2020 NFL Draft: Mock 1.0
No, it's not too early.
And it's definitely not way too early.
It seems like every 2020 mock draft that's come out in the days following the 2019 NFL Draft is preceded by declaring it the Way Too Early Mock Draft. To hell with that. It's never too early. The clock is officially counting down until the 2020 NFL Draft, and the page has officially been flipped.
Without further ado, here's mock 1.0 for next year's draft. Oh, and before you give me grief about the order, I just went by the Vegas odds for next year's Super Bowl Champion. Don't @ me.
1. Miami Dolphins – Chase Young, Edge, Ohio State
This is assuming Josh Rosen does enough in his first year in Miami to prove that he’s someone to build around, otherwise, Tua goes here. If it’s not Tua, the Phins need a premier edge rusher to go along with 2017 first round pick Christian Wilkins, and Young is a terror getting after the QB.
2. Washington Redskins – Walker Little, OT, Stanford
With Dwayne Haskins now in the fold, it’s time to ensure he’ll have his blindside protector for the next decade. Trent Brown is still an above average OT but has slowly been in decline since his elite 2016 season and will be entering the final year of his contract in 2020. Little would be a terrific heir.
3. Cincinnati Bengals – Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
Let’s be real, Andy Dalton is never going to win the Bengals a title, and there’s a good reason rookie Ryan Finley slipped to the 4th round, because odds are he’s not a franchise cornerstone. Tua is a winner with arm strength, touch and poise, and already has a natural rapport with first round OT Jonah Williams.
4. New York Giants – Grant Delpit, S, LSU
For my money, Delpit is the best player in the 2020 draft class and is the ultimate defensive chess piece. He’s a true difference-maker who would be a day-1 starter with the Giants.
5. Arizona Cardinals – Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
The Cards ever-so-quietly neglected to address their horrible offensive line in the draft until the 6th round. D.J. Humphries is injury prone and Marcus Gilbert will be a free agent after 2019. Thomas is an elite pass protector who can help keep the undersized Kyler Murray healthy.
6. Buffalo Bills – C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
Can you imagine a CB pairing of Tre’Davious White and C.J. Henderson? Yikes.
7. Detroit Lions – Paddy Fisher, LB, Northwestern
I’d be surprised if Fisher actually goes top-10, but he’s got the size and characteristics Matt Patricia likes. He’d pair well with Jahlani Tavai, especially if the team decides to move on from the underachieving Jarrad Davis.
8. Oakland Raiders – Derrick Brown, IDL, Auburn
I’m not sure he’s as football-obsessed as Mayock prefers, but he’s a dynamic talent with the size (6-2/325) and strength to stuff the run but the athleticism to collapse the pocket. A defensive line with Clelin Ferrell, Mo Hurst, Brown and Arden Key? That’s something to work with.
9. Tennessee Titans – Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
When combatting offenses in today’s game, you can never have enough corners. Especially in a division with loaded passing attacks like Houston and Indianapolis.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
New HC Bruce Arians will likely improve Jameis Winston’s production this fall, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he still leaves the season desiring an upgrade. Arians would love to work with a big and physically gifted ball of clay like Herbert.
11. New York Jets – Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
They have their QB with Sam Darnold, but they have to give him more weapons to work with. Shenault is a freak athlete with size and elite playmaking ability.
12. Denver Broncos – Isaiah Simmons, S, Clemson
Simmons could either be a box safety in Vic Fangio’s defense, or potentially move to LB to play in space. Either way, Fangio will know what to do with an athlete like Simmons.
13. Carolina Panthers – Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
D.J. Moore is a solid weapon on the outside, but more help is needed for whoever is the Panthers QB of the near future, whether it's Cam Newton or Will Grier.
14. Houston Texans – A.J. Epenesa, Edge, Iowa
Jadeveon Clowney is franchise tagged for ’19 and Whitney Mercilus is entering the last year of his deal. One, but not both, will return, meaning they need a replacement.
15. Seattle Seahawks – Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama
Bobby Wagner and Barkevious Mingo are entering the last year of their contracts, and K.J. Wright will be a free agent after 2020. Moses can literally play inside or outside in virtually any scheme, making him an ideal fit.
16. Baltimore Ravens – Tyler Biadasz, IOL, Wisconsin
The Ravens are obviously bucking the trend with their power rushing attack, and they can use an upgrade over Matt Skura at center.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars – CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Time to give QB Nick Foles the big play deep threat he needs to capitalize on the play-action.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers – Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
For the 8th consecutive year, the Steelers use their first round pick on defense. Hopefully, this time their secondary finally gets the lockdown corner they’ve been looking for.
19. Atlanta Falcons – Nick Coe, Edge, Auburn
The team will need to give big bucks to DT Grady Jarrett, meaning DE Vic Beasley, who will be a free agent after ’19, is likely playing his last year in Atlanta.
20. Los Angeles Chargers – Tommy Kraemer, OT, Notre Dame
Maybe rookie third round pick Trey Pipkins has a long-term future at RT. Maybe not. Either way, Russell Okung has 2 years left on his deal, meaning OT could be a big need in the near future.
21. San Francisco 49ers – Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
The Niners added Deebo Samuel (second round) and Jalen Hurd (third round), but can an offensive guru like Kyle Shanahan ever have enough offensive weapons? Ruggs’ deep speed would make Marquise Goodwin expendable.
22. Minnesota Vikings – Rashard Lawrence, IDL, LSU
The Vikings didn’t have the opportunity to snag one of the premier interior linemen this year, so they address it now. Lawrence would be a good pairing next to Linval Joseph inside.
23. Green Bay Packers – Tariq Black, WR, Michigan
Everyone thought the Packers would give QB Aaron Rodgers some help in this year’s draft, but they instead further bolstered the defense. Maybe 2020 is when they finally upgrade the receiving corps?
24. Dallas Cowboys – Raekwon Davis, IDL, Alabama
The Cowboys love beefing up both the offensive and defensive lines, and Davis is a freakishly gifted athlete with unbelievable size. He’s a top-10 talent, but inconsistency continues to hamper him.
25. Oakland Raiders (via CHI) – Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia
It doesn’t seem like Gruden and Derek Carr are a match made in heaven, and the handwriting could be on the wall for a separation. Fromm could be Rich Gannon 2.0 and give the Raiders some juice heading into Vegas.
26. Philadelphia Eagles – Alton Robinson, Edge, Syracuse
Death, taxes and the Eagles hoarding pass rushers - three things in life you can count on.
27. Indianapolis Colts – Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, Mizzou
Eric Ebron was a nice surprise last year and may or may not be re-signed after 2019. Either way, giving Andrew Luck yet another weapon to work with is never a bad idea.
28. Cleveland Browns – Justin Madubuike, IDL, Texas A&M
The Browns have rapidly accumulated quite a few hefty contracts, meaning Larry Ogunjobi might not be brought back after his rookie deal.
29. New Orleans Saints – Lavert Hill, CB, Michigan
It’s highly unlikely Eli Apple is brought back after this year, and Hill would be a solid option opposite of Marshon Lattimore.
30. Kansas City Chiefs – J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
Andy Reid is losing offensive playmakers left and right thanks to taking chances on character risks. The thought is that second round pick Mecole Hardman can replace Tyreek Hill at WR, maybe Dobbins replace Kareem Hunt at RB?
31. Los Angeles Rams – Khalid Kareem, Edge, Notre Dame
With Aaron Donald making a gazillion dollars and Dante Fowler and Michael Brockers entering the final years on their contracts, a young and cost-efficient pass rusher makes sense.
32. New England Patriots – Creed Humphrey, IOL, Oklahoma
Classic Pats pick, here. A smart, versatile lineman with huge upside who has the skill set to play all 5 spots up front.
Rick Stavig is the owner and founder of SE Scouting. Email questions, comments and outrage to rgstavig@sescouting.com and follow him on the twitter machine @rickstavig.
