2020 NFL Mock Draft: All-SEC college football preview edition
Picks 22-32
22. Minnesota Vikings: Richard LeCounte, S, Georgia
Harrison Smith may be a star at safety but the Vikings need help alongside him at the position moving forward. Richard LeCounte isn’t Grant Delpit or even Xavier McKinney, but he’s a solid player that can play early on and help Minnesota’s secondary.
23. Dallas Cowboys: Darrell Taylor, EDGE, Tennessee
Dallas locked up DeMarcus Lawrence but the rest of their edge rushers either appear to be rentals or players still needing to prove themselves. They try to remedy that in this NFL Mock Draft as they get Darrell Taylor, an athletic force with room to grow out of Tennessee.
24. Green Bay Packers: Darryl Williams, IOL, Mississippi State
Quietly, the Packers could use some more upgrades on the interior of their offensive line, even after adding Elgton Jenkins. Darryl Williams can be that guy, a steady and powerful player up front at Mississippi State that can start right away.
25. Los Angeles Chargers: Ke’Shawn Vaughn, RB, Vanderbilt
The Melvin Gordon holdout and his subsequently uncertain future makes running back a need for the Chargers. Ke’Shawn Vaughn is a fascinating NFL Draft prospect with high potential and who shouldn’t be slept on heading into 2020.
26. Philadelphia Eagles: Jacob Phillips, LB, LSU
In truth, the Eagles don’t have many weaknesses on their roster as it’s one of the deepest in the league. They add Jacob Phillips in this 2020 NFL Mock Draft, though, as the SEC linebacker has the potential to be one of college football’s breakout stars this season.
27. Cleveland Browns: Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
As the Browns biggest weakness currently is their offensive line, they look to the SEC and Alabama to fix that. Alex Leatherwood has been good at guard for the Crimson Tide and will now get a chance to prove himself as Jonah Williams’ replacement at left tackle in the 2019 season.
28. Oakland Raiders (via Bears): Monty Rice, LB, Georgia
Seemingly always a need for the Raiders, linebacker is something that must still be addressed. Monty Rice might not be a headline-stealer but he’s a smart player with some solid athleticism to his game that could make him a coveted commodity in the NFL.
29. Los Angeles Rams: Anfernee Jennings, EDGE, Alabama
Anfernee Jennings needs to show more consistency to help his NFL Draft stock. However, as the Rams aim to try and get Aaron Donald help up front, they could use a player with the upside of the Crimson Tide edge rusher.
30. New Orleans Saints: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Get Drew Brees another weapon, rinse, repeat. That’s the motto for the Saints right now at this point in their quarterback’s career. DeVonta Smith isn’t Jeudy or Ruggs but he’s a solid route-runner that has plenty of upside in his own right.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State
Despite making big moves on defense this offseason, the Chiefs still need big-time upgrades at cornerback. Cameron Dantzler has flashed high potential already at Mississippi State but can be a coveted prospect if he shows more consistency in the 2019 SEC season.
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32. New England Patriots: Rashard Lawrence, DT, LSU
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before but the Patriots add a strong yet unspectacular defensive lineman at the end of this 2020 NFL Mock Draft. Rashard Lawrence checks physical boxes and, though he’s no freak, he translates to being a solid pro defensive tackle.