Way too early 2020 NFL mock draft: quarterbacks, wide receivers early
After the 2019 draft’s conclusion, it’s always fun to take a very early look at next year’s 2020 NFL Draft. Here’s a way too early mock for next April.
The 2019 NFL Draft was one of great surprise and intrigue, starting with Clelin Ferrell and Daniel Jones sneaking into the top 10 selections. Josh Rosen is moving on to South Beach, and the Patriots reloaded for another strong push at a title.
Since the draft is done this year, it’s not too early to start thinking about the 2020 NFL Draft.
Next year’s draft is already looking strong on offense, with a receiving group that could rival that of the 2014 class. The quarterback position is also one to monitor, with top names like Justin Herbert, Tua Tagovailoa, and Jake Fromm eligible.
The running back class is full of eligible juniors, like DeAndre Swift, Travis Etienne, and Jonathan Taylor.
With all that intrigue, let’s get into a way too early 2020 mock draft.
****Note: the draft order comes from the current Vegas odds to win the 2020 Super Bowl.
1. Miami Dolphins: Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
The Dolphins played for the long haul in the 2019 NFL Draft, moving their second round pick for quarterback Josh Rosen. I think there’s an excellent chance they stick with him and start the build around him in 2020.
Ohio State pass rusher Chase Young is a great place to start for the Dolphins. Young has the flashes to be an elite edge defender in the pros, and pairing him with cornerstones Christian Wilkins and Minkah Fitzpatrick is an exciting thought.
2. Washington Redskins: Grant Delpit, S, LSU
In the first shocker of the draft, the Redskins opt to continue building their defense. Their front with Montez Sweat looks awesome, and they added Landon Collins in free agency to play near the line of scrimmage.
Now, Washington adds a safety that can play all over the field. Grant Delpit will probably get Jalen Ramsey comparisons, and rightfully so. His primary position is safety though. He has great range and ball skills on the back end, and also comes downhill to make plays.
3. Cincinnati Bengals: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
It’s likely with new head coach Zach Taylor that Andy Dalton could be out after the 2019 season, or, at the very least, have his eventual replacement drafted. Here, the second scenario happens. Justin Herbert had the opportunity to enter the 2019 draft, but opted to return instead.
He fits the prototypical mold at quarterback and has great placement and touch. He’s the top 2020 quarterback at the moment, and he’s off the board first.
4. New York Giants: Andrew Thomas, OL, Georgia
The New York Giants are all in on Daniel Jones after selecting him sixth overall in 2019. With that mind, it would be good to shore up the offensive line. Andrew Thomas is another big lineman out of Georgia with good versatility (has played right and left tackle), and could start on the right side right away to help protect Jones (or, maybe Eli, we aren’t sure at this juncture).
5. Arizona Cardinals: Walker Little, OT, Stanford
The Cardinals stuck true to what everyone heard the past few months and selected Kyler Murray with the first overall pick in 2019. They also added plenty of weapons in the draft, selecting both Andy Isabella and Hakeem Butler.
In 2020, the focus needs to shift to the offensive line. Walker Little is already being talked about as the next great left tackle prospect, and he would come in right away to protect Murray’s blindside.
6. Buffalo Bills: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
The Buffalo Bills had a pretty solid draft, landing offensive line help (Cody Ford) and another weapon for Josh Allen (tight end Dawson Knox). But, let’s get an elite player for Allen to get the ball to down the field.
Jerry Jeudy will get the WR1 designation all summer long. He has the speed to eat up cushion and get by defenders, and has ridiculous lateral quickness in the open space. Being dynamic before and after the catch is all the Bills need to hear.
7. Detroit Lions: LaBryan Ray, DL, Alabama
I’m moving a decent amount of chips to the table for this pick. The Lions didn’t select Ed Oliver in 2019, and they could still use some depth on the defensive line. A name to watch, who could have a similar rise to Quinnen Williams, is LaBryan Ray. Ray is probably going to start next to Raekwon Davis in 2019, and he’s another in a long line of Alabama disruptors up front, with enough quickness to play at three tech.
8. Oakland Raiders: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
Ah, here’s where it gets interesting. The Raiders were rumored to have quarterback interest in this past draft, but nothing came of it. Perhaps they will wait until 2020 to select their guy at quarterback, which is what we’ve got here.
Tua Tagovailoa will be the most talked about quarterback in the 2020 class. He had a dominant 2018 season and could produce even more in 2019 with all the weapons that team still has. He is a precision passer with a very quick release.
9. Tennessee Titans: A.J. Espenesa, EDGE, Iowa
The Titans once again started a draft by beefing up the front seven, selecting Jeffery Simmons at 19 overall. In 2020, they do it again, this time getting another edge rusher to pair with Harold Landry, their 2018 second round selection. A.J. Espenesa is huge at 6’5″ and 280 pounds, and figures to have the versatility to play in multiple spots along the line.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenny Willikes, EDGE, Michigan State
The Buccaneers went linebacker with their first pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, forgoing the chance to get any top pass rushers. Turning the page to 2020, it’s absolutely necessary to get younger and better at the position. Tampa Bay goes with Kenny Willekes out of Michigan State. Willekes has a very good first step and excellent hand usage to get around the arc and soften the edge.
11. New York Jets: Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
The Jets beefed up the defense in the 2019 draft, snagging Quinnen Williams, Jachai Polite, and Blake Cashman to strengthen the front seven. Combine that with the signing of Le’Veon Bell, and the Jets are moving in the right direction. Looking ahead, giving Sam Darnold more weapons on the outside. Laviska Shenault may not be a household name now, but he will be soon. The Colorado wide receiver had over 1,000 yards as a sophomore and is only getting better.
12. Denver Broncos: Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama
The Broncos put together a very solid draft in 2019 with John Elway at the helm. In addition to getting Drew Lock at a bargain in round two, Denver also snagged Noah Fant and Dalton Risner. Even with those additions, the Broncos could still use an elite linebacker to sit behind the defensive line they have. The Crimson Tide have Dylan Moses, who should continue the trend of Alabama linebackers going high in the draft.
13. Carolina Panthers: Trey Adams, OT, Washington
The Panthers added some help along the edge in 2019, and also got tackle Greg Little in the second round. However, I’m not sure adding Little completely solves the problem of protecting Cam Newton. Trey Adams would be a great selection in 2020. Despite back to back seasons of injury, Adams is an extremely athletic tackle with plenty of upside in pass protection. If he stays healthy in 2019, the Panthers should look to add him here.
14. Houston Texans: Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
We briefly discussed the running back class for 2020, and how it projects to be extremely good after what felt like a down year at the position. The Texans could use some help with Lamar Miller getting towards the end of his career. The hype surrounds Deandre Swift and Jonathan Taylor, but Clemson running back Travis Etienne could easily be RB1. He has excellent burst and movement skills in open space, and was a touchdown machine in 2018 with 24. Etienne would pair well with DeShaun Watson.
15. Seattle Seahawks: Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
The Seahawks reloaded with some versatile defensive backs and some weapons to help out Russell Wilson, but they could use a true shutdown corner like they had when they were reaching Super Bowls. Virginia corner Bryce Hall could have entered the draft in 2019, but he decided to return to school and is currently the top corner for 2020. Pairing Hall with Shaquill Griffin wouldn’t be Sherman/Browner, but it would be pretty darn good.
16. Baltimore Ravens: Shaquille Quarterman, LB, Miami
The Ravens added some receiving help and edge defender Jaylon Ferguson to replace Za’Darius Smith in the 2019 NFL Draft, but a big hole exist at the linebacker position with the departure of C.J. Mosley. The linebacker class has a few names on the radar for 2020, and one of those is Shaquille Quarterman out of Miami. Quarterman is a traditional downhill linebacker with the quickness to sift through blockers and make plays.