2019 NFL Mock Draft: Defensive line dominates as quarterbacks fall

By Randy Gurzi | Jan 14, 2019

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Quinnen Williams #92 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts against the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 30: Byron Murphy #1 of the Washington Huskies warms up before the Pac 12 Championship game against the Utah Utes at Levi’s Stadium on November 30, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

24. Oakland Raiders (via Chicago Bears): Byron Murphy, CB, Washington

A dominant edge rusher at No. 4 should help the Oakland Raiders defense improve. Josh Allen will come in and start right away, but it will take him some time to be considered a decent replacement for Khalil Mack ‚— which is the player they traded to the Chicago Bears in exchange for this pick (and another first-round selection in 2020).

They hoped the pick would have been much higher, but the defense of the Bears carried them into the playoffs. And had Cody Parkey hit his last-second field goal in the Wild Card Round, this pick would have been even later.

As it stands, the Raiders continue to do the best they can with the selections they have. This time, they add some help on the back end with Byron Murphy of Washington. It wasn’t too long ago they spent a day one pick on a corner in Gareon Conley, but head coach Jon Gruden hasn’t been too fond of the players he inherited so there’s a chance Murphy can become the No. 1 corner while they shop Conley in 2019.

Or maybe they can keep both and try to build one of the best corner duos in the AFC West. That may not be the worst idea with Kansas City and the Los Angeles Chargers on the schedule twice a season each.

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