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Andrew Lalama's NFL mock draft projects picks for the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, including spots for rookies affecting fantasy football in dynasty and redraft.
There are less than two weeks until the 2020 NFL Draft. The league is gearing up for an unprecedented virtual experience, with some teams concerned about the security of the technology being used.
Football fans are particularly excited, as a sports-starved nation looks for an escape from current events. Even without the in-person fanfare, the NFL Draft is one of the most important days on the NFL calendar.
The purpose of this Mock Draft is to project the selections as I believe they will happen on draft day. These projections have nothing to do with my personal rankings and do not reflect what I would do if I were each team. This article will be updated with added rounds and projected trades in the coming days. Remember that shocking picks and trades will inevitably happen. There are a few projected surprises below. You can check out other NFL mock drafts from our RotoBaller staff as well.
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Tigers Get Their King
1. Bengals - Joe Burrow - QB, LSU
The Bengals burrowed for Burrow and the Tiger King goes to Cincinnati. Joe Exotic had one of the best single seasons ever for a college QB and will start his career with a decent supporting cast around him. Burrow is fantastic against pressure, throws a beautiful deep ball, and has the ball placement of a franchise QB. A nitpick against him would be that he holds the ball too long sometimes. Carole killed her husband.
2. Redskins - Chase Young - EDGE, Ohio St.
Last year, the Cardinals made the smart decision to jettison Josh Rosen and use a second consecutive top-10 pick on a quarterback. The position is just too important, and Kyler Murray was too good to pass up. The Redskins situation with Dwayne Haskins is different for one main reason - Chase Young. Young is the best edge-rushing prospect since Jadaveon Clowney. He has incredible traits and was a monster for Ohio State. If there wasn't a generational talent at the top of this draft, Tua Tagovailoa would have likely been the pick. Ron Rivera and the Skins will go to battle next season with Dwayne Haskins behind center and one of the best defensive lines in football.
3. Lions - Jeff Okudah - CB, Ohio St.
After trading away Darius Slay, the Lions have a gaping hole at cornerback. Jeff Okudah is the best corner in the draft and will immediately give Detroit a shutdown presence on the outside. Okudah has advanced man coverage skills and swagger to match.
4. Giants - Tristan Wirfs - OT, Iowa
The Week 16 overtime win against the Redskins was the highlight of Daniel Jones' rookie campaign. Unfortunately, that win will likely cost the Giants Chase Young. General Manager Dave Gettleman rarely trades down. This slot is prime real estate for teams vying for a quarterback, but expect the G-Men to stay put and draft the top offensive lineman on their board. In this projection, it’s Tristan Wirfs. The former Iowa Hawkeye has experience at right tackle, which will allow Nate Solder to stay at left tackle. Wirfs is athletically gifted and has big-time upside if he can clean up some technique.
Tua in Teal
5. Dolphins - Tua Tagovailoa - QB, Alabama
The Dolphins have a ton of draft capital and a need at quarterback. If any of the teams picking in the top four want to trade down, Miami can easily move up to secure their preferred non-Burrow QB. Tua Tagovailoa has major durability concerns but the film of a franchise QB. Reportedly fully healthy, Tua has the ability to change the complexion of the AFC East for years to come.
6. Chargers - Isaiah Simmons - LB, Clemson
The decisions the Chargers make in this draft will determine the fate of the franchise for years to come. All of their options include a plan at the quarterback position. They can sign Cam Newton, trade up for Tua, or sit tight and draft Justin Herbert. In this projection, they choose to wait on quarterback and take the best player available in Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons. Simmons is a defensive chess piece that can play linebacker, safety, or nickel. If they do add a healthy Cam Newton, the Chargers can contend this year.
7. Panthers - Derrick Brown - DT, Auburn
The Panthers have a huge need on the defensive line and Derrick Brown is commonly ranked as the top defensive lineman in this draft. He showed flashes of dominance at Auburn and can disrupt both the run and pass. In a rebuilding year, Carolina should look to add a building block regardless of position. This just happens to be a case where value matches up with need.
8. Cardinals - Jedrick Wills Jr. - OT, Alabama
After stealing DeAndre Hopkins from the Texans, Kliff Kingsbury and the Cardinals add a potential franchise left tackle. Protecting Kyler Murray and adding defensive talent should be their two main goals for this draft. Jedrick Wills Jr. is by no means a perfect prospect, but he has the tools to develop into a quality blindside protector for the dynamic, diminutive Murray.
Jags Throw a Curveball
9. Jaguars - Justin Herbert - QB, Oregon
Gardner Minshew showed flashes (and stashes) as a starter for the Jaguars last year, but if Justin Herbert is on the board, they may not be able to pass on him. Herbert has almost everything teams look for in a franchise QB, and may be suffering from some prospect fatigue having been a big name at Oregon for three-plus years. His mobility and arm talent make him a potential star, but questions about his transition from the Oregon spread offense and inconsistent ball placement linger. Jacksonville takes the risk in this projection.
10. Browns - Andrew Thomas - OT, Georgia
The Browns are in dire need of some stability and leadership. They also have a gaping hole at left tackle. Andrew Thomas happens to be a high-character blindside protector who can be a mauler in the run game. He plays a little high and doesn’t have great knee bend, but he should be a steady pro.
11. Jets - Ceedee Lamb - WR, Oklahoma
The Jets have glaring needs at outside wide receiver and offensive tackle. They will likely select the best receiver or tackle on the board, and in this projection, it’s CeeDee Lamb of Oklahoma. Lamb is a run-after-catch machine with off-the-charts production and competitiveness. He can immediately step in and be Sam Darnold’s No. 1 weapon.
12. Raiders - Patrick Queen - LB, LSU
The Raiders have built a fairly strong roster and have few glaring positional needs. They seem to be at a crossroads with quarterback Derek Carr, so don’t be surprised to see them target a signal-caller at some point in the draft. A falling Justin Herbert or Jordan Love are possibilties. If the Raiders go elsewhere, Patrick Queen makes sense as a playmaking defender. Last year General Manager Mike Mayock shocked everyone in taking Clelin Ferrell at No. 4 overall. Queen would be a mild surprise as another player from the championship-winning defense.
Jerry's a Good Name for a Niners WR
13. 49ers (f/IND) - Jerry Jeudy - WR, Alabama
After trading away DeForest Buckner, some believe the 49ers will target defensive line with this pick. They could also use a receiver, and Jerry Jeudy is an immediate upgrade in the slot. Jimmy Garoppolo has a strong rushing attack, George Kittle, and Deebo Samuel, but little else in terms of weapons. Jeudy is a route-runner extraordinaire with great hands, speed, and quickness.
14. Buccaneers - K'Lavon Chaisson - EDGE, LSU
Even if current franchise player Shaquil Barrett is signed long-term, the Buccaneers could use another edge-rusher. K’Lavon Chaisson is the second-best edge player in the draft. He possesses all the physical traits of a disruptive pro pass-rusher and is oozing with upside at just 20 years old. Tom Brady should help improve the offense, so expect this draft to focus on bolstering the defense.
15. Broncos - Henry Ruggs III - WR, Alabama
There is an outside chance a team falls in love with Henry Ruggs and he is the first receiver off the board. His floor is No. 15 to the Broncos. Pairing him with Courtland Sutton would give the Broncos one of the best dynamic young receiving duos in the league. Ruggs has incredible speed (4.27 40), and a nice mix of strong hands and tenacity. He played second-fiddle to Jerry Jeudy at Alabama but has the tools to blossom into a WR1 with Drew Lock in Denver.
16. Falcons - C.J. Henderson - CB, Florida
It seems that every year the Falcons need help on defense. C.J. Henderson is the second-best corner in this class and has shutdown potential. He needs to work on his tackling but should slide in as an immediate starter in Atlanta. The Matt Ryan window is slowly closing, so the Falcons need to add players who can help right away. Henderson can improve their pass defense the day he steps foot into the building.
17. Cowboys - Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
The Cowboys have done a good job building a roster with few glaring positional holes. They could use a slot receiver and tight end on offense, and some edge and secondary help on defense, but their talent level is well above average. Expect them to look hard at receivers to play the slot, especially LSU’s Justin Jefferson. In this projection, they go with TCU cornerback Jeff Gladney. Gladney projects as a solid zone corner with some playmaking ability. Once Dak Prescott gets paid, hitting on draft picks will become even more important for the Cowboys.
18. Dolphins (f/PIT) - Mekhi Becton - OT, Louisville
After adding a franchise quarterback at No. 5, the Dolphins use No. 18 on his blindside protector. Laremy Tunsil was traded to Houston so there is a huge hole at left tackle in Miami. Mekhi Becton is enormous in stature and upside. He is insanely athletic for his size and shows flashes of brilliance on film. Keeping his weight in check will define his career.
Welcome to Vegas, JJ
19. Raiders (f/CHI) - Justin Jefferson - WR, LSU
The Raiders at No. 18 will likely consider a quarterback. If they choose to wait, adding a receiver for whoever is under center is a good idea. This draft is rich with wide-outs and few have upped their stock more than Justin Jefferson of LSU. Jefferson dominated at Oklahoma and pleasantly surprised scouts with a 4.43 40. He operated mostly out of the slot at LSU, so with Hunter Renfrow on the roster, he might have to shift outside full-time in Las Vegas.
20. Jaguars (f/LAR) - Javon Kinlaw - DT, S. Carolina
It’s crazy that just three years ago the Jaguars were a missed call away from beating the Patriots in the AFC Championship. Blake Bortles and Tom Coughlin are gone, but somehow Doug Marrone has survived. Finding a quarterback should be priority No. 1, but re-tooling the defense is a close second. Javon Kinlaw is a penetrating defensive tackle with great burst and the ability to shoot gaps in the run game. He has added value as a potential contributor on special teams, having flashed the ability to block field goals at South Carolina.
21. Eagles - Kenneth Murray - LB, Oklahoma
Kenneth Murray of Oklahoma is a pure football player. Eagles fans may not love the positional value of an off-ball linebacker in the first-round, especially in a great receiver class. However, Philadelphia can take a receiver in the second round after adding one of the best linebackers in this class. Their current linebacking corps is nothing to write home about, and Murray can play on all three downs.
22. Vikings - Brandon Aiyuk - WR, Arizona St.
Brandon Aiyuk may slide a bit due to a core muscle injury. However, there’s no denying his talent. The Vikings traded Stefon Diggs to the Bills and have a glaring need at receiver alongside Adam Theilen. Aiyuk has the size, strong hands, and run-after-catch ability to be one of Kirk Cousins’ favorite targets.
23. Patriots - Jacob Eason - QB, Washington
This will be a controversial projection. Patriots fans swear the team is willing to go to battle with Jared Stidham at quarterback, but I’ll believe it when I see it. Jacob Eason is not short on talent, as he was the top pro-style quarterback recruit coming out of high school. His college career was somewhat tumultuous, but his film last year showed a lot of promise. The Patriots will undoubtedly love how quickly he gets the ball out of his hands. He has the arm talent, the only question is if he stands up to New England's stringent standards. If he’s on their draft board at all, there is a chance Jacob Eason is a Patriot.
Mims the Word
24. Saints - Denzel Mims - WR, Baylor
The Saints will surely add a quarterback-of-the-future at some point in this draft. At No. 24, Jacob Eason and Jordan Love will be in play. If they choose to go elsewhere, bolstering their receiving corps with a best-player-available approach is a possibility. Denzel Mims isn’t the most polished prospect, but his tools are tantalizing. New Orleans develops players as well as any program in the NFL, so Mims could be a beastly outside complement to Michael Thomas in the slot.
25. Vikings (f/BUF) - Isaiah Wilson - OT, Georgia
Rumors are swirling that NFL teams expect Isaiah Wilson to be drafted in the first round. The former Georgia Bulldog is a raw prospect who looks the part but has inconsistent film. When he gets his hands inside, he's very powerful and he's good on double teams. However, he needs to be coached out of his waist-bending tendencies. For the Vikings, he would slot in at right guard.
26. Dolphins (f/HOU) - Yetur Gross-Matos - EDGE, Penn St.
With their third pick in the first round, the Dolphins go to the defensive side of the ball with Yetur Gross-Matos from Penn State. Gross-Matos can set the edge as well as anyone in this class in the running game and displays devastating inside moves as a pass-rusher. His edge-rushing reps might not translate into 10-plus sacks a year, but he can become a solid starter at the next level. The Dolphins have a defensive-minded head coach but are lacking in young talent on that side of the ball.
27. Seahawks - Josh Jones - OT, Houston
The Seahawks haven’t had much success in the first round in recent years. They are always a candidate to trade down, but if they stay put expect an offensive lineman to be the pick. Current left tackle Duane Brown is getting up there in age, and they don’t have much quality experience at right tackle either. Josh Jones of Houston was solid against relatively mediocre college competition but possesses all the traits that translate to the pro game. He can start his career on the right side and eventually take over for Brown to protect Russell Wilson’s blindside.
Taylor Made for Baltimore?
28. Ravens - Jonathan Taylor - RB, Wisconsin
This is another controversial projection that will likely annoy some Ravens fans. There is a chance Ravens brass falls in love with Jonathan Taylor of Wisconsin. The Ravens already boast the best rushing attack in the league, but the draft isn’t only about filling holes, it’s also about building upon strengths. It’s quite possible the Ravens see a selection of Taylor as an opportunity to add one of the most talented runners in the league to their potent ground attack. Mark Ingram will be 31 next season and the Ravens surely don’t want Lamar Jackson to handle as many carries as he did last year. There are always surprise picks in the NFL Draft. This could be a big one.
29. Titans - A.J. Epenesa - EDGE, Iowa
The Titans have become a smashmouth, physical football team under head coach Mike Vrabel. A.J. Epenesa from Iowa is a perfect fit. Epenesa is big, strong, and twitchy, and has the motor and pass-rushing skills to help bolster the Titans Defense. The entire AFC is trying to build a roster to slow down Patrick Mahomes. Adding quality pass-rushers makes sense for Tennessee.
30. Packers - Tee Higgins - WR, Clemson
Tee Higgins has some injury concerns and isn’t the strongest or fastest receiver prospect in this draft. However, his ability to receive footballs in football games is unquestionable. The Packers need a complement to Davante Adams at receiver and Higgins can be an outside threat while Adams plays more slot. Higgins’ game matches up so well with Aaron Rodgers it’s scary. The Lambeau Leaps after toe-tapping sideline grabs and high-point fades could be glorious in Green Bay.
31. 49ers - Damon Arnette - CB, Ohio St.
After going receiver earlier, the 49ers could choose to improve their secondary with a potential starter opposite Richard Sherman. Damon Arnette was the counterpart to Jeff Okudah at Ohio State, and likely saw more targets thrown at him because of it. Arnette is competitive and alert, who explodes to ball-carriers in the run game and can play press-man on the outside. He is unconventional with his stances and punches, but has enough man coverage skills to be an adequate NFL starter.
32. Chiefs - Cesar Ruiz - C, Michigan
The Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs (sounds good, right Chiefs fans?) have a need at center. Cesar Ruiz is the best center prospect in the draft. Running backs are commonly mocked here for the Chiefs but the top runners in this class lack the passing game skills Andy Reid usually covets. Ruiz can be a starter from day one as the Chiefs look to defend their title.
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