2019 Draft: “Initial” Top-32 Big Board

You can find a more detailed, in-depth look at each position group below:

Top-10 positional rankings: https://www.raidersbeat.com/2019-draft-top-10-positional-rankings/

My plan, at some point, is to do another update and refresh of the “big board” and expand to the top-50 players.

Then, prior to the draft in the spring, we’ll unveil the final, top-100 big board.

Why only 100 players, you ask?

Mainly because that’s where I tend to tap out each time I run through this. I have no idea how people are watching 300+ players at length.

More importantly, ranking even 100 players proves to be a futile exercise. As Optimum Scouting’s Justis Mosqueda has thoroughly outlined, in reality, only the top-50 matters. The draft is essentially only about two rounds long. Everything after that is a crapshoot.

Biggest risers:

WR DeKaylin “D.K.” Metcalf

CB Trayvon Mullen

SAF Juan Thornhill

CB Trevon Diggs

WR Hakeem Butler

SAF Nasir Adderley

(heights and weights listed below via NFL Draft Scout unless otherwise noted)

The top five…

1. EDGE Nick Bosa, Ohio State; Junior (6-3, 263)

2. IDL Quinnen Williams, Alabama; Redshirt Sophomore (6-2, 295)

3. IDL Ed Oliver, Houston; Junior (6-1, 292)

4. IDL Rashan Gary, Michigan; Junior (6-4, 283)

5. CB Andraez “Greedy” Williams, Louisiana State; Redshirt Sophomore (6-2, 185)

I think the first four player’s are this year’s blue-chip prospects. I also think there is a reasonable chance that Williams is eventually settled in at the top spot.

Rounding out the top ten…

6. SAF Deionte Thompson, Alabama; Redshirt Junior (6-1, 196)

7. EDGE Josh Allen, Kentucky; Senior (6-4, 258)

8. OT Jonah Williams, Alabama; Junior (6-5, 301)

9. LB Devin White, Louisiana State; Junior (6-0, 240)

10. CB Byron Murphy III, Washington; Redshirt Sophomore (5-11, 182)

Has anyone made more money than Allen, returning to school and showing out? The gap between Murphy and Williams (the Louisiana State corner) is not that wide. The former may be wearing the CB1 crown when all is said and done.

Filling in the top fifteen…

11. EDGE Montez Sweat, Mississppi State; Senior (6-5, 245)

12. EDGE Clelin Ferrell, Clemson; Redshirt Junior (6-4, 265)

13. IDL Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi State; Junior (6-2, 300)

14. CB DeAndre Baker, Georgia; Senior (5-11, 185)

15. EDGE Jachai Polite, Florida; Junior (6-1, 242)

Wave of EDGE talent in this tier, as well as a dominant SEC cornerback.

On to the top twenty-five players…

16. EDGE Brian Burns, Florida State; Junior (6-4, 235)

17. IDL Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame; Senior (6-5, 305)

18. QB Dwayne Haskins Jr., Ohio State; Redshirt Sophomore (6-2, 220)

19. OT Cody Ford, Oklahoma; Redshirt Junior (6-3, 338)

20. LB Devin Bush Jr., Michigan; Junior (5-11, 233)

21. TE Noah Fant, Iowa; Junior (6-4, 241)

22. WR N’Keal Harry, Arizona State; Junior (6-3, 213)

23. IDL Christian Wilkins, Clemson; Senior (6-3, 315)

24. OT Greg Little, Mississippi; Junior (6-5, 325)

25. WR DeKaylin “D.K.” Metcalf, Mississippi; Redshirt Junior (6-2, 230)

We finally see a QB come off the board. Haskins is this year’s only standout option at the position, assuming he declares. Bush got banged up against Ohio State to close the season (hip) but it isn’t expected to be a long-term issue. Fant is a freaky athlete that could separate himself in a loaded tight end class. Metcalf is recovering from a neck injury, but appears on track. Physically, he has some Julio Jones to his game. He could easily make an argument as the WR1 if the injury is put behind him.

The rest of the first-round talent…

26. CB Trayvon Mullen, Clemson; Junior (6-1, 195)

27. SAF Juan Thornhill, Virginia; Senior (6-0, 210)

28. IDL Dre’Mont Jones, Ohio State; Redshirt Junior (6-2, 286)

29. CB Trevon Diggs, Alabama; Junior (6-1, 199)

30. WR Hakeem Butler, Iowa State; Redshirt Junior (6-4, 225)

31. SAF Nasir Adderley, Delaware; Senior (5-11, 200)

32. TE Kaden Smith, Stanford; Junior (6-5, 253)*

*Height and weight per The Draft Network (not available via NFL Draft Scout at the time of this writing).

It doesn’t feel like Thornhill is getting enough love at this point. His ball skills are evident and he’s been a consistent play-maker for the Cavaliers. Former cornerback-turned-safety. Diggs is the next Alabama corner that could leave the board as early as Day 1. Butler is a personal favorite. He’s taken over games for Iowa State multiple times. Could be Mike Evans-ish; catch-point monster. No player has risen more than Adderley on my board. Can hit and tackle, and the range is impressive. Flashes of Karl Joseph (the college version), at times.

Catch me on Twitter: @StillRyanFive

Share: