:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66586273/113277390.jpg.0.jpg)
2020 Mock Draft Edition 1.0
Round 1:
1. Bengals: QB Joe Burrow, LSU
The Bengals are paving the way to bring in the new face of their franchise, which will be Joe Burrow.
2. Redskins: DE Chase Young, OSU
Although the Redskins claim they are still undecided on what they will do with the 2nd overall pick, it will be very difficult to pass on who many believe is the best overall player in this draft class.
3. Dolphins (from Lions): QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
The Lions have a tremendous amount of power at the third overall pick. With teams like the Dolphins and Chargers looking to potentially trade up for Tua Tagovailoa, the Lions can accept the best offer available and take advantage of what would become a bidding war. In this case, the Dolphins make the trade.
4. Giants: OT/OG Tristan Wirfs, Iowa
With the Giants addressing many needs on their roster through free agency, now it is time for the team to draft their franchise left tackle. Nate Solder has certainly underperformed during his tenure as a Giant, and it’s time to move on from him and task the draft’s most athletic tackle to protect Daniel Jones’ blind side.
5. Lions (from Dolphins): CB Jeff Okudah, OSU
Despite trading their pick, the Lions still end up with the prospect they initially wanted. After the team traded their star cornerback Darius Slay, they have the ability to replace him with who many consider to be the best cornerback prospect in the past five years in Okudah.
6. Chargers: QB Justin Herbert, Oregon
The Chargers appear committed to giving veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor the first crack at the starting position in LA. After the team decided not to re-sign longtime starter Phillip Rivers, it became obvious that the team is building for the future, and drafting the Oregon star would be a great first step to fortifying that future.
7. Panthers: LB/S Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
After the retirement of Hall of Fame caliber linebacker Luke Kuechly, Isaiah Simmons is an ideal replacement candidate. The athletic specimen solidified his top-10 draft projection after his historic combine performance, and the Panthers take the versatile linebacker in this mock draft.
8. Cardinals: OT Jedrick Wills Jr., Alabama
The Cardinals have had a very successful offseason thus far. The team retained running back Kenyan Drake via the use of the transition tag and traded for Deandre Hopkins. Now the team needs to address the offensive line. Jedrick Wills would slide in immediately at the right tackle, which is where he started during his time at Alabama.
9. Jaguars: OT Mekhi Becton, Louisville
With constant instability at the left tackle spot, the Jaguars look to the draft for help. The Jaguars are in a position to draft arguably the best tackle in the draft in Mekhi Becton. Despite usual starter Cam Robinson’s best efforts at holding onto the left tackle job, it could be time for the Jaguars to exploit the talent on the board.
10. Browns: OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia
The Browns take the best tackle available in this spot. With their left tackle position essentially up for grabs, there’s no better place than the draft to find a franchise left tackle.
11. Jets: WR CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
The Jets find a replacement for the recently departed Robby Anderson and give Sam Darnold his franchise receiver. Though many see Jerry Jeudy as the draft’s top receiver, CeeDee Lamb has boosted his stock considerably since the combine, and I think it’s a genuine possibility Lamb is drafted before Jeudy.
12. Raiders: WR Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
Immediately after Lamb goes off the board, the Raiders pick up the Alabama stud and 2018 Biletnikoff Award winner. Ever since the Antonio Brown hiatus, the Raiders haven’t had a true number one receiver, but they find it here as Jeudy slips to pick 12.
13. 49ers (from Colts): CB C.J. Henderson, Florida
The 49ers were exposed for their lack of talent at cornerback during the Super Bowl. Despite Richard Sherman’s strong play as a 49er, it may be time for the 49ers to find his replacement.
14. Buccaneers: DE Derrick Brown, Auburn
The Bucs grab the best player available who, in this mock draft, falls out of the top ten. The Bucs haven’t had a dominant interior presence since Gerald McCoy. Despite bringing back Ndamukong Suh, Brown would be his successor.
15. Broncos: WR Henry Ruggs III, Alabama
The Broncos add a very nice element to their offense. The team’s wide receiving core lacked speed last year to complement Drew Lock’s big arm, but with Henry Ruggs sitting pretty at the middle of the first round here, John Elway and the Broncos can’t pass on this player.
16. Falcons: EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson, LSU
The Falcons did a very poor job of rushing the passer this past season. During free agency, they signed Dante Fowler Jr. to a hefty multi-year contract. Still, the Falcons can add more to their pass rush, which is why in this mock draft they grab K’Lavon Chaisson, who shined at LSU during their championship season.
17. Jaguars (from Cowboys): DT Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina
After drafting their franchise left tackle at #9, the Jaguars use the best player available approach by taking the talented defensive tackle from South Carolina to beef up their front seven.
18. Dolphins (from Steelers): OT Josh Jones, Houston
After trading away former starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Texans last season, they draft Josh Jones and add more talent to a depleted offensive line. They also add a guy who will protect the left side (not the blind side) of newly drafted quarterback Tua Tagavailoa.
19. Raiders: CB Kristian Fulton, LSU
The Raiders use this pick to address their less-than-desirable stable of cornerbacks. Kristian Fulton would start alongside Trayvon Mullen and would also be an immediate upgrade over Eli Apple, who has bounced around the NFL since being a top ten draft pick.
20. Cowboys (from Jaguars): C Cesar Ruiz, Michigan
After losing their franchise center Travis Frederick to retirement, the Cowboys select the best center in this draft class to fill in the vacancy.
21. Eagles: S Xavier McKinney, Alabama
The Eagles let go of Malcolm Jenkins just this offseason, and in the process, created a need at safety. After re-signing the consistent Rodney McLeod, adding Xavier McKinney to the mix at safety would give the Eagles, who’ve had a weak secondary for the past few seasons, a secondary with solid potential.
22. Vikings: WR Denzel Mims, Baylor
The trade of Stefon Diggs as well as the injury concerns of Adam Thielen prompts the Vikings to pick a receiver early on in the draft. Denzel Mims would be a perfect replacement for Stefon Diggs. Mims’ hands, speed, and size would be extremely appealing to Kirk Cousins.
23. Patriots: LB Patrick Queen, LSU
The Patriots were absolutely gutted during free agency. Aside from the loss of Tom Brady, the Patriots lost a key cog in their defense in Kyle Van Noy. Patrick Queen would be a wonderful pick here as his skillset is very reminiscent to that of Van Noy’s.
24. Saints: QB Jordan Love, Utah
Jordan Love finally gets picked. The Saints have a complete roster for the next few years. That being said, I believe this is finally the year that Drew Brees’ successor will be drafted. I’m a non-believer in Taysom Hill being a viable replacement for Brees, which is where Jordan Love comes into the equation. With the Saints having both their franchise receiver and running back, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to draft Brees’ replacement who would play under a rookie contract.
25. Vikings: CB Trevon Diggs, Alabama
After giving Kirk Cousins another weapon, the Vikings address their secondary. Former starters Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes were cut and signed in free agency this offseason, respectively. Although the Vikings have young and talented cornerbacks, adding Trevon Diggs would make the team’s secondary even stronger.
26. Dolphins (from Texans): RB D’Andre Swift, Georgia
The Dolphins draft their franchise quarterback, tackle, and running back in the same draft. Grabbing a talent like D’Andre Swift this late in the first round shows great value. Now, Brian Flores and his Dolphins team have a chance to have a much improved offense that will only get better when Tua Tagovailoa is fully healthy.
27. Seahawks: RB Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
Though the Seahawks seemed unconcerned about the injuries of top two running backs Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny, the team needs to draft a running back as their running back core was depleted at the end of last season, which prompted them bringing back Marshawn Lynch, who was undoubtedly past his prime. Should injury woes continue for at least one of the running backs, the presence of Jonathan Taylor would be an ideal addition to the team’s stable of running backs as he would eventually take the starting job.
28. Ravens: ILB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
Many draft pundits have put a great emphasis on the Ravens addressing the middle linebacker position in the first round. Frequently, Kenneth Murray has found himself being mocked to the Ravens, which would be an ideal fit in the grand scheme of things. The Ravens take the best available linebacker here as the Patriots nabbed Patrick Queen five picks before.
29. Titans: WR Chase Claypool, Notre Dame
Here, the Titans make a wildcard pick as they select one of the biggest post-combine draft risers. In addition to his freakish athleticism, the Titans could utilize Claypool’s versatility as many draft pundits have seen a potential fit at the tight end position for Claypool.
30. Packers: ILB Zack Baun, Wisconsin
After losing their leading tackler in Blake Martinez, the Packers find his replacement in Zack Baun. Baun is a very versatile linebacker, but projects to play on the inside.
31. 49ers: WR Justin Jefferson, LSU
Besides Deebo Samuel, the 49ers don’t have any surefire wide receivers. Justin Jefferson would fit very well with the niners offense and Jimmy Garrapolo’s skillset.
32. Chiefs: CB A.J. Terrell, Clemson
The Chiefs need to address the cornerback position in the draft. They are absolutely depleted at the moment, and drafting a talent like A.J. Terrell would help create more depth in the team’s secondary.
Round 2:
- Bengals: ILB Malik Harrison, OSU
- Colts: WR Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona St.
- Lions: DE Neville Gallimore, Oklahoma
- Giants: DE/OLB Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn St.
- Chargers: WR Jalen Reagor, TCU
- Panthers: CB Jeff Gladney, TCU
- Dolphins: WR Tee Higgins, Clemson
- Texans: DE A.J. Epenesa, Iowa
- Browns: S Grant Delpit, LSU
- Jaguars: CB Bryce Hall, UVA
- Bears: DE Ross Blacklock, TCU
- Colts: DE Terrell Lewis, Alabama
- Buccaneers: OT Ezra Cleveland, Boise St.
- Broncos: TE Cole Kmet, Notre Dame
- Falcons: DE Marlon Davidson, Auburn
- Jets: CB Noah Igbinoghene, Auburn
- Steelers: WR Laviska Shenault Jr. Colorado
- Bears: S Antoine Winfield Jr. Minnesota
- Cowboys: WR KJ Hamler, Penn St.
- LA Rams: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU
- Eagles: WR Michael Pittman Jr. USC
- Bills: RB Cam Akers, FSU
- Ravens: Edge Curtis Weaver, Boise St.
- Dolphins: OT Austin Jackson, USC
- Texans: TE Brycen Hopkins, Vanderbilt
- Vikings: S Jeremy Chinn, S. Illinois
- Seahawks: LB Willie Gay Jr. Miss. State
- Ravens: WR Tyler Johnson, Minnesota
- Titans: OT Isaiah Wilson, Georgia
- Packers: WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, Michigan
- Chiefs: Edge Josh Uche, Michigan
- Seahawks: S Ashtyn Davis, Cal