The 2019 NFL regular season is in the books, and much has changed when it comes to the 2020 NFL Draft. The thought was that the Miami Dolphins would be tanking yet they find themselves not in the top 5 after defeating the Patriots in week 17 but still lead with three picks in the first round. Jaguars picked up another first round pick trading away Jalen Ramsey while the Las Vegas Raiders, yea Las Vegas, has two picks with one coming from Chicago who thought to be in the playoffs.
Originally, I wanted to give every team Chase Young and since August that has not changed. The only thing different is the rise of the QB Joe Burrow out of LSU, he’s on pace to have the best season ever as a coach, already racking up the Heisman and throwing 7 touchdowns in the College Football Playoffs Semifinals.
Here’s my initial mock draft at how it could play out come April 2020.
1. Cincinnati Bengals
The Selection: QB Joe Burrow, LSU
It’s destiny that the LSU Tiger will head for play for the Cincinnati Bengal. He will be a day 1 starter. High hopes for the Bayou Bengal.
2. Washington Redskins
The Selection: EDGE Chase Young, OHST
He will walk and be a stud right away. Pairing him with Swear, Allen and Payne give this one of the best fronts in football with new coach Ron Rivera and DC Del Rio
3. Detroit Lions
The Selection: CB Jeffery Okudah, OHST
Lions want to play man and struggle from the secondary this season. Okudah with his long arms, fast feet and closing speed can help him be a strong candidate for DROY immediately.
4. New York Giants
The Selection: OT Jedrick Willis, Bama
No need to use a high draft pick on skills position when you need help to protect your investment. So getting a OL is key. I like Willis – he can be dominate when run blocking and can maximize his ability to help Daniel Jones and Barkley.
5. Miami Dolphins
The Selection: QB Tua Tagovailoa, Bama
No way he returns to school, he’s in good position to find himself on a solid team. Pairing him with good weapons would help him pick right back up where he left off in Alabama. He’ll declare and go south to Miami. Don’t count out the Dolphins.
6. Los Angeles Chargers
The Selection: OT Andrew Thomas, UGA
Lets get physical and tough with this pick and whoever Thomas will be blocking for at the Quarterback position the need and fit is here.
7. Carolina Panthers
The Selection: OT Tristan Wirfs, IOWA
Good in both sets, blocking for Mccaffery in the run game is a priority as well as blocking for whoever is at the helm for QB next season. He has good control to his game and could play either tackle spot.
8. Arizona Cardinals
The Selection: WR CeeDee Lamb, OKLA
The ageless, great, and future Hall of Famer Larry will probably retire. CeeDee Lamb has questions for long speed but why not put him in a system where speed wasn’t Larry’s thing. Can be ROY in Kliff system and pairing him back with Kyler Murray is the icing on the cake.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Selection: WR Jerry Jeudy, Bama
They retain the staff and will
They retain the staff and will probably keep Minshew. Jags offense can be special with a special WR. Good weapons to put on a show with Fournette, Juedy and Chark Jr.
10. Cleveland Browns
The Selection: Derrick Brown, AUB
The Browns can get you from the edge consistently once Garrett is reinstated. Imagine pressure up the middle too, and from the best IDL in the class, I mean 6’5 318, he’s a monster and I see superstar.
11. New York Jets
The Selection: EDGE A.J. Epenesa, IOWA
Joey Douglas loves big players. Hard to find out as big as Epenesa 6’6 280. All power from the edge here.
12. Las Vegas Raiders
The Selection: LB Isaiah Simmons, CLEM
The leader of a defense Gruden has been looking for. Long arms. Can also cover TEs in man and zone. Potential Defensive nightmare.
13. Indianapolis Colts
The Selection: WR Tee Higgins, CLEM
Cris Carter always say you should build your WR core like a basketball team. If TY, Pascal are my guards I need a big SF to go along with the TEs. Would’ve seen what Devin Funchess would’ve done in this offense but injuries ended his season early. Tee Higgins and TY can be similar to another former Clemson WR Mike Williams pairing with Keenan Allen. With the right QB watch out for that duo.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Selection: QB Justin Herbert, ORE
IDL is a need if Suh doesn’t comeback. But, I went QB. Reason being as much the fun rollercoaster ride is watching Jamies Winston there’s no way they keep him for the future. Draft Herbert……he has something in common with Big Ben, Manning and Carson Palmer (who played under Arians) TALL AND BIG ARM. Learning what NOT to do watching Jamies can also help.
15. Denver Broncos
The Selection: CB Kristian Fulton, LSU
CB is still a need. Few months ago they wanted to trade Chris Harris. Here’s a good way to bounce back with Fulton. He’s not long but neither is Chris Harris, he’s a clean prospect and can help right away
16. Atlanta Falcons
The Selection: CB C.J. Henderson, UF
Falcons need help at CB position. Very athletic good speed to keep up with any type WR and physical toughness. That’s a need for this division with the likes of Michael Thomas, Godwin/Evans and DJ Moore.
17. Dallas Cowboys
The Selection: S Grant Delpit, LSU
Trading for Jamal Adams could fix things but how bout getting the safety he played with in college. Delpit is very versatile and that’s what you need from the safety position. Once he sure up his tackling he will be a good player, maybe not Jamal but close.
18. Miami Dolphins (from Steelers)
The Selection: EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson, LSU
Got the most important position in football drafting Tua earlier. Here they are with the position that’s supposed to get after guys like Tua. K. Chaisson from LSU is a good pick here. Very versatile playing in any scheme as a 4-3 DE or stand up OLB in a 3-4. Raw but can be a serious problem for opposing teams.
19. Las Vegas Raiders (from Bears)
The Selection: WR Henry Ruggs III
Ruggs in space can’t be stopped. Similar to would be his rival in KC with elite Speed in Tyreek hill, could help open up a John Gruden offense. Imagine a Jacobs-Ruggs-Waller combination, that’s a very nice.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Rams)
The Selection: EDGE Yetur Gross-Matos
Josh Allen had a very impressive rookie campaign and the Jags should continue in that direction and bring back Sacksonville. Plus, Campbell can’t play forever, can he?
21. Philadelphia Eagles
The Selection: WR Laviska Shenault Jr. , COLO
Have you seen the injuries to the Eagles offense? Easy to why they would take a WR? He has big play ability from Colorado. Definitely can be a #1 WR with Carson Wentz.
22. Tennessee Titans
The Selection: IDL Javon Kinlaw, So. Carolina
My philosophy of a GM is not to pay RBs. Do the Titans sway away from that and draft one? I would say yes but a deep RB class I can’t take one first round. This teams needs IDL up front and that’s J. Kinlaw, a long term answer.
23. Buffalo Bills
The Selection: WR Justin Jefferson, LSU
Did they missed out on the run of WRs? Not even, Justin Jefferson should rise up on draft boards especially after a performance of a lifetime. Big body WR 6’3 190. Just what the doctor order for Josh Allen.
24. Minnesota Vikings
The Selection: IOL Tyler Biadasz, WIS
Although everyone assumes a CB will be taken. I won’t go that route. Vikings Rookie center, Bradbury, has looked awful all season. With really only one good draft pick on the Offensive line they need to address the interior of again. Tyler Biadasz is the pick.
25. Miami Dolphins (from Texans)
The Selection: CB Paulson Adebo, Stan
QB, check, Edge rusher, check, dolphins need someone to help Xavier Howard in the secondary. How bout a long, playmaker at the cornerback from Stanford, P. Adebo, who can help in both the passes and run game.
26. Seattle Seahawks
The Selection: OT Alex Leatherwood, Bama
I’ll do anything in my power if it helps Russell Wilson. Easy decision. Let’s help protect him. Alex Leatherwood can help.
27. New England Patriots
The Selection: EDGE Terrell Lewis, Bama
Could go so many directions as they need pieces pretty much everywhere and to continue to keep Gilmore the best CB in the league lets get him some help up front to get after the QB. Terrell Lewis from Alabama looks the part of a NFL rusher with his length and size. Saban and Bill talk about Bama players to one another. I know Saban has sent plenty of tape.
28. Green Bay Packers
The Selection: WR K.J. Hamler, PSU
YES, another WR off the board. He gives me hollywood brown vibes. Another player who excelled with Rodgers was Randall Cobb. Hamler speed is top notch can be vital playmaker to continue to help Rodgers as he enters “old man status.”
29. Kansas City Chiefs
The Selection: RB J.K. Dobbins, OHST
My first RB comes off the board and that is JK Dobbins. He can fit into any system. Andy Reid loves backs who can catch and JK not only can run the ball but can be deadly in the passing game. Matchup nightmare pairing him with Tyreek Hill, Kelce and of course Mahomes.
30. New Orleans Saints
The Selection: LB Kenneth Murray, OKLA
K. Murray is very productive with good sideline to sideline range. Would be a steal for a team where their weakness is the middle of the defense.
31. San Francisco 49ers
The Selection: S Xavier McKinney, Bama
Wont be here come April. But since we don’t predict trades — they should address the secondary. The question is a safety versus CB. I would compare McKinney from Bama as a Minkah Fitzpatrick type. He can play either safety spot at a high level. Versatility is my favorite word. John Lynch will hit another home run with this selection
32. Baltimore Ravens
The Selection: EDGE Julian Okwara, ND
Since the Ravens fixed the CB situation by acquiring Marcus Peters, has solid playmakers on offense, a top 5 OL, there’s nothing really left to do but attack opponents QBs. I went with another edge rusher I’ve liked this season. Okwara from ND. He’s a go getter and fits well with the Ravens.
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