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NFL Draft 2019: 5 worst picks of the first round

By Rucker Haringey

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Daniel Jones of Duke poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen #6 overall by the New York Giants during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Daniel Jones of Duke poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen #6 overall by the New York Giants during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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FAYETTEVILLE, AR – NOVEMBER 18: Jeffery Simmons #94 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs walks off the field during a game againstf the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Bulldogs defeated the Razorbacks 28-21. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR – NOVEMBER 18: Jeffery Simmons #94 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs walks off the field during a game againstf the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Bulldogs defeated the Razorbacks 28-21. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

4. Jeffery Simmons to the Titans at No. 19

The idea of Simmons going to a playoff team at the end of the first round had the potential to be one of this draft’s best selections. The Titans had other plans. They chose to reach for the former Mississippi State star at No. 19 instead.

Over the long haul, this could turn into a great pick for Tennessee. Based on talent, Simmons might be one of the top five prospects in this class. Unfortunately, this pick isn’t that simple for Mike Vrabel and company.

Simmons has significant off the field issues related to an ugly incident involving a woman in high school. By all accounts the prospect answered questions from teams about that incident head on, but it’s still something that negatively impacted his draft status.

The bigger concern for the Titans is that Simmons might not play a single snap in 2019 because of a torn ACL he suffered back in February. It’s possible he can make it back for the second half of the season, but that’s far from a lock.

The Titans aren’t a team that can afford to make a first round pick that may not contribute anything during his rookie season. That’s a luxury that elite teams can enjoy. Tennessee aren’t anywhere close to that level. Simmons is a big-time talent, but the Titans are not the team that should have selected him in Round 1.

Mock Draft
ANN ARBOR, MI – SEPTEMBER 22: Rashan Gary #3 of the Michigan Wolverines rushes the quarterback behind the block of Brenden Jaimes #76 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers on September 22, 2018 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 56-10. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

3. Rashan Gary to the Packers at No. 12

Gary is a classic example of a player who continues to skate by based on his physical attributes. He truly has some outstanding measurables, but nothing about his collegiate career at Michigan suggests he’s going to be a big time player in the NFL.

In fairness to Gary, he was misused as a defensive tackle by the Wolverines for a large percentage of his time in Ann Arbor. It’s reasonable to assume his technique and play will improve on the edge once he’s able to focus his efforts there full-time. That’s not the sort of risk you should be making with the No. 12 overall pick.

Many teams also had concerns about Gary’s recovery from a labrum injury heading into his professional career. It’s safe to assume the Packers were comfortable with his medicals, but it’s something their front office could have used to move down the board and scoop Gary up with a later selection.

For a team that needs to go all-in to help Aaron Rodgers succeed next season, taking Gary with their highest first round pick was just too large of a gamble to sanction. It’s possible he can find a way to harness all of his talent in Green Bay, but it’s much more likely that he turns into just another edge rusher at the pro level.

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