The Scorcrow NFL Draft Team | April 16th, 2020
The 2020 NFL draft is a week away and it will be a draft like we’ve never seen before. No live events, teams unable to have a war room, and commissioner Rodger Goodell will be announcing the first round of the draft from his basement; all of this is because of COVID-19. Now hopefully, everyone is staying home and staying safe, but being under quarantine can drive a man (or six) bored out of his mind. So with extra time on our hands, six of our NFL draft experts (Mike Fanelli, Givanni Damico, Zach Gotlieb, Mason Thompson, Connor Neal, Brady Podloski) bring you a two-round mock draft.
Before we get started please remember two important things. One, we do hate your favorite team and want them to draft a kicker with every pick. Two, we have no idea what we are talking about, in fact, we had no idea what we are doing and just picked random player names out of a hat. Now, without further ado, the Bengals are back on the clock.
Be sure to check out round one before reading round two.
33) Bengals – Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn
Although the Bengals drafted Jonah Williams last year, they still need another offensive tackle. It would also help them show Joe Burrow that they are serious about protecting him and giving him time to throw to A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd, and Auden Tate. – Connor
34) Colts (via Redskins) – Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado
Shenault was a team captain and leader at Colorado. He has good long speed and soft hands, although injuries are a concern. Right now, the Colts don’t have much outside of T.Y. Hilton at receiver, so Shenault in the second round would be a great addition. – Gio
35) Lions – Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
After passing on a cornerback in the first round, the Lions need to address the position here. With Darius Slay now in Philadelphia, Johnson has a real shot to start the season as the Lions’ number one cornerback. Johnson is a solid man to man corner who has the recognition to become a playmaker in the NFL and should develop into the Lions’ top cornerback sooner than later. – Brady
36) Giants – Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama
Lewis has got excellent first step quickness and speed to beat offensive lineman off the snap. He’s able to make quick and decisive moves that get him into the backfield quickly. The Giants had just one player eclipse five sacks last season, Markus Golden, and he’s currently a free agent. They desperately need pass rushing help and Lewis is an immediate upgrade. – Zach
37) Lions (via Chargers) – Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
Kerryon Johnson can’t stay healthy and the Lions have to be able to run the ball. Taylor is a workhorse running back who is durable. He runs low to ground allowing him to make dynamic cuts but has the contact balance to gain more yards when being tackled. If Johnson can stay healthy, he and Taylor will be one of the best 1-2 punch at running back in the league. – Brady
38) Panthers – Neville Gallimore, DL, Oklahoma
The Panthers lost two starters along the defensive line in free agency. Both Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe signed with the Cowboys. Currently, Stephen Weatherly and Woodrow Hamilton are penciled in as the projected starters next to Kawann Short for the Panthers next season. Gallimore had a strong senior season, finishing with four sacks and 6.5 tackles for a loss. He would step in day one and claim one of those two starting spots. – Mike
39) Dolphins – Ross Blacklock, DL, TCU
With only Davon Godchaux as a true defensive tackle on the team, the Dolphins add the explosive Blacklock who can start immediately. He has a good first step and handles the point of attack well. The Dolphins need to get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks this season, and Blacklock can help with that. – Gio
40) Texans (via Cardinals) – Justin Madubuike, DL, Texas A&M
The Texans need a defensive lineman and Madubuike is the last one in the second tier of defensive tackles in the class. Madubuike would be the favorite to fill the role of D.J. Reader. – Connor
41) Browns – Grant Delpit, SAF, LSU
This is kind of a “best player available” pick for the Browns. Delpit, the reigning Thorpe award winner, has fallen down draft boards after having a bit of a lazy 2019 campaign. People question his motor and tackling ability, but he’s still a great defensive back for the Browns to add. – Gio
42) Jaguars – Antoine Winfield Jr., SAF, Minnesota
Former undrafted free agent Jarrod Wilson is projected to start at safety. Needless to say, he doesn’t deserve that starting role. Winfield is one of the more underrated safeties in the class and would easily be the day one starter. With his addition, maybe the Jaguars’ defense starts to look a little like the elite group from 2017. – Connor
43) Bears (via Raiders) – Jonah Jackson, iOL, Ohio State
With no first-round pick, the Bears need to hit with this pick. They lack depth and have a big hole at right guard that needs to be filled. Jackson might be the best pass setting guard prospect in the draft and easily should be a top-50 pick. Jackson is pro ready and should easily slide in for recent retiree Kyle Long at right guard. – Brady
*** Colts trade pick #44 to the Rams for picks #52 and #104 ***
44) Colts – Marlon Davidson, EDGE, Auburn
Davidson is a versatile player who can rush the quarterback off of the edge or line up as a defensive tackle/3-tech. The Colts acquired DeForest Buckner in exchange for the 13th overall pick and now they add Davidson to solidify their defensive line. – Gio
45) Buccaneers – Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU
The Buccaneers have a ton of weapons to catch passes, but I’m not sold on their running game. Tom Brady is 42 and his last years in New England showed more of a reliance on the running game. We know Bruce Arians‘ system is about deep throws and gunslinger mentality, but a run game is still necessary. Edwards-Helaire brings tough running with great vision, but more importantly brings a receiving threat that can be split into the slot. – Zach
46) Broncos – Jeremy Chinn, SAF, Southern Illinois
Chinn is a big bodied safety that’s a natural playmaker. He’s a little questionable in man coverage, but usually makes excellent reads and plays the ball well. What makes him an intriguing prospect for Denver is how badly they’ve been missing a guy that can cover tight ends. Chinn is 6’3” and ran a 4.45 40-yard dash, which is more than big enough and fast enough to compete with some of the elite tight ends in the league, including Travis Kelce. – Zach
47) Falcons – Raekwon Davis, DL, Alabama
The Falcons have needed a running mate opposite of Grady Jarrett on the defensive line for a long time. Davis fits well into the Dan Quinn system and will immediately slot in next to Jarrett in the trenches. – Mason
48) Patriots (via Jets) – Willie Gay Jr., LB, Mississippi State
The Patriots do what they always do, trade back. After moving back from pick 23, they are now on the clock and take what might be one of the more polarizing players in the draft. Gay showed a lot of talent at Mississippi State and had a good pre draft process, but he comes with several off the field red flags. However, if the Patriots feel comfortable with the red flags, they should pull the trigger. The Patriots lost three of their four starting linebackers in free agency and Gay would be a day one impact player. – Mike
*** Steelers trade pick #49 to the Packers for picks #62, #136, and 2021 fourth-round pick ***
49) Packers (via Steelers) – Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
The Steelers only have five picks in the draft and want to accumulate some more, while Green Bay sees a line of receiver-needy teams and jumps on the opportunity to get Aiyuk. He has been a steady riser throughout the draft process as he showed out at the combine and could potentially be a late first-round pick. – Mason
*** Bears trade pick #50 to the Jaguars for picks #73, #137, and #140 ***
50) Jaguars (via Bears)- Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn
Once again the Jaguars are moving on up. With Igbinoghene sliding and a hole at cornerback, giving up some mid-round picks for a starting caliber cornerback is well worth it. With Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye no longer around, Igbinoghene could be the Jaguars’ top cornerback come week one. – Connor
51) Cowboys – Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Hopefully, both Aldon Smith and Randy Gregory are reinstated and can stay on the field. If they can, the Cowboys have plenty of talented pass rushers on the roster. Despite taking his Alabama teammate, Xavier McKinney in the first round, the Cowboys shouldn’t let Diggs slide past them with this pick. Byron Jones is now a Dolphin while Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis will be free agents after the 2020 season. Adding a starting caliber cornerback during the draft is a must for the Cowboys. – Mike
52) Rams – D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
The Rams go from one Georgia running back to another, picking up Swift. He will make a huge impact, not only in the running game but also as a receiver. He has good lateral quickness and will play an important role immediately. Sorry for the Darrell Henderson truthers. – Gio
*** Eagles trade pick #53 to the Broncos for picks #83, #95, and 2021 fourth-round pick ***
53) Broncos (via Eagles) – Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
Three picks in the first three rounds did cost quite a bit, but they got the guys they want and are still in a position to make more moves. Reagor is another fascinating receiver in this draft and would just finish the rebuild of the offense and viable weapons for Drew Lock at every single spot on the field. Another speedster who can make big catches and score on any given play. – Zach
54) Bills – Kyle Dugger, SAF, Lenoir-Rhyne
Dugger seems like a “McBeane” pick for Buffalo who would fit the culture well. He was a standout player at Lenoir-Rhyne who could be a coverage linebacker or a box safety for Buffalo. He won’t be an every down player right away, but in the next year or two, he may fill that role. – Gio
55) Ravens (via Falcons, Patriots) – Robert Hunt, iOL, Louisiana-Lafayette
With Marshal Yanda‘s sudden retirement, the Ravens have a hole at right guard that needs to be filled. Last year’s fourth-round pick, Ben Powers, is currently projected to take over as the starter. However, adding Hunt would push Powers and more than likely, put Powers back in his ideal role as a backup. – Connor
56) Dolphins (via Saints) – J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
The best thing to help a rookie quarterback is to give him a good offensive line. The second best thing is to give him a running game. Dobbins is a powerful runner who has elite elusiveness in open space. He makes quick cuts and has smooth feet. He is a bell cow running back who could render Jordan Howard useless. – Gio
57) Rams (via Texans) – Matt Hennessy, iOL, Temple
The Rams always need offensive line help. Rob Havenstein and Andrew Whitworth will hold down the tackle spots in 2020, but Hennessy can start immediately at either guard or center. If the Rams’ offense is going to rebound to anywhere near close to their 2018 form, fixing the offensive line is a must. – Gio
58) Vikings – A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
The Vikings let go of three corners this offseason and did not sign anyone to make up for it which puts them in an obvious situation where they need secondary help. Terrell is an excellent coverage guy and can stick to most receivers which would be a big help for the Vikings. He’s only a modest tackler, but that’s something that can be further developed. He would be a big addition in the second round. – Zach
59) Seahawks – Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC
The starting duo of Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf is a very good duo. A combo of size and speed between the two is excellent. However, there’s no such thing as too many playmakers. Pittman, at 6’4” is excellent in contested catch situations and can play in multiple spots on the offense. He’d fit great as a really big slot receiver which will create headaches for opposing defenses. – Zach
60) Ravens – Bradlee Anae, EDGE, Utah
The Ravens have several young edge rushers they’ve drafted over the last few seasons. However, Tyus Bowser is entering a contract year and Matt Judon is on the one year franchise tag. While the Ravens have depth at edge rusher now, it could look totally different a year from now. For the Ravens to get Anae late in the second round is nothing short of an absolute steal. – Connor
61) Titans – Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State
Tennessee lost Jack Conklin in free agency to the Brown and are now slotted to start Dennis Kelly as their right tackle. While Kelly is solid, he seems to be a bridge to a new tackle brought in from the draft. Cleveland has gotten some first-round buzz, but I see him as more of a mid-day two guy instead. – Mason
62) Steelers (via Packers) – Netane Muti, iOL, Fresno State
Ramon Foster’s retirement has put the Steelers in a bit of a pinch at left guard. Pittsburgh signed Stefen Wisniewski during free agency, but Muti is a great talent who has slipped this far due to injury concerns. He will battle with Wisniewski to start at left guard. – Mason
63) Chiefs (via 49ers) – Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State
While the Chiefs were recently able to re-sign Bashaud Breeland, it was only on a one year deal, and they did lose Kendall Fuller in free agency. The Chiefs clearly need help at cornerback and Arnette is just what they need. Given the lack of proven cornerbacks on the roster, Arnette could end up starting as a rookie. – Mike
64) Seahawks (via Chiefs) – Cam Akers, RB, Florida State
It might not be a top need for the Seahawks considering they already have Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny, but both are coming off of major injuries that forced Seattle to have to sign two running backs off the street for the playoffs. Akers has one of the highest ceilings of all the running backs in the draft class and with Carson up for a contract extension soon, the Seahawks might need a new starting running back. Akers should only improve in the NFL and show off his dynamic abilities behind a strong offensive line. – Zach
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