The Raiders raid Clemson for big-time help while the Eagles address their ailing secondary in this 2020 NFL Mock Draft at the Divisional playoffs.
For eight teams, winning a Super Bowl is still a possibility as we enter the Divisional Round of the 2020 NFL Playoffs. But for the other three-quarters of the league, the offseason is in full focus, from free agency to the NFL Draft. Thus, prior to Round 2 of the postseason feels like an apt time for another 2020 NFL Mock Draft.
Of course, the heart of the playoffs isn’t the only reason why a new NFL Mock Draft makes sense right now. We also have the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Monday between LSU and Clemson, a contest littered with high-end draft prospects, from Heisman-winner Joe Burrow to Isaiah Simmons to Grant Delpit to Tee Higgins to many, many more.
Beyond that, we also have seen some crucial draft decisions over the past week. Tua Tagovailoa announced his decision to leave Alabama this past week, as did Crimson Tide wide receiver Henry Ruggs III. Those are two big dominoes to fall in terms of declarations, particularly Tagovailoa a race for his services could cause tremendous chaos early in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
We won’t have any chaos just yet. Because we aren’t yet in the offseason and all 32 picks are not yet set, we won’t be projecting or predicting any trades. Don’t worry, that’ll be coming down the line but the time is not right at this point.
Looking at the whole picture and, again, without trades, let’s dive into a full first round 2020 NFL Mock Draft as the Divisional Round is upon us. The draft order for this mock was determined using the current draft order, meaning the final eight picks are ordered by regular-season record.
It’s going to get old between now and the end of April as we continue to have Joe Burrow as the No. 1 overall pick to the Cincinnati Bengals but that’s the reality that we’re living in. Zac Taylor‘s team is prepared to usher in a new era after 2-14 finish to the regular season and Burrow is the right guy to do that with elite accuracy, decision-making, playmaking and leadership that he’s put on display time and again.
Some might find it unsettling to see the Washington Redskins make good decisions but they’ve done so thus far in the offseason. Ron Rivera could be a great hire and letting go of Bruce Allen was equally as effective.
The next great move this franchise can make is landing Chase Young with the second pick of the draft. The Ohio State defensive end is as sure of a thing as you’ll find and the best overall prospect in the 2020 class, capable of being a double-digit sack player upon arrival in the NFL.
Detroit sits in an interesting position at No. 3 as they appear to be a prime candidate to trade down for teams that could perhaps be looking to move up for Tua Tagovailoa. But if they stay put, they have a number of options at their disposal. One such option is Jeffery Okudah as the Ohio State corner could be a dynamic complement to Darius Slay that would truly help solidify a secondary that has been overall inconsistent.
For as many great things as Saquon Barkley did as a rookie and as Daniel Jones had this past season once he took over, the Giants offense is held back by two things: their offensive line and the lack of overall weapons. Thus, the question is which they address with the No. 4 pick.
Here, they go with the war in the trenches by taking Andrew Thomas. The Georgia product is a blue-chip offensive tackle prospect that should be able to replace Nate Solder immediately and really upgrade the Giants O-line in a monumentally helpful way.
Without any trades, the first quarterback-needy team that comes up is the Miami Dolphins, meaning they get the prospect that’s been the apple of their eye for quite some time in Tua Tagovailoa. While the Alabama signal-caller’s health has everyone at least mildly concerned, the Fins could re-sign Ryan Fitzpatrick while they continue to fill out the roster and let the young quarterback develop into a franchise-changing player and, most importantly, a healthy one.
You could point to a number of reasons as to why the Chargers massively underachieved in the 2019 season but one of the chief causes was Philip Rivers looking like an aging quarterback. The gunslinger showed his age which has everyone thinking about moving on.
That’s what they do with the No. 6 pick in this 2020 NFL Mock Draft as they nab Justin Herbert out of Oregon. Herbert has his warts but, if the Chargers re-sign Rivers, they can allow the athletic and toolsy quarterback to develop into something as a high-upside player.
Quarterback would be a need for Matt Rhule’s Carolina Panthers but, with Burrow, Tua and Herbert gone, taking anyone at No. 7 would be a little too rich for my blood. Thus, they look to the other side of the ball to try and reinforce their defense with Derrick Brown. The Auburn defensive tackle is a force on the interior, capable of wreaking havoc against both the run and pass and should give the front seven of the Cats a big boost.
The first year of the Kyler Murray–Kliff Kingsbury experiment in Arizona went better than many expected. No, the wins weren’t there but the signs of a creative and innovative offense were there. However, they need to get the players in place to fully execute it, which is where Jerry Jeudy comes into play. Jeudy is an absolute stud with the potential to be an immediate No. 1 wide receiver in the Cardinals offense and wonderful complement to Christian Kirk.
Even with the emergence of D.J. Chark in the 2019 season, the pass-catchers for the Jacksonville Jaguars leave a lot to be desired right now. Yes, this team has questions at quarterback after Gardner Minshew‘s breakout performance but they need to get him some help. Enter CeeDee Lamb, a big target capable of doing it all. Contested catches, big plays and getting yards after the catch, the Oklahoma product can do it all and really help open up things in Duval County.
The Cleveland Browns have yet to fill their head coach vacancy but you’re blind if you don’t think this team still has clear, immense talent with Baker Mayfield, Odell Beckham Jr., Nick Chubb and Jarvis Landry on offense. But to make those weapons work, they need to get something cooking in the trenches, which is where Alabama’s Jedrick Wills comes into the fold. Wills’ 2019 tape was phenomenal and he projects as a Day 1 starter that will immediately help solidify the line.
Tristan Wirfs falling to the New York Jets is a gift for Adam Gase and Gang Green. The Iowa offensive tackle is readymade to take the field as soon as he’s drafted and that’s what the Jets offense needs in front of Sam Darnold and Le’Veon Bell, both of whom were rendered largely ineffective in 2019 thanks to the shortcomings of the offensive line. Wirfs can help remedy that and get this offense on track.
After working to get culture-setting type guys in the draft last season, I would love to see Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock be aggressive in 2020 to try and make a game-changing move in the draft with their two first-round picks. But with no trades in this NFL Mock Draft, they stay put and still get a game-changer in Isaiah Simmons.
The do-it-all defender from Clemson is as versatile as they come, just as effective as a linebacker playing downhill as he is playing safety and dropping into coverage. He’s the exact type of piece the Las Vegas Raiders need to help anchor the middle of the defense.
With Jacoby Brissett, the Indianapolis Colts have a defined ceiling. That was obvious when the injuries piled up in 2019 and may force general manager Chris Ballard’s hand to draft an eventual replacement for his quarterback. Jordan Love is not ready to be an NFL starter but the tools are there for him to develop into that type of player. Let him sit behind Brissett while continuing to fill out the roster and let him come along slowly to hone his talent into being an effective pro passer.
Taking into account that Jameis Winston just became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in a season, the Buccaneers could look to address quarterback. But given the position in the draft, that seems difficult.
Instead, Tampa Bay aims to find a replacement for Ndamukong Suh, someone that can be around for the long haul. Javon Kinlaw comes into the fold then, as the South Carolina product is ready to be a game-wrecker on the interior. He’s a tremendous penetrator that should have immediate NFL success for the Bucs.
There are already rumblings as to the ways that the Denver Broncos could be leaning in the draft, so we’re going to reflect that in a 2020 NFL Mock Draft, of course. It seems that John Elway and the Broncos are eyeing speed at wide receiver to complement Drew Lock and Courtland Sutton. No receiver has more wheels than Henry Ruggs III out of Alabama. He’s not all speed, however, as a nice route-runner with the ability to free himself with footwork and short-area quickness.
A.J. Epenesa falling the Atlanta Falcons at No. 16 is an absolute gift from Thomas Dimitroff. The Iowa defensive lineman is likely going to see his stock on the incline once he goes to the NFL Combine and tests crazily for a player his size.
For now, though, he’s an incredibly versatile and effective lineman, capable of moving to the edge or rolling inside depending on the situation and winning with great explosion and power. He’s a player the Falcons defense is sorely lacking currently.
Mike McCarthy is now in tow for the Dallas Cowboys and this roster is ready to win. That, however, doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. Thus, they address a glaring need at safety with the best prospect in the draft at the position, Grant Delpit. While the LSU standout has shown some tackling issues in 2019, he’s an elite playmaker on the back end and has not consistently been a bad tackler throughout his career. If McCarthy and Co. can focus him, he has superstar potential for the Dallas defense.
Pick via Steelers
After landing Tua Tagovailoa with the No. 5 pick, the Miami Dolphins would love to address an awful offensive line. However, with Thomas, Wirfs and Wills off the board, there are no tackle prospects worth nabbing at No. 18. So instead, they go to the other side of the ball.
LSU’s K’Lavon Chaisson is one of my favorite players in the 2020 NFL Draft, loaded to the brim with potential that he flashes quite often. He needs to develop more technique with his hands and counter moves but his explosiveness and physical tools are evident and he could be a tone-setter up front in South Beach.
Pick via Bears
After dipping into the Clemson defense for Simmons with their first selection, the Raiders use the pick owed to them by Chicago to take a player off of the Clemson offense, namely landing Tee Higgins to help a lackluster wide receiver corps.
Higgins is somewhat of a divisive player among many draft analysts. However, his ability to separate and make plays down the field on a consistent basis is an aspect of the Raiders offense that’s sorely lacking right now and something they must address, which they do with this pick.
Pick via Rams
Jalen Ramsey had to go given his state of affairs in the Jaguars locker room but his departure left a massive hole in the Jacksonville secondary opposite of A.J. Bouye. That’s why they must use the pick they got from the Rams to take a player like Kristian Fulton. The LSU cornerback gets slept on a bit because true freshman Derek Singley Jr. was so good but Fulton was a high-quality player without a doubt. He has viable No. 1 corner potential and should be the Jags’ guy here.
There were a number of reasons why the Eagles were unable to come out of the Wild Card Round with a victory, injuries playing a huge role in the proceedings. However, the secondary having no chance of covering D.K. Metcalf didn’t do Philadelphia any favors.
Philly’s secondary has been a point of concern all season among analysts and fans and for good reason. It’s just a glaring weakness that has been exploited at many times, which is why Trevon Diggs is the pick. Diggs improved a great amount and checks every physical box you want him to. He’s an immediate upgrade to the Eagles defensive backs, which is what they sorely need.
Frankly, the Bills should be in the Divisional Round. They got conservative and seemingly overwhelmed with the lead over Houston and let it slip away. Now they go into an offseason with plenty of work to do, not the least of which is beefing up their edge rushers. Terrell Lewis can do that for them. The Alabama product finally stayed healthy in 2019 and showed the high potential he possesses to be a consistent havoc-wreaker coming off the edge at any level.
Whew, the Patriots lack of weapons on offense was evident all season but we all were waiting for it to get righted once the postseason came around. But alas, it did not as Derrick Henry ran all over them and took New England out.
Bill Belichick starts addressing that lack of weaponry — because Tom Brady isn’t going anywhere — with Cole Kmet from Notre Dame. The tight end is a nice athlete that runs terrific routes, is willing to block and can separate to make catches. While he may not be the freak that Gronk was, he’s a viable weapon that can help replicate what Gronk did for the offense.
Despite putting up nice numbers this season, Drew Brees really started to show his age a bit between his injuries and his performance in the postseason. Thus, it might be time to think about replacing him, specifically right now as they also need a backup. Jalen Hurts is a fascinating prospect to be the guy, a great athlete that has much-improved accuracy and success playing a style similar to Sean Payton’s. Slotting him behind Brees would be a great move to develop him and give the Saints a future at the position.
Harold Landry has enjoyed a quietly fantastic season for the Titans and they’ve had plenty of others step up. However, signing Cameron Wake this offseason — even if he was effective when on the field — showed the need for long-term help coming off the edge. Enter Yetur Gross-Matos, a stud athlete from Penn State who’s able to win at the college level by just overwhelming offenses with that athleticism. He needs to be coached up with technique but his potential is obvious and great.
A strength for the Vikings for quite some time all of a sudden turned into an obvious weakness in 2019 as the secondary performed quite poorly for the majority of the year. They need to get stronger there and perhaps move on from Xavier Rhodes.
The pick at No. 26 is Paulson Adebo, a player out of Stanford who can surely improve the Minnesota defensive backs as he arrives. He did not have the final season in Palo Alto many wanted him to but his abilities are obvious and address the suddenly glaring need for the Vikes.
Pick via Texans
With the Dolphins final first-round pick, they again don’t look to the offensive line and also don’t go to the defense. Instead, they try to spark the run game with Jonathan Taylor out of Wisconsin. Miami was the worst rushing team in the NFL last season and Taylor can help spark them, assuming they improve in the trenches. He’s a dynamic and proven runner from his time at Wisconsin and can be a focal point of the Dolphins offense moving forward.
The need on the Seahawks offensive line is not a new development but it’s about time they address it. And there are few prospects as fun to address that need with than Mekhi Becton from Louisville. An absolute mountain of a man, Becton has strength and athleticism that make him a dominant physical force in any matchup. While his technique still needs to be coach, Becton has the potential to be a long-time starter for Seattle.
Once they got healthy this season, the Chiefs defense actually proven not to be as big an area of concern as some thought it would be. Thus, they have the luxury of making a swing-for-the-fences pick at No. 29 in my opinion, which lands them Travis Etienne.
For an offense in Kansas City that is largely predicated on speed and explosiveness, Etienne is the perfect fit. The Clemson star is among the fastest players in the 2020 draft class and can tear off of a game-breaking play in an instant. Putting him in this Andy Reid offense would make one of the league’s most dangerous units even more so.
Davante Adams has firmly established himself as a No. 1 wide receiver for the Packers. The problem is that no one has given Aaron Rodgers a consistent No. 2 target behind Adams for him to throw to. Laviska Shenault seems like the perfect player to be that guy. An incredibly versatile piece out of Colorado who has been used in a ton of different ways, Shenault has the big-play ability and movability to be a true threat opposite Adams.
As well as the San Francisco 49ers defense has performed this season, they still have some areas of weakness, one of which is safety. Thus, the fact that a prospect like Alabama’s Xavier McKinney falls to them at the end of the first round is like manna from heaven. McKinney may not have the top-end potential of a player like Delpit but he’s not far from it. He showed in 2019 that he can be an athletic playmaker in every facet of the game, capable of making his presence felt at all times.
One of the areas where people do believe the Ravens could improve moving forward is with their pass-catchers. Of course, they could also potentially need to replace edge rusher Matthew Judon. But with what we know now, addressing linebacker is the move I’d make for them.
Kenneth Murray had some doubters entering the 2019 season, despite insane tackle numbers that he posted the previous season at Oklahoma, but he silenced most of them. He’s a fantastic sideline-to-sideline player with great closing speed. If he can work on his footwork in coverage a bit, Murray can be the next star linebacker in Baltimore.