The 2020 NFL Draft is just a handful of hours away! Here is one last crack at what could go down over the weekend. Enjoy the last mock draft of 2020.
The 2020 NFL Draft will be beginning in less than 12 hours and your favorite team will soon be on the clock. Though the draft won’t be what we’re all used to, it still promises to be a fun and exciting night.
The draft should kick off pretty predictable, with Joe Burrow going number one overall to the Cincinnati Bengals. After that, Chase Young will likely be playing in Washington D.C. next year. When the Detroit Lions get on the clock at three, however, that’s where things get interesting.
Looking at a positional overview, four quarterbacks are considered locks to be drafted in round one, while a handful of receivers should come off the board as well. On the defensive side of the ball, there will be an impressive number of defensive backs that get selected tonight.
It’s shaping up to be quite the draft for LSU, with as many as seven Tigers possibly being drafted in round one. Other schools that will likely have a heavy presence include Alabama and Ohio State.
Trades will be happening all over the place if rumors are even half true, with as many as three or our possibly happening inside the top ten. Teams are looking to trade up to land a top offensive tackle, receiver, quarterback and cornerback and seem willing to part with the draft capital it’ll take to make the sizable jump.
News reports have been all over the place this draft cycle, with no one really knowing where the consensus stands on a lot of draft prospects. One thing is for sure, it’s shaping up to be quite the night.
In one of the easiest decisions of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals take LSU quarterback Joe Burrow. Burrow can make just about every throw in the book despite not having exceptional arm strength. His accuracy to all levels of the field is outstanding and he oftentimes drops a dime into good coverage, making a difficult throw look easy. Paired with targets A.J. Green, John Ross and Tyler Boyd, the Bengals would have the makings of a potent passing offense.
The Washington Redskins already have quite the defensive line and adding Chase Young to it would give them one of the best defensive fronts in the league. There is no offensive tackle that Young can’t figure out over time, as he can win with both power and speed. He is adept at using the correct counter moves when he doesn’t win off the snap and offers both stand-up and hand-in-the-dirt ability. Whoever takes Young will have a future All-Pro manning the edge of their defensive line.
There’s a ton of chatter right now that the Miami Dolphins are looking to trade up for their pick of the litter in this year’s offensive tackle draft class. While it sounds like they want to do so without giving up the fifth pick, it’s unlikely that happens.
So here, they give up the fifth pick plus some day-two picks to take Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs. Wirfs can play either guard or tackle but should get to start out his career at tackle. He is extremely athletic and moves fast for a man his size at the end of the offensive line. He would give the Dolphins a franchise tackle and is worth giving up the extra picks for if Miami feels he is the best tackle in the 2020 NFL Draft.
There is much discussion going on about whether the New York Giants will take a tackle or the do-it-all defender Isaiah Simmons. Simmons is a freak of nature if there ever was one. He can fly, he is agile and athletic in all facets of the game, and has the ability to play a multitude of positions for whatever team drafts him. He needs a little work done to his run defense, but he will come into the league as a plus pass defender and the second choice to win Defensive Rookie of the Year behind only Chase Young.
After collecting a couple of extra day-two picks, the Detroit Lions add the best corner in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, Jeffrey Okudah. Okudah has the wheels needed to not lose on routes downfield and has the athleticism to mirror receivers on their routes. He is big enough to play press-man coverage against receivers like Julio Jones and quick enough to stick with receivers like A.J. Brown. Trading down and landing the player they would likely take at three anyway is good business and gives the Lions an early win for the draft.
After sweating out the first five picks of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Chargers land one of the draft’s top quarterbacks in Tua Tagovailoa. The Alabama quarterback is highly accurate to his first reads and in the short to intermediate levels of the field, but suffers a slight downtick in accuracy and ball placement when forced off his platform or made to extend his progression to the third or fourth read. Still, he possesses great arm talent and has a huge ceiling that will only be helped by talented pass-catchers like Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Hunter Henry.
The Carolina Panthers have a big hole in the middle of their defense that needs to be filled by a lineman who is already polished and ready to contribute from day one. Auburn’s Derrick Brown is that guy.
Already an NFL-level run defender, Brown can be a two-down starter from day one. He offers limited upside with his pass-rushing repertoire, but his big power and body should be enough to earn him the occasional sack and handful of pressures. Brown is a high-floor prospect that would pay dividends right away for the Panthers squad.
It seems the Atlanta Falcons are trying to trade up for the opportunity to draft either Chase Young, Jeffrey Okudah, or C.J. Henderson. It’s highly unlikely they can get high enough to draft Young or Okudah, but could very well move up for Henderson.
Henderson is a sticky man corner who some think will translate better to the NFL than Okudah. He is very fast and will not let receivers run by him, sticking to their hip all the way down the field. He is aggressive in press coverage and won’t be bullied by the opposition. For a team that needs an alpha-dog corner on the team, Henderson brings the skill and attitude that the Falcons are looking for.
After seeing the Falcons trade up and take the top remaining corner on their board, the Jacksonville Jaguars select a disruptive lineman from South Carolina, Javon Kinlaw. Kinlaw is very powerful and can blow through just about anyone he lines up against. He is not as refined as Derrick Brown but offers a higher upside when rushing the passer.
Kinlaw has a lower floor than Brown, as he is not yet reached that level, but because of his power and athletic profiles, his ceiling is considerably higher. Kinlaw is a good pick for a team that needs some firepower along its defensive line.
Word around the NFL world is that the Denver Broncos are wanting to trade up to ensure they can take Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy. Jeudy is fast and a masterful route runner that would be a big help to the development of quarterback Drew Lock. Jeudy also brings reliable hands with him and will be a nice addition to a young core of pass-catchers that includes Noah Fant and Courtland Sutton.
The New York Jets stay put at 11 overall and grab the safest offensive tackle prospect in the 2020 NFL Draft. Thomas doesn’t have the highest ceiling but is a tackle who should be in Pro Bowl form from day one of his rookie season. Once he gets his hands on the defender it’s over for him, as his strong arms and nifty hand placement see to that. Thomas would be a reliable tackle to protect franchise passer Sam Darnold‘s blindside.
In an offense devoid of tier-one receiving talent, it is essential that the Las Vegas Raiders give their quarterback a legitimate number one receiver. Lamb isn’t the biggest wide-out, but he plays bigger than his listed size and can win in a variety of ways.
He can win jump balls, creates a lot of yards after the catch and can win early in routes by creating separation. Lamb is the type of receiver that the Raiders need to add to their offense if they want to field a real passing threat on offense.
After taking their top offensive tackle earlier in the draft, the Miami Dolphins trade up to ensure they land Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert. Herbert has great arm talent and a good pocket presence. He needs to work in his accuracy and ball placement, but his highlight reel throws are exciting to watch and showcase a guy that can develop into one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL. The Oregon product would be a good franchise quarterback for the Dolphins and could take Miami to the next level.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been busy this offseason, adding future Hall of Famers like Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski to the roster. The only thing that the offense is missing now is an offensive tackle that can protect Brady’s blindside. If they get that then the offense will be nearly impossible to stop.
Alabama’s Jedrick Wills has the potential to be the best protector of the bunch in this year’s draft. Wills has top-notch hand placement and strong first punches, leading to his opponents not knowing what hit them before the play has even started. He plays with a mean streak in him and shows it in how he constantly punishes guys that aren’t up to the task of facing him. Wills gives Brady his blindside protection and the Buccaneers a long-term left tackle.
It’s no secret that the Philadelphia Eagles need a lot of help in their wide receiver room and trading up to snag a slipping Henry Ruggs III is a good way to begin fixing that problem. Ruggs is a dangerous threat because he is more than just a speed demon (a la John Ross), he is also a savvy route runner and good at body positioning.
Quarterback Carson Wentz will have a field day with Ruggs as soon as his rookie season, knowing that Ruggs will win deep and actually catch the football when it hits his hands.
Once thought to be a possibility to go as high as number four overall, Louisville’s Mekhi Becton finds himself the last of the tier one tackles to go off the board. The Arizona Cardinals get a tackle they may consider at eight overall at 16 overall here due in part to his flagged drug test at the Combine. Becton has the best mixture of measurables and athleticism in the 2020 NFL Draft when considering the offensive tackles, but at the end of the day, he is still quite raw with his fundamentals and technique.
He will need time to adjust and develop at the NFL level as his size and power will no longer be enough to get him through tough outings. If he lives up to his full potential, this would be a steal in the first round and the Cardinals would no doubt be happy with this outcome.
The Dallas Cowboys need to add some firepower to each level of their defense. They need a couple of defensive linemen and a couple of defensive backs, and they solve the first part of their problems by drafting LSU edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson.
The edge-rushing linebacker is quick as a snake with his first step, striking quickly from the edge. He has some development to do though, as he needs to finish better and better deploy his secondary pass-rush moves. Here, the upside is worth the risk though with Chaisson.
A.J. Terrell is a cornerback from Clemson who has a bunch of experience playing on the highest level of the game. Playing in multiple College Football Playoff games, Terrell has yet to see a stage too bright for him. A team that plans to return to the Super Bowl will find that kind of experience a plus.
Terrell is more than just experience though, as he is a good man-coverage corner who uses his length and eye discipline to his advantage in coverage. Learning from a corner like Richard Sherman would do a world of wonder for Terrell’s development and reaching his ceiling.
The Las Vegas Raiders added an alpha wide receiver with their 12th overall pick and now add Jeff Gladney from TCU to their cornerback room. Gladney possesses the mentality that there is no receiver he can’t compete with and that is largely true.
He has all of the physical gifts he needs to win his one-on-one matchups, he just needs to play with a more refined technique. Add in his willingness to help in run support and you’ve got the makings of a tough, scrappy corner that can help the Raiders’ secondary improve right away.
After addressing their front-seven with their top-10 pick, the Jaguars turn their attention to grabbing a versatile safety from Alabama. Xavier McKinney can play both free safety and strong safety, with a little nickel mixed in. He has great range and can cover from sideline to sideline and offers plus run support. The Jaguars land a leader that can be the backbone of the secondary for years to come.
There have numerous reports that the Cleveland Browns have zeroed in on Boise State’s Ezra Cleveland. After trading back twice and accumulating some extra day two picks, the Browns stay put at 21 and make the Cleveland pick. The Browns like his developmental upside due to his athleticism and technique. He will need to add a considerable amount of strength to his frame if he is to become the starter that the Browns seem to envision.
The Minnesota Vikings got rid of cornerback Xavier Rhodes this offseason and lost others at the position to free agency. They need to add one in the 2020 NFL Draft and might look into trading up for one of the top two or three corners.
If they stay put, watch LSU’s Kristian Fulton closely. He fits the mold that the Vikings seem to like in their corners, athletic and flexible. He is quick to flip his hips and react with the receiver he’s covering. Fulton has the ability to come in his rookie season and make an impact right away.
One year after drafting a wide-out in the first round, the New England Patriots do it again by selecting LSU’s Justin Jefferson in the first round this year. Jefferson is a smooth operator, running his routes crisply and efficiently. He also has better than advertised long speed and his hands are as sure as they come. He will be a welcome addition to a Patriots team and quarterback that needs the addition of offensive firepower.
The New Orleans Saints watched their top wide receiver target at 24 get sniped one pick in front by the Patriots and now turn to addressing their top need on the defensive side of the ball. They snag the best pure linebacker in the draft in Patrick Queen.
The LSU linebacker is fast, quick, and super athletic, able to cover from sideline to sideline. He is also a reliable run defender, using his quick reactionary ability to read plays and plug the designed hole. Queen will have a big impact as a rookie, it’s just a question of where. Here, it turns out to be in New Orleans.
After successfully filling the void at cornerback, the Minnesota Vikings use the 25th overall pick to replace Stefon Diggs, who was traded to the Buffalo Bills. They do so by selecting Baylor’s Denzel Mims.
Mims is a big-bodied receiver that uses his speed and body-positioning to win on jump balls downfield. He’s more than just a jump-ball receiver though. He knows how to run routes and he has strong, reliable hands. Mims can win in all assets of the game and creates separation as well. He is a good complement to Adam Theilen’s game and would provide Minnesota with a quality number two option his rookie year.
After selecting a franchise offensive tackle and quarterback earlier in the draft, the Dolphins go back to the offensive line well and take the top interior player in the draft. Cesar Ruiz has guard/center versatility, giving Miami some different options on what they can do from an offensive line standpoint. With the three new additions to the offense, things are starting to look brighter under the Florida sun.
This was a pretty easy match to make at this point in the draft. After not re-signing Jadeveon Clowney in free agency, the Seattle Seahawks need to reload at the position. PSU edge rusher Yetur Gross-Matos seems like a natural fit in the Seattle defense.
He is a bit raw but that has never stopped the Seahawks from picking athletes like him. Gross-Matos is a very good athlete, bt relies on that athleticism a little too much and needs to develop his counter moves if he is to become an impact edge defender in the NFL.
Here’s a bit of a surprise pick, but some whispers have been going around that Jordyn Brooks could go in the first round. Brooks comes from a league where passing the football is all the rage so he has ample experience in defending the pass and he does it well enough.
He is a better run defender than one would think though and is a sure tackler. The biggest thing going against him is his lack of ideal size for a middle linebacker. Overall, Brooks is a consistent player who reads his keys and performs his duties well.
Another match that was too good to pass up, A.J. Epenesa mixes well with the defensive scheme that the Tennesse Titans run. While they need an edge defender, Epenesa gives them someone that primarily plays on the edge of the defense but he can also shift down into the interior of the defensive line as well.
That versatility is something the coaching staff will no doubt covet and decide is worth the 29th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. His strength will help him to win more reps on the inside, but he will need to further develop his game if he is to be a high-level game-changer off the edge. His upside is that of Detroit Lions’ defensive end Trey Flowers and that is enough to gamble on him with the 29th pick.
There are two quarterbacks that could fall to this pick: Justin Herbert and Jordan Love. It’s doubtful that Herbert falls this far but he could possibly fall into this range. However, it’s entirely plausible that Love is sitting here when the Green Bay Packers are on the clock. And that’s a selection that the brass will have to consider.
Love needs time to develop and would get that with Aaron Rodgers ahead of him for a year or two. The Utah State quarterback is not too careful with the ball in his hands and will need to cut down on those mistakes. His accuracy isn’t bad, he just makes too many bad decisions when the play starts to break down or when he starts to hold onto the ball a little too long.
His upside is nice though, as his arm strength, mobility, and ball placement. Sitting and learning behind Rodgers, assuming the veteran would be willing to teach him, would be good for Love and would do nothing but help the soon-to-be rookie quarterback.
With the penultimate in the first round, the San Francisco 49ers address a need on their offensive line. Houston tackle Josh Jones is worth a first-round pick and head coach Kyle Shanahan would be extremely interested in taking Jones and putting a human that massive on the offensive line.
Jones is a big man and moves well for a man of that size and uses his power well. He still needs a lot of work done to refine his technique and footwork. Luckily, he won’t be pressed to play right away in San Francisco. Jones has to improve in those technical areas if he is to ever become an impact starter. The good news is he has a good chance to do so in San Francisco.
Many people are projecting the Kansas City Chiefs to go with a running back here, but with a big need at cornerback, it doesn’t make sense to pass up on a guy like Utah’s Jaylon Johnson. Johnson has the size and strength you want in a corner and is wonderful in press-coverage. He will also be more than willing to help in run support when the time comes. If Johnson is still on the board when the Chiefs are picking at 32, he should receive strong consideration for the pick.
33) Cincinnati Bengals: Zack Baun, EDGE, University of Wisconsin
34) Indianapolis Colts: Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State University
35) Detroit Lions: Jalen Reagor, WR, Texas Christian University
36) New York Giants: Austin Jackson, OT, University of Southern California
37) Los Angeles Chargers: Isaiah Wilson, OT, University of Georgia
38) Carolina Panthers: Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn University
39) Jacksonville Jaguars: D’Andre Swift, RB, University of Georgia
40) Houston Texans: Darrell Taylor, EDGE, University of Tennessee
41) Cleveland Browns: Antoine Winfield Jr., S, University of Minnesota
42) Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevon Diggs, CB, University of Alabama
43) Chicago Bears: Grant Delpit, S, Louisiana State University
44) Indianapolis Colts: Cole Kmet, TE, University of Notre Dame
45) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jonathan Taylor, RB, University of Wisconsin
46) Denver Broncos: Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn University
47) Arizona Cardinals: Joshua Uche, EDGE, University of Michigan
48) New York Jets: Michael Pittman Jr., WR, University of Southern California
49) Pittsburgh Steelers: Neville Gallimore, IDL, University of Oklahoma
50) Chicago Bears: Lloyd Cushenberry III, IOL, Louisiana State University
51) Dallas Cowboys: Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois University
52) Los Angeles Rams: Kenneth Murray, LB, University of Oklahoma
53) Cleveland Browns: Ross Blacklock, IDL, Texas Christian University
54) Buffalo Bills: Terrell Lewis, EDGE, University of Alabama
55) Baltimore Ravens: J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State University
56) San Francisco 49ers: Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, University of Colorado
57) Los Angeles Rams: Jonah Jackson, IOL, Ohio State University
58) Minnesota Vikings: Marlon Davidson, IDL, Auburn University
59) Seattle Seahawks: Lucas Niang, OT, Texas Christian University
60) Baltimore Ravens: Matt Hennessy, IOL, Temple University
61) Tennessee Titans: Justin Madubuike, IDL, Texas A&M University
62) Green Bay Packers: K.J. Hamler, WR, Penn State University
63) Kansas City Chiefs: Clyde Ewards-Helaire, RB, Louisiana State University
64) Seattle Seahawks: Robert Hunt, IOL, University of Louisiana
65) Cincinnati Bengals: Willie Gay Jr., LB, Mississippi State University
66) Washington Redskins: Matthew Peart, OT, University of Connecticut
67) Detroit Lions: Damien Lewis, IOL, Louisiana State University
68) New York Jets: Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State University
69) Carolina Panthers: Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne University
70) Detroit Lions: Raekwon Davis, IDL, University of Alabama
71) Los Angeles Chargers: Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State University
72) Arizona Cardinals: Malik Harrison, LB, Ohio State University
73) Jacksonville Jaguars: Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame University
74) Cleveland Browns: Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, University of Michigan
75) Indianapolis Colts: Jacob Eason, QB, University of Washington
76) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ashtyn Davis, S, University of California
77) Cleveland Browns: Julian Okwara, EDGE, Notre Dame University
78) Atlanta Falcons: Davon Hamilton, IDL, Ohio State University
79) New York Jets: Bryce Hall, CB, University of Virginia
80) Las Vegas Raiders: Jalen Hurts, QB, University of Oklahoma
81) Las Vegas Raiders: Terrell Burgess, S, University of Utah
82) Dallas Cowboys: Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State University
83) Denver Broncos: Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Appalachian State University
84) Los Angeles Rams: Jonathan Greenard, EDGE, University of Florida
85) Detroit Lions: Cam Akers, RB, Florida State University
86) Buffalo Bills: Troy Pride Jr., CB, University of Notre Dame
87) New England Patriots: Jabari Zuniga, EDGE, University of Florida
88) New Orleans Saints: Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson University
89) Minnesota Vikings: Tyler Biadasz, IOL, University of Wisconsin
90) Houston Texans: Jordan Elliott, IDL, University of Missouri
91) Las Vegas Raiders: Rashard Lawrence, IDL, Louisiana State University
92) Baltimore Ravens: Bryan Edwards, WR, University of South Carolina
93) Tennessee Titans: Saahdiq Charles, OT, Louisiana State University
94) Green Bay Packers: Adam Trautman, TE, Dayton University
95) Cleveland Browns: Logan Wilson, LB, University of Wyoming
96) Kansas City Chiefs: Troy Dye, LB, University of Oregon
97) Cleveland Browns: Netane Muti, IOL, Fresno State University
98) New England Patriots: Brycen Hopkins, TE, Purdue University
99) New York Giants: K’Von Wallace, S, Clemson University
100) New England Patriots: Jake Fromm, QB, University of Georgia
101) Seattle Seahawks: Antonio Gibson, RB, Memphis University
102) Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben Bartch, OT, St. John’s University
103) Philadelphia Eagles: Darnay Holmes, CB, UCLA
104) Los Angeles Rams: Amik Robertson, CB, Louisiana Tech University
105) Minnesota Vikings: Bradlee Anae, EDGE, University of Utah
106) Baltimore Ravens: Alex Highsmith, EDGE, Charlotte University