Devin Jackson’s 2020 NFL Mock Draft v1.0

It’s Monday, you know what that means. Another mock draft from us is hot off the press. Already this season we’ve seen the race to the bottom intensify. The issue is that what was once considered an absurdly talented QB class has seemed to taper off rather quickly. Let’s not get too worked up however, after all, this is a mock draft in the middle of October. The order is based off current record and strength of schedule.

1.1 Cincinnati Bengals

The pick: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

Andy Dalton being benched this week solidifies the Bengals are looking to draft a quarterback and that the Dalton era is officially closed. The only cause for concern for me is Tua’s back-to-back ankle surgeries in consecutive years. I think at this point Tua and Joe Burrow are 1 and 1a, but at this point Tua should still be the guy.

1.2 Washington Redskins

The pick: Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State

This is the best player in the 2020 NFL Draft. His quickness off the ball, multitude of pass rush moves, and power makes him a truly unique prospect. I can’t wait until the combine because he will put up some freakishly athletic numbers. His explosion reminds me of Myles Garrett coming out of college, and Young has a chance to be an absolutely game plan wrecker.

1.3 New York Jets

The pick: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

The Jets have a lot of needs, but they need to be able to protect their franchise quarterback. While adding some receiving talent or adding more defensive guys may be more ideal, it would be smart to surround Sam Darnold with capable offensive linemen. The Jets do not want an Andrew Luck type of situation.

1.4 Miami Dolphins

The pick: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

He continues to fly up draft boards, and the benching of Josh Rosen says this team wants to go quarterback. Now, this mock draft is a lot different at the top then previous ones. The Dolphins are not in the top 3, which makes this pick unpredictable because they could trade back and acquire yet another first round pick.

1.5 Atlanta Falcons

The pick: Jeffery Okudah, DB, Ohio State

The Falcons secondary is decimated with injuries, but the days of having Desmond Trufant as your CB1 need to be over. Okudah has great ball skills and instincts and be an immediate contributor to guard players like Michael Thomas and Mike Evans in this division.

1.6 New York Giants

The pick: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama

One of the most dynamic and game changing players in this draft. The Giants have a lot of needs, and Jeudy can help Daniel Jones’ development as a QB.

1.7 Cleveland Browns

The pick: Grant Delpit, S, LSU

Although the Browns need offensive line help, I think they trade for Trent Williams at some point this offseason. Delpit brings a playmaking mentality to an already talented secondary, and although this is not the ideal season you would like to see from him, I think he is still a great addition to the Browns secondary.

1.8 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The pick: AJ Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa

Although I am not overly impressed with him this season, I think teams still see the potential in Epenesa. This Buccaneers defense is improving but adding another capable pass rusher makes this defense even more difficult to deal with. Bruce Arians loves Jameis Winston too much to draft a QB here.

1.9 Denver Broncos

The pick: Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson

He is all over the field, and one of the most athletic prospects in college football. His explosion, and play recognition is undeniable. This is where the Broncos pick the best player available, because I don’t think they go QB here.

1.10 Oakland Raiders (CHI)

The pick: Ceedee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma

The Oakland Raiders need a number one guy, and what better player to bring in than CeeDee Lamb? He makes something big happen every time he touches the ball, and I think Derek Carr will be back at QB next year.

1.11 Arizona Cardinals

The pick: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa

The Cardinals need offensive line help bad. Kyler Murray is running around with his head cutoff. Get him some protection on his blind side. Although Wirfs is a right tackle and college, I believe he can make the transition to left tackle and is a solid player on the Hawkeye’s offensive line.

1.12 Detroit Lions

The pick: Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford

Quandre Diggs is gone. This is a team with a defensive minded head coach. Enter Paulson Adebo. Has the range and length to cover, and he, opposite of Darius Slay, will need to cover the bevy of receivers the NFC North throws at you. Not my favorite CB prospect, but I think he goes off the board here.

1.13 Jacksonville Jaguars

The pick: Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama

He has the versatility to play both tackle positions. Nick Foles is the foreseeable future of this franchise, so why not get a guy who has proven to protect his quarterback in college? A defensive back at this spot would not be a bad pick either, though.

1.14 Los Angeles Chargers

The pick: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon

It is time, Chargers fans. Ring in the new era with a fresh face. Get a quarterback that can develop behind Phillip Rivers and has a big arm. The weapons around him are plentiful, and you would much rather see him eased into this guy who eventually takes over for a hall of famer.

1.15 Tennessee Titans

The pick: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State

I don’t necessarily love this pick, but I think Titans go quarterback and take Love. Although he hasn’t been impressive as scouts would like in 2019, he still has the potential and traits you want in a QB at the next level. Utah State isn’t exactly a powerhouse either, but I think the Titans will take the risk.

1.16 Oakland Raiders

The pick: Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma

This guy is a perfect fit for the Raiders defense. Has the versatility to play inside and outside backer. He has been on a tear this season, and with Burfict’s future in question, Murray can step in immediately and make an impact for this defense.

1.17 Miami Dolphins

The pick: D’andre Swift, RB, Georgia

This is an interesting spot for the Dolphins. Still in need of a lot, but Swift has the versatility to be a between the tackles runner and can get outside and explode. He also can be used in the receiving game as well for the Dolphins, and a perfect weapon for Burrow.

1.18 Philadelphia Eagles

The pick: Trevon Diggs, DB, Alabama

Let’s be honest. The Eagles desperately need defensive backs. Diggs is a solid defensive back for the Crimson Tide and has the flexibility to play in the slot and out on an island.

1.19 Carolina Panthers

The pick: CJ Henderson, DB, Florida

James Bradberry is set to be a free agent this summer. Donte Jackson looks like the real deal, so why not add a talented DB out of Florida to pair with him? Might as well bolster that Carolina defense while they wait to see whether or not Cam Newton gets healthy.

1.20 Jacksonville Jaguars

The pick: Brycen Hopkins, TE, Purdue

This is my favorite tight end prospect. I think the Jaguars need to surround Nick Foles with another weapon, this time over the middle. None of their tight ends are game breakers right now, and Hopkins provides a matchup nightmare for teams across the middle.

1.21 Dallas Cowboys

The pick: Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn

He is a complete game wrecker up front. The Cowboys have a lot of people they need to re-sign at the end of the season, and what better monster of a prospect to add to your defensive line than Derrick Brown? He can be an immediate playmaker for this football team.

1.22 Indianapolis Colts

The pick: Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina

This defense is already impressive. However, adding Kinlaw in the interior could make this already stout front seven even better. Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm is still having nightmares about Kinlaw at this point.

1.23 Minnesota Vikings

The pick: Tyler Biadasz, IOL, Wisconsin

This offense has been churning in the running game this season. Biadasz is a stout offensive lineman at Wisconsin this season, and they run a ton of zone schemes just like the Vikings do. He plays center at Wisconsin but can play either guard spot for the Vikings.

1.24 Kansas City Chiefs

The pick: Kristian Fulton, DB, LSU

The Chiefs defense is horrendous, especially the secondary. Bring in Fulton, a talented defensive back from a school who is known for spitting out good, quality defensive backs.

1.25 Miami Dolphins (HOU)

The pick: Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama

One of the fastest, most underrated receivers on the draft board. He is a burner, and with as weak a receiving core the Dolphins have, he will have an immediate impact.

1.26 Buffalo Bills

The pick: Tyler Johnson, WR, Minnesota

The Bills don’t have that go-to receiver. I think the Bills find that in Tyler Johnson. He is a playmaker and joins an offense that is desperate for a big-play guy.

1.27 Green Bay Packers

The pick: Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado

Aaron Rodgers desperately needs big play receivers. That’s why they should draft Laviska Shenault Jr., someone to play across from Davante Adams. If the Packers want to make a late push for a super bowl while Rodgers is in his prime, it would be best to go here.

1.28 Seattle Seahawks

The pick: Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State

This is more of an insurance pick than anything. The Seahawks could potentially lose Jadeveon Clowney and Ezekiel Ansah to free agency, and Matos has a ton of upside potential. Whether or not he reaches it remains to be seen.

1.29 Baltimore Ravens

The pick: Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama

We know how much the Ravens love former Alabama players. This is a match made in heaven for Moses and the Baltimore Ravens.

1.30 New Orleans Saints

The pick: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama

The one hole the Saints have defensively is free safety. Xavier McKinney has excelled in Nick Saban’s complicated defense, and the Saints current free safety, Marcus Williams, often takes bad angles and is slow to his assignment or zone. Bringing in McKinney could mean he not only pushes Williams, but eventually will take over for him.

1.31 San Francisco 49ers

The pick: Bryce Hall, DB, UVA

His injury is concerning but the tape doesn’t lie. This guy is a baller, and with Richard Sherman getting older, it may be time to start looking for the future. If Hall recovers and gets back to full strength, he could very well be a great pro.

1.32 New England Patriots

The pick: Austin Jackson, OT, USC

You need to protect your prized jewel. Tom Brady has been under duress a lot more than we have seen in recent years. Receivers are a glaring issue as well, but as Brady has shown, he can make average receivers look great.