Final 2020 NFL Mock Draft

It is finally draft day and I couldn't be more excited to see what happens in the first ever virtual draft. This my final mock draft for the 2020 NFL draft. For this mock, I made each pick based on what I would do if I were the GM of each franchise. For each pick I took into consideration my own evaluation of each player, team needs, scheme fit, and contract management. Also keep in mind there are no trades in this mock. I'm doing this mock this way because I don't know what each teams' big board looks like and I can't accurately predict what trades will happen. Without further ado, here is my final mock draft for the 2020 NFL draft.

Cinncinati Bengals - Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

The Bengals need a franchise quarterback and Burrow is that guy. He’s an extremely accurate improviser who gets better when the lights are the brightest. Arm strength is a concern, but he can make every throw ,even in tight windows, and I’m fully confident he’ll be amazing in the NFL.

2. Washington Redskins - Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State

Chase Young is the best player in the draft. Young is one of the best edge rush prospects we’ve seen in years and he would go number one if the Bengals didn’t need a quarterback. Young has a rare blend of size, speed, bend, and flexibility that you don’t see that often in a defensive end. What’s scary is he can still improve. He leans on hand swipes too often even when he should bull rush tackles, but that’s the only negative part of his game. He still had 16.5 sacks using primarily one pass rush move. This dude is a stud.

3. Detroit Lions - Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State

The Lions traded Darius Slay in the offseason and Desmond Trufant is a big drop off in terms of talent. They need to add a good man corner in the draft to replace Slay, and Okudah is that guy. Okudah is the best man corner in the draft. He has fluid hips, good burst out of breaks, and he is great at using his hands to get himself in position and adjust receivers’ routes. His long speed isn’t as good as you’d like it to be, but his technique more than makes up for it.

4. New York Giants - Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama

The Giants gave up 48 sacks last year, so they need to protect Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley. Jedrick Wills is my #1 offensive tackle so I’m taking him here. Wills has great footwork, good mobility, amazing pass sets, and great hand usage. It’s hard to pass on Isaiah Simmons, but protecting the franchise quarterback is more important than getting a huge upgrade at linebacker.

5. Miami Dolphins - Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

I’m a little worried about his injuries and the potential for them to return due to his aggressive play style, but the Dolphins need a franchise quarterback. I love Tua, he’s got a fast release and is great at going through his progressions quickly and correctly. He’s super accurate and a very good decision maker which are great qualities for a first round quarterback to have.

6. Los Angeles Chargers - Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson

The Chargers need to get a quarterback for the future, but I don’t think there are any more quarterbacks worth taking in the top ten. Just imagine a defense with Isaiah Simmons and Derwin James. Those guys are going to wreak havoc on opposing offenses in both the run and pass game. Adding Simmons to this defense gives the Chargers one of the scariest defenses in the entire league.

7. Carolina Panthers - Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn

The Panthers had one of the worst run defenses in the entire league last year and Brown would fix that immediately. Derrick Brown is a powerful defensive tackle who pushes the pocket, fights through double teams consistently, and can fill multiple gaps. I think Brown has the potential to be a good pass rusher at the next level as well so this is an easy pick for me.

8. Arizona Cardinals - Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville

The Cardinals had one of the worst run blocking offensive lines in the league last year and they have to protect Kyler Murray so I’m going offensive tackle here. Becton is a physical freak with incredible raw strength and amazing athleticism that blew me away when watching his film. He is a good run blocker and has the potential to be the best tackle in this class. I think the Cardinals could go Andrew Thomas as well, but I'm going with the guy with the most upside in the entire class.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars - Javon Kinlaw, IDL, South Carolina

Speaking of raw strength and amazing athleticism, here’s Javon Kinlaw. Kinlaw is the best pass rushing defensive tackle in the class and he would be a great addition to a rebuilding team who has a ton of needs all over their defense. Kinlaw has the talent to be picked in the top five so this is a steal in my opinion.

10. Cleveland Browns - Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

If Cleveland were to trade for Trent Williams, I could see them going with Yetur Gross-Matos or Patrick Queen, but for now I have them going with Andrew Thomas. Thomas is my #3 offensive tackle and I think he would fit in perfectly in Cleveland. Thomas is less powerful and athletic than Mekhi Becton, but he is smarter with how he uses his hands. I love Thomas and I think he deserves to be talked about more as a potential top ten pick.

11. New York Jets - Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa

I’m lower on Wirfs than most people, but It’s because I don’t think he can play tackle. He has the size to play tackle, but his footwork and pass sets are just not good enough. Luckily, he’s a freak athlete and I think he can excel as a guard in the NFL. The Jets have an awful offensive line and anyone at any position would be an upgrade at this point. Wirfs has the strength and the athleticism to slide in at guard and play at a high level for the Jets.

12. Las Vegas Raiders - CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma

CeeDee Lamb is the best receiver in this class. He’s a good, smooth route runner who is great at making contested catches and shines with the ball in his hands in the open field. Lamb is very elusive and routinely turns 10-20 yard catches into 60+ yard touchdowns. He is very hard to tackle and there were multiple plays where there were five defenders around him and he still scored a touchdown. He is absolutely amazing and will give the Raiders the elite deep threat they’ve been missing.

13. San Francisco 49ers - Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama

Jeudy isn’t my #2 receiver, but he is a better fit in the 49ers’ west coast offense than Henry Ruggs III. Jeudy is the best route runner in the class and it feels like he’s always open. He isn’t given enough credit for his ability to make plays after the catch, but there were a lot of plays where he stopped on a dime and made defenders miss which was very impressive. Everyone knows how good his route running is, but not a lot of people talk about all the things that make him a great receiver like his speed and his big play ability. I love Jerry Jeudy and he’s one of my favorite prospects in the entire draft.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Josh Jones, OT, Houston

This is a bit of a reach here for Josh Jones, but the Buccaneers need a tackle to protect the G.O.A.T, Tom Brady. Jones is a bit of a developmental project, but he is strong, mobile, and doesn’t get beat that often. If one of the top four tackles were available here, I would pick them no questions asked, but Jones is not a bad player. He’s much better than Austin Jackson at least.

15. Denver Broncos - Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama

Ruggs has elite speed, great hands, and is a fantastic route runner. His big play potential will stretch defenses and allow his teammates to get easy receptions in the middle of the field. Ruggs has a ton of potential and is a great fit in Denver alongside Courtland Sutton and Drew Lock.

16. Atlanta Falcons - Yetur Gratos-Moss, EDGE, Penn State

No I’m not insane for having Yetur Gross-Matos this high and let me tell you why. Gross-Matos is a fantastic edge rusher with great size, good burst off the line of scrimmage, surprisingly good bend for a guy his size, and amazing technique. He doesn’t have the speed and bend that K’Lavon Chaisson does, but he has more raw strength/power and better technique.

17. Dallas Cowboys - A.J Terrell, CB, Clemson

A.J Terrell is the second best corner in the class behind Jeff Okudah. He has all the physical traits you want in a man corner like fluid hips, good hand usage, and good ball skills. I know Ja’Marr Chase beat him a couple times in the national championship, but he was in his hip pocket all night and only got beat because of an uncalled offensive pass interference and a perfect throw from Burrow. Terrell has all the tools to be an elite man corner at the next level and he would be the perfect replacement for Byron Jones.

18. Miami Dolphins - K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU

K’Lavon Chaisson is an interesting prospect. He has the speed, burst, and bend to be a good 3-4 outside linebacker, but he doesn’t have the power to be a 4-3 defensive end. What makes him so interesting is he is good in coverage so there’s a possibility he could be successful as a 4-3 SAM linebacker where he’ll play the same role as 2011 Von Miller. Chaisson is a very talented edge rusher and he could thrive in a variety of roles in Miami.

19. Las Vegas Raiders - C.J Henderson, CB, Florida

Raiders fans would be ecstatic with this pick. Henderson is an unreal athlete with elite speed and incredible length. His physical tools are enough for him to be my #3 corner. What sold me on Henderson as a top three corner in this class was a play vs. LSU where he used trail technique against Ja’Marr Chase and didn’t get burnt and was able to force an incompletion. Henderson is raw and there are a lot of plays where he looks lost and too often he gives up inside leverage too easily which is why I like Terrell more, but he has a ton of upside and his physical tools are enough for me to pick him in the top twenty.

20. Jacksonville Jaguars - Grant Delpit, S, LSU

Corner is a bigger need than safety for the Jaguars, but there isn’t a man corner worth taking over Grant Delpit. Kristian Fulton is available, but he’s more of a zone corner and isn’t a great fit with the Jaguars. Delpit is the best free safety in the class because of his speed and range in coverage combined with his physicality and versatility. He is a rangy ballhawk who can step down in the box and provide run support. He also has the size and speed to cover tight ends and running backs. He missed a lot of tackles this year, but if he cleans that up he will be a top twenty player in this class.

21. Philadelphia Eagles - Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU

The Eagles had a former college quarterback who never played receiver before as one of their top two receivers for half of the year, so it’s safe to say they have a big need at wide receiver. Jefferson is a big slot receiver with great physical traits who can also play on the outside. Jefferson is a good route runner who makes plays with the ball in his hands with his 4.4 speed. He’s also pretty physical and can make contested catches and difficult catches away from his body. Jefferson is talented enough to go top 15, so this is a steal for the Eagles.

22. Minnesota Vikings - Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor

The Vikings traded Stefon Diggs for a load of draft picks, leaving a huge whole at receiver after Adam Theilen. Mims is 6’3 and runs a 4.38 forty which is impressive enough, but he’s also a nifty route runner and has a huge catch radius. Mims will give Cousins an option to just throw the ball up and let him make a play. I love Mims and Kirk Cousins will too.

23. New England - Jordan Love, QB, Utah State

Tom Brady left for Tampa Bay in free agency, leaving the Patriots with Jarrett Stidham as their quarterback of the future. We haven’t seen Stidham in action so we don’t know what the Pats have in him so I’m going to pick the quarterback with the most potential in the entire draft. Love struggles with consistency and decision making which is why he’s available at twenty three, but his ability to make accurate throws on the run and off-platform is absolutely incredible. His highlights are reminiscent of Patrick Mahomes at Texas Tech. If New England can develop him, he could be special.

24. New Orleans Saints - Patrick Queen, LB, LSU

Patrick Queen is a special linebacker who is very instinctive, great in coverage, and can come down and stop the run. Queen is a top fifteen talent in my opinion and he’s a great future replacement for Demario Davis who is getting up there in age. I don’t think there’s much separation between Patrick Queen and Devin White as prospects so this is a steal at twenty four.

25. Minnesota Vikings - Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU

Fulton is not a great man corner, but he will not be asked to do that in Minnesota. The Vikings run a lot of zone coverage and Fulton is one of the best zone corners in the entire class. His ability to read quarterbacks’ eyes and break on the ball is special. He does a good job of using his hands in man coverage so you can trust him to be successful as a man corner , but he isn’t consistent enough for you to put him on an island for an entire game. Fulton is a great fit in Mike Zemmer’s system and I love him as a prospect.

26. Miami Dolphins - Cesar Ruiz, IOL, Michigan

The Dolphins have to improve their offensive line which gave up 54 sacks last year. That cannot continue to happen, so we’re protecting Tua Tagovailoa by picking Cesar Ruiz. Ruiz is a strong interior offensive lineman who is great with his hands and can play center and guard. He’s also very mobile and does very well when he gets into the second level of the defense and when he’s asked to pull. I really like Ruiz and think he’s worth a first round pick more than Austin Jackson.

27. Seattle Seahawks - Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama

The Seahawks don’t know if they’re gonna have Jadeveon Clowney back next year, so I’m gonna take his potential replacement in Terrell Lewis. Lewis is very athletic and overwhelms tackles with incredible speed and explosiveness. He has a nasty spin move that made me fall in love when watching him on film and I think he could be very good in Seattle.

28. Baltimore Ravens - Zach Baun, EDGE, Wisconsin

The Ravens desperately need an inside linebacker to replace C.J Mosley who they lost two years ago, but Kenneth Murray doesn’t have the instincts in my opinion to warrant taking him in the first round. Instead, I’m going with Zach Baun who can play off-ball linebacker and will be very good as a blitzer in the Ravens system. Baun plays like a Raven and I think he would be amazing as a rookie for them.

29. Tennessee Titans - Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU

The Titans really need a nose tackle and a defensive end with Jurrell Casey’s departure so I’m going with Ross Blacklock. Blacklock is a combination of the explosiveness of Neville Gallimore and the power and two gap ability of Derrick Brown. He can play nose tackle for the Titans, fill multiple gaps with a ton of power, and rush the pass when he isn’t fighting through double teams. Blacklock can do so many things and I think he would dominate in Tennessee.

30. Green Bay Packers - Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC

The Packers need a receiver and Pittman Jr. is a beast. Pittman Jr. has great hands, is a very dangerous deep threat, has great ball skills, and is a very solid route runner who comes out of his breaks with ease. He is very underrated and I think he would fit very well next to Davante Adamas.

31. San Francisco 49ers - Neville Gallimore, DT, Oklahoma

The 49ers traded Deforest Buckner for the 13th pick, giving them two first rounders. They got a receiver with the 13th pick, so I’m giving them a very good pass rushing defensive tackle in Neville Gallimore. It’s rare to see a guy Gallimore’s size move as well as he does. He’s explosive and does a fantastic job of using his hands to move offensive lineman out of the way to get to the quarterback. Replacing Buckner with a good pass rushing defensive tackle on a cheap contract is a smart move here.

32. Kansas City Chiefs - Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU

The Chiefs have a gaping hole at corner after Kendall Fuller left for Washington, so I’m picking the best man corner available, Jeff Gladney. Gladney is very sticky in coverage and plays with a ton of physicality. He’s also good in zone and will provide some run support as well. He’s a little undersized and gives up outside leverage too often, but Chiefs fans would love this pick.