2020 Mock Draft April 2nd

     With just about every other sporting league on pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fortunately for us. the fans, the NFL offseason has still remained in full-swing. After an exciting free agency period that reshaped the league landscape. it's time to turn our focus to the 2020 NFL draft, which begins in 3 weeks. While the draft will not be open to the public, the show must still go on!

     As a recap, I'd like to quickly list teams that own multiple first round picks and teams that do not own a first round pick. As for teams that own multiple, Jacksonville, Las Vegas (formerly Oakland), Minnesota, and San Francisco each own 2 picks and the Miami Dolphins own 3 (their own, Pittsburgh's, and Houston's). Meanwhile the teams that do not currently own a first round draft pick this year are Buffalo (sent to Minnesota in the Stefon Diggs deal), Chicago (sent to Las Vegas in the Khalil Mack deal), Houston (sent to Miami for multiple players), Indianapolis (sent to San Francisco in the DeForrest Buckner deal), Los Angeles Rams (sent to Jacksonville in the Jalen Ramsey deal), and Pittsburgh (sent to Miami in the Minkah Fitzpatrick deal).

     With rebuilding teams looking to expedite the process through the draft and contending teams looking to make championship pushes, we will predict the 32 picks of the first round of the 2020 NFL draft. As a disclaimer, there is no trading of picks in this prediction, everyone will pick where they are slated currently (even though it never works out that way on draft day). Let the mock begin!

#1. Cincinatti Bengals: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

The first overall pick has been a no-brainer since New Years. Cincinatti has a dire need at quarterback and Burrow had one of the best collegiate seasons seen in a very long time, capped with a National Championship and Heisman Trophy. I'm sure there will be buzz about other QB-needy teams aggressively trying to trade up but I would be shocked if Cincinatti does not stick and take the draft's hottest prospect.




#2. Washington Redskins: Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State

Washington took Dwayne Haskins in last year's draft with the intent of making him their QB of the future. He did struggle in year 1, but I don't think to the point where Washington would give up on him just yet. They could entertain trading back to a QB-needy team but I think they stick at 2 and take the draft's best defensive player. Young seems like a sure fire home run who can be a dominant edge rusher for years to come.


#3. Detroit Lions: Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State

The Lions traded Darius Slay away to the Eagles in free agency and thus have a need for a franchise quality cover-corner. Okudah is one of the best corner prospects of the past 5 years with great size, speed, and physicality who can immediately slide into a starting role.





#4. New York Giants: Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson

The Giants need offensive lineman to protect last year's first round pick Daniel Jones, but they also need impact defenders. What Simmons brings to the table might just be too good for the Giants to pass up. Simmons can play all 3 linebacker spots, can play in coverage, and can rush the quarterback. The Giants need all of the above, so selecting the most versatile defensive player of the class makes perfect sense.




#5. Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagavailoa, QB, Alabama

Even with a hip injury that ended Tua's college career prematurely, he is still the 2nd most coveted QB in this class. He has a rocket of an arm and great mobility and has played well in big moments. Miami definitely wants him and may even trade up to get him to ensure other teams don't trade ahead of them.




#6. Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon

The Chargers made the tough decision to move on from Phillip Rivers, who has served as their QB since 2004. It is now time to find his successor. With Burrow, and Tua off the board, Herbert is the next best option at the position. A 4 year starter from the west-coast, Herbert brings experience, leadership, and the necessary physical attributes like size and arm strength to be a franchise QB.



#7. Carolina Panthers: Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn

The Panthers need help in the defensive front and Brown is a run-stuffing stud who can immediately aid Carolina's poor run-defense. Brown is the best interior defensive lineman in the class and the best defensive player still on the board with Young, Okudah, and Simmons already selected.






#8. Arizona Cardinals: Mekhi Becton, OL, Louisville

This offseason, the Cardinals needed to focus on giving Kyler Murray weapons and also protecting him in the pocket. They addressed the first issue by trading for DeAndre Hopkins, an elite wide receiver. Now they can focus on the latter. There's 4 offensive lineman who all rank very close to one another, but my guess is Becton goes first due to his massive size (6'7, 370 pounds).



#9. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jedrick Wills, OL, Alabama

What Jacksonville decides to do is a total shot in the dark. They could bolster their defense, they could bring in another QB to compete with Gardner Minshew in case that experiment does not work out, or they could fortify the offensive line. With many of the best defensive and QB prospects off the board, the Jags go with option 3 and take an elite prospect who is great at run blocking and can develop into a great pass protector as well.


#10. Cleveland Browns: Tristan Wirfs, OL, Iowa

The run on offensive lineman continues as the Browns are desperate to protect Baker Mayfield. They greatly helped their offensive line in free agency by adding Jack Conklin but they need to stabilize the other side as well. Wirfs was one of the stars of the NFL combine and could be a great compliment to Conklin in Cleveland.




#11. New York Jets: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama

The Jets also need offensive line help like the three teams ahead of them, but they also need true pass catchers to help QB Sam Darnold continue his development. The first receiver off the board could be Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb, or Henry Ruggs III. Ultimately the Jets choose Jeudy, who is an excellent route-runner with great hands, speed, size, and physicality who can stretch the field and be a true #1 receiver in the Jets offense.



#12. Las Vegas Raiders: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma

The Antonio Brown experiment failed miserably for the Raiders, who make the transition from Oakland to Las Vegas this year. After a big swing and miss on Brown, the Raiders seek to add a true #1 receiver in the draft instead of via trade or free agency this time. With Jeudy off the board, the Raiders take Lamb, a prospect with incredible hands, great body control, and a receiver who is great at getting yards after the catch.




#13. San Francisco 49ers (via Indianapolis): Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina

The 49ers acquired this pick by shipping DT DeForrest Buckner to the Colts in free agency. A surprising move as the 49ers had one of the best defenses in the NFL last season. The 49ers would have liked Jeudy or Lamb as they need a receiver, but the receiver class is deep this year and they can wait until their other 1st round pick (31) to address. Instead the 49ers take Kinlaw, the second best interior defensive lineman in the class to ensure their defense remains towards the top of the league.


#14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Andrew Thomas, OL, Georgia

The Buccaneers reeled in the GOAT, now they must protect the GOAT. With 3 offensive lineman off the board, the Bucs really want Thomas to fall to them without having to trade up. It works out for them here.






#15. Denver Broncos: Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama

This pick marks three wide receivers in the last four selections and 4 Alabama players in the top 15 picks. The Broncos need a 2nd wide receiver to compliment Courtland Sutton. Ruggs is the fastest and most explosive player in the class, and is quickly drawing interest. Ruggs is a speed demon with big play ability that Denver's currently unexplosive offense could utilize.




#16. Atlanta Falcons: CJ Henderson, CB, Florida

This is very similar to the Detroit/Okudah pick. The Falcons moved on from veteran corner Desmond Trufant after several years and now need to fill that hole. Henderson's coverage skills are just as good as Okudah's but he doesn't have the same body frame to win physical battles against receivers who like to use massive frames to win 50/50 balls. Still, Henderson is terrific in coverage and can likely bulk up with an NFL work out routine and diet plan and can insert nicely into Atlanta's defense.

#17. Dallas Cowboys: Klavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU

The Cowboys need a #2 edge rusher to compliment DeMarcus Lawrence after losing Robert Quinn to free agency. Past Young, this isn't the deepest class for edge rushers with only 1 having been taken so far. Chaisson is a physical and intelligent pass rusher who anchored the front of a stout LSU defense and can hold down the opposite side of the defensive line.



#18. Miami Dolphins (via Pittsburgh): Josh Jones, OL, Houston

Miami was able to snag Tua at 5. With their franchise QB now in place, the next order of business is to protect him, especially given the injury history. With the 4 premiere offensive lineman off the board at this point, Jones seems to be establishing himself as this 5th best prospect at the position.










#19. Las Vegas Raiders (via Chicago): Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama

This marks 5 Alabama players in the top 19 as Las Vegas adds some help in the secondary with its second 1st round pick. This is a 50/50 coin toss between Diggs and Kristian Fulton of LSU, who are of just about equal talent. I decided to go with Diggs, who has a slightly higher average draft position according to current mocks.




#20. Jacksonville Jaguars (via LA Rams): Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU

The Jaguars acquired this pick (and a first rounder next year) by trading All-Pro corner Jalen Ramsey to the Rams. They use this pick to draft his replacement. As aformentioned, this is almost interchangeable with the Diggs/Raiders pick, but Fulton is a patient corner with all the tools to have a long and prosperous NFL career.




#21. Philadelphia Eagles: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU

The Eagles lack of receiver depth reared its ugly head last season after the corps was depleted by injuries. Jefferson is establishing himself as the 4th best receiver in the class and was a reliable target for Joe Burrow on LSU's championship march. Jefferson has underrated speed and good ball skills and playmaking ability and would be a good weapon to provide Carson Wentz.



#22. Minnesota Vikings (via Buffalo): AJ Terrell, CB, Clemson

The Vikings have 2 glaring needs, corner and wide receiver, after not resigning either of there starting corners and trading a disgruntled Stefon Diggs away to Buffalo (which bought them this pick and others). With another selection 3 picks later at 25, the Vikings will go corner first with 4 already off the board and a deep receiver class to choose from. Terrell is a versatile prospect who can play man or zone coverage but will need to improve his technique and handwork to help Minnesota on the back end.


#23. New England Patriots: AJ Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa

A lot of people will have the Patriots taking QB Jordan Love here if he's still available, but the Patriots tend to have an unconventional, yet successful, way of doing things. Rumors out of their camp suggest they feel comfortable moving forward with 2nd year QB Jarrett Stidham and veteran back up Brian Hoyer, while adding a 3rd player to the mix somewhere later in the draft. Head Coach Bill Belichick is a defensive genius, and will likely prioritize an edge rusher to keep his defense strong. Epenesa isn't a speed rusher, but has power, length, and technique to be successful at the position in Belichick's scheme.

#24. New Orleans Saints: Patrick Queen, LB, LSU

Again, Jordan Love is tempting here because Drew Brees is 41 and could be entering his final season. But I think the Saints are going all-in on Brees trying to reach the Super Bowl one last time. That means not using their first round pick on the QB of the future, but rather someone who can help the team immediately. The Saints need impact defensive players to supplement their offensive firepower, and Queen is an in-state, three down linebacker with speed who can drop into coverage and play in various alignments.


#25. Minnesota Vikings: Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson

As aforementioned, the Vikings need to address replacing Stefon Diggs after using the 22nd pick to add a corner. The Vikings double-dip into Clemson's talent pool and select Higgins, a big-bodied playmaker who can work the perimeter who has delivered in big games.







#26. Miami Dolphins (via Houston) Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama

With Miami's third and final first round selection they opt to supplement their defense after going offense on their first 2 selections. The Dolphins revamped their defense in free agency but still have a void at safety that's need filling. McKinney is a do-it all safety who can play all over the field and contribute to both run stopping and coverage. He is the best safety in the class and can further support Miami's strong corner duo in the secondary.


#27. Seattle Seahawks: Zach Baun, LB, Wisconsin

Seattle is another tough team to pinpoint. They could use offensive line help, or an edge-rusher if they can't resign Jadaveon Clowney and his massive asking price. But I'll give them Zach Baun here, a linebacker who can blitz, play coverage, and defend running plays.







#28. Baltimore Ravens: Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma

Baltimore's linebacking corps has been depleted a bit in recent years and could use some speed in the middle. Murray has big-time speed and is a sideline to sideline linebacker who can blitz, stop the run, and defend short to intermediate routes in coverage.







#29. Tennessee Titans: Austin Jackson, OL, USC

The Titans need to fill the gap left when Jack Conklin left in free agency to sign with the Browns. Jackson is an athletic lineman with quick feet and good upside. If his technique catches up to his athletic ability he can be a solid o-line presence for years to come.







#30. Green Bay Packers: Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado

The Packers need to give Aaron Rodgers a 2nd option in the pass catching game to take some of the heavy load off of Davante Adams. Shenault comes with a bit of injury risk but the upside is too tempting to pass up compared to safer prospects with lower ceilings. Rodgers turns 37 in December and needs a weapon who can help now rather than being a developmental piece.



#31. San Francisco 49ers: Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU

As aformentioned, the 49ers are in the market for a wide receiver and the class is deep enough to pass at 13 if Jeudy and Lamb are off the board. This is also another potential spot where a team could trade into the end of round 1 to select Jordan Love as well. But if San Fran sticks, Reagor is a receiver with quickness, toughness, and good run after catch ability who can fit nicely into the Niners' rotation.




#32. Kansas City Chiefs: DeAndre Swift, RB, Georgia

A running back does indeed go in the first round with the very last selection. The Super Bowl champs will likely decide between a running back or supplementing their defense, but the thought of incorporating Swift into an offense that features Mahommes, Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, and others is tantalizing. Swift is arguably the best running back in the class and would excel in KC's offense which revolves around going fast-paced and getting playmakers the ball in open space.