2020 NFL Draft: Two-round mock draft where Patriots find Tom Brady’s heir

Here, there is finally a pick that is up for debate. This selection is going to be in the market for a potential trade-up to a quarterback-needy team to jump Miami and the Los Angeles Chargers. Now, if the Lions keep the pick I think there is a clear answer as to what direction they should head in.

There is no denying that Darius Slay is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, however, the other side of the field is often a liability. I’m going back-to-back on Ohio State Buckeyes by adding Jeffery Okudah to the mix and create a dynamic duo in the cornerback room in Detroit. Okudah is a long and physical corner and is great in both man and zone coverage. He is a complete cornerback prospect that can shut down an entire side of the field.

Last year, the New York Giants drafted quarterback Daniel Jones sixth overall. Jones showed flashes of being a good NFL quarterback, but he needs more protection on the perimeter. Thomas has played both tackle positions and projects well at either spot he is needed. He is such a fundamentally strong tackle prospect that has franchise-tackle written all over him.

Great size, strength, and feet are just the beginning of what Andrew Thomas can bring to New York. He is such a great pass blocker but is an even better run blocker which fits well with the Saquon Barkley led offense.

Tua Tagovailoa announced on Monday that he is declaring for the 2020 NFL Draft. If the injury concern was not there, there would be a serious discussion for him to be the top selection in April. His health is an obvious concern, but Tua has the skills and upside worthy to still be a top-10 selection with the injuries.

The Miami Dolphins have so much draft capital and a swing on one of the best quarterback prospects in recent history. Tua has such great touch and accuracy at all levels of the field. He is a true field general and if you have weapons around him, the sky is the limit for what he can be.

With rumors swirling around Phillip Rivers‘ potential retirement, the Los Angeles Chargers are in the market for a quarterback. Tua would be a no-brainer if he slips past Miami at five but in this situation, he was taken off the board. Justin Herbert has all the talent you want in a franchise quarterback but his decision-making and pocket presence need to be developed to find a ton of success in the NFL.

If Rivers decides to come back, Herbert will have a savvy veteran to learn from and help him pick up the speed of the next level. If Rivers retires, the Chargers still have Tyrod Taylor under contract for one more year and he has proved to be serviceable until Herbert can learn and be confident in the offense.

Auburn’s Derrick Brown is an exceptional talent and will be in the conversation to be drafted number 3 overall to Detroit. He is a people mover and can penetrate the backfield with ease. He is one of those players that probably won’t fill up the stat sheet, but his impact will be huge. His ability to push linemen into the backfield forces the pocket to collapse and allows others to have easy lanes to attack the quarterback.

There is a lot of question marks regarding the Carolina Panthers’ defensive-line unit from 2019 to 2020. Expiring contracts and potential cuts galore. Brown can step right in and be a huge piece to build around on the interior. With Brian Burns, this defensive line unit would have great young talent to develop into potentially one of the best pass-rush duos in the NFL.

Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray are needy of a go-to receiver that can do it all. Who better to pair with Murray than his former teammate at Oklahoma, CeeDee Lamb? With prior chemistry with his quarterback, Lamb has the potential to transition into the NFL smoothly. Lamb and Jerry Jeudy compete for WR1 and CeeDee got the edge in this mock 2020 NFL Draft.

As stated in my final scouting report on the former Sooners receiver, he is the most complete player at his position. With Christian Kirk and the unknown commodities of Hakeem Butler, Andy Isabella, and KeeSean Johnson leading the future at wide receiver for the Cardinals, Lamb could add a dynamic security blanket that Murray can rely on. Lamb has such high potential in the NFL for what he can do after the catch and can provide a spark in this flashy offense.

And just like that, both top receivers are off the board. Jacksonville is in a position with so much money wrapped up into Nick Foles that they must embrace their quarterback room as it is. With that said, they must surround their quarterback, whether it’s Foles or Gardner Minshew, with weapons. Jerry Jeudy is a phenomenal target that can make life easy on his quarterback.

Jeudy would join a receiving core with DJ Chark who is coming off a break-out season. Both receivers are athletic and can create separation on every level of the field. With a great young duo at wide receiver, Jacksonville can find success in the passing game to complement Leonard Fournette and the rushing attack and be a dynamic offense for years to come.

There is no denying that this has been a disappointing season for the Cleveland Browns. Going into the 2019 season, there were aspirations of a division title and a run in the playoffs, yet that fell through and they’re faced with a decision to make at the number 10 overall pick.

Jedrick Wills is a technician at the offensive tackle position. With the retirement of Joe Thomas after the 2018 season, the Browns have a glaring hole at left tackle. Wills can be a plug-and-play tackle that can protect the blindside of quarterback Baker Mayfield for years to come.