2020 NFL Draft: First-round mock draft including Chase Young to Jets

25. Cleveland Browns – Xavier McKinney – S – Alabama

I understand that the Cleveland offensive line is not the greatest right now and that adding a tackle would help it greatly. However, if I may play contrarian, the Browns could also use help at strong safety as well. Morgan Burnett is on a short contract and is an older player to boot.

McKinney would be a great piece for Steve Wilks’s defense, as his versatility on the field could be used in so many different ways. From playing a sub linebacker role or lining up as a traditional safety position, Mckinney is a player you want on your team.

26. Detroit Lions – Tee Higgins – WR – Clemson

The Lions are another surprise team that is enjoying some early success here early in the 2019 season. The offense is looking nice so far, with the team ranking in the top 10 in points and yards per NFL.com. Rookie tight end TJ Hockensen is looking like a home run pick so far, and the receivers are playing well too.

Despite this, Detroit could use a third man at wide receiver, this is where Clemson’s Tee Higgins comes in. While teammate Justyn Ross may get a lot of attention, Higgins is a consistent and reliable receiving target for Trevor Lawrence. While he may not be on the same level as past Clemson receivers, Higgins shouldn’t be overlooked.

27. Los Angeles Rams – Derrick Brown – DT – Auburn

The Rams are a bit of a mystery team for me due to their roster seeping with talent at almost every position. And even their weak points don’t seem that weak to begin with. So for the sake of this mock draft, I have decided to give them Brown from Auburn.

Currently, the Rams are fielding Sebastian Joseph-Day at nose tackle, and sure he’s played fine so far but he’s no Derrick Brown. So far in the 2019 campaign, Brown has looked unblockable at times and the of him, Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers on the same line would give opposing offensive lineman nightmares.

28. Dallas Cowboys – Brycen Hopkins – TE -Purdue

This pick feels like a long time coming for Dallas. Jason Witten came out of retirement and no one can say how long he will play. After missing out on the Hockensen/Fant sweepstakes last year and getting jumped by Philadelphia in 2018, the Cowboys should take a top tier tight end while they can. Although the tight end class for the 2020 NFL Draft is not as good as in years past, Brycen Hopkins remains the best among them and should warrant a first-round pick.

29. New Orleans Saints – Troy Dye – LB – Oregon

New Orleans is another team that doesn’t seem to have as many needs as other teams in the NFL.  While I could see them address quarterback if they felt it was a big enough need, however, Teddy Bridgewater was signed to be their future at the position and has played well.

However, for the sake of this mock, I have them taking a linebacker with this pick. While Troy Dye is not the best coverage linebacker at the moment, he’s a leader and a thumper, something the Saints would do well to add to their team.

30. Green Bay Packers – D’Andre Swift – RB – Georgia

With Jamaal Williams suffering a nasty neck injury, plus the lack of depth behind him or Aaron Jones for that matter, running back seems like a likely fit. Aaron Rodgers hasn’t had a game-changing back since the 2013 and 2014 campaigns with Eddy Lacy.

With Swift potentially in the backfield, Matt LaFleur’s offense will be dangerous. Swift with his speed and quick cuts running behind the Green Bay offensive line would carve-up opposing defenses like a Thanksgiving Turkey. While Taylor is my top running back in the 2020 NFL Draft class so far, Swift is a close second.

31. Kansas City Chiefs – C.J. Henderson – CB – Florida

Despite their red-hot start, the Chiefs and in particular their defense could use a little boost. I could go pass-rush here to pair with Frank Clark, however, I continue to cite corner as one of their more pressing needs.

Listen, if Steve Spagnuolo wants to get the most out of his pass rushers, then why not add a top-tier corner like C.J. Henderson to force coverage sacks. Sure, he won’t do that all by himself, but his physicality and man ability will surely help.

32. New England Patriots – Raekwon Davis – DT- Alabama

For teams or franchises for that matter that appear to be perfect, it’s often difficult to locate their areas of need. And that has always seemed to be the case with New England, each year they look unbeatable with an unlikely cast of players. Guys who on other teams probably wouldn’t find much success. However, the one place that I believe the Patriots are particularly weak is at defensive tackle.

Although the 2020 NFL Draft class isn’t particularly deep on defensive tackles, the Patriots could use an interior presence like Raekwon Davis to beef up their defensive line. While it is troubling for me that Davis currently has only 1.5 sacks in the last two seasons. However, who better than Bill Belichick to bring Davis back to his 2017 form where he notched 8.5 sacks. Match that with Winovich and Wise, now this New England D-line is pretty fierce.