Mason Thompson | February 27th, 2020
The last mock draft I did was mid-December. The draft order wasn’t set and some of the players that I included in the first round such as Alex Leatherwood, Shaun Wade, Paulson Adebo, Travis Etienne, and Dylan Moses all returned to school. Now that we know who is eligible to be drafted and the fact it’s combine week, I decided to take a stab at another mock. For this mock, I decided to do two rounds as well as include several trades. I have infused six trades in the first round.
To help with this mock I used the Mock Draft Machine from TheDraftNetwork. I also used the NFL Draft Trade Value Chart to help with trades. Make sure to check out all of our other NFL team mock drafts here.
1) Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Burrow to the Bengals is pretty much a lock at this point. He had the most dominant season of any quarterback in college football history. He will not be doing drills at the combine as well. His hand measurables came back a little small which he poked fun at on Twitter. If the Bengals go in any other direction, it will be a mistake.
2) Washington Redskins – Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
Like Burrow, Young to the Redskins is also a lock. Unless Washington gets an astronomical amount of value in a trade, this has to be the pick. Washington could solidify its defensive front with this selection. Their front seven would include Young, Montez Sweat, Jonathan Allen, and Da’Ron Payne. Young will also be skipping the individual drills at the combine. The Redskins should pick Young and not overthink it.
***Lions Trade Pick #3 To The Dolphins For Picks #5 and #39***
3) Miami Dolphins (via Detroit) – Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
The Dolphins, as well as every other team, will do their due diligence on Tua Tagovailoa this week. It’s being reported that he spent over ten hours at the hospital going through tests on Monday in Indianapolis. This pick depends on the results of those tests, but I decided to go in a different route than most. Miami likes both Tagovailoa and Herbert. Herbert is more similar to Ryan Fitzpatrick. While he didn’t have the best senior season, he should be able to make an impact in the NFL. I wouldn’t make this move personally, but I think the Dolphins will take a quarterback either way with their first selection.
4) New York Giants – Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
The Giants need to improve at both tackle positions. Nate Solder is fine for maybe one more year but Mike Remmers is awful. Thomas has slowly slid down mocks recently but I view him as the top tackle in the class. Grabbing him would help with the development of Daniel Jones. Dave Gettleman likes his big guys in the trenches more than anyone.
5) Detroit Lions (via Miami) – Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State
The Lions were able to move back a couple spots and still get the player they would’ve taken at three while gaining an extra second-round pick. Okudah is the most recent in a long line of Ohio State corners to come out for the draft with high expectations. He will start opposite of Darius Slay until the team figures out what to do with Slay.
6) Los Angeles Chargers – Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
Tom Telesco isn’t usually one to make a splash of this magnitude during the draft. This year, he has no choice. No team traded up for Tua in the last two picks and he was here for the Chargers to select. The team’s doctors will have to do their work this week and decide if he should even be on the draft board. If he is drafted here, he could sit and learn behind Tyrod Taylor for a year. They both offer similar skillsets and the Chargers wouldn’t have to change the scheme to mold around him once he goes into the starting lineup.
7) Carolina Panthers – Derrick Brown, IDL, Auburn
The Panthers were horrendous against the run last year. Gerald McCoy is an impending free agent as well as Vernon Butler. Brown is a top-five talent in this class and might be the safest prospect. He is a wrecking ball once the ball is snapped and plays well against the run as well as having a knack for getting to the quarterback.
***Cardinals Trade Pick #8 To The Eagles For Picks #21, #85, and a 2021 1st***
8) Philadelphia Eagles (via Arizona) – Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
The Eagles desperately need receiver help so Jeffrey Lurie gets aggressive and pounces on the opportunity to get the best in the class with Jeudy. He might not run a blazing 40 but he is one, if not the best receiver to come out in years. The Eagles need to get another body at the position as DeSean Jackson isn’t getting any younger and JJ Arcega-Whiteside was a bust as a rookie.
9) Jacksonville Jaguars – Isaiah Simmons, Defensive Player, Clemson
The Jaguars get the swiss army knife that is Simmons. With needs at linebacker, cornerback, and safety, the team can use him wherever they like. I feel like this is one of the best fits for Simmons in the draft as he gets to work with Doug Marrone for at least a year.
10) Cleveland Browns – Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
The Browns are going with an approach more based upon analytics. What’s more analytical than a 6’7 368-pound man protecting your franchise quarterback’s blindside? Becton uses his power to his advantage and is very explosive with his blocks. He has all the length and power in the world as well as having impressive quickness. It has to be an offensive tackle for Cleveland.
11) New York Jets – Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
The Jets could use this pick in a variety of ways. I thought about going receiver here but I think the Jets will attack that need in free agency. Wills is an elite pass protector who will keep Sam Darnold‘s blindside clean for years. He has exceptional footwork and will eliminate pass rushes before he has made contact with the defender. The Jets have to help Darnold in any way they can.
12) Las Vegas Raiders – Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Want a way to get the home crowd roaring in the draft? Take your quarterback of the future. Jon Gruden and Derek Carr don’t seem to get along too great and the fan base is leaning Pro-Gruden in that aspect. Enter Love who can sit behind Carr for a year before taking the keys and running with the starting job. He had a down senior campaign but offers all the tools to succeed at the pro level. He has good accuracy but tends to go for the kill shot too often. Gruden will have to take his time with Love.
13) Indianapolis Colts – Javon Kinlaw, IDL, South Carolina
The Colts are the favorite to land Philip Rivers in free agency. Love could’ve been an option for them here but he is now off the board. The defensive line is still a need for the Colts and Kinlaw is available here. He is extremely competitive as he knew he was a first-round pick and still competed at the senior bowl. He’s best suited as a three or five-technique at the next level.
14) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
Bruce Arians said he knew what the team was doing at the quarterback position and sounded very adamant about it. For this mock, I had the team keeping Jameis Winston for another year. The biggest need for the Buccaneers outside of quarterback is on the offensive line and they were lucky that Wirfs was still available. He should be the immediate starter at right tackle.
15) Denver Broncos – CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Just as complete a receiver as Jeudy, the Broncos need another option outside of Courtland Sutton and Lamb gives them that and more. He doesn’t have elite speed but checks everything outside of that. He’s extremely thorough in his routes and is angry with the ball in his hands.
***Falcons Trade Pick #16 To The Cardinals For Picks #21 and #72***
16) Arizona Cardinals (via Atlanta) – Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
The Cardinals have a lot of needs and not enough picks to fill those needs. Adding an extra third and an extra first next year should help with that while having the ability to get their guy in the first. Fulton plays his best in man coverage and sticks to the opposing receiver. He’s extremely physical and always looks to break up passes. He’s not going to be handsy with receivers which leads him to not be as much of a ballhawk as many think. He will be the replacement for Patrick Peterson.
17) Dallas Cowboys – Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
The Cowboys have desperately needed help at the safety spot for years and have avoided it. Some like Grant Delpit over McKinney but McKinney is a swiss army knife. He’s versatile in tackling and isn’t afraid of contact and always has his eyes to the quarterback.
18) Miami Dolphins – K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
Explosive. That’s the one word that comes to mind with Chaisson. He has a typical body for an edge defender but he’s still developing in that regard. He can even cover tight ends too. This is a pick with a ton of potential for Miami.
19) Las Vegas Raiders – Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
What a way to welcome the Raiders to Las Vegas. The quarterback of the future and pair that with possibly the person to break the 40-yard dash record this week at the combine. Ruggs is going to need to be double covered because of his speed by a safety over the top. He’s not as physical as you’d like, but that won’t matter if you can’t stay with him. This is a Raiders pick and should make Al Davis smile from above.
20) Jacksonville Jaguars – C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
Henderson isn’t Jalen Ramsey but you have to have someone else opposite A.J. Bouye. Isn’t afraid to get into the face of his opponents and talk, giving off some Ramsey vibes. Really scrappy at the line of scrimmage and plays well in man as well as zone. He’s very fluid in changing directions and is aggressive.
21) Atlanta Falcons (via Philadelphia, Arizona) A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa
Atlanta trades down and still gets the guy they would’ve targeted at 16. An excellent run defender who offers the most as a power rusher behind an aggressive first punch. He will best be used by 4-3 teams as he doesn’t offer much as a stand-up edge rusher. He’s super effective at setting the edge. Dan Quinn raved about Iowa players at the combine press conference.
22) Buffalo Bills – Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
Higgins offers an impressive catch radius, although a limited route tree. The Bills need any weapon they can get for Josh Allen. He’s best at running deep routes as he doesn’t offer much help with underneath routes. Good thing he has Allen’s rocket arm to help him.
23) New England Patriots – Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
Bill Belichick knows how to get the most of his players and how to develop them. Gross-Matos will be another example of that if he’s drafted here. He has impressive short-area quickness, power, and length, specifically his wingspan. He is still improving as a pass rusher but will start out dominating against the run.
24) New Orleans Saints – Laviska Shenault Jr. WR, Colorado
I got giddy thinking about Shenault with Sean Payton. Is this year’s version of Deebo Samuel, who can be used in a variety of ways. There were plenty of times watching film when Colorado designed plays to specifically get him the ball. He has explosive speed and is twitchy in short areas. An offense with him, Michael Thomas, and Alvin Kamara is scary.
25) Minnesota Vikings – Neville Gallimore, IDL, Oklahoma
Gallimore offers the Vikings an inside pass rush presence with a high motor. He was unstoppable at the senior bowl and his stock is still rising. He has great short-area quickness and uses a high spin move to get to the quarterback. Minnesota’s defense is in a transition period and needs an infusion of young talent.
***Miami Trades Pick #26 To The Browns For Picks #41 and #74***
26) Cleveland Browns (via Miami) – Grant Delpit, S, LSU
Miami recuperates their lost second-round pick from the trade-up earlier and Cleveland gets a steal with the falling Delpit. He’s a rare talent who will lay a licking on some tackles while also being solid in coverage. He can handle an every-down role and will play in multiple spots. The reason he has dropped this far is tackling issues.
***Seattle Trades Picks #27 and #130 To The Packers For Pick #30 and Lane Taylor***
27) Green Bay Packers (via Seattle) – Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
The Packers have traded up with Seattle the last two years so let’s make it three in a row. Seattle needs help on the offensive line and Taylor is up for trade from Green Bay. With Baltimore needing a linebacker, the Packers swoop in and take Queen. Best suited in the MIKE role and can play all three downs and isn’t limited in coverage. Not a thud linebacker, but he’s always near the football and will be an immediate starter in Green Bay.
28) Baltimore Ravens – Zack Baun, EDGE, Wisconsin
Like many others, Baun is a tweener. He can play on the edge as well as inside linebacker, which both happen to be needs for Baltimore. His motor never stops and is always competing to get to the ball. His Football IQ is the best aspect of his game as his mental processing is super quick.
29) Tennessee Titans – Josh Jones, OT, Houston
With Jack Conklin most likely gone, the Titans need a new right tackle. Jones is pretty raw but the Titans should be able to work with him. He can sometimes be dominant but his footwork needs a lot of work. He’s got a lot of upside and the Titans don’t have a lot of needs.
30) Seattle Seahawks (via Green Bay) – Ross Blacklock, IDL, TCU
Seattle is the toughest team to mock for. I decided to go with Blacklock because he isn’t as known as others but is a high character guy with a bit of a red flag in an achilles injury suffered in 2018. He’s best as a three-technique where he can use his athleticism and power and push his opponent into the quarterback’s lap. Seattle needs help at all three levels of the defense.
***San Francisco Trades Pick #31 To The Chargers For Picks #37 and #102***
31) Los Angeles Chargers (via San Francisco) – Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
With the rival Chiefs ahead of them, the Chargers decide to trade up to secure Gladney. He is a sticky man coverage corner who has a knack for getting his hands on the ball. Has a bit of swagger and attitude that help build his character and competitiveness. A willing tackler that isn’t afraid to wrap up. He reminds me a lot of Jaire Alexander.
32) Kansas City Chiefs – D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
Andy Reid loves his running backs and he gets a chance to get a new one here. He has a rare blend of size, speed, and receiving ability while also not being put through the ringer at Georgia. Pairing Swift with Mecole Hardman and Tyreek Hill will be fun to watch.
This was a really fun mock to work on. I found fits for players and teams I never had thought of. I also did the second round of this mock which will be released in a few days.
Questions and comments?
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