2020 NFL Draft: First-Round 2020 NFL mock draft with counterintuitive picks throughout

The Raiders have an alternate for Carr at the quarterback position this year, as this appears to be the last season the team will ride with him before starting to look at a successor. But even if Carr stays past 2020, the quarterback in Las Vegas will need dependable targets who can catch in difficult situations.

Meet Justin Jefferson, an LSU wide receiver who can make contested catches and offer up solid route running for the Raiders as they move to their new home in Nevada. Jefferson showed in college that he has the body control and ability to make difficult catches in traffic. He can break tackles and attack the ball in the air. Jon Gruden will disregard other, more conventional prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft. After all, this is the team that took Ferrell at number four last year.

The Jaguars appear to be starting Gardner Minshew at quarterback in 2020, meaning they will need to find him some fast targets who can create separation. If they want to get the most out of Minshew Mania, they will need to take advantage of his propensity for big, splashy vertical passes down the field.

The Jaguars’ defense may have been torn apart during free agency this year. But they’ll have enough solid defensive players to keep games interesting in 2020. If the Jaguars expect Minshew to throw 50 or more times in a game, they will need to get him some targets fast.

Laviska Shenault could be that target for the Jaguars in the 2020 NFL Draft. At 6-foot-2, 220-pounds, he is built more like a running back than a receiver. This shows on film with his ability to break tackles and keep consistent speed, even after contact. He can challenge defenders at the catch point and can confuse defensive backs with his feet and speed at the short and intermediate level. He was injured at the Combine, something that will complicate his draft stock this April. His film can answer any questions about Shenault’s skills not shown at the Combine.

The Philadelphia Eagles added Javon Hargrave this offseason to an already stacked defensive line. Everyone has the Eagles taking a wide receiver here, but with the best wide receivers likely gone before the Eagles draft, focusing on the defense is likely the route for them. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has only drafted a non-offensive/defensive line player once in the first round during his nine years drafting. If the defensive line were to have a weakness (which is a stretch to say) it would be the defensive end position.

The Eagles are rumored to be attempting a trade with the Jaguars for edge defender Yannick Ngakoue. But with a shrewd operator like Roseman at the helm, they aren’t likely to give up the farm for him as the Rams did for Ramsey.

Iowa defensive end A.J. Epenesa is 6-foot-6, 275-pounds and has the strength and size to tear apart opposing offensive lines and rack up gaudy sack numbers in the NFL. He finished his three seasons at Iowa with 36 tackles for a loss, 26 sacks and nine forced fumbles.

His height gives him an added benefit of slapping down short passes, with seven passes defended in three seasons. Pair Epenesa with Brandon Graham and the team has a rushing duo that can tear apart offensive lines in the NFC East.