2020 NFL Draft first-round NFL mock draft: Senior Bowl shuffle
By Ian Higgins
player. 13. Oregon. 6. QB. Justin Herbert. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
2019 Starter: Philip Rivers
Measurables: 6-foot-6, 238 pounds
Projected 40 time: 4.73
With the best pure arm talent in the 2020 NFL draft, Justin Herbert is in position to fall into the lap of the quarterback-needy Los Angeles Chargers. Having announced their move from veteran quarterback Philip Rivers, Los Angeles could bring in an immediate solution to work alongside current weapons Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Hebert needs to be the player to push this team over the hump and become at least a wild card contender.
87. Scouting Report. QB. Alabama. player. Pick Analysis. Tua Tagovailoa. 7
2019 Starters: Kyle Allen, Cam Newton
Measurables: 6-foot-1, 218 pounds
Projected 40 time: 4.69
After a serious hip injury incurred during Alabama’s contest against Mississippi State, Tua Tagovailoa was considered one of the biggest risks in the 2020 NFL Draft. Bouncing around draft boards from top-five to the middle rounds and even being encouraged to return to Alabama, Tagovailoa found good news when his injury became less of a concern com draft time.
Tagovailoa still holds an injury history from his time in college but displays the skillset of a number one quarterback. Carolina currently holds both Cam Newton and Kyle Allen on their roster, meaning one will be kept as the starter and the other will be shipped out to make room for Tagovailoa on the depth chart for a year of development.
Pick Analysis. Alabama. 32. Scouting Report. WR. Jerry Jeudy. 8. player
2019 Starters: Larry Fitzgerald, Christian Kirk
Measurables: 6-foot-1, 192 pounds
Projected 40 time: 4.45
Kenneth Murray and Kliff Kingsbury didn’t exactly set the league on fire in their first year together but showed promise with multiple quality performances throughout the 2019 campaign. Murray’s current arsenal of weapons consists of Miami-castaway and dynamic game-breaker Kenyan Drake, veteran legend Larry Fitzgerald, and an array of young wideouts from Christian Kirk to Andy Isabella.
Jerry Jeudy is a top-tier receiver, ranking first in one of the deepest wide receiver classes in NFL draft history. Jeudy would have a perfect rookie mentor in Fitzgerald and would be in the perfect place to flourish into a WR1.
Pick Analysis. LB. Clemson. Isaiah Simmons. 52. Scouting Report. 9. player
2019 Starters: Quincy Williams, Leon Jacobs
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 229 pounds
Projected 40 time: 4.49
One of the most dynamic, flexible players in the 2020 NFL Draft, Isaiah Simmons played most of his snaps at Clemson as an outside linebacker but is also capable of playing from the slot or strong safety positions. Simmons is 6-foot-4, 229 pounds and can keep up with slower wide receivers and today’s mismatch tight ends.
After trading away a disgruntled Jalen Ramsey, Jacksonville needs a new defensive star to base their defense around at the second level, and Simmons is the perfect player to due so with his ability to contribute effectively from anywhere on the field with an aggressive mentality.
Scouting Report. DT. Auburn. Derrick Brown. player. Pick Analysis. 10. 53
2019 Starters: Sheldon Richardson, Larry Ogunjobi
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 318 pounds
Projected 40 time: 4.92
After a tumultuous 2019 season following one of the most hopeful offseasons in NFL history, many writers are pegging Cleveland to be hunting for an offensive tackle. This projection is very possible, with a strong class offering multiple options to be plug-and-play starters. Picking 10th overall, with the teams ahead of them, I believe that the best player available is the best move for this franchise.
Derrick Brown is a strong nose tackle out of Auburn who sucks in blockers and is a certified force in the middle of the defensive line at the 1 and 3 technique. Cleveland’s defense needs a boost, and after such a disappointing ranking 21st in overall defense (23.4 ppg) & 20th in total sacks (38), Cleveland would benefit greatly from the addition of Derrick Brown.