3 Rounds of Mock Draft for 2019 NFL Draft: AFC Teams
10 min read
It is officially NFL Draft season! To celebrate the Fanalysts dynasty team performed a 3 round mock draft for all 32 NFL Teams. The results of the draft, broken down by division then team, are listed below. Every team has a full list of their draft picks and an analysis of their overall 3 round draft.
This article features the AFC teams. Keep an eye out for the NFC article!
AFC East
New England Patriots
1st Round, 32nd Overall: Irv Smith Jr., TE, Alabama
2nd Round, 56th Overall: Zach Allen, DE, Boston College
2nd Round, 64th Overall: Riley Ridley, WR, Georgia
3rd Round, 73rd Overall: Andy Isabella, WR, UMass
3rd Round, 97th Overall: Daniel Jones, QB, Duke
3rd Round, 101st Overall: Dax Raymond, TE, Utah State
Analysis: The Patriots have 12 picks and 6 in the top 101 selections. Let’s start with the fact that they are practically guaranteed to be on the move in this draft. Expect trades up and down the board from New England. With that said, doubling up at tight end and receiver makes sense due to the Gronk-sized hole in the offense along with the thin depth at WR. Zach Allen gives them a nice piece to work with along the defensive line and Daniel Jones falls right into their laps as a possible Brady replacement down the line.
Buffalo Bills
Round 1, 9th Overall: Cody Ford, T, Oklahoma
Round 2, 40th Overall: Dexter Lawrence, IDL, Clemson
Round 3, 74th Overall: Miles Boykin, WR, Notre Dame
Analysis: The Bills can go so many ways with their first pick but when you have a young passer, it is wise to protect him and bringing in a first round talent on the offensive line does just that. In the second, Sean McDermott appeases his defensive roots by bringing in monster defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence from that vaunted Clemson defense. They round out their first 3 picks with big bodied Miles Boykin from Notre Dame to give Josh Allen a nice big receiving threat.
New York Jets
Round 1, 3rd Overall: Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky
Round 3, 68th Overall: Trey Pipkins, T, Sioux Falls
Round 3, 93rd Overall: Jamel Dean, CB, Auburn
Analysis: Trey Pipkins should be a valuable piece along the offensive line for Adam Gase. See the aforementioned analysis on Buffalo protecting its young QB and apply it here. Jamel Dean hopefully can end the rut of poor corner play for the Jets. I want to focus on Josh Allen here for a minute. When beating Tom Brady and the Patriots, one has to look at how they were beat. Edge. Rushers. Von Miller victimized the Patriots when the Broncos went on a run. The Eagles and Giants had defensive line talent galore. The Jets need to find their Von Miller. They NEED to take an edge rusher at 3.
Miami Dolphins
Round 1, 13th Overall: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
Round 2, 48th Overall: David Sills V, WR, West Virginia
Round 3, 78th Overall: Jaylon Ferguson, EDGE, Louisiana Tech
Analysis: I love this draft for the Dolphins. It won’t happen, but Kyler Murray sliding to 13 would be a dream come true and would also speed up the rebuilding process. Again, it won’t happen because he is going to go 1st overall but it’s a nice thought. David Sills V could come in and be the WR1 right away for Miami. I love his game and he has constantly produced when counted on. Jaylon Ferguson can be plugged in right away on the defensive line as a replacement for either departing edge rusher in Cameron Wake or Robert Quinn.
AFC North:
Baltimore Ravens
Round 1, 22nd Overall: N’Keal Harry, WR, ASU
Round 3, 85th Overall: Ben Powers, iOL, Oklahoma
Round 3, 102nd Overall: Wyatt Ray, EDGE, Boston College
Analysis: As a Steelers fan, I don’t like these picks because they’re really good. Oklahoma’s offensive line was really good and Powers is a perfect fit for a team who will run a lot. Even though they will run a lot, the signing of new OC Greg Roman seems to brings the hope they will pass more than last year. N’Keal Harry will directly benefit instead of going to Baltimore to not do much at all. Wyatt Ray, somewhat of a sleeper, is another great fit for an already great defense.
Cincinnati Bengals
Round 1, 11th Overall: Devin White, LB, LSU
Round 2, 42nd Overall: Dawson Knox, TE, Ole Miss
Round 3, 72nd Overall: David Edwards, OT, Wisconsin
Analysis: Burfict is finally gone and Devin White can easily come in to replace that basket case.
Both David Edwards and Dawson Knox are some great low-key value for the offensive line to further to protect Andy Dalton and aid in the run game. I absolutely love Dawson Knox and believe he is top 3 at the position. Eifert can’t stay healthy and Uzomah is just an ok receiving option. Knox will be a great replacement for the future or a TE you can run out with Uzomah or Eifert similar to how Baltimore does.
Cleveland Browns
Round 2, 49th Overall: Nassir Adderley, S, Delaware
Round 3, 80th Overall: Joejuan Williams, CB, Vanderbilt
Analysis: Even with the addition of Eric Murray, I still think the Browns are going to need extra additions to their secondary and these guys should be available. If the Browns are going to go to the next level and stop “Browns-ing” things up, then they need to build solid depth and always have competition within the defense. In hindsight, I could have gone with an offensive line pick but I still like how this shook out for them.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Round 1, 20th Overall: Kelvin Harmon, WR, NC State
Round 2, 52nd Overall: Trayvon Mullen, CB, Clemson
Round 3, 66th Overall: Khalil Hodge, LB, Buffalo
Round 3, 83rd Overall: Drew Sample, TE, Washington
Analysis: After many mocks I finally got to draft for my team and it was glorious. The Steelers filled a lot of needs here including a great one in Kelvin Harmon (my WR1) to play alongside Juju, Switzer, Moncrief and Washington. Travon Mullen and Khalil Hodge are great underappreciated gems in this draft and I hope we land one of them. Drew Sample gives us both depth and a good secondary TE. We’ve taken quite a hit losing both Jesse James and Grimble to free agency and Sample is one of my favorites who was still on the board.
AFC West
Oakland Raiders
Round 1, 4th Overall: Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama
Round 1, 24th Overall: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
Round 1, 27th Overall: Greedy Williams, CB, LSU
Round 2, 35th Overall: Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina
Analysis: This is the ideal draft for the Oakland Raiders-who need help pretty much everywhere on their roster. Williams dropping to them at 4th overall is both realistic and very fortunate-he is possibly the best talent in this draft. Noah Fant and Deebo Samuel give Derek Carr a big play tight end and a very efficient slot wide receiver to compliment Brown and Williams’ roles on the Oakland offense. Some teams are cold on Greedy Williams, but controversy has never steered the Raiders away from talent; they score big with Williams’ slide.
Denver Broncos
Round 1, 10th Overall: Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
Round 2, 41st Overall: Jace Sternberger, TE, Texas A&M
Round 3, 71st Overall: Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama
Analysis: Lock seems destined for Denver-even with Flacco being hyped up as more than a bridge quarterback. They filled major needs in free agency which allow them to invest in their future quarterback and a very good supporting weapon in Sternberger. Thompson had no business slipping to them in the 3rd round and makes for a huge value. Overall the Broncos pick value over need and make a long term invest in their roster.
Kansas City Chiefs
Round 1, 29th Overall: Jachai Polite, EDGE, Florida
Round 2, 61st Overall: David Montgomery, RB, Iowa State
Round 2, 63rd Overall: Dre’Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State
Round 3, 92nd Overall: Beau Benzschawel, iOL, Wisconsin
With four picks in the first three rounds, the Chiefs are just adding to an already talented roster. Jachai Polite is a raw player but very talented player at what is all of a sudden a position of need for a team that just lost Justin Houston and Dee Ford in quick succession. Montgomery helps give them options after moving on from Kareem Hunt. I see Montgomery as the most complete and most talented back in this class and to put him in this offense would really give him a chance to shine. Jones provides depth on the defensive line as well an explosive ceiling. As for Benzschawel, you can never have enough good quality offensive linemen.
Los Angeles Chargers
Round 1, 28th Overall: Jeffrey Simmons, DT, Mississippi State
Round 2, 60th Overall: Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State
Round 3, 91st Overall: Keesean Johnson, WR, Fresno State
The Chargers add college teammates in this scenario. Simmons is one of the most talented players in the draft. Concerns raised about his character after an altercation involving a woman when he was 18 seem to be behind him. He has had no other off the field issues and from what I have read, seems to be an upstanding young man. Talent wise, this is a steal for the Chargers at a position of need. Pairing him with teammate and leader Johnathan Abram only makes things better for them. Abram also fills a position of need and while he plays an enforcer safety type role that seems to be leaning towards outdated in the NFL, his athleticism and strong corner play should help him continue to develop as a player in this defense. Keesean Johnson is heralded as one of the best route runners in this class and will give Rivers another option after the departure of Tyrell Williams (and Antonio Gates).
AFC South
Jacksonville Jaguars
Round 1, 7th Overall: DK Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss
Round 2, 38th Overall: Eric McCoy, iOL, Texas A&M
Round 3, 69th Overall: Trayveon Williams, RB, Texas A&M
The Jaguars need to improve their offense after committing to Nick Foles as their new quarterback. Keeping him clean and giving him playmakers to throw the ball to should be paramount in this draft. Metcalf brings an archetype that is not found on this roster in a true boundary receiver that will win with size and speed. He could fill a role similar to Alshon Jeffrey for Foles. McCoy will help solidify the front line. Williams will provide Foles with two big boosts. A pass catching running back to replace TJ Yeldon, and another body to help keep Fournette from being overworked and make this running game as efficient as possible.
Tennessee Titans
Round 1, 19th Overall: Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson
Round 2, 51st Overall: Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame
Round 3, 82nd Overall: Jalen Hurd, WR, Baylor
It is unclear what the Titans are looking to do currently. The concern surrounding Mariota is rising with the acquisition of Ryan Tannehill. Without a lot of direction right now, the Titans select the best player on the board in rounds 1 and 2 to help continue to build a talented roster around the question mark at quarterback. Jurrell Casey would be a terrific mentor for both Ferrell and Tillery and that would be one formidable defensive front to run or pass against. Jalen Hurd is an interesting player for this team as a convert to wideout from running back. He could play a lot of roles for this team and could allow an offense that has lost a lot of creativity to become a little less predictable.
Houston Texans
Round 1, 23rd Overall: Dalton Risner, OT, Kansas State
Round 2, 54th Overall: Yodney Cajuste, OT, West Virginia
Round 2, 55th Overall: Rock Ya-Sin, CB, Temple
Round 3, 86th Overall: Rodney Anderson, RB, Oklahoma
The Texans need so much offensive line help that their first two picks are offensive tackles and it is likely that both will start day 1 for this team. Risner slides in at left tackle with Cajuste at right and this team can hopefully start to take advantage of the playmakers they have on the offensive side of the ball. Rock Ya-Sin is also a day 1 starter simply by being less that 38,000 years old. An injection of youth into this Texans secondary is needed desperately. Rodney Anderson is a bit of a luxury pick that could pan out in a big way. With Lamar Miller scheduled to be a free agent in 2020, Anderson would get a year to adjust to the physicality of the NFL game with a more limited workload before getting the opportunity to be the workhorse his talent dictates that he is. This would hopefully help the medical staff stay ahead of any injury concerns with Anderson as well.
Indianapolis Colts
Round 1, 26th Overall: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
Round 2, 34th Overall: AJ Brown, WR, Ole Miss
Round 2, 59th Overall: Christian Miller, EDGE, Alabama
Round 3, 89th Overall: Drue Tranquill, LB, Notre Dame
Wilkins is the consensus pick in mock drafts for the Colts at 26. If he falls to them, there is a very good chance they scoop him up. Both an on-field and locker room fit, Wilkins can become a leader on this defense that is much improved with the additions of guys like Darius Leonard and Malik Hooker. Christian Miller and Drue Tranquill also fill needs for depth and talent at outside linebacker. If the Colts don’t take a receiver by the end of the 3rd round on draft day, I will be flabbergasted. Devin Funchess is not the long term answer. AJ Brown is a great fit for this offense. A player who will allow TY Hilton to move around the formation by being flexible himself, and a player who can take the workload of 150 targets with an NFL frame are exactly what this offense needs. A reliable playmaker with strong hands and great route running, the one thing Brown will need to work on is release, a concern mitigated by his strength and short area quickness.
