2020 NFL Draft: First-Round 2020 NFL mock draft pre-free agency
By Ian Higgins
Georgia. D'Andre Swift. 26. 59. Scouting Report. RB. Pick Analysis. player
2019 Starter: Kalen Ballage
The first of the running backs to go off of the board for the 2020 NFL Draft, Miami looks to pair a talented ball-carrier with their new quarterback. D’Andre Swift is a combination of breakaway speed and light-footed agility that makes him a perfect running back for a zone-run offense. Tua Tagocailoa can not carry the load of the offense on his shoulders, and Swift will bring another established SEC product to a team looking to find their identity.
Neville Gallimore. player. Oklahoma. 27. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. DT. 36
2019 Starters: Poona Ford, Jarran Reed
One of the numerous defensive tackles lining the back half of the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Canada-native Neville Gallimore had impressive showings at both the senior bowl and NFL combine.
Gallimore is more suited for the role of nose tackle than a pass-rushing three-technique, but Seattle would welcome a big-body to anchor down the middle of their defense. Gallimore showed unexpected explosiveness with a 4.79 forty, and with respectable hand-fighting and a high motor coming into the league, Gallimore could be in the running for a starting role on his next team.
TCU. 28. Scouting Report. DT. Ross Blacklock. player. 26. Pick Analysis
2019 Starters: Brandon Williams, Michael Pierce, Chris Wormley
The prospect who is most well known for his parking ticket debacle at the NFL combine, Ross Blacklock is a 290-pound interior lineman who uses suddenness and one of the highest motors in college football to find his way to the quarterback. One pressing issue has been his lack of hand-fighting and tendency to get stalled out by a blocker, but that always running motor eventually gets him into the play.
Baltimore has a respectable group of interior defensive linemen and Blacklock could become another cog in the machine that can slide between any of the three spots in their 3-4 defensive line.
35. Scouting Report. Wisconsin. Jonathan Taylor. player. Pick Analysis. RB. 29
2019 Starter: Derrick Henry
With running back Derrick Henry commanding a big-time contract after his most impressive season yet, bringing in an impressive college running back with an overflowing resume could be either the answer to Henry’s departure or a new running mate to take the load off.
Jonathan Taylor capped off his senior season with 2,003 yards and 21 touchdowns rushing, following up an impressive junior campaign of 2,194 yards and 16 touchdowns. An outstanding combine with a 4.39 forty asserted Taylor as a potential first-rounder and top-tier running back in the 2020 NFL draft.
Scouting Report. WR. 30. 49. Pick Analysis. Baylor. Denzel Mims. player
2019 Starters: Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, Geronimo Allison
Possibly the most overall athletic receiver in the 2020 NFL Draft, Denzel Mims managed to run a 4.38 forty, 38.5-inch vertical, 6.66-second 3-cone drill, all at 6-foot-3, 207 pounds. This combination of size and freakish athleticism with the acrobatic ball skills displayed at Baylor make him a possible sleeper star at the wide reciever position.
Mims is also a physical route-runner and run blocker, treating streaks as an ongoing hand battle and driving corners into the ground on the run. Green Bay currently lacks an overwhelming athlete outside the numbers, and all-pro Davante Adams needs a wingman.
CB. Trevon Diggs. 31. player. 42. Pick Analysis. Alabama. Scouting Report
2019 Starters: Richard Sherman, Emmanuel Moseley
Behind Okudah as the best man-to-man corner in the 2020 NFL Draft, Trevon Diggs looks to chase down older brother Stefon Diggs at the next level. At Alabama, Diggs’ senior season ended with eight pass defenses, three interceptions and 37 total tackles. Like his brother, Diggs also possesses great ball skills to make plays downfield.
At 6-foot-1, Diggs appears to have all of the physical tools to be a number one corner and will make sure of that saving his off-field drills for his pro day. Hopefully bringing on another corner like Diggs can prevent a second collapse in San Francisco’s next big game.
Ohio St. J.K. Dobbins. 124. RB. 32. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
2019 Starter: Damien Williams
J.K. Dobbins is one of the best backs in the country and combines the skill sets of the previous two selected perfectly into a blend of elusiveness and power that makes him an ope-field nightmare. A one-cut back who hits his whole and uses straight-line speed to make his yardage, Dobbins is a possible 4.4 forty prospect. Dobbins only participated in the bench press at the combine, showing off his strength with 23 reps of 225 pounds.
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I personally believe Dobbins is the best running back to come out of this draft class, but based on team needs and positioning he falls to the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs, who with a franchise running back could lengthen the success of Patrick Maholmes and make them an even better offense.