NFL mock draft 2019: Eagles won’t trade up, but might trade down | Les Bowen

The NFL draft begins at 8 p.m. on Thursday in Nashville. The Cardinals hold the first pick, followed by the 49ers, Jets, Raiders and Buccaneers.

How will the first round shake out? Eagles writer Les Bowen offers up his best guess.

Zach Berman’s mock draft | Paul Domowitch’s mock draft | Jeff McLane’s mock draft

Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma

Could Arizona go in another direction and keep Josh Rosen as the QB? Sure, but I wouldn’t. Rosen isn’t this coach’s guy, doesn’t fit his offense. Trade Rosen, take Murray.

Nick Bosa, Edge rusher, Ohio State

San Francisco doesn’t need a QB, so it can take the top overall talent in the draft, which could be Bosa or Alabama DT Quinnen Williams, really can’t go wrong either way.

Josh Allen, Edge rusher, Kentucky

Big edge rush need, big edge rush talent, hard to screw this up but the Jets probably will try.

Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama

If this isn’t the pick, we’ll know Jon Gruden has locked Mike Mayock out of the war room and Mayock is reduced to pounding on the door instead of pounding on the table for Williams.

Devin White, LB, LSU

I would trade back and take a corner, myself, but I am not Jason Licht and a lot of people are saying the Bucs really covet White, so, imagine a shoulder shrug emoji here.

Daniel Jones, QB, Duke

There is talk the Giants will go defense here and wait until their other first-round spot, 17th, to try to draft a quarterback. This would be consistent with their apparent plan to start Eli Manning into the next century, but whether the Giants’ braintrust grasps this or not, quarterback is the most important position on the football field, and they don’t have one who can get them into the playoffs anymore. Of course, pick assumes they don’t trade for Josh Rosen.

Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida

The Jags will be tempted by some defensive difference-makers here, but Nick Foles has to be praying for improved Jacksonville protection, and one would think Nick has a direct pipeline to the almighty.

» READ MORE: Paul Domowitch’s top 50 prospects

Montez Sweat, Edge rusher, Mississippi State

There is concern about a heart condition, but little concern about his talent, which is extraordinary. Hard to say from here but the heart thing doesn’t seem like a first-round deal breaker? Though Sweat canceled his trip to Nashville, the draft site, so maybe I’m wrong.

Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State

The Buffalo offensive line is in desperate need of help. Though if I were them I might see if the Dolphins want to trade up and grab a QB. You could get a good OL later in the round.

T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa

That Hockenson is frequently being forecast to go this high shows you it’s a new tight end era in the NFL. Excellent weapon. But I would use the pick to trade for Josh Rosen, despite the presence of Joe Flacco.

Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State

Not much mobility but a great arm and great touch.

D.K. Metcalf, WR, Mississippi

Aaron Rodgers better be nice to this guy, he can get Rodgers back to the Super Bowl.

Drew Lock, QB, Missouri

If I were the Dolphins I would trade up to get Dwayne Haskins, or I would trade with Arizona for Josh Rosen, but I’d sure be looking for a franchise QB, either way.

Brian Burns, Edge rusher, Florida State

Opposite Takk McKinley, right now the starting DE options are either a fading Vic Beasley or former Eagle Steve Means. I like Steve, but not THAT much.

Ed Oliver, DT, Houston

Yeah I know I have the Redskins doing something smart, that is unlikely. More likely they trade down and take a wideout who never amounts to much.

Clelin Ferrell, Edge rusher, Clemson

If you watched the national championship game against Alabama, you probably aren’t questioning this pick. Long arms, good hands, power.

Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson

If they don’t wait until this pick for their QB, the Giants should take Wilkins, who would make a huge difference to their defensive front. After the Odell Beckham trade, though, they might be looking for a wide receiver.

Jonah Williams, G, Alabama

Big need, big guy. Safe pick.

Jaylon Ferguson, DE, Louisiana Tech

Getting disinvited from the combine was a big deal at the time but it had to do with a misdemeanor from a fight a few years back. Titans might trade down, or they could stay here and take the all-time FBS sack leader (45).

Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma

Hey he’s Antonio Brown’s cousin and he’s fast. Good enough for me. A nice narrative twist for the Steelers writers.

Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State

Needs a redshirt year after ACL surgery. Not sure the Seahawks are the best fit but I think somebody in the this range is going to take the long-term view.

Cody Ford, G, Oklahoma

They want to run the ball a lot, and they need reinforcements.

Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia

They could go offensive tackle, but I think a shutdown corner is the better value here.

» READ MORE: Eagles’ need for speed in today’s NFL could be found in draft

Rashan Gary, Edge rusher, Michigan

Great athlete, amazing combine performance, but the results haven’t been there consistently. This week, the word is he might need shoulder surgery, which apparently could be put off until after the season.

Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson

Best value at this spot. I don’t think they’ll trade up, but they could trade down and recover the third-round pick they lost in the Golden Tate deal. They might be able to trade into the second and still get Lawrence, or go with a safety as their first pick.

Devin Bush, LB, Michigan

Plug in and start, pretty simple.

Rock Ya-Sin, CB, Temple

Some people think second round but I think he’s good enough to go here.

Dalton Risner, OT, Kansas State

A big need at right tackle, and a big right tackle who also is good.

Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa State

Butler, 6-5, 227, runs a 4.48 40 and might be the first Iowa State player taken in the first round since George Amundson in 1973.

Noah Fant, TE, Iowa

Another strong weapon for Rodgers and the Packers’ new offense.

» READ MORE: A wave of young players helped the Eagles win a Super Bowl. Will the next wave come in the NFL draft this week?

Greg Little, OT, Mississippi

Andrew Whitworth has to retire someday. Until then, play Little inside.

A.J. Brown, WR, Mississippi

Weapons are a need here. Good, strong target for Tom Brady.

Get insights on the Eagles delivered straight to your inbox with Early Birds, beat writer Zach Berman’s newsletter for Eagles fans. Click here to sign up.