2020 1st-round NFL Mock Draft: Alabama gets all of the love

At only 5’11”, Jalen Reagor is a burner out of TCU who is able to outrun and outmaneuver any defense placed in front of him. Reagor has totaled over 600 yards and 5 touchdowns this season, proving highly productive for a simple “burner.” Even at just 5’11”, Reagor has shown his ability to compete on jump balls in one-on-one situations.

Buffalo currently needs a premiere receiver for Josh Allen, and such assets are hard to come by, nevermind pay for, on the open market. Reagor provides a unique dimension to this team that will match well with current leading receiver John Brown. Josh Allen would love a weapon like Reagor for his big arm and a vertical philosophy on offense.

Shane Lemieux has been a mobile guard for the Ducks and done well in both run and pass blocking. Lemieux uses his hands well to reach out and contact defenders on the second level first and uses his speed to drive them back downfield. In pass protection, Lemieux continues his good hand usage paired alongside quick feet to prevent easy interior wins.

As Aaron Rodgers begins to show his age, he will not be able to make the ridiculous plays with his legs that he once could. If Rodgers is to be successful, he will need help from his an offensive line, which is where Lemieux comes in. Under Matt Lafleur, Green Bay has begun to finally revive their running game with duo Aaron Jones and Jamal Williams, and an improved interior line will help to punish opposing defenses.

Afernee Jennings is another 3-4 OLB product from the Crimson Tide who has impressed with his explosiveness and physicality. Jennings comes in at two inches shorter and approximately 20 pounds lighter than his fellow teammate Terrell Lewis, but provides a different kind of package off of the edge with a larger focus on speed-rushing the passer. Jennings is by no means a bad run defender but his use at Alabama and build dictate more of a focus on beating tackles to the spot when rushing the passer.

The New Orleans Saints have lacked linebacking depth over recent years, and have leaned upon Cameron Jordan for the majority of their pressure. New Orleans does still have young lineman Marcus Davenport and could look to put Jennings on the outside as a complement to their current front seven. If Brees is to compete for another super bowl, New Orleans needs to build a to-tier defense to match.

Trey Adams is a 6’8″, 325-pound tackle out of Washington with incredible reach and quick feet. Adams has impressed with his quick footwork and a strong base in pass protection, able to protect the edge and washout defenders with his quickness and length. Even at his monstrous size, Adams has struggled to get a grasp for run blocking, not using his size as effectively as he could.

Adams lacks the true aggression getting downhill to be a strong run-blocking tackle, capping his NFL capability to his pass protection.

The 49ers currently lack a true left tackle to protect Jimmy Garoppolo with the aging of Joe Staley, and have their fix in Trey Adams. He will need to continue to develop his run blocking, but Adams can immediately contribute as Garoppolo’s blindside protector.

Tyler Biadasz has been one of the best centers in the nation, leading a Wisconsin power-run offense with Johnathan Taylor. Taylor is one of the best power backs in the country, meaning his (interior) offensive line needs to be stellar (including Biadasz). This physical presence inside is always sought after by NFL franchises.

New England has been sporting Ted Karras at center this season after solidified starter David Andrews went out for the season with a blood clot. New England needs a powerful center to place between top guards Joe Thuney and Shaq Mason to make running back Sony Michel a successful power back again.

Albert Okwuegbunam is one of the most talented tight ends of the 2020 NFL draft, mixing a combination of receiver footwork and hands with a mismatch tight end build. Few tight ends combine a 6’5″, 255-pound frame with such refined receiving skills which make Okwuegbunam such a weapon. He will need to continue to develop his run blocking ability to become a complete tight end.

Seattle has lacked a tight end for quarterback Russell Wilson much of his career, shortly possessing a faltering Jimmy Graham. Wilson would love to work with a big target like Okwuegbunam as a safety blanket and seam target. Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny would also love a 6’5″ block to help on the outside.

With the final selection of the first round, the Baltimore Ravens select wide receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden out of Liberty University. The 6’4″ big bodied target has been agreed upon as possibly the best high-ball target in the 2020 NFL draft with his length, strength, vertical and hands. Golden has proven to be a perfect vertical passing big-body target for the NFL.

Baltimore currently lacks size on the outside minus their stable of tight ends but could use a big-body target for quarterback Lamar Jackson next season when defenses draw their attention to the box.

Alongside current rookie Marquise Brown, the combination of speed and size on the exterior as well as the already present running game is a mismatch nightmare for defensive coordinators.