2020 NFL Draft: Thanksgiving Day first-round 2020 NFL mock draft

14. Oakland Raiders: Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson

The Oakland Raiders have allowed 26 passing touchdowns in 2019 and 8 of those have come from tight ends. Their linebackers have had issues in coverage all year and there are several contracts at the position coming to an end after the season. Taking those things into consideration, Isaiah Simmons falling into their laps with the 14th pick of the 2020 NFL Draft is a no-brainer.

After beginning his career at Clemson as a safety, Simmons made the switch to linebacker in 2018 and has put up gaudy numbers. In his two seasons since the change, Simmons has 162 tackles, 21.5 tackles for a loss, 8 sacks and brought one of his 2 interceptions back for a touchdown.

Simmons is maybe the best athlete in this class, regardless of position, and can fly from sideline to sideline. He is the top coverage backer in this class and has absolute limbs, which give him a huge tackle radius. His blend of size and speed mixed in with his intense motor make for an exciting prospect that would fit so well with the Raiders.

Simmons is a blue-chip prospect in a 2020 NFL Draft class that is not deep at linebacker, so this would be a huge get for Gruden and the Raiders if he’s still on the board.