** Writer’s Note – Mock Draft 2.0 was completed on 4/15 **
1. Cincinnati Bengals – QB Joe Burrow – LSU
No changes at the top spot this week, Joe Burrow has been the clear option to be the number 1 pick now for week and that won’t change. Despite the rumors that the Dolphins are considering trading up for Burrow, I doubt the Dolphins would be willing to pay the price asked to trade up for Burrow. Cincinnati gets the reigning Heisman Trophy winner who comes off what could be considered the greatest season in NCAA Football history. Burrow will be tasked with leading the Bengals out of the cellar and to win the team its first playoff game since 1990. While it will take more than just Burrow to change the fortunes of the Bengals, he seems to be the first step in the right direction.
2. Washington Redskins – DE Chase Young – Ohio St
This pick should be a sure thing. Some rumors have suggested the Redskins trading this pick to Miami for Tua or them taking Tua for themselves. They should avoid this at all cost, they just draft Dwayne Haskins last season and why trade down when you could pick the next great game disrupter. Chase Young is a phenomenal athlete and the Redskins should look to take Haskins college teammate and use him to revamp a defense led by Ron Rivera. Rivera is known for his defenses (most notably the Carolina Panthers) and the ‘Skins need to improve it. Signing Kendall Fuller helped at CB, but Young could be one of the best pass rushers in the league from day 1.
3. Los Angeles Chargers – TRADE – QB Tua Tagovailoa – Alabama
Last week I had the Chargers trading up to take Justin Herbert, this week I had a change of heart. While I still think Justin Herbert is the better NFL prospect, the Chargers have multiple things to take into consideration. There are 2 factors for this pick, 1) Replacing Phillip Rivers and 2) Ticket Sales. Rivers and the Chargers split after 16 seasons meaning that Tyrod Taylor is the only viable option at QB, and while Taylor is a respectable QB, he is not the long-term solution. It’s also no secret the Chargers have struggled to get (their own) fans in the stadium to watch them since the moved to LA. While I feel Herbert is the better QB, he won’t put fans in the seats the way Tua will. The Chargers will hope that Tua’s hip won’t affect him long-term and that he can make the team relevant in a city that for some reason now has 2 teams.
4. New York Giants – OT Tristian Wirfs – Iowa
I have seen conflicting reports about this pick from multiple places. Some mock drafts I’ve seen have the Giants taking defensive weapon Isaiah Simmons here. I contemplated trading down, as Wirfs at 4 might be a slight reach but they need Offensive Line help badly. Daniel Jones showed he could be a franchise QB last season despite getting just 2.84 seconds on average in the pocket last season. Last years starting LT Nate Solder led the league in sacks allowed giving up 14. Wirfs immediately moves Solder to RT and provides more stable blocking on Jones blindside.
5. Miami Dolphins – QB Justin Herbert – Oregon
Well the Dolphins didn’t trade up, and they are better off for it in my opinion. This class for Quarterbacks is not that strong in my opinion. With that being said, Herbert I think has the biggest upside of any QB in this draft class. He has a strong arm, is mobile, and also is super smart. He may not have the appeal or marketability of Burrow or Tua, but I think his ceiling is higher than either of the first two QB’s selected. The other benefit to not trading up to get the others, they keep the other 2 1strounders to revamp the roster.
6. Detroit Lions – CB Jeffrey Okudah – Ohio St
This pick should come as no surprise to anyone. Whether or not a mock draft has the Lions trading back or staying put, they all have one thing in common, Jeffrey Okudah. The Lions have been linked to Okudah for weeks and why not. The Lions pass defense this past season was atrocious to put it nicely. They allowed 284 yards per game over the air, the worst in the NFL in 2019. While that isn’t entirely all the fault of the CB’s, they need to upgrade; trading Darius Slay and replacing him with Desmond Trufant feels like lateral step, as it’s not a significant upgrade or downgrade. Jeffrey Okudah was magnificent at Ohio St this past season as he committed 0 penalties. Now I’m sure it helped to be surrounded by one of the best defenses in the country, Okudah has shown the ability to cover top receivers and help his team in those matchups.
7. Carolina Panthers – DEF Isaiah Simmons – Clemson
The Panthers took a major step backwards in 2019 and the offseason hasn’t helped the roster any. Cam Newton regressed again and was let go, Luke Kuechly called it a career, and released both Greg Olsen and Eric Reid. Now they did make some noise in free agency signing Teddy Bridgewater, Robby Anderson, and Tahir Whitehead. Matt Rhule has been given the task with rebuilding an NFL team as well as he rebuilt college teams. What better way to do that than with a defensive weapon who can play all over the field? Simmons might be the best player in this draft class when all is said and done.
8. Arizona Cardinals – OT Jedrick Wills – Alabama
The Cardinals are in an interesting spot, I contemplated having them trade down and addressing the defense as they were the second worst pass defense in the NFL last season. But then I remember who coached the Cardinals. Kliff Kingsbury is an offensive coach and I don’t see the Cardinals worrying about the defense. The biggest need on offense currently is at RT. Although Kyler Murray is a mobile QB, it’s hard to scramble with multiple D-Lineman in his face. Wills played RT at Alabama and should instantly make life easier for Murray while allowing Kingsbury to try and outscore everybody.
9. Philadelphia Eagles – TRADE w/JAC – WR Henry Ruggs III – Alabama
The first significant change comes with the number 9 pick. The Jaguars could benefit from staying put and drafting Derrick Brown here, but they have lots of needs and this trade nets them additional picks to address those needs. The Eagles haven’t had a dominant receiver since DeSean Jackson’s first stint with the team. What better WR to draft than one of a similar play style. I still think Jeudy and Lamb are better receivers, but Ruggs has breakaway speed and would give Carson Wentz the consistent deep threat that he’s lacked for his entire short career.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – TRADE w/CLE – OT Mekhi Becton – Louisville
I know what you are thinking, the Browns need a Left Tackle so why would they pass on Becton here? I think that Tampa offers them enough to move down and take a different tackle. As for Tampa Bay, Becton feels like a natural fit. The Buccaneers like Offensive Lineman who are big and are quick on their feet. Becton is 6’7” 340 lbs. and ran a 5.1 40-yard dash. Yes, you read that right. Becton will be asked to do a lot protecting the blindside for one of the best QB’s of all time, but he has the tools necessary to do that.
11. New York Jets – WR Jerry Jeudy – Alabama
Well no change for the Jets this week. Jeudy has been the highest rated receiver since before the 2019 season and while fellow Alabama receiver Henry Ruggs went off the board first, I think Jeudy is the better player. Jeudy was the number 1 receiver at Bama and posted better numbers than Julio Jones for the Crimson Tide. The Jets receiving core is awful and although they could use at least one more to truly improve the unit, Jerry Jeudy is the first step in the right direction to making the offense better.
12. Las Vegas Raiders – WR CeeDee Lamb – Oklahoma
Another pick that didn’t change. The Raiders have a desperate need at WR. Hunter Renfrow showed promise as a slot WR and Tyrell Williams was a decent #2 WR for the Chargers, but the Raiders sorely lack someone who is a top threat. CeeDee Lamb was fantastic at Oklahoma, averaging 21 yards per catch and 11 yards after the catch. The Raiders will be lucky if he falls to them at 12 and assuming he does, Las Vegas should send this pick in as soon as they get on the clock as it should be a no-brainer.
13. San Francisco 49ers (via IND) – DT Derrick Brown – Auburn
It always seems like there is one player who should get taken higher and Derrick Brown is that guy. The team he is most linked to is Jacksonville, but they traded down, and with it being an offensive minded league, Brown falls to the 49ers. The 49ers have a need at WR, but they missed out on the top 3 so they address their need at DT. DeForest Buckner was a dominant presence on the NFL’s best defensive line last season. He and is new massive contract are now in Indianapolis though. Like mentioned last week, Brown isn’t going to be someone whose numbers and tape are going to jump out at you, but he consistently holds his ground and can be a force with dominant pieces around him. Lucky for him, he goes to arguably the best defense in the league.
14. Cleveland Browns – TRADE w/TB – OT Andrew Thomas – Georgia
Now I know that Thomas isn’t quite as appealing a name as Mekhi Becton is at the moment, but once upon a time he was the highest rated tackle in this class. Thomas seems to be pro ready from the moment he steps in the building and anchored an offensive line for one of the nation’s top rushing attacks at Georgia. That should intrigue the Browns as fellow Georgia Bulldog Nick Chubb has shown the potential to be a top running back in the NFL. Thomas is also a dominant pass blocker as he won 92% of his pass blocking matchups, which should excite Baker Mayfield and Browns fans. The Browns get a valuable player and more draft picks, a great move for a new GM.
15. Denver Broncos – DT Javon Kinlaw – South Carolina
This pick was hard to make this week. Lots of reports say the Broncos are looking for offensive line or wide receiver help. They have needs at both and also at cornerback, but a good D-line can mask an average secondary, just ask the 49ers. Kinlaw is an athletic freak. The dude squatted 2,000 lbs. for crying out loud. His stats are nothing impressive but putting him in the middle of Jurrell Casey, Von Miller, and Bradley Chubb is scary.
16. Seattle Seahawks – TRADE w/ATL – EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson – LSU
Last week I had the Seahawks moving up to 22 to make this pick, but it appears the Vikings can get their man, so they aren’t looking to trade back. Atlanta however may be a good trade partner. Seattle needs pass-rush help, badly. Seattle attempted to upgrade its pass-rush this last season when it traded for Jadeveon Clowney. That plan failed as the team only recorded 28 sacks which was tied for the 2ndfewest in the league in 2019. It appears as though Clowney will be playing elsewhere in 2020, and Bruce Irvin is a decent signing but not near enough to make this pass-rush better. Chaisson is the most intriguing pass-rusher in this class. He never played a snap of varsity football in high school but still got a scholarship to LSU. Chaisson has a lot of prime football left in him and the Seahawks need pass-rushers like that, as well as depth at the position.
17. Dallas Cowboys – CB CJ Henderson – Florida
After lots of consideration, I decided to stick with the Cowboys need at cornerback. While loss of Robert Quinn at edge rusher hurts, they lost to top cornerback in free agency this offseason in Byron Jones. The best edge player currently on the board is Yetur Gross-Matos and this would be a reach to take him here. I also thought about trading down here, but with Henderson still on the board I decided he fit here better. Henderson has a good frame for a CB (6’1”) and ran a sub 4.4 40-yard dash, making him the consensus #2 CB in this draft. Dallas will look for its edge rusher in round 2.
18. Miami Dolphins (via PIT) – OT Josh Jones – Houston
Last week I had the Dolphins waiting until pick #26 to take Jones, but the more research I’ve done the less likely I see that happening. Jones shot up the draft boards as the season ended. Last week I didn’t realize the amount of hype around Jones, but in the last week I’ve seen him being picked between picks 14 and 20, so 26thisn’t an option. Miami has its choice of the final 2 tackles with first round grades, and Jones is the favorite here. Jones is more pro ready than Austin Jackson, as he started all 4 years for the Houston Cougars. In 13 games in 2019, Jones allowed only 1 sack and 3 hurries. Given the state of the Dolphins O-Line and with a new QB, this should be a no-brainer.
19. Baltimore Ravens – TRADE w/LVR – LB Kenneth Murray – Oklahoma
Kenneth Murray is a wild card in this draft. In most cases he would be the number 1 linebacker in his draft class. Unfortunately for him, Isaiah Simmons is in this class. Because of this, Murray doesn’t have a set range that he may go. Last week Baltimore traded up to #16 to take Javon Kinlaw, but Denver nabbed him at #15. With Kinlaw off the table, Baltimore will fill a different need, Middle Linebacker. They let CJ Mosely walk in the offseason of 2018 and LJ Fort has never had more than 48 tackles in a season. Murray comes in and instantly makes an already dangerous defense even better.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars – OT Austin Jackson – USC
This pick seems to be pretty widely agreed upon in all my research. Jacksonville is a mess. Yes, they are rebuilding, but it feels like the most random rebuild in recent NFL memory. It was only 2017 when this team was within a touchdown of reaching the Super Bowl. Fast forward to 2020 and Jacksonville has only 7 or 8 of the key contributors from that team remaining. One of those few is LT Cam Robinson, who is an average LT on his best day. With Jacksonville settling on Gardener Minshew at QB, the Jaguars will now be tasked with protecting their signal caller. While Jackson will need time to develop, Jacksonville will need him to do that on the fly while starting day 1.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars – TRADE w/PHI – CB Trevon Diggs - Alabama
The rebuild I mentioned in Jacksonville’s pick at #20 saw them trade away highly respected CB’s Jalen Ramsey and AJ Bouye. While there is many ways the Jaguars could go with this pick, I think that CB is the best option for this pick. Diggs has the physical traits scouts are looking for in an NFL CB and with a background as a WR and with a brother who plays WR in the NFL, Diggs should be one of the better CB’s to come out of this class. This class is loaded with WR, so Jacksonville will late until later to address that area of need.
22. Minnesota Vikings (via BUF) – WR Tee Higgins – Clemson
The Vikings are a team I’m interested to see what exactly they decide to do on draft night. They have 2 1stand 3rdrounders and a few glaring needs. The offensive line showed slight improvement last season, but that’s not saying much as it was still average. The let Linval Joseph and Xavier Rhodes go this offseason and need to replace them, and Everson Griffin is still a free agent. Despite those needs, losing Stefon Diggs hurts from a production standpoint. Diggs was one of the best 2ndoptions in the game and while he was becoming hard to manage off the field, what he brought to the field needs replaced. Tee Higgins was really good at Clemson, but some have questioned whether or not he’s ready to be a #1 receiver. Thankfully in Minnesota he won’t have to be the top option for Kirk Cousins and with his 6’3” frame, Higgins has a high enough ceiling to warrant the pick over the other needs the Vikings have.
23. New England Patriots – QB Jordan Love – Utah St
Jordan Love to the Patriots at #23 2 weeks in a row? Yep, I’ve heard the rumblings that many teams have shown interest in the Utah St product and are doing their research on him, but I’m not buying it. Love’s junior season for the Aggies was fantastic, throwing for 3500 yards, 32 TD’s, and only 6 INT’s. Utah St finished the season ranked 22ndin the country with an overall record of 11-2. Senior Year was forgettable to say the least. Love threw for 3400 yards, only 20 TD’s and 17 INT’s. The 17 INT’s was the worst in the NCAA in 2019. While I don’t think this will necessarily deter teams from picking Love, I think that teams won’t reach early in the draft for him. That works into the Patriots favor as they just lost their starting QB who I’m sure you’ve never heard of. The current options for the Patriots don’t provide much promise, so I’d expect Belicheck to take a QB early in this draft and here he gets the heir to Tom Brady.
24. New Orleans Saints – WR Justin Jefferson - LSU
The Saints are one of the teams I feel are in the best spot to make a deep playoff push even before the draft begins. They lost Teddy Bridgewater, but he would have been a backup this season anyways. They lost starters AJ Klein and Eli Apple, who are both replaceable. I considered the Saints taking Patrick Queen, the LSU LB, here to replace Klein. But with this likely being Drew Brees’ best chance at another ring, I figured the Saints would make life easier for him and give him another receiving threat. Michael Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, and Justin Jefferson paired with Alvin Kamara gives the Saints one of the deadliest passing attacks in the league and depending on what they do in the later rounds might put them in the Super Bowl this season.
25. Minnesota Vikings – OG Netane Muti – Fresno St
I covered a lot of the offseason activity for the Vikings at pick #22, so with this pick I’ll try to keep this explanation short. The Vikings O-Line is a mess. Riley Rieff should probably be at guard instead of tackle and RG Josh Kline had his contract terminated this offseason. Bradbury, Elflein, and O’Neill have shown some consistency, but for the Vikings to contend for a Super Bowl they need more the 3/5thof the line to be consistent. Muti has a history of injuries, but when healthy he is a beast. The Vikings shouldn’t be deterred by the injury history and solidify the offensive line on day 1.
26. Miami Dolphins (via HOU) – S Grant Delpit – LSU
Well this week sees the Dolphins flip picks #18 and #26. I still believe that Delpit is one of the best players in the class, but his numbers dipped from 2018 to 2019, which caused him to slide down draft boards. The Dolphins knock the 1stround out of the park with this pick as they walk away with the Face of the Franchise, the Anchor to protect him at LT, and now a Safety that I would classify as a top 10 talent. Delpit has great awareness and always seems to be where the ball is. The Dolphins add him to an already good secondary featuring Xavien Howard and Byron Jones.
27. Atlanta Falcons – TRADE w/SEA – EDGE Yetur Gross-Matos – Penn St
Atlanta is a team that confuses me. They cut Devonta Freeman, only to replace him with Todd Gurley. They let Austin Hooper walk in free agency and traded a 2ndrounder to Baltimore to get Hayden Hurst to take his spot. The signed Dante Fowler Jr. but only to replace Vic Beasley. They also let Desmond Trufant go. While they still have Julio Jones, this team feels like someone is playing Madden with the team and making moves based on whether or not the user likes the player. With that being said the Falcons defense needs good players and depth. Gross-Matos isn’t the greatest player in this class, but he is the best on the board, he has a high ceiling, and he provides pass-rushing depth that the Falcons have needed for quite some time.
28. Las Vegas Raiders – TRADE w/BAL – CB Kriston Fulton - LSU
Well some things changed here, while somethings didn’t. The Raiders still come away with Fulton in my mock draft, just 9 picks lower. The Raiders had great success picking players with winning experience, and they do that here. Fulton isn’t the big corner that the Raiders have seemed to be targeting, but he is physical, like Vegas wants. He forced incompletions on 29% of pass thrown his way, which rated 3rdin the country in 2019. Las Vegas gets a 2-for-1 here as they get the corner they need and pick up a 2ndround pick like it’s rumored they want to.
29. Tennessee Titans – DE AJ Epenesa – Iowa
What a 2019 it was in Tennessee. Derrick Henry almost carried a franchise on his back all the way to the Super Bowl. Ok, he had some help, to give the others credit, but Henry had a lot to do with the Cinderella run. That being said they have some holes to fill. The Titans lost RT Jack Conklin to Cleveland in free agency and traded Jurrell Casey to Denver to clear cap space. They also could use a CB to take over for Malcolm Butler soon. I think the biggest need is at defensive end. Casey was reliable for several years in Tennessee and with him and Cameron Wake now gone, Mike Vrabel needs some help at pass rusher. AJ Epenesa isn’t the fastest pass rusher, but then again neither was Casey. Epenesa is big and showed at Iowa that he can disrupt games when put in the right situation, and I believe that Tennessee and Epenesa would be a great fit.
30. Green Bay Packers – WR Denzel Mims – Baylor
Drafting WR’s in this draft feels really tricky after the trio of Ruggs, Jeudy, and Lamb. Mims has been the consensus pick here if the Packers go with a receiver, but I was tempted to pick Jalen Reagor for the pure speed factor. The problem is Reagor had an issue with drops at TCU and I don’t think that entices Green Bay who needs consistent play at WR. Mims is a big receiver with good speed and has the ability to win jump-ball situations. Aaron Rodgers would love to have 3 consistent WR’s for a change.
31. San Francisco 49ers – WR Laviska Shenault – Colorado
Well the 49ers just missed out on the top 3 WR’s in the class so they wait until here to get one. Laviska Shenault has seen his stock slip the most as he was considered the #2 WR in this class earlier this season. Shenault can do a little bit of everything for the 49ers. He can play in the slot or on the outside, can run wildcat QB, and is a good enough blocker that you could use him as an undersized TE if necessary. The 49ers get one of the most talented WR’s in the draft class without having to spend a top pick on one while filling two major holes, which should help their pursuit back to the Super Bowl.
32. Kansas City Chiefs – CB AJ Terrell - Clemson
I have gotten the sense more and more over the last week that this pick will end up being traded away, but I don’t exactly see a team that jumps off the page as a candidate to move up here. With that being said the Chiefs still need help at CB. Bashaud Breeland did resign with Kansas City over the last week, but he was pedestrian for a majority of last season. Basically, the Super Bowl was the one time he showed up, and obviously that worked out, but you can’t bank on that every year. Charvarius Ward’s stats were slightly better but that’s not saying much. Now AJ Terrell’s last game at Clemson was not good. In the National Championship game Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase burned Terrell for 162 yards and 2 TD’s in the first half. With that being said, I doubt that even Jeffrey Okudah (#1 CB taken this year) could have done anything to slow down the Buzzsaw that was the LSU offense. He has a high ceiling however, and comes from a winning tradition and could benefit from this pick.
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