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Okay, here it goes … the final mock draft before the 2020 NFL Draft. This marks my first mock draft ever that I attempt to work trades into AND try to do a little predicting of my own. Let’s see how it goes.
- Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow, Quarterback, LSU - This feels like the only sure thing tonight. Burrow is coming off a legendary city and will be a hometown hero in Cincinnati, finally bringing them a real franchise quarterback.
- Washington Football Team: Chase Young, Edge, Ohio State - I hate that this will happen. Hate it. Chase Young will be a perennial All-Pro and I will be sick about it.
- Miami Dolphins (TRADE WITH DETROIT): Justin Herbert, Quarterback, Oregon - Not the pick I would make, but something gaining a lot of steam. Herbert is athletic with great size and a big arm. Dolphins banking on upside over anything else. Dolphins trade pick #5 and their 2020 second-round pick to move up.
- New York Giants: Tristian Wirfs, Offensive Tackle, Iowa - Tristian Wirfs elite blend of athleticism and nastiness will have Dave Gettleman salivating. And it would be one hell of a choice for the Giants.
- Detroit Lions (TRADE WITH MIAMI): Jeff Okudah, Cornerback, Ohio State - While Derrick Brown could be an option here, the Lions luck out and pick up a blue chip defensive back. Will definitely make the exit of Darius Slay forgettable.
- Los Angeles Chargers: Isaiah Simmons, Linebacker, Clemson - There is buzz about the Chargers wanting a quarterback, but something tells me they are going to take another elite defender to add to their young and talented defense. Joey Bosa, Isaiah Simmons, and Derwin James would form the best trio of young defenders in the league.
- Carolina Panthers: Jedrick Wills, Offensive Tackle, Alabama - The Panthers have quite a nice group of offensive playmakers around Teddy Bridgewater and here they add an outstanding talent to protect the signal caller.
- Arizona Cardinals: Andrew Thomas, Offensive Tackle, Georgia- The Cardinals have plenty to be excited about with Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins teaming up, but they need to invest in protecting him.
- Atlanta Falcons (TRADE WITH JACKSONVILLE): CJ Henderson, Cornerback, Florida- The Falcons are upfront about upgrading their defense. CJ Henderson is an excellent cover corner who can step in as the top guy in a young, rebuilding secondary. Falcons send pick #16 and their 2020 second-round pick and futures to move up.
- Philadelphia Eagles (TRADE WITH CLEVELAND): CeeDee Lamb, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma- There has been rumors swirling about the million directions the Eagles could be going in the first round. Lamb seems to be a favorite if the Eagles are able to jump up in the draft. The Oklahoma receiver would immediately become the top wide receiver in the offense. Eagles send their first four 2020 picks and a future second to move up.
- New York Jets: Jerry Jeudy, Wide Receiver, Alabama - The Jets desperately need a number one guy for Sam Darnold and Jerry Jeudy can absolutely be that player.
- Las Vegas Raiders: Tua Tagovailoa, Quarterback, Alabama - Injury concerns could cause my number two quarterback to drop and the Raiders end up being the beneficiary.
- San Francisco 49ers (From Indianapolis Colts): Javon Kinlaw, Defensive Tackle, South Carolina - Javon Kinlaw’s pass rushing expertise means NFL teams could favor him over Derrick Brown. The 49ers replace Deforest Buckner with another incredibly disruptive player on their front.
- New England Patriots (TRADE WITH TAMPA BAY): Jordan Love, Quarterback, Utah State - To avoid Denver possibly snagging the talented signal caller, the Patriots make their move for Tom Brady’s heir. Patriots send pick #23, a 2020 second and a future second to move up.
- Denver Broncos: Henry Ruggs III, Wide Receiver, Alabama - The Broncos have some serious playmaking potential on offense with Noah Fant, Courtland Sutton and Melvin Gordon. Add in Henry Ruggs’ speed? Whew.
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Derrick Brown, Defensive Tackle, Auburn - The Jaguars end Brown’s fall in the draft. Brown might not be a flashy player, but he will be a long time, high impact defender for Jacksonville.
- Dallas Cowboys: Xavier McKinney, Safety, Alabama - The Cowboys add a very solid defender to their secondary. Wouldn’t be my pick but it seems to be the direction the team is heading in. McKinney will be an immediate starter in Dallas.
- Miami Dolphins (From Pittsburgh Steelers): Mekhi Becton, Offensive Tackle, Louisville - There are a wide range of projections for Becton, but this seems like a good landing spot for the talented lineman. The Dolphins draft the high upside blocker to protect their new signal caller.
- Las Vegas Raiders (From Chicago Bears) - Justin Jefferson, Wide Receiver, LSU: The Raiders need to add a dependable weapon to their offense to help Tua’s transition to the NFL. Jefferson has the highest floor of any player in this class and could be a high volume receiver from day one.
- Jacksonville Jaguars (From Los Angeles Rams): Kristian Fulton, Cornerback, LSU - The Jaguars need to replace Jalen Ramsey somehow and use the pick they got for Ramsey to do so. Fulton is not a flashy cornerback, but he is incredibly consistent.
- Cleveland Browns (TRADE WITH PHILADELPHIA): Josh Jones, Offensive Tackle, Houston - The Browns continue to build the team around baker Mayfield with Josh Jones. Jones was incredibly consistent at Houston and has great tools to become a franchise tackle in the NFL.
- Minnesota Vikings (From Buffalo Bills): Jalen Reagor, Wide Receiver, TCU - The Vikings finally ended their mercurial relationship with Stefon Diggs by trading him. Here they replace him with a player who is similarly a speedy playmaker.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (TRADE WITH NEW ENGLAND): Jeff Gladney, Cornerback, TCU - The Buccaneers are going to have no problem scoring points next year, but can they stop anyone on defense? The Bucs add another playmaker to their young defense.
- New Orleans Saints: Kenneth Murray, Linebacker, Oklahoma - Kenneth Murray is gaining a lot of steam in draft circles and makes a lot of sense for the Saints given their love of athletic linebackers.
- Minnesota Vikings: K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU - The Vikings took a chance on a young, raw defensive end out of LSU a few years ago and ended up with Danielle Hunter. They take that gamble again.
- Miami Dolphins (From Houston Texans): Denzel Mims, Wide Receiver, Baylor - The Dolphins take a chance on one of the higher upside pass catchers in the class. Mims is extremely gifted and could make a big difference in their young offense.
- Philadelphia Eagles (TRADE WITH SEATTLE): Patrick Queen, Linebacker, LSU - With the short term future of football somewhat up in the air, the Eagles are happy to use future draft capital to get impact players now. It is no secret the Eagles need a linebacker and here they make a play for one of the class’ most gifted players at the position. Eagles trade their 2021 first round pick to move up.
- Baltimore Ravens: Grant Delpit, Safety, LSU - It would be nuts if Delpit fell this far but it is hard not to see the Ravens making this pick if he does. Delpit could play strong safety and nickel linebacker for the Ravens; adding another physical playmaker to a defense licking its wounds after a bad playoff performance.
- Tennessee Titans: Isaiah Wilson, Offensive Tackle, Georgia - Losing Jack Conklin to free agency has to sting, but Wilson is a high upside player who could immediately start for the Titans. He fits perfectly into their smash mouth offensive philosophy.
- Green Bay Packers: Brandon Aiyuk, Wide Receiver, ASU - The Packers want to get more firepower on offense and Brandon Aiyuk is a high-flying deep threat who could be a nice home run hitter for Aaron Rodgers.
- San Francisco 49ers: Trevon Diggs, Cornerback, Alabama - I would be surprised if Diggs fell this far but the Niners are a logical landing spot. Diggs is a high upside player who could benefit from the tutelage of Richard Sherman.
- Kansas City Chiefs: AJ Epenesa, Defensive Lineman, Iowa - AJ Epenesa could play a variety of positions in a defensive front and Andy Reid loves huge, versatile defensive linemen. The Chiefs luck out getting Epenesa here.