2020 NFL Mock Draft
- Cincinnati Bengals — Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Once a backup at Ohio State, Burrow transferred to LSU in 2018. In 2019, Burrow threw a record 60 touchdown passes, won the Heisman Trophy and most importantly the CFP National Championship. After throwing 16 touchdowns in 2018, Burrow turned it up to 60 while throwing for 5,671 yards. Burrow was also pin point accurate with a 76.3 completion percentage. Burrow grew up in Athens, Ohio and will now play his NFL career in Cincinnati.
2. Washington Redskins — Chase Young, Edge, Ohio State
In 2019, Young was college football’s most dominant player finishing with an FBS leading 16.5 sacks. A trip to New York for the Heisman ceremony capped off his final college season. Young stepped up in 2018 recording 10.5 sacks but brought his game to a whole new level in 2019. He finished second all time at Ohio State with 30.5 sacks while winning the Nagurski Trophy, Bednarik Award and the Hendricks Award in 2019. Young grew up in Maryland about 30 minutes from the Redskins home.
3. Detroit Lions — Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Trading Darius Slay opened the door to Okudah. A Thorpe Award finalist, Okudah started one season in Columbus but made the most of it by leading the Buckeyes in interceptions while earning All-American honors. Since 1999, 10 Ohio State defensive backs have been selected in the first round with Okudah soon to join that elite group.
4. New York Giants — Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
The Butkus Award winner not only lined up at linebacker but also took snaps at defensive end, safety and cornerback. Versatile, Simmons recorded 104 tackles, 7 sacks and 3 interceptions. At the combine in February weighing in at 238 pounds, Simmons ran a 4.39 40. The Giants have lacked on defense for several seasons and Simmons will provide a spark in the pass, run and pass rushing game.
5. Miami Dolphins — Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
The “Tank for Tua” plan has come to fruition. Missing several games in 2019 to a season ending hip injury, Tagovailoa still threw 33 touchdowns and only three interceptions. Tua was even better in 2018 throwing 43 touchdowns to become the Heisman runner-up. While the injury concerns linger, the reward outweighs the risk and drafting Tua to be Miami’s quarterback will pay off in the end.
6. Los Angeles Chargers -Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Philip Rivers is now a Colt so the Chargers draft his replacement at 6. Justin Herbert displays a strong arm and good size at 6'6'’ 236 pounds. A four year starter, Herbert threw 95 touchdowns and a career high 32 in 2019. Leading his team to a Rose Bowl victory, Herbert completed a career high 66% of his passes this past fall. Herbert only received one FBS offer and now replaces Rivers in Los Angeles.
7. Carolina Panthers — Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
Returning to Auburn for his senior year, Brown won SEC Defensive Player of the Year and earned Unanimous All-American honors. Weighing in at 326 pounds, Brown moves well for a guy his size and ran a 5.1 40. In 2019, Brown recorded 55 tackles and 4 sacks with 11.5 tackles for loss. Derrick Brown will provide help to a Carolina defense that ranked 31st in the NFL last season.
8. Arizona Cardinals — Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
Arizona’s gamble on Kyler Murray paid off and protecting Murray is the priority with another top 10 pick. Murray was sacked a league high 48 times in 2019 so a tackle like Becton is warranted. A three year starter at Louisville, Becton earned All-ACC honors in 2019. Physically imposing at 6'7" 364 pounds, Becton impressed at the combine with a 5.10 40.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars — Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina
The defense that made the AFC Championship in 2017 has disappeared. Malik Jackson and Calais Campbell are gone while Yannick Ngakoue wants out. Kinlaw is the perfect replacement for Campbell after he was traded in March and will play immediately in Jacksonville. Kinlaw recorded six sacks last fall and checks in at 6'5" 324 pounds. Starting out at junior college, Kinlaw was an All-American in 2019 for the Gamecocks.
10. Cleveland Browns — Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
Baker Mayfield had a sophomore slump after a standout rookie season. Mayfield’s development is a priority for the Browns as he looks to step back up this year. With talented skill players already in place, an offensive tackle is an area of need. Wirfs was the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2019 and hang cleaned 450 pounds at Iowa. His power in the weight room translated onto the field at Iowa which he will take to Cleveland to protect the former first overall pick.
11. New York Jets — CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Lamb was lucky to have three decorated quarterbacks at Oklahoma and was a Consensus All-American in 2019. Two 1,000 yard seasons capped off an impressive career including 1,327 this past fall. This draft features plenty of talent at the receiver position with Lamb being the first off the board here. Lamb, who was on the receiving end of two Heisman winners and a runner-up, will help third year quarterback Sam Darnold.
12. Las Vegas Raiders — Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Capping off his college career with 204 receiving yards, Jeudy would provide a much needed spark in the Raiders offense. Derek Carr is a proven starter, Josh Jacobs is the running back for years to come and Darren Waller proved a lot at tight end. With other parts worked out, the 2018 Biletnikoff Winner can help complete this offense. Able to create great seperation, Jeudy had back to back 1,000 yard seasons in 2018 and 2019.
13. San Francisco 49ers — Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
Joe Staley is getting older so taking his replacement here at 13 is a great idea and Jedrick Wills is a good pick to help fill Staley’s spot eventually. Wills was an All-American in 2019 and also received First Team All-SEC honors.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
With the addition of Tom Brady and now Rob Gronkowski, it won’t hurt to add a running back. Swift was impressive in his last two seasons at Georgia, rushing for 1,000 yards in both while earning All-SEC honors. Swift also ran for 600 yards as a freshman behind Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. Swift made the most of his time at Georgia and would add to an offense of Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
15. Denver Broncos — Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado
Shenault will help provide depth for the Broncos offense. Shenault had 764 yards in 2019 and made the most out of each catch with 13.6 yards per catch. Proving once again he makes the most out of everything, he had 1,011 yards in 2018 in only 9 games for Colorado. Shenault earned All-Pac 12 honors in both seasons.
16. Atlanta Falcons — Zack Baun, LB, Atlanta
Atlanta’s defense has been a soft spot for several years. Zack Baun was one of college football’s most productive players in 2019. Baun recorded 12.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss which earned him All-Big 10 and All-American honors. Baun becomes the latest Wisconsin linebacker to be drafted.
17. Dallas Cowboys — Cesar Ruiz, C, Michigan
There are different directions the Cowboys can go at 17 but with the retirement of Travis Frederick, taking a center to replace the All-Pro is smart. Ruiz is one of the best interior lineman and the best center in this draft. In 2018 and 2019, Ruiz earned All-Big 10 selections.
18. Miami Dolphins — Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Drafting a quarterback at four gives way to Miami taking a lineman at 18. Andrew Thomas was one of college football’s most durable lineman beginning when he hit the field as a freshman, starting all 15 games for Georgia. After playing right tackle as a freshman he moved to left tackle for his final two seasons. Thomas earned All-SEC and All-American honors in his last two seasons for the Bulldogs.
19. Las Vegas Raiders — Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
Murray was Oklahoma’s most productive defensive player the last three seasons. In 2018, Murray recorded 155 tackles and 102 in 2019 with 17.5 tackles for loss. Murray has special speed and athleticism at the linebacker position running a 4.52 40 along with a 38 inch vertical. With great production and physical abilities, Murray will be a great pick up for the Raiders to address the linebacker position.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars — C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
The Jaguars traded both Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye leaving voids at the cornerback position. In 2019, Henderson led the Gators with 11 pass breakups while missing several games due to injury. As a freshman, Henderson had four interceptions with two being returned for a touchdown. A Miami native, Henderson makes the trip north to Jacksonville.
21. Philadelphia Eagles — Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
The Eagles made the playoffs this year but was done with woes at wide receiver. In 2019, Jefferson led college football with 111 receptions and ranked second with 18 receiving touchdowns. A major part of Joe Burrow’s Heisman run and the National Championship, Jefferson will provide the help needed in Philadelphia.
22. Minnesota Vikings — Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
The Vikings lost Trae Wayne to free agency so cornerback is a position of need for the Vikings. Johnson is an underrated player in this years draft and in 2019 broke up 11 passes which earned him All-Pac 12 honors. As a freshman, Johnson only started two games but still led the Utes in pass breakups.
23. New England Patriots — K’Lavon Chaisson, LB, LSU
The Patriots lost Jamie Collins and Kyle Van Noy to free agency so drafting an outside linebacker at 23 would be smart. Chaisson was one of the SEC’s best defensive players and was apart of the National Championship run. In 2019, Chaisson recorded 6.5 sacks with 13.5 tackles for loss.
24. New Orleans Saints — Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Drew Brees is still one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL but is 41 years old. Love has a strong arm and sitting behind Brees for a few seasons will help with his development in becoming a starting quarterback. Love impressed in 2018 by throwing 32 touchdowns but dropped in 2019 throwing only 20. Despite the drop, Jordan Love flashed NFL starter potential at Utah State and learning from a great like Drew Brees will help.
25. Minnesota Vikings — Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
Tee Higgins was one of college football’s best wide receiver’s the last three seasons and a major part of Clemson’s offense. In 2019, Higgins has 1,167 yards and 19 yards per catch. Arriving at Clemson as a prized recruit, Higgins leaves tied for the most receiving touchdowns in Clemson history with 27.
26. Miami Dolphins — J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
Miami’s running game was the NFL’s worst in 2019 and adding Dobbins with there third first round pick will address that. Dobbins burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2017 rushing for 1,412 yards. In his final college season, Dobbins ran for an Ohio State record 2,003 yards and scored 21 touchdowns. J.K. Dobbins finished his Buckeye career with over 4,000 rushing yards.
27. Seattle Seahawks — Yetur Gross-Matos, DL, Penn State
At this point Seattle is unlikely to re-sign Jadeveon Clowney. Yetur Gross-Matos has been one of the Big Ten’s best defensive players the last two years and can provide for Seattle. In 2018, Gross-Matos recorded 20 tackles for loss and set a career high in sack in 2019 with 9.5. Yetur Gross-Matos was First Team All-Big Ten in 2019.
28. Baltimore Ravens — Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
The Ravens missed C.J. Mosley in 2019 but get a replacement with Patrick Queen. Another major part of the National Championship run, Queen recorded 82 tackles with 12 tackles for loss. A bit undersized, Queen presents good speed at the linebacker position and ran a 4.5 at the combine.
29. Tennessee Titans — Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Stefon Diggs brother may line up against him sometime. Trevon arrived at Alabama a wide receiver himself but moved to cornerback. In 2019, Diggs intercepted three passes and broke up eight. With Logan Ryan likely gone, Trevon Diggs will replace.
30. Green Bay Packers — Joshua Jones, OT, Houston
Bryan Bulaga left Green Bay in free agency which opens a spot on the offensive line. Jones started all four years for Houston after redshirting in 2015. While only playing 9 games in 2019, Jones was still named All-AAC.
31. San Francisco 49ers — Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
Ruggs is a play maker that stepped up for the Crimson Tide this fall. Ruggs finished 2019 with 746 receiving yards and 18.7 yards per catch. Ruggs also stepped up on kick returns averaging 23.8 yards per return. Ruggs ran the fastest 40 at the combine at 4.27. The 49ers will be getting a dynamic receiver and a player that that can step up on special teams.
32. Kansas City Chiefs — Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU
The Chiefs have a dynamic offense but Edwards-Helaire will add a spark for Pat Mahomes. A major part of LSU’s offense, Edward-Helaire got it done on the ground, in the receiving game and on kick returns. He was named All-SEC at running back and returner in 2019. 2019 included 1,415 yards rushing with 16 touchdowns, 453 receiving yards and 21.4 yards per return.
