Getty Gallery: 5/6
No. 7 Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Drew Lock, Missouri
The Jaguars may be giving Blake Bortles another chance this season, but don't expect Jacksonville to go with him heading into the 2019 season. While the draft is not the Jaguars only option to snag a quarterback, Jacksonville is likely going to take a long look at the 2019 quarterback class.
Heading into the final week of the season, Bortles sounded anything but confident that he would be back in Jacksonville next season.
“The toughest part about it is you have no idea,” Bortles said per Pro Football Talk. “It’s not like anybody tells me anything or talks to my agent and tells me what they’re going to do with me. It’s kind of just unknown...Obviously, I’m here right now and I’ve got one more opportunity to play this week and finish this year out. They’re in control of what happens to me next. Whatever happens, I’ll be ready. I signed a contract here for three years. I have every reason and purpose in my mind to play here for that amount of time or until they let me go, and I’ll figure that out.”
Drew Lock could potentially see a full round difference in his landing spot with Justin Herbert now part of the 2020 draft class. Lock's numbers took a hit this season after offensive coordinator Josh Heupel took the UCF head coaching job. Lock threw for 3,125 yards and 25 touchdowns this season. The Missouri quarterback threw for 3,964 yards and 44 touchdowns in 2017.
The Athletic's Dane Brugler has Lock as his second-rated quarterback now that Herbert is no longer an option. Brugler believes Lock's game is comparable to Derek Carr.
"A Derek Carr clone, Lock has had an up-and-down collegiate career, but his physical traits and makeup will be strong selling points for NFL teams," Brugler explained. "Although his decision-making and mechanical flaws will be highly scrutinized during the draft process, he is a good-sized athlete with a golden arm, which will help mask his inconsistencies."
No. 8 Detroit Lions: LB Devin White, LSU
Lions' quarterback Matthew Stafford still has plenty of juice left, but Detroit has found it challenging to surround him with talent throughout the years. The best way the Lions can likely help Stafford in the upcoming draft is by improving their defense. The Matt Patricia era has not gotten off to a fast start.
WXYT's Jamie Samuelson explained to the Detroit Free Press why many fans have been critical of Lions GM Bob Quinn.
"First, Quinn is on the clock. And it’s running," Samuels noted. "Firing Jim Caldwell and bringing in Matt Patricia did not reset things for the general manager. There is this sense the Lions are starting fresh with Patricia and shedding players or contracts that they don’t want. Sorry. That’s on Quinn. He’s responsible for most of the players on the roster. And he’s directly responsible for most of the biggest contracts that he either extended or franchised. Hiring Patricia was not a do-over. And at this point, the jury is still out on whether or not that was the correct decision."
Devin White will be fighting Josh Allen to be the first linebacker selected in the draft. White is one of the best athletes in this draft class and will do well for himself at the combine. Prior to the season, Bleacher Report's Matt Miller noted there was growing buzz about White's athleticism.
"He might be the most athletic player in the entire class," one scout told Bleacher Report. "I've heard stories about his battles with Leonard Fournette, and they're on a similar level athletically."
Miller believes it is White's experience on offense that could help his draft stock even though he now plays linebacker.
"Devin White was a high school standout at running back and linebacker, so he brings an understanding of offenses to his spot at linebacker," Miller noted. "He flows to the ball with natural athleticism and agility but also packs a punch with a 6'1", 240-pound frame. White needs to clean up some false steps you can see on tape and better recognize routes in the passing game, but it's easy to look at him as a player on par with Roquan Smith or Tremaine Edmunds."
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NFL Mock Draft 2019: Top 10 Best Picks With Latest Order