First-Round 2020 NFL mock draft with many interesting trades

With many talented cornerbacks and edge rushers still on the board, trading down felt like a good move for the Atlanta Falcons. With Henry Ruggs III still on the board, the Philadelphia Eagles felt like the perfect trading partner for this team.

Eagles wide receivers consistently struggled to separate this season and it hurt their ability to move the ball all year long. They need a guy who can stretch the field and get himself open for Carson Wentz and Ruggs is a perfect fit.

Ruggs has blazing speed and incredible short-area quickness. He is an incredible deep threat who can take the top off of the defense and a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands. Ruggs’ speed and overall athleticism is an incredible weapon, but he is more than just a guy who can run fast. He is a solid route runner and has great hands on the outside. This is more than just a gadget player, Ruggs is a legitimate playmaker who would be a perfect fit for the Eagles.

Grant Delpit did not have the dominant college season that many of us expected this year, but he is still a great coverage safety and impressive playmaker on the back-end. The Dallas Cowboys have a major need at the safety position and Delpit is considered by most to be the best one in the class. This would be a strong pick by the Cowboys as Delpit could quickly become a guy who they could build their defense around.

The Miami Dolphins traded up to secure their franchise quarterback earlier in this 2020 NFL mock draft, but here, they look to improve on the defensive side of the ball. A.J. Epenesa is an extremely interesting defensive line prospect who has a great combination of size, power and athleticism up front. Epenesa is listed as an edge rusher, but I think he could have a bright future as a versatile defensive lineman who makes an impact on the outside and the interior.

Epenesa’s raw power immediately stands out on tape. He consistently fires off of the snap and forces his heavy hands into the opposing offensive lineman to drive him back. While he is a power-based player, do not sleep on this guy’s ability to move. He is explosive off of the ball and shows impressive upfield burst. No, he is not a pure speed guy who is going to consistently bend around the edge, but Epenesa can win with speed at times.

On early downs, Epenesa would be an ideal fit as a strong-side defensive end for the Miami Dolphins. In obvious passing situations, the Dolphins could kick Epenesa inside where his combination of quickness and power would be too much for many interior offensive linemen to handle.

Wide receiver stands out as one of the premier needs for the Buffalo Bills, but this is a deep class at the position and they should be able to find a helpful player later in the draft. This edge rusher class is not as deep and the Bills also have an obvious need there. Sensing an opportunity to fill one of their major needs with an extremely gifted player, the Bills trade up and snag K’Lavon Chaisson here.

Chaisson is a bit rough around the edges, but he is an extremely talented player who has a high ceiling at the next level. He is a long, athletic and flexible edge rusher who is explosive off of the ball and quick around the corner. Chaisson is also an extremely physical player who is not afraid to stick his nose in the mix against the run. The Bills trade up and snag themselves an extremely interesting player in this 2020 NFL mock draft.

After trading down and still grabbing Isaiah Simmons earlier in this 2020 NFL mock draft, the Jaguars go back to the defensive side of the ball here. Kristian Fulton is a smooth and athletic cornerback prospect who has obvious ability in man coverage.

Fulton is not a shut-down guy on the outside, but he mirrors in coverage extremely well, has strong ball skills and is dependable against a variety of receivers. Fulton does not replace the loss of Jalen Ramsey, but he is a good football player who has clear short and long-term value.