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

Projected Starter: Jordan Howard

The general consensus on running backs in the 2020 NFL Draft is that Georgia back D’Andre Swift is a clear number one with his agile, quick accelerating running style that is able to burst into the open field, followed by J.K. Dobbins and Jonathan Taylor of Ohio State and Wisconsin respectively. After watching tape on both Dobbins and Swift though, I personally see Dobbins as a much more successful player at the NFL level than Swift.

This is not to say Swift is going to be a bust by any means, I just believe Dobbins has the tools to produce more significantly in the NFL. Combining elusiveness with strength, Dobbins is able to break arm tackles consistently and break into the open field with his breakaway speed. Being extremely elusive to tackle is good on its own, but combined with enough strength to overpower smaller defenders is a nearly impossible task for would-be tacklers.

Miami did sign former Bears standout running back Jordan Howard, but he will need a running mate to help him in the backfield. Howard’s contract is also only a two year deal with an opt-out after 2020, so Dobbins would be the future of the Mami backfield.

Projected Starters: Bruce Irvin, Rasheem Green

The most well-rounded of the EDGE prospects to go in this 2020 NFL mock draft, Zack Baun has flown up draft boards thanks to his football IQ and ability to make tackles in the open field. Baun does not have the same length or burst as some of his 2020 NFL Draft counterparts such as Young or Chaisson, but Baun is not a pure pass-rusher.

At Wisconsin, Baun did his best work as a multi-purpose outside linebacker who did anything from pass-rushing to edge setting against the run to shallow coverage on the outside. He does have the tools to create pressure against the pass but is not going to be a double-digit sack leader in his NFL career.

Seattle is currently battling with Jadeveon Clowney over his contract terms if he is to return, and Baun is a more conventional replacement possibility who can bring more standard production to a Seattle front-seven who value grit and toughness.

Projected Starter: Mark Ingram

Even though Dobbins may have gone ahead of the more commonly higher-ranked Swift in this 2020 NFL mock draft, the Georgia product will find a home to have success in. The Baltimore Ravens have redefined the power running game with their combination of Lamar Jackson and Mark Ingram, lighting the NFL on fire with their dynamic offensive attack.

The modern NFL rushing attack can not rely on a single running back in the stable, even if their quarterback is posting comparable numbers. Swift is an alternative style of running back to Ingram, able to use burst and quickness to break plays outside instead of churning yardage up the middle. Baltimore would be more than happy to bring in a running back who can open up a new portion of the playbook in their rushing attack, and Swift is the prospect who can do it for them.

Projected Starters: Jeffery Simmons, DaQuan Jones, Isaiah Mack

After Derrick Brown and Javon Kinlaw, there is a significant dropoff in the pool of defensive tackles for the 2020 NFL Draft class. Neville Gallimore is an athletic three-technique defensive tackle who showed his speed and power at Oklahoma creating pressure from the interior. With a 4.79 40-yard dash at the combine, Gallimore showed he is much more than the 300+ pound defensive tackle he is commonly labeled as.

After trading away star interior defensive lineman Jurrell Casey to the Denver Broncos, Tennessee needs to find an additional player to fill that spot in their defensive line rotation in their 3-4 defense. Gallimore played as a defensive tackle in Oklahoma’s 4-3 defense but will be able to slide to a three-technique defensive end at Tennessee.

Projected Starters: Dean Lowry, Kenny Clark, Tyler Lancaster

Another defensive tackle coming off of the board, even though Ross Blacklock only ran a 4.9 40 at the combine, he has shown a more pass-rush oriented playstyle from the interior at only 290 pounds. With a high motor and quality hand-fighting, Blacklock will likely convert to a 3-4 defensive end in Green Bay and will be a valued addition in their currently lacking pass rush from the interior to complement outside linebackers Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith.

Projected Starters: Joe Staley, Mike McGlinchey

Josh Jones is part of the second tier of offensive tackles in the 2020 NFL Draft who find themselves unable to compete with the likes of their superior counterparts in Thomas, Wills, and Becton. Between physical inferiority and/or lack of polish in their technique, there is a large gap in the talent pool at offensive tackle.

With impressive lateral mobility, Jones is a quality pass protector who can get to the outside and match some of the speedster edge rushers in modern football. A concern surrounding Jones is his ability to block downhill and become a physically dominant presence in the running game, but with growth and coaching should not be an issue in the near future.

Current Niners tackle Joe Staley will be 36-years-old in the 2020 season and is still making approximately $11 million a year on the last two years of his contract. San Francisco needs to get younger at the position, and with possibly two years to develop, Jones will be the successor to the San Francisco legend.

Projected Starters: Rashad Fenton, Charvarius Ward

With the final selection of this 2020 NFL mock draft, the Kansas City Chiefs look to fill out their secondary with the best ball skills corner in the draft class. Trevon Diggs, brother of now Buffalo Bills wideout Stefon Diggs, is a rangy 6-foot-1 cornerback out of Alabama who showcased his ability to play trail-man coverage in college football with the best in the nation.

His athleticism and ball skills allowed Diggs to make plays on high point balls like no other cornerback and created game-changing plays for the Crimson Tide. Similar to current Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu, Diggs is a ball first coverage man who can change the momentum of a game on any given snap. Kansas City has an obvious void at corner and will need to bring in help to assist Mathieu and standout free safety Juan Thornhill.