Dylan Sanders’ 2020 What If? Mock Draft

Hi! Football season is sadly over but now comes the most fun part honestly, mock draft szn. Today I figured that in this 2 round mock draft (with trades), I would explore what would happen if the Bengals sent the football world into chaos and drafted Justin Herbert at #1 instead of Joe Burrow. Hope you enjoy!

1.1 Cincinnati Bengals

The pick: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon

By all accounts, Herbert blew the staff away at the Senior Bowl. They pushed very hard to get him on their team, and were very glad they did. They like Herbert a LOT. While I don’t think this will happen, that’s the whole point of this scenario: they could definitely surprise us and make this happen. I like Herbert a lot, I don’t agree with this choice, but they still get a good player.

TRADE: WAS trades pick 1.2 for MIA picks 1.5, 1.26, 2.56, and 5.148

1.2 Miami Dolphins (via WAS)

The pick: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

Miami trades a HAUL: 1.5, 1.26, 2.56, and 5.148 to the Redskins for 1.2 to capitalize on the Bengals decision and get the Heisman winner. Burrow is the clear cut best overall QB in this class so the Dolphins are more than willing to use their capital to move up and grab him before anyone else can.

1.3 Detroit Lions

The pick: Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State

Maybe the luckiest team in this scenario is the Detroit Lions, they get the best player in this draft at 3, at a position they need help at nonetheless.

1.4 New York Giants

The pick: Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson

The fans want it, so that means Gettleman is probably not going to do it. Simmons is an absolute athletic FREAK. He’s so versatile and so fun to watch. I’m excited beyond words for his combine performance. He can play a lot of places in the defense, but is best suited for LB as his coverage in zone can leave a little to be desired.

1.5 Washington Redskins (via MIA)

The pick: Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama

This is an immediate answer to the Trent Williams question, and a damn good one at that. Wills has soared up the boards like no other in the past weeks and for good reason. He is a fantastic pass protector already and can become an even better run blocker. He’s got both the power and the quick feet to succeed. #ProtectTheBackfield

1.6 Los Angeles Chargers

The pick: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

Another QB domino falls in the wake of the Herbert pick and Tua drops to 6 for the Chargers to find their Rivers replacement. I know some fans don’t want a QB here, but the choice is too obvious for them to pass up.

1.7 Carolina Panthers

The pick: Javon Kinlaw, IDL, South Carolina

Javon Kinlaw stole the hearts of EVERYONE in Mobile, especially the Carolina Panthers, apparently. They met with him a million times throughout the week and he impressed in drills. This a move I see as very very likely. Personally, I would love it as a Panthers fan. You get a guy that’s dominant and super easy to root for.

1.8 Arizona Cardinals

The pick: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma

Reuniting Lamb and Murray is just too good to pass up. In this stacked WR class you can also make a case for CeeDee to be the best of the bunch. The choice between him and Okudah here was tough, but I opted to give the young QB some AMAZING help on the offensive side. With Peterson and Murphy still there, I would opt to get a CB later in the draft, as there are some gems past the tip-top of this class.

1.9 Jacksonville Jaguars

The pick: Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State

NOW Okudah goes and makes Jacksonville forget about that Ramsey guy. Maybe this top-tier corner can come in and help make this team make the leap they’ve been looking ready to make for years now. I love Okudah’s game and him dropping to 9 is similar to Marcus Lattimore dropping a few years ago and still performing like a top draft pick.

1.10 Cleveland Browns

The pick: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa

Mocking an offensive lineman to the Browns is the most obvious thing to do in this draft. Baker Mayfield wasn’t perfect last year but he needs HELP help. They have a fantastic roster outside of the offensive line and maybe next year they can finally pull it all together. Wirfs has the versatility and potential to make any Browns fan smile.

1.11 New York Jets

The pick: K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Chaisson as a prospect. He has all the tools to be an elite edge talent for years to come. He also has some underrated coverage skills, too. He wants people to know he’s a game changer, not just a pass rusher. You can read my article on him for some of my full thoughts.

1.12 Las Vegas Raiders

The pick: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama

Another top WR comes off the board and this time it’s Jeudy. The Raiders start off their stint in Vegas with a flashy and game-changing WR. Who knows if Derek Carr is their future, but maybe Jeudy can help hide some of his flaws and fill the hole left by Amari Cooper.

1.13 Indianapolis Colts

The pick: Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn

Normally I would take Love here, because I just think that they like him. However, with Brown still on the board, I think Colts fans would murder me if I passed him up. Brown is an absolute stud and would be a steal at 13. That Auburn DL was fantastic and he was the main contributor.

1.14 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The pick: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State

Speaking of Jordan Love, this is where he goes. I don’t see TB keeping Jameis Winston; rather, I don’t see the two reaching an agreement. Rather than franchising him they look to the draft for a very similar player, to not only start over the process of molding him into fitting their style, but restarting his contract.

TRADE: DEN trades pick 1.15 for NO picks 1.24, 4.120, and 2021 2nd

1.15 New Orleans Saints (via DEN)

The pick: Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama

New Orleans trades 1.24, 4.120, and a 2021 2nd rounder to the Broncos so they can move up 9 spots, snag Ruggs, and get the dynamic wide receiver that they desperately need across from Michael Thoams. Ruggs is another player that could possibly end up as the best WR in this class. His speed is fantastic, and minor flaws in route running can be coached and fixed.

1.16 Atlanta Falcons

The pick: AJ Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa

The Falcons let go of Vic Beasley and immediately replace him with a very talented, powerful Epenesa. I know some of us at Whole Nine had him above Young going into this season. He has one of the higher floors of this EDGE class but also one of the lowest ceilings, he should be a pretty good player for a while to come.

1.17 Dallas Cowboys

The pick: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama

This is a question of Delpit or X, and I have the Boys valuing McKinney more. X is greatly versatile, and like Byron Jones can play in every spot of the defensive backfield. I would think he needs to become a little better of a tackler, but he’s still a great talent.

1.18 Miami Dolphins (via PIT)

The pick: Josh Jones, OT, Houston

Josh Jones was one of the best OL at the Senior Bowl and Miami is lacking a good player already, but with his athleticism, he has maybe the highest ceiling of any OL in this draft. It’ll be a good test for this young coaching staff, but Burrow could be protected for a long time to come.

1.19 Las Vegas Raiders (via CHI)

The Pick: Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU

Coverage for Fulton is no problem, he is super sticky. He needed to impress me this year and he definitely succeeded. What I would say he needs to work on the most is run defense. Greedy Williams was popular in the draft community last year, and I think Fulton is an even better player coming out of LSU.

1.20 Jacksonville Jaguars (via LAR)

The pick: Patrick Queen, LB, LSU

Defense reigns supreme at the top of this draft for the Jags. I know fans desperately want to hear a receiver’s name get called, but they need other help. WR is also MUCH deeper than either the corner class or especially the linebacker class. They can afford to get some great talent at other places now.

1.21 Philadelphia Eagles

The pick: Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah

The Eagles need a physical CB like Johnson desperately, hell they need a CB in general. In an interesting top of the class, Johnson has stuck out to me since before the season began. He has OUTSTANDING physicality and ball hawking skills, and even can play at the dime and rush the QB or stop the run.

1.22 Buffalo Bills

The pick: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU

I love this fit a lot. Combining the size and arm of Josh Allen with the speed/route running/height of Jefferson is a match made in heaven. He’s got a great catch radius and can hide some of the blemishes in Allen’s game.

1.23 New England Patriots

The pick: Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma

I could potentially see them trading back here, but instead I have them beefing up their LB corps with the fantastic Kenneth Murray. He has fantastic range and physicality from the LB position. They get a great athletic 3-down linebacker to lock down that position for them for a while.

1.24 Denver Broncos (via NO)

The pick: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

Helping Drew Lock survive should be a priority for Elway, and getting Thomas AND trading back would be fantastic. He’s got great power and was widely considered a top 5 pick earlier in the year, dropping now due to the strengths of the other OT prospects in the class.

1.25 Minnesota Vikings

The pick: Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville

I know at least one Vikings fan that is rejoicing that Trevon Diggs wasn’t the choice here. Ask anyone about Mekhi Becton and the first thing you’ll hear back is POWER. He’s also a monster at about 6’7 370 lbs.

1.26 Washington Redskins (via MIA via HOU)

The pick: Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama

I love Terrell Lewis as a prospect. Despite his injuries, he has so many great things about his game. He has the knowledge, length, power, and moves to win. Also, Washington and drafting Alabama players, name a better duo.

TRADE: SEA trades pick 1.27 for DEN picks 2.46, 3.77, and 2021 2nd (via NO)

1.27 Denver Broncos (via SEA)

The pick: Grant Delpit, S, LSU

Denver sure is active in the first round, wow. They trade 2.46, 3.77, and New Orleans 2nd round pick next year to grab Delpit, who is a lot more talented than his 2019 tape showed. When he shows up, he is a force to be reckoned with. He’s got great versatility and will be an immediate player in this Denver defense.

1.28 Baltimore Ravens

The pick: Laviska Shenault Jr, WR, Colorado

Wow, the fit here is insane. Imagine making an outstanding offense even better by adding a phenomenal weapon like Shenault. He was outstanding in 2018 but they never really got him going in the offense this year. He is a very good WR and they will love this pick in Baltimore.

1.29 Tennessee Titans

The pick: Lloyd Cushenberry III, IOL, LSU

Cush very much won the spot of best IOL at the Senior Bowl, he was awesome and should be the first one off the board. The entire LSU OL showed great improvement this season. His athleticism is a great plus, and he gets down and once his anchor is set he’s not moving.

1.30 Green Bay Packers

The pick: Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State

According to Jim Nagy, no team he has met has Aiyuk lower than where they had N’Keal Harry last year. Aiyuk has a great YAC ability and can stretch the field to open up the options for Aaron Rodgers.

1.31 San Francisco 49ers

The pick: Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU

Gladney has great feet and coverage skills. He brings an effort to run stopping and has the attitude to succeed at the top level. The 49ers need secondary help desperately.

1.32 Kansas City Chiefs

The pick: CJ Henderson, CB, Florida

Speaking of secondary help, this is another team that needs it greatly. He has some very good coverage skills, especially in man. His biggest knock is in his tackling, both in ability and willingness. The Chiefs could find themselves back in the Super Bowl next year with an improved defense after this pick.

Second Round

2.33 CIN – Austin Jackson, OT, USC

2.34 IND – Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU

2.35 DET – Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn

2.36 NYG – Lucas Niang, OT, TCU

2.37 LAC – Cesar Ruiz, IOL, Michigan

2.38 CAR – Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State

2.39 MIA – D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia

2.40 ARI – Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn

2.41 CLE – Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne

2.42 JAX – Antoine Winfield Jr, S, Minnesota

2.43 CHI (via LVR) – Ben Bartch, OT, St. John’s (MN)

2.44 IND – Bradlee Anae, EDGE, Utah

2.45 TB – Neville Gallimore, DL, Oklahoma

2.46 SEA (via DEN) – Josh Uche, EDGE, Michigan

2.47 ATL – Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama

2.48 NYJ – KJ Hamler, WR, Penn State

2.49 PIT – Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame

2.50 CHI – Thaddeus Moss, TE, LSU

2.51 DAL – Darnay Holmes, CB, UCLA

2.52 LAR – Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State

2.53 PHI – Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor

2.54 BUF – JK Dobbins, RB, Ohio State

2.55 ATL (via NE) – Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin

2.56 WAS (via MIA via NO) – Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson

2.57 HOU – Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU

2.58 MIN – Netane Muti, IOL, Fresno State

2.59 SEA – Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan

2.60 BAL – Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Appalachian State

2.61 TEN – Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State

2.62 GB – Hunter Bryant, TE, Washington

2.63 KC (via SF) – Zack Moss, RB, Utah

2.64 SEA (via KC) – Hakeem Adeniji, OL, Kansas