NFL Draft 2020: What if vs What will

The NFL 2020 draft has the potential to change the NFL landscape for years to come. An elite corps of receivers, franchise quarterbacks, plug and play blindside protectors and playmakers all over the field.

Every man and his dog that follows the NFL no doubt have tried to anticipate what the teams will do, so now it’s my turn. But I will approach this from two angles:

What will — who I think they will actually take

What if — who I would pick if I was in control of the franchise.

This draft is particularly hard to pick as for the first time in many years there are two clear cut starting quarterbacks still available and three teams with top 6 selections have dire need at quarterback. So this mock draft will be done as if rosters are current (so Jameis Winston and Cam Newton remain unsigned) for the record I believe one will be a charger and the other a patriot.

Pick 1) Cincinnati Bengals

What will — Joe Burrow - Quarterback:

The homegrown talent playing for the home team, it’s really a no brainer. He may not have the upside that Tua Tagovialou has and he relatively burst into the scene as a one year wonder but he provides the safe option to a team that needs to look to the future. Plus I feel Dalton will be a great mentor to Burrow as they are a closer comparison then Dalton and Tua. He should have a great future in the offense with Mixon, Tyler Boyd and a few years of AJ Green.

What if - Joe Burrow - Quarterback

Pick 2) Washington Redskins

What will — Chase Young - Defensive End:

I think the hype around this guy is well deserved as he brings a lot to the table as a game-changing defensive wrecking ball that can get after the quarterback. He will form a scary tandem with Ryan Kerrigan and help pressure the quarterback to aid the average secondary. Young is a generational talent

What if — Andrew Thomas- OT:

I feel Thomas is a better choice with the ongoing situation regarding Trent Williams, and Washington aren’t going to be great this year and could be in the box seat to land one of the marquee quarterbacks in the 2021 draft in Trevor Lawrence or Justin Fields.

This draft has great options at both tackle positions and Thomas is the best prospect for the blindside. Plus he will go some way to keeping Haskins or Alex Smith upright in 2020.

Pick 3) Detroit Lions

What will - Jeff Okudah - Cornerback:

This selection is one of the easiest to pick as he instantly steps in as a starting Cornerback, taking up the spot of Darius Slay. Big, physical and is far and away is the best corner in the class. With Okudah in the defensive backfield, it takes some pressure away from the pass rush

What if - Isaiah Simmonds - DE/LB:

I thought long and hard about chase young and Okudah here but I love the versatility that Simmonds brings, he can play anywhere in the defense and he is a weapon that needs to be given free rein. The reality is that Okudah, Simmonds and young are all correct choices.

Pick 4) New York Giants

What will — Mekhi Becton - OT:

I think this is hard to pick as the Giants need defense just as much as the offensive line but Becton could be an absolute monster at LT for the Giants. He excels getting to the second level and should open up a ton of room for Saquon Barkley

What if — Chase Young -Defensive End:

The Giants pass rush is nonexistent and I would change that with the best pass rusher in the draft. Young would cause havoc and they can address their line later in the draft, or the prospect of working with a generational running back might be a big drawcard for linemen.

Pick 5) Miami Dolphins:

What will — Tua Tagovialou -QB:

I think this is the pick they need to make BUT despite his unquestionable talent he has had some major injuries already. I wouldn’t play him straight away but his upside is a lot higher than any other quarterback in this draft. If I was Miami I’d definitely upgrade that offensive line before turning the southpaw loose.

What if — Tua Tagovialou -QB

Pick 6) LA Chargers

What will — Justin Herbert- QB:

I think we see back to back Quarterbacks go here as they have just Tyrod Taylor after letting Rivers go, and while Tyrod can command an offense I’m not sure of him as a franchise quarterback. So they make the move with the cannon arm of Justin Herbert.

I think their hands are tied as if they don’t go quarterback here I feel they won’t have a shot at Fields or Lawrence next year as they are too good.

What if — Justin Herbert -QB

Pick 7) Panthers

What will — Isaiah Simmonds - LB/DE:

Carolina gets an absolute steal here and takes a plug and play replacement for the retired warrior Luke Kuechly. Like mentioned he can play all over the defense and they need an overhaul.

What if - Derrick Brown —DT :

The best defensive tackle in the draft will be an absolute game-changer, should be counted on as an interior havoc maker (hopefully in the mold of Aaron Donald or Deforest Buckner) An absolute steal if he falls this far but the Panthers would be happy with either defender.

Pick 8) Arizona Cardinals

What will — Derrick Brown - DT:

Like stated Brown will be a weapon on the defensive line, casting back memories to Cardinals fans of Darnell Dockett. They have a great offense now they just need to get some pressure from the defensive side of the ball.

What if - CJ Henderson — CB:

The Cardinals were horrible defending the pass and Henderson will help immensely. Admittedly this could be considered a reach but he has great skills to be a starting corner from the first snap. Great size-speed combination.

Pick 9) Jacksonville

What will - CJ Henderson - CB:

They basically need to take a corner after recently losing both of their elite cornerbacks in AJ Bouye and Jalen Ramsey. Henderson will step straight in and be very good for the jaguars.

What if — Javon Kinlaw — DT:

The second great DT prospect comes off here and should be a great piece to the Jaguar’s defense as they begin to rebuild their formidable foundation. I think he will be better than Brown over his career.

Pick 10) Cleveland Browns

What will- Tristan Wirfs — OT/G:

Cleveland is very solid in the interior of the line but they need a big upgrade over Greg Robinson at LT and although Thomas is arguably the more polished prospect I feel Cleveland will fall in love with the big numbers Wirfs put up at the combine. So he may have to play out of position here but he could possibly thrive. He might be a steal here but he could have growing pains.

What if — Mekhi Becton — OT:

A massive guy at 6’7 340lbs he is a true Left tackle prospect that fits the offensive line better then Wirfs. I feel Becton will be better prepared and may be a better compliment to the Browns run game. The only downside is that Baker Mayfield may struggle with having such a massive LT due to being on the small side for a quarterback.

Three trades I wouldn't be surprised to see:

Dallas trades #10 to the Colts for #34, a 4th round pick and a 2021 1st round pick for the colts to draft Jerry Jeudy

Miami trades #5 and #18 to the Redskins for #2 to draft Tua Tagovialou

Houston Texans trade 2021 1st round selection and #57 to Baltimore for #28 and draft Laviska Shennault