The NFL Draft is less than 50 days away and the combine is in our rearview mirrors. At this point in early March, we’ll be reading thousands of mock drafts and reports about teams and what prospects they might be interested in. Prepare yourselves for smoke screens by many different NFL teams as the draft draws closer. Courtesy of the NFL mock draft machine over at The Draft Network, I put together this 2020 NFL mock draft. Before you ask, yes trades will be included. Let’s dig in shall we?
Surae Poole’s 2020 NFL Mock Draft 3.0
1. Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow (LSU) – Quarterback
Next question, please.
2. Washington Redskins: Chase Young (Ohio State) – Edge
This isn’t the biggest need but are the Redskins really going to pass up on the best player available? Highly doubt that happens.
3. Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama) – Quarterback
Trade Alert: The Detroit Lions trade their third-overall pick to the Miami Dolphins for the 18th and 26th picks.
Is the asking price high for the injury-prone quarterback? Maybe but the asking price for franchise quarterbacks will always be high. Besides, if Tagovailoa pans out and has a successful NFL career, I doubt the Dolphins will care about the two first-round picks they gave up to get him.
4. New York Giants: Jedrick Wills Jr. (Alabama) – Offensive Tackle
Dave Gettleman loves his big boys and we all know it. Wills is still the best offensive lineman in this class and should be penciled in as a day-one starter.
5. Miami Dolphins: Mekhi Becton (Louisville) – Offensive Tackle
If you’re going to draft Tua Tagovailoa, you should probably find him some type of protection. That’s where Becton comes into play. Becton is a massive man who dominates folks with pure strength.
6. Los Angeles Chargers: Tristan Wirfs (Iowa) – Offensive Tackle
After the huge trade made last week, the Chargers opened up another need at the tackle position. Wirfs is an athletic tackle who some believe can play both right and left tackle. I’m sure you all were expecting a quarterback here, but I have a feeling the Chargers may address that position via free agency or a trade. Don’t be surprised if they enter the season with the current quarterbacks on their roster.
7. Carolina Panthers: Derrick Brown (Auburn) – Defensive Tackle
The Panthers are in need of everything and the defensive line needs help. Brown is easily an instant starter that will contribute immediately.
8. Arizona Cardinals: Andrew Thomas (Georgia) – Offensive Tackle
We know how much Kliff Kingsbury values weapons on offense which is why a lot of mock drafts have the Cardinals taking a wideout. Yes, they need upgrades at the wide receiver position but protecting your young quarterback should be more important.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jeffrey Okudah (Ohio State) – Cornerback
How lucky would the Jaguars be to have a top-five prospect fall to them at nine? The answer is very lucky. Yet, here we are. Okudah’s ability to mirror receivers in man coverage is some of the best I’ve ever seen. He’s a perfect fit for what Jacksonville looks for in their corners.
10. Cleveland Browns: Isaiah Simmons (Clemson) – Linebacker
Does Cleveland need offensive line help? Yes, they do. Is there any available worth taking with the 10th overall pick? After the run on tackles, the answer is no. Maybe they can make some trades to boost their offensive line. Once free agency opens up linebacker might end up being a bigger need. Who better to fill that role than Isaiah Simmons?
11. New York Jets: Jerry Jeudy (Alabama) – Wide Receiver
The Jets should go the free agency route to build the offensive line when the free agency period opens up. Spend some money and draft a true number one wide receiver for Sam Darnold.
12. Las Vegas Raiders: CeeDee Lamb (Oklahoma) – Wide Receiver
Jon Gruden will fall in love with Lamb’s skillset. He’s fantastic after the catch and so aggressive at the catch point. Lamb will be the Raider’s best receiver and he will have a very impactful presence on this offense.
13. Indianapolis Colts: Jordan Love (Utah State) – Quarterback
It’s hard to predict what teams will do before free agency begins but it’s almost like Love has been destined to land with Indianapolis. The Colts can afford to draft a young quarterback and sit him for a few seasons.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Justin Herbert (Oregon) – Quarterback
We can all agree that it’s time for Tampa Bay to go in another direction at the quarterback position. Bruce Arians loves big quarterbacks with a big arm.
15. Denver Broncos: Henry Ruggs III (Alabama) – Wide Receiver
The Broncos hired Pat Shurmur who wants to take shots down the field. They currently have a young quarterback who possesses the arm strength to take calculated risk down the field. Ruggs is a perfect fit for the new-look Broncos offense.
16. Atlanta Falcons: K’Lavon Chaisson (LSU) – Edge
The Falcons need ranked 30th in the league in team sacks in 2019. Do we need to go any further?
17. Dallas Cowboys: Kristian Fulton (LSU) – Cornerback
I’m not sure what the Cowboys plan on doing in free agency but here’s an insurance policy just in case they need a corner. Fulton is very talented and his man coverage skills will translate well at the next level.
18. Detroit Lions: C.J. Henderson (Florida) – Cornerback
Much has been about his inability or want to tackle ball carriers but it’s been noted that scouts care about his coverage skills and nothing Henderson has all the tools to become a good player in the NFL.
19. Las Vegas Raiders: Patrick Queen (LSU) – Linebacker
The Raiders are on the clock again and they fill another need with Queen. The speedy linebacker has great sideline to sideline speed and can cover the talented running backs and tight ends in the AFC West.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars: Javon Kinlaw (South Carolina) – Defensive Tackle
After choosing Okudah earlier in this mock the Jaguars add another talented player in Kinlaw. The defensive can benefit from his skill set, especially if they lose some key players on the defensive line this offseason.
21. Philadelphia Eagles: Justin Jefferson (LSU) – Wide Receiver
The Eagles lack an exceptional amount of talent at the wide receiver position. After the season he just had plus an incredible 4.43 40 time at the combine his draft stock has risen. Questions about his speed should be put to rest.
22. Buffalo Bills: Denzel Mims (Baylor) – Wide Receiver
Surprised to see a Mims here in the backend of round one? Well, you shouldn’t be. After an impressive showing at the combine, teams were reminded just how talented he really is.
23. New England Patriots: KJ Hamler (Penn State) – Wide Receiver
SPEED. The Patriots need more of it. Edge rusher was my first choice here but if the Patriots want any shot at keeping the greatest quarterback of all time on their roster they should load up on as many offensive weapons as possible.
24. New Orleans Saints: Laviska Shenault (Colorado) – Wide Receiver
Sean Payton is an offensive mastermind we all know that. Imagine the things he can draw up with a weapon like Shenault. Just get the football in his hands.
25. Minnesota Vikings: Jeff Gladney (TCU) – Cornerback
I love how physical Gladney plays. He’s not scared to get in your face and challenge you. He’s very patient at the line of scrimmage and his ball skills can translate perfectly to the Vikings defensive scheme.
26. Detroit Lions: Kenneth Murray (Oklahoma) – Linebacker
The Lions need more talent on defense. Murray plays fast and he’s very instinctive. Pure tackling machine.
27. Seattle Seahawks: A.J. Epenesa (Iowa) – Edge
This just seems like a Seattle type pick with Epenesa. He might play more inside than out on the edge but he’s very capable of playing almost anywhere on the defensive line.
28. Baltimore Ravens: Neville Gallimore (Oklahoma) – Defensive Tackle
Not the most productive player in college but he’s a twitchy athlete with nice power and very good initial quickness. He has a huge motor that you always notice when you watch his tape.
29. Tennesse Titans: Ross Blacklock (TCU) – Defensive Tackle
It was very tempting to go running back here but with the depth, in this running back class, I don’t expect to see one taken in the first round. Blacklock has the tools to be exciting and successful in the NFL. He has the size, power, athleticism, that will allow him to develop to something special.
30. Green Bay Packers: Jalen Reagor (TCU) – Wide Receiver
Reagor is a speedster who can run by anyone. Green Bay needs another receiver like Reagor who can take the top off any defense.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Xavier McKinney (Alabama) – Safety
Mckinney is the best safety in the 2020 NFL Draft. A complete swiss army knife type of player. He’s comfortable playing single high or lining up in the box. Additionally, he’s good in man coverage. He’s also not afraid to come downhill and lay the wood.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Noah Igbinoghene (Auburn) – Cornerback
He’s still developing at the cornerback position as he was recruited to play wide receiver. He’s such an athletic player who’s becoming more confident in his skills. The Chiefs need to add depth at the cornerback position even after the Super Bowl win. I fully expect Igbinoghene to contribute on special teams early on in his career.
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