First round might fit in a few surprise names
For all of the months of evaluation and prognostication from teams and media, the NFL draft always lends itself to a few surprises in the first round.
Marquee names command the spotlight in the early going, but it’s commonplace for an unexpected name to emerge, usually from the late teens to the end of the night. Perhaps one of the best examples came last year, when the Steelers puzzled many by selecting safety Terrell Edmunds at No. 28.
The 2019 draft could similarly give way to a few surprises when it begins Thursday. Five players who could turn heads as first-round picks:
❚ Juan Thornhill, S, Virginia: Could he be this year’s version of Edmunds? Thornhill wouldn’t be crashing the first round from as far off the radar his former Virginia Tech rival did, but he’s nowhere near as celebrated as Minkah Fitzpatrick and Derwin James were.
While rankings for this year’s group of safeties might vary wildly depending on what skills and traits one prizes at the position, Thornhill thrives in two roles that will make him particularly prized: as a single-high defender patrolling deep or in the slot against quicker receivers. That versatility should make him appealing, particularly for the Seahawks (who own the No. 21 and 29 picks after trading Frank Clark to the Chiefs), Eagles and Packers.
❚ Darnell Savage, S, Maryland: Florida’s Chauncey Gardner-Johnson also belongs in this conversation as a quick-twitch defensive back with rapid recognition, but Savage seems to have been on the rise since the combine, where he measured in larger (5-10, 198) than many anticipated. His biggest selling point, however, is his ability to erase cushions with his dynamic closing speed (4.36-second 40-yard dash).
Tempering his aggressive nature will be a challenge in the NFL, and he could run into trouble if he finds himself trying to cover bigger receivers downfield on jump balls. But with the continually growing need for nickel package defenders, Savage should carve out a role locking things down in the short area.
❚ Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio State: It’s hard to find a first-round lock anywhere in this muddled wide receiver group, but this class could mirror that of 2008, when no players at the position were selected on the opening day but 10 were chosen in the next 27 selections. Beyond DK Metcalf and A.J. Brown of Mississippi and Marquise Brown of Oklahoma, Campbell might be the outside threat with the best chance of getting a call on Day 1.
Even though the 6-0, 205-pound former running back is somewhat of an unknown entity as a downfield target, there’s no questioning his ability to pull away from defenders with his speed (4.31-second 40). His significant upside on deep throws and run-after-the-catch opportunities could make him a draw for the Ravens, Seahawks or Patriots.
❚ Chris Lindstrom, G, Boston College: Through much of the pre-draft process, North Carolina State center Garrett Bradbury was projected by many to be the first and possibly only interior lineman taken in the first round. Lindstrom, however, now looks to be firmly in that same mix.
Smooth both in space as a pass protector and on the move in the run game, Lindstrom is best suited for a zone blocking scheme that emphasizes his lateral footwork. He might find that fit toward the tail end of Thursday’s order, as the Raiders, Packers and Rams might be in line for an upgrade at left guard.
❚ Erik McCoy, C, Texas A&M: If Bradbury is the center for a new school approach to pivot, McCoy is more of a throwback pivot who makes his mark anchoring rather than pulling. Having proved himself against some of the Southeastern Conference’s best defensive tackles, some of whom will end up in the first round, he looks ready to take on a wave of athletic NFL defenders.
In his final mock draft, USA TODAY’s Nate Davis projected McCoy to remain in state as the Texans’ firstround pick, and he could provide relief for a front that surrendered a league-high 62 sacks last year.