You have read countless mock drafts and rumors. Now reality is almost here. The NFL Draft is just hours away. Before it gets here, though, let’s have some last minute fun. Here are my predictions for the first round of Thursday’s NFL Draft in terms of skill positions and fantasy impact. Some of these veer away from the groupthink of many mocks, and are quite bold.
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The King’s 2019 NFL Draft Predictions
The Giants will take Dwayne Haskins: All the stock dropping talk and public endorsements of Eli Manning will be quickly washed away when the Giants take their QB of the future with the sixth overall pick in the NFL Draft. When the Giants signed Golden Tate, I was convinced they did so to give a new rookie QB a safe target. Haskins lacks some experience, but working with Manning should help accelerate his learning curve and he will have a very good supporting cast. He should be the third QB taken in rookie dynasty drafts.
The Jaguars grab a TE at No. 7: Nick Foles does not have any outstanding WRs to work with, and grabbing the top TE will only help him in his first season with the Jags. T.J. Hockenson can make Foles feel better about leaving Zach Ertz behind. As a prime target for his new QB, Hockenson could be an instant Top 10 fantasy TE in his rookie season.
The Broncos pick Drew Lock at No. 10: John Elway has reportedly developed a GM-crush on Lock, who is the best deep thrower and pure gunslinger in this year’s NFL Draft class. Lock should be selected in rookie drafts ahead of Haskins, I believe he has more upside. Over the long term, I say he develops into the best fantasy QB from this year’s group of passers.
The Packers go for WR Marquise Brown: Many have Green Bay taking a top TE with one of their two first round picks, but Jimmy Graham is still lingering around. Brown fits a more immediate need as an impact playmaker across from Davante Adams. He can be an ideal complement to Adams and can make things happen downfield and after the catch. He’ll re-energize the Packers passing game as a big-play threat and could have WR3 fantasy promise as a rookie. Green Bay needs a flashy type who can scare secondaries. Brown is the answer.
The Redskins trade up to get Daniel Jones: After Lock goes off the board, Washington does not want Miami to grab the last of the “Big Four” QBs. They will have to move up from No. 15 ahead of Miami at 13. In fact, do not be surprised if Washington deals up even higher to get Haskins. There is a very strong chance that the Redskins will be the most aggressive team to deal up in the QB derby.
Miami trades down from 13: The curse of Dan Marino lingers. The Dolphins have never found a quality successor to their most legendary player, and they still will not this year in the NFL Draft. Once all of the other Top Four passers are gone, Miami will stockpile more picks as they have more needs than any other team in the league.
The Seahawks land D.K. Metcalf: Seattle just gave Russell Wilson a lucrative new deal, and they must get him another viable target, one that is sizable and can help him on key downs and in the red zone. The Seahawks are being pegged for defense or offensive line in my most mock drafts, but after dealing Frank Clark for another first rounder, they can take one prominent player from each side of the ball in round one of the NFL Draft. Metcalf will drop to Seattle at No. 21.
The Ravens take N’Keal Harry: Once Seattle takes Metcalf one spot ahead of them, the Ravens will move quickly to get a weapon for Lamar Jackson. Harry is a strong and tough WR who some NFL Draft analysts like over Metcalf. Baltimore desperately needs playmakers for its young QB, and will still have holes to fill in the passing game even after they draft a WR in the first round.
The Raiders pick Josh Jacobs: He will be the only running back taken in the first round, at either pick 24 or 27. The need is way too glaring, as running back is the one major hole that is very apparent in the Oakland offense right now. He will complete a stellar supporting cast around Derek Carr, who will get another chance to show he can lead a quality attack. Jacobs can have instant fantasy RB2 appeal as a rookie.
The Colts pick Hakeem Butler: Indianapolis really wants a large and dependable pass-catcher across from T.Y. Hilton. Devin Funchess is just a short-term possible solution. Butler is much more than Funchess. He is big and can also make splash plays downfield. He is the last missing piece in what should be a top offense in 2019.
The Patriots replace Rob Gronkowski: One of the “Big Three” tight ends, possibly Noah Fant or Irv Smith Jr. will drop to the end of the first round, where the champs really need a new big target in the passing game. Fant would be an amazing add in New England. He can be a TD force and plays very much like a large WR. Rookie TEs often do not make an impact in fantasy football right away, but any one that plays with Tom Brady would have to be drafted as a possible starter.
Scott Engel is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association’s Hall of Fame and a four-time award winner. He was one of the driving content forces in the rise of RotoExperts.com and was the lead host on the RotoExperts in the Morning for six years on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio. He was also instrumental in the launch of the FNTSY Sports Network. Scott was the first-ever Senior Writer and Managing Editor at CBS SportsLine and won a company Hall of Fame Award. He was also an Associate Editor and Fantasy analyst for ESPN.com. He has been the featured Fantasy Writer on Seahawks.com since 2012 and his work has been syndicated to the Associated Press, NFL.com, New York Daily News, New York Post, Yahoo Sports, Bloomberg Sports, Sports Illustrated and many others. He is a credentialed media member who won an FSWA award in 2016 for his Insider Fantasy Reporting. Known as “The King”, Scott is on Twitter @scottTheKing
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