With the NFL Combine in the books, a full three-round 2020 NFL Mock Draft has the Raiders trading into the top 10 with the Redskins moving back from No. 2.
If it wasn’t already draft season, the conclusion of the NFL Scouting Combine most certainly means that time has arrived. There are officially less than two months until the 2020 NFL Draft from Las Vegas and that means the heat is turning up. That’s never more the case with some of the things we saw at Lucas Oil Stadium this past week as we look at our first post-Combine 2020 NFL Mock Draft.
While there were clear winners such as Henry Ruggs III, Isaiah Simmons and Tristan Wirfs as they tested through the roof, there were also fallers such as A.J. Epenesa and Derrick Brown, among others, whose testing left much to be desired. Of course, athletic testing doesn’t mean everything and there are always pro days to improve on those numbers. And let’s not forget that the two top prospects in the class, Joe Burrow and Chase Young, didn’t test in Indianapolis.
Regardless, taking the testing we saw at the NFL Combine into account and before free agency gets underway in just two short weeks, let’s see how the first three rounds of the draft could play out — smokescreens, trades and all — with a new 2020 NFL Mock Draft.
Even though Joe Burrow didn’t test at the NFL Combine, there are zero questions about his ability and, by all accounts, all his interviews did in Indianapolis was confirm that he’ll be the No. 1 overall pick heading to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Heisman-winner checks the boxes you want from a franchise quarterback and should come in and immediately improve the team with the worst record in the league for 2019.
TRADE ALERT: Dolphins send No. 5, 26, 39, 2021 second-round pick to Redskins for No. 2, 2021 fourth-round pick
At the NFL Combine, there was growing buzz that the Washington Redskins are in on Tua Tagovailoa and that the Miami Dolphins may not like the Alabama quarterback as much as many thought they do. To me, both are smokescreens as Washington wants to try and milk a great trade and the Dolphins don’t want to be forced to do that.
Miami needs their franchise quarterback, however, and they succumb to the trade, moving up to take Tua. The quarterback’s medical report was all positive at this stage in his recovery and the Dolphins get an extremely accurate leader for their future.
If the Dolphins were to trade up to No. 2, no team would be happier than the Lions. Though adding an edge rusher isn’t their greatest need after signing Trey Flowers last offseason, what this team needs more than anything is a game-changer on Matt Patricia’s defense. Chase Young is that player. The Ohio State defensive end is a rare blend of size, power, explosiveness and speed that can be a star for Detroit.
In a week that was filled with supreme athletic performances, there was perhaps nothing more impressive than watching Mekhi Becton move. At 6-7, 364 pounds, he ran the fastest 40 in Combine history for a player over 350 pounds and showed his unique physical gifts.
The Giants must protect Daniel Jones and help clear the way for Saquon Barkley if the offense is going to function properly. General manager Dave Gettleman loves his “hog mollies” and Becton is clearly that. He can be a franchise left tackle in the Big Apple.