Dylan Sanders’ 2020 Mock Draft v3.0

WE’RE GETTING SO CLOSE TO THE DRAFT GUYS. My player rankings are finalizing and my mock drafts are solidifying. This mock is a combination of what I would personally do, what should happen, and what will probably happen. I say that, but draft night is always unpredictable. So this is really just a fun look at what could possibly happen.

1.1 Cincinnati Bengals

The pick: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

This one has been set in stone pretty much since the Bengals locked up the #1 pick. I don’t think I need to go too far into this one.

1.2 Washington Redskins

The pick: Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State

This is pretty much the same case. I’ve seen growing interest in the Redskins taking Tua at #2. If they think he’s their guy, they’ll do it and they should. Rivera might not think that Haskins has the “it” factor. This would be basically the same situation as Kyler going #1 last year. I personally haven’t given up on Haskins and think you can’t go wrong with getting a key piece in your defense for years to come.

1.3 Detroit Lions

The pick: Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State

This is where things start to get a little more fun, but Okudah is yet again pretty much the pick here. A trade is likely to happen here, but I don’t think there should be one, so I left it as is. Okudah is quite the amazing cornerback. The Lions just got rid of Slay, but can replace him with the next Gilmore/Peterson/White. He does everything that you could want from a cornerback prospect. And no, despite what that one guy said, he’s not SLOPPY.

1.4 New York Giants

The pick: Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson

Simmons is about as HOG MOLLY of a man that you can get out of the trenches at 6’4 240. Oh, and he runs a 4.39 40. He will do it all on the defense, just like he did in college. The real conversation here is if the Giants will pass on him to go for a top tackle in this class. I definitely want them to Simmons for the sake of @WNS_Brandon. Life’s more fun for me when he’s not miserable. Simmons is too nice to pass up, and could make life much easier for new head coach Joe Judge.

1.5 Miami Dolphins

The pick: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

Medical concerns aside, Tua has the potential to be a generational quarterback. He is one of the most accurate QBs I’ve ever seen, but the biggest downside is that he doesn’t have killer arm strength. If I’m Miami, I’m sticking with #TankforTua and risking it. Tua may see a drop though, due to the unavailability of medical testing right now. Teams may not be able to trust him on his health, so don’t be surprised if the rumors of him falling out of the top 10 are true.

1.6 Los Angeles Chargers

The pick: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon

I’ve fallen in love with Herbert as a prospect during this offseason period. It may have been seeing him up close and personal during the practices of Senior Bowl week that finally did it. Reports are that the Bengals fell in love with him, but Burrow is too good to pass up. I will say that I was next to a group of Chargers scouts one practice and they seemed enamored. Sorry Alex, but this pick makes too much sense.

1.7 Carolina Panthers

The pick: Javon Kinlaw, IDL, South Carolina

I’ve been pounding the table for this pick since the Senior Bowl, and I’ve made my case for it countless times. I love Kinlaw, along with pretty much all of Draft Twitter. But a team I know for a FACT loves Kinlaw is Carolina. It seems every time I ran into Kinlaw in Mobile, there was a Panthers scout accompanying him. Derrick Brown seems to be the consensus DT1, but if Kinlaw is the Panthers guy, I wouldn’t be mad at them trying to trade down and get him as well. This is a prime spot to look for a team that needs a WR try and trade up to guarantee they get their guy.

1.8 Arizona Cardinals

The pick: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa

The Cardinals got the fleece of the century when they got DeAndre Hopkins, making their Round 1 choice of a tackle an easy one. Wirfs is OT1 without a doubt for me. He’s an insane athlete that has the power to win any battle he needs to. He was the first freshman at Iowa to start at tackle since 1999, showing the trust that has been had in him since Day 1. Wirfs will protect Kyler for a long time, and the Cards make away with one of the best offseasons in a while. 

1.9 Jacksonville Jaguars

The pick: Derrick Brown, IDL, Auburn

Luckily for the Jags, a top 5 player in this draft falls to them at 9. This is very similar to Ed Oliver dropping to the Bills last year, it just seems to be how the draft works sometimes. Brown is a crazy good player that will contribute right away in Duval County. He’s got everything; size, power, technique, explosiveness, experience. Expect him to have a shorter adjustment time than normal when switching to the NFL, partly due to the fact that he got to stay an extra year against SEC offenses.

1.10 Cleveland Browns

The pick: Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville

Praise the lord, the Browns finally have an offensive line. Jack Conklin signed, and now Cleveland will be able to get a top tackle in the class. Becton or not, someone will be here. Could this finally be what pushes the Browns to the next level? Baker will truly have no excuses this season. Becton is young, huge, and crazy athletic. His combine got a bit overshadowed by Wirfs, but was nothing to scoff at. Wills is my OT2, but Becton seems like a Browns pick here. Not a bad thing; I just have that feeling.

1.11 New York Jets

The pick: K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU

Now time for one of the players I’m probably unreasonably high on. Chaisson is going to be great. He’s got a leader mentality combined with some great athleticism, and what more could you ask for as a team that really needs both? Chaisson is also way too underrated in all of his skills that aren’t pass-rushing. His ceiling is one of the highest in this class, and I have the Jets valuing that over the ability to get one of the top tackles in this class. Both EDGE and OT are positions that I feel have a larger drop off from the top of the class to the next level than others. Chaisson has the chance to join that front 7 and be a key piece of their team for reasons beyond just his on field skill. 

1.12 Las Vegas Raiders

The pick: Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama

SPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED. I know a lot of you don’t have Ruggs as WR1, me included, but I’ve had the sneaking suspicion that he will be the first wide receiver taken in the draft. The top 3 are all super close, but I could definitely see a team like Las Vegas falling in love with that 40 time enough to give him the edge. He has truly game-changing speed.

1.13 San Francisco 49ers (via IND)

The pick: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma

Lamb in a 49ers offense is just plain unfair, but that’s what you get when you trade one of the best DTs in the league. Not that meetings are everything, but Lamb did say he’s met with 49ers so the intrigue is there, and rightfully so. He doesn’t have killer long speed (not needed with a player like him), and his blocking is not unbelievable, but pretty much every other trait he has is ELITE.

1.14 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The pick: Jedrick Wills Jr., OT, Alabama

Wills was yet another OT that had a killer combine. They really didn’t make it easy to separate them, huh? I can picture (and hear) the punch heard ‘round the world now. Wills is STRONG strong, and can do the job of protecting Brady (and whoever follows) with ease. And, with what I assume will be a stronger push for a run game in Tampa, he has the ability to both run and pass block at the next level.

1.15 Denver Broncos

The pick: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama

Jeudy is very, very good. Don’t let the fall from WR1 to now WR2 or 3 scare you, he’s really good. He’s a precise route runner, has great hands, and is definitely not lacking in speed. Drew Lock believers rejoice, as adding Jeudy to his arsenal will help immensely. A passing game with Drew Lock, Noah Fant, and Jerry Jeudy for the next 10 years sounds fun as hell.

1.16 Atlanta Falcons

The pick: CJ Henderson, CB, Florida

CJ Henderson is a very good corner. He will provide the Falcons with someone to reach that level Trufant was at a few years ago, and probably surpass him. He will be a great asset immediately. His 4.39 40 at the combine was literally the perfect scenario for him. That, in addition to his size, will make him a hot commodity in the NFL.

TRADE: DAL trades pick 1.17 for TEN picks 1.29, 5.175, and a 2021 2nd

1.17 Tennessee Titans (via DAL)

The pick: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

This is a trade down spot for Dallas that I don’t see very often but would enjoy to see for them. With how the board fell above, I believe it’s in both of these teams’ best interest to make this trade. Andrew Thomas is a great tackle that they can use to reload at the position. He has experience at right tackle, and I think the Titans could definitely use him there, or as an eventual replacement for Taylor Lewan, who does not want to play RT. 

1.18 Miami Dolphins (via PIT)

The pick: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama

This has pretty much been my pick at 18 for the Dolphins for a while. With an immense need at S (they shouldn’t have traded Minkah), they take the consensus S1. He’s a very intelligent and versatile safety that fits the Miami defense very well. He has a bunch of traits that I think many teams would like to have. He uses his body very well. The Dolphins love those DBs that can move all over the secondary. Pairing him with Xavien Howard and Byron Jones could make for a deadly foundation of a defense.  

1.19 Las Vegas Raiders (via CHI)

The Pick: Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah

One of my favorite players in the draft, my CB2, is finally getting some of the love that he deserves. Even I don’t normally have him going this high, but recent comments have made me think it’s likely. He was asked: if he had to put money on what team would take him, who it would be? His answer was the Raiders. The last person I remember giving a similar answer was Arden Key, who went on to get drafted by the Raiders. Johnson is going to be a great NFL corner. He’s one of, if not the smartest corner, both on the field and off. His physicality and willingness to tackle makes him very valuable in a lot of systems. He rarely got targeted as the season went on, because QBs knew not to test him. I’m very excited to follow his NFL career.

1.20 Jacksonville Jaguars (via LAR)

The pick: Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU

Gladney is my CB 5 (2-5 are very close for me), and I think he will excel in Duval, as much as it pains me to say. They’ll have a hard time replacing the level of play that Ramsey provided, but someone like Gladney will make it easier for them to not have him. He’s a very intelligent, fast, and sticky CB that any team would like. The Jags need a top billing CB, and fast, so this will be the second position they need to address.

1.21 Philadelphia Eagles

The pick: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU

Not a shabby draft position for a former 2 star prospect, eh? He’s definitely one of the biggest beneficiaries of the NFL combine. Even though I didn’t see it as a problem, many thought he lacked that long speed teams require; he put that to rest, however. He’s got one of the most insane catch radiuses in the draft, and has great instincts against different coverages. Wentz finally gets some more help, and this immediately helps the Eagles immensely.

1.22 Minnesota Vikings (via BUF)

The pick: Austin Jackson, OT, USC

I’ve seen Austin Jackson go all over the place at the beginning of the draft, as high as pick 10 and as low as round 3. I’m a big fan of his and find that this is about the best case scenario for him. His ceiling is SUPER high, as he is absolutely BURSTING with athleticism. He has the potential to be a great starter for your team for the next decade, but could see some teams falling out of love with his floor. The Vikings need help all over the place on the OL, so why not get someone with great potential while filling out the rest of your line along with him?

1.23 New England Patriots

The pick: Patrick Queen, LB, LSU

One team that I don’t see talked about enough in the conversation of where the linebackers will go is the Patriots. The battle between Queen and Murray is certainly interesting, but not as close for me as it is for others. Queen closed out his college career very well, absolutely dominating Georgia, Oklahoma, and Clemson. He has the ability to make tackles all over the field, and can’t be counted out on any play. He also has the ability to cover both tight ends and running backs, which all NFL teams need. 

1.24 New Orleans Saints

The pick: Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU

Now, I know this is not a WR or a LB, but Fulton absolutely could not be passed up here. This is an absolutely perfect scenario for the Saints AND Fulton. Get Fulton to learn under Jackrabbit for a year and still have the chance to contribute. Have Lattimore and Fulton on the boundaries, CJGJ in the slot, and Marcus Williams as the center fielder and dominate the air of the NFC South for years to come. Fulton really sold himself to me this year with incredible performances against some of the top WR talent of this year.

1.25 Minnesota Vikings

The pick: Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn

The hope of Xavier Rhodes returning to his days of being a top CB are gone, so now they need someone else to hope can lock down receivers. Igbinoghene is raw, as he only transferred from playing WR two years ago, but he’s picked up the position quickly. He has CRAZY athleticism to go with great strength and physicality. Igbinoghene will jam you up at the line, and uses his knowledge of the WR position to battle the points of focus that WRs have. He can also contribute on special teams as a returner and/or a talented open-field tackler. 

1.26 Miami Dolphins (via HOU)

The pick: AJ Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa

This is a guy I know me and Brandon have been high on for a long time. Don’t be afraid of his combine; this is not a guy built for it. This is someone that is bringing first-round talent and first-round strength to the NFL. His college production speaks for itself. He doesn’t need insane athleticism to make an impact. 

TRADE: SEA trades pick 1.27 for IND picks 2.34, 3.75 and a 2021 2nd

1.27 Indianapolis Colts (via SEA)

The pick: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State

I’ve been slowly becoming more and more interested in Jordan Love, and I assume the Colts had beat me to the punch. It is impossible for the Seahawks to not trade down, and in fear of being jumped for a good value by another team, the Colts move up and nab the guy routinely mocked to them at 13 before the DeForest Buckner trade. His 2019 was way less impressive than the 2018 season, but the traits are still there. NFL teams love traits, so it’s a match made in heaven. My comp for him will always be Jameis Winston.

TRADE: BAL trades picks 1.28 and 5.158 for CLE picks 2.41, 3.74, and a 2021 3rd

1.28 Cleveland Browns (via BAL)

The pick: Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma

It would be a smart place for the Ravens to trade down, and a very smart place for the Browns to trade up. They need another linebacker and they get a popular one in Kenneth Murray. As a Saints fan, he kind of scares me, as I’m scarred by these kinds of hit-or-miss linebackers (see: Stephone Anthony). He has a lot of good qualities, and if he works out, this will be a win-win situation for both the Browns and Ravens. That’s what leads them to make the rare in-division trade. The Browns need to take this chance, while the Ravens can afford to go the safer route.

1.29 Dallas Cowboys (via TEN)

The pick: Grant Delpit, S, LSU

This trade worked out very well for Dallas. They got to both trade back AND get a top safety in this class. I have confidence that Delpit will find his old self in the NFL again, being healthy and having an actual reason to go 100% again. Delpit has the potential to be the next great LSU safety and join Mathieu and Adams in the top tier of the league.

1.30 Green Bay Packers

The pick: Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor

An insane rise for Mims, and a great get for the Packers, who can maybe stop incessantly searching for another great weapon for Rodgers. The abnormal combination of being 6’3 207 and running a 4.38 40 has made for a very eventful offseason for Denzel Mims. Watching his film has been an absolute blast with the amount of inhuman catches he’s made. This WR class is so much fun. He would be a great compliment to Davante Adams.

1.31 San Francisco 49ers

The pick: Lloyd Cushenberry, IOL, LSU

The crown of IOL1 is one of the honors that has been bouncing around from player to player. Mine has been set in stone since the Senior Bowl. Cush really impressed me and pretty much everyone else there. I don’t know if I saw him get beat once. He’s also the only person I saw consistently shut down Javon Kinlaw. Once he gets his anchor set, you’re not moving him. He played both C and G at the Senior Bowl and looked great doing both.

1.32 Kansas City Chiefs

The pick: Cesar Ruiz, IOL, Michigan

Ruiz was one of the bright spots of this Michigan season. He’s very good off the snap, and once the play gets going, he keeps going and looks for more opportunities to block more people down-field. He’s a lot of people’s IOL1 and I’m not mad at that at all.

Second Round

2.33 CIN – Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama

2.34 SEA (via IND via WAS) – Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State

2.35 DET – Neville Gallimore, IDL, Oklahoma

2.36 NYG – Josh Jones, OT, Houston

TRADE: LAC trades pick 2.37 for MIA picks 2.56 and 3.70

2.37 MIA (via LAC) – D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia

2.38 CAR – AJ Terrell, CB, Clemson

2.39 MIA – Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU

2.40 HOU (via ARI) – Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State

2.41 BAL (via CLE) – Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Appalachian State

2.42 JAX – Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois

2.43 CHI (via LVR) – Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne

2.44 IND – Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State

2.45 TB – JK Dobbins, RB, Ohio State

2.46 DEN – Jonah Jackson, IOL, Ohio State

2.47 ATL – Ross Blacklock, IDL, TCU

2.48 NYJ – Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State

2.49 PIT – Justin Madubuike, IDL, Texas A&M

2.50 CHI – Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State

2.51 DAL – Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama

2.52 LAR – Willie Gay Jr., LB, Mississippi State

2.53 PHI – Malik Harrison, LB, Ohio State

2.54 BUF – Bradlee Anae, EDGE, Utah

2.55 BAL (via ATL via NE) – Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado

2.56 LAC (via MIA via NO) – Lucas Niang, OT, TCU

2.57 LAR (via HOU) – Josh Uche, EDGE, Michigan

2.58 MIN – Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson

2.59 SEA – Robert Hunt, IOL, UL Lafayette

2.60 BAL – Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin

2.61 TEN – Zack Baun, LB, Wisconsin

2.62 GB – Adam Trautman, TE, Dayton

2.63 KC (via SF) – Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State

2.64 SEA (via KC) – Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU

Third Round

3.65 CIN – Logan Wilson, LB, Wyoming

3.66 WAS – Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn

3.67 DET – Terrell Burgess, S, Utah

3.68 NYJ (via NYG) – Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia

3.69 CAR – Jordyn Brooks, LB, Texas Tech

3.70 LAC (via MIA) – KJ Hamler, WR, Penn State

3.71 LAC – Darnay Holmes, CB, UCLA

3.72 ARI – Julian Okwara, EDGE, Notre Dame

3.73 JAX – Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC

3.74 BAL (via CLE) – Netane Muti, IOL, Fresno State

3.75 SEA (via IND) – Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia

3.76 TB – Jacob Eason, QB, Washington

3.77 DEN – Amik Robertson, CB, Louisiana Tech

3.78 ATL – Jonathan Greenard, EDGE, Florida

3.79 NYJ – Matt Hennessy, IOL, Temple

3.80 LVR – Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma

3.81 LVR (via CHI) – Jabari Zuniga, EDGE, Florida

3.82 DAL – DaVon Hamilton, IDL, Ohio State

TRADE: DEN trades pick 3.83 for NE picks 3.98 and 4.125

3.83 NE (via DEN via PIT) – Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame

3.84 LAR – Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame

3.85 DET (via PHI) – Van Jefferson, WR, Florida

TRADE: BUF trades pick 3.86 for BAL picks 3.106 and 4.134

3.86 BAL (via BUF) – Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota

3.87 NE – Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan

3.88 NO – Isaiah Hodgins, WR, Oregon State

3.89 MIN – Alton Robinson, EDGE, Syracuse

3.90 HOU – Javaris Davis, CB, Auburn

3.91 LVR (via SEA) – Tyler Biadasz, IOL, Wisconsin

3.92 BAL – Kenny Willekes, EDGE, Michigan State

3.93 TEN – Troy Pride Jr., CB, Notre Dame

3.94 GB – Shane Lemieux, IOL, Oregon

3.95 DEN (via SF) – Troy Dye, LB, Oregon

TRADE: KC trades pick 3.96 for NO picks 4.130 and a 2021 3rd

3.96 NO (via KC) – Leki Fotu, IDL, Utah

3.97 CLE (via HOU) – Dane Jackson, CB, Pitt

3.98 DEN (via NE) – Rashard Lawrence, IDL, LSU

3.99 NYG – Collin Johnson, WR, Texas

3.100 NE – Darrell Taylor, EDGE, Tennessee

3.101 SEA – Jason Strowbridge, IDL, North Carolina

3.102 PIT – Ben Bartch, OT, St. John’s (MN)

3.103 PHI – Michael Ojemudia, CB, Iowa

3.104 LAR – Zack Moss, RB, Utah

3.105 MIN – Damien Lewis, IOL, LSU

3.106 BUF (via BAL) – Joshua Kelley, RB, UCLA