NFL mock draft 2019: Eagles opt for pro potential despite injury concerns | Jeff McLane

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 Jeff McLane offers up his best guess.

Zach Berman’s mock draft | Les Bowen’s mock draft | Paul Domowitch’s mock draft

Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma

If the Cardinals pass on Murray please disregard the rest of this mock draft. Do it anyway.

Nick Bosa, Edge rusher, Ohio State

I’d take the Bosa 2.0 first overall. Arizona just might.

Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama

It’s going to be a defensive lineman; the question is which one? Williams is a safe bet.

Josh Allen, Edge rusher, Kentucky

Jon Gruden needs to make amends for trading away Khalil Mack.

Devin White, LB, LSU

This could be a spot for a team looking to trade up for a quarterback. If not, the best available defender goes.

» READ MORE: Paul Domowitch’s top 50 prospects

Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State

The Giants need a quarterback. They needed one last year. But the guess here is that Dave Gettlemen waits.

Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida

Everyone else seems to project Taylor to Jacksonville. I’m not very original.

Ed Oliver, DT, Houston

When you’re drafting this high, take the best prospect, but there should be enough good d-lineman on the board to address a need.

Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State

Buffalo’s o-line was pathetic last season. Just ask LeSean McCoy.

Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State

Drew Lock or Daniel Jones could be the No. 2 quarterback off the board. Even if they’re still available, I think John Elway takes Haskins.

Devin Bush, LB, Michigan

Cincy may be looking for Andy Dalton’s replacement, but I wouldn’t pass on this sideline-to-sideline dynamo.

T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa

Aaron Rodgers will continue to get what he wants, and this two-way gem can immediately help the 36-year-old quarterback.

Drew Lock, QB, Missouri

Miami has a long rebuild as far as it goes in the NFL, and Lock should have a year to watch and learn with journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick in tow.

Clelin Ferrell, Edge rusher, Clemson

A defensive tackle could be the call here, but Ferrell could be a difference maker.

» READ MORE: For all the work the Eagles and other teams put into scouting, how can they get top picks wrong?

D.K. Metcalf, WR, Mississippi

He could go earlier, but the speedy receiver falls into the Redskins’ often-mindless laps.

Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson

The more interior d-linemen who go in the first 24 picks, the better for the Eagles.

Jonah Williams, G, Alabama

If you’re going to draft a quarterback in the first round and you have two picks, you take him with the first. It’s the best available o-lineman here.

» 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?

Garrett Bradbury, C, N.C. State

Minnesota’s o-line was so putrid last season, particularly inside, that it’s hard to see them not addressing that hole early.

Rashan Gary, Edge rusher, Michigan

The run on first round d-linemen continues.

Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia

Marquise Brown, former Steelers receiver Antonio Brown’s cousin could be an option here, but that would be too convenient.

Brian Burns, Edge rusher, Florida State

The Tuesday trade of Frank Clark makes this pick sort of a no-brainer, at least narratively speaking.

» 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?

Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma

If Brown is still on the board at this point, could the Eagles be willing to jump a few spots?

Cody Ford, G, Oklahoma

Ford could project as a tackle, but the Texans aren’t likely that concerned about positional specifics. They need pass pro help – now.

Byron Murphy, CB, Washington

Mike Mayock gets to pick players for real. Whomever he has ranked as his best corner could go here.

Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State

Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence could be possibilities, but I think Simmons’ great potential, despite his ACL injury, will be too appealing.

» READ MORE: For all the work the Eagles and other teams put into scouting, how can they get top picks wrong?

Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson

He would be hard to pass on if he were to fall to the Eagles. Chris Ballard won’t bat an eye.

Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama

Jacobs could fall into the second round like so many other first-round caliber running backs over the last decade.

» READ MORE: After 15 years as a ‘lone ranger’ with the NFL Network, Philly native Mike Mayock has ‘skin in the game’ as Raiders GM

Greg Little, OT, Mississippi

Maybe Los Angeles starts to consider a replacement for its franchise quarterback, but the same could be said for two of the next four teams on the clock.

Dalton Risner, OT, Kansas State

John Schneider’s track record in drafting o-linemen isn’t great. He’ll try again here.

Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State

He could be a plug-and-play box safety for Green Bay.

Rock Ya-Sin, CB, Temple

I don’t know if the local product will go in the first round, but I want to hear Roger Goodell say his name.

» READ MORE: Temple’s Ryquell Armstead set to be the next Philly-area running back to reach the NFL — and maybe the Eagles

Noah Fant, TE, Iowa

Could Bill Belichick use the opportunity to find Tom Brady’s heir? Daniel Jones may be there. But I like the idea of helping the Hall of Famer after Rob Gronkowski’s retirement.

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