2019 NFL Draft

These 2019 prospects have shown flashes of brilliance during their early college careers. However, it will take a consistently-brilliant senior campaign to keep their names at the tops of scouts' lists across the league.

Even if they do excel in their final college seasons, they'll need to keep their noses clean throughout the pre-draft process, as a couple of this year's top players found out the hard way.

An average of 15 seniors were selected in the first round of the draft from 2011 to 2015, including 14 on Thursday night. Another 19 seniors, on average, were picked in the second round since 2011.

Therefore, I've devised a list of 35 future pros (adding one to the combined five-year average) hoping to become first- or second-round picks next spring. I've ranked them, not by the place I expect them to land in next year's draft, but by the interest I have in watching their progress during the 2015 season.

2019 NFL DRAFT

Tracker: Rounds | Teams | Players

Draft coverage:

Brooks: Draft grades for every team

Top undrafted free agents following draft

2019 draft: Winners | Losers

Draft's best and most worrisome picks

Eight surprises: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3

Trade tracker: Details of all the moves

CFB 24/7: Full 'Path to Draft' coverage

Video:

First draft: Get to know draft prospects

NFL comparisons for top prospects

Fan Pass: Behind the scenes

1. Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State

Over the past two seasons, Cook (6-foot-4, 220 pounds) has led the Spartans to 24 wins, thrown for nearly 6,000 yards, and tossed 46 touchdowns (versus just 14 intereceptions). He has the prerequisite size, athleticism, anticipation, toughness, and football intelligence to excel at the next level. He hasn't cracked the 60 percent completion barrier in his career as of yet (58.1 percent last year) and has a new receiving corps for his senior year. Cook is the most intriguing senior prospect this year. If he can lead an inexperienced passing game in his final collegiate season, he'll be in line for a very high draft slot.

2. Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor

It doesn't take long to find Oakman (6-9, 280) on the field, as his tall frame and No. 2 jersey stand out even among the Bears' top competition. It was a bit of a surprise when the massive lineman decided to return to school, as he likely would have been a first-round pick after a 19.5-tackle-for-loss, 11-sack season as a junior. But the Penn State transfer wants to be picked at the very top of the draft, and apparently loves being a Baylor Bear. Lofty expectations are sometimes difficult to live up to, however; scouts will be looking for consistent explosiveness, leverage, and motor from Oakman, in addition to his bullish strength, before labeling him a "can't-miss" prospect worthy of a top-five pick.

3. D'haquille Williams, WR, Auburn

Halfway through the 2014 season, it looked as though "Duke" was going to be the second former junior college receiver climbing up NFL team draft boards, along with West Virginia's Kevin White. But a sprained MCL suffered late in the year and a suspension for breaking team rules pushed Williams (6-2, 224) to return to school to get his degree. One of eight children, Williams won't have a problem sticking out this year if the Tigers' offense can keep rolling after the graduation of quarterback Nick Marshall. His ability to put the passing game on his shoulders as a senior will be the difference between Williams being a top-10 pick and a second-rounder with question marks.

4. Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State

Ohio State's undisputed leader on the offensive line decided to come back for another year in Columbus instead of locking up a mid-to-late first-round placement this year. Decker (6-8, 315) not only gets a chance to win back-to-back national titles by returning for his senior year, but also an opportunity to prove he has the natural bend and elite athleticism to be a top-five selection.

5. Spencer Drango, OT, Baylor

If any senior is going to challenge Decker for the top senior offensive tackle slot, it will be Drango (6-8, 315). A four-year starter, there's no questioning his intensity or strength at the line of scrimmage. But like Decker, Drango needs to consistently hit targets in space and look comfortable holding off any top pass rushers during his final year on campus before earning a top-10 draft slot.

6. Jordan Jenkins, OLB, Georgia

Talk about explosiveness ... Georgia's Most Improved Player for the 2014 season actually started six games as a true freshman. Jenkins (6-3, 253) came into his own as a junior, however, showing flashes of quick hands and deadly straight-line speed to the quarterback. Turning those flashes into long periods of brightness should put him squarely in the first-round conversation.

7. Dadi Lhomme Nicolas, DE/OLB, Virginia Tech

In a world where pass rushers are coveted more than umbrellas in New York during a rainstorm, Nicolas (6-4, 236) has the smooth acceleration off the line to become one of the best in the country as a senior. Scouts wonder if Nicolas could be the next great Haitian-born pass rusher, though he doesn't cut the physically-imposing presence that Jason Pierre-Paul did for South Florida (and still does for the Giants). The second-team All-ACC pick (18.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks) is misused as a base end in the Hokies' defense but is likely to transition to linebacker at the next level -- with many teams relying on 3-4 alignments as their base defense. He only started playing football his senior year of high school, so honing his skill off the edge combined with improving his bend and strength at the point of attack would make him a very highly-regarded prospect.

8. Landon Turner, OG, North Carolina

An absolute road-grader, Turner (6-4, 325) will turn the heads of NFL general managers with his ability to move the line of scrimmage. He's not too heavy-footed to protect the quarterback, either ... and when he gets beat, he'll work hard to finish the block. Will he crack the top half of the first round, or go late in the stanza like Laken Tomlinson this year? It's too early to tell, but I'll have fun watching him try to climb the rungs of the draft ladder.

9. Vadal Alexander, OG/OT, LSU

After starting for two years next to La'el Collins at left guard, Alexander (6-6, 320) moves back to right tackle for his senior year. He started the last seven games of his freshman campaign at right tackle, earning Freshman All-American honors. Alexander has shed at least 30 pounds since arriving on campus, giving him a shot to stay at tackle when he arrives in the NFL. It is possible Alexander has done enough to land a first-round slot as a guard with his length, strength, and footwork. Success at his new/old position is crucial, however, for Alexander to earn the respect of general managers across the league as a pass protector on the outside.

10. DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon

Unfortunately, Buckner (6-7, 290) will be compared to former Duck defensive lineman Dion Jordan, who was picked third overall by the Dolphins in 2013 and struggled to earn that status before being suspended for the 2015 season for a third violation of the league's substance-abuse policy. He's not a similar player to Jordan because his thicker frame portends a NFL career with his hand on the ground; nonetheless, the comparisons will be drawn. Buckner's path towards the 2019 draft is also interesting because, while he flashes the skills of a top prospect, better offensive linemen can dominate him, using his tall frame to keep him from getting leverage. If he can improve his stack-and-shed ability and his motor, and consistently win the edge, scouts will forget about Jordan and grade Buckner well based on his own merits.

11. Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama

The East Mississippi Community College transfer doesn't light up the stat sheet (6.5 tackles for loss, one sack in 2014) for the Tide, but is utterly disruptive in the middle. Reed (6-4, 313) commands double teams and eats them like a 313-pounder should -- and doesn't have the sloppy body and inconsistent motor that prevented former JC/Alabama stud NT Terrence "Mount" Cody from earning a first-round draft spot. If Reed continues to push forward on early downs and keeps his nose clean this year (he had a DUI in the summer of 2014), he'll he the first nose tackle off the board next spring.

12. Jeremy Cash, S, Duke

The Blue Devils are looking for their first back-to-back drafts with a first-round pick in school history. Seeing Green Bay pick Damarious Randall from Arizona State as a cornerback made me believe teams will like Cash's cover skills enough to pick him on Draft Thursday. Cash (6-2, 205) might not line up outside on Sundays, but proving himself as a slot cover man during the 2015 season should help him join teammate Laken Tomlinson as an initial-round selection.

13. Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama

The question isn't whether Ragland (6-2, 252) will be a starting 3-4 inside linebacker in the NFL -- it's whether he is athletic enough to be a three-down linebacker in any system. While taken off the field by Nick Saban on third downs at times during his first year as a starter as a junior, Ragland is not slow-footed by any means. In his second year running Saban's pro-style defense in 2015, the former five-star recruit can now let his natural ability shine.

14. Adolphus Washington, DT/DE, Ohio State

Apparently Washington (6-4, 290) is ready to go for his senior season -- he had four sacks in Ohio State's Scarlet-Gray Game. He has quickness off the ball for his size, and although he will likely face a lot of double teams in 2015, his future might be as a difference-making 3-4 end at the next level. Shedding one-on-one blocks and exploding into the backfield throughout the Big Ten season will show scouts he's ready to take the next step no matter where they want him to line up.

15. Devontae Booker, RB, Utah

Booker (5-11, 212), a former Washington State signee and junior college star, only ran a total of 31 times in his first three games with the Utes in 2014 -- then he ran for 130 yards a game through the rest of the season. His combination of power, quickness, elusiveness in the hole, and receiving ability give him an excitement factor lacking from most collegiate backs. The devaluation of his position might prevent him from being a first-round pick, but another ultra-productive season and top-notch Combine workout could push him in that direction.

NFL Draft 2019 Online

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Details for Monday’s game are below:

Date: Monday, September 19,
Start time: 8:30
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Stadium: Soldier Field
TV Info: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN

On Monday Night Football, we will get to see how Wentz handles the pressure while watching Cutler try to spoil the rookie’s parade.

NFL Draft 2019 Results

The 84th NFL Draft is scheduled to be held April 27-29, 2019 along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney revealed today.

The even will incorporate city landmarks spanning from Philadelphia City Hall to the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It is expected to attract 200,000 fans and have more than $80 million in economic impact  on the city.

The move is actually a return to Philadelphia, which hosted the first draft in 1936, then again in 1949-50, 1956-57 and 1958-61, according to the NFL.

The Draft was held in Chicago's Auditorium Theatre at Roosevelt University the past two seasons following a run in New York from 1965-2014, the last nine years in Radio City Music Hall.

“Philadelphia is a passionate football town and will serve as a tremendous backdrop for the Draft and provide a great atmosphere for our fans and incoming players,” Goodell said in a statement. “Jeffrey Laurie (majority owner for the Philadelphia Eagles) has been a strong advocate and supporter of the draft on behalf of the City of Philadelphia throughout the entire selection process.

"We look forward to working with the Philadelphia Eagles, the City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) to create a week-long celebration of football for our fans," said Goodell.

The Draft will again take place during prime time (ESPN and NFL Network) for Rounds 1-3.

Round 1 is scheduled for Thursday, April 27. Rounds 2-3 will be held on Friday, April 28.

The Draft will conclude on Saturday, April 29 with Rounds 4-7, per the NFL.

Although plans are still being finalized, the league said that Round 1 events would include incoming prospects walking the red carpet before entering an outdoor theater.

Then, 32 former players who are members of the NFL Legends Community, one representing each team, would be on hand for the second night to announce selections.

In addition, the second night will feature winners of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide.

“We are truly excited to serve as the host city for the NFL Draft, one of the country’s largest and most prestigious sports events,” said PHLCVB President & CEO Julie Coker Graham. “We anticipate that the Draft will attract more than 200,000 football fans from across the country, which we at the PHLCVB estimate will lead to over $80 million in economic impact for our city and a huge win for all of our hospitality partners.”

Much like its early days, the Draft could be on the move again in coming seasons, as such cities as Los Angeles, Houston, Detroit and Green Bay have expressed interest in hosting the event.

From 1936-1964, the Draft was held in seven different cities — including Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles and Washington DC, in addition to Philadelphia, New York and Chicago — before settling in for its long run in New York.

With its move to Chicago in 2015, the NFL also upped the ante on surrounding events and activities, expanding the event to three-plus days. The 2019 event could grow to a week.

The 2016 NFL Draft included Selection Square driven by Hyundai and Draft Town presented by Oikos Triple Zero located in Grant Park, over three days, complete with interactive exhibits, autograph sessions with current and former players, photo ops with the Vince Lombardi Trophy league sponsor booths. More than 225,000 fans attended, up from 200,000 the previous year in the city, according to the league.

“We anticipate the Draft will attract more than 200,000 football fans, which we estimate will lead to over $80 million in economic impact for our city."

Round 1 of the 2015 NFL Draft, broadcast live on ESPN and NFL Network, was viewed by 8.3 million fans. More than 1,700 media were accredited to cover the 2016 NFL Draft in Chicago and related events, according to the NFL.

“The NFL Draft will be awesome for our city and a real gift for the fans of Philadelphia,” Ron Jaworski, former Eagles quarterback and co-chair for the Philadelphia NFL Draft Host Committee, said in a statement. “The NFL will put on an incredible show, and I’m thrilled to work with my co-chair, Ira Lubert, and the entire business community to ensure the Draft is a huge success in Philadelphia.”

The 2019 Draft is expected to include many of the destinations along The Benjamin Franklin Parkway such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Rodin Museum, the Barnes Foundation, the Franklin Institute, the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul and City Hall.

“On behalf of the City and our legion of Philadelphia Eagles fans, we’re proud to be chosen as host city for the 2019 NFL Draft,” said Kenney. “We are excited to showcase Philadelphia and our passion for football, and fully expect an awesome experience for all those attending in 2019 and for those watching at home. I’m thankful for the incredible team at the NFL and the Philadelphia CVB for making this happen.”

NFL Draft 2019 Date

The 2019 NFL Draft is almost here, and as is now the norm, be prepared for three consecutive days of rapid-fire picks and far, far too much analysis. Both the first and second overall picks in this year's draft have been traded to the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles, respectively.

Los Angeles gave the Tennessee Titans their first-round pick, two second-round picks and a third-round pick in 2019 on top of their first- and third-round picks of 2019 to move up to the top spot. The Eagles gave up 2016 first-, third- and fourth-round picks, their 2019 first-round pick and a 2019 second-round pick to move up to the second slot, previously occupied by the Cleveland Browns.

In what started out as a "weak" quarterback class but is now considered strong at the top (because that's just how the pre-draft process works, folks), the trades are rumored and reported to be for the top two quarterbacks in Jared Goff of Cal and Carson Wentz of North Dakota State. It wouldn't be the most shocking thing in the world if some of the other top players -- offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, defensive back Jalen Ramsey or someone like that -- went first or second, but it's unlikely.

This year's draft will take place at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, Ill. The draft gets underway on Thursday, April 28 with the first round beginning in prime time. Rounds two and three are set for the following day, while rounds four through seven will wrap up on Saturday, the final day of the draft.

If you're playing catch up, we've got some resources for you to check out below:

Top 300 players big board by Dan Kadar
NFL Draft positional rankings by Dan Kadar
SB Nation NFL bloggers mock draft
NFL Draft scouting reports by Stephen White

The first round of the draft will begin at 8 p.m. on Thursday, and will run through the end of that round. Rounds 2 and 3 will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, and the final rounds will get underway at noon on Saturday. Television coverage will be carried on both the NFL Network and ESPN.

2019 NFL Draft Guards

Ivey was a five-star recruit coming out of high school and validated the ranking with an impressive freshman season. He was an effective starter at guard for Florida, displaying natural athleticism. Ivey could use more power for the NFL, but he was only 18 during his first season. He has plenty of time to get stronger. He might move to left tackle in the years to come. Ivey had shoulder surgery after his freshman season.

2019 NFL Draft Tight Ends

Hodges had 40 receptions for 530 yards and six scores. Sources said that Hodges should go back to school and develop before going pro. That was the same recommendation in the report that the NFL Draft Advisory gave Hodges, who wisely listened.

Hodges was a redshirt freshman sensation for the Hokies in 2014, producing the best season ever for receiving production by a freshman tight end at Virginia Tech. That season saw him haul in 45 catches for 526 yards and six touchdowns. During his redshirt season in 2013, Hodges split time at tight end and quarterback.

Serigne has been a steady producer as a receiver for Wake Forest over two seasons. As a freshman in 2014, he had 54 receptions for 531 yards with five touchdowns. Serigne stayed consistent as a sophomore with 46 catches for 562 yards and four touchdowns.

Goolsby flashed some receiving ability with 17 receptions for 277 yards and one touchdown. Since the Gators have some losses at tight end, Goolsby should have a much bigger role in 2016 and beyond.

2019 NFL Draft Offensive Tackles

Robinson was a freshman sensation for the Crimson Tide in 2014. He was the leader on an offensive line that allowed only 16 sacks on the season. It didn't go as well in 2015 as Robinson allowed pressure and sacks on the quarterback. Robinson had some real problems with Texas A&M superstar Myles Garrett for example. However, Robinson was better down the stretch and helped open a lot of holes for Heisman Trophy winning running back Derrick Henry. It wouldn't be surprising if the junior takes his play to another level in 2016.

There are a lot pluses to Robinson's game for the next level. As a pass protector, he has length and quickness to defend the edge. He has quick enough feet to cut off speed rushers and also displays some ability to bend at the knees. He uses his length well and adjusts wisely to blitzes. He needs to get more consistent with his bending and shuffling his feet. Sometimes he gets sloppy, and that leads to him giving up some pressures and sacks.

In the ground game, Robinson is a quality blocker. He has strength to turn defenders at the point of attack and open holes. He is quick to the second level to hit blocks and is able to pull. Robinson also has some power at the point of attack with a physical demeanor.