2020 NFL Mock Draft: Pre-Combine 3-round projection fueled by trades
Trade: Eagles trade No. 21, 85, 170 to Colts for No. 13, 204
WR. Philadelphia Eagles. Henry Ruggs III. 13. player. 54.
Perhaps one of the most anticipated 2020 NFL Draft prospects that we’ll see in Indianapolis at the Combine is Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III. He’s going to run an absurd 40-yard dash time that may rival the 4.22-second record. Projecting that a little, the Philadelphia Eagles make a big move to jump up ahead of the Broncos and get their guy. The receiver depth in Philly was concerning in 2019 and Ruggs is a dynamic weapon that could open up things for Carson Wentz.
Javon Kinlaw. 14. player. 48. . IDL. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
While there are quarterback questions to answer for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, I’m not convinced they’re going to address it in the first round. Full disclosure, that changes by the day but, for now, they instead try to shore up a defense that didn’t do them any favors in 2019 by adding Javon Kinlaw. His ability to generate pressure as an explosive playmaker at defensive tackle could be huge for the Bucs to put inside of Shaq Barrett, assuming they re-sign the NFL’s sack leader from last season.
45. . OT. Denver Broncos. Andrew Thomas. 15. player
There has been a lot of buzz about the Denver Broncos potentially taking a speedy wide receiver in the first round but, with the Eagles trading up for Henry Ruggs, any other prospect in that mold at No. 15 would be a reach. Rather than trading down, they take an offensive tackle to try and revamp the offensive line around Drew Lock. Andrew Thomas’ star has faded a bit but he’s an experienced and talented player that could come in and give the Denver line a big boost.
44. . EDGE. Atlanta Falcons. A.J. Epenesa. 16. player
I’m certainly a bigger fan of K’Lavon Chaisson in terms of pure edge rushers in the 2020 NFL Draft class but A.J. Epenesea, to me, fits what the Atlanta Falcons should be looking for. An absolute powerhouse with nice explosiveness for his size, the Iowa product could be a beast off the edge but also offer the versatility to move inside in certain situations. That fits Dan Quinn’s eye and should make Epenesa a key piece to the Falcons trying to turn it back around.