The 2020 NFL Draft is fast approaching, and it can come quick enough with the professional sports calendar wiped clean until the end of spring. The Cincinnati Bengals, who have the first pick, are widely expected to draft Joe Burrow as their replacement for Andy Dalton, but are we in for a surprise? Read on for our mock draft of the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Unless Joe Burrow explicitly says that he’s not going to play if he’s drafted by Cincinnati, expect the LSU product to be the first overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft.
2. Washington Redskins – Chase Young, DE, Ohio State
The Redskins can go in many other ways, but they will not spend this pick on Young, who had a breakout season in Columbus with the Buckeyes in 2019.
3. Detroit Lions – Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
A versatile defensive piece, Simmons had shown he can shift from linebacker to safety during his time in Clemson. He’s going to be an asset for Detroit, which was 29th in defensive efficiency in 2019.
4. New York Giants – Tristan Wirfs, OL, Iowa
The Giants need more protection for Daniel Jones, and they can partly address that mission by getting Wirfs, who could potentially be the future cornerstone of New York;s offensive line.
5. Miami Dolphins — Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
At some point, the Dolphins will have to stop relying on Fitzmagic because there could only be enough rabbits he can pull out of the hat. In Tagovailoa, Miami will have the quarterback of their future, while Hard Rock Stadium fans who held up those “Tank for Tua” signs after Week 5 of the 2019 season will get what they want.
6. Los Angeles Chargers – Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Tyrod Taylor is pegged to be the Chargers’ starter in 2020, but he could very well just be a placeholder for Herbert.
7. Carolina Panthers – Derrick Brown, DE, Auburn
The Panthers will have to start thinking what’s next for them once Gerald McCoy is gone. Brown would be an essential part of the Panthers’ defense that also just lost Luke Kuechly.
With DeAndre Hopkins in town, Arizona must improve its protection for Kyler Murray. Wills’ athleticism and speed plus his strength will also be helpful in paving the road for the Cards’ rushing attack.
A young pair of DJ Chark and CeeDee Lamb gives the Jags a bright future downfield, as Gardner Minshew starts his first full season as the team’s No. 1 quarterback.
The Browns are another team that needs to shore up its offensive line. Becton, a 6-7, 340-pound beast, is very mobile for his size and could be its starting left tackle by the start of the 2020 season.
Predictions for the rest of the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft
11. New York Jets — Andrew Thomas, WR, Al;abama
12. Las Vegas Raiders — Jerry Jeudy, WR, Al;abama
13. San Francisco 49ers — Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
15. Denver Broncos — Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
16. Atlanta Falcons — K’Lavon Chaisson, DE, LSU
17. Dallas Cowboys — CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
18. Miami Dolphins — Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State
19. Las Vegas Raiders — Kenneth Murray, ILB, Oklahoma
20. Jacksonville Jaguars — Grant Delpit, S, LSU
21. Philadelphia Eagles — Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
