. Ben Powers, Oklahoma
10. Javon Patterson, Ole Miss

Centers

1. Elgton Jenkins, Mississippi State
2. *Michael Jordan, Ohio State
3. Garrett Bradbury, NC State
4. *Erik McCoy, Texas A&M
5. Michael Deiter, Wisconsin
6. Lamont Gaillard, Georgia
7. Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama
8. John Keenoy, Western Michigan
9. Jesse Burkett, Stanford
10. Ryan Anderson, Wake Forest

Defensive ends

1. *Nick Bosa, Ohio State
2. *Rashan Gary, Michigan
3. Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
4. *Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
5. Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech
6. Zach Allen, Boston College
7. *Joe Jackson, Miami (Fla.)
8. *Anthony Nelson, Iowa
9. Carl Granderson, Wyoming
10. Charles Omenihu, Texas

Defensive tackles

1. **Quinnen Williams, Alabama
2. *Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi State
3. *Ed Oliver, Houston
4. Christian Wilkins, Clemson
5. *Dexter Lawrence, Clemson
6. *Dre'Mont Jones, Ohio State
7. Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame
8. Gerald Willis III, Miami (Fla.)
9. Khalen Saunders, Western Illinois
10. Isaiah Buggs, Alabama

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Kiper predicts three QBs to go in first round of NFL draft.

Mel Kiper Jr. has the Giants, Dolphins and Patriots selecting a quarterback in the first round in his first NFL mock draft for 2019.

Inside linebackers

1. *Devin White, LSU
2. *Devin Bush, Michigan
3. *Mack Wilson, Alabama
4. *Vosean Joseph, Florida
5. Te'von Coney, Notre Dame
6. *Tre Lamar, Clemson
7. *David Long, West Virginia
8. Bobby Okereke, Stanford
9. T.J. Edwards, Wisconsin
10. E.J. Ejiya, No. Texas

Outside linebackers

1. Josh Allen, Kentucky
2. *Jachai Polite, Florida
3. *Brian Burns, Florida State
4. Oshane Ximines, Old Dominion
5. Chase Winovich, Michigan
6. D'Andre Walker, Georgia
7. Chase Hansen, Utah
8. Terrill Hanks, New Mexico State
9. Germaine Pratt, NC State
10. Christian Miller, Alabama

Cornerbacks

1. **Greedy Williams, LSU
2. Deandre Baker, Georgia
3. **Byron Murphy, Washington
4. Julian Love, Notre Dame
5. *Trayvon Mullen, Clemson
6. Lonnie Johnson Jr., Kentucky
7. Rock Ya-Sin, Temple
8. Amani Oruwariye, Penn State
9. *Justin Layne, Michigan State
10. Jamal Peters, Mississippi State

Safeties

1. Johnathan Abram, Mississippi State
2. *Deionte Thompson, Alabama
3. Nasir Adderley, Delaware
4. *Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Florida
5. Juan Thornhill, Virginia
6. *Taylor Rapp, Washington
7. Will Harris, Boston College
8. *Amani Hooker, Iowa
9. Jaquan Johnson, Miami (Fla.)
10. Darnell Savage Jr., Maryland

Kickers and Punters

1. Jake Bailey, Stanford (Punter)
2. Tyler Newsome, Notre Dame (Punter)
3. John Baron II, San Diego State (Kicker)
4. Matt Gay, Utah (Kicker)
5. Cody Grace, Arkansas State (Punter)
6. Sterling Hofrichter, Syracuse (Punter)
7. Cole Tracy, LSU (Kicker)
8. Mitch Wishnowsky, Utah (P)
9. Stefan Flintoft, UCLA (P)
10. Chase McLaughlin, Illinois (PK)