2020 NFL Mock Draft 4/23
1. Cincinnati Bengals - Joe Burrow, QB LSU - After a record setting and Heisman trophy winning season at LSU, Burrow is the unanimous choice to be the number one pick. There are still some question-marks however about how good he can be. He really just had one great year at LSU, his junior year was average, so is he really a starting QB in the league or did everything just come together at LSU last year. Well just have to wait and find out.
2. Washington Redskins - Chase Young, DE Ohio State - The Redskins have refused multiple teams from coming up to take Young. They are set on taking one of the elite players in this draft.
3. Miami Dolphins - Tristan Wirfs, OT Iowa - The Dolphins make a splash early in the draft and its not what most people thought it would be. They give up 5 and 26, to jump the Giants and take the OT they want. Wirfs is the most athletic OT in this draft. Some will question the Dolphins why they felt the need to trade up for him, but the Lions should benefit by gaining a second round pick.
4. New York Giants - Jedrick Wills Jr, OL Alabama - The Giants then settle for the next OT in line and thats Wills. Wills had an outstanding career at Alabama protecting Tua and opening huge holes for their stable of backs. Taking an OT here is a must for the Gmen as they have to protect Daniel Jones and allow him to develop into the QB they hope he can be.
5. Detroit Lions- Derrick Brown, DT Auburn - I think the Lions are going to take Brown, as well as gaining pick 26 from the Dolphins in the trade. Brown is an instant run stuffer in the middle and should help a Lions defense that struggled mightly at times last year. He has the skill set to develop into an elite pass rusher from the inside as well, Detroit fans will like this pick.
6. Los Angles Chargers - Tua Tagovailoa, QB Alabama - I don't think the Chargers expected Tua to be here, but now that he is and they do not have to trade up for him, I think they take him at 6. Tua had an outstanding college career but could never play a full season and stay healthy which will be the key in determining how good an NFL career he has. I watched him weekly, and in some of the biggest games, Georgia, Clemson, and a half vs LSU he really did struggle. I am not as sold as everyone else that he will be an elite QB, I think a good one in the end if he stays healthy.
7. Carolina Panthers - Jeff Okudah, CB Ohio State - The Panthers are a wild card in this draft. Could do anything, trade up or down, offense, defense, anything and everything is on the table. With some of the moves they have already made, many believe they are already tanking for Trevor Lawerence in the 2021 draft. That said I think they would be more than pleased if Okudah fell into their lap here at 7. He is seen as the best DB in the draft and become an instant impact players on the defensive side of the ball for the Panthers.
8. Arizona Cardinals - Andrew Thomas, OT Georgia - The Cardinals shocked the world by trading for Nuke Hopkins and giving Kyler Murray a much needed weapon on the outside. Before the trade it looked like the Cardinals might go WR here with their pick, bringing Judy and Lamb into the frame. However, now I see them going Oline here to help protect Murray. Andrew Thomas had a great career at Georgia and should give the Cardinals that franchise tackle they need to help protect Murray long term.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars -Isaiah Simmons, LB Clemson - Jags are in a position to take the Best player available at their pick. With the way the top 8 shakes out, it so happens that simmons falls to them. Simmons is an athletic freak, and will be all over the field making plays. Great moving sideline to sideline Simmons can make both plays in the run game as well as in pass coverage.
10. Denver Broncos(via Browns) - Mekhi Becton, OL Louisville - The Broncos trade up with the Browns to acquire this selection. They give up their 2nd round selection this year, and a 4th round, as well as a 5th round next year. The Broncos are having a good off-season as they continue to build around Drew Lock. Offensive Line has been a problem for years under Elway and they address it here with Becton. For his tremendous size, Becton can move. He has great athleticism for a guy his size and should be able to help out a Bronco line that has been bad, and that's putting it lightly.
11. New York Jets - Cee Dee Lamb, WR Oklahoma - If one of the top 3 OT fall to the Jets at 11, I could see them going that direction. However, I think getting Sam Darnold some weapons on the outside might be the way to go. Lamb is as electrifying as they come at the WR position, and I think he would be a huge help in the development of Darnold. Like the Browns they could always go OT in the second round, cause I don't think they will find a guy like Lamb that far down in the draft.
12.Miami Dolphins Justin Herbert, QB Oregon - This where the Dolphins make their 2nd splash. The dolphins trade up and give the Raiders pick 18, 39, and a 3rd round pick next year to get Herbert. I know this scenerio is kind of crazy but literally anything goes tonight in the draft. The Dolphins got their future QB, as well as earlier getting the top OT in the draft.
13. San Francisco 49ers - Jerry Judy, WR Alabama - The Herbery trade benefits the 49ers as they get to select Judy. Judy is a star in the making and was near unstoppable at Alabama. He will be a great weapon for Jimmy G and that offense that needs a #1 WR.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -Javon Javon Kinlaw, DT South Carolina - The Bucs could go a number of ways as well, but I think they secure their defensive front and take Kinlaw. He has some injury concerns but he doesn't miss games. He is a force in the middle of the defensive front and will help improve a Tampa defense that was already pretty good last year.
15. Philadelphia Eagles - Henry Ruggs III, WR Alabama - The Eagles trade up with the Browns and get their WR. Ruggs may be the fastest WR in this draft and will help out Carson Wentz who is desperate for a play making WR that will stretch the field.
16. Atlanta Falcons -C.J. Henderson, CB Florida - The Falcons may trade up for their top defensive player, but if the board falls the way it does, they may be able to Henderson here. The Falcons has been really bad for a few years now and they need to sure up their secondary. Getting Henderson here would be a really good pick for them.
17. Dallas Cowboys -A.J. Terrell, CB Clemson - Another team whose secondary has been bad the last few years is the Cowboys. Thats why I think they take Terrell here. He is a long athletic corner that will replace Byron Jones who bolted in free agency.
18. - - Las Vegas Raiders - K'Lavon Chaisson , DE LSU - The Raiders then have back to back picks here, first they get their pass rusher in Chaisson. Production didn't always match his skill, but Chaisson off the edge is a problem for Left tackles. The Raiders pass rush needs help and CHaisson will improve their sack totals.
19. Las Vegas Raiders(from Bears) - - Justin Jefferson, WR LSU - The Raiders take another LSU Tiger in Jefferson. Jefferson had a monster 2019 season with Joe Burrow. He was literally unstoppable at times and is a great guy in stretching the field. He also has great run after the catch ability and who ever is at QB for the Raiders will like having him to throw too.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars(from Rams) - Erza Cleveland, OT Boise State - With their second selection of the first round the Jags take Erza. He isn't a plug and play guy but his upside is tremendous. He will learn the NFL game in time but has the potential to be a really good player.
21. Cleveland Browns - Patrick Queen, LB LSU - The Browns trade down twice, first with the Broncos to 15, then down to 21 with the Eagles. During that process they acquired another 2nd, 3rd, and 5th round picks this year, as well as an additional 2nd and 4th round picks next year. In the end they take Queen, who really burst on the scene last year in the playoffs. The Browns are weak at LB and Queen should be able to help improve that position. With this pick, it is also assuming they will indeed make a trade for Trent Williams, using some of the picks they got in their trade downs.
22. Minnesota Vikings(from Bills) - Kenneth Murray, LB Oklahoma - Vikings continue to reload on defense as I think they could land a guy like Murray. Was easily Oklahoma's best defender last year. Murray really has a knack for finding the ball and making plays. He's a guy who just loves football, and is a student of the game. Mike Zimmer would love to have anchoring his defense next fall.
23. New England Patriots -Jordan Love, QB Utah State - The Patriots are a great wildcard here. They could literally do anything, most think Love, but they could just go best player available. I will stick with Love here. He can sit for a year or so and learn the NFL game, with really no pressure to be good right away. Love has a great arm and is a smart football player.
24. New Orleans Saints - Zach Baun, LB Wisconsin - The Saints roster is loaded, they don't have very many needs, but I think Baun here can make sense for them. Baun is a physical LB, who plays downhill. He will need to improve in his pass coverages, but I think he is a very good football player who will be around for a long time.
25. Minnesota Vikings -Brandon Aiyuk, WR Arizona State - The Patriots took fellow Sun Devil WR Harry in the first round last year, and from what I've heard and seen, Aiyuk could be even better. He has blazing speed that he put on display in the Sun Devils upset of Oregon last October. The Vikings really need to find another WR opposite of Adam Theilen so I think they really should consider taking a WR here.
26. Detroit Lions -Xavier McKinney, S Alabama - The Lions use that extra pick they got from the Dolphins on the safety out of Alabama. Adding Brown along with McKinney would instantly upgrade the Lions defense that needs some playmakers at all 3 levels. McKinney is physical in the run game but will have to improve in pass coverage in the NFL.
27. Seattle Seahawks - Yetur Gross-Matos, DE Penn State - Matos is another one of those players who just plays hard and gets the most out of his skill set. The Seahawks are more than likely losing Clowney to free agency so they need to replace his pass rushing and impact on the defensive side of the ball.
28. Baltimore Ravens -Denzel Mims, WR Baylor - The Ravens need another WR on the outside for Lamar Jackson to get the ball too. Mims tested very well at the combine and I think is a very underrated player at the WR position. He flew under the radar at Baylor but he can get open, something that Ravens WR's struggled to do last year vs man to man coverage.
29. Tennessee Titans - Austin Jackson, OL USC - The Titans fresh off their run to the AFC Championship game lose RT Jack Conklin in free agency, so they replace him here. Jackson is a big guy who getting to play RT in Tennessee should be beneficial to him. He is not an elite player, but I think will be more comfortable and a better player at Rt to start his career.
30. Green Bay Packers - Michael Pittman, WR USC - The Packers are in desperate need of another WR opposite of Davante Adams. Pittman has been a fast riser during the draft process. I think he could sneak into the first round and I think would be a great pick here for the Packers. Had a great career at USC, has good size and speed, and is a great route runner.
31. San Francisco 49ers - Caesar Ruiz, C Michigan - The 49ers with their first first round pick I think will go WR. With this one, I think they improve the interior of their offensive line. Ruiz is very versatile and can play multiple positions in the interior of the line. Will give the 49ers line great flexibility in moving guys around to help protect Jimmy G.
32. Kansas City Chiefs - Kristan Fulton, CB LSU - We all know the Chiefs are absolutely loaded on the offensive side of the ball. Could they go RB here? Yes they could but I would continue to improve the defense which is why a guy like Fulton makes sense here. Physical corner who can help improve a Chiefs secondary that struggled at times last year. Could very easily see the Chiefs trading out of this pick as well.
41. Cleveland Browns - Antoine Winfield Jr, DB Minnesota - The Browns signed a few safeties to one year deals this past week, but they have to get better and younger on the back end. Winfield played corner at Minnesota and had a great year last year. Some say he might move to safety in the NFL, but either way, he is a really good football player and would help the Browns on the back end.
74. Cleveland Browns - Marlon Davidson, DL Auburn - The Browns had one of the worst rush defenses in the NFL last year. They have to get better upfront. Davidson played both DE and DT at Auburn and provides some versatility. Another good football player that could help improve a bad Browns defense.
97. Cleveland Browns - Willie Gay Jr., LB Mississippi State - After losing Schobert this past week the Browns are really thin at LB. They need guys to provide depth for them. Gay is another good player who flew under the radar some as Mississippi State and has good speed to help out the Browns LB core and provide some depth. I could see the Browns taking a LB earlier than this but either way they have to get better at the position.
115. Cleveland Browns - K.J. Hill, WR Ohio State - The Browns struggled last year to find a consistent 3rd WR. Hill doesn't have elite speed but he creates separation at the LOS to get open. He has really good hands and can provide the Browns a reliable target in the shirt passing game.
187. Cleveland Browns - Michael Onwenu, G Michigan - The Browns still need to address the guard spot opposite Bitonio. Onwenu had a nice career at Michigan and could come in and compete for playing time instantly on the Browns OLine.
244. Cleveland Browns - Mykal Walker, LB Fresno State - Another LB pick for the Browns. Like I said they need depth at the position and drafting two wouldn't be a bad idea. Walker is a physical player who likes to play the run game but will have to be better in pass coverage if he's going to make it in the league.
1. Cincinnati Bengals - Joe Burrow, QB LSU - After a record setting and Heisman trophy winning season at LSU, Burrow is the unanimous choice to be the number one pick. There are still some question-marks however about how good he can be. He really just had one great year at LSU, his junior year was average, so is he really a starting QB in the league or did everything just come together at LSU last year. Well just have to wait and find out.
2. Washington Redskins - Chase Young, DE Ohio State - The Redskins have refused multiple teams from coming up to take Young. They are set on taking one of the elite players in this draft.
3. Miami Dolphins - Tristan Wirfs, OT Iowa - The Dolphins make a splash early in the draft and its not what most people thought it would be. They give up 5 and 26, to jump the Giants and take the OT they want. Wirfs is the most athletic OT in this draft. Some will question the Dolphins why they felt the need to trade up for him, but the Lions should benefit by gaining a second round pick.
4. New York Giants - Jedrick Wills Jr, OL Alabama - The Giants then settle for the next OT in line and thats Wills. Wills had an outstanding career at Alabama protecting Tua and opening huge holes for their stable of backs. Taking an OT here is a must for the Gmen as they have to protect Daniel Jones and allow him to develop into the QB they hope he can be.
5. Detroit Lions- Derrick Brown, DT Auburn - I think the Lions are going to take Brown, as well as gaining pick 26 from the Dolphins in the trade. Brown is an instant run stuffer in the middle and should help a Lions defense that struggled mightly at times last year. He has the skill set to develop into an elite pass rusher from the inside as well, Detroit fans will like this pick.
6. Los Angles Chargers - Tua Tagovailoa, QB Alabama - I don't think the Chargers expected Tua to be here, but now that he is and they do not have to trade up for him, I think they take him at 6. Tua had an outstanding college career but could never play a full season and stay healthy which will be the key in determining how good an NFL career he has. I watched him weekly, and in some of the biggest games, Georgia, Clemson, and a half vs LSU he really did struggle. I am not as sold as everyone else that he will be an elite QB, I think a good one in the end if he stays healthy.
7. Carolina Panthers - Jeff Okudah, CB Ohio State - The Panthers are a wild card in this draft. Could do anything, trade up or down, offense, defense, anything and everything is on the table. With some of the moves they have already made, many believe they are already tanking for Trevor Lawerence in the 2021 draft. That said I think they would be more than pleased if Okudah fell into their lap here at 7. He is seen as the best DB in the draft and become an instant impact players on the defensive side of the ball for the Panthers.
8. Arizona Cardinals - Andrew Thomas, OT Georgia - The Cardinals shocked the world by trading for Nuke Hopkins and giving Kyler Murray a much needed weapon on the outside. Before the trade it looked like the Cardinals might go WR here with their pick, bringing Judy and Lamb into the frame. However, now I see them going Oline here to help protect Murray. Andrew Thomas had a great career at Georgia and should give the Cardinals that franchise tackle they need to help protect Murray long term.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars -Isaiah Simmons, LB Clemson - Jags are in a position to take the Best player available at their pick. With the way the top 8 shakes out, it so happens that simmons falls to them. Simmons is an athletic freak, and will be all over the field making plays. Great moving sideline to sideline Simmons can make both plays in the run game as well as in pass coverage.
10. Denver Broncos(via Browns) - Mekhi Becton, OL Louisville - The Broncos trade up with the Browns to acquire this selection. They give up their 2nd round selection this year, and a 4th round, as well as a 5th round next year. The Broncos are having a good off-season as they continue to build around Drew Lock. Offensive Line has been a problem for years under Elway and they address it here with Becton. For his tremendous size, Becton can move. He has great athleticism for a guy his size and should be able to help out a Bronco line that has been bad, and that's putting it lightly.
11. New York Jets - Cee Dee Lamb, WR Oklahoma - If one of the top 3 OT fall to the Jets at 11, I could see them going that direction. However, I think getting Sam Darnold some weapons on the outside might be the way to go. Lamb is as electrifying as they come at the WR position, and I think he would be a huge help in the development of Darnold. Like the Browns they could always go OT in the second round, cause I don't think they will find a guy like Lamb that far down in the draft.
12.Miami Dolphins Justin Herbert, QB Oregon - This where the Dolphins make their 2nd splash. The dolphins trade up and give the Raiders pick 18, 39, and a 3rd round pick next year to get Herbert. I know this scenerio is kind of crazy but literally anything goes tonight in the draft. The Dolphins got their future QB, as well as earlier getting the top OT in the draft.
13. San Francisco 49ers - Jerry Judy, WR Alabama - The Herbery trade benefits the 49ers as they get to select Judy. Judy is a star in the making and was near unstoppable at Alabama. He will be a great weapon for Jimmy G and that offense that needs a #1 WR.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -Javon Javon Kinlaw, DT South Carolina - The Bucs could go a number of ways as well, but I think they secure their defensive front and take Kinlaw. He has some injury concerns but he doesn't miss games. He is a force in the middle of the defensive front and will help improve a Tampa defense that was already pretty good last year.
15. Philadelphia Eagles - Henry Ruggs III, WR Alabama - The Eagles trade up with the Browns and get their WR. Ruggs may be the fastest WR in this draft and will help out Carson Wentz who is desperate for a play making WR that will stretch the field.
16. Atlanta Falcons -C.J. Henderson, CB Florida - The Falcons may trade up for their top defensive player, but if the board falls the way it does, they may be able to Henderson here. The Falcons has been really bad for a few years now and they need to sure up their secondary. Getting Henderson here would be a really good pick for them.
17. Dallas Cowboys -A.J. Terrell, CB Clemson - Another team whose secondary has been bad the last few years is the Cowboys. Thats why I think they take Terrell here. He is a long athletic corner that will replace Byron Jones who bolted in free agency.
18. - - Las Vegas Raiders - K'Lavon Chaisson , DE LSU - The Raiders then have back to back picks here, first they get their pass rusher in Chaisson. Production didn't always match his skill, but Chaisson off the edge is a problem for Left tackles. The Raiders pass rush needs help and CHaisson will improve their sack totals.
19. Las Vegas Raiders(from Bears) - - Justin Jefferson, WR LSU - The Raiders take another LSU Tiger in Jefferson. Jefferson had a monster 2019 season with Joe Burrow. He was literally unstoppable at times and is a great guy in stretching the field. He also has great run after the catch ability and who ever is at QB for the Raiders will like having him to throw too.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars(from Rams) - Erza Cleveland, OT Boise State - With their second selection of the first round the Jags take Erza. He isn't a plug and play guy but his upside is tremendous. He will learn the NFL game in time but has the potential to be a really good player.
21. Cleveland Browns - Patrick Queen, LB LSU - The Browns trade down twice, first with the Broncos to 15, then down to 21 with the Eagles. During that process they acquired another 2nd, 3rd, and 5th round picks this year, as well as an additional 2nd and 4th round picks next year. In the end they take Queen, who really burst on the scene last year in the playoffs. The Browns are weak at LB and Queen should be able to help improve that position. With this pick, it is also assuming they will indeed make a trade for Trent Williams, using some of the picks they got in their trade downs.
22. Minnesota Vikings(from Bills) - Kenneth Murray, LB Oklahoma - Vikings continue to reload on defense as I think they could land a guy like Murray. Was easily Oklahoma's best defender last year. Murray really has a knack for finding the ball and making plays. He's a guy who just loves football, and is a student of the game. Mike Zimmer would love to have anchoring his defense next fall.
23. New England Patriots -Jordan Love, QB Utah State - The Patriots are a great wildcard here. They could literally do anything, most think Love, but they could just go best player available. I will stick with Love here. He can sit for a year or so and learn the NFL game, with really no pressure to be good right away. Love has a great arm and is a smart football player.
24. New Orleans Saints - Zach Baun, LB Wisconsin - The Saints roster is loaded, they don't have very many needs, but I think Baun here can make sense for them. Baun is a physical LB, who plays downhill. He will need to improve in his pass coverages, but I think he is a very good football player who will be around for a long time.
25. Minnesota Vikings -Brandon Aiyuk, WR Arizona State - The Patriots took fellow Sun Devil WR Harry in the first round last year, and from what I've heard and seen, Aiyuk could be even better. He has blazing speed that he put on display in the Sun Devils upset of Oregon last October. The Vikings really need to find another WR opposite of Adam Theilen so I think they really should consider taking a WR here.
26. Detroit Lions -Xavier McKinney, S Alabama - The Lions use that extra pick they got from the Dolphins on the safety out of Alabama. Adding Brown along with McKinney would instantly upgrade the Lions defense that needs some playmakers at all 3 levels. McKinney is physical in the run game but will have to improve in pass coverage in the NFL.
27. Seattle Seahawks - Yetur Gross-Matos, DE Penn State - Matos is another one of those players who just plays hard and gets the most out of his skill set. The Seahawks are more than likely losing Clowney to free agency so they need to replace his pass rushing and impact on the defensive side of the ball.
28. Baltimore Ravens -Denzel Mims, WR Baylor - The Ravens need another WR on the outside for Lamar Jackson to get the ball too. Mims tested very well at the combine and I think is a very underrated player at the WR position. He flew under the radar at Baylor but he can get open, something that Ravens WR's struggled to do last year vs man to man coverage.
29. Tennessee Titans - Austin Jackson, OL USC - The Titans fresh off their run to the AFC Championship game lose RT Jack Conklin in free agency, so they replace him here. Jackson is a big guy who getting to play RT in Tennessee should be beneficial to him. He is not an elite player, but I think will be more comfortable and a better player at Rt to start his career.
30. Green Bay Packers - Michael Pittman, WR USC - The Packers are in desperate need of another WR opposite of Davante Adams. Pittman has been a fast riser during the draft process. I think he could sneak into the first round and I think would be a great pick here for the Packers. Had a great career at USC, has good size and speed, and is a great route runner.
31. San Francisco 49ers - Caesar Ruiz, C Michigan - The 49ers with their first first round pick I think will go WR. With this one, I think they improve the interior of their offensive line. Ruiz is very versatile and can play multiple positions in the interior of the line. Will give the 49ers line great flexibility in moving guys around to help protect Jimmy G.
32. Kansas City Chiefs - Kristan Fulton, CB LSU - We all know the Chiefs are absolutely loaded on the offensive side of the ball. Could they go RB here? Yes they could but I would continue to improve the defense which is why a guy like Fulton makes sense here. Physical corner who can help improve a Chiefs secondary that struggled at times last year. Could very easily see the Chiefs trading out of this pick as well.
41. Cleveland Browns - Antoine Winfield Jr, DB Minnesota - The Browns signed a few safeties to one year deals this past week, but they have to get better and younger on the back end. Winfield played corner at Minnesota and had a great year last year. Some say he might move to safety in the NFL, but either way, he is a really good football player and would help the Browns on the back end.
74. Cleveland Browns - Marlon Davidson, DL Auburn - The Browns had one of the worst rush defenses in the NFL last year. They have to get better upfront. Davidson played both DE and DT at Auburn and provides some versatility. Another good football player that could help improve a bad Browns defense.
97. Cleveland Browns - Willie Gay Jr., LB Mississippi State - After losing Schobert this past week the Browns are really thin at LB. They need guys to provide depth for them. Gay is another good player who flew under the radar some as Mississippi State and has good speed to help out the Browns LB core and provide some depth. I could see the Browns taking a LB earlier than this but either way they have to get better at the position.
115. Cleveland Browns - K.J. Hill, WR Ohio State - The Browns struggled last year to find a consistent 3rd WR. Hill doesn't have elite speed but he creates separation at the LOS to get open. He has really good hands and can provide the Browns a reliable target in the shirt passing game.
187. Cleveland Browns - Michael Onwenu, G Michigan - The Browns still need to address the guard spot opposite Bitonio. Onwenu had a nice career at Michigan and could come in and compete for playing time instantly on the Browns OLine.
244. Cleveland Browns - Mykal Walker, LB Fresno State - Another LB pick for the Browns. Like I said they need depth at the position and drafting two wouldn't be a bad idea. Walker is a physical player who likes to play the run game but will have to be better in pass coverage if he's going to make it in the league.
