Here’s the only 2020 NFL Mock Draft that you need. With trades, fit analysis, and breakdowns. This is the place for all of your draft needs on Day 1.
1. Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
There’s no speculation here. We’ve known this pick for months, and it’s really just a matter of Commissioner Roger Goodell reading his name.
Burrow is coming off of arguably the greatest individual season in College Football history and will look to bring that level of success to Cincinnati. He’s shown an ability to dominate unlike any other quarterback in this class and has deserved the right to be considered the QB1.
Sure, he played with a very talented group of players around him, but Burrow’s accuracy combined with his ability to make throws from outside the pocket should translate well no matter who he plays for.
2. Washington Redskins: Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
Burrow may be the most dominant offensive player, but Young is the draft’s best prospect altogether. With 16.5 sacks in 12 games, teams resorted to double and triple teams down the stretch to stop him. Quite simply, Young has the potential to transform an entire defense by himself.
There was no weakness in his game at the college level, and scouts fully expect that to be true in the NFL. On film, he displayed an ability to beat tackles with his speed, power, and, most importantly, his hands. He has a full arsenal of pass-rushing moves and will be an immediate problem at the next level.
Washington will gladly welcome Young into their flock of edge rushers which includes Montez Sweat and Ryan Kerrigan, to form one of the best groups in the NFC.
3. Detroit Lions: Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
If scouts could create their own perfect cornerback prospect, he’d probably look something close to Jeff Okudah. At 6-foot-1, he’s the ideal size that evaluators look for, and with elite speed and closing ability, nobody was able to attack Okudah in 2019.
The longest completion he allowed was 28 yards, yet he welcomes press coverage and doesn’t give up a lot underneath. Playing mostly man coverage at Ohio State, Okudah has the skillset to fit into any scheme and would work perfectly into what Detroit is trying to create.
He’s more than just a replacement for Darius Slay for the Lions. He has the makings of a perennial All-Pro and would be the first cornerback selected in the top-three since 1997.
4. New York Giants: Tristian Wirfs, T, Iowa
This pick will set the tone for the rest of the draft. A lot of signs originally pointed to the Giants going with Isaiah Simmons, and that still may be the case, but most league insiders believe Dave Gettleman wants to select a tackle.
Wirfs isn’t the most polished prospect, but his athletic ability provides the highest ceiling. Most offensive tackles don’t run a 4.85 40-yard dash, but that’s exactly what Wirfs did at the combine. He also led all tackles in vertical and broad jumps, indicating an explosive lower half. Quite simply, he’s a special athlete.
In an ideal world, he’ll be protecting Daniel Jones blindside and creating holes for Saquon Barkley for years to come.
5. Miami Dolphins: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
It’s almost a certainty that Miami will take a QB with the fifth pick, but pundits have debated Tua versus Justin Herbert for what seems like forever. Numerous reports have said the Dolphins fear Tua’s injury history, and maybe prefer Herbert. But, at this time of year, that could all be smoke.
If Miami was locked onto Tua, why were there reports that they would move up for Burrow? He may have been their guy this time last year, but so much has changed since then. Ultimately, injuries may scare them away and make Herbert their guy.
Standing at 6-foot-6 with the class’s best arm, Herbert has an opportunity to be special. However, some of his gaudy numbers are a result of the gameplan set in place at Oregon to protect Herbert’s weaknesses. The Dolphins are hoping that once they get Herbert into the building that they can do the same and turn him into a superstar.
6. Los Angeles Chargers: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
When Tua is at his best, he’s proven to be an elite QB in college. Before going down with an injury in 2019, he had thrown 33 touchdowns to three interceptions. The year before it was 43 to six. Los Angeles would be foolish to pass on those numbers.
With a cast of weapons including Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Austin Ekeler, and Hunter Henry, Tua will have an offense that is ready to roll the second he steps on the field. He could be the star quarterback that makes the Chargers relevant in L.A.
7. Carolina Panthers: Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
There may not be a more versatile prospect in the history of the draft than Isaiah Simmons. According to Pro Football Focus, Simmons played 275 snaps as a cornerback, 299 as a linebacker, and over 100 at both safety and on the defensive line. Fittingly, Simmons classifies his poistion on defense as, well, defense.
He can do everything that a linebacker in 2020 should, and then some. He’ll cover running backs, tight ends, receivers, rush the passer, or drop back into a zone. He showed that at Clemson, and for those reasons, he was awarded the Dick Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker.
For a Carolina team that lost potential Hall of Famer Luke Kuechly to retirement, Simmons will look to fill that void. Very rarely do you look at a prospect and say he can live up to a player of Kuechly’s caliber, but Simmons has that potential.
8. Arizona Cardinals: Andrew Thomas, T, Georgia
There’s a lot of speculation that this pick could be traded so that Arizona acquires more picks in the middle of the draft, but doing so could play them out of one of the draft’s top tackles.
The Cardinals need to ensure the protection of Kyler Murray going forward, and there may not be a better tackle at doing so than Thomas. In his three years as a starter at Georgia, he allowed just five sacks. The only issue with these numbers, and Thomas’ game in general, is that Georgia was a run-heavy team.
Kliff Kingsbury and co. will have to do a good job of acclimating Thomas to the ‘Air Raid’ system, but if his improvement over his threes seasons is any indication, the former Bulldog will continue to mature in Arizona.
9. TRADE: Atlanta Falcons via Jacksonville Jaguars: C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
One of the biggest risers of the final month of the draft process, Henderson has found his way into the top-10. With several reports that Atlanta wants to move up, and knowing that Jacksonville wants to stockpile picks, the pairing makes sense.
Henderson’s ability to stick with receivers in man-to-man is almost as good as Okudah’s, and on film, you see a willingness to get up and tackle in the run game. He struggled at times against bigger wideouts, but Henderson will continue to get stronger at the next level.
Both Atlanta’s need for a corner and Henderson’s potential merit the trade up for the Falcons. As a team that’s trying to get back to the postseason in 2020, I expect an aggressive approach by their front office during this draft.
10. TRADE: Denver Broncos via Cleveland Browns: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Another trade pairing that makes too much sense. It’s no secret that Denver wants to get another weapon for Drew Lock, and Cleveland has indicated a willingness to move back and still land a starting tackle, as long as they’re among the top four in the draft (Wirfs, Thomas, Wills, Becton).
Jeudy benefited from playing around talented players at Alabama, but when you watch the film, he does things that some guys can’t do. There are plays where he’s getting pressed by a corner and legitimately goes untouched during the whole play. He doesn’t excel in just one area, he has no weakness.
In Denver, he’ll join one of the best up-and-coming groups of skill position players. Opposite Courtland Sutton, with Noah Fant in the middle and Phillip Lindsay and Melvin Gordon out of the backfield, Jeudy is the final piece to a playoff hopeful.
11. New York Jets: Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
Tons of reports have linked the Jets and Ruggs together. A tackle makes sense here, but at a certain point, the front office has to surround Darnold with more talent like we’ve seen with Baker Mayfield, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen.
Ruggs has game-changing speed but is more than just a vertical threat. With seven touchdowns on 40 catches last season, he’s a legitimate threat to score every time he touches the ball.
12. Las Vegas Raiders: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
I’m not sure I believe that Lamb is the third best WR in this class, but with Jeudy and Ruggs off the board, Vegas has no choice but to select him.
What he lacks in polish on his routes, he more than makes up for with his ability to high-point and attack the football. When he does get himself into open space, there may not be a better wideout with the ball in his hands. Lamb is truly sensational after the catch.
13. San Francisco 49ers (from IND): Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
It seems that every year the Niners find their way into a defensive lineman on Day 1 of the draft. They traded DeForest Buckner to acquire this pick, and with it, they draft his replacement.
John Lynch didn’t want to move on from Buckner, but there just wasn’t enough money to go around. Brown is the best player on the board, and while I don’t think this pick was acquired with the intention to draft his replacement, they have to take him. At 13, he’s a steal when you consider his production in the SEC.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mekhi Becton, T, Louisville
Everything in Tampa is being done with the intention of supporting Tom Brady so that the Bucs can get to the postseason. They have a dominant WR duo, a few potential running backs, and oh yeah, traded for Rob Gronkowski.
The biggest need now is on the offensive line, and while Becton’s drug test was flagged at the combine, it doesn’t appear to be having a huge effect on his stock. At 6-foot-6 and 364 pounds, Becton’s size screams potential and warrants a pick this high.
15. TRADE: Cleveland Browns via Denver Broncos, Jedrick Wills, T, Alabama
Cleveland drops back five spots and hops on Jedrick Wills to bookend with offseason acquisition Jack Conklin. Wills played right tackle in college but was actually Tua’s blindside protector and will hope to be the same for Mayfield.
Wills has started 28 straight games for Alabama, bringing high levels of reliability and consistency to Cleveland. Those are much-needed characteristics there.
16. TRADE: Jacksonville Jaguars via Atlanta Falcons: Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Jacksonville is in a full-on rebuild and taking the best available player will work just fine while they continue to acquire to more picks.
Kinlaw has recroded 12 sacks over his past two seasons, and after dominating Senior Bowl practices, he proved why he belongs in the first-round conversation. Even if Yannick Ngaokue is traded, Kinlaw will elevate the players around him.
17. Dallas Cowboys: Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
After losing Byron Jones to Miami, and facing a season where two of their top three corners are entering their contract years, Dallas should have just one idea in mind.
Fulton has a limited wingspan but still found a way to break up 20 passes in 2019. He trusts himself and relies heavily on his natural instincts to make plays on the football. With NFL coaching, he can sure up his weaknesses and become the lockdown corner he was for the national champs.
18. Miami Dolphins (from PIT): Josh Jones, T, Houston
What do you do when you draft a franchise QB with an injury history? You protect him before he even gets on the field. Jones hasn’t garnered as much hype as the top tackles in the draft, but he belongs right here with those guys.
Jones is certainly a raw prospect but displayed flashes of all the tools in his four years as a starter. He’s an above average athlete and can be groomed for either tackle spot in Miami.
19. Las Vegas Raiders (from CHI): A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
The last time we saw A.J. Terrell he was on the opposing end of an LSU gut punch in the National Championship. Clemson, like all defenses LSU saw in 2019, was unable to find an answer to stop Joe Burrow, but that game should take nothing away from those players.
Terrell displayed great ball skills and high-end game speed on film, and we know that Mike Mayock has an affinity for players from big-name schools.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (from LAR): Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
With Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye gone, Jacksonville has to address the cornerback position early in the draft. Gladney is one of the top corners available and would provide an immediate upgrade.
Gladney displayed great ability to stay with WRs down the field and only gave up 27 catches in a pass-happy Big-12. He’s on the smaller side and could benefit from adding some muscle to his frame, but he has the makings of a great cornerback for the Jags down the line.
21. Philadelphia Eagles: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
The health of the Eagles wideouts was their biggest concern, as they attempted a playoff run last season. Justin Jefferson adds not only depth but talent for a team that relied on Greg Ward Jr as their WR1 down the stretch.
Jefferson works very well out of the slot, but for an Eagles team that runs two tight-ends more than anyone, he’ll be asked to work on the outside opposite Alshon Jeffrey. He’s proven a natural route running ability and could become one of Carson Wentz’s favorite options.
22. Minnesota Vikings (from BUF): K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
The formula for success in the NFC is simple – run the ball, and rush the passer, and you’ll be successful. Minnesota does the former just as well as anyone (sixth in rushing last year), but they need more bodies to attack QBs.
Chaisson isn’t a natural fit in Minnesota’s 4-3 defense, but the jump he made from 2018 to 2019 (one sack to seven) indicates that there’s a lot of room for growth. Scouts are skeptical of Chaisson’s ability against the run, but his athleticism allows him to chase, get away from blockers, and get outside of blocks.
23. New England Patriots: Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
Many are waiting for the Patriots to get their next franchise QB, but instead, they elect to draft the quarterback of their defense. Bill Belichick has always placed an emphasis on the linebacker position, and Murray would be a home run at pick 23.
Murray is incredibly explosive and shoots the gaps well on run plays and pass-rushing situations. His game is similar to Dont’a Hightower, one of Belichick’s favorite players. The two could co-exist to turn around the Patriots run defense which was exposed in the playoffs.
24. New Orleans Saints: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Drew Brees isn’t going to play forever. Back in 2017, Sean Payton was willing to take Patrick Mahomes as Brees’ heir apparent. Jordan Love has drawn some comparisons to the prospect that was Patrick Mahomes.
Now, to say that Love will be Mahomes is ridiculous, but he’s the type of quarterback who Sean Payton would love (ha) to sit behind Brees and absorb the offense. Love’s ceiling to make throws from all over the field separates him from the rest of the QB class. The question will be if he can ever realize his potential.
25. Minnesota Vikings: Austin Jackson, T, USC
Remember that winning formula? Since they already addressed the defensive line, it’s time to bring in someone to help their offensive line.
Last season, Mike Zimmer tinkered with the idea of moving Riley Reiff to left guard. By taking Jackson that can become a reality. It would give the Vikings one of the most complete five-man fronts in the entire league and possibly push them over the top as a top contender in the NFC.
26. Miami Dolphins (from HOU): Deandre Swift, HB, Georgia
Miami goes three-for-three with offensive players to completely transform that side of the ball in one night. With a new QB, LT, and now RB, Miami has laid the foundation for the foreseeable future.
Swift’s ability to catch out of the backfield, along with his slashing running style, has made him the top back amongst scouts. He’s not the type of prospect that we’ve seen in the past few years, but starting in a niche-role with Miami, he has the tools to pan out as a three-down back.
27. Seattle Seahawks: Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
The standoff with Jadaveon Clowney has somehow spilled into the draft, and Seattle should have one position in mind on Day 1 (should they not trade out).
They still have hopes for last year’s first round pick, L.J. Collier, but pairing him with Gross-Matos would be a smart double-down for the front office. Gross-Matos has been productive in the Big-10, totaling 17 sacks over his last two years. His unteachable size and length are also traits that the Seahawks typically covet on draft night.
28. Baltimore Ravens: Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
Patrick Queen played nearly a perfect playoff this past winter for LSU and has worked his way into the first round. To be honest, there’s a chance Queen goes much higher than this, but this is just the way the mock worked out.
Queen might be the best tackler out of any linebacker in the class and proved, at LSU, to come up huge in big-time games. Considering that Baltimore never truly replaced C.J. Mosley, Queen would be a great plug-and-play guy for a team looking for their last piece.
29. Tennessee Titans: Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn
With Logan Ryan’s still a free agent, Tennessee needs to address the cornerback position, especially in the AFC where teams are being built to throw their way to the top.
Igbinoghene is as raw as they come. He won’t turn 21 until the end of the his rookie season and is blessed with physical tools that scouts are drooling over. Paired with Adoree’ Jackson, the Titans would have maybe the most athletic cornerback duo in the league, in an attempt to run with the speed of Baltimore and Kansas City.
30. Green Bay Packers: Ross Blacklock, DL, TCU
The Packers 3-4 defense is anchored by Kenny Clark in the with the ‘Smith Brothers’ crashing from the outside. In between those three, the Packers could use athletic rushers to add to their group up front.
Blacklock has great flexability and mobility to play the DE spot in a 3-4 and is a perfect fit for a Green Bay team that showed a weakness up front against the 49ers in the NFC Championship.
31. TRADE: Los Angeles Chargers via San Francisco 49ers: Erza Cleveland, T, Boise State
Like Miami, the Chargers want to protect their new franchise QB, and move back into the first round to do so. The 49ers, on the other hand, can move back into the second and get more draft capital.
Cleveland has been rising up boards and finds himself in the first round after all. His three-cone drill at the combine (first among tackles) demonstrates his quickness in tight spaces and shows why he deserves to be considered beyond the first group of tackles.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Kansas City could also benefit from trading back, but with a pressing need at corner, they get the last guy who’s worth taking in the first round.
Diggs has ideal size to play at the next level (6-foot-6, 200 pounds) and is very strong in press coverage. With Kendall Fuller moving back to Washington, the Chiefs need someone who can play from the get-go if they want to repeat as AFC or Super Bowl Champs.
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