NFL Draft 2019 Sneak Peek

Drew Lock, Missouri

After months and months of speculation and scouting, the 2018 NFL Draft process has come to its inevitable conclusion. Time will obviously tell which teams made the right moves, and which ones are still a few players away from releasing their potential. Now, the 2019 NFL Draft has unofficially began and while plenty will change between now and next April, we have a good idea of which prospects scouts will be watching closely. The pass rusher class is impressive, while the quarterback group might need some serious work. Here is an in-depth look at which prospects will likely hear their names called first next year.

Quarterbacks

Shea Patterson, Michigan
Patterson was the biggest name on the transfer market this off-season, as the former Ole Miss quarterback was allowed immediate eligibility to play anywhere. He surprised many by ending up at Michigan, who desperately needed a new signal-caller to jumpstart a weak offense. Talent-wise Patterson is at an incredibly high level; he has elite arm talent and moves very well around in the pocket. He has drawn plenty of comparisons to Johnny Manziel, without the serious off-the-field issues. If he lives up to his vast potential and has a productive year in Ann Arbor, it isn't crazy to think the former five-star recruit will be the first QB off the board in 2019.

Justin Herbert, Oregon
Despite missing a big chunk of last season with injury, NFL personnel are very high on Justin Herbert out of Oregon. Herbert originally took over the quarterback spot as a true freshman, and he has shown the ability to run an offense effectively and stretch the field with an excellent deep ball. He still has to limit his turnovers and there are some questions about the transition from the offense Oregon runs to an NFL offense. However, Marcus Mariota has shown that making the move from a spread, shotgun-oriented attack to a pro-style offense is not impossible.

Drew Lock, Missouri
After putting up huge numbers in 2017, Drew Lock flirted with the idea of going to the NFL, but decided to spend one more season in Columbia, where he has an argument as a dark horse Heisman candidate. Lock plays in a very open offense where his huge arm is on full display, and he was a big reason for the Tigers' big improvement this past year. Right now, his potential is incredibly intriguing, but he is another player that has plenty to prove to NFL scouts.

Others to Watch
Clayton Thorson, Northwestern
Jake Browning, Washington
Ryan Finley, NC State

Runningbacks

Damien Harris, Alabama
It appears Damien Harris is the next stud Alabama runningback set to take his talents to the NFL. Harris has split carries for most of his career, but should be the feature back in 2018 with Bo Scarbrough gone, even with rising sophomore Najee Harris. He's a hard-nosed, physical runner with decent burst once he sees the open field.

Bryce Love, Stanford
Taking over for legendary players like Christian McCaffrey is obviously a super tall task, but it didn't intimidate Bryce Love in 2017, as he put together a superb, Heisman-level season. He flirted with the idea of going pro, but instead decided to come back to Palo Alto. Love is a little bit small for the physical NFL, but his speed and explosiveness should still ensure that he puts together a successful career at the next level.

Justice Hill, Oklahoma State
Playing in an offense that had a star QB and receiver, Justice Hill has often gotten ignored during his tenure in Stillwater. However, Hill should be the sole star of the offense this season, and the explosive runner should put on a show. Much like Love, Hill is a little bit on the smaller side, but he has excellent vision and terrific cutting ability. Hill is also a very good pass-catcher who will find ways to contribute wherever he ends up.

Others to Watch
Rodney Anderson, Oklahoma
Mike Weber, Ohio State
Benny Snell Jr., Kentucky

Receivers/Tight Ends

A.J. Brown, Ole Miss
While Patterson is now gone, A.J. Brown is still in Oxford, and could be in store for a huge season. Brown has good size, impressive athleticism and a huge catch radius. He is one of the more underrated wide receivers in the entire country, but is the type of player that will put up huge numbers at the Combine. It isn't hard to envision him being a Top 10 selection in the near future.

David Sills, West Virginia
Sills is one of the most interesting stories in college football. As a teenager, he was deemed the "next big thing" at quarterback and was supposed to star at USC. He ends up moving positions and ending up at West Virginia, and in turn puts up huge numbers this past season. He isn't the quickest player on the field, but he is a superb route runner that has incredibly reliable hands. Sills is a high character, rock-solid prospect that should end up going in the first two rounds.

Ahmmon Richards, Miami
As a freshman in 2016, Ahmmon Richards totaled 49 receptions for 934 yards and looked like a future superstar. He suffered through an injury-riddled 2017, but still showed flashes of brilliance. He has a good mix of speed, size and overall athleticism, and he could only get better as he gets back to 100 percent. I expect a big junior year from Richards, and I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up being the top wide out off the board.

Others to Watch
N'Keal Harry, Arizona State
Collin Johnson, Texas
C.J. Conrad, Kentucky

Offensive Line

Mitch Hyatt, OT, Clemson
I featured Mitch Hyatt on this list a year ago, and I was surprised the Clemson offensive tackle decided to stick around another year, as he was a projected high pick. Hyatt is as experienced and established as you can get in the collegiate ranks, and he has played a big role in the success of Deshaun Watson and Kelly Bryant. He is the type of well-built, effective left tackle you can build an O-Line around for years.

Beau Benzschawel, OG, Wisconsin
Benzschawel is just one of the number of Wisconsin offensive linemen who should be high draft picks in 2019. Benzschawel is the prototypical Badgers linemen: a massive, powerful blocker with underrated athleticism. He was a big reason for the breakout year true freshman running back Jonathan Taylor had, and he is only getting better.

Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama
Since the first day he stepped on campus in Tuscloosca, Jonah Williams has been a starter at the line's most important position, left tackle. A former five-star recruit, Williams has impressed NFL scouts with his fine footwork, overall length and athleticism. He has a ton of potential, but still must continue to work on his consistency.

Others to Watch
Trey Adams, OT, Washington
David Edwards, OT, Wisconsin
Ross Pierschbacher, OG, Alabama

Defensive Line

Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
Not only did Tom Herman win a lot of games in his two years at Houston, he landed the school's best recruit in their history, Ed Oliver. Oliver has certainly lived up to the hype, with 39 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks over the past two years. He is incredibly quick with an exceptional motor, who can play on the outside or inside. He has all the tools to be a No. 1 pick possibility come next spring.

Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
Much like Oliver, Dexter Lawrence is a guy who came into college with plenty of fanfare, and has lived up to the hype. Lawrence had 34 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss in '17, numbers that don't jump out at you. But, when considering he was joined by three other All-Americans on the same defensive line, you understand why he didn't exactly rack up the stats. The bullish defensive tackle is the type of player that constantly demands protection, and a guy with limitless potential.

Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
Nick's brother, Joey, was a star at Ohio State and eventual No. 3 overall selection. The thought is that Nick, who is entering his junior season, is even better. He won Big Ten Defensive Linemen of the Year, blessed with an incredibly quick first step and impressive overall power. He is also long and athletic, who can swat down a ton of balls on the line.

Others to Watch
Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan
Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama

Linebackers

T.J. Edwards, Wisconsin
Edwards is yet another player who likely would have been a high pick this April, but decided to return to the collegiate ranks. He is an extremely productive player that plays sideline to sideline and can do so many things that help a defense. He is also a great leader and a high character guy that should be a great fit in any locker room he ends up in.

Josh Allen, Kentucky
While one Josh Allen was a high pick this year, another one out of Kentucky should go high in the 2019 cycle. At 6'5", 230 pounds with a skillset that can fit a number of different defensive schemes, Allen is the type of prospect NFL scouts drool over. He was a big reason why Kentucky's defense took a huge step forward this past season.

Anfernee Jennings, Alabama
It's no secret Alabama produces top-notch talent year in, year out, which is especially true at the linebacker spot, where they always seem to have somebody drafted high. That should be Anfernee Jennings in 2019, as the Tide defender is going to be a quality pro. He can play inside or outside, and is a decent pass rusher. If not for a knee injury in the Playoff against Clemson, he would have been a huge factor in 'Bama's National Championship Game victory.

Others to Watch
Michael Pinckney, Miami
Cameron Smith, USC
Devin White, LSU

Defensive Backs

DeAndre Baker, CB, Georgia
While a number of players can be credited for Georgia's dominant defense in '17, a lot of credit can certainly be attributed to Baker, who proved himself as a legit No. 1 cornerback. He is blessed with excellent speed and athleticism, with solid ball skills, picking off three passes last year. He compares favorably to Denzel Ward, who just happened to go No. 4 to Cleveland in 2018.

Greedy Williams, CB, LSU
Not only does he have one of the coolest names in college football, Andraez "Greedy" Williams has big-time talent. The LSU Tiger plays with a ton of intensity, and is constantly disrupting receivers' with his physicality and strength. He is also blessed with good size, standing at 6'2" with long arms. He certainly has the looks of a future star at the next level, coming from a school that has produced quite a few of them.

Chauncey Gardner, S, Florida
After a solid 2016 as a freshman, Chauncey Gardner was superb in 2017, probably Florida's best defender. He proved to be a major help in run support, with 58 tackles on the year, while also showing the ability to be a major factor in coverage. Scouts love his potential, and the overall versatility he possesses.

Others to Watch
Sam Beal, CB, Western Michigan
Trayvon Mullen, CB, Clemson
Taylor Rapp, S, Washington