We’re dealing with a global pandemic, oil prices are tanking and businesses across the country are shutting down. You know what the world really needs right now?
That’s right! Another mock draft!
This is unlike any other mock draft you’ve seen this draft season, in that I wrote it and it’s my first crack at writing one this year. Everything else is pretty much the same. But you’re already here so you might as well read it. Or, at the very least, scroll down to see which player I picked for your favorite team.
Just in case you were wondering, Patriots fans: The Bucs have the 14th pick.
Let’s get started…
No need to waste time on this one. Joe Burrow has been locked into this spot since December. The Bengals need a quarterback and he’s the best one in this class. Whether or not he’s a truly special prospect is debatable.
Unless they are willing to take a shot at Tua Tagovailoa, Washington should trade out of this spot. But if they’re going to keep the pick, taking a truly dominant pass rusher is not a bad backup option, I suppose.
Another team that could/should trade back, but the Lions rarely do the smart thing. Though taking a lockdown corner like Jeffrey Okudah would be pretty smart.
Listen to one Dave Gettleman press conference, and you’ll quickly realize how much he loves linemen. Actually, you could probably figure that out just by looking at the former offensive lineman. Anyway, Tristan Wirfs is the best one in the class.
The pre-draft reports suggest Tua Tagovailoa might slip, but I don’t see how any team can watch his film and not think he’ll develop into a good NFL starter eventually. He already looks like a pro QB. The hip is scary, but quarterbacks are worth the risk.
Justin Herbert should not be going in the top-10 but I know NFL GMs. They love this type of quarterback. He’s big, he has a strong arm and he can move a little. Playing the quarterback position is the issue. What could go wrong?
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After losing Luke Kuechly this offseason and Thomas Davis the prior one, the Panthers will want to rebuild their linebacker corps. I gave Isaiah Simmons a Thomas Davis comp, and Panthers GM Marty Hurney drafted Davis back in 2005.
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Last year, GM Steve Keim pointed out that the Cardinals would have to look for more mobile offensive linemen to fit Kliff Kingsbury’s scheme. Andrew Thomas may not be the best tackle in this draft, but he’s a special mover with loads of potential.
Unless you’re in a position to draft Okudah, you’re not going to be able to fill the massive void left behind by the Jalen Ramsey trade. C.J. Henderson is not a bad consolation prize, even if he’s not Jalen. Some evaluators have him ahead of Okudah.
The Browns need a tackle, and while Jedrick Wills might not be the best schematic fit, this would be a good value pick that would be hard to pass on. A trade down would not be a bad alternative.
After signing Jameson Crowder in 2019 and Breshaud Perriman this offseason, the Jets need a true No. 1 guy to fill out Sam Darnold’s receiving corps. Jerry Jeudy is a perfect fit.
The Raiders are in the same boat as the Jets. Their receiving corps is missing a centerpiece, and what better way to fill that hole than with the best receiver in the class.
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I’m not as high on Henry Ruggs as most, but I do think he’d be a tremendous fit in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. And the 49ers could use a field-stretching receiver. I’d say a dude who runs a 4.2 40-yard-dash can play that role.
A little high for Josh Jones? Sure. But the Bucs need a right tackle and this one will help Tampa Bay in the run game, which is really the only concern left with the offense with Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski joining the team in the offseason.
Spending a top-15 pick on a nose tackle might not be a smart allocation of resources but with two old-school thinkers in charge in Denver (John Elway and Vic Fangio), the Broncos make sense as a landing spot for Derrick Brown.
The Falcons are set on offense. They’ll need to drum up some pass-rushing if the defense is going to be better, and the pairing of Javon Kinlaw and Grady Jarrett would be unblockable.
Safety has been a need for the Cowboys for seemingly a decade now. Grant Delpit is the best one in this draft. No need to overthink this one, Jerry. Ignore the tackling concerns and add a playmaker to that secondary.
Also, sign Dak, already.
This is the pick the Dolphins got back in the Minkah Fitzpatrick trade. It would make sense to replace him with another Nick Saban product who can play anywhere in the secondary. Brian Flores will appreciate that versatility.
After addressing the WR need with their first pick, the Raiders turn their attention to the defense, which has plenty of holes to fit. I believe Kristian Fulton is a top-10 talent in this class, so this would be tremendous value for a team that needs all the help it can get at corner.
This was one of the harder picks to make. The Jaguars can go in so many different directions, but the NFL seems to be in love with Kenneth Murray, who is a freak athlete who hasn’t quite figured out how to play football yet. Sounds like a perfect pick for the Jags.
This is a dream scenario for the Eagles. I wouldn’t let Tee Higgins (whom I see as a slower A.J. Green) drop this far but the NFL let Randy Moss drop to the 21st pick, too. Higgins isn’t Moss (and he’s probably not Green, either) but he’s a good player who fills a need.
I don’t know how Mekhi Becton will turn out as a pass protector, but right now I’m envisioning him leading the way on those outside zone runs Gary Kubiak loves so much, and it’s awesome. Please let this happen.
The Patriots could go QB here, but I think Bill Belichick has other plans to address that position. For now, he’ll add some much-needed talent to receiving corps. Justin Jefferson is a good fit for pretty much every team as he can play at any receiver spot. He’s also a downfield threat, which New England’s offense lacks.
The best linebacker in the draft gets to stick around Louisiana. Patrick Queen is more than an athlete. He KNOWS how to play the linebacker position, and he’ll add some speed to the second level of the Saints defense. If this happens, we’ll look back and wonder how the NFL let Queen drop to New Orleans.
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With Stefon Diggs gone, the Vikings need another threat on the outside. They might shy away from taking another contested catch guy after the Laquon Treadwell disaster, but Denzel Mims offers so much more.
There are going to be a lot of teams who don’t value a player like A.J. Epenesa. Flores will not be one of them. Coming from New England, he knows the value of a powerful defensive end. This will give him his very own Trey Flowers to work with.
I just realized Flowers and Flores are the same last name in different languages. This mock draft comes with interesting facts! Aren’t you glad you stuck around this long?
Jadeveon Clowney is probably gone and the edge rusher Seattle has signed in the offseason are only short-term options. Pete Carroll needs a LEO (this is what you call an athletic defensive end if you want to sound cool) and K’Lavon Chaisson is perfect for the role.
The playoff loss to Tennessee exposed a few holes on the Ravens depth chart. They’ll need to add to the interior offensive line, but receiver is the more pressing matter. After drafting a speed guy in Hollywood Brown last year, they need to find a big-bodied receiver who can win in the red zone (or downfield). That’s Michael Pittman Jr.
Coach Mike Vrabel needs another versatile piece to add to his front seven. I’m not sure if Zack Baun has a natural position in the NFL, but he won’t need to in Vrabel’s multiple scheme.
I’m not high on Trevon Diggs, but he’d be a good fit in Robert Saleh’s defense. He’s a bigger corner with good zone instincts. I don’t think he’s going to be able to stick with shiftier receivers, but he won’t be asked to do that in the 49ers’ defensive scheme.
If the Chiefs have a weak spot on offense, it’s the interior line. Cesar Ruiz will shore up the middle. He’s a center but can fill in at guard if need be. That’s exactly what Kansas City needs right now.
2020 NFL Draft Rankings
Top 50 Prospects (and NFL comps) | Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Offensive tackle | Interior OL | Edge Rushers | Defensive Tackle | Linebacker | Cornerback | Safety
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