Will Kyler Murray be taken first overall in the 2019 NFL Draft? How high will D.K. Metcalf go? Has Montez Sweat’s stock dipped with news of his pre-existing heart condition? With the NFL Draft just under a month away, there are many burning questions the public and analysts alike will debate up until draft day. Let’s take a look at a few of them.
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What will the Arizona Cardinals do at No. 1?
Arguably the biggest burning question of the NFL Draft, who will the Arizona Cardinals take with the first pick? It’s on the top of everyone’s mind and at the tip of their tongues. Where there is smoke, there is usually fire, and Kliff Kingsbury’s comments about drafting Murray first overall while still coaching at Texas Tech certainly intensified the hot stove.
This has caused some heated debate, as selecting Murray would be almost unprecedented since Arizona drafted Josh Rosen in the first round last year. There are some elite defensive talents in this draft, and some still believe the Cardinals will keep Rosen and draft Nick Bosa or Quinnen Williams instead. They addressed their edge-rusher need with Terrell Suggs, but he is more of a veteran stopgap than the long-term answer Bosa would provide. Williams would be a terrific fit for a team in need of a defensive tackle, but he projects better in a 4-3 scheme as opposed to a 3-4. Whichever direction they choose is sure to be heavily scrutinized for at least the next half decade, so here’s to hoping they get it right.
How high will D.K. Metcalf go?
After his exceptional 40 time for a 6’3″, 228-pound receiver, Metcalf’s draft stock seemed to soar. Or did it? Those who rely on the NFL Combine as their primary evaluation method may have had their first exposure to Metcalf as a receiver possessing elite straight-line speed. However, most NFL teams already knew this from his game tape, and they were likely more interested in his lateral quickness and ability to run crisp routes. He failed in those regards.
Metcalf’s draft ceiling did not change much here, and the discourse that he can go as high as second overall seems based on 40-yard-dash euphoria. He still has a chance to go in the first round, but it is no sure thing. In fact, he may not even be the first Ole Miss receiver off the board this April. Metcalf has a chance to go as high as ninth overall to the Buffalo Bills according to some projections, but his floor is the mid-second round. This will be one of the more interesting storylines to follow on draft night.
Will a running back be selected in the first round?
A major discussion point leading up to the 2019 NFL Draft is whether any running back will get taken in the first round. In recent years, the question was how many we would see selected on Day One. That is not the case this year. With this year’s top back, Rodney Anderson, suffering a third season-ending injury, there is no definitive Day One talent in this class.
Even with this being the case, draftniks across the world have still sometimes connected one of two rushers to ground-game–needy teams in the first round. These two backs are usually Josh Jacobs and David Montgomery. Both have major upside, but they are not without question marks. In such a deep defensive draft, I do not expect any team to reach and select a running back in the opening round. The Raiders are the obvious candidate to do so, but look for Mike Mayock to focus on overhauling their horrendous defense.
How high will Montez Sweat go?
Sweat has had the best offseason of any prospect as far as draft stock is concerned. A borderline Day One talent due to the depth of this class, he raised his profile to a high first-round pick with a strong Senior Bowl week and excellent combine. Don’t be turned off by his production coming alongside fellow first-round prospect Jeffery Simmons. The talent he flashes on tape is legit.
With that said, news of a heart condition may put his draft stock in peril. Although this information has just come to light publicly, the word is some teams were already aware of this issue. His condition is not believed to be of serious concern, but it may still cause some teams to remove him from their draft boards. It appears he will still be an early first-round consideration for teams that are satisfied with his medical checks.
Who will be the first offensive tackle off the board?
Florida’s Jawaan Taylor is generating the most buzz at tackle. Regardless of whether I think he’s even the best eligible tackle on his own team, the hype is real. He tested as an exceptional athlete for his position and looks to be a future stud on the right side.
Evaluating tackles can be a difficult process. You have to judge not only their college tape and production, but also how they project and translate at the next level. Jonah Williams was arguably the most talented left tackle in the country in 2018, but according to most analysts, he is barely in the mix to be the first tackle off of the board. Different NFL teams judge and evaluate prospects in different ways. They may evaluate prospects based on projectable upside, in which case Greg Little becomes a favorite to get snagged first. Some teams evaluate prospects based on a “what you see is what you get” basis, in which case Taylor looks like the best bet to be selected first. Of course, some teams use a weighted mixture of the two, making projections all the more difficult for those of us on the outside. In the absence of a true NFL-ready stud who can start on the left side, Taylor just may be the first tackle to hear his name called on April 25.
First tight end off the board?
One of the most hotly debated questions heading into the 2019 NFL Draft is which tight end will get grabbed first. Many scouts view Noah Fant as the top receiving tight end, but former Iowa teammate T.J. Hockenson is the most complete prospect at the position. With that said, Irv Smith Jr., of Alabama might present the best mixture of receiving upside and blocking prowess.
Hockenson will likely get selected first, as he can essentially serve as an extra lineman in both the run and passing game. It would be a mild surprise if Fant or Smith go earlier.
Where should Rashan Gary play in the NFL?
One of the biggest questions is not only where Rashan Gary will get drafted, but what position he will be drafted to play. Gary is something of an enigma among the defensive tackles in this class. As a top high-school recruit, he was a mild disappointment at Michigan.
One of the top defensive linemen in this class in terms of talent, his lack of production has led some to question where he will line up in the pros. He has the tools to thrive as a defensive tackle in a 4-3 scheme, but also possesses the ability and upside to be a dominant edge rusher once his skills catch up to his talent.
Who will be the first cornerback selected?
In a draft class renown for its defensive depth, the cornerbacks certainly do not disappoint. A few names, however, stand out above the rest. Greedy Williams, Deandre Baker, and Byron Murphy top most draft boards in some order. The question remains as to which one gets drafted first.
Temple’s Rock Ya-Sin is also a sleeper who could eclipse them on some draft boards. If I had to predict the draft order, I would take Williams, Murphy, and Ya-Sin as the first three corners off of the board.
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Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his profile and follow him @FantasyContext.
