9. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-10): Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
The Jaguars have a clear and obvious need at cornerback, but they can address that with the first-round pick they got from the Rams in the Jalen Ramsey trade. But Jacksonville also must address a run defense that finished 31st in Football Outsiders’ metrics and allowed 5.31 running back yards per carry. Enter Derrick Brown, who can disassemble any blocker he faces with freaky quickness, grown-man strength, and the kind of legitimate versatility that every NFL defensive coordinator wants these days. Brown’s 13 sacks and 33.5 tackles for loss over four seasons? You can put that in a big box of “whatever,” turn on YouTube, and go watch him hunt. He’s the NFL’s next great defensive interior lineman, and few teams are more in need than the Jaguars.
10. Cleveland Browns (6-10): Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Not that the Browns were going to bring Greg Robinson back after a subpar season, but Robinson’s recent arrest doesn’t exactly help his case. The Browns have enough drama to deal with as is. What they don’t have is a backside protector for Baker Mayfield, and a run-cruncher who can help Nick Chubb, the NFL’s most underrated running back, do even more spectacular things. Thomas is technically sound, with the ability to play either left or right tackle and the kind of demeanor that makes edge defenders nervous when they’re trying to tackle running backs. Thomas isn’t a perfectly finished pass-protector, but it’s fun to watch him erase defenders in the run game, and he’s got the skills to put everything else together.
11. New York Jets (7-9): Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
There are those who believe that Wirfs could stay at tackle in the NFL; others believe his best move is to guard. The Jets’ likely response? “Who cares, we are throwing up emergency flares up and down the entire line.” Wirfs is a weightlifting monster who is more agile on the move than that description might indicate, and though he’s not your prototypical left tackle, there’s a spot for him on any NFL roster at right tackle or guard. New York’s tackles combined for 17 sacks and 91 total pressures allowed last season; their guards allowed seven sacks and 70 pressures. Wirfs would be a massive improvement anywhere the Jets want to put him.
12. Las Vegas Raiders (7-9): CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Only the Dolphins finished lower in Football Outsiders’ opponent-adjusted defensive metrics than the Raiders in 2019 — and the Dolphins were throwing a Tankapalooza party. That means the Raiders are in obvious need of all kinds of defensive talent. That said, Jon Gruden also needs a true No. 1 receiver to pair with breakout tight end Darren Waller. Lamb would thrive in Gruden’s West Coast concepts because he’s got ideal quickness to all parts of the field, and he’s a route-runner on the rise. Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock, who compiled an admirable haul in the 2019 draft, can find the ideal target for whomever their quarterback will be right here.
13. Indianapolis Colts (7-9): A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa
The Colts come into the 2020 offseason with $86,162,964 in cap space, so their ability to be big players in free agency with all that cash makes their draft strategy highly interesting. What we do know is that outside of Justin Houston, who put up 11 sacks and 60 total pressures for Indy last season, there aren’t a lot of true pressure artists on the roster. Linebacker Darius Leonard finished second with five sacks, but he’s just as valuable in coverage and stopping the run. Epenesa would bring a lot to coordinator Matt Eberflus’ defense, because at 6-foot-6 and 280 pounds, he can add pressure around the edge and by using inside moves. He’d be a great fit with one of the more highly regarded defensive staffs in the league.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9): Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Last season, no defense improved more against the run than Tampa Bay’s. Under coordinator Todd Bowles, the Bucs went from 31st to first in Football Outsiders’ run defense metrics. However, there are all kinds of potential departures along the defensive line, with Ndamukong Suh, Jason Pierre-Paul, Carl Nassib and Beau Allen among the team’s upcoming free agents. Kinlaw, who really came on during Senior Bowl week, has the frame (6-foot-5, 315 pounds), the intensity and the penetrative ability to create tackles for loss against both the run and the pass. When he receives coaching at the next level to refine his hand use and pad level, he’ll be an illegal force on whatever team is lucky enough to have him. Kinlaw is the kind of player who could be very good but under the radar in his first NFL season — and a perennial All-Pro from then on.
15. Denver Broncos (7-9): Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
If the Broncos lose cornerback Chris Harris Jr. in free agency, Von Miller will be the only remaining key piece of the 2015 defense that led the franchise to its last Lombardi Trophy. So there’s that. But in the draft, John Elway may want to accelerate the process for new franchise quarterback Drew Lock by giving him another target. Wide receiver Courtland Sutton has become a legit No. 1 option, and tight end Noah Fant is developing nicely, but adding Jeudy, the most technically proficient and toolsy receiver in this draft class, would provide the route awareness to mitigate Lock’s occasional bouts of inaccuracy, and Jeudy has enough downfield speed to catch up to Lock’s fastballs.
16. Atlanta Falcons (7-9): Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
The Falcons saw a major uptick in effectiveness on the defensive side of the ball when Dan Quinn moved Raheem Morris from receivers coach to full oversight of the secondary, which led to Morris’ promotion to defensive coordinator. This was the right move, but if Atlanta is going to get over last season’s 1-7 start and 7-9 finish, the defense is going to need cornerback help. Last season, Desmond Trufant was the only Falcons cornerback with an interception (four, actually), but he also gave up five touchdowns and allowed an opponent passer rating of 106.3. Fulton allowed a 43.6% completion rate last season, and while he does give up the occasional big play due to concentration lapses, he fits the model of the Quinn-preferred cornerback — big, opportunistic and able to erase opposing targets for long periods of time.