Three weeks out, the first round of the NFL Draft is starting to take shape
Apr 2, 2020, 7:10 AM
It’s that time of year again. As we edge closer to the NFL Draft, I thought it would be time to release my first mock draft of the year!
Here’s how round one will shape out three weeks from tonight:
1. CIN – Joe Burrow – This isn’t a surprise here, everyone knows Burrow is going No. 1. The Bengals really need to start worrying about what they will do with their second-round pick.
2. WAS – Chase Young – The Redskins are doing all of the homework they can on Tua Tagovailoa just in case they don’t pass on something really special, but Ron Rivera is a defensive guy and has always been around great defensive players when he was playing and as the head coach in Carolina, so he will get arguably the best defensive player in this draft.
3. DET – Isaiah Simmons – Matt Patricia is on the hot seat and needs an instant impact this season. Detroit goes out and gets a play maker on defense that makes an impact now. Don’t forget that the Lions haven’t drafted a corner in the first round since 1998.
4. NYG – Jeff Okudah – New York has been trying to find an elite cornerback for a number of years and now they get the best one in the draft who has the potential to be an All-Pro in this league.
5. MIA – Tua Tagovailoa – The Dolphins will make calls to move up just in case someone will try to jump them for the Alabama quarterback, but at the end of the day they will get their franchise quarterback that we’ve been waiting to see since the beginning of last season.
6. LAC – Justin Herbert – I can’t believe that the Chargers are willing to go into a new stadium and the start of a new era with Tyrod Taylor leading the way. Los Angeles needs to sell tickets right away and will Herbert’s skill set, fans will be excited for the most talented quarterback in this draft in my opinion.
7. CAR – Derrick Brown – I think the Panthers want to go offense here to help Christian McCaffrey, but when the best available player is sitting there, they must take the best defensive lineman in the draft who makes an immediate impact from day one. Brown will improve their rush defense as well.
8. ARZ – Tristian Wirfs: I had the Cardinals taking a wide receiver here, but after Arizona trading for DeAndre Hopkins, I don’t think they need to add one for Kyler Murray. It’s time to protect their franchise quarterback. Wirfs can be an elite guard, but I think they should start him at tackle before moving him inside.
9. JAX – Javon Kinlaw – The Jags lost Calais Campbell and need to take the best player available and that’s the star from South Carolina. I could see them taking a wide receiver here, but they have way too many holes to fill.
10. CLE – Mekhi Becton: The biggest issue for the Browns last season was on the offensive line. In the offseason, they signed tackle Jack Conklin to play right tackle and with Jonah Williams coming off an injury, the Browns will take a mauler in the Louisville left tackle to protect Baker Mayfield.
11. NYJ – Jerry Jeudy – It’s time to give Sam Darnold an elite type of weapon and with Adam Gase’s great offensive mind the Jets will take the best route runner and wide receiver in this draft.
12. LAS – Henry Ruggs lll – Jon Gruden watched Tyreek Hill blow past his defenses the last couple of years, so it’s time for him to add speed to his own offense.
13. SF – CeeDee Lamb – Kyle Shanahan’s team is pretty built already, but he needs to add another weapon on offense to help out Jimmy Garoppolo. With the departure of Emmanuel Sanders, Lamb makes sense for the 49ers.
14. TB – Jedrick Wills Jr. – Since Tampa Bay signed Tom Brady, they need to keep him upright and the are lacking depth at the tackle position so why not get a guy who played the right side for lefty Tua Tagovailoa at Alabama. Wills could solidify the right side of the offensive line for Brady.
15. DEN – Andrew Thomas – I’ve been saying since the first week of college football that the Broncos need to do everything in their power to get Andrew Thomas. Now they will have to with the top three wide receivers off the board. Thomas will come in and be an instant upgrade over Garett Bolles and becomes the instant starter to protect Drew Lock. Denver can get a wide receiver in the second or third round.
16. ATL – A.J. Epenesa – Atlanta has plenty of needs on defense so why not add more depth on the line because you can never have enough pass rushers. Plus, they need to get after the quarterbacks in their division.
17. DAL – C.J. Henderson – After losing Byron Jones in free agency, the Cowboys will get their replacement who needs a lot of improvement. Henderson can be a great addition if he improves his tackling skills.
18. MIA – Antoine Winfield Jr. – This guy is climbing up draft boards and with the Dolphins needing a safety, he is the perfect option. Winfield is playmaker who had seven interceptions last season for Minnesota and had 83 tackles. He can play free safety, but if Brian Flores wants him in the box, he can play well there too.
19. LAS – Xavier McKinney – The Raiders need more play makers on defense and a safety who forced four fumbles last season makes sense here for Vegas.
20. JAX – Jordan Love – Gardner Mishew isn’t the answer in Jacksonville, even with all of the hype. The Jags need to start over fresh and with the gunslinger out of Utah State, Doug Marrone might keep his job another year if Love shows some promise.
21. PHI – Justin Jefferson – The Eagles need weapons on offense to help out Carson Wentz. Jefferson had more than 1,500 yards last season for LSU and will make an immediate impact for the Philly offense.
22. MIN – Ross Blacklock – Minnesota is going to need more help up the middle to bring pressure after letting Everson Griffen enter free agency.
23. NE – K’Lavon Chaisson – Bill Belichick lost Tom Brady and we’re unsure if the Patriots will wait to draft a quarterback this year or tank for Trevor Lawrence. Either way, New England builds on their pass rush.
24. NO – Kenneth Murray – Best player available here is also a need for the Saints. New Orleans is stacked everywhere on this roster and with it possibly being the final year for Drew Brees, the Saints need an impact player in the middle of that defense.
25. MIN – Tee Higgins – There’s no way I was going to let the Vikings finish the first round without getting a replacement for Stefon Diggs. Higgins might be the most underrated player in this draft. The Clemson star is the best all around wide receiver in this draft and will help out Kirk Cousins in the Kubiak offense.
26. MIA – D’Andre Swift – The Dolphins have been connected to running backs like crazy and this is the time they make their decision between Swift and J.K. Dobbins and they select the star from Georgia. In my eyes, Swift is the best back in the draft and is so smooth when he runs with the ball.
27. SEA – Yetur Gross-Matos – It seems like the Seahawks are looking for pass rush help every year and they’re going to lose Jadaveon Clowney as well.
28. BAL – Trevon Diggs – Let’s give Baltimore a corner with good ball skills to help on the other side of Marcus Peters.
29. TEN – Denzel Mims – Ryan Tannehill got a long term deal and is going to need another weapon to have so let’s give him a player that’s great in the red zone and also ran a 4.38 at the combine.
30. GB – J.K. Dobbins – It’s time the Packers get a long term running back. Matt LaFLeur will have fun being creative with Dobbins.
31. SF – Cesar Ruiz – The 49ers need to build on the interior offensive line and they get the best center in the draft to replace Ben Garland.
32. KC – Kristian Fulton – The Chiefs were unable to get Chris Harris Jr. in free agency, but they get a really good player to boost that secondary. Plus he’s from LSU and corners that come from Baton Rouge turn out pretty good right?
