The Vikings make a big trade for Yannick Ngakoue while the Raiders move up for Justin Herbert in this 2020 NFL Mock Draft six days from the draft.
The NFL Draft has always been a type of phenomenon for football junkies everywhere. Few moments in sports can tip the hand of the direction a franchise is leaning better than early-round NFL Draft picks. Unlike many free-agent additions, these young players are viewed as building blocks of the future. They are long term investments.
Six days away from the 2020 NFL Draft beginning on April 23, we’re going on a daily tour of the draft with another NFL Mock Draft, this one going through the first two rounds (64 selections) with highly anticipated trades. However, it’s always smart to throw anticipation out the window.
In fact, there are three rules to follow when constructing an NFL Mock Draft:
- Rookie quarterbacks are always overrated. Always.
- If a player seems to make perfect sense, then there’s no way the team is taking him.
- Difference-makers who play in the trenches, whether offensive or defensive line, are far more valuable than skill players in the sense of the NFL Draft.
With those rules in mind, let’s get this 2020 NFL Mock Draft started. The Cincinnati Bengals are now on the clock with the least exciting selection of the first two rounds.
Joe Burrow has been the unanimous top pick since the end of the college season. While he may not be the best overall player in the draft or even the best quarterback on my board, Burrow is the best combination of high-ceiling, high-floor and low-risk. He is the Toyota Camry of quarterbacks.
It’s not that I don’t like Burrow’s abilities. In fact, I love his poise and leadership. He had a tremendous season for the LSU Tigers last year. But was it just one magical season? An outlier? Can he sustain that level of play in the NFL? Sure, he was terrific as the starting quarterback for the best team in the nation but what happens when you put him on the Bengals?
Either way, Cincinnati should have a safe and reliable quarterback for years.
Chase Young is the most physically gifted defensive prospect since Jadeveon Clowney and is the clear prize jewel of the 2020 draft. The Redskins have not been strangers to first-round picks in the front seven. Putting a turbo freak like Chase Young on the edge will give new head coach Ron Rivera the beginnings of a lights-out defense.
There will be some speculation leading up to the draft that the Redskins could be persuaded to trade out of the No. 2 pick by a team desperate to get their hands on the quarterback of their choice. However, there’s no way Young falls past the No. 3 pick. The Redskins know this. So does everyone else.
They will stay put and grab the best player in the draft — unless they’re completely blown away by an RGIII-type trade package. But who’s dumb enough to trade away three first-round picks to move up to No. 2? Wait…
TRADE ALERT: Lions trade No. 3 to the Chargers for No. 6 and 37
The No. 3 pick is where things will begin to get interesting. I see the Los Angeles Chargers making a move to this spot but not for a quarterback as many expect. Instead, I think the Chargers are confident in Tyrod Taylor. If their plan was to draft a rookie and have him sit behind a bridge quarterback, they would have just re-signed Philip Rivers.
The difference between the Chargers and the other perceived quarterback-needy teams is that they’re quite good. They have a playoff-caliber roster. It may have been Rivers holding them back. I can see the Chargers try to mimic the Ravens model of utilizing all the talents of a mobile quarterback such as Taylor.
The move to No. 3 will be necessary to get in front of the Giants and select Isaiah Simmons from Clemson. Modern-day football is all about creating mismatches. Having Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram creating pressure up front without having to manufacture exotic blitz packages should free them up to allow Simmons with Derwin James to roam. Not knowing where those guys are lining up will create nightmares for opposing offensive coordinators.
With the top two defensive players off the board, the Giants will likely shift their focus to protecting their franchise quarterback and last year’s No. 6 overall pick, Daniel Jones. Tristan Wirfs comes from the Kirk Ferentz offensive linemen factory that is the University of Iowa. This means he is most likely a plug-and-play starter and Big Blue’s franchise left tackle for the next 10 years.
Wirfs tested out of his mind at the NFL Combine and the great mover should be able to successfully occupy either tackle spot right away to help block for Jones and Saquon Barkley.
Miami avoids the pressure of trading up for a quarterback and wins the 2020 NFL Draft by keeping their stockpile of early picks. Tua Tagovailoa has been their guy for the past two years and the hip injury he suffered in December will not change that. He is the best quarterback in this draft with Tebow-esque intangibles but with the benefit of precision accuracy. And unlike Burrow, Tua has proven himself for his entire college career.
I do not believe he is injury prone but, rather, that his injuries are the result of bad luck and the fact that he plays a very physical sport at a very competitive level. But if the hip injury is of any concern, Miami can sit Tagovailoa for a year while Ryan Fitzpatrick fills the role of a bridge quarterback.
(Pick via Chargers)
Trading back from No. 3, Detroit can land an extra second-round pick and still add the player they coveted most. Jeffrey Okudah is considered to be the top cornerback prospect in the draft. From Day 1, Okudah will fill the vacant spot left open by the departure of Darius Slay and help the Lions accelerate a rebuild of this defense.
The Ohio State product gives Detroit their best chance yet of head coach Matt Patricia mimicking the success that he had in New England, a group that almost always featured a strong cornerback room.
New Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper made his mark by signing the steady Teddy Bridgewater in free agency and moving on from the unpredictable one-time MVP Cam Newton. Tepper cut his teeth in the Pittsburgh Steelers organization before buying the Panthers in 2018. I believe he will look to build his team from the trenches out.
If the Panthers are looking to establish consistency, then Derrick Brown is a perfect pick as he can be the anchor of the defense. This may not be the sexiest selection, but Brown looks the part of a 10-year starter and Pro Bowl-caliber player on a defensive line that is starving for that type of consistent, long-term force.
TRADE ALERT: Cardinals trade No. 8 to the Raiders for No. 12 and 19
The next big shakeup in this 2020 NFL Mock Draft comes as the Las Vegas Raiders make their splash by trading up with the Arizona Cardinals to select their franchise quarterback. Justin Herbert has strengths, such as a terrific arm and a high football IQ. However, his weaknesses, such as a lack of leadership, may lead him to struggle at taking the locker room from Derek Carr.
Herbert’s play does not remind me of alpha quarterbacks like Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger or even Carr. He reminds me more of a Jay Cutler. Great tools, just not in it to win it. Herbert’s ideal situation would be for him to sit behind a guy like Drew Brees or Brady and simply be given the reins when they retire. He is not a pit bull and will lose the fight to Carr for the Raiders’ locker room.
The Jaguars defense has suffered some real losses in the past 12 months. Once boasting one of the most dynamic defenses in the league, they have traded away a pair of star cornerbacks in Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye along with the stalwart of their defensive line, Calais Campbell. If this team wants to shut down opposing receivers in 2020, they will need reinforcements.
Enter C.J. Henderson. He’s a beautiful specimen of a cornerback. If you built one in the lab, you’d come up with this guy. Quick feet, smooth hips, good hands and great size. He’s ready to be a tremendous coverage player from the moment he steps onto an NFL field. My secret: I like Henderson more than Okudah.
The Browns made plenty of splashes in the 2019 offseason and were receiving legitimate Super Bowl hype. They had seemingly done everything right to help their young quarterback, Baker Mayfield. They brought in a stud wide receiver with Odell Beckham Jr., added a versatile backup running back in Kareem Hunt and even hired their interim offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens to take over as the head coach.
Everything seemed to be trending in the right direction for the Dawg Pound. However, they failed to address the offensive line and it sunk them in the 2019 season (along with the Kitchens hire). They won’t make the same mistake twice.
Mekhi Becton is a massive offensive tackle with his own solar system and the ability to play either side of the line. Becton may be a bit raw but he is extremely strong with great feet. And did I mention he’s massive. The Browns switched their uniforms. They’re going back to the basics. Hopefully the makeover will extend further than just their jerseys and they will commit to winning in the trenches again.
I’m sure there are millions of Jets fans who are hoping and praying for an elite-class wide receiver at No. 11 to give Sam Darnold legitimate weapons. But I as pointed out in my three rules for an NFL Mock Draft, teams generally value linemen over skill players. I guarantee this pick will not incite any J-E-T-S chants. However, this is a very deep draft in terms of wide receivers and not very deep in terms of starting offensive linemen.
Much like the earlier picks by the Giants and the Browns, teams with young quarterbacks tend to look for ways to protect them. You don’t want anybody seeing ghosts out there. Andrew Thomas will help Darnold with that.
(Pick via Raiders)
The first selection from their trade with the Raiders, Arizona follows the trend and selects one of the top offensive tackles of the class. Why? To protect their young quarterback, Kyler Murray.
Let it be known that the top four offensive tackles are conceivably interchangeable. While I rank Tristan Wirfs as being the best prospect, I’ve seen many big boards that feature Wills in the top spot. One thing is for sure, this guy is a dog. You want him on your side and now the Cardinals have him.
(Pick via Colts)
San Francisco received the 13th pick as the result of an offseason trade that sent former first-round pick Deforest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts. They will likely use the pick to add one of the drafts many talented wide receivers.
Jerry Jeudy is a total package wideout who will perfectly complement last year’s standout rookie receiver, Deebo Samuel. With George Kittle, Samuel and Jeudy to throw to, Jimmy Garoppolo has to get better, right?
Josh Jones rounds out my top-five offensive linemen in the 2020 NFL Draft class and is the fifth offensive tackle selected in the first 14 picks. While the 14th pick is a little high for him, Tampa Bay will be eager to add this big man to protect their new “old” quarterback, Tom Brady.
Have you heard of him? Yeah, he doesn’t run so well. But with the big-bodied Jones coming in to fortify the edge of a solid line, Brady shouldn’t have to show off his lack of wheels too often.
Denver has a nice wide receiver in Courtland Sutton and a promising tight end in Noah Fant. They recently added Melvin Gordon to their backfield. By drafting CeeDee Lamb, Denver will suddenly boast a robust group of skill players around young quarterback Drew Lock. Their defense remains their building block but this gives the Broncos their best chance to match that with an up-and-coming offense.
Javon Kinlaw is a menacing interior lineman with the ability to bull-rush and collapse the pocket. His presence should raise the level of play of fellow defensive linemen Grady Jarrett, Takk McKinley and free-agent acquisition Dante Fowler.
The fact is, Kinlaw should not be available with this pick. He has no business falling out of the top 10 picks and would likely be the steal of the draft if taken here. Kinlaw is Chase Young’s main competition for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Dallas seems to have had an interest in a tone-setting safety for some time now. Their name is always swirling about the rumor mill when it comes to acquiring safeties. Remember the infamous Earl Thomas “come get me” quote? Or how about the time Jamal Adams had his feelings hurt because the Cowboys approached the Jets about acquiring his services?
Xavier McKinney is not as athletic as either of those guys but he is definitely cut from the same cloth as Thomas and Adams. The Alabama standout will bring a physical presence to the Cowboys secondary.
(Pick via Steelers)
Miami’s second pick is edge-rushing specialist, Yetur Gross-Matos. Second-year head coach Brian Flores comes from the Belichick coaching tree and is trying to build a versatile defense that can exploit mismatches.
That is exactly what they’ll get by adding the ultra-athletic pass rusher from Happy Valley. While Gross-Matos is raw and developing, the physical tools give him near-limitless upside on the edge of the defensive line.
(Pick via Raiders)
What should be considered the ultimate luxury pick, having Henry Ruggs III fall into the Cardinals’ lap at No. 19 just doesn’t seem fair. After fleecing the Texans for DeAndre Hopkins in March, now they get to draft a clone of Tyreek Hill.
Ruggs is lightning fast with video game moves after the catch. He can be another elite weapon for Murray to open up Kliff Kingsbury’s offense further. Things are about to get very wild in the west.
(Pick via Rams)
Jacksonville continues to rebuild its defense by adding edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson to their pass rush. His job is to put the “Sack” back into “Sacksonville.” This is also an excellent insurance policy in the event that a team makes a great offer for disgruntled star defensive end Yannick Ngakoue who has yet to sign his franchise tender and is reportedly on the trade block.
Remember at the beginning of this article, when I mentioned that some picks are such perfect match that there’s no way they will happen? This is it. Justin Jefferson is the kind of receiver Carson Wentz has been waiting for.
Jefferson is a silky-smooth route runner with terrific hands. He’s an instant upgrade over the frequently injured Alshon Jeffrey to the fill the role of a No. 1 receiver. And should also be on your fantasy football radars.
(Pick via Bills)
What I know is Minnesota will use this selection on a wide receiver to replace the traded Stefon Diggs. What I don’t know is who they will select. Denzel Mims has great size and is a talented ball-tracker who attacks the ball at its highest point. While he may not be the deep threat that Diggs was, he showed off his vertical speed at the NFL Combine and would be a solid complement to Adam Thielen.
TRADE ALERT: Patriots trade No. 23 and 87 to Colts No. 34, 2021 first-round pick and QB Jacoby Brissett
While Colts general manager Chris Ballard has done a respectable job, rushing to sign Philip Rivers was questionable to me. Secondly, the trade with the 49ers for Buckner was also head-scratching, particularly the timing of the trade — it would’ve been better on draft night. Perhaps Ballard is feeling froggy and the Patriots can take advantage of that.
The Patriots acquire a future pick for an eventual Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes in the 2021 draft as they also net a second-round pick in this year’s draft and former Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett to come in and compete with Jarrett Stidham.
In return, the Colts get a quarterback in Jordan Love who has all the physical tools a team could ask for. The Colts can take their time grooming him for a year behind a savvy veteran in Rivers.
The Saints are in the market for a receiver to play opposite superstar Michael Thomas. They signed Dez Bryant in 2018. They kicked the tires on Antonio Brown last year. New Orleans will use this selection on a wide receiver to play opposite Thomas.
Jalen Reagor has been steadily rising up the draft boards after his “unconfirmed” 4.28-second 40-yard dash at his virtual pro day. While it may not be a completely accurate time, he clearly has speed for days and would be a solid addition to their offense and a great complement to Thomas.
TRADE ALERT: Vikings trade No. 25 and No. 57 to the Jaguars for EDGE Yannick Ngakoue and 2021 third-round pick
Remember when we mentioned Ngakoue potentially being traded? Here it is. The Vikings use their own first-round pick to replace Everson Griffen with the dynamic Jaguars pass-rusher. In turn, they give up this selection and second-rounder to the rebuilding Jags.
Kenneth Murray is a modern-day, sideline-to-sideline linebacker who can pressure the passer, stop the run and drop back into coverage. There are some teams who draft for future glory but Murray is built for a team that intends to win now.
One thing we know for sure is, regardless of who the quarterback will be this year, the Jaguars defense will be infused with dynamic, young talent again thanks to this NFL Mock Draft.
(Pick via Texans)
Miami mysteriously moved on from 2018 first-round selection Minkah Fitzpatrick when they traded him to the Steelers last season. Now they find themselves looking for his replacement. Grant Delpit is not as versatile as Fitzpatrick nor is the LSU product as good in coverage. But he plays the ball very well with his eyes and is an urgent hitter.
The Seahawks always tend to surprise on draft day. I wouldn’t be shocked to see them add a wide receiver here or even a stud running back. But I will give them Zack Baun. He is the prototypical 4-3 edge rusher in the mold of Michael Bennett. With Seattle likely to lose Jadaveon Clowney, they will need to restock the shelves.
Patrick Queen may be on the smallish size for a traditional 3-4 linebacker. However, last season showed that Baltimore is also embracing the hybrid model of a position-less back seven. Queen’s instincts and football IQ makes him a perfect fit for the Ravens and he has tremendous upside after showing out as a first-round pick despite just one year starting at LSU thanks to being behind 2019 first-rounder Devin White.
The Titans tend to run a lot of Patriots-styled zone coverage on defense. Their secondary is rather thin behind Malcolm Butler and Adoree Jackson. Fortunately for them, Trevon Diggs is arguably the best zone cornerback in the draft and has played in a similar scheme under Nick Saban while at Alabama.
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers took a lot of coverage pressure last year. Laviska Shenault’s versatile skill set should help open the Green Bay offense this year. As thick as a running back with hands to catch the ball away from his body, Shenault is a big play waiting to happen and will open up the Packers offense outside of Davante Adams and Aaron Jones.
Jeff Gladney is a great combination of athleticism and sheer scrappiness. He’s tough, physical and projects best in a press-man scheme. His recovery speed could make him the top cornerback of the draft when it’s all said and done. That’s valuable to the 49ers who need both depth and upside in their secondary on the outside.
While many mocks have the Chiefs taking a running back here, I believe they’ll focus their attention on protecting Patrick Mahomes first. Cesar Ruiz is not only the top prospect at the center, but he may well be the best interior lineman in the draft, boasting versatility to play either guard spot as well.
Isaiah Wilson is a giant with a ton of potential. He will likely start off as a right tackle for the Bengals but has the athleticism to eventually develop into a quality left tackle.
(Pick via Colts)
While A.J. Epenesa may not be the best pure pass-rushing end, he certainly has a nose for the ball and you can routinely find him making plays in the backfield. He will help to fill the void by the recently departed hybrid edge players Jamie Collins and Kyle Van Noy.
Neville Gallimore won’t make Lions fans forget how dominant Ndamukong Suh was when he played in Motown. But Gallimore can clog lanes and collapse pockets for other defenders to succeed. He’s a “do your job” player who reminds me of “Snacks” Harrison.
The Giants landed a blindside protector for their young quarterback in the first round. Now it’s time to get some toys. K.J. Hamler is pure speed and has jitterbug quickness. He will give the Giants a deep threat and take the top off the defense to create breathing room underneath for fellow Penn State alum Saquon Barkley.
(Pick via Chargers)
Detroit goes all defense with its first three picks, adding a shutdown cornerback, a stalwart defensive tackle and now a center fielder with NFL pedigree. Winfield Jr. is small but he has all the playmaking ability the Lions could want.
Kristian Fulton has great size and strength. He plays physical in man coverage and was not intimidated when defending against the top-shelf talent of the SEC. In a division that features Julio Jones, Michael Thomas and Mike Evans, he’ll need plenty of confidence.
Miami has the luxury of already having two quality starting cornerbacks in place. They can spend a season developing the raw, miniature tank, Noah Igbinoghene, into a top-tier slot corner, which is the perfect place for him given his tackling abilities and willingness to defend the run.
(Pick via Cardinals)
Terrell Lewis brings plenty of bend and burst. His profile fits perfectly with Houston’s 3-4 defensive scheme. He should be an immediate contributor to the pass rush. I just don’t know if I would trade DeAndre Hopkins for him.
Cleveland looks to fill their biggest needs in this draft. The defense never found a suitable replacement after trading safety Jabrill Peppers last season. Jeremy Chinn has an incredible ability to follow the quarterback’s eyes and anticipate the pass.
Jacksonville drafts Jacob Eason to compete with Gardner Minshew for the starting quarterback job. Eason has the arm talent to sneak into the latter part of the first round. Getting him here would be a huge win for the Jaguars.
TRADE ALERT: Bears trade No. 43 to Ravens for No. 55, 60 and 106
With Eason off the board, the Chicago Bears will opt to move back and accumulate extra picks. The Ravens, who have one of the league’s best rosters, make a power play to come up and get a true stud running back to pair with MVP Lamar Jackson and ultimately replace Mark Ingram.
Ross Blacklock can adjust to any defensive scheme. The Colts run multiple looks in a game. Blacklock will be a great chess piece to pair with Deforest Buckner.
While the front office has expressed confidence in running back Ronald Jones, it would be hard-pressed to pass up on D”Andre Swift with this pick. Swift is an all-around talent and has the pass-catching capabilities to work as Tom Brady’s check down option, a la James White.
The Broncos may not be comfortable going into another season with Garett Bolles as their starting left tackle. Lucas Niang is very mobile for his size and projects nicely into their zone blocking scheme.
Josh Uche is a hybrid edge player with the athleticism to develop into a fine pass rusher for the Falcons. Dan Quinn will also love his versatility early on his career.
Now the Jets get their wide receiver. Tee Higgins excels at getting downfield and winning the contested catches against man coverage. If he can polish his route running, he could be a No. 1 receiver.
TRADE ALERT: Steelers trade No. 49 and 2021 fourth-round pick to Seahawks for No. 59, 64 and 101
With the run of starting-caliber receivers coming to an end, the Seahawks look for a willing trade partner. The Steelers don’t have a lot of draft picks this year, so they gladly swap one and a future fourth for three picks. The Seahawks draft Brandon Aiyuk to pair with last year’s breakout star receiver DK Metcalf and deep threat Tyler Locket. Aiyuk gives them a jitterbug who specializes in yards after the catch. He will also be a valuable contributor in the return game.
Whether it’s Nick Foles or Mitchell Trubisky under center, the Bears offensive line needs to improve. Trubisky buckled under pressure constantly. I expect Foles to be bigger in the pocket. Having Cushenberry protect him will help with that.
The offseason loss of cornerback Byron Jones hurts the Cowboys secondary. Drafting A.J. Terrell will help ease the pain as he pairs with McKinney to give Dallas a high-upside young pair of defensive backs.
While the Rams claim to be moving towards a backfield-by-committee after the release of running back Todd Gurley, my instincts tell me that they would not hesitate to draft the versatile J.K. Dobbins if he’s available here.
After signing defensive tackle Javon Hargrave in free agency, the interior defensive line may not be the Eagles’ greatest need. But smart front offices tend to draft the best player available and that is Marlon Davidson. He’ll be a nice addition to their rotation.
With great athleticism and good mirroring technique, Damon Arnette checks the box as a defender that’s ready to contribute. It also doesn’t hurt that he played at Ohio State, known by many as “Cornerback U.”
(Pick via Ravens)
Ashtyn Davis is a former track star with incredible speed to cover centerfield. Though he’s a little too light to stop a downhill running back, he should be great in patrolling a Cover 2 zone.
(Pick via Saints)
Like most modern era offensive lineman, Austin Jackson is surprisingly quick for a man of his size. However, he’s a bit raw in his technique and will need some coaching to develop into a starter.
(Pick via Texans)
The LA Rams select the uber-athletic offensive tackle Ezra Cleveland to develop behind the aging Andrew Whitworth. He’s got a lot of talent but will need to get much stronger to be consistent in the NFL.
(Pick via Vikings)
Jacksonville traded away both starting cornerbacks, though they took Henderson in Round 1. While Jaylon Johnson is sometimes over-aggressive and can be baited by a savvy quarterback, he does boast prototypical NFL size and speed at the position and should help to fill the hole in the secondary.
(Pick via Seahawks)
Running a 4.46-second 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine, Willie Gay Jr. is a big man who can cover sideline-to-sideline and should fit nicely playing beside last year’s first-round pick, linebacker Devin Bush.
(Pick via Ravens)
Michael Pittman Jr. is the son of former NFL running back Michael Pittman. Pittman Jr. may not be the fastest receiver in this class but he does a great job using his body to get separation and using his strength to break tackles.
A good bull rusher who played all over the defense in college. Madubuike is the sort of movable player you would expect Titans coach Mike Vrabel to covet. He should help fill the hole left by Jurrell Casey’s departure.
Cole Kmet is far and away the best tight end prospect in this year’s crop which might not be saying much. He is not flashy or boast elite athleticism but he is a huge target with good hands and showed at Notre Dame that he is very tough to tackle.
(Pick via 49ers)
Now the Chiefs will grab their running back. Edwards-Helaire plays a lot bigger than his 5-7 frame would lead you to believe. He also catches the ball well and should be a good fit in the West Coast offense. He’s another guy for your fantasy radar.
(Pick via Seahawks)
Davis is incredibly strong and plays with a non-stop motor. Standing at the same height and weighing within five pounds of each other, I think the Steelers might see Davis as a clone to the oft-injured Stephon Tuitt.