Top Pac-12 2019 NFL Draft prospects: Washington’s Byron Murphy and Taylor Rapp first round candidates

1. Byron Murphy So. CB Washington - The Pac-12 Championship Game MVP was one of the nation’s highest-graded corners and is an athletic freak to boot. What sets Murphy apart is his physicality as a corner who isn’t afraid to put a big hit on a receiver. He could go as high as the Top 10.
2. Taylor Rapp Jr. S Washington - Everyone got to see how valuable Rapp was to a defense in the Rose Bowl as Ohio State racked up yardage and touchdowns through the air in a way no team has been able to against Washington the past three seasons. He can make plays at the line of scrimmage and against deep balls and isn’t afraid to hit someone. Should be off the board late-first round or early-second.
3. N’Keal Harry Jr. WR Arizona State - Harry seems like a Top 10 pick to me, but the mock drafts I trust don’t have him that high. He seems like a late-first, maybe very early-second round prospect in my opinion and has the potential to be a franchise wide receiver.
4. J.J. Arcega-Whiteside Sr. WR Stanford - A huge receiver who is amazing when the ball is in the air who can come down with the pass and keep his balance to get yards after the catch. He could get snagged at the end of the first or early in the second.
5. Andre Dillard Sr. T Washington State - Tackles who can pass block like Dillard are super valuable in the NFL. He could sneak into the back of the first round if he is good enough at the combine.
6. Jalen Jelks Sr. DE Oregon - 6’6 guys who can come off the edge the way Jelks can don’t last long in the draft. He should go somewhere in the second round.
7. Caleb Wilson Jr. TE UCLA - One of the best pure pass catching tight ends in this draft. He has the skills and polish to make an impact right away in the passing game and should be a second or third round pick because of it.
8. Cameron Smith Sr. LB USC - Smith seemed like he was at USC forever and now is finally heading off to the next level as a 6’2 250 inside backer with the size to make an impact at the next level. Should come off the board in the second or first round.
9. Kaleb McGary Sr. T Washington - The 6’8 prospect has crazy athleticism for his size and should be one of the top right tackle prospects in the draft. The fact that he’s a right tackle probably knocks him down to the third, but he could get into the second with a great combine showing.
10. Andre James Jr. T UCLA - Another tackle prospect with great athleticism. He doesn’t have the proven pedigree that players like Dillard and McGary have, but hi ceiling might be even higher than there’s and it could push him into the third round.
11. Myles Gaskin Sr. RB Washington - Gaskin is only 5’10 195, but he’s proven so much in college and has the power of a 215-pound back and the speed of a breakaway runner. He seems to be a low-ceiling but low-floor player who should go in the third or fourth round.
12. Bryce Love Sr. RB Stanford - Love was near the top of this list this time last year, but came back for a disaster of a senior year and could fall all the way to the fourth round after suffering an ACL injury.

Others on the board

Kaden Smith Jr. TE Stanford

Greg Gaines Sr. DT Washington

Nate Herbig Jr. G Stanford

Ben Burr-Kirven Sr. LB Washington

Gardner Minshew Sr. QB Washington State