2020 NFL Mock Draft: Indianapolis Colts find their franchise quarterback
1. Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Joe Burrow led his team to a National Championship and won the Heisman Trophy in the same season. The last two NFL drafts saw the Heisman Trophy winner selected number one overall and I believe that will happen in 2020 as well.
Burrow had an unbelievable senior season leading the LSU Tigers to an undefeated season. He completed 402 of 527 of his passes for a 76.3% completion percentage. He threw for 5,671 yards, 60 touchdowns, and had only six interceptions in 2019.
Cincinnati is likely to move on from Andy Dalton and Burrow is the best quarterback in this draft class. Other options Cincinnati might consider with the number one selection is defensive end Chase Young, cornerback Jeff Okudah, and quarterback Justin Herbert but Burrow is the likely call for them.
2. Washington Redskins: Chase Young, DE, Ohio State
In this 2020 NFL mock draft, the Redskins land the best player in the entire draft class and he gets to play for his hometown team as well. Chase Young recorded 16.5 sacks this past season, which was more than any other player in all of college football. He was also second in forced fumbles with six.
If the Bengals decide to nab Young first, I could see Washington trading this pick to a quarterback-needy team and stocking up picks for themselves as they have plenty of needs throughout their roster.
Teams that could consider moving up into this selection are the Chargers, Panthers, or Jaguars to move ahead of the Dolphins at fifth overall who also is looking to add a quarterback on day one.
3. Detroit Lions: Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
The Lions need several playmakers on the defensive side of the ball, as this was one of the worst defenses in football last season. It was something I was not expecting after their 2-0-1 start, but they only won one more game the rest of the season.
Okudah is the best cornerback in this draft class and would instantly help the Lions next season. He is a big, physical cornerback who has experience playing press coverage. Head coach Matt Patrica likes to play a ton of press coverage on defense and Okudah would also pair well with Darius Slay.
Detroit has many holes and they are likely to go defense with their first pick. With the top edge rusher already off of the board, which is a need for this team as well, they decide to go cornerback. Isaiah Simmons from Clemson is also another name to watch for with this selection.
4. New York Giants: Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
The Giants could look to add a playmaker for their young quarterback Daniel Jones, though I believe they stick to the defensive side of the ball with this pick. They added Dexter Lawrence in last year’s draft but they could still use some help in the middle of the field.
Pairing Derrick Browns with Lawrence and Leonard Williams would give the Giants a talented, young defensive line to build around. This defensive line could help get the ball back to Daniel Jones and company in 2020.
I believe Brown is the best fit for this team with this pick but other needs for the Giants are edge, linebacker, cornerback, wide receiver and offensive tackle.