2020 NFL Draft: Chargers snag new QB in first-round mock draft

As with the Carolina Panthers, I could see Steve Kiem and the Arizona Cardinals go a number of different ways in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. They have needs at offensive tackle, edge and at strong safety.

However, while not a massive need, the Cardinals do need an inside presence along their defensive line. And rest assured, Derrick Brown, brings that and then some. Brown has great size (6-foot-4 318 pounds) and an ability to convert speed to power that makes him a hard man to block. Add him with a healthy Zach Allen plus Chandler Jones and the Cardinals have themselves a strong defensive line.

The Jets need to continue to build around their young quarterback in Sam Darnold. In previous mocks, I’ve had them take an edge rusher and have suggested that they take a hard look at offensive tackle. However, in this scenario, I have them beefing up their receiving corps with Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb.

With Robby Anderson set to hit free agency in March and Quincey Enunwa dealing with various injuries, it would be wise for the Jets to address this position early in the 2020 NFL Draft. With Lamb, they’re getting an excellent receiver with amazing ball skills and underrated route-running prowess.

In 2017, the Denver Broncos selected Utah offensive tackle Garrett Boles in the hopes that he would become a franchise player. In 2019 they also signed Ju’Wann James to be their right tackle of the future. Unfortunately for Denver, Boles hasn’t panned out and James has dealt with injury his first year. Therefore I have opted to give them Iowa tackle Tristan Wirfs with their first pick.

Wirfs, who has fallen a tad in recent weeks due to the rise of Wills, still remains one of the better tackles in the 2020 NFL Draft class. He’s tough, surprisingly athletic and versatile enough to play either side of the offensive line.

The Cleveland Browns have underwhelmed in 2019 despite some lofty expectations in the offseason. Although they have plenty of great pieces, there are still some holes at positions such as strong safety and offensive tackle. There isn’t a tackle I’m comfortable giving them this early, instead, I have decided to give the Browns LSU’s Grant Delpit.

While Delpit’s 2019 tape isn’t quite as good as was his 2018 film, Delpit is still a rangy and hard-hitting safety that can complete this Browns secondary.

Despite starting off poorly, the Falcons managed to turn things around towards the of the 2019 NFL season. Having said that, this team could still use some help, in particular along their defensive line. Vic Beasley is set to become a free agent in 2020 and hasn’t been able to match the production of his breakout season in 2016.

Here, the Falcons get Iowa’s A.J. Epenesa, a big-bodied defensive lineman who offers the Falcons some versatility. At 6-6 and 280 pounds, Epenesa has to speed to play on the edge as well as the power to bump inside at tackle on nickel packages. While his 2019 season was as impressive as his 2018, Epenesa is still a top defensive lineman in the 2020 NFL Draft.

With the Antonio Brown fiasco leaving the Raiders down a true number one receiver, selecting Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy at 14 is an absolute get. Jeudy, once thought to be a top-five lock, has seen his stock fall a bit due to some inconsistency in his catching. Despite this, Jeudy still remains a top receiver in the 2020 NFL Draft. His route running is impeccable with speed to match it, Jeudy is truly one the most dynamic receivers to come out in recent years.

The latter half of the Dallas Cowboys season has not panned out how they had hoped, as the team has struggled across the board. While Dallas could use help at the corner and the safety position, defensive tackle should be on their list of problems to fix.

Despite selecting defensive tackle Trysten Hill in 2019, Javon Kinlaw is too good of a prospect to pass up. To me, Kinlaw offers more as a player than what the Cowboys have with Hill. Kinlaw has a great first step, with the strength to out-leverage opposing lineman. He also offers a great interior pass rush, which in my opinion is among the best of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Jacoby Brissett is a good quarterback, and will probably find some success with another franchise later on down the line. But in my opinion and that of many others, he’s not a franchise quarterback, which is why the Colts should address the position early. Despite this, there is an inherent risk when taking Utah State’s Jordan Love here at 16.

Love’s decision making scares me a little but his athleticism, release and arm make me very intrigued. Additionally, Love would be stepping into a situation where he wouldn’t have to start right away. Plus, he’ll be playing behind a great offensive line with plenty of weapons around him.