Jake Graff’s 2020 Mock Draft v1.0

Well, we’re now less than one month away from the 2020 NFL Draft, and things are starting to get pretty real. There seems to be more smoke and uncertainty than in recent years with this class, which could make for a wild and unpredictable couple of days. This mock will be a mixture of predicting what teams will do and presenting some interesting scenarios that may not have a great chance of happening, but are solid talking points. The Vegas virtual stage is set, so here we go. Enjoy!

1.1 Cincinnati Bengals

The pick: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

The only way this likely doesn’t happen is if the draft gets postponed long enough that everyone forgets about the season Joe Burrow just had. Now that it’s on as scheduled, we don’t need to worry about that.

1.2 Washington Redskins

The pick: Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State

Young, Sweat, Payne, Allen. Redskins fans are tired of waiting to see this defensive front on the field already.

1.3 Detroit Lions

The pick: Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State

The inevitable has happened and Darius Slay is out. Okudah’s overall fluidity and natural instincts at cornerback make this almost as much of a no-brainer as the previous two picks. He fills the void on the outside and has All-Pro potential.

1.4 New York Giants

The pick: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa

The Giants have needs all over their defense, but keeping Daniel Jones upright and comfortable should be the number one priority here. It could be any one of the top 4 tackles, but Wirfs has the best combination of pure athleticism and power, so he’s Gettleman’s guy here.

1.5 Miami Dolphins

The pick: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

We have no clue how the absence of medicals and face-to-face meetings between teams and players will impact the cases of players like Tua this year. This is uncharted territory. The rumblings are that Justin Herbert is Chris Grier’s guy, but I don’t buy it. Tua fits well in Chan Gailey’s offense stylistically, with his ability to get the ball out quick and make snap decisions. Tua is QB2 off the board.

1.6 Los Angeles Chargers

The pick: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon

The Chargers are one of a few teams that could be landing spots for Cam Newton or Jameis Winston, although they have reportedly ruled out signing a veteran. While he doesn’t have to, Herbert could step in and start over Tyrod Taylor from day 1, and he’s a great fit for the offense with quality weapons all over.

TRADE: CAR trades pick 1.7 for NYJ picks 1.11, 3.79, and 5.158

1.7 New York Jets (via CAR)

The pick: Jedrick Wills Jr., OT, Alabama

The Jets offensive line is in shambles, so they have to do whatever necessary to help Sam Darnold. Signing George Fant is a small Band-Aid, but they have to go bigger, and they leapfrog potential tackle-needy teams in Arizona and Cleveland to grab their right tackle of the future: Jedrick Wills.

1.8 Arizona Cardinals

The pick: Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville

Trading for DeAndre Hopkins puts any speculation of a receiver here to rest, and the Cards still need a tackle to play opposite newly extended DJ Humphries. Becton is a unit, and can be utilized well with short sets in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense.

1.9 Jacksonville Jaguars

The pick: Derrick Brown, IDL, Auburn

The Jaguars pounce on the most dominant interior defender in this class at 9. This is a depleted unit with Calais Campbell gone and Yannick Ngakoue likely out the door as well. Brown has the power to occupy plenty of attention in the middle and can work as a great tandem with Josh Allen. The huge need at corner still looms though…

1.10 Cleveland Browns

The pick: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

Thomas conveniently falls into the Browns’ lap. He’s scheme-diverse and will start on day 1 opposite Jack Conklin. Baker Mayfield needs all the protection he can get after last season’s disaster.

1.11 Carolina Panthers (via NYJ)

The pick: Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson

I’m almost certain the Panthers will move back from 7 like they do here. The roster is depleted and they need as much capital as they can get. They are able to get some decent compensation AND Isaiah Simmons falls right into their lap and can command the middle of the defense in the absence of Luke Kuechly. Simmons may not get this far, but if teams ahead get aggressive for tackles like in this scenario, it’s possible.

1.12 Las Vegas Raiders

The pick: Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama

Speed kills, and if the new home Raiders want any hope of catching the Chiefs, Ruggs is just who they need. His elite speed is something that has been lacking on this offense for a while now, and Gruden should commit to getting him touches however he can.

TRADE: SF trades pick 1.13 for JAX picks 1.20, 3.73, and 4.116

1.13 Jacksonville Jaguars (via SF via IND)

The pick: CJ Henderson, CB, Florida

…or does it! The Jags risk it all to move up to 13 and grab their guy CJ Henderson. He’s as good in man coverage as they come in this class and is an elite athlete for the position. Jacksonville sacrifices some of their mid-round capital, but comes away with two elite defensive prospects in return. Great haul for them.

1.14 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The pick: Javon Kinlaw, IDL, South Carolina

The Bucs are officially going all in, and need impact players wherever they can find them. Kinlaw happens to be just that. This young front seven gets even better with an interior pairing of Vita Vea and Javon Kinlaw that is sure to destroy the will of offensive lines everywhere.

1.15 Denver Broncos

The pick: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama

The Broncos have done some great work this offseason to get back to relevance, and Jerry Jeudy is the next piece of John Elway’s puzzle. He’s a tremendous complement to Courtland Sutton with his quickness, route running and YAC ability. If they’re all in on Drew Lock, they need to give him as much help as possible.

1.16 Atlanta Falcons

The pick: K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU

Beasley out, Chaisson in. K’Lavon instantly brings more to the table as a pass rusher as well as a solid presence in the run game, something this edge rushing group has been sorely missing.

1.17 Dallas Cowboys

The pick: Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU

The Cowboys replace Byron Jones on the outside by making Jeff Gladney CB3 off the board. He brings a nastiness that Jerry Jones will like, and has tremendous skills at the catch point and man/zone versatility.

TRADE: MIA trades pick 1.18 for MIN picks 1.22 and 3.89

1.18 Minnesota Vikings (via MIA via PIT)

The pick: Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU

With Gladney coming off the board, the Vikings waste no time to move up and get their guy at corner as well. They’ve been messing around with corners too much recently and Fulton could absolutely be the answer with his excellent fluidity in man.

1.19 Las Vegas Raiders (via CHI)

The Pick: Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma

This is a pick that has become less popular since Vegas signed Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkowski at linebacker, and while I’m even a bit unsure about this one, the fit is still perfect. Murray is a fiery downhill player that could compliment Littleton’s coverage skills well, and should still be a part of the rotation, though this isn’t an ideal situation for the Raiders with Henderson, Gladney and Fulton both coming off the board.

1.20 San Francisco 49ers (via JAX via LAR)

The pick: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma

The Niners are huge winners already here. They receive 13 from the Colts in the DeForest Buckner trade and are able to trade back and STILL get CeeDee Lamb. He’s a tremendous fit in Kyle Shanahan’s offense and his skillset in the air and after the catch makes this a steal.

1.21 Philadelphia Eagles

The pick: Patrick Queen, LB, LSU

The Eagles are the second team that is a victim of the run on corners, and they were unable to make a move up for one of the top 3 wideouts. Instead, they go for Queen, who’s a raw but athletic and rangy linebacker that fills a position that is still of great need (Nathan Gerry, TJ Edwards, and Duke Riley are currently first in line).

1.22 Miami Dolphins (via MIN via BUF)

The pick: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama

This is a fit that has grown on me. McKinney has versatility to play all over the defense, something Brian Flores will love. In the process, the Dolphins move down and collect even more capital. They go for their second first round versatile safety from Alabama in three years.

1.23 New England Patriots

The pick: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State

I’m still having a hard time seeing this come to fruition, but it just makes too much sense. Love has slipped out of the top 20 and has considerably more potential than Jarrett Stidham and company. I considered Zack Baun here, but Love is too good for the Pats to pass up.

1.24 New Orleans Saints

The pick: Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor

The Saints are set pretty much everywhere except linebacker, and with Queen and Murray off the board, they go for the next best thing. With Michael Thomas as the possession guy and Emmanuel Sanders as the field stretcher, enter Denzel Mims as a big-bodied vertical threat with freakish athleticism. Drew Brees has considerably more at his disposal now.

1.25 Minnesota Vikings

The pick: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU

The Vikings just lost one of the best route runners in football, so they bring in one of the best route runners in the class with their second pick of round one. Bringing in Jefferson allows them to move Adam Thielen around and gives Kirk Cousins another weapon that is badly needed now.

1.26 Miami Dolphins (via HOU)

The pick: Josh Jones, OT, Houston

The Dolphins cap off their first round with my OT5, and OT5 off the board. Miami has brutal needs up front and need to protect Tua any way they can. Jones may still have a little ways to go, but has athleticism and power to be a stud for the Phins.

1.27 Seattle Seahawks

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

Jadeveon Clowney is still unsigned, but even if he returns to Seattle, they could still use help off the edge. Gross-Matos is also terrific against the run like Clowney, and offers great power and straight-line explosion. He can rush from 5-tech as well. Prototypical Seahawk.

1.28 Baltimore Ravens

The pick: Zack Baun, EDGE, Wisconsin

The Ravens continue to get more athletic and more versatile defensively. Baun is a perfect fit as someone who can rush when necessary, but also drop back and help a questionable Baltimore LB crew in coverage. He’s smart, instinctive, and everything the Ravens look for in edge defenders.

1.29 Tennessee Titans

The pick: Lucas Niang, OT, TCU

We’ll see if Niang is in consideration this high with his medical situation from this past season as well, but looking past that, he’s a dang good football player with tremendous power that fits well in Tennessee’s smashmouth offense. As a direct replacement for Jack Conklin, I love this fit.

1.30 Green Bay Packers

The pick: Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU

The Packers have a window that’s closing with Aaron Rodgers, and don’t waste any more time in adding Reagor. He’s a speedy, explosive athlete who can stretch the defense for Rodgers and Davante Adams. Dynamic with the ball in his hands, he is an upgrade over others on the roster who couldn’t do the same.

1.31 San Francisco 49ers

The pick: Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn

Richard Sherman is ageing and the Niners need to invest in corner as much as possible behind him. Igbinoghene is a raw track star who showed massive improvement this past season. He can develop alongside Sherman and potentially make the most out of his terrific potential.

1.32 Kansas City Chiefs

The pick: Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama

Kendall Fuller is gone and the Chiefs are now rolling with Charvarius Ward, Rashad Fenton and Keith Reaser at cornerback. That isn’t going to cut it. Diggs has a wide range of outcomes both in draft position and potential, but he’s a former wideout with elite ball skills that can be a playmaker on the outside that the reigning champs could sure use.

Second Round

2.33 CIN – Cesar Ruiz, IOL, Michigan

2.34 IND (via WAS) – AJ Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa

2.35 DET – Neville Gallimore, IDL, Oklahoma

2.36 NYG – Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota

2.37 LAC – Austin Jackson, OT, USC

2.38 CAR – Ross Blacklock, IDL, TCU

2.39 MIA – Jonah Jackson, IOL, Ohio State

2.40 HOU (via ARI) – Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama

2.41 CLE – Grant Delpit, S, LSU

2.42 JAX – Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois

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

2.44 IND – Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado

2.45 TB – JK Dobbins, RB, Ohio State

TRADE: DEN trades pick 2.46 for PHI picks 2.53, 4.127, and 4.146

2.46 PHI (via DEN) – AJ Terrell, CB, Clemson

2.47 ATL – Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah

2.48 NYJ – Josh Uche, EDGE, Michigan

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

2.50 CHI – Matt Hennessy, IOL, Temple

2.51 DAL – Julian Okwara, EDGE, Notre Dame

2.52 LAR – Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State

2.53 DEN (via PHI) – Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn

2.54 BUF – Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin

2.55 BAL (via ATL via NE) – Robert Hunt, IOL, UL Lafayette

2.56 MIA (via NO) – D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia

2.57 HOU – DaVon Hamilton, IDL, Ohio State

2.58 MIN – Marlon Davidson, DL, Auburn

2.59 SEA – Lloyd Cushenberry III, IOL, LSU

2.60 BAL – Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan

2.61 TEN – Raekwon Davis, IDL, Alabama

2.62 GB – Jordan Elliott, IDL, Missouri

2.63 KC (via SF) – Cam Akers, RB, Florida State

2.64 SEA (via KC) – Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State

Third Round

3.65 CIN – Darrell Taylor, EDGE, Tennessee

3.66 WAS – Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State

3.67 DET – Jonathan Greenard, EDGE, Florida

3.68 NYJ (via NYG) – Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson

3.69 CAR – Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State

TRADE: MIA trades pick 3.70 to DEN for picks 3.77 and 4.118

3.70 DEN (via MIA) – Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia

3.71 LAC – Damien Lewis, IOL, LSU

3.72 ARI – Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State

3.73 SF (via JAX) – Nick Harris, IOL, Washington

3.74 CLE – Willie Gay Jr., LB, Mississippi State

3.75 IND – Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma

3.76 TB – Jacob Eason, QB, Washington

3.77 MIA (via DEN) – KJ Hamler, WR, Penn State

3.78 ATL – Malik Harrison, LB, Ohio State

3.79 CAR (via NYJ) – Netane Muti, IOL, Fresno State

3.80 LVR – Michael Ojemudia, CB, Iowa

3.81 LVR (via CHI) – Ashtyn Davis, S, Cal

3.82 DAL – Adam Trautman, TE, Dayton

3.83 DEN (via PIT) – Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Appalachian State

3.84 LAR – Jordyn Brooks, LB, Texas Tech

3.85 DET (via PHI) – Terrell Burgess, S, Utah

3.86 BUF – Jabari Zuniga, EDGE, Florida

3.87 NE – Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame

3.88 NO – Troy Pride Jr., CB, Notre Dame

3.89 MIA (via MIN) – Saahdiq Charles, OT, LSU

3.90 HOU – Tyler Biadasz, IOL, Wisconsin

3.91 LVR (via SEA) – Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia

3.92 BAL – Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU

3.93 TEN – Alex Highsmith, EDGE, Charlotte

3.94 GB – Brycen Hopkins, TE, Purdue

TRADE: DEN trades pick 3.95 for PIT picks 3.102 and 4.135

3.95 PIT (via DEN via SF) – Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame

3.96 KC – Ben Bredeson, IOL, Michigan

3.97 CLE – Logan Stenberg, IOL, Kentucky

3.98 NE – Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC

3.99 NYG – Alton Robinson, EDGE, Syracuse

3.100 NE – Troy Dye, LB, Oregon

3.101 SEA – Van Jefferson, WR, Florida

3.102 DEN (via PIT) – KJ Hill, WR, Ohio State

3.103 PHI – Bryan Edwards, WR, South Carolina

3.104 LAR – Harrison Hand, CB, Temple

3.105 MIN – Matt Peart, OT, UConn

3.106 BAL – Larrell Murchison, IDL, North Carolina State