2020 NFL Draft: Day 2 mock draft predicting Rounds 2-3 after the first round

The first round of the 2020 NFL Draft is in the books and, after what’s already happened, it’s time to predict what’s next with a mock draft for Rounds 2-3.

Plenty of rumblings throughout the league suggested that the 2020 NFL Draft, particularly the first round, was going to be far different than what most projected or expected. But while there were some shockers — hello, Damon Arnette and Jordyn Brooks — keeping it chalk would’ve been the right mock draft approach if you were looking for correct predictions in Round 1.

One of the beautiful aspects of the NFL Draft being a three-day affair, however, is that things are far from over after the first 32 selections. Teams can adjust to what’s happened and, in truth, so can we as we now see what the league is valuing and how the board is falling. So that’s what we’re going to do.

With the benefit of the first round in the books, it’s time for a Day 2 mock draft, predicting how the second and third rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft will go down on Friday, April 24.

There was no question what the Cincinnati Bengals were going to do at No. 1. At No. 33, it’s a different story. However, I believe the defense is the next focus for this team as they look to get younger and more explosive up front. Yetur Gross-Matos is not a finished product but his upside is tremendous.

T.Y. Hilton is the only weapon of consequence for Philip Rivers on the Colts right now and that needs to change. Denzel Mims offers a big body with a massive catch radius but also a player who has athletic tools to do more than just be a 50-50 ball threat.

Matt Patricia and the Detroit Lions should rush to the virtual podium with Xavier McKinney still on the board. Trading Quandre Diggs was a questionable move last season but the Alabama product can replace him as a versatile threat on the back end of the defense.

Giants general manager Dave Gettleman loves his “hog mollies” and A.J. Epenesa is that. Though the Iowa product’s athleticism is worth questioning, his power off the edge is not and he fills a need in the front seven for Big Blue.

The fact that the Patriots traded out of No. 23 with Jordan Love on the board leads me to believe they’ll either sign or trade for a veteran. That veteran will need weapons and Michael Pittman Jr. is a big body who always seems open and has sure hands. He’ll be a heavily used weapon in New England.

Carolina addressed the defensive line at No. 7 and now looks to the secondary here. Kristian Fulton has elite man-coverage upside in the NFL and the Panthers face some superstar wide receivers in the NFC South. The LSU star will be an asset in helping to slow them down.

Some people will cry foul about the Dolphins taking a running back — I’m not some people. Miami had the league-worst rushing attack last year and they need a versatile playmaker. D’Andre Swift fits the bill as a player who can run between the tackles and also be a good pass-catcher out of the backfield.

Marlon Davidson just has the Texans written all over him to me. With defensive tackle size but an edge-rushing background at Auburn, he’ll be a versatile piece on a defensive line in Houston that needs help around J.J. Watt.