So long, NFL free agency. It's time for the 2019 draft. With less than a month until Round 1 begins, let's get to my new Big Board rankings for the 2019 class, which include my top 10 prospects at every position and a whole bunch of changes from the combine.
My Mock Draft 3.0 came out Tuesday, with several changes in the first-round projections. Todd McShay and I are doing a two-round mock draft next week, and we'll have a ton of draft coverage over the next month. For now, the Cardinals are on the clock, and my top-ranked prospect overall is staying the same.
Note: One asterisk denotes that the player is a junior, and two asterisks denote that the player was a redshirt sophomore in 2018.
1. Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State*
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 266 pounds | Previously: 1
Although I moved Bosa down a spot in my Mock Draft 3.0, he's still my top-ranked prospect, and I don't expect that to change. He did what was expected at the combine in Indianapolis, and he's the best pass-rusher in a class full of good ones. He is advanced for his age in his technique; you can probably thank his brother, Joey Bosa, and dad, John, both former first-round picks. Bosa finished his college career with 17.5 sacks in two-plus seasons, most of which were in a loaded line rotation. | Highlights
2. Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama**
Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 303 | Previously: 2
As I wrote after the combine, Williams was extremely impressive, running a 4.83 40-yard dash at 303 pounds, and he tested well athletically. He's the real deal, an interior game-wrecker who can dominate games. He was one of college football's best players -- not just defenders -- last season, finishing eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting. 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. | Highlights
3. Josh Allen, OLB, Kentucky
Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 262 | 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. Then he went and had 17 sacks -- with five forced fumbles -- and was one of college football's brightest stars last season. The edge rusher could go as high as No. 2 overall, but he'd be a perfect fit for the Jets at No. 3. | Highlights
4. Devin White, LB, LSU*
Height: 6-foot | Weight: 237 | Previously: 4
White is one of my favorite prospects in this class, and I noted in our draft primer in December 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 was great last season, too, with 123 tackles, including 12 for loss. I love his read-and-react ability. He is not a true pass-rusher, but he could play outside or inside linebacker at the next level. He has some versatility and is gifted athletically, running a 4.42 40 at the combine. | Highlights
5. Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State**
Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 231 | Previously: 7
Haskins started only 14 college games for the Buckeyes, but there's a lot to like about him. He has a big arm, shows great anticipation on his throws and takes care of the ball. He isn't an athlete in the mold of Kyler Murray or Daniel Jones, but we knew that based on his film. Haskins never gets rattled, and he excels in big moments. He's far from a finished product, but his high ceiling flashes on tape. He had a solid pro day -- there's no excuse for a quarterback to have a poor pro day -- but he's my top-ranked QB based on what he has shown on the field. | Highlights
6. Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma*
Height: 5-foot-10 | Weight: 207 | Previously: 8
Well, we know Murray's official height and weight after the combine, so let's put that past us. He's under 6 feet, but we knew that going in. I don't think being 5-foot-10 will hurt him, and really, all he has to do is impress one team. It appears that he has done that, as the rumblings that Kliff Kingsbury's Cardinals will take him at No. 1 have only gained steam over the past month. I wish Murray had worked out against the other quarterbacks at the combine, but he chose to throw at his pro day instead. You can't deny the Heisman Trophy winner's 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. If he goes to Arizona, he's going to need much-improved offensive line play. | Highlights
Mel Kiper Jr. explains why he is projecting Kyler Murray to be drafted No. 1 overall by the Cardinals in his latest mock draft.
7. T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa**
Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 251 | Previously: 6
I love this kid. Hockenson is a complete tight end. As I wrote in my Mock Draft 2.0, he can run routes out of the slot on one play, then line up next to a tackle and blow up an edge defender in the running game on the next. He could be a top-10 pick. His teammate Noah Fant got all the pub before the season, but Hockenson put up better numbers, and he's a better blocker. You can see some similar traits to recently retired tight end Rob Gronkowski, though we can't expect a Hall of Fame career from Hockenson. He's going to be a good player. | Highlights
8. Ed Oliver, DT, Houston*
Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 287 | Previously: 12
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 game tape, in which he had five tackles for loss. Oliver's first step is one of the fastest I've seen from a defensive tackle. There's a big range on where he might end up, as I've heard anywhere from No. 4 to Oakland to No. 14 or 15. | Highlights
9. Devin Bush, LB, Michigan*
Height: 5-foot-11 | Weight: 234 | Previously: 20
Bush is a big riser after the combine, where he tested well and ran a blazing 4.43 40. He caught my eye 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. He is a playmaker. He lines up all over the field and is always around the ball. I scouted his dad, Devin Bush Sr., a first-round pick out of Florida State in 1995 who had a 41-inch vertical.
10. Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State
Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 260 | Previously: 9
Sweat was the top prospect at the Senior Bowl, and I had him in the top five of my second mock draft. Then he ran a 4.41 40 at 260 pounds and became the star of the combine. But let's focus on the field -- he's a devastating pass-rusher. After putting up 10.5 sacks in 2017, he had 11.5 last 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. | Highlights
11. Rashan Gary, DL, Michigan*
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 277 | Previously: 5
Gary dominates when he's at his best; he manhandles offensive linemen. 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 3-technique in a 4-3. Like Oliver, there's a wide range for when Gary could be picked, but he's likely to go in the top 10. | Highlights
12. Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida*
Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 312 | Previously: 19
Taylor is a mauler on the edge. He probably will play right tackle at the next level; he made 33 starts there in college. His technique is still raw, but he has great feet. I think he'll be the top offensive lineman off the board. I had him at No. 7 to the Jaguars in my latest Mock Draft. | Highlights
13. Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State*
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 301 | Previously: NR
I'm putting Simmons back in my top 25, even with the torn ACL that could cost him the 2019 season. He's too good, and he could sneak into the top 25 for a team looking for a high-ceiling monster. There's a chance that he could start this season on the physically unable to perform list and come back for the second half. Still, he is a disruptor who had 17 tackles for loss a year ago. He also knows how to disengage blockers and find the football. Simmons could be a steal.
14. Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 315 | Previously: 22
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 last season, and he was one of the locker room leaders for the national champions. Wilkins has been underrated playing on an extremely talented Tigers defensive line, but he could be the first Clemson prospect off the board. | Highlights
15. Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia
Height: 5-foot-11 | Weight: 193 | Previously: 11
Quarterbacks who go after Baker don't have much luck. He broke up nine passes and had two interceptions last season, and he had nine pass breakups and three picks in 2017. Baker doesn't wow athletically, but he's steady. Teams want a cornerback who is steady and not too inconsistent. I like Baker in the middle of Round 1.
Former Alabama running back Josh Jacobs runs with a full head of steam, can catch the ball and isn't afraid to get out there and block.
16. D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss**
Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 238 | Previously: 14
Metcalf is a freaky athlete with a huge frame -- just look at this viral photo. On tape, he shows elite traits: speed to beat cornerbacks one-on-one, the physicality to go over the middle and the athleticism to outjump any defender. He showed his athleticism at the combine, running a 4.33 40. The problem? Health. He had a scary neck injury that ended his 2018 season, and he broke his foot in 2016. This ranking is about projection because he could be a scary-good No. 1 receiver. | Highlights
17. Chris Lindstrom, G, Boston College
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 308 | Previously: NR
This might be a new name to some, and he has risen after the combine, where he showed off upper-tier athleticism for an offensive lineman. His tape matched the traits -- he had a really good 2018 season after moving from tackle to guard. Lindstrom is my new No. 1 guard, and the versatility is a plus. I wouldn't be shocked if he went in the top 20.
18. Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 342 | Previously: 18
As I wrote in my way-too-early Big Board, big-bodied guys who move like Lawrence and can eat gaps don't last long in the draft. And Lawrence has shown that he is more than a plugger -- he had nine sacks in his first two seasons. Turn on the tape and you'll see Lawrence take on blockers and throw them aside. He's also 1-for-1 on turning carries into touchdowns. Lawrence probably will never be a double-digit sack artist, but he has some explosiveness.
19. Brian Burns, OLB/DE, Florida State*
Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 249 | Previously: NR
Burns has gone a little bit under the radar in a great edge rushing group, but he's right there with the best of the bunch. He 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 24 sacks in three seasons at Florida State. He needs more time in the weight room, but he could grow into a 4-3 end in time. Don't underrate him.
20. Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama*
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 302 | Previously: 16
It isn't 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. He doesn't have ideal arm length (33⅝ inches), but that doesn't mean he has to play guard. It just means there are options, and I know different teams like him at either position. | Highlights
21. Andraez "Greedy" Williams, CB, LSU**
Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 185 | Previously: 10
Williams has dropped a little bit. He isn't a great tackler, and he isn't the smoothest defensive back when he gets in the backpedal. But he has great ball skills and a long, lean frame, and he sticks to wide receivers. I believe in the talent here. He has eight picks the past two seasons. | Highlights
22. Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama*
Height: 5-foot-10 | Weight: 220 | Previously: 21
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 he 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. Plus, he has limited tread on his tires, with only 300 touches in three college seasons. | Highlights
Mel Kiper Jr. predicts that the Patriots will draft Alabama TE Irv Smith Jr. as a replacement for Rob Gronkowski.
23. Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson*
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 264 | Previously: 23
I thought Ferrell could have been a first-round pick in the 2018 draft as a third-year sophomore. He had 9.5 sacks in 2017 and another 11.5 last season. He terrorized Texas A&M and Georgia Southern with two sacks apiece and multiple pressures. He is likely to be a traditional defensive end on a 4-3 defense, and I have pegged him as a perfect fit for Carolina in the middle of Round 1 in my Mock Drafts. | Highlights
24. Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State
Height: 5-foot-11 | Weight: 205 | Previously: 24
Abram flirted with my top 40 all last season, and I moved him up to my No. 1 safety in this class in February. 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. The one question I had about him was answered at the combine, as it was tough to get a gauge on his long speed. He ran a 4.45 40, though, which is stellar and enough to put him in the first round.
25. Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 228 | Previously: NR
Lock is getting some top-10 buzz. I wouldn't take him that high, but I do see why a team might fall in love with him. He has the best arm in the class and a ton of game experience, and he is athletic enough that he could have played top-tier college basketball. But he also has accuracy issues -- he completed just 56.9 percent of his passes in 50 total games. I pegged him to Miami at No. 13 in my Mock Draft 3.0, and that could be a good situation for him on a team with low expectations.
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. *Damien Harris, Alabama
3. *David Montgomery, Iowa State
4. *Miles Sanders, Penn State
5. *Devin Singletary, Florida Atlantic
6. *Trayveon Williams, Texas A&M
7. *Justice Hill, Oklahoma State
8. *Darrell Henderson, Memphis
9. Ryquell Armstead, Temple
10. Bryce Love, Stanford
Fullbacks/H-backs
1. Alec Ingold, Wisconsin
2. Trevon Wesco, West Virginia
3. Chandler Cox, Auburn
4. Winston Dimel, UTEP
5. George Aston, Pitt
6. Marcus Jones, Gannon
7. Joe Protheroe, Cal Poly
8. Darnell Woolfolk, Army
9. Carson Meier, Oklahoma
10. Andy Davidson, Army
Wide receivers
1. **D.K. Metcalf, Mississippi
2. Terry McLaurin, Ohio State
3. *Marquise Brown, Oklahoma
4. *A.J. Brown, Mississippi
5. *N'Keal Harry, Arizona State
6. Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
7. Parris Campbell, Ohio State
8. *Miles Boykin, Notre Dame
9. Emanuel Hall, Missouri
10. *Hakeem Butler, Iowa State
Tight ends
1. **T.J. Hockenson, Iowa
2. *Irv Smith Jr., Alabama
3. *Noah Fant, Iowa
4. *Kahale Warring, San Diego State
5. *Jace Sternberger, Texas A&M
6. **Kaden Smith, Stanford
7. Drew Sample, Washington
8. *Dawson Knox, Mississippi
9. Keenen Brown, Texas State
10. Josh Oliver, San Jose State
Offensive tackles
1. *Jawaan Taylor, Florida
2. *Jonah Williams, Alabama
3. *Cody Ford, Oklahoma
4. Andre Dillard, Washington State
5. Dalton Risner, Kansas State
6. Kaleb McGary, Washington
7. *Greg Little, Mississippi
8. Tytus Howard, Alabama State
9. Yodny Cajuste, West Virginia
10. *Bobby Evans, Oklahoma
Guards
1. Chris Lindstrom, Boston College
2. Michael Deiter, Wisconsin
3. *Connor McGovern, Penn State
4. Chuma Edoga, USC
5. Max Scharping, Northern Illinois
6. Beau Benzschawel, Wisconsin
7. Dru Samia, Oklahoma
8. Nate Davis, Charlotte
9. Ben Powers, Oklahoma
10. B.J. Autry, Jacksonville State
Centers
1. *Erik McCoy, Texas A&M
2. Garrett Bradbury, NC State
3. Elgton Jenkins, Mississippi State
4. *Michael Jordan, Ohio State
5. Lamont Gaillard, Georgia
6. Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama
7. Javon Patterson, Mississippi
8. John Keenoy, Western Michigan
9. Jesse Burkett, Stanford
10. Ryan Anderson, Wake Forest
Defensive ends
1. *Nick Bosa, Ohio State
2. Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
3. *Rashan Gary, Michigan
4. *Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
5. Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech
6. Oshane Ximines, Old Dominion
7. L.J. Collier, TCU
8. *Anthony Nelson, Iowa
9. *Maxx Crosby, Eastern Michigan
10. Zach Allen, Boston College
Defensive tackles
1. **Quinnen Williams, Alabama
2. *Ed Oliver, Houston
3. *Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi State
4. Christian Wilkins, Clemson
5. *Dexter Lawrence, Clemson
6. Khalen Saunders, Western Illinois
7. *Dre'Mont Jones, Ohio State
8. Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame
9. Gerald Willis III, Miami (Fla.)
10. Isaiah Buggs, Alabama
Inside linebackers
1. *Devin White, LSU
2. *Devin Bush, Michigan
3. *Mack Wilson, Alabama
4. Bobby Okereke, Stanford
5. *David Long, West Virginia
6. Sione Takitaki, BYU
7. *Vosean Joseph, Florida
8. Te'von Coney, Notre Dame
9. *Tre Lamar, Clemson
10. *Josiah Tauaefa, Texas-San Antonio
Outside linebackers
1. Josh Allen, Kentucky
2. *Brian Burns, Florida State
3. *Jachai Polite, Florida
4. Chase Winovich, Michigan
5. Ben Banogu, TCU
6. D'Andre Walker, Georgia
7. Germaine Pratt, NC State
8. Cody Barton, Utah
9. Jamal Davis, Akron
10. Christian Miller, Alabama
Cornerbacks
1. Deandre Baker, Georgia
2. **Greedy Williams, LSU
3. Rock Ya-Sin, Temple
4. **Byron Murphy, Washington
5. Julian Love, Notre Dame
6. *Justin Layne, Michigan State
7. *Trayvon Mullen, Clemson
8. Lonnie Johnson Jr., Kentucky
9. *Joejuan Williams, Vanderbilt
10. Amani Oruwariye, Penn State
Safeties
1. Johnathan Abram, Mississippi State
2. *Deionte Thompson, Alabama
3. Juan Thornhill, Virginia
4. *Taylor Rapp, Washington
5. *Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Florida
6. Nasir Adderley, Delaware
7. Darnell Savage Jr., Maryland
8. *Amani Hooker, Iowa
9. Will Harris, Boston College
10. Khari Willis, Michigan State
Punters and kickers
1. Jake Bailey, Stanford (P)
2. Tyler Newsome, Notre Dame (P)
3. John Baron II, San Diego State (K)
4. Matt Gay, Utah (K)
5. Cody Grace, Arkansas State (P)
6. Sterling Hofrichter, Syracuse (P)
7. Cole Tracy, LSU (K)
8. Mitch Wishnowsky, Utah (P)
9. Stefan Flintoft, UCLA (P)
10. Chase McLaughlin, Illinois (K)