The Scorecrow Family | November 27th, 2019
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Hopefully, you are sharing this with family while enjoying some good quality time with them. Remember to leave the political conversations at the door to avoid anyone leaving. We all know when Thanksgiving rolls around, the end of the NFL season is near. However, most of the league is still mathematically in the playoff race. For those fan bases whose favorite team is out or will be out shortly, they have the 2020 NFL draft to look forward to. To help you all enjoy your Thanksgiving, The Scorecrow family has put together a mock draft with help from eight of our excellent writers.
To determine the draft order, we used the Tankathon. Each of our writers will be picking for four teams (not four picks) and will provide a brief write up on their selections. Below we’ve listed which four teams each writer will play pretend decision maker for in this mock draft.
Mike Fanelli – Redskins, Panthers, Titans, Patriots
Givanni Damico – Broncos, Eagles, Bills, Bears
Connor Neal – Jaguars, Buccaneers, Vikings, Steelers
Raul Vazquez – Cardinals, Jets, Browns, Cowboys
Nick Popio – Bengals, Lions, Raiders, Texans
Ethan Hewett – Giants, Colts, Chiefs, Seahawks
Mason Thompson – Dolphins, Saints, Ravens, Rams
Dale Money – Falcons, Chargers, Packers, 49ers
To remind everyone, yes we have no idea what we are doing and we hate your favorite team. We apologize in advance for not giving every team a damn kicker. But without further ado, let’s dive into this eight-man mock draft.
1) Bengals – Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
Young is clearly the best player in the college game today, period! He is virtually unblockable. He appears to be a better prospect coming out then either Bosa brother. The Bengals could use a quarterback but to keep a talent like Young, in-state, is just to salivating to pass up. Just beware of the comparisons to former OSU standout, Vernon Gholston.
2) Giants – Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Do I think Thomas is the second-best player in the draft? No. While it’s hard to pass on Jerry Jeudy here, the Giants need some help at offensive tackle. Thomas would be an easy plug and play pick here and Dave Gettleman will most likely prioritize the offensive line to protect his franchise quarterback Daniel Jones.
3) Dolphins – Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
I know what you’re thinking. Joe Burrow is on the board, how can he not be the selection? The Dolphins have the worst roster that is deprived of talent and already have a young quarterback in Josh Rosen. Get him a weapon to pair with Preston Williams. Some Jeudy believe is the best wide receiver prospect since Julio Jones.
4) Redskins – Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
Despite the Bengals and Dolphins picking in the top three, no quarterbacks went off the board. Unfortunately for the Redskins, they miss out on both Young and Thomas because of it. Trent Williams will never play another down for the Redskins and if Dwayne Haskins is going to have any chance of succeeding, he needs to be protected. Iowa has a long history of producing NFL level offensive linemen and Wirfs is the next one in line.
5) Broncos – Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
I don’t know in what scenario Burrow would fall here but if he did, I feel like John Elway would be stupid to pass him up. They don’t know what they have in Drew Lock yet and Brandon Allen certainly isn’t the answer. Why not take an NFL-ready quarterback who can do it all?
6) Falcons – Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State
The Falcons need to focus on filling some of those holes on the secondary, as they rank 26th in passing yards given up per game. Arguably the top corner in the draft and a key player of that top-ranked Buckeyes defense, leading the team in interceptions, Okudah has everything you can ask for in a cornerback and would fit in perfectly with the Falcons’ secondary.
7) Lions – Grant Delpit, SAF, LSU
Detroit can take just about any of the top defenders on the board with a need at every level. In this case, Delpit can the secondary leader they envision him to be by taking him here. He can fill in for Quandre Diggs who was traded to Seattle earlier in the year. Delpit’s field awareness is what sets him apart as one of the draft’s top defensive stars.
8) Cardinals – A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa
The Cardinals have been one of the most impressive teams of the 2019 season. They have hung around in just about all of their games and have shown that Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray can be the foundation of a successful franchise. The competitiveness of Arizona has been impressive because of how devoid of talent they are outside of wide receiver and quarterback. They are in position to take the best player available when they are on the clock and they will have no problem taking Epenesa who has been on a tear lately.
9) Jaguars – CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Whether the Jaguars choose to stick with Nick Foles or switch back to Gardner Minshew, they still need a reliable target outside of DJ Chark. Dede Westbrook was primed for a breakout season this year but it hasn’t fully happened yet. Lamb would give whoever is playing quarterback a reliable weapon to pair with Chark.
10) Jets – Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
The Jets have four clear needs on their roster and cornerback is the big one. There was no need to force a ‘need’ pick when there is still a special talent on the board in Fulton. He can boost a defense that is still top ten even though they are without Avery Williamson, C.J. Mosley, and a true talent at the edge.
11) Chargers – Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
The storied career of Philip Rivers may be coming to an end sooner than later. With Rivers in the last year of his current contract, the Chargers need to look to the future. Going after a potential franchise quarterback with their first selection is something they need to consider. Herbert makes sense here, he’s an athletic player with good size and an arm to make those downfield throws.
12) Buccaneers – Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
Jameis Winston is arguably the worst starting quarterback in the league. Tua will fall in the draft, possibly further than this here because of the injury. But, imagine Tua throwing the ball to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. The Buccaneers roster is loaded with offensive talent but they don’t have a quarterback who can capitalize on that talent.
13) Eagles – Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
Higgins is a big-bodied receiver who can jump in and pretty much be the number one guy in Philly. I know Eagles’ fans want a burner like Jeudy but how did that work out with Nelson Agholor? Carson Wentz needs a reliable pass-catcher outside of Zach Ertz and that’s what Higgins is.
14) Raiders (via Bears) – Isaiah Simmons, LB/SAF, Clemson
The Raiders do not draft linebackers, especially early in the draft. Simmons is a different animal though. He is a winner, which is what Jon Gruden covets. He’s a hybrid safety/linebacker who is versatile enough for the heavy passing attack that is sweeping the league. He can do a little bit of everything defensively and Gruden spent two of his first four picks last year on Clemson defenders.
15) Browns – Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
The Browns haven’t had the kind of year they were hoping for but they have talent all over their roster except for their offensive line. When your starting tackles are Greg Robinson and Chris Hubbard that is less than ideal. Naturally, with the top tackles gone, you have to go with the next best option. Baker Mayfield has already shown what kind of talent he is and what he can do off-script but he needs better protection and maybe a new coaching staff.
16) Panthers – Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
The Panthers have several upcoming key free agents on the defensive side of the ball, including cornerback James Bradberry. If the market gets too expensive, the Panthers will likely let him walk, opening up a hole at a starting cornerback spot. Even if Bradberry is re-signed, when you play in a division with Julio, Calvin Ridley, Evans, Godwin, and Michael Thomas, you can never have too many good corners.
17) Raiders – C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
Trayvon Mullen is slowly making strides after the organization traded away former first-rounder Gareon Conley but cornerback is still a need for the Raiders. Henderson has good size at 6’0” and speed with a 4.5 40 time. Henderson hasn’t had the season he wanted to, but his defensive coordinator Todd Grantham has called him the best player he’s ever coached in 30 years.
18) Colts – Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
The Colts have relied on scheme to get pressure on the quarterback recently partly because they don’t have a huge presence on the interior defensive line. Enter Brown who is an incredible athlete given his size and his quickness jumps off the screen. Brown would be a much needed run stuffer and interior pass rush for the Colts.
19) Titans – D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
Derrick Henry has been great for the Titans this year but he has been way too inconsistent in the past. Meanwhile, Dion Lewis has lost a step and the Titans can save almost $5 million dollars by releasing him this spring. Swift is viewed by many is the top running back in this class and would bring an explosive impact to an offense that lacks firepower.
20) Jaguars (via Rams) – Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford
After the Jaguars shipped off Jalen Ramsey to the Rams, their defense has struggled to make up for it. They have a UDFA starting at cornerback and have been outscored 75-33 in their last two games. Drafting an extremely promising corner in Adebo would give the Jaguars another young stud on that talented defense.
21) Cowboys – Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
The Cowboys have talent all around their roster but sadly you can’t pick up a new head coach in the draft. Though they are deep hey can certainly help out their depth at cornerback. Hall is the sixth corner off the board but this is an incredibly deep cornerback class. He adds more speed to a unit that already has a ton of speed at linebacker and defensive line. Hall would continue to add to a top ten unit which can help Dallas breakthrough to title contention.
22) Dolphins (via Steelers) – Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
Gross-Matos has been rising up draft boards for a while and reached a peak with his performance against Ohio State. He has all the physical tools for Brian Flores to turn him into a superstar. He has the ability to play in either a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme, which is valuable in today’s NFL.
23) Chiefs – Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama
While the Chiefs’ defense has improved slightly this season, opposing teams have still been able to run all over them. This is where Moses comes into play. The only knock on the productive linebacker is that he hasn’t played this season because of an injury and for that reason Moses may fall right into the Chiefs’ lap who desperately need an all-around linebacker.
24) Vikings – Tyler Biadasz, iOL, Wisconsin
The Vikings need offensive line help. Biadasz would be the best player available for that need at this pick. Biadasz could play center or guard for the Vikings and be an immediate improvement over Pat Elflein. Biadasz could help Dalvin Cook take his game to the next level and keep Kirk Cousins standing upright. If Biadasz is still around at pick 24 on draft day, I will be shocked.
25) Dolphins (via Texans) – Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
With the earlier selection of Jeudy, the Dolphins now have two solid receivers with Jeudy and Williams. Now, add a star running back in Taylor. He’s been the true workhorse at Wisconsin, averaging over 150 yards per game this season. With a strong running game and reliable weapons, the Dolphins can thoroughly look and see if Rosen is the future at quarterback or not.
26) Bills – Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
I also don’t see Ruggs dropping this far but Buffalo would have to cash in on this opportunity. They have nice receivers with John Brown and Cole Beasley right now but these guys are young pups. Plus they need a third guy who Josh Allen can throw the deep ball too.
27) Packers – Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
It’s no secret the Packers have focused on the defensive side of the ball in the first round over the past few years. However, they need to finally buck that trend a bit and add that second wide receiver to pair with Davante Adams. Shenault could be that needed weapon as he has great size along with the exceptional speed to escape defenders and gain those extra yards after contact.
28) Seahawks – Xavier McKinney, SAF, Alabama
The Seahawks currently have an electrifying offense and a bad defense, especially the secondary. While EDGE may be another need for the Seahawks, McKinney is a strong and fast player who plays well against the run and while we haven’t seen a lot of man coverage from McKinney, he brings a playmaking ability to a secondary that Seattle lacks right now.
29) Saints – Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
The Saints need to find a reliable second corner opposite of Marshon Lattimore. With superior coverage instincts and an understanding of routes, Gladney is always in a position to make a play on the ball. Not only is he great in coverage, but he is a superb tackler as well. He has the potential to be a steal taken at the end of the first round.
30) Ravens – K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
The Baltimore defense has been much better than I expected this year but they’re still missing a dominant edge defender. Chaisson offers a blend of edge rushing with the ability to drop back into coverage as an extra defender. He is explosive but is also still learning as an edge rusher. The Ravens have the time to develop him into something special.
31) Patriots – Darryl Williams, iOL, Mississippi State
More than likely the Patriots will trade out of this spot if possible but if they can’t look for them to grab an offensive lineman. They have been killed with injuries along the offensive line this year while starting guard Joe Thuney is a pending free agent and likely won’t be re-signed. Adding talent and depth along the offensive line is a must for the Patriots.
32) 49ers – Austin Jackson, OT, USC
Finding a future replacement for left tackle Joe Staley needs to be considered, oft-injured and inching towards the end of his career. Jackson looks like an attractive option at the end of the round. A duo of Jackson and Mike McGlinchey would give the 49ers a nice set of bookend tackles for the next decade.
Normally this is where a mock draft would end but not today! For the four teams without first-round picks, we’ve done a brief write up on potential prospects those teams could target in the second round.
Bears
The Bears aren’t loving Mitchell Trubisky right now. Maybe they take a look at quarterback Jordan Love out of Utah State as a potential replacement. They can also look to LSU’s Justin Jefferson as a threat in the receiving corps. It’s all offensive struggles for Chicago right now and they have to figure it how to fix it quick.
Rams
For the Rams, I have two Auburn players who should be attainable in the second round that could fill major needs; Marlon Davidson the pass rusher and Prince Tega Wanogho the offensive tackle. The Rams are relying on Clay Matthews to play too many snaps and it showed Monday against Baltimore. Davidson could learn from Matthews while Andrew Whitworth isn’t going to be playing much longer and Wanogho could be his replacement.
Steelers
The Steelers have several holes they need to address during the draft including wide receiver, tight end, and defensive line. Some names to keep an eye on are Devonta Smith, the wide receiver from Alabama, Albert Okwuegbunam, the tight end from Missouri, and Javon Kinlaw, the defensive lineman from South Carolina. All three could end up in the first round when April rolls around but if any of three are there in the second round, the Steelers need to jump on them.
Texans
The Texans don’t have a first-round pick after dealing it to Miami for Laremy Tunsil. With that said, the Texans would be wise to look at needs on the offensive line and every spot on defense. Some names to watch out for in the second would be Curtis Weaver from Boise State, Kinlaw from South Carolina, and Terrell Lewis from Alabama.
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