First-Round 2020 NFL mock draft: “If I were the GM”

Projected Starters: Alex Lewis, Greg Van Roten

The most physically outstanding of the offensive tackles in the 2020 NFL Draft class, Tristan Wirfs ran a 4.85 forty at 6-foot-5, 320 pounds. Wirfs has all of the physical tools for an NFL offensive tackle but has lacked the technical polish to be justified as a top selection at tackle.

A combination of issues with his footwork and hand fighting has shown to be an issue for the tackle and will be even more exposed at the NFL level. The New York Jets currently have holes all along their offensive line, and Wirfs has been talked about as a candidate to slide to guard which would work well on New York’s offensive line.

Projected Starters: Tyrell Williams, Hunter Renfrow, Nelson Agholor

After an outstanding career at Oklahoma, CeeDee Lamb has asserted himself as a prototypical number one receiver for the NFL. Between his physical frame (6-foot-3), ability to make plays on the ball at the point of reception, and after the catch production, Lamb is built to be a number one receiver in an NFL offense.

After the failed Antonio Brown experiment in Oakland, the Raiders organization has had a hole at their number one receiver spot that has been partially filled by a combination of Tyrell Williams, Hunter Renfrow, and Darren Waller. Free agency acquisition Nelson Agholor brings depth to the unit but is not the answer. Lamb is the playmaker Derek Carr has needed since Amari Cooper was traded to Dallas, and will bring an explosive flair to this running offense.

Projected Starters: Deebo Samuel, Kendrick Bourne, Trent Taylor

After the departure of Emmanuel Sanders for New Orleans, there is an apparent void in Jimmy Garoppolo‘s weapons across from Deebo Samuel. Jerry Jeudy is a 6-foot-1 receiver out of Alabama who ran a 4.45 forty and had a 35-inch vertical at the NFL combine. Jeudy is slightly smaller than the previously mentioned Lamb but brings a similar type of post-catch playmaking as well as the ability to stretch the defense vertically.

Jeudy has been Tagovailoa’s number one playmaker at Alabama thanks to both his physical tools as well as his separation-creating route runnings. San Francisco needs a new receiving threat in place of former late-addition Sanders, and Jeudy is in the right place draft-stock wise to come to Northern California via what was originally Indianapolis’ draft selection.

Projected Starter: Tom Brady

After a severe hip injury derailed his final season with the Crimson Tide, Tua Tagovailoa has still been considered the number two quarterback to Joe Burrow on many draft boards. Even though he may not have the playmaking of Burrow or the arm talent of Herbert, Tagovailoa is a smart passer who was able to fit into a system that complimented his talents at Alabama.

Even though Tampa Bay was able to sign the greatest quarterback of all-time in free agency, Brady’s contract is only a two-year deal and their future needs to be established. Seeing how the first half of this 2020 NFL mock draft has panned out, Tampa Bay would have to take Tagovailoa as Brady’s heir if he was available. There is no better mentor than Brady, and Tagovailoa would be able to learn the nuances of the NFL-game with time under the GOAT.

Projected Starters: Courtland Sutton, DaeSean Hamilton, Tim Patrick

After a ‘disappointing’ 4.28 40-yard dash at the 2020 NFL Combine, Henry Ruggs settled any debate that he was the fastest man in the 2020 NFL Draft. Unlike the speedy receivers who have posted jaw-dropping 40-times before him though, Ruggs showed to be a complete receiver at Alabama who could create chunk gains from behind the line of scrimmage as well as turn slants upfield for bigger gains.

With such speed and elusiveness, it should not be hard for a coaching staff to turn these physical tools into separation in his route running. Behind blooming star Courtland Sutton, Denver lacks a true complementing wide receiver on their roster, and Ruggs could be the perfect alter-ego to Sutton’s physical presence.