Todd McShay’s 1st mock draft gives Ravens Penn State DE Yetur Gross-Matos

NFL draft analyst Todd McShay has the Baltimore Ravens picking Penn State’s Yetur Gross-Matos in his first 2020 mock draft

The NFL draft has become a really big deal. With teams utilizing the draft to rebuild their teams and stack already impressive rosters with more young talent, it’s become a beacon for many fans and analysts to envision what will happen. Among the best in the business, ESPN’s draft analyst Todd McShay has already begun to peek at the 2020 NFL draft as well.

With the playoff teams just about set and the draft order beginning to get finalized, McShay put together his first mock draft of the season. And with the very last pick in the first round, McShay has Baltimore grabbing Penn State pass rusher Yetur Gross-Matos.

“I thought about Wisconsin center Tyler Biadasz here, but Baltimore really needs another edge rusher. The Ravens have a middle-of-the-road sack total this season (34), and Matthew Judon will hit free agency. Gross-Matos needs some development, but he is an above-average pass-rusher and closes well.”

There’s good reasoning here for taking an edge rusher here. As McShay noted, outside linebacker Matthew Judon is set to hit free agency. And while the Ravens should have plenty enough cap space to re-sign him, we’ve seen top pass rushers break the bank and push themselves out of the price range Baltimore is willing to spend if they can hit free agency.

Even if Judon is retained, the Ravens desperately need more help at generating a pass rush. Baltimore ranks 17th in sacks-per-pass, getting to the quarterback just 7% of the time. And most of that has been thanks to defensive coordinator Don Martindale, whose aggressive schemes and blitz packages have generated more pass rush than the individual matchups would normally dictate.

Here, Baltimore might end up getting the steal of the draft in the first round. Gross-Matos was already a physical specimen at 6-foot-5 and 264 pounds but he’s really become a consistent defender this season, notching eight sacks for the second consecutive season and adding 13.5 tackles-for-loss. He’s widely considered one of the top pass rushers in the 2020 NFL draft and getting him with the very last pick in the first round would be an amazing get by general manager Eric DeCosta.

Of course, as is the case with every mock draft, things are undoubtedly going to shake out differently come the actual day. Trades, the occasional odd pick and players rising or falling after the combine are all to be expected. But if Baltimore can get lucky in April, they could walk away with a much-needed impact pass rusher.

Todd McShay for some reason has 49ers taking RB in mock draft

The 49ers probably aren’t selecting a running back with their first pick in the 2020 NFL draft.

A running back in the first round seems like a farfetched idea for the 49ers in next year’s draft. Despite evidence that San Francisco wouldn’t go that route, ESPN’s Todd McShay has them selecting Ohio State running back JK Dobbins with the 31st overall pick in his latest mock draft.

McShay joins the Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling in sending a running back to San Francisco in the first round of their mocks. Easterling has Clemson’s Travis Etienne going at that spot.

McShay points to the 49ers’ long-term future at the position as the reason for the pick:

The Niners are No. 2 in the NFL in rushing and have used a plethora of backs to get there. But considering Matt Breida will be a free agent after San Francisco’s playoff bid, Tevin Coleman’s $0 in guaranteed money after this season and the high value Dobbins presents here, I like the idea of bringing in another versatile offensive weapon for Jimmy Garoppolo and padding a strength for this team. But don’t be surprised to see the 49ers trade out of the spot altogether with just six picks in the entire draft and only one before Day 3.

Dobbins could undoubtedly help the 49ers’ offense. He’s a sensational playmaker who’s done nothing but produce for very good Buckeyes teams the last three seasons. Dobbins is an extremely fluid mover who frequently makes defenders miss in space, but his 5-10, 217-pound frame gives him enough size to run them as well.

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of his game for the 49ers and head coach Kyle Shanahan is his versatility. Dobbins has 4,285 yards and 37 touchdowns on 707 carries over the last three seasons. He’s averaging over 6.0 yards per attempt. Ohio State also utilizes him a lot as a receiver, too. The junior running back has 65 receptions for 598 yards and five touchdowns through the air in his three years.

There are a couple things McShay highlights though that run counter to the idea of the 49ers taking a running back with their top pick.

First, if San Francisco does hang on to their first-round pick and they don’t trade back, it’s hard to fathom they use that selection on a running back. They have too many other needs to address to use their only pick in the first four rounds on a running back.

The second thing ties into the first. Shanahan and running backs coach Bobby Turner have a history of getting top-end production at that position without spending premium draft capital.

San Francisco has four running backs on their roster. Three of them, Breida, Coleman and Raheem Mostert, have rushed for over 500 yards this season. The fourth, Jeff Wilson Jr., has five touchdowns on just 30 touches.

Of that group, Coleman is the only one who got drafted, and he was a third-round pick of the Falcons in 2015 – the year before Shanahan arrived in Atlanta.

While it’s true the 49ers may have a dramatically different group of running backs next season, the idea that they begin replenishing that group with a first-round pick seems counter to everything Shanahan has done in his three years in Santa Clara. In fact, the only draft pick they’ve used on a running back was a fourth-round selection on Utah’s Joe Williams. He never even made the practice squad and was waived after training camp in 2018.

The more likely scenario, in the event that the 49ers part ways with Breida and Coleman, is San Francisco addresses larger needs early in the draft, whether its in the first round or in a trade back. They may add a running back in the later rounds, but that will almost certainly be accompanied by multiple undrafted rookies at that spot. Given what we’ve seen out of Shanahan and the coaching staff – that should do just fine if the 49ers do need to replenish their running back depth.

2020 NFL mock draft: 3-round draft sees CB early for Bills

Paulson Adebo to the Buffalo Bills in Draft Wire’s latest 2020 NFL mock draft.

The Bills arguably have the best secondary in the NFL. Could the club add the cherry on top with their first-round pick at the 2020 NFL draft? Draft Wire seems to think so.

In their latest three-round mock draft after Week 15, the Bills do exactly that, adding cornerback Paulson Adebo from Stanford.

Here’s explanation as to why:

25. Buffalo Bills

Paulson Adebo | CB | Stanford

It feels unfair to keep loading this defense up with studs, but that’s exactly what happens here. The Bills already have one of the league’s best corners in Tre’Davious White, but giving them another talented cover man like Adebo would make their secondary even more scary.

Making the case for a cornerback for the Bills in the first round is tough looking through the spectrum of their offense and other needs, even on defense. But at the second cornerback spot, the Bills have had a rotation with Levi Wallace and Kevin Johnson this season. The Bills have shown in the past that they’d prefer having someone in that role that the team can trust to play almost every snap in games.

Rounding out Buffalo’s next two picks are more of those needs we’ve referred to via the receiver and pass rusher positions:

58. Buffalo Bills | Justin Jefferson | WR | LSU

89. Buffalo Bills | Julian Okwara | EDGE | Notre Dame

Jefferson is a popular pick for the Bills via Draft Wire, as he was their selection in the most recent mock draft prior to this one. In Jefferson, the Bills would land a potential project for their No. 1 wideout spot in the future. After getting rid of Zay Jones, the Bills have a need for youth there as John Brown and Cole Beasley are playing well, but are vets. The 6-foot-2 Jefferson would give the Bills a bigger body the offense and Josh Allen needs on the outside, too.

Via Okwara, the Bills would help replace and put fresh blood into their pass rushing situation. The Bills could be without Shaq Lawson and Trent Murphy next year due to their contract situations. While the Bills have gotten to opposing quarterbacks in the second half of the season, plenty have come from the inside of their defensive line via Jordan Phillips and Ed Oliver. The edge defender position could see some improvement.

Latest 2020 NFL mock draft has Bears addressing defensive needs in 2nd round

In a new 2020 NFL Mock Draft, the Bears address two needs on defense: cornerback and edge rusher.

The Chicago Bears will have plenty of needs to address this offseason, both on offense and defense — and one could argue special teams.

General manager Ryan Pace will have a lot of work to do to free up salary cap space in the offseason — to resign free agents in-house and look elsewhere for assistance. But it’ll also be what he does in the NFL Draft that will be important for the future of this team.

The Bears currently hold the 47th and 49th picks in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, as they got Oakland’s second-round pick (No. 47) in the Khalil Mack trade.

In Draft Wire’s latest mock draft, they have the Bears addressing two needs on defense: cornerback and edge rusher.

With the 47th pick, they have the Bears selecting Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade. In 12 games with the Buckeyes, Wade has 26 total tackles, including 4 tackles for loss, as well as one interception and two forced fumbles. With Prince Amukamara’s status in question heading into the offseason, the Bears will need to address the cornerback position. Second-year player Kevin Toliver has been getting playing time in place of Amukamara as he recovers from a hamstring injury.

Then with the 49th pick, they have Chicago taking Boise State edge rusher Curtis Weaver. In 13 games, Weaver has 13.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one interception and 50 total tackles. While the Bears picked up Leonard Floyd’s fifth-year option, Floyd hasn’t been able to capitalize opposite one of the league’s best edge rushers in Khalil Mack. Since notching two sacks against the Packers in the season opener, Floyd has just one sack. The Bears need some more quality pass rushers to pair with Mack.

While there are certainly other needs Chicago needs to address this offseason — tight end, offensive line and quarterback depth — there are going to be some holes for Pace to plug in on defense.

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Todd McShay gifts Joe Burrow to Bengals in latest mock draft

A new Todd McShay mock has Joe Burrow going to Cincinnati.

Everyone seems to be in a giving mood this time of year.

Boomer Esiason, for example, gave LSU quarterback Joe Burrow a Cincinnati Bengals helmet.

And now ESPN’s Todd McShay has given Burrow to the Bengals in his latest 2020 mock draft:

“Accuracy, toughness and pocket awareness — the total package. That’s what the Bengals would get with Burrow in their first No. 1 overall pick since Carson Palmer in 2003. Andy Dalton isn’t owed any guaranteed money in 2020 and could be released, and Ryan Finley didn’t look like the long-term answer in his terrible three-game stint as starter. It’s time to get Zac Taylor a quarterback to build around.”

This seems like one of the easiest first-overall picks in years to predict. Burrow just reeled in the Heisman Trophy after one of the most meteoric rises in recent memory as he led the Tigers to an undefeated season while completing 77.9 percent of his passes with 4,715 yards and 48 touchdowns against six interceptions.

Disclaimer — this oh-so-obvious pick at the top of the 2020 draft doesn’t happen if the Bengals don’t hold the first pick. They’re currently slotted to have it but that could change with two games left.

For now, even experts like McShay are in on Burrow to the Bengals.

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2020 NFL mock draft: Updated 3-round projections after Week 15

Check out Luke Easterling’s latest three-round projections for the 2020 NFL draft

Only two weeks remain in the NFL regular season, and in the college football world, bowl season will be kicking off this week.

The battle for the top picks in next year’s draft is coming to a dramatic close, while this year’s top prospects and sleeper hopefuls have one last chance to put out some quality game film for NFL decision-makers.

As we hit the homestretch of another football season, here’s an updated look at how the first three rounds of the 2020 NFL draft could shake out, using the latest updated order:

1. Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow | QB | LSU

The Andy Dalton era needs to end, and the Bengals are in the perfect spot to take his successor. After yet another masterful performance in the SEC title game, Burrow should be locked into this spot, even before he takes home the Heisman Trophy and leads the Bayou Bengals into the College Football Playoff.

2. New York Giants

Chase Young | EDGE | Ohio State

If this scenario holds, the Giants will luck out by landing the best overall prospect in the draft without having to get the No. 1 pick. Young is one of the most dominant pass rushers I’ve ever seen at the college level, and he has the potential to be a dominant player at the next level from Day 1.

3. Miami Dolphins

Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Alabama

After a season-ending hip injury, Tagovailoa is obviously the biggest wild-card in this year’s draft. If he makes a full recovery, Tua still has a fantastic skill set and all the tools to be a franchise quarterback. It’s a big if, but if he’s healthy, he’s still worthy of top-five consideration for a QB-needy team like Miami.

4. Washington Redskins

Andrew Thomas | OT | Georgia

This pick has to be about helping Dwayne Haskins reach his lofty potential. While a premier pass-catcher like Jerry Jeudy would be tempting, Haskins already has a stellar rapport with former college teammate Terry McLaurin. The bigger need, and the better pick, is a franchise left tackle like Thomas.

5. Detroit Lions

Derrick Brown | DL | Auburn

This defense needs a dominant, disruptive force in the trenches to build around, whether that’s on the edge or along the interior. In this scenario, Brown is the best combination of value, need and fit. He’s got rare athleticism for his size, and all the strength and power you’d expect.

6. Arizona Cardinals

Jerry Jeudy | WR | Alabama

Offensive tackle is the bigger need, but I would be shocked if the Cardinals passed on the chance to give Kyler Murray an elite pass-catcher like Jeudy, should he fall into their lap. His combination of explosiveness and polish will make him an instant sensation at the next level, and a steal outside the top five.

7. New York Jets

Tristan Wirfs | OT | Iowa

Sam Darnold needs more help up front, and both tackle spots especially need attention. If the draft plays out this way, the Jets would land one of this year’s best prospects at the position, getting a powerful blocker in Wirfs who can be an immediate upgrade on either side.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars

Jeff Okudah | CB | Ohio State

After trading one of the NFL’s best corners, the Jags need to replace Jalen Ramsey with one of their multiple first-round picks in this draft. They luck out here, as this year’s top cover man falls to them at this pick. Okudah is a complete player who can make an immediate impact at a premium position of need.

9. Los Angeles Chargers

Justin Herbert | QB | Oregon

The Philip Rivers era is limping to a halt, so it’s time for the Bolts to find a successor for the future Hall of Famer. Herbert went back to school to polish his skill set, and while he’s still somewhat inconsistent, he’s got more than enough tools to work with, and he should end up being a top-10 pick.

10. Denver Broncos

Isaiah Simmons | LB | Clemson

This defense needs a three-down playmaker at the second level, and this pick would be the perfect fit. Simmons is a rare athlete and a versatile defender who can matchup with the best player on any offense, making him the kind of guy opposing offenses have to scheme for on a weekly basis.

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2020 NFL draft: Jets take plug and play tackle in Todd McShay’s first mock

In ESPN’s Todd McShay’s latest mock, he has the Jets taking University of Georgia OT Andrew Thomas with the No. 7 overall pick.

In Todd McShay’s first 2020 mock draft, the Jets break tradition.

New York has gone the past 13 years without drafting an offensive lineman. However, the Jets break that streak in the ESPN’s personality’s first mock draft.

McShay has the Jets taking Georgia OT Andrew Thomas with the seventh overall pick. In this mock, Thomas is the first offensive lineman off the board.

Here’s McShay’s explanation for the pick:

When you invest an early draft pick in a franchise quarterback, as the Jets did with Sam Darnold in 2018, you have protect him. New York hasn’t, allowing 48 sacks this season (fourth most in the NFL). Both tackle positions could be upgraded in the offseason. Thomas is athletic and powerful, and he shows natural ability in the trenches.

Thomas officially declared for the draft on Tuesday. He’s a player that should be at the top of the Jets’ draft board given their continuous struggles on the offensive line. Kelvin Beachum is also set to become a free agent.

The last time the Jets took an offensive lineman in the first round was 2006. With Eric Mangini calling the shots, the Jets double-dipped on offesnive line help, selecting Nick Mangold and D’Brickashaw Ferguson in Round 1.

Thomas won’t immediately solve the Jets’ problems on the offensive line, but he can only help one of the league’s worst units. The Georgia product would be a building block of the future as Sam Darnold’s blindside blocker. Joe Douglas knows is a former offensive lineman and knows it all starts in the trenches, so don’t be surprised if this pick comes to fruition.

2020 NFL mock draft: 3-round draft lands Bills two LSU Tigers

Buffalo Bills 2020 mock NFL draft sees team select two LSU Tigers.

LSU is known as “DB U.” Just ask former LSU cornerback Tre’Davious White. The school has a rich history of producing top-notch defensive backs for the NFL.

Draft Wire recently released an early 2020 NFL mock draft and in it, the Bills address two of their biggest needs via the LSU program. But neither is a defensive back, as the Bills take a pass rusher and wide receiver from the school with two of their first three picks.

Here’s how Draft Wire’s three-round projection pans out for the Bills:

25. Buffalo Bills
K’Lavon Chaisson | EDGE | LSU
A defensive coach like Sean McDermott loves getting raw talent he can mold into a star, and that’s exactly what Chaisson brings to the table. A long, athletic pass rusher with a wide range of moves already, Chaisson could quickly develop into an impact player.

58. Buffalo Bills | Justin Jefferson | WR | LSU

89. Buffalo Bills | Jeff Gladney | CB | TCU

With Chaisson, the Bills would find themselves a potential replacement for Trent Murphy or Shaq Lawson. As of late, the Bills have found an ability to get to opposing quarterbacks, but over the course of the last two seasons overall, Buffalo has struggled in that department. Pass rusher should be a high-need to add for the Bills. Lawson is currently slated to be a free agent while Murphy could be a cut candidate.

In Jefferson, the Bills would land a potential project for their No. 1 wideout spot in the future. After getting rid of Zay Jones, the Bills have a need for youth there as John Brown and Cole Beasley are playing well, but are vets. The 6-foot-2 Jefferson would give the Bills a bigger body the offense and Josh Allen needs on the outside, too.

Gladney isn’t a player the Bills would immediately need, but it’s hard to argue with. Levi Wallace and Kevin Johnson have split time across from White this season but the six-foot DB in Gladney could be groomed into a full-time starter. Sean McDermott has undoubtedly had success selecting defensive backs during his time as Buffalo’s coach, too. So if McDermott likes him, it might not be a bad thing.

2020 NFL mock draft: 3-round projections heading into Week 15

Luke Easterling updates his three-round projections for the 2020 NFL draft

We’ve only got three weeks of NFL regular season action left in 2019, and with conference title games in the books, bowl season lies ahead in the college football ranks.

That means top prospects and sleeper hopefuls are putting the finishing touches on their film before heading into draft preparation, while the NFL’s bottom-feeders are preparing for the offseason while their more successful counterparts keep making playoff pushes.

With Week 14 action in the books, here’s my latest stab at projecting the first three rounds of the 2020 NFL draft, using the latest updated order.

1. Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow | QB | LSU

2. New York Giants

Chase Young | EDGE | Ohio State

3. Washington Redskins

Jerry Jeudy | WR | Alabama

Offensive tackle is a strong possibility here, but whatever Washington does with this pick, it has to be about helping Dwayne Haskins. There are attractive options both in the trenches and at the skill positions, but Jeudy’s polish and pro-ready skill set will allow him to make the most immediate impact.

4. Miami Dolphins

Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Alabama

5. Detroit Lions

Derrick Brown | DL | Auburn

6. Arizona Cardinals

Andrew Thomas | OT | Georgia

If Kyler Murray is going to reach his full potential, he’ll need a franchise left tackle to grow with him. This scenario plays out perfectly for the Cardinals, as they get their pick of a deep tackle class. Thomas is polished and battle-tested, making him the best option here.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars

Jeff Okudah | CB | Ohio State

8. Atlanta Falcons

A.J. Epenesa | EDGE | Iowa

This defense is desperate to improve their completely absent pass rush, both on the edge and inside. This pick has to be used to that end, and the value points to grabbing a versatile rusher like Epenesa, who has the size and skill set to line up anywhere on the defensive line and get after the quarterback.

9. New York Jets

Tristan Wirfs | OT | Iowa

10. Los Angeles Chargers

Justin Herbert | QB | Oregon

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Cincinnati Bengals 7-round mock draft as season enters final stretch

Here’s a fresh seven-round mock for the Bengals.

With just four weeks left in the regular season and the No. 1 pick within reach, talks about the 2020 NFL Draft will start to ramp up. Mock drafts will be all the rage. So why not build a seven-round Cincinnati Bengals mock now that December is upon us?

No. 1 – Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

Nov 30, 2019; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Joe Burrow (9) scrambles against the Texas A&M Aggies during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

It’s becoming more clear that Joe Burrow is destined for Cincinnati. Zac Taylor will have his guy that he can really work with, especially after we watched some poor performances from rookie Ryan Finley.

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