The 2020 NFL Draft will begin on April 23, and with a few months of evaluation to go, NFL teams are scouring the draft pool to see who’ll be able to help their team win some football games for not only next season but beyond. This mock draft is in my personal opinion and covers the entire first round, and assumes that nobody trades away their pick. The final two picks are interchangeable depending on the outcome of the Super Bowl, and the list goes from #1-32 from top to bottom.
Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
This selection may not be particularly diverse among anyone who decides to create a mock draft, frankly I’d argue that after giving up 48 sacks the offensive line needs the most help, but after a historic Heisman campaign, Burrow is simply too good to pass up on and will be tasked with revitalizing the offense.
Washington Redskins: Chase Young, DL, Ohio State
In order for this rebuild process to at least start off on the right foot, it only makes sense for Ron Rivera to build his team around potential franchise cornerstones. Young fits that bill and should look forward to terrorizing quarterbacks every week.
Detroit Lions: Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
The Lions easily had the worst secondary in the league this season save for Darius Slay, who may not be around next season, you can plug Okudah anywhere and he’ll make an impact right away.
New York Giants: Jedrick Willis, OL, Alabama
If the Giants want to maximize Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley’s potential, they need to start by getting them stout protection. As a two year starter in the SEC, Willis has all of the tools needed to get the job done in pass and run protection.
Miami Dolphins: Andrew Thomas, OL , Georgia
Thomas has a perfect mix of experience, size, speed and power that will keep quarterbacks upright in Miami for years to come.
Los Angeles Chargers: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
With the departure of Philip Rivers, the Chargers will need a new leader at the helm. While durability may be a concern, Tagovailoa is a surefire franchise quarterback when healthy, a can’t miss prospect.
Carolina Panthers: Tristan Wirfs, OL, Iowa
The Panthers have the same issue as the Dolphins, and Wirfs will give Cam Newton and Christian McCaffrey a solid and talented protector on the perimeter.
Arizona Cardinals: Mehki Becton, OL, Louisville
Kyler Murray was sacked 50 times last season,and if Kliff Kingsbury wants him to reach his potential he’s gotta protect his quarterback. A huge imposing presence like Becton will make sure the job gets done in the pass and run game.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
Josh Allen is going to be something special, pair him with a positionless star such as Simmons, and the Jaguars defense starts looking really scary at every level.
Cleveland Browns: Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
Brown can do everything as a defensive lineman, and if you pair his All-Pro potential with Myles Garrett and Larry Ogunjobi, the possibilities are endless.
New York Jets: A.J Epenesa, DL, Iowa
The Jets had some trouble getting to the quarterback last season, but the strong presence of Epenesa off the edge should take some pressure off of Quinnen Williams.
Las Vegas Raiders: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Derek Carr needs another weapon to take this offense to the next level, and a playmaker like Jeudy will seriously open up the field for the offense.
Indianapolis Colts: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
T.Y Hilton is dealing with age and injuries, and the need for a new No.1 receiver is glaringly obvious. Adding Lamb will quickly address that need for a long time, no reason to see why he doesn’t haul in at least 70 balls per season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
If Jameis Winston returns, he already has Chris Godwin and Mike Evans as aerial threats, if you add an explosive back like Swift to bolster the rushing attack, the Bucs offense becomes pretty dangerous pretty fast.
Denver Broncos: Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
If the Broncos play their cards right, they just might end up with their own personal Tyreek Hill. Ruggs has blistering speed that will allow the Broncos to open up the playbook beyond Phillip Lindsay and Courtland Sutton.
Atlanta Falcons: K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
Outside of Vic Beasley, the Falcons are terrible at getting to the quarterback. If you add an athletic freak such as Chaisson and put about 15 pounds on him, Drew Brees and Cam Newton will have a lot to worry about next season.
Dallas Cowboys: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
The glaring need for a safety has been clear all season, and the addition of McKinney immediately takes care of that concern, has the potential to be a plug and play from Day 1.
Miami Dolphins: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
The Dolphins will need to build the offense around him, but when he’s given the tools, Herbert is as great as any quarterback around.
Las Vegas Raiders: Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
The Raiders need someone on the second level who can get after not only the ball, but the quarterback. Murray will need some polishing, but he’s demonstrated the ability to both of those things very well.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Laviska Shenault Jr, WR, Colorado
Gardner Minshew II showed some serious potential as a rookie, and the Jaguars give him a talented option with Shenault’s size, speed and versatility.
Philadelphia Eagles: Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina
Kinlaw is an imposing and powerful force that has the tools to not only bolster the Eagles front seven, but potentially become one of the most feared interior defensive linemen in the league.
Buffalo Bills: Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
Josh Allen needs a true deep threat receiver, and Higgins impressive blend of size and explosiveness will create a lot of opportunities for him in Buffalo.
New England Patriots: Grant Delpit, S, Patriots
Assuming Tom Brady stays in town, the Patriots need to address their aging safeties, and Delpit has the skills, versatility and football IQ to make an impact in New England.
New Orleans Saints: Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
Reagor’s big play ability coupled with his special teams prowess instantly make him a threat for New Orleans in more ways than one, he’d be a very nice compliment to All-Pro Michael Thomas.
Minnesota Vikings: C.J Henderson, CB, Florida
With Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander set to hit free agency, Henderson is easily one of the best man coverage corners in this class, if he improves his zone coverage he’ll definitely become a household name and fast.
Miami Dolphins: Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
With the Dolphins subpar secondary in dire need of some assistance, Gladney’s football smarts and proficiency in man and zone coverage will be very beneficial for Miami.
Seattle Seahawks: Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
With Jadeveon Clowney set to hit free agency, a long, athletic freak like Gross-Matos could easily surpass Clowney’s production if given a year or two.
Baltimore Ravens: Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama
He’s still very raw, but definitely has all of the physical tools to generate a pass rush, his top end athleticism definitely gives him a chance on passing downs, which is what the Ravens could really use right about now.
Tennessee Titans: Neville Gallimore, DL, Oklahoma
Pair up a twitchy and powerful guy like Gallimore alongside Jeffrey Simmons and Harold Landry III, and the Titans start to create some issues for offensive lines.
Green Bay Packers: KJ Hamler, WR, Penn State
Aaron Rodgers has plenty of tall receivers to throw to, but what happens when you give him a playmaker with blistering speed and special teams usage like Hamler?
Kansas City Chiefs: J.K Dobbins, Ohio State
With the ability to make things happen in space along with the ability to be a pass catcher, Dobbins is more than qualified to be the feature back in Kansas City beside Patrick Mahomes.
San Francisco 49ers: Damon Arnette, Ohio State
Arnette is a fantastic man defender who’s not afraid to tackle and if former All-Pro Richard Sherman sticks around, Arnette will certainly be in a prime position to reach the next level as a defensive back.
