2020 NFL Draft: First-Round 2020 NFL mock draft sees major trades

The first pick of the 2020 NFL Draft isn’t unexpected as the Bengals take the best quarterback in the draft in Joe Burrow. Burrow shows excellent pocket mobility and a knack for making accurate throws from anywhere in the pocket and when on the run. The Bengals need a quarterback who can navigate pressure while still performing well as it will be another season or two before their protection problems are solved.

Nonetheless, Burrow will have a trio of talented wide-outs and a versatile running back to work with. Burrow could do enough good to keep the Bengals in Wild Card contention deep into the season as long as the defense can improve to a top 20 unit and the offensive line can at least slightly improve, creating a better push and allowing less pressure on the quarterback.

With the second overall pick, the Redskins choose to bolster their defensive line and pass rush. Despite a solid one already, adding Young would give them a probable top-five unit in the NFL at getting to the quarterback. Young is an elite prospect and will likely enter the NFL already a top-ten player at his position. Considering the division the Redskins play in, one with multiple top-ten offensive lines, it is important they can effectively counter that with an elite defensive line of their own.

Young gives them a player that will more often than not win his match-ups on the edge and allows them to be more versatile in how they attack an offense. Taking the best prospect, by far, in the class with the second overall pick is a no-brainer selection.

The Dolphins (or another QB-needy) are widely expected to trade up to this pick and take the second-best quarterback in the 2020 NFL Draft, though some believe Tagovailoa is Burrow’s superior. Tagovailoa has incredible accuracy and a strong arm, both of which should lend to him having immediate success. The compensation is two second-round picks in 2020, which is similar to past trades like this one.

In Tagovailoa, the Dolphins secure their franchise passer and begin the climb back into contention. Even after trading two second-round picks, the Dolphins can still build around their new quarterback via free agency and the multitude of picks they have built up for the next two drafts.

By the start of the 2021 season, as long as they have spent right in free agency and built their core through the next two drafts, the Dolphins should be in a position to begin fighting in earnest for an AFC East title and/or playoff berth.

It seems the Giants have found their franchise quarterback, so now they turn their attention toward protecting him. Wills is the best offensive tackle in the 2020 NFL Draft and has great athleticism which should lend him the ability to play on either side of the offensive line.

Taking Wills would give the Giants a long-term bookend along the offensive line. Combined with his athleticism, his technique and tenacity will lead to him being a successful anchor in the run game and great pass protector. Wills has Pro Bowl potential and will improve a line that struggled mightily to give running back Saquon Barkley much wiggle room and quarterback Daniel Jones time to throw.

Despite possibly being able to land Herbert at sixth overall, the Chargers do have to worry about the Carolina Panthers possibly jumping them for him. So, in order to ensure they get their next long-term passer, they decide to give up a third-round pick to jump up one spot and snag Herbert.

Herbert could very well have immediate success in LA, better than both of the two passers drafted in front of him. His supporting cast will be the best of any rookie quarterbacks as he will have multiple talented pass-catchers and running backs. The coaching he will receive will also be top-notch. Despite a down season, adding Herbert combined with an improved offensive line could very well end up seeing the Chargers go from top-five pick to playoff team.

After trading down twice, the Lions still end up with easily the best cornerback in the draft. If the Lions miss out on Young this will be the best pick for a secondary that struggled a lot to cover receivers and slow down opposing passers. Okudah brings the Lions a great number two cornerback who gives them insurance in case they can’t sign current star corner Darius Slay to an extension.

Okudah brings All-Pro potential with him and does by playing receivers with good technique and an elite blend of size and speed. Okudah’s unique blend of traits will allow him to cover a range of wide-outs in the NFL successfully. Drafting him sixth overall after trading back when he would likely be the pick at three overall is great value and would be a great day one of the 2020 NFL Draft for the Lions.

The Carolina Panthers have a massive hole in the middle of their defense along the interior of the defensive line. The defensive tackle out of Auburn, Derrick Brown, would more than fill hole. Brown commands attention every moment of every play as he wrecks the interior of the offensive line play after play.

Brown has impressive strength that is apparent from the second the ball is snapped. He gets his hands on his opponent quickly and uses that strength to walk the offensive lineman back into the running lane or the quarterback’s lap. His wrecking-ball ability to make a game-changing play will give the Panthers a defensive leader from the moment he steps onto the field.

Becton is not the most refined player, nor does he have the best tape out there. However, his impressive size and outstanding athleticism will undoubtedly move him up a lot of 2020 NFL Draft boards.

The Jets will need to add to the offensive line to protect their franchise passer, Sam Darnold. The Jets know that the Cleveland Browns will be looking to add to the offensive line too and they move up three spots to secure who they believe is the best tackle left on the board. With the combination of size and movement skills, Becton has the potential to be a long term bookend for the New York Jets.

Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons is a jack-of-all-trades defender. With the ability to play literally any defensive position from edge rusher to cornerback, the Jacksonville Jaguars can greatly improve their defense with this selection. Linebacker Myles Jack is a solid middle linebacker, but he doesn’t bring quite the array of skills and versatility to the game that Simmons provides.

The Jaguars can add a defender that has the ability to play all over and who will likely provide a huge impact from day one. Simmons’ lack of fitting into one specific position on defense, plus team needs, leads to him falling out of the top-five picks. However, despite the lack of a specific position fit, Simmons brings impact play at a multitude of positions and the Jags are the team that can use that kind of excellent versatility.

The Cleveland Browns went into the offseason with offensive tackle a big need as they didn’t have a long term tackle in place. This need grew even bigger when former starting offensive tackle Greg Robinson was arrested for transporting over 150 pounds of marijuana in his car. With the need for a solid tackle who can anchor one end of the line for a while, the Browns turn to Georgia tackle Andrew Thomas.

Thomas has been falling down boards recently because it has been going around that he doesn’t possess the highest ceiling you’d like to see from a top tackle. However, that is nonsense as Thomas gave up the very minimal amounts of pressure and sacks in his career at Georgia. Thomas is a tackle that people will overthink and let him fall down the board and in this case, the Browns are the benefactors as they snag a great, steady franchise protector.