Pre-Combine 2020 NFL Mock Draft
1- Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow- QB, LSU
I expect no surprises here, as the Cincinnati Bengals take this past year’s Heisman winner, who is coming off arguably the greatest QB season in college football history.
2- Washington Redskins
Chase Young- EDGE, Ohio State
Chase Young is likely the best football player in this year’s draft, and while trade discussion will be had with this spot, I would expect the Redskins to take Young to anchor their defense for years to come.
3- Miami Dolphins (via DET)
Tua Tagovailoa- QB, Alabama
This spot, #3, has become a popular hot spot for a predicted trade, and for good reason. The biggest question with this pick may end up being who ends up pulling the trigger on such a deal, in hopes of getting their QB of the future. Given their surplus of draft capital, the Dolphins are the most likely answer. Miami should jump at the chance to take Tua, a guy who everyone, for most of the season, expected to end up in Miami with the top overall pick.
4- New York Giants
Jedrick Wills Jr.- OT, Alabama
Dave Gettleman, an old school type GM, has echoed his opinion that building through the trenches is how you win games and championships. While I wouldn’t be shocked to see Jeff Okudah or Isaiah Simmons end up in the Big Apple via this pick, I think ultimately Gettleman stays true to his sentiment and opts for a franchise tackle to protect Daniel Jones.
5- Detroit Lions (via MIA)
Jeffrey Okudah- CB, Ohio State
The Lions move back, gain an additional first round pick and ultimately end up with the same guy they probably would have taken at #3 anyway. Okudah is far and away the best corner in this year’s draft and one of the most we have seen in recent memory.
6- Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert- QB, Oregon
The potential QB carousel we could see this offseason is unprecedented, and because of that, it is especially hard to predict what position the Chargers will be in come draft day, but as of now, Justin Herbert appears to be the most likely option at this pick.
7- Carolina Panthers
Isaiah Simmons- LB, Clemson
After being relatively blind-sided by the retirement of Luke Keuchly, the Panthers should, and I believe will, turn to Simmons to fill that void. Given his versatility and physical traits, Simmons is one of the most intriguing prospects in this year’s draft and will almost certainly be the first LB off the board come April.
8- Arizona Cardinals
Derrick Brown- DT, Auburn
The idea of reuniting last year’s top pick Kyler Murray with Oklahoma WR CeeDee Lamb will certainly be enticing for Arizona but after drafting three receivers just one year ago and Larry Fitzgerald returning, I would expect the Cardinals to take game-wrecker Derrick Brown, who has Top-5 potential.
9- Jacksonville Jaguars
Jerry Jeudy- WR, Alabama
Following the injury, then departure, of Allen Robinson, the Jaguars have been looking for a true #1 WR. DJ Chark has come on strong in his first two years in the league, but pairing him with Jerry Jeudy would only take his game to the next level and would create one of the most electric WR duos in the league.
10- Indianapolis Colts (via CLE)
Jordan Love- QB, Utah State
I firmly believe that some team out there will absolutely fall in love with Jordan Love (no pun intended), and trade up to get their guy. Aside from Cincinnati, Miami and the Chargers, the Colts are most well suited to make such a move. With the 13th pick, the Colts also have a pair of picks in the second round, which could be used as trade capital to move up for the likes of Love. In this case, they move up three spots and send #13, #44 and potentially additional future draft capital to Cleveland to make it happen.
11- New York Jets
CeeDee Lamb- WR, Oklahoma
Given that Jon Gruden and the Raiders are waiting at #12, this would be another spot where a team could look to trade up for someone like Jordan Love. I think, however, that the Jets will be hesitant to do so, as it would result in balking at the opportunity to take CeeDee Lamb. With the WR-needy Raiders sitting at #12, the Jets would need to take Lamb at this spot, if they want to add him to a thin WR corps that is set to lose Robby Anderson in free agency.
12- Las Vegas Raiders
Henry Ruggs III- WR, Alabama
As I just mentioned, the Raiders are in desperate need of WR help, no matter who their QB may be come next season. Henry Ruggs is expected to put on an absolute show at this week’s combine and should be a Top-15 pick come April. With reliable hands and 4.2-type speed, he has all the makings to make an impact right away in the NFL.
13- Cleveland Browns (via IND)
Tristan Wirfs- OT, Iowa
With immense talent throughout their offensive depth chart, the Browns need to improve in the trenches if they want to find increased success. Even after trading back, the Browns will have their pick among a number of top offensive tackles.
14- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Javon Kinlaw- DT, South Carolina
Javon Kinlaw is a Top-10 talent, and will be an absolute steal for a team in the 11–15 range. The draft playing out this way is reason for celebration for the Bucs and going any direction other than Kinlaw would be absolutely foolish.
15- Denver Broncos
Kristian Fulton- CB, LSU
This one is fairly simple; the Broncos could use some help in the secondary and Fulton is the best CB in this class not named Jeff Okudah. If one of those three top WRs makes it to #15, I would fully expect that to be the pick, and hey maybe they even trade up for one. If not, however, they should have no problem settling for Fulton here at #15.
16- Atlanta Falcons
AJ Epenesa- EDGE, Iowa
Epenesa has flown under the radar and has not been talked about too much but he will likely be a Top-20 pick and the Falcons seem like a perfect fit. Vic Beasley, a pending FA, hasn’t really panned out as they would have hoped and Epenesa can fill that void.
17- Dallas Cowboys
Grant Delpit- S, LSU
Coming into the 2019 season, Grant Delpit was highly regarded and widely viewed as a likely Top-10 pick. Now, after a season where he appeared to be LSU’s third best DB, he appears to be more likely to be a late first rounder, as some even have dropped him as low as a second round grade. To me, I just don’t see Delpit free-falling THAT far, and I see the Cowboys has a good fit for the talented safety.
18- Detroit Lions (via MIA)
Kenneth Murray- LB, Oklahoma
The Lions continue to bolster their defense by adding Kenneth Murray; far and away the second best LB in this year’s draft. All in all, the Lions trade back from #3 to #5, ending up with Jeff Okudah and Kenneth Murray, and that is a huge win.
19- Las Vegas Raiders
Trevon Diggs- CB, Alabama
The Raiders defense needs a lot of help and the secondary is a good place to start, by selecting Trevon Diggs out of Alabama.
20- Jacksonville Jaguars
Xavier McKinney- S, Alabama
With the pick acquired from parting with Jalen Ramsey, the Jaguars reinforce their secondary with one of the top safeties in this year’s class, to pair with Ronnie Harrison.
21- Philadelphia Eagles
Laviska Shenault- WR, Colorado
The Eagles’ injury plagued 2019 campaign has been highly documented and it revealed a true lack of depth at receiver. Laviska Shenault is the best WR remaining and will prove to be an instant upgrade for that WR room.
22- Buffalo Bills
Tee Higgins- WR, Clemson
The Bills were one of 2019’s best surprises but what went overlooked was Josh Allen taking a step forward in his progression as an NFL QB. To supplement this and allow Allen to further progress, Buffalo needs to improve the offense around him. A longtime starter and consistent performer at Clemson, Tee Higgins allows for just that.
23- New England Patriots
Jake Fromm- QB, Georgia
At this point, I just don’t see Tom Brady returning to New England in 2020. I don’t know where he’ll land, but with just Jarret Stidham remaining in that QB room, I would expect significant movement from the Pats when it comes to QBs. Fromm, to me, just fits perfectly into that Patriots offense, especially if they go out and add a veteran WR and/or TE, in addition to focusing on those areas in the draft.
24- New Orleans Saints
Jalen Reagor- WR, TCU
A #2 receiver behind Michael Thomas has been missing from New Orleans the last few seasons and it’s time to put this issue to rest. Jalen Reagor is a high upside, versatile weapon that could vastly help, regardless of who is at QB for the Saints.
25- Minnesota Vikings
Solomon Kindley- OG, Georgia
Pressed in terms of salary cap, the Vikings will really need to focus on the draft to make the necessary improvements in order to take that next step in the NFC playoffs. With a talented offense already, solidifying the interior OLine could prove beneficial for the likes of Kirk Cousins and Dalvin Cook.
26- Miami Dolphins
Andrew Thomas- OT, Georgia
The top of this year’s OT class is pretty crowded and Andrew Thomas has flown a bit under the radar. Keeping Tua healthy needs to become Miami’s top priority and Thomas is the perfect start towards accomplishing that.
27- Seattle Seahawks
Yetur Gross-Matos- EDGE, Penn State
I’ve seen Gross-Matos mocked as high as Top-10, but also as low as Round 2. Ultimately, his raw talent and ceiling will result in him being a first round pick and with Jadeveon Clowney potentially on his way out, Seattle needs help along the edges.
28- Baltimore Ravens
Justin Jefferson- WR, LSU
Even after a great season, the Ravens need to improve upon their passing game and giving MVP Lamar Jackson another tool in his shed could prove very beneficial. Jefferson put up huge production this past season, particularly in LSU’s biggest games, and will likely find himself sneaking into the backend of the first round.
29- Tennessee Titans
K’Lavon Chaisson- EDGE, LSU
Yet another LSU Tiger in the first round, K’Lavon Chaisson is a true game changer. Tennessee was a very strong defensive team a year ago and adding Chaisson will only result in a stronger and scarier unit.
30- Green Bay Packers
Mekhi Becton- OT, Louisville
Mekhi Becton has been rising quickly throughout this draft process. A versatile and rangy tackle, Becton provides a major upgrade and could go a long way in allowing Aaron Rodgers to stay on the field.
31- San Francisco 49ers
Kyle Dugger- S, Lenoir Rhyne
I mentioned Mekhi Becton as a quick riser but no player has elevated his stock more and quicker than Kyle Dugger. The little known safety out of Lenoir Rhyne University in North Carolina, thanks in large part to the Senior Bowl, has catapulted himself into first round consideration, and San Francisco is a great fit.
32- Kansas City Chiefs
Jonathan Taylor- RB, Wisconsin
People seem to have forgotten the production Taylor has put up the last three years as a Badger. Damien Williams is talented but adding the pseudo-productive RB will allow for this offense to not skip a beat coming off a magical Super Bowl run. Cornerback is another area where KC could seek an upgrade but with the top tier talent gone, they’ll wait a round or two.
