FINAL 2020 Mock Draft 8.0
1.
Cincinnati
Bengals – QB Joe Burrow, LSU Team Needs: QB, EDGE, iOL, LB
Only way this isn’t the pick is if Mike Brown’s Wi-Fi crashes during
their pick.
2.
Washington
Redskins – EDGE Chase Young, Ohio St Team Needs: WR, CB, OT, TE, CB, iOL
Going back to the basics of what Ron
Rivera focuses on. When he was in Carolina, he put together an elite defense.
Washington has some nice pieces on the defensive line. But you don’t pass on
elite because you have nice.
3.
Detroit Lions
– CB Jeffrey Okudah, Ohio St Team Needs: OG, CB, EDGE, DT
The Lions brass is telling the media
outright that they have offers for this pick. When does a GM ever outright say
this in a press conference? Not only are they not trading, but this is a lie. Okudah
is the guy they have had their eyes on for months.
4.
New York
Giants – OT Jedrick Wills, Alabama Team Needs: LB, OT, EDGE
I have heard A LOT of Simmons talk. Maybe
they go there. But when you draft a RB at pick No. 2 and a QB at pick No. 6 in
consecutive drafts and you’re still picking top 5. The offensive line is
probably not the best. Wills is my number one tackle prospect and will be able
to slide right into the right side of that line.
5.
Miami
Dolphins – QB Justin Herbert, Oregon Team Needs: QB, RB, OT, iOL, DT, EDGE, S
It’s over. I give up. I’m not happy about
it. But at least we don’t trade up and give assets to take the guy. That’s
worst-case scenario. Herbert is clearly QB3 based on talent. But when QB2 has
injury concerns and your team’s doctors can’t get their hands on him closer to
the draft… Reverse jinx? I hope so.
6.
Los Angeles
Chargers – QB Tua Tagovaiola, Alabama Team Needs: QB, OT, RB
I will say this. If an analyst that has
said that Miami taking Tua at 5 is a big concern because of medicals, then goes
and praises LA for taking him because he is “better” than Herbert, I will lose
my god damn mind. The concern for Tua isn’t playing in 2020. It is playing in
2030.
7.
Carolina
Panthers – LB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson Team Needs: DT, CB, LB, iOL
Panthers start off the Rhule dynasty with a perfect fit. Athletic
players who can run like their hair is on fire. Simmons will be the ultimate
chess piece for this rebuilding team. If Simmons isn’t available, look out for
a trade back for someone coming up for OT or WR.
8.
Arizona
Cardinals – DT Derrick Brown, Auburn Team Needs: DT, EDGE, LB, OT
Brown and Simmons are the only players that
would keep them from going offensive tackle and they are guaranteed one of
them. They “addressed” DT with Jordan Phillips in free agency. Now they have
really addressed DT.
9.
Jacksonville
Jaguars – CB CJ Henderson, Florida Team Needs: EDGE, DT, LB, CB, WR, OT, S
I had this pegged in 2.0. Henderson is
closer to Okudah because he is a better coverage corner than Okudah is.
However, CJ isn’t as good in run support or in the big picture. Jags seem like
a team that could be trading out here to pick up as many assets as possible,
similar to the Panthers.
10. Cleveland Browns – OT Tristan Wirfs, Iowa Team Needs: OT,
S, LB
If Cleveland stays here, it is for a
tackle. If they move back, it is for a tackle. With no trades in this mock,
they will stay and take the best tackle on their board to bookend the left
side.
11. New York Jets – OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia Team Needs: OT,
WR, iOL, EDGE
I am of the belief that they value CeeDee over one of these top 4
tackles. I am of the belief that Thomas is not one of those 4. Although if they
go WR, the Jets will be the team to blow up the entire draft.
12. Las
Vegas Raiders – WR CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma Team Needs: WR, CB, DT, S
If CJ Henderson is here, I think he is the
pick because they can address WR later on. However, with him being off the
board and me having mocked all WRs to Vegas, this pick is a total crapshoot.
That being said, I go Lamb as the rumblings have been getting louder that he is
WR1 on their board.
13. San Francisco 49ers (from Indianapolis Colts) – WR Henry
Ruggs III, Alabama Team Needs: CB, WR, iOL, DT
San Fran has speed on offense. So which WR
should they get? How about one with more speed! Every skill position including
Kittle at TE has great speed for their position and Ruggs will only make them
more elite. As an FYI, I am beginning to think this could be Kinlaw or an OL to
replace the aging Joe Staley.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – OT Mekhi Becton, Louisville Team
Needs: OT, RB
I now believe that Tampa will get one of
the big 4 tackles unless a team like Miami jumps them. The Bucs #1 focus was
finding the quarterback to bring them a Super Bowl again. Now that they
accomplished that, it is time to protect him for as long as he can still stand.
15. Denver Broncos – WR Jerry Jeudy, Alabama Team Needs: WR,
OT, CB
Word has been out that Denver wants Ruggs
and I wouldn’t rule out a massive trade up to secure him. However, Jeudy also
makes too much sense for this offense as a premier slot option for Lock. If they
do trade up, I can see Jeudy being the selection over the other 2. I will add
that as far as the top 3 WRs go, it is a true crapshoot. Ruggs could be the
pick at 11, 12, 13, 15, 18 or 21. CeeDee at 9, 11, 12, 13, or 15. Jeudy at 7,
9, 11, 12, 13, or 15.
16. Atlanta Falcons – DT Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina Team
Needs: CB, DT, RB
Atlanta wants to move up big time. I’m assuming it is for Henderson
(word is also out they want Chase Young) so they will likely need to get into
the top 10, but Kinlaw is a great consolation prize for staying put. Put him
next to Grady Jarrett and you have one talented defensive line grouping.
17. Dallas Cowboys – C Cesar Ruiz, Michigan Team Needs: CB, S,
EDGE, iOL
I’ve lost confidence in Chaisson here. There
is a lot of noise that the Cowboys love Ruiz, but they don’t know if they want
him at 17. Two things, one I believe Dallas will attempt to trade back for a
team moving up for Love or an OT or a WR. Two, there is no such thing as a
reach, it is just good player or bad player. Ruiz is a good player.
18. Miami Dolphins (from Pittsburgh Steelers) – OT Austin
Jackson, USC Team Needs: QB, RB, OT, iOL, DT, EDGE, S
Also, wouldn’t be in love with this pick,
but I feel that we will force the OT pick at 18 or move up to get one of the
top 4. Jackson is still only 20 and won’t be ready in year 1 to start at left
tackle. Went Jackson>Jones because historically Grier doesn’t value Group of
5 players as much. He especially likes guys from the SEC and Big 10. My
preference of the available tackles would be Jackson, but I know nothing.
19. Las
Vegas Raiders (from Chicago Bears) – CB AJ Terrell, Clemson Team Needs: WR, S, DT,
CB
This is my least favorite pick of the
draft. Wherever they go, will throw off the rest of the draft and it is their 2nd
pick, so they don’t need to address a dire need. Trade back seems likely
because they don’t have a 2nd rounder, but if they stay here, they won’t
find Terrell to be a reach. Terrell will match up on the other side of Mullen
who was drafted in the 2nd round from Clemson last year. Tapping
into a championship pool is still part of the ideology of Mayock.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Los Angeles Rams) – EDGE K’Lavon
Chaisson, LSU Team Needs: EDGE, DT, CB, WR, OT, S, LB
CJ Henderson is a big get but there are
many more needs to fill. This is likely to be a 2-3 year rebuild from the way
things are looking right now. Chaisson could be the pick if they trade back
from 15, but if he gets past Dallas and Miami, then Jacksonville will happily
snatch him up. Chaisson is falling a bit because people may be having an issue
matching up the lackluster sack numbers and figuring out how it will translate
to the pros.
21. Philadelphia Eagles – WR Justin Jefferson, LSU Team
Needs: WR, CB, S, LB, EDGE
Every single mock will have this as the
pick, but I just can’t justify any other selection. The Eagles have a very
solid team and need just a few players to keep running the division. I know
Roseman likes to trade up, but personally I think staying put or trading back
is the play here. Safety is something that needs to be addressed within the
first 3 rounds.
22. Minnesota Vikings (from Buffalo Bills) – CB Jaylon
Johnson, Utah Team Needs: CB, WR, DT, iOL, EDGE
Corner is a necessity with one of these 2
first rounders. Johnson is someone who has a lot more inconsistencies than I would
like out of a 1st round corner, however there is a lot of 1st
round buzz on his name. Additionally, the Vikings tend to look for hard-nosed,
tough players for this position, that is Johnson to a T.
23. New England Patriots – LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma Team
Needs: QB, WR, EDGE, TE, LB
Patriots have always had needs, but Brady
made them look less dire because he was so elite. Looking at this front 7 on
defense for the Pats, I’m not scared at all. They need multiple LBs, EDGE, and
a Nose. You haven’t even gotten into the offensive skill position woes. Murray
is a pick that I will be upset if I get right because I don’t want to play
against him twice a year with his down-hill mindset.
24. New Orleans Saints – LB Patrick Queen, LSU Team Needs:
OG, CB, LB
Do the Saints look to a future beyond
Brees and go Love? Its too rich for me with the limited draft capital New
Orleans has. Let’s stay put and select the local kid at a position that desperately
needs help. Queen will become the captain of the defense once the captain of
the offense retires next year.
25. Minnesota Vikings – EDGE Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn St Team
Needs: CB, WR, DT, iOL, EDGE
With the cornerback selected, I can see a
trade back to accumulate more picks. However, if they stay put, I like BPA
approach because they have a lot of areas they can improve. Gross-Matos will
come in to replace the big-bodied Griffen on the defensive line. Keep an eye on
their safety Harris as a trade candidate to get back into one of these higher
rounds.
26. Miami Dolphins (from Houston Texans) – S Xavier McKinney,
Alabama Team Needs: RB, OT, iOL, DT, EDGE, CB, S
Well, I hate this first round for Miami.
Which means it’ll probably happen. McKinney is the playmaker that Brian Flores
lost in Minkah last year, just not as elite. McKinney will be able to move
around from nickel to safety just like Bobby McCain. This is exactly the type
of move Flores will be banging the table for.
27. Seattle Seahawks – OT Isaiah Wilson, Georgia Team Needs:
WR, EDGE, DT, CB, S, OT, iOL
Seattle has many needs and they will most
definitely not be selecting at 27. However, I feel that Isaiah Wilson would be
the perfect player for their scheme on offense. Wilson is raw in many ways, but
he is also a tractor in the run game. Seattle wants to run the ball. 1+1=2
28. Baltimore Ravens – LB Zack Baun, Wisconsin Team Needs:
LB, iOL
I DON’T KNOW! I loved Ruiz at this spot, but I do have a feeling that
he won’t be available because of teams like Dallas and Miami that have needs at
interior offensive line. However, Baun is a scheme fit like no other. The
Ravens feature a defensive scheme that isn’t as multiple as the New England
ideals. But is a defense that values EDGE/LBs that can rush the passer but also
cover. That’s what Baun does better than anyone in this class.
29. Tennessee Titans – CB Jeff Gladney, TCU Team Needs: OT,
CB, EDGE, OG, DT
The Titans lost Jack Conklin in free
agency but were able to keep Tannehill and Henry. However, one of the more
underrated losses they had was Logan Ryan at slot corner. A staple in their run
defense and a leader. Gladney won’t step into a captain role in year 1, but he
is able to play slot or outside and is one of the best run stoppers among
corners in this class.
30. Green Bay Packers – QB Jordan Love, Utah St Team Needs:
WR, TE, LB
For the record, I do not think Green Bay
will select Jordan Love even if he is there. The Colts or another team will
move up for him before he gets here. However, he will be going in the first
round and if there were no trades in a real draft, this is a total Packers
move. 40+ years of QB dominance because you know Love will get 3 years to sit
behind Rodgers.
31. San Francisco 49ers – CB Trevon Diggs, Alabama Team
Needs: CB, WR, DT, iOL
San Fran will not be selecting at 13 and
31 (and possibly neither). They have no picks in the 2nd, 3rd,
and 4th rounds so they will certainly move back and collect some
picks at some point. However, if they get a high 2nd round pick or
stayed at 31, I really like this player/team fit. Length is very coveted in
this defense and he should be best for a zone/cover 3 scheme. Guess what the
49ers play?
32. Kansas City Chiefs – RB D’Andre Swift, Georgia Team
Needs: CB, LB, iOL, RB
Can you imagine? The Chiefs are just messing with the
rest of the NFL now. They don’t need a running back. Damien Williams just had
over 100 yards in the Super Bowl. But remember when this team had Kareem Hunt?
Their offense was unstoppable. Swift is the most complete back in this class,
however I could see the Chiefs liking Clyde Edwards-Helaire because of his
great pass catching skills.
This was a ton of fun to do this year. 8 total mocks and
write-ups. The guys that I believe I probably am missing in this first round is
Josh Jones, Kristian Fulton, Ezra Cleveland, Brandon Aiyuk. Guys that I have in
my mock that I don’t necessarily think should be there but are there because of
team fit/buzz are Jaylon Johnson, D’Andre Swift, Trevon Diggs, Isaiah Wilson.
We will see at the end of the day, but I really like how 85% of this mock
turned out. Let me know what you guys think on twitter or text or whatever.
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