Mel Kiper's top 100: Final 2019 NFL draft Big Board and position rankings

Betallsports · Apr 23, 2019

Bring on the 2019 NFL draft. Below are my "final" Big Board and "final" position rankings for the class of 2019.

I'm putting "final" in quotation marks because I'll be making a few tweaks up until the draft begins (Thursday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, ESPN and the ESPN App). I'll be talking to more sources and adjusting my rankings based on what I hear. And remember, my Big Board is not a prediction of where prospects will be drafted, only where I have them ranked.

My Big Board goes to 300 prospects, and my position rankings cover almost 700. I even have 10 long-snappers ranked. But it's important to note that the cutoff for undrafted free agents starts around 35 for positions such as wide receiver and cornerback. That means approximately 70 wide receivers and 25 corners have grades that are nearly identical.

*** This is his Top 300 article from ESPN+, but it's way long, so I'm posting the Top 100

Betallsports · Apr 23, 2019

[h=2]1. Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State[/h]Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 266 pounds | Highlights
Bosa has been my top-ranked prospect since last summer, and I'm not changing now.
Stat to know: Bosa made just 10 college starts, but he had 17.5 career sacks.

[h=2]2. Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama[/h]Height: 6-3 | Weight: 303 | Highlights
You could make the case that Williams is the best prospect in this class. He's a dominant interior disruptor.
Stat to know: Williams had 52 pressures when lining up at defensive tackle last season, 11 more than any other interior pass-rusher.

[h=2]3. Devin White, LB, LSU[/h]Height: 6-0 | Weight: 237 | Highlights
White is the best sideline-to-sideline player in this class, a true three-down linebacker who never has to leave the field.
Stat to know: White also can rush the passer. He had the second-best pressure percentage among FBS players with at least 100 pass rushes in 2018.

[h=2]4. Josh Allen, OLB, Kentucky[/h]Height: 6-5 | Weight: 262 | Highlights
Allen got better every year in college, and he's going to be an instant-impact pass-rusher wherever he lands.
Stat to know: Allen owns Kentucky's sack records for a career (31.5) and single season (17 in 2018).

[h=2]5. Devin Bush, LB, Michigan[/h]Height: 5-11 | Weight: 234 | Highlights
I scouted his dad, Devin Bush Sr., the No. 26 overall pick out of Florida State in 1995. The younger Bush will go higher.
Stat to know: Bush had 13 pass breakups over the past two seasons, tied for most in FBS among Power 5 linebackers.

[h=2]6. Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma[/h]Height: 5-10 | Weight: 207 | Highlights
C'mon -- you know about Murray by now. This is a dynamic dual-threat quarterback with an underrated arm. He will thrive in the right system.
Stat to know: Murray's 11.6 yards per attempt last season was the highest in a season in FBS history.

[h=2]7. Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State[/h]Height: 6-3 | Weight: 231 | Highlights
I'm not buying that Haskins' athleticism will cause him to drop far -- we knew he wasn't a great athlete. He will pick teams apart from the pocket.
Stat to know: Haskins will likely become the first Big Ten quarterback drafted in the first round since Kerry Collins in 1995.

[h=2]8. T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa[/h]Height: 6-5 | Weight: 251 | Highlights
There's a reason Hockenson is likely to be the first non-quarterback offensive player to be drafted: He's a complete tight end.
Stat to know: Hockenson caught 74 percent of his targets last season, which was third best among tight ends in FBS with a minimum of 40 targets.

[h=2]9. Ed Oliver, DT, Houston[/h]Height: 6-2 | Weight: 287 | Highlights
I don't think we've seen the best of Oliver quite yet, and that should terrify offensive linemen across the league. He will wreck games in the NFL.
Stat to know: In 2018, Houston allowed 6.8 yards per play when Oliver was on the sideline and 4.9 when he was on the field.

[h=2]10. Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State[/h]Height: 6-6 | Weight: 260 | Highlights
If Sweat keeps developing his arsenal of pass-rushing moves, he'll average 10 sacks per season. He already has a great takeoff at the snap.
Stat to know: Sweat's 4.41-second 40-yard dash time was the fastest by anyplayer at least 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds at the combine since 2006.

Betallsports · Apr 23, 2019

[h=2]11. Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson[/h]Height: 6-3 | Weight: 315 | Highlights
Is it possible for Wilkins, who won two national championships in college, to be underrated? He's also going to be great in the locker room.
Stat to know: Wilkins had 41 tackles for loss and 16 sacks over his four-year career.

[h=2]12. Jonah Williams, OT/G, Alabama[/h]Height: 6-4 | Weight: 302 | Highlights
Whether Williams plays tackle or guard in the NFL, he has a chance to be an All-Pro. He reminds me of Washington's Brandon Scherff.
Stat to know: Williams started 44 straight games for Alabama.

[h=2]13. Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State[/h]Height: 6-4 | Weight: 301 | Highlights
Simmons might have to sit out the 2019 season because he tore his ACL in February, but he also could be a steal. Imagine if a playoff team took him in the 20s and he was ready to play in December.
Stat to know: Simmons scored two defensive touchdowns for the Bulldogs.

[h=2]14. Chris Lindstrom, G, Boston College[/h]Height: 6-4 | Weight: 308 | Highlights
A big riser since the combine, Lindstrom has upper-tier athleticism. He also is extremely consistent on tape.
Stat to know: Lindstrom made 49 straight starts on the right side of Boston College's line, playing both guard and tackle.

[h=2]15. Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama[/h]Height: 5-10 | Weight: 220 | Highlights
Jacobs is the most complete back in this class, and he has some explosiveness once he gets the ball in his hands. He'll help on third down, too.
Stat to know: Jacobs had only 252 rushing attempts in college.

[h=2]16. Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida[/h]Height: 6-5 | Weight: 312 | Highlights
Taylor is likely to be a right tackle in the pros, and he's still raw. But he has great feet.
Stat to know: Florida had 11 rushing touchdowns toward the right side last season, which was second most in the SEC.

[h=2]17. Brian Burns, OLB/DE, Florida State[/h]Height: 6-5 | Weight: 249 | Highlights
Burns still has room to grow on his lanky frame, but he's already the best speed rusher off the edge in this class.
Stat to know: Burns had 65 pressures last season, which ranked second in FBS.

[h=2]18. Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State[/h]Height: 5-11 | Weight: 205 | Highlights
Abram is a physical tackler who has some upside in pass coverage. He should be an immediate starter in the NFL.
Stat to know: He led the Bulldogs with 99 tackles last season.

[h=2]19. Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan[/h]Height: 6-4 | Weight: 277 | Highlights
The big issue with Gary's Michigan tape is consistency. When he's on, he dominates, but he has some loafing plays from the past two seasons. He also could play defensive tackle in the NFL.
Stat to know: Gary was the No. 1-ranked recruit coming out of high school in 2016.

[h=2]20. Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson[/h]Height: 6-4 | Weight: 342 | Highlights
Lawrence probably will never be a double-digit sack artist, but he has some explosiveness. He's the best 3-4 nose tackle in this class.
Stat to know: Lawrence played 211 of his 440 defensive snaps in 2018 lined up at nose tackle.

Betallsports · Apr 23, 2019

[h=2]21. Drew Lock, QB, Missouri[/h]Height: 6-4 | Weight: 228 | Highlights
It wouldn't shock me to see Lock as the second quarterback off the board, potentially in the top 10. His biggest issue is inconsistent accuracy.
Stat to know: Lock's 99 career touchdown passes are the second most in Missouri history behind Chase Daniel (101 from 2005 to 2008).

[h=2]22. Cody Ford, OT/G, Oklahoma[/h]Height: 6-4 | Weight: 329 | Highlights
Ford is a mauler in the running game. He destroys defenders at the point of attack. He'll likely be either a right tackle or guard at the next level.
Stat to know: Ford played guard for the Sooners until 2018, when he made 14 starts at right tackle and was named a third-team All-American.

[h=2]23. Daniel Jones, QB, Duke[/h]Height: 6-5 | Weight: 221 | Highlights
My love for Jones is well-known at this point. He could be an excellent pro in the right situation, though he needs some time to sit behind a veteran.
Stat to know: Jones led Duke to bowl wins in consecutive seasons for the first time in school history.

24. Darnell Savage Jr., S, Maryland

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 198 | Highlights
There's a good chance Savage sneaks into the first round, and he could be the top safety off the board. His 4.36 40 at the combine turned a lot of heads.
Stat to know: Savage had eight career interceptions.

25. Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 264 | Highlights
Ferrell is a traditional big and strong 4-3 defensive end. His ceiling isn't as high as the top-tier edge rushers in this class.
Stat to know: Ferrell left Clemson with 50 tackles for loss, 27 sacks and five forced fumbles in 44 games.

26. Byron Murphy, CB, Washington

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 190 | Highlights
Murphy might be the best slot corner in this class, but don't limit him to just a slot guy.
Stat to know: Murphy played in just 20 career games at Washington, but he had seven interceptions and broke up 27 passes.

27. Erik McCoy, C/G, Texas A&M

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 303 | Highlights
McCoy is reliable in the running game, and he held his own against some of the best interior pass-rushers in the country. I expect him to be a starting center from Day 1 in the NFL.
Stat to know: McCoy's 4.89-second 40-yard dash at the combine was the fastest of all offensive linemen in Indianapolis.

28. Irv Smith Jr., TE, Alabama

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 242 | Highlights
Smith is a notch below Hockenson as a blocker, but he is a better pass-catcher. Smith has some wiggle after the catch, too.
Stat to know: Smith's 12.0 yards per target ranked first among all tight ends in FBS last season.

29. Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma

Height: 5-10 | Weight: 166 | Highlights
A foot injury kept Brown from working out for teams before the draft, but he is lightning fast and a playmaker with the ball in his hands.
Stat to know: Brown led the Big 12 over 2017-18 with 2,413 receiving yards.

30. Noah Fant, TE, Iowa

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 249 | Highlights
Fant isn't going to block much; he'll essentially be a big slot receiver as a rookie. The comparison I have made for him is Jared Cook.
Stat to know: Fant ranked as the top TE performer at the combine in the 40-yard dash (4.50 seconds), vertical jump (39.5 inches) and broad jump (127 inches).

Betallsports · Apr 23, 2019

[h=2]31. Garrett Bradbury, C/G, NC State[/h]Height: 6-3 | Weight: 306 | Highlights
Bradbury had a great week of Senior Bowl practices in January and he had a good combine, posting the fastest 3-cone drill time (7.41 seconds) of all the offensive linemen.
Stat to know: Bradbury committed just two penalties in 942 offensive snaps last season.

[h=2]32. Juan Thornhill, S, Virginia[/h]Height: 6-0 | Weight: 205 | Highlights
Some teams see Thornhill as a corner, and it's that versatility -- as well as elite athleticism -- that has seen him rise since the combine.
Stat to know: Opposing quarterbacks were 15-of-42 targeting Thornhill as primary defender in coverage last season, a 35.7 catch percentage that was best of any player in the ACC.

[h=2]33. Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia[/h]Height: 5-11 | Weight: 193 | Highlights
Baker's athletic testing numbers didn't wow scouts, but he's a steady and reliable cover corner.
Stat to know: Baker allowed a 45.5 percent completion rate in coverage last season.

[h=2]34. Rock Ya-Sin, CB, Temple[/h]Height: 6-0 | Weight: 192 | Highlights
Ya-Sin, a graduate transfer who spent just one season at Temple, is still a little raw, but his upside flashes on his 2018 tape. Ya-Sin was a two-time high school state champion wrestler too, so you know he's tough.
Stat to know: Ya-Sin allowed 252 pass yards on 61 attempts as the primary pass defender last season, good for an FBS-low average of 4.1 yards per attempt.

[h=2]35. Greedy Williams, CB, LSU[/h]Height: 6-2 | Weight: 185 | Highlights
Williams has a high ceiling, but he could drop out of Round 1. His effort level dropped in 2018. If he plays at his best, though, he could be a star.
Stat to know: Williams did not allow a completion on 13 third-down attempts in 2018, the most without allowing a completion on third down in FBS.

[h=2]36. DK Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss[/h]Height: 6-3 | Weight: 238 | Highlights
Metcalf lit up the combine, but his injury history and lack of agility coming in and out of cuts is concerning. He could be a scary-good deep-ball target.
Stat to know: Metcalf's 4.33 40-yard dash at the combine was the fastest 40 by a player weighing 220-plus pounds since at least 2006.

[h=2]37. Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State[/h]Height: 6-5 | Weight: 315 | Highlights
Dillard might be the top true left tackle in this class, and you know he has gotten pass-protection reps in Mike Leach's Air Raid offense.
Stat to know: Dillard played 722 pass-blocking snaps in 2018, tied for the most among FBS offensive linemen.

[h=2]38. Lonnie Johnson Jr., CB, Kentucky[/h]Height: 6-2 | Weight: 213 | Highlights
This is a class full of big corners, and Johnson improved a ton from 2017 to 2018. He could be a second-round steal.
Stat to know: Johnson had an impressive Citrus Bowl performance last season, holding potential Day 3 pick Trace McSorley to 2-of-5 passing for 13 yards as a primary defender in coverage, with an interception.

[h=2]39. Jaylon Ferguson, DE, Louisiana Tech[/h]Height: 6-5 | Weight: 271 | Highlights
How can you not love a prospect whose nickname is "Sack Daddy"? Ferguson is best suited for a team that runs a 4-3 defense.
Stat to know: Ferguson set a D-I record with 45 career sacks, passing the previous record held by Terrell Suggs (44).

[h=2]40. Justin Layne, CB, Michigan State[/h]Height: 6-2 | Weight: 192 | Highlights
Layne, a converted wide receiver with a big wingspan, is rising after the combine.
Stat to know: Layne's 15 pass breakups last season tied for most in the Big Ten.

Betallsports · Apr 23, 2019

[h=2]41. Dalton Risner, OT, Kansas State[/h]Height: 6-5 | Weight: 312 | Highlights
Risner could play tackle, guard or center in the NFL. He was a three-year captain for the Wildcats.
Stat to know: Risner was the fourth offensive lineman in Big 12 history to earn first-team All-Big 12 honors three years in a row.

[h=2]42. Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina[/h]Height: 5-11 | Weight: 214 | Highlights
Just get Samuel the ball, and your offense will be better. He can make plays out of the slot or line up out wide, and he's a good return man.
Stat to know: Samuel tied an SEC record and set the school record with four kickoff return touchdowns in his career.

[h=2]43. Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama[/h]Height: 6-1 | Weight: 195 | Highlights
Thompson looked like a top-10 pick for the first half of last season, but he struggled down the stretch. He's an inconsistent tackler, but he has the athleticism to cover the deep middle of the field.
Stat to know: Thompson forced four fumbles in 2018, tied for second most in a single season in Alabama history.

[h=2]44. JJ Arcega-Whiteside, WR, Stanford[/h]Height: 6-2 | Weight: 225 | Highlights
Another one of my favorite prospects in this class, Arcega-Whiteside just scores touchdowns. He's dominant in the red zone.
Stat to know: Arcega-Whiteside finished second in school history with 28 career receiving touchdowns.

[h=2]45. Miles Sanders, RB, Penn State[/h]Height: 5-11 | Weight: 211 | Highlights
Sanders, who broke out in 2018 after sitting behind Saquon Barkley, has a high ceiling. He'll help as a receiver out of the backfield.
Stat to know: Sanders rushed for 1,274 yards and nine touchdowns on 220 carries last season after having just 375 rushing yards his first two seasons at Penn State.

[h=2]46. Kaleb McGary, OT, Washington[/h]Height: 6-7 | Weight: 317 | Highlights
McGary had a heart procedure early in his time at Washington, but it appears he has passed every physical for NFL teams. He could be a reliable right tackle.
Stat to know: McGary ended his Huskies career making 47 straight starts at right tackle.

[h=2]47. Chase Winovich, OLB, Michigan[/h]Height: 6-3 | Weight: 256 | Highlights
Winovich popped every time I watched Michigan on tape, and he outproduced Gary. His athletic testing numbers at the combine were solid, too.
Stat to know: Winovich had a 15 percent pressure percentage last season, which ranked second in the Big Ten among players with at least 200 pass rushes.

[h=2]48. N'Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State[/h]Height: 6-2 | Weight: 228 | Highlights
Harry isn't going to be an elite deep-ball target, but all he does is produce. He has great hands.
Stat to know: During his three seasons at Arizona State, Harry had 213 catches for 2,889 yards, ranking third in school history in each category.

[h=2]49. Khalen Saunders, DT, Western Illinois[/h]Height: 6-0 | Weight: 324
Saunders is an athlete -- read more about his basketball career here -- who isn't going under the radar anymore. He could be a 3-technique or a nose tackle.
Stat to know: At St. Louis Parkway High School, Saunders played running back at 275 pounds. He was a four-year starter at defensive tackle for Western Illinois.

[h=2]50. Khari Willis, S, Michigan State[/h]Height: 5-11 | Weight: 213
Willis isn't afraid to step up into the running game. I also like that he asked to be put on special teams as a senior; he knows that will be important in the NFL.
Stat to know: Willis had 196 tackles, four sacks and four interceptions in his college career.

Betallsports · Apr 23, 2019

[h=2]51-75[/h]51. L.J. Collier, DE, TCU
52. A.J. Brown, WR, Mississippi
53. Tytus Howard, OT, Alabama State
54. Dre'Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State
55. Nasir Adderley, S, Delaware
56. Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame
57. Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio State
58. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S, Florida
59. Terry McLaurin, WR, Ohio State
60. Damien Harris, RB, Alabama
61. Elgton Jenkins, C, Mississippi State
62. Julian Love, CB, Notre Dame
63. Connor McGovern, G, Penn State
64. Will Harris, S, Boston College
65. Miles Boykin, WR, Notre Dame
66. Amani Hooker, S, Iowa
67. Joejuan Williams, CB, Vanderbilt
68. David Long, CB, Michigan
69. Taylor Rapp, S, Washington
70. Chuma Edoga, OT, USC
71. Mack Wilson, ILB, Alabama
72. Trayvon Mullen, CB, Clemson
73. Greg Little, OT, Mississippi
74. Bobby Okereke, ILB, Stanford
75. Amani Oruwariye, CB, Penn State
[h=2]76-100[/h]76. Gerald Willis III, DT, Miami (Fla.)
77. Max Scharping, OT, Northern Illinois
78. Oshane Ximines, DE, Old Dominion
79. Kahale Warring, TE, San Diego State
80. Will Grier, QB, West Virginia
81. Dawson Knox, TE, Mississippi
82. Jarrett Stidham, QB, Auburn
83. Ryan Finley, QB, NC State
84. Maxx Crosby, DE, Eastern Michigan
85. Riley Ridley, WR, Georgia
86. Zach Allen, DE, Boston College
87. Sean Bunting, CB, Central Michigan
88. Andy Isabella, WR, Massachusetts
89. Michael Deiter, G, Wisconsin
90. Trayveon Williams, RB, Texas A&M
91. Dru Samia, G, Oklahoma
92. Marquise Blair, S, Utah
93. Ben Banogu, OLB, TCU
94. Michael Jordan, C, Ohio State
95. Justice Hill, RB, Oklahoma State
96. David Long Jr., ILB, West Virginia
97. Nate Davis, G, Charlotte
98. Sione Takitaki, ILB, BYU
99. Daylon Mack, DT, Texas A&M
100. D'Andre Walker, OLB, Georgia