2019 NFL Draft: Pittsburgh Steelers First Round Mock Draft Challenge

I’ve always said you should never trust a fart and never really take stock in a mock draft. No one truly knows what information is valid and what is strategically leaked. Plus, a lot is pure speculation from guys typing on their keyboards in their underwear. Anybody could write down names on a page and guess what an NFL scouting department and front office (who have been concentrating on this day for an entire year) are thinking. In that spirit, three writers at BTSC decided to throw their hats, berets and fedoras in the ring and attempt one on their own. It was way more difficult than ever imagined. To determine which of the trio could undeservedly call themselves BTSC’s “draft guru”, a point system has been developed. One point for the correct pick, ¹⁄₂ point for the correct pick at the position but the team is different and ¹⁄₂ point if the mock trade is correct. As always feel free to discuss and dissect in the comment section.

---

Anthony Defeo

1. Arizona Cardinals: QB Kyler Murray - Oklahoma

Cardinals spend high pick on quarterback for second straight year.

2. San Francisco 49ers: EDGE Nick Bosa - Ohio State

Worst kept secret in the draft. 49ers look to improve their defense with perhaps the draft’s top prospect.

3. New York Jets: EDGE Josh Allen - Kentucky

The Jets have themselves a running back. Now they need to think about defense.

4. Oakland Raiders: DL Quinnen Williams - Alabama

Despite the rumors that Jon Gruden loves Dwayne Haskin, the Raiders go with defense.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: ILB Devin White - LSU

The first Devin goes off the board to the dismay of Steelers fans with serious pipe-dreams.

6. New York Giants: DL Ed Oliver - Houston

instead of Eli’s heir apparent or Odell’s replacement, NY goes with a solid defensive pick.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: TE T.J. Hockenson - Iowa

The Jaguars can’t run to the podium fast enough to take a player who could help their very anemic passing attack.

8. Detroit Lions: DT Rashan Gary - Michigan

One of the nation’s best prospects coming out of high school stays in the state of Michigan.

9. Buffalo Bills- CB Greedy Williams - LSU

Bills take a gamble on a corner who may turn out to be this draft’s best.

10. Denver Broncos: QB Drew Lock - Missouri

John Elway takes yet another stab at finding his own replacement with someone not named Peyton Manning.

11. Cincinnati Bengals: QB Dwayne Haskins - Ohio State

With the other Devin still on the board, the Bengals go with for the box office attraction and an Ohio State quarterback.

12. Green Bay Packers: EDGE Montez Sweat - Mississippi State

Instead of going with the other Devin, they get a great value pick on defense.

13. Miami Dolphins: WR D.K. Metcalf - Ole Miss

Boom or bust say many about this gifted receiver. The Dolphins are hoping for boom.

14. Atlanta Falcons: OL Jawaan Taylor - Florida

The Falcons give Matt Ryan some protection.

15. Washington Redskins: EDGE Brian Burns - Florida State

The Redskins may not need a pass rusher, so this is a very Redskins move.

16. Carolina Panthers: CB Byron Murphy - Washington

The Panthers need help in the secondary, and they go with a prospect whose stock is rising.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers (Proposed Trade with NYG): ILB Devin Bush - Michigan

With Bush so close to them at 20, the Steelers swap first round picks with the Giants, and also send them a third, in order to move up three spots to address their biggest need.

18. Minnesota Vikings: CB Deandre Baker - Georgia.

The Vikings nab a solid corner.

19. Tennessee Titans: WR N’Keal Harry - Arizona State

Marcus Mariota needs some toys.

20. New York Giants (Proposed Trade with Pitt): QB Daniel Jones - Duke

The Giants look to the ACC to find Eli’s heir apparent.

21. Seattle Seahawks: S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson - Florida

Finding Earl Thomas’s replacement starts right now.

22. Baltimore Ravens: EDGE Clelin Ferrell - Clemson.

There were tears in Baltimore when Bush was snatched away. But Ferrell is a solid bet to replace Terrell Suggs.

23. Houston Texans: OT Andre Dillard - Washington St

The Texans are tickled to address a major need with such an impressive prospect.

24. Oakland Raiders: WR Marquise Brown - Oklahoma

What would be more Raiders than bringing in Antonio’s cousin?

25. Philadelphia Eagles: DT Dexter Lawrence - Clemson

Eagles need depth along the defensive line.

26. Indianapolis Colts: WR Hakeem Butler - Ole Miss

With all viable corners off the board, Colts address other needs.

27. Oakland Raiders: OLB Chase Winovich - Michigan

Another Raider move.

28. Los Angeles Chargers: OT Jonah Williams - Alabama

Chargers address major need

29. Kansas City Chiefs: C Rock Ya-Sin - Temple

Chiefs reach to fill need at critical position.

30. Green Bay Packers: ILB Mack Wilson - Alabama

Wilson is a second round prospect, but the Packers take a gamble.

31. Los Angeles Rams: DT Christian Wilkins - Clemson

Value meets need.

32. New England Patriots: TE Noah Fant - Iowa

The other Hawkeye tight end has some major shoes to fill.

---

Dave Schofield

1. Arizona Cardinals: QB Kyler Murray - Oklahoma

He should go in this spot. The only question is if Arizona stays put or trades out.

2. San Francisco 49ers: EDGE Nick Bosa - Ohio State

San Fran grabs up the best player in the draft.

3. New York Jets: DL Quinnen Williams - Alabama

The Jets might have bigger needs, but can’t pass up Williams.

4. Oakland Raiders: QB Dwayne Haskins - Ohio State

Gruden surprises a lot of people and grabs a new QB.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: EDGE Josh Allen - Kentucky

The Bucs would run to the podium if Allen is still available at five.

6. New York Giants: QB Drew Lock - Missouri

Who knows what the Giants are thinking?

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: OL Jawaan Taylor - Florida

The Jags need offensive line help, so they take the best one in the draft.

8. Detroit Lions: DL Ed Oliver- Houston

The Lions take a player expected to go higher.

9. Buffalo Bills: EDGE Montez Sweat - Miss St

The Bills need a pass rusher and Sweat fits the mold.

10. Denver Broncos: LB Devin White - LSU

White drops to ten due to three QB’s going before him.

11. Cincinnati Bengals: OL Jonah Williams- Alabama

The Bengals offensive line is not good, so they finally do something about it.

12. Green Bay Packers: LB Devin Bush - Michigan

They need a linebacker, so Bush doesn’t come close to making it to 20.

13. Miami Dolphins: DL Rashan Gary- Michigan

The Dolphins think about QB, but go for their highest position of need.

14. Atlanta Falcons: EDGE Brian Burns - Florida St

He’s just too good for the Falcons to pass up.

15. Washington Redskins: QB Daniel Jones - Duke

The Redskins take their next QB if one is left.

16. Carolina Panthers: TE T.J. Hockenson- Iowa

This one just makes sense.

17. New York Giants: OL Andre Dillard- Washington St

If the Giants take their QB at #6, they follow up with someone to protect him.

18. Minnesota Vikings: OL Cody Ford - Oklahoma

The Vikings get in on the offensive linemen run.

19. Tennessee Titans: WR D.K. Metcalf- Miss St

The Titans gladly take the top receiver in the draft.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: EDGE Clelin Ferrell - Clemson

He may not get to #20, but if he’s there the Steelers should grab him.

21. Seattle Seahawks: WR Marquise Brown - Oklahoma

The run on receivers gets going.

22. Baltimore Ravens: WR A.J. Brown - Miss St

Can the Ravens finally hit on a receiver?

23. Houston Texans: OL Garrett Bradbury- N.C. St

The Texans could trade up for offensive line help, or they could take the best one at their regular pick.

24. Oakland Raiders: DL Christian Wilkins - Clemson

I think Gruden would consider this pick great value at #24.

25. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Greedy Williams- LSU

Finally a corner comes off the board. They’re either going to go too early or too late, and I picked late.

26. Indianapolis Colts: DL Dexter Lawrence - Clemson

Defensive line is their greatest need, so this pick makes sense.

27. Oakland Raiders: CB Byron Murphy- Washington

Could the Steelers trade back into the 1st here if they also want Murphy? Probably not.

28. Los Angeles Chargers: DL Jeffery Simmons- Miss St

They need it. He’s there.

29. Kansas City Chiefs: CB Deandre Baker - Georgia

It looks like this pick may now belong to Seattle, so who knows.

30. Green Bay Packers: RB Josh Jacobs - Alabama

They’ve already got Devin Bush, so the Packers see if they can finally find a running back.

31. Los Angeles Rams: OL Kaleb McGary - Washington

The Rams go best available at a position of need.

32. New England Patriots: TE Noah Fant - Iowa

Gronk is gone, so why not?

---

Bryan Anthony Davis

1. Oakland Raiders (Proposed Trade with Arizona): QB Kyler Murray - Oklahoma

My head says that the Cards give Coach Kingsbury the perfect weapon, but my gut says that Arizona will rebuild with two first-rounders and Rosen. Meanwhile, Gruden loves his QBs and makes the splash move.

2. San Francisco 49ers: EDGE Nick Bosa - Ohio State

Bosa + Dee Ford = Destruction to NFC West QBs

3. Green Bay Packers (Proposed Trade with NY Jets): EDGE Josh Allen -Kentucky

The Pack gives up their second first-rounder to Lambeau leap-up and get the mega-talented blitzer.

4. Arizona Cardinals (Proposed Trade with Oakland): DL Quinnen Williams - Alabama

A true need-selection, the Cards still get Williams and another first rounder. The guy has time shares in opposing backfields.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: EDGE Montez Sweat - Mississippi State

The Bucs don’t break a sweat selecting a need talent on the edge in their 3-4.

6. New York Giants: QB Daniel Jones - Duke

The GM is a Wild Card ant they NYFG need to fill a lot of holes, but the heir to Eli’s throne is tabbed.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: DL Ed Oliver - Houston

The Jags snag Oliver to shore up the middle of their defensive line

8. Detroit Lions: ILB Devin White - LSU

Despite wanting to trade down, Matt Patricia gets a perfect LB.

9. Miami Dolphins (Proposed Trade with Buffalo): QB Drew Lock - Missouri

Defensive coach trades up to get a patient pocket-passer with a big arm that can keep his unit off of the field more.

10. Denver Broncos: TE T.J. Hockenson - Iowa

The Broncos have needs on both sides of the ball, but a Gronk-like playmaker will help Flacco in the Mile High City.

11. Cincinnati Bengals: QB Dwayne Haskins - Ohio State

Cincy was hoping to score Devin White, but the Buckeye will be too tempting. Seems like a Bengal move.

12. New York Jets (Proposed Trade with Green Bay): EDGE Brian Burns - Florida State

Jets get an NFL ready edge rusher and an extra first rounder by trading down.

13. Buffalo Bills (Proposed Trade with Miami): OL Jawaan Taylor - Florida

Buffalo sorely needs help protecting their young QB. They trade down and still get to start with the best lineman in the draft.

14. Atlanta Falcons: OL Jonah Willams - Alabama

Defense is a need for the A T L, but they have holes on the other side on the line. Williams could be a solid protector for Matty Ice.

15. Washington Redskins: WR D.K. Metcalf - Ole Miss

Washington needs a QB, but with the run on them early...They take the first WR of 2019 with the physical marvel from Mississippi.

16. Pittsburgh Steelers (Proposed Trade with Carolina): ILB Devin Bush - Michigan

It could take a three and a five, but that’s fine with Steeler Nation to get a three-down backer with speed to go sideline-to-sideline, the ability to covers tight ends and hit hard.

17. New York Giants: EDGE Clelin Ferrell - Clemson

Ferrell has dropped as of late, but it’s great news for the Gothamites. The dominant defender from Death Valley lends his pass rushing skills to the Giants.

18. Houston Texans (Proposed Trade with Minnesota): OL Andre Dillard - Washington State

Including the playoffs, Deshaun Watson was sacked a whopping 65 times in 2018. Dillard Is a prototypical left tackle and could help keep Houston’s franchise QB off of the shelf.

19. Tennessee Titans: TE Noah Fant - Iowa

The Titans have holes in their holes to fill. Fant adds a playmaker to the offense.

20. Carolina Panthers (Proposed Trade with Pittsburgh): DT Rashan Gary - Michigan

I have the talented Gary losing momentum late in the process. This is a gift for the Panthers defense after trading down.

21. Seattle Seahawks: DT Christian Wilkins - Clemson

Seahawks have lost a lot of talent on defense. Wilkins adds to the defense formerly known as the Legion of Boom.

22. Baltimore Ravens: WR A.J. Brown- Ole Miss

With a poor receiving stable, the Ravens don’t pick a Bama star the time. However, they stay in conference with possibly the most productive WR of the past two collegiate seasons.

23. Minnesota Vikings: OL Cody Ford (Proposed Trade with Houston) - Oklahoma

The Vikings add the powerful Sooner to address a pressing need.

24. Arizona Cardinals (Proposed Trade with Oakland): WR Marquise Brown- Oklahoma

At 5’9”, AB’s cousin doesnt have ideal size. However, Hollywood is a game breaker that can be crazy good for the firm of Rosen/Kingsbury.

25. Philadelphia Eagles: RB Josh Jacobs - Alabama

Phily needs a top-tier runner to get back to a championship and they get one that is used to playing for one.

26. Indianapolis Colts: CB Greedy Williams - LSU

Greedy has dropped lately for his supposed poor tackling skills, but Colts reap the benefits of his superb size and coverage skills.

27. Oakland Raiders: CB Byron Murphy - Washington

The Raiders merge into the Huskie’s lane and add a solid corner but without good size and great speed.

28. Los Angeles Chargers: OL Garrett Bradbury - NC State

Phil Rivers gets sorely-needed protection from a guy that gets great leverage that most centers don’t get.

29. Seattle Seahawks: EDGE Chase Winovich - Michigan

After trading Frank Clark to KC, the rising Wolverine fills his shoes in the Emerald City.

30. New York Jets: WR Hakeem Butler - Iowa State

The extra-pick by the mock trade with the Packers gets Sam Darnold a big weapon for his arsenal.

31. Los Angeles Rams: DT Dexter Lawrence - Clemson

Lawrence free falls, but lands on a d-line that seems tailor-made for his services.

32. New England Patriots: WR N’Keal Harry - Arizona State

Tom Brady needs a big-play guy and the 6’2” Harry fits the bill.

---

There you have it. How many will we get right or wrong? Lets have fun with this and enjoy the draft.