Harrison’s Final Mock Draft: Trade Edition

My last attempt to crack the code, could be the craziest yet

By David_Harrison@DHarrison82 Apr 24, 2019, 7:03pm EDT

Will the Tampa Bay Buccaneers pick Devin White with the fifth overall pick or will they trade back and stockpile picks in a talent-heavy class?

This is what mock drafts are all about, and I’m so excited to do my one and only *trades allowed version that we’re going to cut the small talk, here.

*Trades are done by pick value charts only. Yes, I’m aware inflation happens, but I’m not going that far down the rabbit hole. This would never get done if I did.

1ST PICK - ARIZONA CARDINALS - QB, KYLER MURRAY (OKLAHOMA)

This has been the pick for as long as I can remember. For so long I find myself wondering who the Cardinals will draft next to help their young rookie quarterback. Before we answer that, we have to answer the next question. What happens with pick two?

2ND PICK - SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS - DT, QUINNEN WILLIAMS (ALABAMA)

Recent rumors have surfaced the 49ers may select Quinnen Williams over Bosa. It’s just crazy enough to happen. Williams is widely considered the best player in this draft, and is perhaps the most ‘can’t-missiest’ of the ‘can’t misses’.

3RD PICK - NEW YORK JETS - DT, ED OLIVER (HOUSTON)

More rumors are swirling around this pick and the word is the Jets are trying to get out of the third pick. Could the presence of Nick Bosa still on the board be enough to get a team to jump up? Not yet.

But, another rumor involving the Jets is how much they love Ed Oliver and while I believe the trade back desire is tied to the Oliver desire, with no trade-up partners willing to pay for the third-pick, the Jets shock the world.

4TH PICK - OAKLAND RAIDERS - EDGE, NICK BOSA (OHIO STATE)

It seems every year there’s a player who falls down the board a bit, much to the surprise of everyone.

Nick Bosa could be this year’s guy. Or Kyler Murray if the Cardinals don’t take him AND they stay at number one.

Falling to fourth isn’t exactly documentary worthy as far as tumbles go, but seeing this Bosa brother available when they get on the clock is certainly not something Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock are expecting at this point.

Both Bosa’s in the AFC West? At least mom and dad don’t have to worry about dueling Super Bowl games anytime soon.

5TH PICK - DETROIT LIONS - EDGE, JOSH ALLEN (KENTUCKY) - TRADE WITH TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

If the Lions are going to compete in the NFC North they need to get on board with the solid defenses being fielded in Chicago and Minnesota.

By adding Josh Allen to the mix Detroit now has the makings of a very solid front-seven. Another big story line stemming from this deal is the involvement of veteran defensive tackle, Gerald McCoy. Detroit gives up the 8th (2019 1st) and 43rd (2019 2nd), but in return they get Allen and the Pro Bowl caliber defensive lineman they need to put it all together.

Added bonus for the fact the Bucs won’t have this rear up and bite them unless they see the Lions in the playoffs.

6TH PICK - NEW YORK GIANTS - QB, DANIEL JONES (DUKE)

There is a team with Daniel Jones as their No. 1 QB on their board. And y’all know exactly who that team is.
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) April 19, 2019

Please let this happen.

7TH PICK - CINCINNATI BENGALS - QB, DWAYNE HASKINS (OHIO STATE)

Every Buccaneers fan in support of drafting Devin White is going to hold their collective breath as the Bengals move up.

In reality though, Cincinnati is in such shock the Giants actually took Jones over Haskins, they just couldn’t afford to wait any longer.

Trading up costs the Bengals the 11th pick (2019 1st) and the 72nd pick (2019 3rd), but they get their new head coach his new franchise quarterback in the process.

Somewhere, Andy Dalton to Washington trade talks are beginning.

8TH PICK - TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS - LB, DEVIN WHITE (LSU) - TRADE WITH DETROIT LIONS

After James Yarcho stops yelling at me about how the Bucs should have taken White at five instead of trading back and risking a team like the Bengals trading ahead of them to get White themselves, he’ll calm down from the Haskins pick just enough to see Jason Licht get the quarterback for Todd Bowles’ defense.

9TH PICK - BUFFALO BILLS - EDGE, RASHAN GARY (MICHIGAN)

The Buffalo Bills have already shown they aren’t going to let a little thing like lack of collegiate production get in the way of drafting their first-round target.

10TH PICK - DENVER BRONCOS - TE, T.J. HOCKENSON (IOWA)

If John Elway doesn’t Elway this thing up and draft a quarterback, he needs to get a tight end for Joe Flacco.

11TH PICK - JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS - OT, JAWAAN TAYLOR(FLORIDA) - TRADE WITH CINCINNATI BENGALS

By trading back from the seventh overall selection, the Jaguars essentially get to take the drafts top tight end or top offensive tackle. Since the Broncos pulled the trigger on the tight end, Jawaan Taylor from Florida will give Nick Foles a better pocket to throw from, and the Jags can get their tight end later in a solid class for the position group.

12TH PICK - GREEN BAY PACKERS - LB, DEVIN BUSH (MICHIGAN)

There’s a lot of concern about whether or not new head coach Matt LaFleur can handle quarterback Aaron Rodgers. There should be equal concern over who is going to quarterback the defense.

Devin Bush isn’t as good as the other Devin in this class, but he’s pretty good and a decent value with the twelfth pick.

13TH PICK - MIAMI DOLPHINS - QB, DREW LOCK (MISSOURI)

It’s been said this year is an evaluation year for the Dolphins with their new head coach in place. This could be, and if it is then fine. But there’s one position which doesn’t need a whole lot of evaluation to see the future in, and it’s quarterback.

Ryan Fitzpatrick might be ok for this year - and maybe even 2020. But beyond that Miami is going to need a quarterback. Getting one here without having to sell the farm gives the Dolphins and Lock the best shot at future success.

14TH PICK - ATLANTA FALCONS - EDGE, MONTEZ SWEAT (MISSISSIPPI STATE)

With Taylor gone to the Jaguars, the Falcons will likely turn to defense with their first pick.

Montez Sweat’s heart condition is reportedly scaring some teams off, so getting a Top-10 talent near the midway point of the first round is the first win of the 2019 league year, which they hope will help get them even more when the playing starts.

15TH PICK - WASHINGTON REDSKINS - WR, D.K. METCALF (OLE MISS)

After missing out on all three quarterbacks with first-round potential, the Redskins will have to get Case Keenum - or Andy Dalton - a target to help keep him alive in 2019.

An added bonus to this pick would be the revival of Josh Doctson’s career due to Metcalf’s presence, and the beginnings of some good weapons to help whichever quarterback Washington drafts in 2020.

16TH PICK - CAROLINA PANTHERS - OT, ANDRE DILLARD (WASHINGTON STATE)

Carolina is dealing with an ailing quarterback due in large part to the damage he’s taken over the years. The Panthers already started game planning around Cam Newton not running as much as he has, and drafting a solid pass protector here will help as well.

17TH PICK - NEW YORK GIANTS - EDGE, BRIAN BURNS (FLORIDA STATE)

The Giants got a passer for the future, and here they get a pass rusher for now.

18TH PICK - MINNESOTA VIKINGS - TE, NOAH FANT (IOWA)

Tight end Kyle Rudolph is near the end of his current contract, and honestly he’s capped out as an NFL tight end.

Noah Fant’s ceiling is much higher, and having both on the field at times will help Kirk Cousins get things going in the right direction for 2019.

19TH PICK - TENNESSEE TITANS - DT, CHRISTIAN WILKINS (CLEMSON)

Adding Christian Wilkins to the defensive line gives the Titans a formidable duo up front to help get into the faces of guys like Andrew Luck and Deshaun Watson.

20TH PICK - PITTSBURGH STEELERS - CB, ROCK YA-SIN (TEMPLE)

As I mentioned when I interviewed him earlier this off-season, I’m a big fan of Rock Ya-Sin. But you don’t have to take my word for it, I’ll let Peter King do the heavy lifting,

“Imagine the first cornerback off the board being a guy who played one year at Temple after transferring from the Presbyterian (S.C.) College Blue Hose, and who will have one of the great names in the history of whatever team drafts him. Word on the scouting street is that Mike Tomlin loves Ya-Sin, and with White and Bush off the board at a position of great Steeler need (linebacker), Pittsburgh opts for a physical 5-11 3/4 corner who made tremendous plays in his one season of (fairly) big-time football.”

21ST PICK - PHILADELPHIA EAGLES - RB, JOSH JACOBS (ALABAMA) - TRADE WITH SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

For the second time the Seahawks are involved in a day one trade. This one has them moving back from the 21st pick to the 25th and gaining both of Philadelphia’s fourth-round picks in this years draft.

With the pick, the Eagles grab running back Josh Jacobs. Simply put, the Eagles need to ensure they have a solid running game to support quarterback Carson Wentz who is already dangerously close to getting the ‘injury prone’ tag.

With Baltimore, Houston and Oakland all being potential teams interested in Jacobs this is the time for Philly to move up. They can focus on other pieces in the second-round with their two picks there.

22ND PICK - BALTIMORE RAVENS - WR, A.J. BROWN (OLE MISS)

Baltimore should be taking multiple receivers in this year’s draft. They need a guy who can run strong and make contested catches, and a guy who can take the lid off of defenses.

There are more of the second variety than there are the first, so here, the Ravens get their strong receiver who can run quick routes and make tough catches. At one point Brown was the top receiver in the group for 2019.

Getting him here towards the end of the first-round is a win, and is a big need for Baltimore.

23RD PICK - HOUSTON TEXANS - OL, JONAH WILLIAMS (ALABAMA)

I’ll admit, I didn’t expect to have Williams going this late but here we are. If Deshaun Watson could play without having to run for his life he’d probably do really well. If Williams is what he says he is, then Watson will have a better chance of doing so in 2019.

24TH PICK - OAKLAND RAIDERS - CB, BYRON MURPHY (WASHINGTON)

I don’t honestly know if the Raiders like any of the cornerbacks currently on their roster, so it makes sense for them to draft one they like. Byron Murphy is the guy Steelers fans likely wanted three picks ago, so getting him and pissing off another fan base will make it even more fun for Gruden and Mayock.

25TH PICK - SEATTLE SEAHAWKS - EDGE, CLELIN FERRELL (CLEMSON) - TRADE WITH PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

He’s not Frank Clark, but if Ferrell develops into the guy many think he will, nobody is going to think back poorly on Seattle’s decision to trade their star pass rusher.

26TH PICK - INDIANAPOLIS COLTS - WR, MARQUISE BROWN (OKLAHOMA)

With the top running back in this class off the board, the Colts could look to add to their defense. Or they could give Andrew Luck more fire-power and add ‘Hollywood’ Brown to the roster and really make things fun in the AFC South.

T.Y. Hilton, Devin Funchess, Marlon Mack and Marquise Brown? Can I draft Andrew Luck as my fantasy quarterback now, or do I still have to wait?

27TH PICK - OAKLAND RAIDERS - DT, JEFFERY SIMMONS (MISSISSIPPI STATE)

No way Simmons would make it this far if it weren’t for the injury he suffered while working out this February.

If there’s a coach and team who can wait for Simmons to heal, it’s Oakland. And selecting him here leaves them with the best edge rusher in this class, one of the best - if not the best - cornerback, and a top defensive tackle to groom in the classroom as an anchor for one hell of a defense in 2020.

28TH PICK - ARIZONA CARDINALS - WR, N’KEAL HARRY (ARIZONA STATE) - TRADE WITH LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

After trading Josh Rosen to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for the 28th overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft, both L.A. teams will have southern California quarterbacks and the Cardinals will have a big receiver to go with their shiny new gun slinging playmaker.

I’m sure there will be other parts of this trade, but we’ll let the other guys figure that stuff out.

29TH PICK - SEATTLE SEAHAWKS - DT, DEXTER LAWRENCE (CLEMSON)

If Seattle wants to give Russell Wilson a ‘Legion of Boom’ v2.0, they could start much worse drafting players other than Clemson teammates Clelin Ferrell and Dexter Lawrence.

30TH PICK - GREEN BAY PACKERS - TE, IRV SMITH (ALABAMA)

It’s not the first time we’ve seen three tight ends on day one, and it won’t be the last with the way the league is moving. After selecting the quarterback of their defense earlier, the Packers would be wise to get their actual quarterback a new weapon on offense.

Irv Smith will be the day one starter and Jimmy Graham will, well, do something.

31ST PICK - HOUSTON TEXANS - OT, CODY FORD (OKLAHOMA) - TRADE WITH LOS ANGELES RAMS

In a stacked draft class, it makes sense for a Super Bowl contender to move back and use four day two picks to find contributors for the 2019 push. For Houston, looking to keep pace with the likes of Indianapolis, protecting the quarterback is enough to move up and add Ford to Jonah Williams in their day one haul.

32ND PICK - TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS - OL, DALTON RISNER (KANSAS STATE) - TRADE WITH NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

If you think the Patriots are replacing Rob Gronkowski with Austin Seferian-Jenkins, you haven’t been paying attention to ASJ’s career very closely.

In my mind, this trade works out to Tampa Bay shipping their 2019 third-round pick (No. 70) and tight end Cameron Brate to the Patriots in exchange for the 32nd pick.

There may be some smaller transactions involved, like maybe a conditional fourth in 2020 or something, but that’s the jist of it.

With the pick, Tampa Bay selects the best interior offensive lineman available which is what they likely would have done with their third-round pick according to recent Locked On Bucs guest, JC Cornell.

Now, with their defensive quarterback and a boost to the offensive line on day one, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers come back on day two with a pair of second-round picks (No. 39 and No. 43) to work with.

Whew! This is it. The last mock draft - for me - prior to this year’s NFL Draft. It’s been fun, and like you, I can’t wait to see how wrong I am and how it all really shakes out.

Thanks for reading!