5 takeaways from Mel Kiper’s NFL Mock Draft 2.0

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The godfather of NFL mock drafts released his second of the 2019 NFL draft season, and it wasn’t without some surprises.

Here are five takeaways from Kiper’s Mock Draft 2.0.

Nick Bosa looks like a lock at No. 1 overall

Kiper, along with almost every draft analyst in the industry, has Bosa as the Arizona Cardinals’ pick at No. 1 overall. Bosa’s explosive ability as a pass-rusher makes him this year’s most appealing prospect, so this doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Bosa should have little trouble transitioning to outside linebacker in Arizona’s 3-4 scheme and will combine with Chandler Jones to form an impressive 1-2 punch in the desert.

Montez Sweat, top-five pick?

(AP Photo/Jim Lytle)

Kiper’s mock draft may be the most bullish on Sweat’s stock. He has Sweat coming off the board fifth overall to the Buccanneers.

The Mississippi State edge defender finished last season with 12 sacks and had a big week at the Senior Bowl, but few have him going this high. Kiper’s predicting Sweat will have a big NFL combine performance, and at 6-6, 250 pounds, he possesses all of the traits the NFL looks for from today’s edge prospects.

Dwayne Haskins is the first QB off the board

This is a narrative that I believe will slowly change over the next two months, but for now, Kiper is sticking with Haskins as the top quarterback prospect and the first one off the board in Round 1. In this mock, Kiper sends Haskins to the Giants to serve as Eli Manning’s heir.

It’s highly probable the Giants will draft a quarterback in the first round, but by the time their pick rolls around, I’d be shocked if it isn’t Kyler Murray. With Saquon Barkley already in the fold, adding Murray to New York’s backfield would create scary-good possibilities.

Haskins is a good quarterback prospect, but he doesn’t project as a franchise-caliber starter. He could slip a bit further down Round 1 than most are expecting right now.

Bills draft potentially elite playmaker for QB Josh Allen

The rise of Ole Miss WR D.K. Metcalf has begun. He’s moved up to No. 9 overall in Kiper’s Mock Draft 2.0, and I don’t think it will stop there.

Metcalf doesn’t have the production that screams elite prospect and he suffered a season-ending neck injury last season that will give teams pause, but the dude is just a physical freak.

Yeah, that’s Metcalf on the left, and if Todd McShay is correct (he said Metcalf is expected to run in the low 4.4’s at the NFL combine), then Metcalf won’t be on the board by the time the Bills pick. He has Julio Jones upside.

Joe Flacco trade changes complexion of 1st round

The Denver Broncos traded a mid-round pick to the Baltimore Ravens for QB Joe Flacco last week, and the move shook up Kiper’s first round.

Instead of selecting Missouri QB Drew Lock with the 10th pick, the Broncos go with LSU defensive back, Greedy Williams. Lock slides to the Redskins at No. 15, who are more than likely to be in need of a quarterback because of Alex Smith’s long and unlikely road back following last season’s gruesome leg injury.

For Kiper’s complete NFL Mock Draft 2.0, click here.

Bryan Perez

Bryan is the founder of Pro Football Draft. His work has been featured on The Draft Network, NBC Sports and USA Today. Former CFL scout.

Follow him on Twitter: @BryanPerezNFL