Way-too-early 2020 NFL mock draft: Getting to know the 2020 class
7. player. 50. <ul> <li><strong>Height: </strong>6-foot-6</li> <li><strong>Weight: </strong>280 pounds</li> <li><strong>Class: </strong>Junior</li> </ul>. DE. Iowa. A.J. Epenesa
The Detroit Lions signed defensive end Trey Flowers this off season, but they still have a need for more impact talent up front. With the seventh pick of this 2020 NFL mock draft, the Lions find that help by taking one of my favorite prospects in this class, Iowa defensive end A.J. Epenesa.
Epenesa was not even a starter for the Hawkeyes last season, but he still piled up a Big 10 leading 11 sacks on the year. He shows tremendous quickness off of the ball and upfield burst on the pass rush. Epenesa can bend around the edge with speed and also shows great power in the bull rush. He is a bit inconsistent against the run but has yet to get many opportunities in that area at the college level. Epenesa has all of the tools to be a strong run defender up front.
Simply put, Epenesa is a playmaker on the edge whose combination of size, power and quickness makes him an ideal fit for Matt Patricia’s defense. He also has some upside as an interior rusher on obvious passing downs at the next level.
Oregon. Justin Herbert. 8. player. 28. <ul> <li><strong>Height: </strong>6-foot-6</li> <li><strong>Weight: </strong>233 pounds</li> <li><strong>Class: </strong>Senior</li> </ul>. QB
Derek Carr is a solid NFL quarterback, but if the (soon to be) Las Vegas Raiders can find a long-term option with higher natural upside, I think they would jump on the opportunity. In this 2020 NFL mock draft, that opportunity presents itself as the Raiders snag Justin Herbert out of Oregon.
Herbert is an exciting quarterback prospect who shows tremendous accuracy to all fields and has the ability to properly place the ball against zone and man coverage. His arm strength is solid and he also displays impressive mobility both in and outside of the pocket.
Herbert is a bit of a raw talent whose mechanics need a bit of work, but he is a gifted player who has true franchise quarterback ability. Taking Herbert to replace Carr would be a no brainer for the Raiders.