NFL draft first-round pick-by-pick capsules

April 26, 2019 at 10:43AM
Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after the Arizona Cardinals selected Murray in the first round at the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Kyler Murray posed with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell with his new jersey Thursday night in Nashville. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Déjà vu? That's the hope for Kyler Murray, the second consecutive Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from Oklahoma to be selected No. 1 overall. Baker Mayfield surpassed expectations last year. For Murray to do the same, it will have to be one heck of an encore. Like Mayfield, Murray is undersized with off-field concerns (in Murray's case, a mega-million pro baseball offer). But he possesses rare football playmaking talent. The hope is a live, unrattled arm (4,361 yards, 42 TDs, seven INTs) makes up for it all.

2. San Francisco

Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State

The 2017 Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year spent most of 2018 rehabbing an injured core muscle. He appeared in three games for the Buckeyes as a junior but showed why he is worthy of this pick: The 6-4, 266-pound rock made 14 tackles, six for loss, with four sacks and a forced fumble.

3. N.Y. Jets

Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama

An efficient star lineman who broke out in a big way last season by winning the Outland Trophy as top interior lineman. Agile for his size (6-3, 303 pounds).

4. Oakland

Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson

Jon Gruden and Co. swooped in and made the first surprise of the night. Ferrell played alongside NFL talent all through college, but made his own name by using his size (6-4, 264 pounds): 36.5 tackles for loss and 21 sacks over the past two seasons.

5. Tampa Bay

Devin White, LB, LSU

A running back in high school, White converted to linebacker once he got on campus and blossomed. The Butkus Award winner as the nation's top linebacker made 123 tackles last season with 12 for loss.

6. N.Y. Giants

Daniel Jones, QB, Duke

A three-year starter, Jones worked under David Cutcliffe — who recruited Eli Manning to Ole Miss — at Duke and now aims to be Manning's successor.

7. Jacksonville

Josh Allen, OLB, Kentucky

Named a first-team All-America and won the Bednarik Award and Nagurski Trophy as the top defender in college football. At 6-5, 262 pounds he has a quick first step and is a hybrid linebacker who can float between coverage and pass rush.

8. Detroit

T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa

Iowa's run on top-level tight ends continues with the 6-5, 251-pound pass-catching, in-line blocking star. Led the Hawkeyes with 49 catches for 760 yards and six TDs last season and also scored on a trick play vs. the Gophers.

9. Buffalo

Ed Oliver, DT, Houston

Explosive instincts and athleticism allowed Oliver to rack up 53 tackles for loss in three seasons. At 6-2, 287 pounds he's considered undersized but the talent can't be ignored.

10. Pittsburgh (from Denver)

Devin Bush, LB, Michigan

Speedy three-down linebacker with the ability to play outside that will make up for his size (5-11, 234 pounds). Named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year after 80 tackles and five sacks.

11. Cincinnati

Jonah Williams, T, Alabama

The unanimous first-team All-America switched to left tackle last year and has the goods (he's 6-4, 302 pounds) to take on NFL skill. Aspires to home in on durability like his idol, Joe Thomas.

12. green bay

Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan

Top prep recruit in the class of 2016 delivered in Ann Arbor. Used height (6-4), weight (277 pounds) and speed (4.58-second 40-yard dash) to make 119 tackles, 23 for loss, in 34 games.

13. Miami

Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson

He was a first-team All-America after making 57 tackles, including 15 for loss, with six sacks and two forced fumbles.

14. Atlanta

Chris Lindstrom, G, Boston Col.

Athletic interior lineman whose top trait is his quickness. Played primarily at right guard during his career and popped on film for lateral speed and awareness on blitz packages.

15. Washington

Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio St.

Was named a Heisman Trophy finalist after putting up 50 passing TDs last season, breaking Drew Brees' conference record. Big arm. Smart reads. And he was 13-1 as a starter.

16. carolina

Brian Burns, DE, Florida State

Said to have a basketball player's body at 6-5, 249 pounds, Burns used that long frame to skirt around beefy lineman. Led the Seminoles with 15.5 tackles for loss last season and 10 sacks.

17. N.Y. Giants (From CLE.)

Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson

A massive 342-pound run-stopper. He had seven sacks as a freshman, setting an ACC record, and was the conference's defensive player of the year last season.

18. Vikings

Garrett Bradbury, C, NC State

Kirk Cousins, meet your protection. The Rimington Trophy winner as the nation's best center, he did not allow a sack on more than 900 offensive snaps last season and allowed just two QB pressures on 457 pass attempts.

19. Tennessee

Jeffery Simmons, DT, Miss. St.

Viewed by some as a possible top-five pick, his well-documented off-field issues likely caused concern. On the field, he's a strong and muscular player with experience in multiple schemes.

20. Denver (from Pittsburgh)

Noah Fant, TE, Iowa

He can gain separation with ease, win jump balls down field and his 19 receiving TDs are a Hawkeyes record. Blocking needs to improve to help.

21. Green Bay (from Seattle)

Darnell Savage Jr., S, Maryland.

A late-riser in the draft stock game after he showed up to the combine bigger than expected. An exceptional cover skill set with a smart IQ, he had eight INTs in the past two seasons.

22. Philadelphia (from Baltimore)

Andre Dillard, T, Washington St.

Four-year starter at left tackle with a superior arm reach and a knack for quick directional change in the trenches. Had inexperience in the run game that must be addressed.

23. Houston

Tytus Howard, T, Alabama St.

At 6-5 and 322 pounds, he was a quarterback coming out of high school, and it shows in his quickness and fluid motions.

24. Oakland (From Chicago)

Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama

Hard not to root for Jacobs, who often had nowhere stable to sleep in high school and posted Twitter videos of himself with the hopes of earning a scholarship. Great vision and speedy bursts made him first back taken.

25. Baltimore (from Philadelphia)

Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma

Just 5-9 and 166 pounds, Brown makes up for his lack of size with the kind of speed and game-breaking ability that brought fame to his cousin Antonio. Caught 75 passes for 1,318 yards and 10 TDs last season.

26. Washington (from Indianapolis)

Montez Sweat, DT, Miss. St.

Above-average length at 6-6, allowing the edge rusher to dart through the line and compile 53 tackles and a team-high 11½ sacks last season.

27. Oakland (From Dallas)

Johnathan Abram, S, Miss. St.

A linebacker-quality hitter with speed that can take control on defense. Came to the Bulldogs as the No. 1 JUCO safety and immediately became an SEC starter.

28. L.A. Chargers

Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame

Tall and athletic at 6-6, 295 pounds, Tillery has the specs to play in any scheme. Strong upper-body power means can put a quarterback on his back quickly, as he did eight times last season.

29. Seattle (From K.C.)

L.J. Collier, DE, TCU

Was not a starter until his fifth season. Once he got in, Collier started 10 of 11 games and shined with aggressive run defense. He made first-team All-Big 12 with 42 tackles and six sacks.

30. N.Y. Giants (From Seattle via G.B. and n.O.)

Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia

The Jim Thorpe Award winner had a pair of interceptions and 10 pass breakups. Feisty attitude could help make up for size issues (5-11, 193 pounds).

31. Atlanta (from Rams)

Kaleb McGary, T, Washington

Has played right tackle his entire college career but could move inside. Has a heart arrhythmia issue He has been cleared to play but will need to pass NFL medicals.

32. New England

N'Keal Harry, WR, Arizona St.

Slated by draft experts as a second-rounder, Harry has shown an inability to shake away from man coverage. But if there's one quarterback who could correct that inconsistency, it's a six-time Super Bowl champion.

Some information provided by Associated Press and NFL.com

about the writer

about the writer

Brian Stensaas

Digital editor, producer, reporter

Brian Stensaas has been with the Star Tribune since 2004. He is a digital editor and sports reporter, with experience covering high schools, the NHL, NBA and professional golf.

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