Mel Kiper Jr. breaks down whom he is watching atop the 2019 NFL draft. (0:59)

Let's start by emphasizing the first part of the headline above: way-too-early. There's a reason we use that terminology for this piece. I have not studied tape on most of these players, so Mitch Leidners do happen.

A few more important notes before we launch into my 2019 way-too-early mock draft:

Most of my evaluations below came from what I've been able to see watching players in person or on TV. I start watching tape next week, so we still have a ton of work to do on everyone in the 2019 class.

Last year, 12 players who were featured in my way-too-early mock draft ended up going in the 2018 first round. As we saw with Maurice Hurst, injuries or medical issues are impossible to predict and can affect draft stock.

I didn't decide on the draft order. It was generated by Football Outsiders, using its early projected records for the 2018 season.

Underclassmen are noted with an asterisk.

Ed Oliver, DT, Houston*

A force on the inside, Oliver (listed at 6-foot-3, 290 pounds) is immensely talented. He has a ridiculous 38.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks in his first two seasons.