My Final NFL Mock Draft Of 2020
By: Rajan Nanavati
Tags: NFL, Sports, College Football, Football, NFL Draft

1. Cincinnati — Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

As if you need any further confirmation that this pick is all but a done deal: the Cincinnati Bengals have reportedly used up the entirety of their allotted pre-Draft contact/interview time with Burrow.

This is a done deal. If you think otherwise, I have some magic beans to sell you.

2. Washington — Chase Young, DE, Ohio State

I have a dream.

In my dream, Chase Young is wearing the uniform of the Washington Redskins, and doing the football equivalent to opposing quarterbacks of teams in the NFC East of what Colin Firth’s character in Kingsman: The Secret Service did to the congregation of the Westboro Baptist-like (fictional) South Glade Church.

The first part of that dream is going to come true on Thursday evening.

I hope the second part of that dream comes true every single season for the next 15 years.

3. Detroit — Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State

A textbook case study for all the NFL fans who scream “wE ShOuLd tRaDe dOwN FrOm tHiS pIck!” without realizing it actually takes two (or more) teams to agree to and consummate any such deal, we all knew Detroit would love to move off this pick and trade down… but they can’t find anyone to swap selections with, because there isn’t a team desperate enough to move up for any player available here (and NFL GM’s are openly terrified of the idea of having to leverage technology more advanced than their cell phone to orchestrate any potential trade).

Thus, Detroit stays at #3, and takes one of the four best players in this Draft, at a position of major need.

4. NY Giants — Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa

Every single time New York Giants’ General Manager Dave Gettleman makes literally any football personnel move, I imagine this scene in my head — with Gettleman being Champ Kind (the obtuse product of the Peter Principle doing even more obtuse things than you could’ve imagined), the rest of the NFL being Ron Burgundy, and New York Giants fans being Brick Tamland (trying to laugh along with the joke while eating used coffee grounds wrapped in a used coffee filter, in an act of self-flagellation).

Back on topic: Gettleman is going to devote whatever prime resources he has available to justify his (still mostly indefensible) selections of Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones, especially having devoted a lot of Draft picks and free agency dollars to his defense.

It’s no secret he’s enamored with Wirfs, and it’s never been like Gettleman has been a good poker player when it comes to hiding his intention with Draft picks.

5. Miami — Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

I completely buy the idea(s) that a bunch of teams are going to scare themselves away from chasing Tua Tagovailoa, especially since they haven’t had the opportunity to corroborate the (perhaps overly) optimistic medical updates that Tagovailoa’s camp is trying to put out into the internet ether.

I also buy the report that no team has done more work on Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert than the Miami Dolphins. I chalk this latter point up to due diligence.

But in the end, I believe this selection will still be Tua Tagovailoa, for one simple reason: it sounds like the decision has already been (mostly) made in owner Stephen Ross’ head.

Never EVER underestimate the fact that the owner is the ultimate tiebreaker in all decisions pertaining to a football franchise — including player personnel. After all: it’s the owner who signs everyone’s paycheck.

6. LA Chargers —Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon

Assuming the Miami Dolphins don’t end up taking Justin Herbert, I just can’t see the Los Angeles Chargers passing on him, either.

For one, the local scribes will tell you that there’s an 85% chance this pick ends up being whichever QB is available (with a slight preference for Tagovailoa — but he isn’t available here). Second, they have a “bridge” quarterback in place (Tyrod Taylor), to allow whichever QB they take — in this case, Herbert — to sit and watch as part of his early development.

And perhaps most importantly: this franchise needs to do something — anything, really — to sell tickets to people in Southern California. Never forget: in professional sports, the business needs almost always supersede the on-field needs.

Herbert is a West Coast/Pacific Northwest native who led Oregon to a Rose Bowl win; that’s a narrative they’ll be able to market.

7. Carolina — Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn

As much as I thought the Carolina Panthers would be in love with the idea of adding a do-it-all linebacker to replace their recently retired franchise legend (Luke Kuechly), that doesn’t appear to be the buzz being carried by the Draft winds.

Rather, the original thinking at this spot — that defensive line remains a major need — still appears to hold true, and those who cover the team believe Derrick Brown will present the best combination of filling a need + best player available at this selection.

8. Arizona — Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson

As much as I love the idea of the Arizona Cardinals making their new strength even stronger by taking wide receiver CeeDee Lamb of Oklahoma with this pick (quarterback Kyler Murray — a former teammate of Lamb on the Sooners — has lobbied for the team to take Lamb), even though it’s not really a glaring need for the team, Arizona could potentially turn linebacker into a quiet strength of the team by drafting Isaiah Simmons and adding him to the newly-signed Devon Kennard and DeVondre Campbell.

Now, what if Brown and Simmons are somehow both gone when Arizona is on the clock here? Then this becomes the spot when the trading flood gates bust open in the Draft.

9. Jacksonville —CJ Henderson, CB, Florida

Count the Jacksonville Jaguars as another team that’s very hopeful Derrick Brown makes it to their spot, as Head Coach Doug Marrone hasn’t made his desire to upgrade the defensive line much of a secret.

But it’s increasingly unlikely that Brown will make it to #9 (the odds that Carolina and Arizona both pass on him are really low), which might lead to the Jaguars addressing the glaring hole at cornerback created by trading away Jalen Ramsey, in the form of snagging Henderson with a top-10 pick (fully knowing he wouldn’t last very long if they passed on him here).

10. Cleveland — Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville

Let me start with this: I believe this selection will look very foolish on Thursday morning, by the time most people on the East Coast finish their first cup of coffee, given the increasingly-discussed trade of Trent Williams to Cleveland coming to fruition.

But, as of the time of this Mock, no such trade has happened — and that’s why I’m keeping my pick as-is.

Having signed offensive tackle Jack Conklin in free agency with the likely intention of filling the major need they had at right tackle, the Cleveland Browns are presumed to be targeting a player they can groom and establish on the left side of the offensive line.

In that vein, many believe Mekhi Becton would be an optimal fit for the offense likely to be installed by new Head Coach Kevin Stefanski.

11. NY Jets — Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama

With the lack of talent the New York Jets have at wide receiver, a lot of people believe they could use this pick to upgrade that spot. But people familiar with the team’s thinking believe the primary focus for General Manager Joe Douglas will be to protect Sam Darnold, and ensure that he doesn’t miss any more time due to injury, given that he’s missed time in each of the past two seasons.

Having signed left tackle George Fant in free agency, that clears the way for the Jets to draft Jedrick Wills and plug him in at the right tackle spot, making Chuma Edoga — their third-round pick in 2019 — a developmental ‘swing tackle.’

12. Las Vegas — Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama

It absolutely has to chap the ass of Head Coach Jon Gruden that he didn’t have a single wide receiver with more than 651 yards or six touchdowns receiving last year. Those numbers were put up by Tyrell Williams, but their wasn’t a single receiver of consequence opposite of Williams who could actually threaten the defense.

Thus, if all three receivers are still available (as they are in this situation), the feeling is that this pick will be Jerry Jeudy (a connection that’s been discussed for quite some time). He absolutely fits a need for Oakland and General Manager Mike Mayock’s modus operandi of drafting culture-changing players.

13. San Francisco (from Indianapolis) — Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina

I’m buying Peter King’s mid-April intel about the San Francisco 49ers being fine with drafting yet another first-round pick on a defensive lineman, even after sending away All-Pro defensive tackle DeForest Buckner in order to get this pick in the first place. The idea that they could use this pick to ensure they don’t suffer any drop-off on their defensive line, and use a future pick to address the wide receiver position in an absolutely loaded class, does seem to align with internal thinking.

Then again, i’m also buying — perhaps even more so — the idea the idea that they’re probably not going to end up picking in this spot anyway, considering many people believe the 49ers are a prime candidate to trade down from here.

14. Tampa Bay — Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

The scribes following the Tampa Bay Buccaneers all point to the team primarily wanting to address the team’s need at right tackle. Bruce Arians also seems to be a fan of the talent at tackle in this Draft class.

And yes, Andrew Thomas was a left tackle at Georgia, but he stated his comfort in potentially having to switch over to the right side, and he’d be the best of the “big four” tackles in this Draft.

15. Denver —CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma

Wide receiver remains one of the Broncos’ biggest needs presently, and an area they plan on addressing early on in this draft.

While CeeDee Lamb feels a bit more similar to (theoretical) fellow starter Courtland Sutton, as opposed to being more of a complimentary option. But, he’s the best player available here, and his penchant for simply getting open would be a trait highly welcomed by second-year quarterback Drew Lock.

16. Atlanta —K’Lavon Chaisson, OLB, LSU

I’ll start off by acknowledging the rumors that the Atlanta Falcons 1) tried to pull off a “Grand Slam” deal with the Washington Redskins at #2 overall, with the goal of adding Chase Young to the roster; and 2) Atlanta remains prepared to move up in the first round of the Draft — in this case, to go grab cornerback CJ Henderson.

But since we don’t project trades in Mock Drafts, i’m going with the thinking down south that Atlanta could/will draft K’Lavon Chaisson to step into a rotation with Takk McKinley and the newly-signed Dante Fowler, giving them a much-needed boost in rushing opposing passers.

17. Dallas — Cesar Ruiz, OL, Michigan

It’s not the splashy, “sell tickets”-type of selection that Jerral Wayne Jones prefers his team to make. But, it’s the “bread and butter”-type pick that Dallas has made in recent years (which just so happens to coincide with their recent ascent to relevance) — especially given the Cowboys would’ve preferred to see CJ Henderson and/or K’Lavon Chaisson fall to this pick, which clearly didn’t happen.

Ruiz might not make them a better team than they were last year, but with Travis Frederick’s retirement, he mitigates the chances of them taking a big step back from their performance from last year, and helps re-affirm the belief that this offense runs through Ezekiel Elliott.

18. Miami (from Pittsburgh)— Xavier McKinney, Safety, Alabama

Safety appears to be a position that Miami will address with one of their remaining picks, considering the Dolphins used formations with six defensive backs more than any other NFL team last year.

They’re reportedly also looking for a player who will be comfortable in multiple positions around the secondary, which fits McKinney perfectly — he played over 100 snaps last year at five different positions on Alabama’s defense.

19. Las Vegas (from Chicago) — Jordan Love, QB, Utah State

Even though he’s never done so over the course of his career as a Head Coach, there’s a lot of buzz around the idea of Jon Gruden using the extra one of the Raiders’ first-round picks to take Jordan Love, and finally extract himself from the Derek Carr experience.

I also imagine, after the Raiders drafting Love, Gruden walks into the facility, stares at Love with a Brick Tamland-esque quizzical look, and declares with equal parts concern and confusion: “you’re not Patrick Mahomes” — a point that my friend Brandon Anderson correctly points out, even if everyone else — including Gruden — seems to be missing.

20. Jacksonville (from LA Rams) — Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama

It would be nothing short of absurd if Henry Ruggs III somehow fell to this pick. If I were a bookmaker, I would genuinely give something like 50:1 odds (if not higher) of such a thing happening. If he makes it past Denver’s pick at #15, expect a couple of the wide receiver-needy teams with selections among the next few picks make a leap up to grab Ruggs.

But for the purposes of this Mock, the Jaguars walking out of this Draft with Henderson and Ruggs would be a “Super Cowboy USA Hot Dog Rocket Ship”-level of Day 1 success.

21. Philadelphia — Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU

It’s still really hard to not see this pick as a wide receiver, considering the Eagles’ group is still terrible, and there isn’t a more glaring hole on the roster than at that spot.

But Philadelphia appears very much in the market to move off this pick — either up (to go get one of the premier receivers — like Henry Ruggs — in this Draft), or down.

22. Minnesota (from Buffalo) — Josh Jones, OT, Houston

If one of the top four receivers — Jeudy, Lamb, Ruggs, and/or Jefferson — is available when Minnesota is on the clock with this pick, then there’s a strong likelihood they’ll grab said receiver. Same logic applies if a defensive lineman — say, Javon Kinlaw — drops to this spot.

Otherwise, it looks like offensive tackle and cornerback are the directions in which they’ll be leaning with their two first-round picks.

23. New England — AJ Epenesa, DE, Iowa

Since they’ll no longer have that Tom Brady guy (never heard of him) to mask a lot of the shortcomings on their roster, expect New England to follow their typical blueprint: trade out of the first round, in an effort to get more picks.

However, if they do end up keeping this pick, expect them to go “old school”: a big player on the front seven who can help out at multiple positions.

But seriously; you shouldn’t be expecting them to keep this pick.

24. New Orleans —Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU

There’s not a lot of intel on the New Orleans Saints available out there. The most we can reasonably glean is the their top pick is likely to end up either at cornerback, linebacker, or wide receiver, given that those are the biggest positions of need on the team.

I’m going with cornerback here, based on the fact that it’s the position most often cited as the “top” need on the team, and getting Fulton here would present excellent value (plus it’d perpetuate the trite “from the Bayou to the Big Easy!” newspaper headline).

But Sean Payton and General Manager Mickey Loomis have often been “Draft day Mavericks,” so it’s totally fair to expect the unexpected with this pick as well (including — or especially — a trade out of this spot).

25. Minnesota —Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah

As mentioned above (at pick #22), if they don’t get a value-based steal at #22 at receiver or defensive tackle, then most people expect Minnesota to address the offensive tackle and cornerback spots — especially considering they lost two former starters at the latter position.

26. Miami (from Houston)—Austin Jackson, OT, USC

If Miami does select Tua Tagovailoa with the first of their three picks (and I think they will), then at least one of their five selections among the top 56 picks has to be devoted towards drafting a guy to protect Tagovailoa.

We already know that Miami is (VERY) interested in drafting an offensive tackle; but, in this mock, they miss out on the top four options. Taking one at this pick would give them a shot at taking the best remaining options in “Tier 2” of the tackle group, but given that there are a bunch of quality options at the position available through the early-to-middle parts of the 2nd round, I think Miami might actually trade down from this pick. From a business standpoint, the organization would probably prefer not to be in a situation where they’d have three first round picks entering their fifth-year options all at the same time.

In other words: Miami will most likely have a big “for sale” sign around this Draft slot.

27. Seattle —Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State

I’ll say it until i’m blue in the face: of every single Draft the Seattle Seahawks have participated in with Pete Carroll as the head coach (this will be #10), they’ve made their originally-slotted pick only once. So, history tells us there’s greater than an 85% chance that they’re going to trade out of this pick as well.

In the unlikely scenario they do make this pick, an edge pass rusher has been identified as the area they appear most likely to upgrade.

28. Baltimore — Patrick Queen, LB, LSU

Based on the local scribes in Baltimore, the thinking here is that Baltimore’s “wish list” comprises of either one of the top three receivers in the draft — Jeudy, Lamb, or Jefferson — falling to those pick, or one of the top two inside linebackers — Kenneth Murray or Patrick Queen — being available.

Obviously, the last of those three guys mentioned is still on the board in my mock, thus becoming the selection. And from what it sounds like, the Ravens internally have Queen ranked a bit higher than Murray.

29. Tennessee — Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU

Full disclosure: this selection went through multiple iterations before landing where I did. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Tennessee use this pick on a defensive lineman (like Ross Blacklock from TCU) to bolster a group that just lost Jurrell Casey, or take one of the aforementioned “Tier 2” offensive tackles to groom as their right tackle of the future (while longtime reserve lineman Dennis Kelly keeps the spot warm in the short term).

But based on the intel from Tennessee’s beat reporters, i’m going with cornerback here. Yes, the Titans still have Malcolm Butler and Adoree’ Jackson, but they’re paper-thin at the position behind those guys, and we live in an era where defenses play in their nickel package for the majority of each game.

30. Green Bay — Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma

Brian Gutekunst has been the General Manager of the Green Bay Packers for two full seasons now. And, in the two previous NFL Drafts that he’s presided over, he’s made three first-round trades.

So, don’t get comfortable with the idea that this is where Green Bay will be making their pick.

All of that being said, local beat reporters believe that Green Bay could verlly opt to further bolster their inside linebacker position in Mike Pettine’s defense, even after adding Christian Kirksey in free agency — and Murray would provide excellent value here, in doing so.

31. San Francisco — Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor

Barring two major caveats, in the form of 1) San Francisco acquiring a wide receiver earlier in the first round (less likely, and 2) them actually keeping this pick (MUCH less likely), wide receiver would be the headline option at this point in the Draft for them, as they’d be able to get their preference among the wide receivers after the top three or four options in this draft.

Among that group, I think Mims would get the nod, given that the 6'3" receiver would add height to a group of 49ers receivers that has only one realistic contributor standing over 6'1" tall (Jalen Hurd).

32. Kansas City —Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State

First off, there’s a ton of speculation that upwards of five or six offensive tackles could be taken in the first round of this Draft.

And considering that the Chiefs spent plenty of time reviewing the offensive linemen in the Draft, and General Manager Brett Veach identified offensive line as one of the key areas for improvement this offseason, i’m sticking with that.

Of course, given that the team with the last pick in the first round of the NFL Draft hasn’t actually made their pick at that spot in three of the last four Drafts, history tells us that Kansas City is also more likely to trade out of this spot than not.

Which is why the moral of the story remains: Mock Drafts are incredibly stupid and pointless.

Merry Draftmas, everyone. ■