2020 NFL Mock Draft: What if there were no quarterbacks in the class?

Quarterbacks have dominated the 2020 NFL Draft conversation but what if there were none selected? A new 2020 NFL Mock Draft explores the possibility.

There is no position more important than quarterback in the NFL. If a team doesn’t have a quarterback, then they’re sunk. So it stands to reason that Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert and Jordan Love, among others, have dominated 2020 NFL Draft conversations. Subsequently, the top of almost every 2020 NFL Mock Draft is heavy with quarterbacks.

But what if it wasn’t? What if we removed quarterbacks from the equation? How then would the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft play out given the other needs of quarterback-needy teams and the other top prospects in the class? That’s what we’re going to figure out here.

While we released a three-round post-Combine 2020 NFL Mock Draft last week, this will only be one round with no trades. In essence, we’re looking at team needs outside of quarterback and, perhaps, seeing which players would climb up if quarterbacks aren’t an option.

The Cincinnati Bengals are on the clock and, for once, they will not be selecting Burrow.

Most people would agree that Chase Young is the best player in the 2020 draft. So he’s an easy choice for the Bengals at No. 1 in this NFL Mock Draft. The Ohio State edge rusher would give Cincinnati a dynamic, young playmaker they’re missing on defense.

If the Redskins can’t get Young in this mock, then they go to what might be a more pressing need: offensive tackle. With Trent Williams likely on his way out of Washington, they replace him the behemoth, Mekhi Becton. Unreal size and wowing movement skills make Becton a prospect with massive upside.

There’s plenty of discussion about Detroit trading out of the No. 3 pick but, if they don’t, they’re likely going after Jeffrey Okudah. The writing appears to be on the wall for Darius Slay‘s time with the Lions so the Ohio State corner comes in to be the future at the position.

Seeing how many have the Giants taking an offensive tackle already, you might expect that here. Isaiah Simmons, however, is the better prospect. The do-it-all linebacker fills a massive void on Big Blue’s defense and gives them a possible superstar to build around.

While the Dolphins can’t take a quarterback here, they can protect the man under center. The offensive line has been stripped to the studs with the Laremy Tunsil trade, so Miami starts at the tackle spot again with the ultra-athletic Tristan Wirfs, who should start right away in South Beach.

The Chargers recently traded veteran left tackle Russell Okung and, while they answered a hole at guard in the deal, they now need a tackle for the future. Though Jedrick Wills didn’t have the best NFL Combine showing, his film is arguably the best in the 2020 NFL Draft class. So the Bolts capitalize here.

Yes, Derrick Brown tested horribly in Indianapolis. But you have to trust the film, which shows the Auburn defensive tackle as a game-wrecker. Carolina appears to be in rebuild mode and they could use a penetrator and attention-demander of Brown’s caliber on the defensive line.

Arizona took Kyler Murray at No. 1 last year and that looks promising. They need more weapons, however, especially if Larry Fitzgerald only has one year left. CeeDee Lamb is not only familiar with Murray but he’s an elite prospect tailormade to take the reins as the Cardinals’ No. 1 receiver sooner rather than later.