This is the first 2020 NFL mock draft that I've completed. I did a lot of research for each pick and the whole mock took me about 4-5 hours to complete. That said, I am always looking to improve! Let me know your thoughts; thank you!
1.) Cincinnati Bengals - QB Joe Burrow
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What else is there to say? This foregone conclusion is, well a foregone conclusion. Burrow should be a great fit for a team that may rebound faster than most people think.
2.) Washington Redskins - Edge Chase Young
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Groupthink has the Redskins taking Young here so I will follow that thought process. I believe there is a much, much higher chance that the Redskins take CB Jeffery Okudah here than people think. Okudah is a special prospect in his own right and may be a bigger need for the 'skins than an edge player.
3.) Detroit Lions - CB Jeffery Okudah
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Lions replace Slay with one of the best CB prospects to come out in years. If the Redskins do decide to switch things up and go with Okudah the Lions would take Chase Young without debate.
4.) New York Giants - OT Andrew Thomas
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My first surprise pick via David Gettleman. This is where the draft gets interesting. Gettleman has never traded back in the 1st round and has never drafted an offensive lineman in the first round; does he do either here? Other players that may tempt Gettlemen include Isaiah Simmons and Derrick Brown; although Brown would cause the fans to revolt. Gettleman ultimately decides on Thomas as a plug and play LT.
5.) Miami Dolphins - QB Tua Tagovailoa
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While this pick could be Herbert, I just think Tua fits what the Dolphins look for in a prospect. Reading the tea leaves there have been reports the Dolphins like Herbert and dislike Tua, however I think that has been a long thought out and planned smokescreen by the Dolphins.
6.) Los Angeles Chargers - QB Justin Herbert
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The west coast kid stays on the west coast. The Chargers are happy to grab a kid that should compete with Tyrod Taylor from the get go since he comes without injury concerns.
7.) Carolina Panthers -LB/S Isaiah Simmons
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Another local prospect that gets selected by his local team. Simmons fits what Matt Rhule looks for in players. The Panthers are able to replace Kuechly with another stud.
8.) Arizona Cardinals - OT Tristan Wirfs
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Steve Keim likes his workout warriors and Wirfs fits that billing. Wirfs and the resigning of D.J. Humphries will give Murray much more help upfront. With multiple talented tackles on the board Keim may look to trade back to recoup a 2nd while still being able to add to the OL in round 1.
9.) Jacksonville Jaguars - DT Derrick Brown
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The Jaguars begin their rebuild by selecting the most talent player available on their board. Brown will instantly upgrade their pass rush and run defense.
10.) Cleveland Browns - OT Jedrick Wills Jr.
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There are rumors out there that the Browns love Ezra Cleveland and may trade down in order to select him later on in the 1st round. While that's a possibility so is sticking at #10 and getting one of the consensus top tackles in this years draft.
11.) New York Jets - WR CeeDee Lamb
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The Jets wanted to take a tackle here, but Becton doesn't fit their offensive philosophy under Gase. The Jets try to get Darnold going by adding an elite weapon in CeeDee Lamb. Lamb's natural hands give him the slight nod over Jeudy.
12.) Oakland Raiders - WR Jerry Jeudy
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Mayock and Gruden address one of the team's biggest needs by grabbing Jerry Jeudy. There may be some internal debate between Jeudy, Ruggs III, and Jefferson but I think Jedy edges out the rest.
13.) San Francisco 49ers - WR Henry Ruggs III
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Jon Lynch and company add to a weakened WR core with the addition of Henry Ruggs III. His speed will help stretch the field and open up the running lanes for the offense as well.
14.) Miami Dolphins (via trade with Bucs) - OT Mekhi Becton
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Dolphins trade #18 and #70 to move up to #14; this trade satisfies both new and old draft trade value charts
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While Becton has immense potential teams may be more risk adverse during the ongoing pandemic. With very few true pass sets on tape Becton sees a drop compared to the other OT prospects.
15.) Denver Broncos - WR Justin Jefferson
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The Broncos help Drew Lock out by adding a WR. Jefferson hits all the marks of what Elway will be looking for in a WR. The Broncos could also consider taking a CB or LB at this position.
16.) Atlanta Falcons - CB C.J. Henderson
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Henderson adds some much needed talent to the secondary that ranked 22nd against the pass last year. Playing Brady and Brees each twice a year makes it that much more important to upgrade the secondary.
17.) Dallas Cowboys - Edge K'Lavon Chaisson
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Mike Nolan wants to run blended 43/34 defenses and Chaisson could help in both alignments. While they could consider taking both Fulton and Kinlaw here. Chaisson's versatility gets him the nod.
18.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via Miami Dolphins) - OT Josh Jones
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Buccaneers add pick #70 while sliding down to #18
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Buccaneers are able to slide down the draft board a bit and add a tackle that fits their offensive philosophy a lot more than Becton. Jones has the movement skills to be one of the best pass blocking tackles from this entire draft class.
19.) Las Vegas Raiders - DL Javon Kinlaw
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The Raiders snag Kinlaw after he falls further than most people expect. Kinlaw has a background and mental make-up that Gruden and Mayock will both love.
20.) Jacksonville Jaguars - CB Kristian Fulton
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After trading away both Ramsey and Bouye the Jaguars need lines up with the BPA philosophy as they nab one of the top CBs this year. Fulton's feistiness will help this defense find its teeth once again.
21.) Philadelphia Eagles - LB Kenneth Murray
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A team that traditionally avoids drafting LB's early ends up drafting a LB early. Murray adds speed to the middle of the defense while providing the ability to rush the passer and plus ability in pass coverage.
22.) Minnesota Vikings - WR Tee Higgins
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Higgins frame and hands add to the Vikings receiving core after trading away Diggs. Mims is also in contention here but Higgins consistent hands give him the nod over Mims.
23.) New England Patriots - DL A.J. Epenesa
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Smart, versatile, and productive; Epenesa helps fill a Patriots need along the DL. Epenesa's ability to play inside and outside will increase his value to the Patriots.
24.) New Orleans Saints - LB Patrick Queen
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Linebacker is one of the few needs for the Saints, which Queen would fill nicely. His athleticism at the position will help the overall defense.
25.) Minnesota Vikings - CB Jeff Gladney
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Physical CB fits the Vikings defensive philosophy while filling a need. The team will likely consider an edge player at this position however Gladney is higher on their board and thus the pick.
26.) Miami Dolphins - C Cesar Ruiz
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Dolphins are looking to add some big bodies to the offensive line to create a run dominate team. Ruiz fits that billing as he adds length, strength, and athleticism to their offensive line.
27.) Seattle Seahawks - OT Austin Jackson
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Seattle allowed the third-worst pressure rate so Jackson makes sense here. Jackson is raw and will require some time to develop but has the skill-set needed at the position.
28.) Baltimore Ravens - LB Zach Baun
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The Ravens need some depth at LB and Baun is a do-it-all prospect that fits their defensive scheme. Baun should see the field in multiple roles for the Ravens next season.
29.) Tennessee Titans - OT Ezra Cleveland
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Rumors have it the Browns are enamored with Ezra Cleveland; whether the Browns or the Titans take Cleveland it's becoming more and more apparent he will be a 1st round pick. Ezra steps in to replace Conklin for the Titans.
30.) Green Bay Packers - QB Jordan Love
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Similar to Aaron Rodgers Love will have to wait longer than expected on draft night; the good news is he lands in a position where he can develop behind a hall of famer. Love looks to be next in line behind Favre and Rodgers.
31.) San Francisco 49ers - DE Yetur Gross-Matos
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This pick will likely be traded as the 49ers do not have any draft picks in the 2nd or 3rd round. A team will likely move up to take one of the last pure edge rushers in this years draft.
32.) Kansas City Chiefs - S Xavier McKinney
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The rich get richer as the Chiefs take the best player to fall to them. They certainly have bigger needs than safety however it is hard to justify passing on a player of McKinney's ability at this point in the draft.
