Bengals nab Joe Burrow and overhaul offensive line in new 3-round mock draft

The Bengals get a big haul in a new 2020 mock.

Yet another mock draft has the Cincinnati Bengals grabbing LSU quarterback Joe Burrow with the top overall pick in 2020.

Quarterback seems like a forgone conclusion for the winless Bengals led by a coaching staff that didn’t hesitate to bench Andy Dalton during a bye week.

Which isn’t to say Burrow isn’t a fun topic of discussion. But perhaps more interesting now is what the Bengals might do with their other top-100 selections.

A new mock from Luke Easterling of Draft Wire tackles this very subject thanks to its three-round nature. The Bengals grab Burrow at No. 1, then offensive linemen Trey Adams from Washington at No. 33 and Trey Smith out of Tennessee at No. 65.

Taking consecutive offensive linemen might seem a bit boring at first. But it might be the only way to quickly correct a depth chart where one could argue four of the starting five need replaced.

Landing both Adams and Smith in the same draft, paired with a returning Jonah Williams, could go a long way toward revamping the offense and hopefully providing a situation where a rookie quarterback can develop and eventually succeed.

This is one of many scenarios it is easy to see playing out for the Bengals, the NFL’s lone winless team with plenty of problems to patch between now and next season.

[vertical-gallery id=24592]

Prospects for Jags fans to watch: Alabama OT Jedrick Wills

The Jaguars are in need of some offensive line help this coming offseason and I think Alabama RT, Jedrick Wills, could just be their guy.

The Southeastern Conference has become the meat and potatoes of the college football world. The conference churns out the country’s best trench play, becoming a factory for the NFL teams in need of some big men. That’s especially the case for Alabama, a university that has routinely sent offensive and defensive lineman to the league.

Like most years, Alabama is again flooded with NFL talent all over their starting lineup. Both of Alabama’s offensive tackles have garnered the close watch of NFL scouts, those being left tackle, Alex Leatherwood, and right tackle, Jedrick Wills. While Leatherwood is a talented lineman in his own right, I wanted to focus on Wills in this particular post.

The Jaguars’ offensive line play has been plagued with penalties and has been too inconsistent to be considered a finished product. Knowing Tom Coughlin and Doug Marrone’s tendency to focus heavily in the trenches, the offensive tackle position certainly isn’t out of question. Whether the team would move a player like Wills inside or not, he should, without a doubt, be on their scouting radar.

Wills is an absolute powerhouse. Alabama plays some nasty, physical football and Wills is no different. Wills’ favorite breakfast meal has to be a big stack of pancakes, because this guy sure knows how to make them.

Wills is just plain mean in the run game. He’s physical and gets to the second level nicely as a run defender. He can clear out massive lanes and is always looking to make defenders become acquainted with the ground. Most scouts who’ve watch him tend to believe that both traits are his greatest strengths.

If that wasn’t enough, here is another clip of just how effective Wills is in the run game:

While his strength is definitely in the run game, Alabama’s No. 74 is no slouch in pass protection. Wills strength again helps immensely in pass protection. He has some heavy hands and has quite the strong anchor. I would like to see him become a little cleaner with his technique, but the 6-foot-5, 316 pound tackle is still very much developing.

Here in this clip against Ole Miss, Wills physically abuses the Rebel defensive end, hitting him with a strong initial punch which eventually causes the defender to get off balance. This goes on to further demonstrate the type of strength that Wills has.

While his strength allows him to bully edge rushers, he does a nice job of reading and reacting to rushers as well. He does not possess the quickest feet, but can mirror defenders fairly well for a man of his size.

In pass protection he does not offer the same type of dominance as he does in the run game, however, he’s solid enough in the category for scouts to believe in him as a starter. Besides, with a team like the Jags, it’s his abilities as a run blocker that will count the most.

If the Jaguars were to select Wills, he could see a move to guard. With the uncertainty of Norwell and Cann, this could be a very realistic situation. Using their best available player philosophy could land them a player like Wills in 2020, and with their willingness to keep Cam Robinson at left tackle while Jawaan Taylor develops at right guard, Wills without a doubt would give the Jags a mauler at guard and an upgrade they could really use.

For those who to watch Wills this week, the Alabama Crimson Tide will be taking on the Mississippi State Bulldogs Saturday, Nov. 16 at 12 p.m. EST on ESPN.

Potential 2020 Chiefs draft prospects: Group 12

We take a look toward the 2020 NFL draft and some prospects for the Chiefs.

It’s Week 12 in college football and we have even more exciting prospects to watch.

I have identified over 200 prospects for the 2020 draft that I believe could be potential fits for the Kansas City Chiefs. I’ll be releasing mini scouting reports on these prospects in random groups of four up until the draft.

Check out the latest group of prospects down below:

Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Oregon OG Shane Lemieux

The Oregon Ducks sport one of the best offensive lines in college football this season. Shane Lemieux has been one of the standouts of the unit at the guard position, displaying toughness and athleticism currently unrivaled in the Pac 12.

Lemieux is on his way to his 48th consecutive start for the Ducks. He’s been extremely reliable in terms of availability and performance. At 6-feet-5 and 315 pounds, he has a frame that is already NFL-ready.

One of the better run blockers in the entirety of college football, Lemieux makes his money when he can get to linebackers at the second level. He can clear a rushing lane with the best of them in college football. He’s also shown some success as a pass blocker. Just last season, Lemieux allowed just 11 pressures in 500 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. So it’s not like Lemieux is a one-trick pony.

Currently, Lemieux is being criminally underrated in the pre-draft prospect rankings. Some team will likely be able to steal him in the middle rounds if his stock holds. The Kansas City Chiefs need to look into making some investments along the offensive line, especially now that they’ve found their franchise quarterback in Patrick Mahomes.

WATCH: Arizona at Oregon, Saturday, Nov. 16 at 9:30 p.m. CT

A look at Draft Wire’s latest 3-round 2020 mock draft projections for Chiefs

A look at the new 3-round projections for the Kansas City Chiefs from Draft Wire.

There are just seven weeks left in the NFL’s regular season and with each passing day, we get closer to draft season. Draft Wire recently updated their 3-round mock draft projections for the 2020 NFL draft. They used the latest draft order to give us the most accurate look they can.

Below you’ll find a quick breakdown of each of their selections for the Chiefs:

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Round 1 Pick 23. Georgia RB D’Andre Swift

The first-round pick for the Chiefs remains unchanged in the latest updates projections for Draft Wire. Here’s a look at what Luke Easterling had to say about Swift ending up in Kansas City:

“There are bigger needs on defense, but in this scenario, the Chiefs have the opportunity to give Patrick Mahomes and an already explosive offense the top running back in a loaded class. Swift is a complete prospect who would be a big-play machine in this situation.”

I’ve been a rather vocal detractor of taking a running back in the first round of the 2020 draft, however, in recent weeks I am understanding why it’s often looked at as one of the big needs for this team. The Chiefs just don’t have the same confidence in their run game that they had in years prior. It’s impacting their ability to close out games and it seems like they could really use a go-to weapon at the position instead of their confusing committee approach.

Vikings take S Xavier McKinney in 1st-round of too-early mock draft

Minnesota drafted Marcus Epps in the sixth-round of the 2018 NFL Draft, but released him last week to make room for Andrew Sendejo. 

Our friend Luke Easterling put together a three-round mock draft earlier this week.

Of course, the NFL season hasn’t ended yet, but the first round of the draft is starting to take shape, so we might as well speculate.

With the 24th pick, the Vikings take safety Xavier McKinney out of Alabama.

At this point in the draft process, it’s probably smarter to take a look at what position draft experts have the Vikings taking than the actual player.

The Vikings have their two starters at safety with Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris, but is an unrestricted free agent after the year.

Minnesota drafted Marcus Epps in the sixth-round of the 2019 NFL Draft, but released him last week to make room for Andrew Sendejo.

McKinney has 43 tackles, two sacks and an interception as a junior.

2020 NFL draft: Tyler Johnson scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson

Tyler Johnson | WR | Minnesota

Height | 6-2

Weight | 205

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

If you’re looking for a polished and intelligent route runner, you won’t find too many in this class who fit that bill better than Johnson.

He does as good a job of stemming his routes as nearly anyone in the nation. He excels at using leverage to his advantage when creating separation, he can sell his route well, and he has the hand techniques to break free from tight man coverage. Johnson’s shiftiness further helps him out, as he can change direction seamlessly and sink his hips into his cuts very well. He runs his routes with great pad level and can make sudden movements, showing off his impressive body control.

Johnson is also valuable after the catch. A decisive and intelligent ball-carrier, he combines the sharpness in his cuts with his ability to see the field and finds a way to extend the play with the ball in his hands. Though his skill set projects best as a ‘Z’ receiver in the pros, he could play in essentially any alignment and perform well.

Weaknesses

Despite being 6-foot-2 and weighing 205 pounds, Johnson isn’t a very physical receiver. His role in the NFL won’t come as a jump-ball receiver who can outmuscle defensive backs to make circus grabs. He doesn’t box out defenders on 50-50 balls very well, and his ability to make catches is hindered by tight, physical coverage. Though he has shown some promise in breaking press-man coverage, he is going to need to get more aggressive when stronger cornerbacks try to lock him up at the line of scrimmage.

Johnson is a good athlete, but he isn’t much better than just good in that regard. His straight-line speed is passable but not great, and he doesn’t seem to have the raw athleticism to burn cornerbacks on vertical routes. He’ll be able to beat defenders with his shiftiness and football IQ, but he would be even more dangerous if he just got a little bit faster.

Bottom Line

A smooth operator with route-running savvy and skills after the catch, Johnson is a polished and fluid receiver with potential to excel at the next level. He may not reach true No. 1 receiver status on a team, but he’s a shifty target who should make a sizable impact on a team’s offense.

Projection: Round 2

2020 NFL draft: Derrick Brown scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Auburn defensive lineman Derrick Brown

Derrick Brown | DL | Auburn

Height | 6-5

Weight | 318

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

Brown has an impressive physical skill set for an interior defensive lineman. He carries a lengthy, yet muscular frame and has a body that’s ready for the NFL. He fires off the ball with impressive acceleration for a big man and has enough mobility to be a threat on stunts. Brown’s power at the point of attack is noticeable, and he carries a lot of upper-body strength in his frame.

When it comes to hand usage, Brown is one of the best defensive linemen in the class. He is good at working off of blocks to make tackles in space, but he also rushes with active hands and has an arsenal that’s full of pass-rushing techniques and counter moves. His ability to create arm extension through his jabs and reset his hands is very good, as well. A three-year starter at Auburn, Brown has the pedigree of an early-round pick.

Weaknesses

Brown has raw strength in his frame, but his pad level prevents him from unlocking his true potential in terms of play strength. He can be a bit too high when he engages with blockers at the point of attack, and he doesn’t always get all of his weight underneath him. Though he fires off the ball pretty quickly, he doesn’t do a great job of converting speed to power.

When Brown gets into the open field, he doesn’t have much in the way of lateral agility. He doesn’t extremely fluid hips or ankles and, for the most part, struggles with changing direction. He’s very much a defensive lineman who desires to fire straight into the backfield, and that can result in him over-pursuing ball carriers or opening up gaps as a run defender.

Bottom Line

A physical defender with size, strength and speed, Brown fits the prototype of a three-down interior defensive lineman. He’s still a bit of a work in progress, but his hand usage and his physical attributes should see him get drafted pretty early when the draft rolls around.

Projection: Round 1

Meet Jamar Watson, Kentucky’s next pass-rushing prospect

Check out Draft Wire’s exclusive interview with Kentucky edge defender Jamar “Boogie” Watson

Last year, the NFL draft featured a talented edge rusher by the name of Josh Allen. In 2020, another pass-rushing Wildcat could make waves at the next level.

A versatile prospect who can get after opposing quarterbacks and shut down ball-carriers in the backfield, Watson recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about the skill set he brings to the table, how playing at Kentucky has prepared him for the next level, and what fans can expect from him the rest of this season.

JM: How would you describe your skill set?

JBW: I’m a very athletic edge rusher. I can play off the edge as a rusher and I can drop in coverage a little bit as well. I’m a savvy player and I have a high football I.Q. as well.

JM: What’s your favorite part about playing linebacker?

JBW: I love having the ability to effect the game on a snap-by-snap basis. I play in the middle of the defense and we get to be involved on every single play. I have a role to play on every single defensive snap. I love that. That gives me a chance to be a high impact player.

JM: I heard that you’re a tap dancer. How did you get into that?

JBW: My high school basketball coach recommended that I get into tap dancing. I needed an extra credit and it was a pretty easy class, if I’m being honest (laughs). I gave it a shot and I’ve actually kept it going since high school. I really ended up liking it.

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

JM: Your dream job outside of being an NFL player is to become a police offer. Why is that?

JBW: It started off with me watching lots of law enforcement shows. Those were my favorite types of shows growing up. CSI, Law & Order, shows like that. As I got older, my interest in law enforcement became more serious and I started doing some research. If I wasn’t playing football, that would be my dream career. That’s what I’m studying right now in school. That’s my top desire aside from football. My goal is to play in the NFL, first and foremost, but a career as an officer of the law after football definitely intrigues me.

JM: What’s your favorite cop show of all time?

JBW: That’s a great question. If I had to go all time, I would probably say “Person of Interest.” It’s on Netflix now, and it has about five seasons. It’s about this I.T. nerd guy who has the ability to predict future crimes and he has this badass friend who’s the muscle of the group. He sends him out on these missions to stop these crimes before they happen. That’s probably my favorite show of all time.

JM: Who do you think is the best NCAA player you’ve ever gone up against?

JBW: I would probably go with Sony Michel or Deebo Samuel. Those guys stood out for obvious reasons. I can’t forget about Lamar Jackson. He’s as dynamic as they come. Those are definitely my top three.

JM: Is there an NFL running back or tight end you’re looking forward to tackling or covering?

JBW: I would probably say Ezekiel Elliott. He’s received so much publicity over the last couple of years. He’s a superstar running back and I’d love to test out my abilities against a guy like that.

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

JM: Coach Brad White did a great job with Josh Allen last year. He also has six years NFL experience with the Indianapolis Colts. How has he helped elevate your game?

JBW: He’s definitely taken my game to another level. He has an incredible feel for the game. He understands the role of a linebacker well beyond pass rushing. He’s helped me in every faucet of my game. His attention to detail is tremendous. It’s the small things that he’s taught me that helped me become a better player. He’s really made a difference in my life. Josh Allen will tell you himself, we as a linebacker group give a ton of credit to coach White. He puts a huge emphasis on having us reach for the ball. Try to strip it out and create turnovers. It’s the small technique stuff that he’s really helped me out a lot.

JM: How has Kentucky helped prepare you for what’s next?

JBW: The weight staff is one of the best in the country. We have some veteran guys around this program. The coaching staff has a ton of experience. The training staff is top notch as well. They keep us right throughout the summer and throughout the season as well. Our coaches have had success at multiple levels. Having these guys at my disposal has been huge for me.

JM: What can Kentucky fans expect from you for the rest of this season?

JBW: They can expect me to be continue being a productive member of this defense. My team needs me to be productive. I’m working hard to improve every single day. I’m definitely focused and locked in right now.

[vertical-gallery id=609675]

Which quarterback are Bears targeting in latest 2020 NFL mock draft?

The Bears will be in the market for a quarterback this offseason, and they’ll likely turn to the 2020 NFL Draft for their next QB.

[jwplayer 1vROLFUW-ThvAeFxT]

The Chicago Bears will be looking to improve the quarterback position in 2020, and the NFL Draft would be a good place to start.

While you could argue the Bears are in win-now mode and can’t afford to start over with a young quarterback, free agency isn’t necessarily a cost-effective, production-guaranteed investment.

The Bears will likely turn to the 2020 NFL Draft for their next quarterback, which features a strong class rich with Day 2 talent.

In Draft Wire‘s latest three-round 2020 mock draft, they have the Bears using their first selection — No. 45 in the second round — on Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts.

While Hurts has gotten some first-round love, it’s likely that he falls to Day 2, where the Bears will be waiting with a pair of second round picks. This season, Hurts is completing 73% of his passes for 2,742 yards and 24 touchdowns to just 4 interceptions.

Hurts is also producing on the ground, where he added 125 rushes for 869 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Hurts isn’t a quarterback that the Bears would insert immediately, which makes sense for 2020, where Mitchell Trubisky will likely still be on the roster potentially with a free agent addition.

The Bears have another pick in the second round just three picks later at No. 48 — which was acquired from the Oakland Raiders in the Khalil Mack trade — where Draft Wire has them going defense with Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell.

[lawrence-related id=430769,430737,430714,430677]

Giants select Chase Young in latest Sports Illustrated mock draft

In their latest 2020 mock draft, Sports Illustrated has the New York Giants selecting Ohio State edge rusher Chase Young.

[jwplayer 1vROLFUW-ThvAeFxT]

The New York Giants would select No. 3 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft if the regular season were end today. They also have roughly a 10% chance to land the No. 1 overall pick, but the highest odds have them remaining at No. 3.

Based on the current draft order, Sports Illustrated released their latest mock draft on Wednesday and had Big Blue making a substantial improvement with the selection of Ohio State edge rusher Chase Young.

3. New York Giants: Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State

Despite serving a two-game suspension for accepting a loan, Young remains the top prospect on my big board as well as the vast majority of draft analyst big boards. Dave Gettleman passed on Kentucky’s Josh Allen in the 2019 draft due to his “full-blown love” for Daniel Jones, but he gets a do-over this year as Chase Young falls into his lap.

Building upon his productivity down the stretch last season with Nick Bosa sidelined, Young has been absolutely dominant this season with 13.5 sacks in just eight games. The Giants rank just 26 in team pass rush win rate and their most productive pass-rusher (Markus Golden, 6.5 sacks) is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason.

The Giants land a much-needed defensive playmaker in this scenario with the Cincinnati Bengals selecting LSU quarterback Joe Burrow and the Washington Redskins selecting Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas, who could be another top target for Big Blue.

The top five rounds out with Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa going to the Miami Dolphins at No. 4 overall and Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy going to the New York Jets at No. 5 overall.

[lawrence-related id=632679,632617,632651]