The 7 worst value picks from the 2019 NFL Draft

Jordan Heck

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The 7 worst value picks from the 2019 NFL Draft image

Not every selection in the 2019 NFL Draft is going to be loved and adored by fans or analysts. Some picks left us scratching our heads and saying, "Really?"

We're going to be taking a look at some of those picks, most of which were the first round. After all, when you're talking about value, you really don't want to mess up early. Teams covet first-round draft picks as trading options, so if you screw up, it can set your franchise back a long time.

But picks in the later rounds can be just as damaging as well. So we're going to look over the entire draft and list some of the worst selections. These are in no particular order.

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Daniel Jones — No. 6 overall, Giants

Jones is probably the most controversial pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Part of that is because he was selected to a New York team, but it really was a shocking moment as some experts had Jones rated as low as a third-round grade. 

Giants GM Dave Gettleman defended the selection, saying, "I know for a fact there were two teams that would've taken him in front of 17." Those two teams, per SNY, were the Redskins and Broncos. Both teams did select a QB, but 9News in Denver reports the Broncos were sold on Drew Lock the entire time.

Most experts viewed Jones as someone who was going to fall out of the first round, so the fact he went sixth overall really illustrates why this pick was scrutinized so much. 

MORE: Redskins turn up pressure on Giants with Dwayne Haskins pick

Matt Gay — No. 145 overall, Buccaneers

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A kicker?!?!?!

This is the second time in the past four drafts the Bucs have spent a selection on a kicker. If you're wondering what happened to the last one and why they're selecting another kicker so soon, it's because the previous pick didn't work out. Roberto Aguayo went 22-of-31 for Tampa Bay before being released. He hasn't kicked in the NFL since.

So why would this franchise, which is in need of help in many other areas, take another kicker? In the fifth round, no less. 

"Kicker's a very important position," Bucs GM Jason Licht explained after the draft. "It's one of the most important positions on the team. Right now, we have a coach that really believes in kickers and the importance of it, (he) stresses it."

The Bucs may believe it's the right pick, but it sure doesn't feel like it.

MORE: Complete 2019 NFL Draft results for all 254 picks

Quincy Williams — No. 98 overall, Jaguars

It's pretty rare to select a player in the third round that most draft analysts didn't even do research on.

“I did 400 guys, [Charles Davis]. 400 players I worked on. Quincy was not one of the guys that I did,” NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah said on air.

Quincy Williams is the brother of Quinnen Williams, who was the draft's third overall pick. But Quincy had much fewer accolades than his brother. The Murray State linebacker wasn't invited to the NFL Combine, and his college didn't even hold a pro day.

The Athletic's Arif Hasan said of the pick, "Murray State safety Quincy Williams is the first pick this year that wasn't on the top 300 of the consensus board. He's actually not in the top 730, at which point I stopped gathering players."

NFL Network didn't have video prepared or a simple stat sheet prepared for Williams because no one really viewed him as a top prospect.

Tytus Howard — No. 23 overall, Texans

Similar to Williams, Howard comes from a small school: FCS Alabama State. He was a surprise pick to many as he's a pretty raw talent at offensive line. He played quarterback in high school before switching to tight end in college. Then, a new coach came along and moved him to offensive line.

He's extremely athletic, but he still needs to develop. He could grow in to being a star player, but the Texans need help at offensive line now and Howard may not be able to help until later in his career.

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Clelin Ferrell — No. 4 overall, Raiders

NFL Draft analysts had Ferrell as a first-round draft pick, but not many expected him to go in the top five. They didn't even expect him to go in the top 10. He was closer to being selected near Oakland's 24th selection rather than its fourth. 

Long-time NFL Draft scout Gil Brandt said, "I had Clelin Ferrell as my 18th-ranked prospect in this draft. For the Raiders' sake, I hope I was wrong." 

Many were surprised Ferrell went ahead of other guys such as Josh Allen. But new GM Mike Mayock defended the selection saying, "There were flashier players, players that other teams may have had higher on their board. On our board, it was him and (Nick) Bosa, right next to each other."

This isn't the worst selection, but it feels like Oakland could have traded down a little and still got their guy.

MORE: Raiders surprise with Clelin Ferrell pick but execute smart draft plan

Ben Banogu — No. 49 overall, Colts

The Colts' draft was full of high-ceiling athletes, but Banogu stands out more because he was a second-round selection. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein projected him more into rounds 4-5.

"Edge player with good athleticism, who could struggle to translate to the next level unless he diversifies his approach as a rusher," Zierlein writes about Banogu. "His quickness created opportunities with inside moves and twists in college, but NFL tackles will shut and lock that interior door on him until he proves he can threaten them around the corner."

The Colts also made a surprise selection with E.J. Speed in Round 5. The fifth-round linebacker from Tarleton State didn't even get an NFL Draft preview writeup from Zierlein. But at that point in the draft, it's worth taking risks.

MORE: Browns big winners at 2019 NFL Draft

Sione Takitaki — No. 80 overall, Browns

The linebacker from BYU had a great story about being drafted, but this was a pretty surprising selection from Cleveland. After a great value pick in Greedy Williams, the Browns followed with a questionable selection of Takitaki in the third round.

"He has deficiencies that muddy his fit at all three linebacker spots, but his playing style is tailor-made for special teams which could be his ticket into a backup linebacker spot at the back-end of a roster," Zierlein writes. Zierlein had Takitaki projected as a seventh-round draft pick, or even an undrafted free agent.

Takitaki has a lot of great qualities, but it felt like a reach for him to go as early as he did. 

Jordan Heck

Jordan Heck Photo

Jordan Heck is a Social Media Producer at Sporting News. Before working here, he was a Digital Content Producer at The Indianapolis Star. He graduated with a degree from Indiana University.