NFL 2020 Mock Draft
The annual NFL Scouting Combine begins February 27th, and NFL Free Agency starts just a couple weeks after that. I am not exaggerating when I say that this is the best time of the year. This is just a mock draft trying to place prospects with teams that be mutually beneficial and would make for some fun, winning football.
- Cincinnati Bengals — Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
It would take something monumental for this not to happen. Whether A.J. Green will be a Bengal next season remains to be seen, but with last year’s first round pick Jonah Williams coming back from injury and with Tyler Boyd and Joe Mixon as established weapons, there’s definitely something to be excited about here.
2. Washington Redskins — Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
This pick will be debated more heavily as people have time to try and poke holes and debate need. But before all of that nonsense, Young is by far the best at his position and the best overall player in the class. Ron Rivera won’t miss this opportunity
3. Detroit Lions — Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State
They can stack picks if they want to, but with Darius Slay’s time in Motown seemingly coming to an end, you have to think Okudah is going to be the pick regardless. Corners are incredibly hard to find and are never really a sure thing, but he is the most complete in a deep class and ready to step in next to, or in lieu of Slay.
4. New York Giants — Jedrick Willis, OT, Alabama
When you combine a roster in need of talent, and a plethora of prospects to fill those needs, and filter that through the mind of Dave Gettlemen.. I honestly don’t know what will come out. So I’m going to guess they go with Willis to protect their young QB. Can’t go wrong there.
5. Miami Dolphins — Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
The draft order will most definitely change, and it may be likely the Dolphins will have to trade up to grab Tua. Either way, as long as his hip is fine, Tagovailoa is the next franchise QB of the Dolphins. A mature leader, comfortable in the pocket, intelligent and can deliver with accuracy.
6. Los Angeles Chargers — Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
The Chargers will have some tough decisions to make. They can try and address this need via trade or free agency. They can even give Tyrod Taylor or Easton Stick a shot. But with an opportunity to draft a potential franchise quarterback here they shouldn’t hesitate. With plenty of arm to make the big throws, Herbert may transition nicely to Los Angeles as long as they can keep him upright.
7. Carolina Panthers — Derrick Brown, IDL, Auburn
Like most teams picking this high the Panthers can do almost anything and improve their roster. A trade up for a QB is definitely possible, or taking a tackle here would help as well. But for now, Brown is as complete as you can get at his position and brings instant impact and blue-chip talent to Carolina.
8. Arizona Cardinals — CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
I usually like to think that teams will go with a tackle to protect their young quarterback. But with the signing of D.J. Humphries to a three-year deal, you have the feeling they will look to add a new weapon for Kyler. Lamb has leap-frogged Jeudy as the favorite to be the first receiver off the board and the Cardinals would be the perfect situation for him. Great hands, great after the catch, impact day one, everything you expect from a top-10 pick, he can provide.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars — Isiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
The Jaguars need help at every level of the defense. And Simmons has the unique ability to be a blue-chip talent at two of them. Safety, corner, linebacker, wherever you need him you can plug him in and get range, speed, instincts and coverage ability, which Jacksonville desperately needs if they have any hope of getting back to where they were a couple years ago.
10. Cleveland Browns — Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what the Brown’s were missing this season. Crowned off-season winners last year, they failed to meet any of the expectations set for them. The most obvious place to start though, is with the trenches. Becton’s stock shot up and the massive 6’7 370 lbs monster of a left tackle deserves it. He is not only strong, as you would expect, but is fluid and aggressive in the run and pass game. He has all the makings of a dominant tackle.
11. New York Jets — Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
The Jets, like the Browns, will take advantage of one of the top ranked tackles in the class. The Jets need help on the offensive line any place they can get it, and Wirfs has the potential to be a starting tackle, but also could kick into guard. Either way the Jets are grabbing a top-tier talent with all the makings of a consistent starter in the trenches.
12. Las Vegas Raiders — Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
I hate typing “Las Vegas Raiders”. But I love them adding Jerry Jeudy as their first pick in the new city. Jeudy has all the things the Raiders need right now at receiver. A damn near perfect route runner, ability after the catch and agility. As long as he can find consistency with his hands he is a game changer for Las Vegas, and hopefully can develop into what they originally hoped Amari Cooper would.
13. Indianapolis Colts — Javon Kinlaw, IDL, South Carolina
I am under the assumption that Phillip Rivers will be the next starting quarterback of the Colts. If that’s the case, the Colts get an opportunity to draft a disruptive force in the middle. No one impressed more than Kinlaw at the Senior Bowl, and his first-step and absolute power make him the perfect player to plug into the middle of their defensive line.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
I always find myself wanting to give Tampa a player in the secondary. It just always seems right. But here, they take the last of the top ranked tackles on the board in Thomas. With Thomas you’re immediately getting someone who plays with a lot of power and experience and the potential to develop into a quality starting tackle.
15. Denver Broncos — Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
This is the ideal fit for the Broncos. With Courtland Sutton emerging it’s only right to add a player that brings a different skill set and size to the receiving core. Ruggs is blazing fast, has sure hands and the ability to stretch the field and manipulate the safeties. He is too good and too exciting for Denver to pass up.
16. Atlanta Falcons — K’lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
This is a high upside pick for the Falcons. With Vic Beasley Jr.’s time in Atlanta coming to an end, they need to fill that pass-rusher role and Chaisson offers a lot. The ACL injury may be a concern to some, but you can’t deny that explosiveness and passion he plays with. With him it’s not just the motor, he has legit bend, heavy hands, long arms and so many other tools that make him the most exciting player coming out of that LSU defense.
17. Dallas Cowboys — Xavier Mckinney, S, Alabama
Yes, Mckinney over Delpit. At this point I think Mckinney can give the Cowboys a versatile and consistent defender with a high IQ at a position of need. He is serviceable in man and zone coverage, can blitz, a consistent tackler and an all-around good defender.
18. Miami Dolphins — A.J. Epenesa — EDGE, Iowa
In the words of Mike Daniels, “Iowa knows how to build lineman.” Epenesa isn’t the most explosive or lateral defender, but is an A+ run defender with tons of power to overwhelm his opponents. At 6’6 280lbs he can give the Dolphins some versatility and can move him around as they see fit. A good value pick for Miami at a position of need.
19. Las Vegas Raiders — Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
Gladney might not have all the length some other prospects in this class have. But he is versatile in both man and zone coverage, and plays with an edge that will appeal greatly to the Raiders. He is more than willing in the run game and has the attitude and personality that they would like to pair in the secondary with Johnathan Abram.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars — Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
A potential ace in man coverage, Fulton is an exciting prospect for the Jaguars, especially in the same class as Simmons. After trading away Jalen Ramsey, Jacksonville needs to find a way to bring in a difference maker at corner, and Fulton is just that.
21. Philadelphia Eagles — Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
Nope, not a receiver or a corner. The Birds parted ways with Nigel Bradham leaving a hole in their defense. Queen would be a great prospect to plug in and let loose. He’s got great sideline-to-sideline speed and plays smart enough to make up for his lack of size or strength and beat blockers that might otherwise be able to overpower him. His talent in zone coverage should also make it hard for the Eagles to pass on him.
22. Buffalo Bills — Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado
When it comes to explosiveness after the catch Shenault Jr. is maybe as good as it gets in this draft. He didn’t have all the production that some other prospects had, and missed time due to an injury, but his hands are there, and has all the potential in the world with the ball in his hands. Josh Allen and the Bills get a fun new target to play with and annoy the NFC East with.
23. New England Patriots — Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama
This is the part of the draft where it feels like teams will be looking to prioritize need rather than upside or potential. Lewis is a bit more of a raw prospect, but he has the tools to develop into a quality edge defender. As long as he can put his injuries behind him and get consistent reps and snaps, he should be able to fill a need for the Patriots defense.
24. New Orleans Saints — Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Jefferson has good size and all the ability right now to step in and contribute in exactly the way New Orleans would need him to. The Saints won’t be asking him to become WR1 or take on any of that responsibility. That lies firmly in the able hands of Michael Thomas. Jefferson has great hands himself, is fearless going over the middle and can make contested catches out of the slot right away. Overall he fits right in.
25. Minnesota Vikings — C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
Another late first round corner for the Vikings. The team has some other needs on the offensive and defensive line, but Henderson is a high upside corner with good ball skills and the potential to be a number one corner for them. After Xavier Rhodes disappointing season the Vikings need to address the position ASAP.
26. Miami Dolphins — J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
Dobbins is my favorite runner to watch in this class. There are other enticing options with De’andre Swift and Johnathan Taylor on the board, but Dobbins is a high floor back with great vision. The Dolphins need someone they can rely on to run the ball, and while they need to work on the offensive line as well, they won’t have to worry about whose running behind them with Dobbins.
27. Seattle Seahawks — Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
With Metcalf and Lockett combined for 15 touchdowns over 1900 yards, it may seem strange to have Seattle taking a receiver round one. But adding Aiyuk to that room gives them a diverse cast of weapons for Wilson to use at his disposal. He is is explosive and twitchy and looks like a nightmare to play against.
28. Baltimore Ravens — Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
Murray fills a need for the Ravens and gives them a rangy explosive player with high upside on the second level of the defense. If nothing else he will be able to provide that, but will hopefully be able to develop his skill in coverage and become a three down linebacker for Baltimore.
29. Tennessee Titans — Neville Gallimore, IDL, Oklahoma
Gallimore was another player who got some more recognition after the senior bowl. He is quick and strong and a handful for offensive linemen. The Titans need to be able to put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks and Gallimore can come in, even if it’s in a limited role at first, and help with that.
30. Green Bay Packers — Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
There is about a 500 yard drop off between Devante Adams and the next receiver on the roster. That needs to change ASAP. Reagor is a different type of receiver than Adams that can play out wide or in the slot. He is a good route runner, has elite speed and good enough hands to be a difference maker for the green and yellow.
31. San Francisco 49ers — Cesar Ruiz, IOL, Michigan
I really wanted to give them Grant Delpit. Him in that defense would be so fun to watch. But instead I have them taking Ruiz. In the Super Bowl Chris Jones did whatever he wanted and they struggled to slow him down. If and when Jimmy Garrapolo has to drop back, the last place he needs pressure is in front of him. Stabilizing the middle of the offensive line is a long-term investment for a team capable of long-term success.
32. Kansas City Chiefs — Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Big and physical. Diggs is an exciting player because he still has a lot of room to grow, especially in man coverage. For Kansas City, he could probably start week one, and give them a long athlete with the ability to make plays for that secondary.