Every single year I jot down a list of 5-10 names in every single draft. If I ever get a chance to become an NFL gm, I revisit those names and see where I went right or wrong. Last year the 3 guys I loved were Roquan Smith, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Bradley Chubb. All 3 played pretty well as rookies. This year, I have a new list. Check out who my 5 favorite 2019 NFL Draft prospects are.
5: Bryce Love (Stanford)
This is a bad running back draft. All of them are littered with red flags. The good news is you might be able to find a gem. Rodney Anderson, Elijah Holyfield, and Darrell Henderson are being totally undervalued right now. However, neither of them are my favorite. Bryce Love is so damn good. If he’s going to drop 5 rounds just because he wasn’t healthy, I’ll be more than happy to pick him. Love goes in the top 10 if he declares for the 2018 NFL Draft. Of course, I don’t have the medical records but as long as they say he should return back just fine, this guy is a total steal. Speed, agility, patience, and home run touchdowns give Love the highest ceiling of any back in the draft. The best part is he could be on the board in round 5. Sign me up for that cheese.
4: Deebo Samuel (South Carolina)
I think draft people are really missing the boat on Deebo Samuel. He might not have the ceiling that DK Metcalf does. That’s okay with me. If I told you that player A was best route runner and yard after the catch receiver in the draft. Player B was just really fast and explosive who is similar to DeSean Jackson. Player C is just a physical freak at 6-foot-5, 4.3 – 40 time, but limited college production. Who would you take? Player A is the safest bet and that man is Deebo. Route running translates. In recent drafts, Calvin Ridley, Cooper Kupp, and Amari Cooper have all thrived in the NFL because they were the best route runner in their class. Samuel is the best route runner. He’s also impossible to tackle. Case closed.
3: Irv Smith Jr. (Alabama)
I’ve been watching college football for a long time. Irv Smith Jr. is the best college tight end prospect I’ve ever seen. EVER. I’ve never seen a tight end this explosive in the open field. I don’t know how you cover him. Smith is by far the most explosive tight end in the class. He’s a much better receiver than OJ Howard was in college. He’s a perfect prospect. I’ve said this in the past but I don’t understand how a tight end in this draft is possibly better than Smith. The only knock on Smith is that he isn’t that tall. He’s falling down boards and it makes no sense. That’s fine by me. I’ll take him.
2: Ed Oliver (Houston)
Quinnen Williams is getting all the love. Rightfully so, the man is a killer. That’s the only way to describe Q. He just kills people. However, don’t sleep on Ed Oliver. I think there’s a real chance Oliver is the better player. Either way, If I had a top pick, I’d trade down a few spots to collect more picks and just take Ed. This is the closest thing to Aaron Donald we have seen coming into the draft. Oliver is a freak athlete. He’s the best interior defensive lineman against the run. Houston also had him playing nose tackle in college. His pass rushing production will go through the roof once he gets plugged in as a 3-4 defensive end. I love this guy.
1: Devin White (LSU)
Devin White is the most complete player in the draft. He has zero negatives. ZERO. Speed, range, tackling, blitz ability, instincts? All big checks. There’s nothing wrong with him. White is the only can’t miss guy in the draft. Every player has some red flags. White does not have a single one. This is a guaranteed pro bowl middle linebacker day one. I’m doing everything I can to pick Devin White.
