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2019 NFL Draft: 10 best players available after Round 1

By Kevin Parvizi

GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 10: Florida Gators offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor (65) lines up for a play during the game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Florida Gators on November 10, 2018 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field in Gainesville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 10: Florida Gators offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor (65) lines up for a play during the game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Florida Gators on November 10, 2018 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field in Gainesville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 02: Alabama linebacker Mack Wilson answers questions from the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on March 2, 2019 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 02: Alabama linebacker Mack Wilson answers questions from the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on March 2, 2019 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Alabama LB Mack Wilson

Devin White and Devin Bush were top 10 picks in the 2019 NFL Draft, and Mack Wilson is right behind them as the third best off-ball linebacker in the class. Wilson, in the eyes of one scout, shouldn’t have declared for the draft this year, yet despite some of the concerns about his athletic ability, he’s still highly valued because of the lack of depth at the position in this class.

Wilson, compared to White and Bush, isn’t much of a pass defender, but he’s a devastating tackler who can make a real impact against the run. There’s still value in a consistent, high-floor run-stopping linebacker like Wilson, even if he doesn’t have enough three-down ability to be a highly prized pick; hence why he fell to the second round.

Last season, Wilson recorded 65 tackles, one sack, two interceptions, five passes defended, and 4.5 tackles for loss. He didn’t have the best numbers, but he was a solid cog in Alabama’s stalwart defense. Wilson should be able to carve out a nice career for himself in the NFL, and there should be a handful of teams looking to grab a “safe” prospect in the second round. Despite criticisms of his athleticism and development as a junior, Wilson has above-average recognition skills and plays with the type of aggressiveness at the linebacker position that fans will love.

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