It's that time of year again.
This week, the NFL universe has descend upon Indianapolis for the league's annual Scouting Combine. From Friday through Monday, the top incoming prospects will strut their stuff in hopes of improving their respective draft statuses.
With that, NFL Draft season will officially be underway -- a mad dash of rumors, rumblings and innuendo leading all the way to the first round of the annual selection show in Nashville on April 25.
With that in mind, let's set a baseline for the wild weeks to come by projecting who will pick who and where with our first 2019 NFL Mock Draft.
1. Arizona Cardinals - Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
Assuming the Cardinals keep the pick -- and remain committed to Josh Rosen -- they'll have the first selection of the most talented crop of defensive line prospects in recent memory. And after tallying 17.5 sacks and 23 tackles for loss in a little more than two seasons, Nick Bosa has established himself as the most coveted prospect -- which is saying something considering how impressive the other players at his position have been.
2. San Francisco 49ers - Quinnen Williams, DL, Alabama
With Bosa off the board, it shouldn't take long for the run on top-flight defensive linemen to continue. Although the 49ers are more in need of a pure pass-rusher -- potentially putting Kentucky edge rusher Josh Allen in play -- Quinnen Williams possesses enough versatility that his talent might just be too much for San Francisco to pass up on.
3. New York Jets - Josh Allen, Edge, Kentucky
Although defensive coordinator Gregg Williams ran a 4-3 defense during his time in Cleveland, The New York Post has reported he'll be keeping the Jets' 3-4 scheme intact. That could make hybrid edge rusher Josh Allen a perfect fit in the Big Apple after the Kentucky linebacker tallied 17 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss in his senior season.
4. Oakland Raiders - Rashan Gary, DL, Michigan
With three first-round picks, the Raiders can afford to take some risks. Still, with a top-five pick, they'd be wise to take advantage of their draft positioning by landing one of the draft's elite defensive linemen.
The No. 1 recruit in the 2016 class, Rashan Gary is just that. And the 6-foot-5, 283-pound lineman possesses both the talent and the versatility to be a cornerstone on Oakland's defense for years to come.
5. Tampa Bay Buccanneers - Greedy Williams, CB, LSU
Despite picking fifth, the Bucs could have a shot at selecting the first quarterback in the draft, but have remained publicly committed to Jameis Winston since hiring Bruce Arians as head coach.
If the former No. 1 pick is going to salvage his time in Tampa Bay, he's going to need help from his defense, which was one of the worst in the NFL last season. Rather than continuing the run on linemen, the Bucs look to aid an ailing secondary by picking the top defensive back in the draft in LSU cornerback Greedy Williams.
6. New York Giants - Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
It seems like every draft season, there's a link between a team and prospect that makes so much sense that it can't help but come to fruition.
Although it's still early, this year's connection seems to be between the New York Giants and Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins. And while a QB class short on top talent could force the Giants to trade up to make this marriage happen, one way or another, I expect the Heisman Trophy finalist to land with Big Blue.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars - Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson
Despite their 5-11 record last season, the Jaguars remain just a year removed from playing the AFC title game. And while quarterback remains the team's most obvious need, it could be forced to look for one via a trade or free agency should Haskins be off the board and Kyler Murray not tickle their fancy.
Should that prove to be how Jacksonville's quest to upgrade from Blake Bortles plays out, it would be wise to upgrade a pass rush that ranked 22nd in sacks last season. Clemson defensive end Clelin Ferrell, who totaled 27 sacks in three seasons with the Tigers, could help the Jaguars accomplish just that.
8. Detroit Lions - Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State
With Ziggy Ansah set to hit free agency, the Lions' most glaring need this offseason could be at defensive end. And they'd be fortunate to fill that void with Montez Sweat, a 6-foot-6, 245-pound prospect who tallied a combined 22 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss in the past two seasons and stood out with a strong Senior Bowl showing in Mobile last month.
9. Buffalo Bills - D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss
The Bills are in desperate need of playmakers to surround second-year quarterback Josh Allen with and after a defensive-heavy top-eight, they should have their pick. Heading into the combine, 6-foot-4, 230-pound wideout/viral sensation D.K. Metcalf appears to be the fastest riser and would be a welcome addition to a Buffalo receiving corps that was led by Zay Jones (56 receptions, 652 yards, 7 touchdowns) in 2018.
10. Denver Broncos - Jonah Williams, OL, Alabama
If Joe Flacco is going to have any chance in Denver, he's going to need to be kept upright. And although there are questions about what position Jonah Williams will play at the next level, what isn't in doubt is his ability to improve the offensive line of whichever team selects him.
11. Cincinnati Bengals - Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
The Bengals have remained committed to Andy Dalton longer than most teams would have been willing to, but as the firing of Marvin Lewis this past offseason showed, now is the time for change in Cincinnati.
At just 21-years-old, Kyler Murray can afford to sit behind Dalton next season while still providing a different look in situational settings with his legs. Plus, a division with each of the last three Heisman Trophy winners in Murray, Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson? Sign me up.
12. Green Bay Packers - A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss
The Packers haven't used a first-round pick on a receiver since 2002, but with two selections in the first 30 picks this year, they can afford to get creative.
A.J. Brown may not be a burner, but he did tally 85 receptions for 1,320 yards and 6 touchdowns last season. And if anyone can help the 6-foot-1, 225-pound target reach his potential at the next level, it's likely Aaron Rodgers.
13. Miami Dolphins - Ed Oliver, DL, Houston
Unless they love a quarterback like Drew Lock or Daniel Jones, the Dolphins would be wise to begin their apparent rebuild by selecting the best player available.
In this case, that would be Ed Oliver -- a former 5-star prospect who tallied an astonishing 53.5 tackles for loss in three seasons at Houston despite routinely commanding double teams. While there is some question as to which position the 6-foot-3, 290-pound Oliver is best suited for at the next level, there's always a place for players as talented as he is in new Miami head coach Brian Flores' multi-front scheme.
14. Atlanta Falcons - Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia
With Oliver off the board, the defensive needy Falcons would be wise to fix their secondary -- and they may not have to look far to do so. After returning to Georgia in 2018, Deandre Baker established himself as one of the top cornerbacks in the draft, tallying 9 pass breakups and 3 interceptions in his senior season.
15. Washington Redskins - Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma
With Alex Smith's recovery, Washington's future at quarterback remains in question. But regardless of who's throwing passes for the Redskins, they could afford to surround him with some more weapons.
And should his foot injury play a role in Marquise Brown (75 receptions, 1,1318 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2018) slipping to 15th, Washington could wind up with the best one in the draft.
16. Carolina Panthers - Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida
With Daryl Williams slated to hit free agency, the Panthers find themselves in immediate need of a new right tackle. Florida offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor could not only fill that void but become a cornerstone of the Carolina offensive line for years to come.
17. Cleveland Browns - Christian Wilkins, DL, Clemson
With Greg Robinson back at left tackle for at least another year, the biggest hole on the Browns' depth chart comes at defensive tackle.
At 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds, Christian Wilkins isn't just an impressive space eater, but a capable playmaker to pair alongside Larry Ogunjobi. Plus, the 23-year-old, 2-time national champion is one of the most mature players in the draft and would be a welcome addition inside a Browns locker room that features a plethora of young players.
18. Minnesota Vikings - Brian Burns, Edge, Florida State
With Anthony Barr slated to hit free agency, it would make sense for the Vikings to look to add a linebacker with pass-rushing ability.
Although he primarily played defensive end at Florida State, Brian Burns fits the bill. Last season, the 6-foot-5, 235-pound prospect recorded 15.5 tackles for a loss and 10 sacks, showcasing the type of versatility that could make him a major asset at multiple positions in the NFL.
19. Tennessee Titans - Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
Between his time with the Patriots as a player and Texans as a coach, if there's anyone who knows how to get the most out of a talented defensive lineman like Dexter Lawrence, it's Mike Vrabel. Plus, in a 3-4 defense like the one the Titans adopted under their new head coach, there's always a place for a 6-foot-4, 350-pound former 5-star prospect.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers - Devin Bush, LB, Michigan
Ever since Ryan Shazier suffered his potentially career-ending injury, the Steelers' defense has lacked playmakers at the linebacker position. Like Shazier, Devin Bush is seemingly undersized (5-foot-11, 232 pounds) to play inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense, but possesses the talent and ability to overcome his deficiencies.
21. Seattle Seahawks - Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama
With Frank Clark slated to hit free agency, the Seahawks could be in the market for a defensive end, but rather than being the latest team to take a pass-rusher in the first round, they might be better off taking the top safety in the draft. According to many draft experts, that would be Alabama's Deionte Thompson, who could ultimately help bring 'The Legion of Boom' back to Seattle following the end of the Earl Thomas era.
22. Baltimore Ravens - Cody Ford, OG, Oklahoma
While a top-flight receiver might be too tempting to pass up on should he fall to this point in the draft, the Ravens' biggest need this offseason comes at interior offensive line. In Oklahoma's Cody Ford, Baltimore can select the top player at the position in the draft and a prospect who would provide an instant upgrade in helping protect Lamar Jackson.
23. Houston Texans - Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State
Houston had one of the NFL's worst offensive lines in 2018 and would be wise to use its first-round pick to help reconcile that. Fortunately, there may not be a prospect more ready to start at left tackle than 24-year-old Andre Dillard, a three-year starter at Washington State who was one of the top performer's at last months' Senior Bowl.
24. Oakland Raiders - Byron Murphy, CB, Washington
After taking one of the top defensive linemen in the draft in Rashan Gary, Oakland continues to bulk up its defense with the pick it's owed by the Chicago Bears from the Khalil Mack trade.
Although undersized (5-foot-11, 182 pounds), Byron Murphy could very well be the Raiders' top cornerback as soon as his rookie season. In 14 games at Washington last season, he recorded 13 pass breakups and four interceptions -- one of which he returned for a 66-yard interception.
25. Philadelphia Eagles, Trayvon Mullen, CB, Clemson
Fearing a run on cornerbacks, Philadelphia snags one of the players at the position with the highest upside. Throughout Clemson's run to a national title, Trayvon Mullen served as the team's top corner and the rangy 6-foot-2, 191-pound may only just be beginning to tap into his potential.
26. Indianapolis Colts - N'Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State
Rather than continuing the run on cornerbacks -- a need of their own -- the Colts turn their attention to the other side of the ball.
Arizona State's N'Keal Harry is not only a productive player (73 receptions, 1,088 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2018), but at 6-foot-4 and 213 pounds, he'd make for an ideal target for Andrew Luck while lining up across the field from T.Y. Hilton.
27. Oakland Raiders - T. J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
With the pick they acquired from the Dallas Cowboys in the Amari Cooper trade -- and their third selection of the first round -- the Raiders look to add a pass catcher. In T.J. Hockenson, Oakland would not only be getting one of the best, but an athletic 6-foot-5, 250-pound target who possesses even more upside than his 2018 stat line (49 receptions, 760 yards, 6 touchdowns) might indicate.
28. Los Angeles Chargers - Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State
A former 5-star prospect, Jeffery Simmons has the talent of a first-round pick, but between off-field issues prior to college and an ACL tear suffered just prior to the combine, it's hard to imagine that's where he'll be picked.
Fortunately for the Chargers, they have the flexibility to take such risk, selecting one of the draft's most talented players who could also fill one of their biggest long-term needs. Pairing the 6-foot-4, 300-pound Simmons alongside Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram would only further solidify Los Angeles' already stellar pass rush and could be an opportunity too tempting should the Chargers be afforded it.
29. Kansas City Chiefs - Devin White, LB, LSU
As anybody who watched the Chiefs in 2018 can attest to, Kansas City needs as much help as it can get on the defensive side of the ball. In LSU's Devin White, it would be adding a pro-ready 6-foot-1, 240-pound linebacker, who tallied at least 120 tackles -- and double-digit tackles for loss -- in each of the past two seasons.
30. Green Bay Packers - Jachai Polite, Edge, Florida
After going offense with their first pick, the Packers use the pick they acquired from the New Orleans Saints in the Marcus Davenport trade last year to acquire a pass-rusher of their own.
In such a defensive-heavy draft, Jachai Polite is the type of top-level talent who may not hear his name called until the end of the first round. Last season, the 6-foot-2, 242-pound defensive end totaled 11 sacks and 17.5 tackles-for-loss and this year, he could fill an immediate need for a Packers team in desperate need of improving its pass rush.
31. Los Angeles Rams - Dre'Mont Jones, DL, Ohio State
After filling their defense will plug-and-play veterans throughout their run to the Super Bowl, the Rams would be wise to add some long-term solutions. And while he may not necessarily fill an immediate need, Ohio State's Dre'Mont Jones (8.5 sacks in 2018), he does possess the type of talent and versatility that could make him a mainstay on the Los Angeles defense for years to come.
32. New England Patriots - Irv Smith Jr., TE, Alabama
With Rob Gronkowski's future in question, the Patriots nab a reliable pass-catcher (44 receptions, 710 yards, 7 touchdowns in 2018) from college football's premier program as his long-term replacement.
