2019 NFL Mock Draft: Round 3

Last update: Wednesday, March 13, 2019. Major changes.
Next update: Occasionally. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

The order of this 2019 NFL Mock Draft is based on the real 2019 NFL Draft Order.

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Arizona Cardinals: Riley Ridley, WR, Georgia
The Cardinals need to find an eventual successor for Larry Fitzgerald to start across from Christian Kirk.

Riley Ridley possesses a tremendous amount of potential, but is a raw product who should’ve returned to school.

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Pick change; previously Dalton Risner, OT
Pittsburgh Steelers: Dalton Risner, OT/C, Kansas State
The Steelers traded Marcus Gilbert, so here’s a right tackle for the future.

Dalton Risner had problems with speed rushers on the edge, but improved his play in 2018. Some have seventh-round grades on him, while others believe he’ll be selected on Day 2.
San Francisco 49ers: David Long, CB, Michigan
The 49ers have to continue to address their woeful secondary.

David Long was one of the top performers in the drills at the combine. He also tested very well.

Pick change; previously Blake Cashman, LB

New York Jets: Tytus Howard, OT, Alabama State
The Jets’ offensive line last year was just 18th in adjusted sack rate, while their run blocking was the league’s worst.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Jace Sternberger, TE, Texas A&M
The Jaguars need to give Nick Foles a No. 1 receiver to throw to, as they currently don’t have any potent downfield threats. They also lack a viable tight end in the wake of the Austin Seferian-Jenkins bust signing.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Blake Cashman, LB, Minnesota
The 49ers overpaid Kwon Alexander, so the Buccaneers will need to replace him.

Blake Cashman was highly productive at Minnesota, but had athleticism concerns heading into the combine. He answered those with a dominant performance in Indianapolis.

Pick change; previously David Long, CB

Denver Broncos: Tre Lamar, LB, Clemson
The Broncos have needed help at inside linebacker ever since Danny Trevathan departed for Chicago following the Super Bowl. Here’s their chance to finally upgrade the position.

Tre Lamar missed a chunk of the 2017 season with injuries, but he projects as a potential early-round pick because of his length, speed and upside.
Cincinnati Bengals: Will Grier, QB, West Virginia
The Bengals need to find a young quarterback to develop behind Andy Dalton. They could obtain a signal-caller in the middle rounds.

New England Patriots: Kaden Smith, TE, Stanford
The Patriots need players who can get open. They had a pair in Julian Edelman and Josh Gordon, but the latter has been suspended indefinitely. Rob Gronkowski, meanwhile, moves around like he needs a walker. It’s sad, but Gronkowski’s playing days look finished.
Buffalo Bills: Michael Deiter, G/C, Wisconsin
The Bills can’t take their initial offensive lineman later than the third round. They must protect Josh Allen at all cost.

Michael Deiter has started at center and guard for Wisconsin, so teams will like his versatility.

Green Bay Packers: Michael Jordan, G/C, Ohio State
The Packers need to protect Aaron Rodgers, and the interior of their offensive line is a weakness that must be addressed this offseason.

Michael Jordan can play both center and guard, so his versatility will make him appealing on Draft Day.
Washington Redskins: Connor McGovern, G/C, Penn State
The Redskins have one of the worst centers in the NFL, so that’s a position they’ll sorely need to upgrade. They also need help at guard, so why not draft a player who can play all three interior offensive line positions?

Carolina Panthers: Lonnie Johnson, CB, Kentucky
I could see the Panthers doubling up on cornerbacks in the first few rounds of the draft, given how poor they happen to be at the position.

Lonnie Johnson has great size (6-2, 210) and terrific arm length (32 1/4 inches).
Miami Dolphins: Saivion Smith, CB, Alabama
The Dolphins have been looking to upgrade the starting cornerback spot across from Xavien Howard. They’ll likely take a corner in the first four rounds.

Atlanta Falcons: Jaylon Ferguson, DE, Louisiana Tech
Here’s more help for Atlanta’s defensive front. Takk McKinley has gotten into trouble. Adrian Clayborn was never replaced. Meanwhile, Vic Beasley has been a huge disappointment recently, so if he doesn’t improve, there might be consideration to replace him.

Jaylon Ferguson had an excellent Senior Bowl, proving that he could compete with the power-five prospects. However, he was not able to participate at the combine because of an off-the-field problem that surfaced recently, which is why he has fallen in this update.
New York Giants: Terrill Hanks, LB, New Mexico State
I could see the Giants spending multiple picks on linebackers, as they’ve needed help there for a very long time.
Minnesota Vikings: L.J. Collier, DE, TCU
Everson Griffen has mental issues that could resurface, so the Vikings may opt to pursue a defensive end in the first half of the 2019 NFL Draft.

L.J. Collier is a tough run defender, but his body needs lots of development.
Tennessee Titans: Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa State
Tennessee has nothing at receiver outside of Corey Davis and the newly acquired Adam Humphries, so it could opt to obtain a new wideout in the first half of the draft.

Hakeem Butler has great size at 6-5, 225, and he answered some speed concerns at the combine. His hands are horrible, however.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Corey Ballentine, CB, Washburn
The Steelers had major issues at cornerback this past season. They’ll have to address that problem in free agency or early in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Scouts are intrigued by Corey Ballentine, who has obvious competition issues. He also needs to add some weight to his frame.
Seattle Seahawks: Isaiah Johnson, CB, Houston
The Legion of Boom is no more. The Seahawks need another cornerback to create a new version of it.

Isaiah Johnson had a tremendous combine performance, running a 4.40 and posting an 11-1 broad jump at 6-2, 208.

Baltimore Ravens: J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, WR, Stanford
John Brown is an impending free agent, while Michael Crabtree doesn’t have much remaining in the tank, so the Ravens could use an early pick on a receiver.

J.J. Arcega-Whiteside has speed concerns, but he’s a mismatch receiver with great size (6-3, 225).
Houston Texans: Yodny Cajuste, OT, West Virginia
Here’s yet another offensive line upgrade for the Texans, who must do everything in their power to make sure Deshaun Watson is protected well.

Yodney Cajuste tore his ACL in 2016, but was a terrific left tackle for Will Grier after that.
Chicago Bears: Oshane Ximines, DE/OLB, Old Dominion
The Bears could use another edge rusher with Leonard Floyd’s contract set to expire soon.

Oshane Ximines was a very productive edge rusher for Old Dominion.

Detroit Lions: Mecole Hardman, WR/KR, Georgia
Detroit’s offense suffered a sharp decline after Golden Tate was traded. Here’s a long-term replacement for Tate.

Outside of scoring touchdowns, which can be fluky, Mecole Hardman wasn’t very productive in 2018 with just 30 catches in regular-season play. That said, Hardman has blazing speed and can double as a kick returner. He’s someone who should’ve definitely returned to school, as he’s not a finished product as a receiver.
Indianapolis Colts: Austin Bryant, DE, Clemson
The Colts made great strides defensively last year, but they were just 29th in adjusted sack rate. They’ll be looking to improve their pass rush.
Dallas Cowboys: Trayvon Mullen, CB, Clemson
Here’s more help for Dallas’ secondary. The team could use another talented cornerback to go along with Byron Jones.

Trayvon Mullen is a 6-foot-2 corner who was highly recruited. However, he has disappointed team sources, so it sounds like he’ll be taken in the Round 2-4 range.
Los Angeles Chargers: Trysten Hill, NT, Central Florida
Brandon Mebane is an impending 34-year-old free agent whom the Chargers may want to replace this offseason so that they aren’t gashed by the likes of Sony Michel again. Two defensive tackles in the first three rounds is very possible.

Trysten Hill is a massive nose tackle who can clog running lanes. He was stellar at the combine.

Pick change; previously Edwin Alexander, NT
Kansas City Chiefs: Mike Weber, RB, Ohio State
Damien Williams played well to close out the year, but the Chiefs will still be in the market for another running back not named Carlos Hyde to share the workload.

Mike Weber split the workload at Ohio State, but he could still be a second-day pick. Weber is a power runner with some quickness.

New York Jets: Miles Boykin, WR, Notre Dame
The Jets need another receiving option to go along with Robby Anderson and Jamison Crowder.

Miles Boykin is a big receiver who will be able to be a mismatch weapon in the NFL.
Los Angeles Rams: David Montgomery, RB, Iowa State
The Rams will need a viable backup behind Todd Gurley if C.J. Anderson leaves, especially in the wake of the news about Gurley’s knees.
Cleveland Browns: Darrell Henderson, RB, Memphis
It sounds like the Browns plan on trading Duke Johnson, so they could use an explosive change-of-pace back to play behind Nick Chubb.

Washington Redskins: C.J. Conrad, TE, Kentucky
Jordan Reed has proven to be unreliable, so the Redskins will need to find a new tight end.

C.J. Conrad is a nice route runner with good hands.
New England Patriots: Darnell Savage, S, Maryland
Devin McCourty announced that he will return for 2019, but it sounds like he has retirement on the mind, so he could hang up his cleats soon. The Patriots could take his eventual successor this April.

Darnell Savage is small (5-11, 200), but has good speed and instincts.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Trey Pipkins, OT, Sioux Falls
The Jaguars need to upgrade their offensive line, as it was a major weak point last year. Part of that was because of injuries, but some new starters are needed.

Trey Pipkins was outstanding at the East-West Shrine Game. Competition level is an issue for him, but the Shrine performance quells that. He has plus length and strength to be a tackle in the NFL.
Los Angeles Rams: Ross Pierschbacher, C/G, Alabama
The Rams won’t be bringing back their starting center John Sullivan, so they’ll need to find a replacement.
Carolina Panthers: Amani Hooker, S/LB/CB, Iowa
The Panthers re-signed Eric Reid, but they could use another safety to help their poor secondary.

Amani Hooker is extremely versatile. In addition to safety, he can be used at cornerback and linebacker as well.
New England Patriots: Terry McLaurin, WR, Ohio State
I could see the Patriots doubling up on receivers, given their dire need at the position.

Terry McLaurin had a terrific Senior Bowl and combine, and may have moved into fourth-, or even third-round consideration. >
Baltimore Ravens: Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama
The Ravens could go after a young safety in the wake of Eric Weddle’s departure.

Deionte Thompson has a great blend of size (6-2, 196), speed and athleticism. However, he struggled mightily in the second half of the 2018 season, causing his stock to drop.