NFL Draft: Top 10 four-stars drafted in 2019
The first 10 former four-stars selected over the weekend in the NFL Draft were picked in the first round. Here is a breakdown.
RELATED: Top 10 five-stars picked | SEC has most drafted players | First-round grades | Possible 2020 first-round picks
KYLER MURRAY - No. 1 to Arizona
The skinny: There were a lot of interesting storylines in Murray’s recruitment, but it boiled down to Texas and Texas A&M and the Aggies landed his commitment. After limited success in his freshman season, Murray transferred to Oklahoma, where he sat behind Baker Mayfield. He took over the offense this past season where he threw for 42 touchdowns and also rushed for 1,001 yards and 12 scores. Leading up to the draft, there were lots of rumors Arizona would take Murray No. 1 and that ended up happening, even before dealing starting QB Josh Rosen to Miami.
Farrell’s take: You can blame me for Murray not being a five-star as I just felt he was too small and I wasn’t blown away at Under Armour week. He was still ranked highly, but clearly he should have been a five star. The size issue at quarterback is becoming harder and harder to navigate. Congrats to the Sooners for developing him so well.
QUINNEN WILLIAMS - No. 3 to New York Jets
The skinny: A few weeks after his decommitment from Auburn, Williams made his pledge to Alabama in the summer before his senior season. He had visited with the Crimson Tide in the spring while still committed to Auburn. Widely viewed as a sure thing at the top of the draft, there was some discussion that Williams could be the No. 1 pick if Arizona decided against drafting Murray. He had 70 tackles (18.5 for loss), seven sacks and 12 quarterback hurries this past season.
Farrell’s take: Williams was a late evaluation and began to dominate late in the process especially at the Alabama-Mississippi All Star week. He was never considered a five-star in our meetings but perhaps if we had a few more evaluations, he might have been. I’m happy with his four-star ranking but he clearly played like a five.
CLELIN FERRELL - No. 4 to Oakland
The skinny: Clemson, South Carolina and Virginia Tech were the major players in Ferrell’s recruitment but the Tigers always seemed to have the edge and he made his commitment in the summer before his senior season. On a loaded defensive front where all four were drafted by the end of the fourth round - three going in the first round - Ferrell led the way this past season with 19.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. Still, Oakland selected Ferrell fourth overall was viewed as a surprise on draft night.
Farrell’s take: Ferrell was never considered a five star at any moment in our meetings as he was raw and wasn’t overly physical. However, we did have him ranked as a four star because of his upside and he got so much better in college it’s crazy to think about. No. 4 might be a reach for him when many felt he would be a late first rounder but when you watch the tape, it’s hard to argue.
DEVIN WHITE - No. 5 to Tampa Bay
The skinny: Ranked as a four-star fullback and No. 1 at his position, White committed to LSU over Arkansas, Ole Miss and Alabama in January of his senior year. The former four-star had a great showing at the combine, which built off him having 256 tackles the last two seasons with the Tigers. White’s biggest strength - his ability to fly all over the field and lay serious hits - might also be his biggest concern heading into the NFL: Can he play under control at the highest level and fill his role without being out of position?
Farrell’s take: White was a really hard evaluation because he started off as a running back, transitioned to linebacker but added too much weight and it really slowed him down in coverage. He was good on film and we put him at fullback because we felt he’d be used somehow on offense but he turned out to be a great linebacker after he trimmed down.
DEVIN BUSH - No. 10 to Pittsburgh
The skinny: In December of his senior season, Bush committed to Michigan over Florida State, Georgia, Auburn and others despite his father playing for the Seminoles. He tested incredibly well at the combine and analysts loved Bush’s ability to track the football and make plays as he finished with 161 tackles the last two seasons.
Farrell’s take: Bush was a four-star mainly because of a lack of size and length. He was a productive player in high school and had quick-twitch ability, but we worried about how he’d cover. That apparently wasn’t a worry at all as he had a great career at Michigan and Pittsburgh traded up 10 spots to get him.
DWAYNE HASKINS - No. 15 to Washington
The skinny: Haskins committed to Maryland in the spring before his senior season but still wanted to take visits. He saw Florida and Ohio State and eventually flipped his pledge to the Buckeyes. LSU was also involved. In 14 starts this past season, Haskins threw for 4,831 yards and 50 touchdowns. Some analysts had some concerns that the former four-star didn’t have a long resume in Columbus and others were shocked he didn’t go sixth to the New York Giants, who picked Duke’s Daniel Jones. There were reports that Redskins owner Daniel Snyder fell in love with Haskins during the pre-draft process and wanted him picked.
Farrell’s take: Haskins was a kid we kind of discovered at our DC Camp, where he won MVP before he had any offers. His invitation was based on a suggestion from the parent of another elite recruit who happened to be related to him. Then his recruiting blew up, he committed to Maryland, but Ohio State swooped in and stole him. He was ranked as our No. 100 player overall, so I never expected him to be a Heisman candidate, but that ranking isn’t horrible for a first round quarterback.
BRIAN BURNS - No. 16 to Carolina
The skinny: On National Signing Day, Burns picked Florida State over Florida, Georgia and others. He had taken a late official visit to Tallahassee that paid off. Considered one of the best athletes at defensive end in this draft, Burns was not discussed as much as some other elite linemen in this draft but he put up impressive numbers for the Seminoles last season with 10 sacks and three forced fumbles.
Farrell’s take: Burns was an elite pass rusher and great off the edge , but he was a bit skinny to be a five-star so we settled on him as a high four. We were concerned how he’d play the run, but he bulked up a bit and became a well-rounded player and added many attributes to his freaky athleticism.
MARQUISE BROWN - No. 25 to Baltimore
The skinny: Brown played his high school ball in Florida and then went to Santa Clarita (Calif.) College of the Canyons before picking Oklahoma over West Virginia with TCU, Tennessee, USC and others involved. The diminutive receiver finished with 75 receptions for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns this past season and he was one of the most electric players in college football. Brown’s size - he measured 5-foot-9 and 166 pounds at the combine - will remain a concern but coupled with QB Lamar Jackson in Baltimore could be fun to watch.
Farrell’s take: Brown was a small receiver coming out of JUCO, but his film was so impressive and he was so fast we looked past that and made him a four star. He couldn’t have picked a better school than Oklahoma were he got to catch passes from Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray. I’m a little surprised he ended up as a first rounder based on my first evaluation of him, but speed kills in the NFL and the Ravens wanted to add someone who could stretch the field.
JERRY TILLERY - No. 28 to Los Angeles Chargers
The skinny: During a weekend trip to Notre Dame following a 12-hour car ride to campus, Tillery committed to the Irish. Later on, his recruitment ramped back up as LSU tried to flip him leading up to signing day but he stuck with Notre Dame. In four seasons in South Bend, Tillery finished with 133 tackles, but his tackles for loss and sacks were much higher the last two seasons. Some analysts had a lower grade on Tillery - not putting him in the first round - because one concern was whether he had interests outside of football.
Farrell’s take: Tillery was an interesting kid because he worked out along the offensive line at many events and evals but we still saw him as an elite defensive tackle. He was so nice off the field but nasty on it and we loved his aggression. He worried more about how he did in interviews than how he did on the field because he knew he could easily compete with anyone.
KALEB MCGARY - No. 31 to Atlanta
The skinny: McGary waited out his recruitment leading right up to signing day, but in the end, he picked Washington over Wisconsin and many others. The Huskies recruited McGary as an “athlete” and it almost drove him to the Badgers since they had a clear plan for how they’d use him in the offense. In the end, though, McGary decided to stay close to home.
Farrell’s take: McGary was a tall and skinny offensive tackle in the mold of Mike McGlinchey. He came out the year after McGlinchey and was another one of those kids we saw as a potential first-rounder if they could fill out but didn’t pull the trigger on a high enough ranking because they had so much work to do in the weight room. Now 6-foot-8 and skinny linemen get our attention much more.