2020 NFL Draft: First-Round 2020 NFL mock draft with counterintuitive picks throughout
By John Newman
player. Pick Analysis. South Carolina. Javon Kinlaw. 25. 60. Scouting Report. Defensive Tackle
Shamar Stephen was the only defensive tackle for the Vikings to play more than 50 percent of the 2019 defensive snaps, according to Pro Football Reference. Drafting Javon Kinlaw in the 2020 NFL Draft would add another sure-fire, dependable defensive tackle to the defense. Some think Diggs still needs to be replaced at number 25 but with a good offensive unit heading into 2020, the Vikings must start planning their first-round picks around priority positions.
26. 59. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Wide Receiver. TCU. Jalen Reagor. player
This move for the Dolphins adds a playmaker to the offense, in hopes of balancing the roster to at least some degree. Eight of their free-agent pickups this offseason play on defense and their new quarterback will need at least one quality wide receiver to throw to this year. Jalen Reagor was held back in college by a less than stellar quarterback. But with a smart head coach like Flores and a quality roster propped up by free agents in 2020, the Dolphins look ready to compete in the AFC East once again.
player. 36. Cornerback. Pick Analysis. Ohio State. Damon Arnette. 27. Scouting Report
Most mock drafts have him falling into the second round, but Damon Arnette might actually be the better cornerback to come out of Ohio State in 2020. He is one of the better all-around cornerbacks in the class and he can play in almost any scheme. Being targeted more because of Okudah’s presence on the field in Ohio, Arnette had a career-best season in 2019.
He has great speed and can attack at the catch point as well as any pro-ready cornerback in the 2020 NFL Draft. While playing most of his snaps out wide, he can also double as a slot cornerback. He is likely to move around much more than any of the other “shutdown” cornerback and is a versatile cornerback being disregarded as a first-round prospect.
Linebacker. Oklahoma. player. Pick Analysis. Kenneth Murray. 28. 26. Scouting Report
Kenneth Murray adds another way for the Baltimore Ravens to shut down opposing offenses, particularly in the run game and short passing scenarios. He had 36.5 tackles for a loss and 9.5 sacks while at Oklahoma, showing a keen ability to sniff out screen passes and act as an extra pass rusher. With the offseason acquisitions the Ravens have added this year, the 2020 NFL Draft has them primed to pick up depth pieces and prepare for a strong playoff push in 2020.
With Lamar Jackson being so pliable and creative on offense, expect the Ravens to lean towards drafting defensive players, as they look to be early favorites to play in the AFC Championship game this season.