2020 NFL Draft: Saints make big move in 2020 NFL mock draft with trades

As many people have been saying, the 2020 NFL Draft truly starts with this third pick. Burrow and Young are the clear top two picks, but the next name off the board is rather unclear at this point. If the Detroit Lions opt to keep this pick, there are a couple of names that could be in play, and there is a real chance that this pick is traded to a team looking to come up and secure a quarterback.

The Dolphins, Chargers, Panthers, Colts, Buccaneers and Raiders could all feasibly make the move to three in order to secure the quarterback that they desire. While the Dolphins may be able to stand pat at five and get their guy, they also seem like the most likely candidate to jump up a couple of spots with their draft capital to ensure that they get their guy.

It appears that the guy most teams would want at this spot is Alabama lefty quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. But with his injury history and other question marks, I’m not sure Tua is worth moving up for. In my opinion, he’s not even the second-best option at quarterback in the 2020 NFL Draft. Sure, other teams may think he’s worth it and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Tua ends up coming off the board at three, but in this scenario, the Lions stand pat.

With the third overall pick, head coach Matt Patricia has the opportunity to add a dynamic playmaker to his struggling defense. While Jeff Okudah is the more popular projection for Detroit at three, I still believe they go with do-it-all Clemson unicorn Isaiah Simmons.

I have been mocking Simmons to the Lions for quite some time now. Even as the Lions draft slot got higher and higher, Simmons’ level of play followed that pick right up the board. He was excellent in the College Football Playoffs and can a little bit of everything for the Detroit defense.

Sure, the Lions could use another corner to pair with Darius Slay, but Simmons brings so much more to the table. Simmons fits extremely will in Patricia’s scheme as the extra safety/linebacker on the field in sort of a nickel role. He can play defensive end, MIKE linebacker, outside corner and everything in between. The versatility and proven production that Simmons offers are too much to pass up for a defensive head coach that is firmly on the hot seat heading into the season.

Another prediction that trends away from the norm, but that is often because Jeff Okudah is already off the board. While many mock the top offensive tackle to the New York Giants, I think the cornerback position is an even bigger need, and the best prospect at the position is still available.

Jeff Okudah is a true lockdown corner who has All-Pro potential in the NFL. I feel that he is an even more complete and promising prospect than his former Ohio State teammate, Denzel Ward, who was drafted fourth overall in 2018.

Okudah is long, strong, quick and instinctual. He can stay glued to any receiver in man coverage and has great ball skills to break up the play once the ball is delivered. He is improving in zone coverage and has the football IQ and quickness to break on the ball to make a play.

The Giants drafted a cornerback in the first round of the NFL Draft last year, but they could use another top corner to really be effective against the pass, where they were 25th in the league in both passing yards and touchdowns allowed. After releasing Janoris Jenkins last season, the Giants need a true number one, shutdown corner, and Okudah can absolutely be that guy.