2020 NFL Draft first-round NFL mock draft: Senior Bowl shuffle
By Ian Higgins
21. player. 54. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Solomon Kindley. G. Georgia
2019 Starters: Brandon Brooks, Isaac Seumalo
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 335 pounds
Projected 40 time: 5.18
The number one interior lineman in the 2020 NFL Draft, Solomon Kindley looks to uphold the Eagles offensive line’s reputation as one of the best units in the league through-and-through. Kindley is a strong, squat guard measuring in at 6-foot-4, 335 pounds. One concern entering the league is his weight, wanting him to slim down to better fit a zone running scheme which demands mobility out of all five offensive linemen.
Even at his size, Kindley has shown few problems with foot speed and mobility, complementing his strong balance with good hand usage at the point of attack. Philadelphia has always centered its team around investment in the offensive line, and such a talent at this point in the draft for his rookie contract price is impossible to ignore.
Scouting Report. Tee Higgins. 22. player. Pick Analysis. WR. Clemson. 16
2019 Starters: John Brown, Cole Beasley
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 210 pounds
Projected 40 time: 4.58
Outside of John Brown and Cole Beasley, Josh Allen lacked truly reliable aerial targets throughout this breakout year for the Buffalo Bills. As well as a general lack of receivers, Buffalo also lacks a big-body wide receiver on their depth chart.
Even with his speed, Brown still only measures in at 5-foot-10, which limits his ability to contribute in different parts of the passing game (especially in the red zone). Tee Higgins is a 6-foot-4 receiver out of Clemson who has not only impressed with his ability to high-point the football but has also shown the ability to use his massive frame to out-leverage defenders and box them out similarly to a basketball player getting a rebound.
Higgins is the most physical of the first-round wide receivers in a stacked class and brings a unique physicality to any receiving unit.
EDGE. LSU. 23. player. 47. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. K'Lavon Chaisson
2019 Starters: Jamie Collins, Kyle Van Noy
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 249 pounds
Projected 40 time: 4.63
K’Lavon Chaisson is a dynamic edge-rusher out of LSU who has shown his explosive first-step and ability to beat the blocker with his pure speed on the outside. His production came from a variety of outside rushes as well as stunts and twists utilizing his agility and ability to hit the hole with speed similarly to an elite running back.
Chaisson doesn’t have fantastic hand usage but still possesses the ability to develop and become comparable to Broncos star Von Miller in his pass-rushing style and production.
The last significant pure edge-rusher to be in New England was current Lions defensive end Trey Flowers, and even with a season marred by offensive struggle, New England needs to add a pure pass-rusher who can make a difference on this defensive front alongside Deatrich Wise and Dont’a Hightower.
Pick Analysis. Lloyd Cushenberry. 24. 15. Scouting Report. C. LSU. player
2019 Starter: Erik McCoy
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 315 pounds
Projected 40 time: 5.34
Yet another benefactor of an impressive Senior Bowl, Lloyd Cushenberry came to the forefront as one of the best interior linemen in the 2020 NFL draft class. Cushenberry showed off his strength and ability to anchor at the center position, is one of the few players during practice reps to stand up Javon Kinlaw and his bullrush.
New Orleans currently boasts an offensive line lacking that single finishing piece on the interior. Alongside Larry Warford and Andrus Pear, Cushenberry could be the final mauler to create running lanes for Alvin Kamara & Co.
New Orleans had great success from the running game in the past with both Kamara and Mark Ingram, and the addition of another true interior mauler could be the sign of another dominant running offense complemented by one of the best quarterback-receiver combinations in NFL history with Drew Brees and Michael Thomas.
Henry Ruggs III. 25. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Alabama. player. 60. WR
2019 Starters: Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs
Measurables: 6-foot, 190 pounds
Projected 40 time: 4.36
Minnesota is in a unique position currently with no true trend of improvement or regression. Kirk Cousins has continued to struggle in prime time football, although a playoff victory against the New Orleans Saints (even if due to another missed call by NFL officiating) has given Minnesota some promise leading into the 2020 season.
Current targets Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs continue to be a dynamic duo in spite of injury issues, but a third target with more athletic promise could be welcome to the roster. Henry Ruggs III is a legitimate burner out of Alabama who is expected to be running in the 4.3s at the combine.
Neither Diggs nor Thielen is a true threat over the top, but are still capable of stretching a defense. Ruggs is an immediate contributor in both the vertical and YAC passing offense and would be a perfect compliment to Diggs and Thielen.