26. Miami Dolphins (from HOU)
Cesar Ruiz | OL | Michigan
Let’s keep with the “protect Tua at all costs” mentality here. Yes, it would be tempting to take the top running back off the board here, but the depth of this year’s class should give Miami better value on Day 2. Instead, they grab this year’s best interior blocker in Ruiz, who is just 20 years old and already as athletic and physical as they come.
27. Seattle Seahawks
Antoine Winfield, Jr. | S | Minnesota
Gone are the days of Earl Thomas roaming the Seattle secondary, but if the Seahawks want to try and recreate that kind of presence for the future, Winfield is about as close as they can get. The son of a Pro Bowler by the same name, Winfield was a one-man wrecking crew for the Golden Gophers, and he could instantly bring the swagger back to what was once one of the NFL’s most feared defensive backfields.
28. Baltimore Ravens
Jonathan Taylor | RB | Wisconsin
Mark Ingram’s absence was painfully evident when injuries kept him out of the lineup in 2019, which means the Ravens need to find a succession plan for their veteran runner. They get their pick of some talented runners in this scenario, and Taylor’s performance at the NFL Combine proved he’s more than worthy of being the first running back off the board. He would make the NFL’s best rushing attack even better from Day 1.
29. Tennessee Titans
Yetur Gross-Matos | EDGE | Penn State
The Titans are built for sustained success, which should allow them to play the “best player available” game here. Thankfully for them, this scenario gives them a fantastic balance of value and need. Gross-Matos is the prototype for today’s NFL edge defender, and his strong finish to the 2019 season proved he’s still worthy of first-round consideration.
30. Green Bay Packers
Justin Jefferson | WR | LSU
This pick simply has to be another weapon for Aaron Rodgers, and the Packers have some fantastic options in this scenario. Clemson’s Tee Higgins and Colorado’s Laviska Shenault, Jr. would be solid picks, but after Jefferson’s combine performance, he may have just leapfrogged those names on some draft boards. He’s a polished, complete player who would pair extremely well with Devante Adams.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Ross Blacklock | DL | TCU
Considering how few picks they have overall, I’m betting the 49ers would love to move back from this pick. If they can’t, though, they still have plenty of attractive options in this scenario. After trading away one of the league’s best interior defenders in DeForest Buckner, the 49ers are able to replace him with another disruptive force in Blacklock, who is younger and cheaper.
32. Kansas City Chiefs
A.J. Epenesa | EDGE/DL | Iowa
Another team that probably wouldn’t mind trading back, the Chiefs can also just wait for the value to fall to them. That lines up with their biggest needs in this situation, as a versatile defensive linemen like Epenesa would be a huge boost to a front that needs to reload with some youth. Despite disappointing at the combine, Epenesa’s film should still prove him to be a first-round pick.