Cecil Lammey’s official 2020 first-round mock draft is here
Apr 22, 2020, 6:41 AM | Updated: 9:46 am
The work has been completed and it’s time to put together my first-round mock for the 2020 NFL Draft. This is a process that takes a few days to complete, as I will check in with team sources around the league just to gauge interest on how things should go.
I’m not going to include trades in this mock, but expect at least three to go down in the first round. Teams are going to be active and there’s a ton of teams who want to move back in this draft. There are a few teams who want to move up too, so let the chaos ensue! I will include in the notes section whether or not the pick will be shopped, swapped or otherwise different from how it’s currently expected to be.
Without further ado, let’s get to mocking!
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1. Cincinnati Bengals
The Pick: Joe Burrow | QB | LSU
The Reasoning: Burrow’s pass placement is uncanny and he has all the tools to be a franchise quarterback at the pro level. He’s incredibly intelligent and known as a hard worker who wants to be great. Burrow will start from day one for the Bengals and seems like a rare ‘can’t miss’ prospect at the quarterback position.
What They Could Do: There are rumblings that the Dolphins are desperately trying to move up to this pick armed with three first-round picks. The Bengals wouldn’t trade out of this “can’t miss” quarterback prospect would they? Well, it is the Bengals after all so you never know.
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2. Washington Redskins
The Pick: Chase Young | Edge | Ohio State
The Reasoning: He’s the best player in the draft and reminds me of Khalil Mack with the way he gets after the quarterback with a blend of power and speed. Young is a powerful player who can move his man with ease. He’s got the speed to bend the edge and incredible burst to get after the quarterback.
What They Could Do: Ron Rivera takes over the Redskins and he’s been lukewarm (at best) when talking about last year’s first-round quarterback, Dwayne Haskins. I don’t think they will, but a quarterback like Tua Tagovailo (Alabama) or Justin Herbert (Oregon) could be a shocking pick or they could always trade back.
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3. Detroit Lions
The Pick: Jeffrey Okudah | CB | Ohio State
The Reasoning: The only true shutdown corner in this draft. Okudah is athletic, has a nose for the ball and is not afraid to get his hands dirty in run support. He can instantly upgrade the Lions secondary and make their defense much better on the back end. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Okudah win Defensive Rookie of the Year because he’s that good and he should get a chance to make a ton of plays against the quarterbacks in that division.
What They Could Do: Matthew Stafford is no spring chicken and there have been minor rumblings that a quarterback is high on their board. There have been more rumblings, dating back months, that the team is more than willing to let this pick go for the right price. I think this pick is on the move if they can find the right trade partner.
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4. New York Giants
The Pick: Tristan Wirfs | OT/OG | Iowa
The Reasoning: The Giants need to protect second-year quarterback Daniel Jones and adding Wirfs will do that. I think he could end up at guard someday, but he has the makings of a quality 10-year starter in the NFL regardless of his position.
What They Could Do: Like most teams this high in the draft, the Giants could trade back. I have heard from a reliable team source that Clemson inside linebacker Isaiah Simmons is not on their board with this pick. That’s important because this is the first team that I thought would consider Simmons. It sounds like that’s not going to be the case.
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5. Miami Dolphins
The Pick: Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Alabama
The Reasoning: The team was “tanking for Tua” last year, so it would be odd for them not to take him although this is far from a lock. Tagovailoa is a franchise quarterback with an elite-level skill set. The hip injury suffered last year is a big concern, but all signs about his recovery have been overwhelmingly positive to this point.
What They Could Do: I’m told the Dolphins are 60-40 on taking Tagovailoa over Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert. The pick could easily be Herbert and I toiled back and forth on this mock deciding on who it would be. I checked in with some team sources and went with the player I’ve heard would be their pick for the longest time.
See who The Fan’s hosts selected for picks 1-5
1. CIN – Mark Schlereth
2. WAS – Orlando Franklin
3. DET – Sandy Clough
4. NYG – DMac
5. MIA – Zach Bye
6. Los Angeles Chargers
The Pick: Mekhi Becton | OT | Louisville
The Reasoning: The Chargers traded away Russell Okung earlier this year when they acquired guard Trai Turner from the Panthers. They have a need up front on the line to protect whatever quarterback is starting for them – now and in the future. Without a quarterback here, I fully expect them to add Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma) in the second round.
What They Could Do: Obviously, quarterback is the big question mark here. Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn has publicly supported Tyrod Taylor as his starter, but the temptation of a player like Herbert might be too much for the team to pass up. I’m told Javon Kinlaw could be a surprise here, as well.
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7. Carolina Panthers
The Pick: Derrick Brown | DT | Auburn
The Reasoning: I’ve been told Brown is near the top of their draft board. Brown is not only a space-eater in the middle of the defensive line, but he can also use his power to collapse double teams on his way to the quarterback. He can be an impact player from day one, and Brown is my second-highest rated player in this draft class behind only Chase Young.
What They Could Do: This is a big hurdle for Broncos fans who want Isaiah Simmons. They have interest in the all-purpose linebacker, but others are on their wish list, as well. The Panthers could take Simmons or Florida cornerback C.J. Henderson here. The interest in Henderson is real, and I’d consider him their second choice behind Brown.
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8. Arizona Cardinals
The Pick: Jedrick Wills | OT | Alabama
The Reasoning: The team needs to do a better job of protecting quarterback Kyler Murray. Wills is widely considered the best tackle in this draft, although some concerns about whether or not he could play left tackle cause him to fall just a bit. He’s still a talented prospect and should start from day one on the outside for the Cardinals.
What They Could Do: About a month ago, this pick was going to be a wide receiver but that was before the team traded for DeAndre Hopkins. That’s not the case anymore, so offensive tackle or a player like Simmons should be the call here.
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9. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Pick: Javon Kinlaw | DT | South Carolina
The Reasoning: Kinlaw is a dominating presence on the defensive line. He can line up at defensive end or defensive tackle and get after the quarterback. The Jaguars are going to have to do something with defensive end Yannick Ngakoue and they may end up trading him away. Kinlaw gives them a strong presence up front.
What They Could Do: This could have easily been a cornerback like C.J. Henderson. The team needs help in the secondary after letting both Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye go in the last six months. Expect them to address the secondary with the No. 20 overall pick (spoiler alert).
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10. Cleveland Browns
The Pick: Isaiah Simmons | ILB | Clemson
The Reasoning: The Browns lost Joe Schoebert in free agency and Simmons gives them a big upgrade at the position. Add in the fact that he can play safety and it makes it difficult for opponents to declare what he is before the snap. Simmons also has the athleticism to rush the passer.
What They Could Do: This could easily be another spot where offensive tackle goes off the board. However, there is recent buzz that the Browns could pull off a trade with the Redskins for Trent Williams. If that happens before the draft, then they will go in a different direction.
See who The Fan’s hosts selected for picks 6-10
6. LAC – Johnny Hart
7. CAR – Brandon Stokley
8. ARZ – Shawn Drotar
9. JAC – Nick Ferguson
10. CLE – Chad Brown
11. New York Jets
The Pick: Andrew Thomas | OT | Georgia
The Reasoning: It’s all about protecting franchise quarterback Sam Darnold. Thomas is my favorite tackle in this draft class because he plays with a calm mind. He’s technically sound and even though he’s not the most athletic big man in this draft class, Thomas is rarely fooled by stunts and twists and doesn’t let his temper get the best of him – even though he does play with a mean streak.
What They Could Do: This could be Mekhi Becton instead if he falls past the Chargers. The big tackle from Louisville had a positive drug test at the Combine earlier this year and that could drop him ever so slightly.
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12. Las Vegas Raiders
The Pick: CeeDee Lamb | WR | Oklahoma
The Reasoning: The Raiders need a true No. 1 wide receiver and Lamb should step in and start from day one. General manager Mike Mayock loves him and Lamb has shades of DeAndre Hopkins to his game. Their offense was sorely missing a top-tier wide receiver after Antonio Brown was released. This gets them a huge playmaker for whatever quarterback they have lining up under center.
What They Could Do: It’s going to be a wide receiver here, so pick one and go. It could be Jerry Jeudy or Henry Ruggs III here as much as it could Lamb. I know Mayock prefers Lamb, so he’s the pick for this mock.
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13. San Francisco 49ers (from Indianapolis Colts)
The Pick: Henry Ruggs III | WR | Alabama
The Reasoning: Speed kills, simple as that. The 49ers go with Ruggs here because he’s a perfect complementary weapon to what they already have in Deebo Samuel. While Samuel can beat up teams underneath with his strength and run-after-the-catch ability, Ruggs can blow by defenders and eats up cushion in the blink of an eye.
What They Could Do: The obvious answer here is Jerry Jeudy, Ruggs teammate from Alabama. They go with Ruggs because he’s one of a small handful of quality “speed demon” receivers in this draft.
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14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Pick: Josh Jones | OT | Houston
The Reasoning: The Buccaneers have all the chips on the table with quarterback Tom Brady on the roster. They are making a run at the Super Bowl in 2020, so they get a talented tackle to help protect their most valuable asset. Jones had a good week of practice at the Senior Bowl earlier this year and can start from day one.
What They Could Do: It must be an offensive lineman here. The team has no need to go in a different direction, despite some of the talent still left on the board. Other needs like running back or defensive line will have to wait.
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15. Denver Broncos
The Pick: Jerry Jeudy | WR | Alabama
The Reasoning: Somehow, someway, the Broncos get the best wide receiver in the greatest wide receiver draft class in NFL history. Jeudy is a technician when it comes to running routes, and he knows how to vary his speed to fool defenders and lull them to sleep. They just didn’t get a No. 2 wide receiver; they got another No. 1 wide receiver to start opposite Courtland Sutton. Unlike Justin Jefferson, Jeudy can line up all over the formation and gives the team multiple ways to attack.
What They Could Do: The team really likes Jefferson, although he is best used as a slot-only receiver. There has also been buzz about the team selecting Florida cornerback C.J. Henderson here but that has always been a bit of an odd fit. If it’s all about keeping up with the Chiefs, then Denver needs to go wide receiver at this point in the draft.
See who The Fan’s hosts selected for picks 11-15
11. NYJ – Mike Evans
12. LVR – James Merilatt
13. SF – Dan Jacobs
14. TB – Kendall Valenzuela
15. DEN – Cecil Lammey
16. Atlanta Falcons
The Pick: C.J. Henderson | CB | Florida
The Reasoning: The Falcons need help in the secondary in the worst way. They recently released veteran Desmond Trufant and are looking for a starting corner. Henderson is just that and he tests better than Okudah athletically, but he’s not as aggressive when it comes to tackling.
What They Could Do: They have almost too many needs to list. Included but not exclusive are safety, running back, offensive line and edge rusher.
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17. Dallas Cowboys
The Pick: K’Lavon Chaisson | Edge | LSU
The Reasoning: This is the player the Cowboys covet the most according to the people I talk to. Every year, there seems to be a pick that everyone knows is going to happen and it just does without the team moving up. Chaisson can get after the passer early and often. They need a pass rusher to play opposite of DeMarcus Lawrence and that’s why Chaisson is so high on their list.
What They Could Do: With Randall Cobb moving on in free agency, the Cowboys could use a slot receiver like Justin Jefferson here. They also lost Byron Jones in free agency, so cornerback is an option here.
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18. Miami Dolphins (from Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Pick: Austin Jackson | OT | USC
The Reasoning: There are no trades in this draft, so offensive tackle is who they get. From what I’ve learned Jackson is not that high on their list and that’s why the Dolphins want to move back into the top 10 for someone like Thomas or Wills. For the sake of this exercise, we’ll go with Jackson here.
What They Could Do: As aforementioned, the team wants to move back into the top 10 after they pick at No.5 overall. A running back is on their list, but that pick is coming a little later in this round.
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19. Las Vegas Raiders (from Chicago Bears)
The Pick: A.J. Terrell | CB | Clemson
The Reasoning: Terrell is likely to be a surprise pick to some in the first round. He’s got length and he’s got a nose for the ball with five interceptions over the last two years. Terrell needs to add 10 pounds of muscle but he can on his frame which could make him more physical at the catch point. A deal for Eli Apple fell through in free agency, which is why corner is the most important need after the wide receiver they selected at No. 12 overall.
What They Could Do: Offensive line help could be coming for the Raiders at some point in the draft, perhaps with this pick. More work in the trenches needs to be done and that’s why defensive line could be in the mix here as well.
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20. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Los Angeles Rams)
The Pick: Trevon Diggs | CB | Alabama
The Reasoning: The Jaguars have moved on from Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye during the last six months and they could not pass up Javon Kinlaw earlier in this draft. Diggs is one of my favorite corners in this draft class. He’s got length and attitude that reminds me of former Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib.
What They Could Do: Regardless of what happens with edge Yannick Ngakoue, the Jaguars need more pass rushers. Yetur Gross-Matos (Penn State) is a possibility here.
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21. Philadelphia Eagles
The Pick: Denzel Mims | WR | Baylor
The Reasoning: The Eagles need wide receiver help in a bad way. Again, there are no trades in this mock so they sit tight end take one of my favorite receivers in Mims. He’s got length, he’s got burst and great “my ball” mentality when the ball is in the air. Mims can make defenders look silly with his speed and he can be a No. 1 receiver at the pro level.
What They Could Do: They want to move up from this pick. That’s no secret and pretty much every team in front of them knows they can call Eagles general manager Howie Roseman to work out a deal. They’re still targeting wide receiver, and that’s why they could be moving up with the Broncos so they could get a player like Jeudy.
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22. Minnesota Vikings (from Buffalo Bills)
The Pick: Justin Jefferson | WR | LSU
The Reasoning: The team traded away Stefon Diggs and this was one of the picks they got in return. Jefferson worked primarily out of the slot in 2019 and was fantastic. He’s the best receiver in this draft class when it comes to winning at the catch point and he does a good job gashing a defense with his run-after-the-catch ability. He’ll slide into the slot with the Vikings and make a great receiving weapon in the wide receiver room with Adam Thielen.
What They Could Do: They need help on the interior of the offensive line but it’s too high for that. They also need safety help but that’s just a few picks away with their own selection at No. 25 overall.
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23. New England Patriots
The Pick: Justin Herbert | QB | Oregon
The Reasoning: The team parted ways with Tom Brady and they need to find a quarterback of the future. With only Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham on the roster, the Patriots go with Herbert. He’s a tall, pocket passer with the arm strength to make all the throws in the NFL. Herbert was excited to meet Patriots offensive coordiantor Josh McDaniels at the Scouting Combine, and we’ll know with this pick if he made the same positive impression.
What They Could Do: I could see them going with a defensive pick here. A.J. Epenesa from Iowa was a player I was tossing around in my head. He seems to fit what the Patriots are looking for in an edge player and is still on the board in this scenario. They need a lot of help in the front seven on the defensive side of the ball.
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24. New Orleans Saints
The Pick: Jordan Love | QB | Utah State
The Reasoning: Drew Brees doesn’t have that much time left in the NFL and the team needs to prepare a quarterback as his heir apparent. Taysom Hill is just a gadget quarterback, so the Saints make a move for a rookie who has drawn some (ill-advised) comparisons to Pat Mahomes. Love’s mechanics are perfect and he’s athletic, but he takes a lot of chances with the ball and that will need to be cleaned up before he’s ready to start.
What They Could Do: This could be a spot for TCU wide receiver Jalen Reagor. They really have a lot of interest in the Horned Frogs receiver and could take him here. With middle linebacker Kiko Alonso coming off his third ACL tear, this is where we could see Kenneth Murray (Oklahoma) or Patrick Queen (LSU) get picked, although I have heard Queen has fallen down some draft boards.
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25. Minnesota Vikings
The Pick: Xavier McKinney | S | Alabama
The Reasoning: The team has Anthony Harris in a contract year and need a suitable replacement if he leaves next year in free agency. McKinney is one of the most versatile players in this draft regardless of position. You’ll hear the term “Swiss Army Knife” a lot when people talk about McKinney because that’s what he is. He excels in run support, zone coverage and can make plays as a blitzer if asked to do that.
What They Could Do: Cornerback is an issue here, and so is the edge. Since they added a wide receiver with the pick they got from the Bills, this pick should be on the defensive side of the ball and with both corner and safety I would say it’s going to be in the secondary.
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26. Miami Dolphins (from Houston Texans)
The Pick: D’Andre Swift | RB | Georgia
The Reasoning: I believe Swift to be the best running back in this class, and I’ve learned the Dolphins love his skill set. Swift is the type of back who can stay on the field for all three downs and gash a defense with a quick-cutting style and little wasted motion. Even though they added Jordan Howard in free agency, he’s just a two-down banger who is not the full-time player that Swift is.
What They Could Do: This is a running back here, but it has to be a player who can catch the ball in addition to shine as a runner. Clyde Edwards-Helaire (LSU) is also a favorite of the team, and his skill set is reminiscent of Ray Rice when he came out of Rutgers years ago. J.K. Dobbins (Ohio State) is also an option because of his three-down ability.
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27. Seattle Seahawks
The Pick: Yetur Gross-Matos | Edge | Penn State
The Reasoning: Free-agent defensive end Jadeveon Clowney has maintained communication with both head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider. They remain hopeful Clowney will eventually re-sign with the team as he continues to “feel his play through this odd process.” They need more pass-rushers even if Clowney comes back. Gross-Matos has all the physical tools of an edge player and could be a better pro player than he was a college prospect. He was inconsistent with his effort in college and doesn’t yet know how to use all the tools in his bag of tricks. With proper coaching, Gross-Matos could turn into a Jason Pierre-Paul type of player.
What They Could Do: Schneider traded the team’s initial first-round pick in every draft from 2012 to 2019, and that could be in play once again. If a team like the Broncos wants to move back into the end of the first round, this is the pick to target. Another way to go is running back like J.K. Dobbins (Ohio State) because of Seattle’s oft-injured backfield with Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny.
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28. Baltimore Ravens
The Pick: Kenneth Murray | LB | Oklahoma
The Reasoning: It’s almost unfair that Murray falls to the Ravens but what a perfect fit. The Ravens lost C.J. Mosley last year in free agency to the Jets and need to still replace him. Murray would be a fine fit because of his toughness and aggressiveness as a tackler. He’s a work in progress when it comes to coverage but Murray does a good job of diagnosing plays as they break down in front of him. Murray is rarely fooled by play-action fakes or misdirection and that puts him in place to make a play on the ball regularly.
What They Could Do: Adding a pass-rusher could be something the Ravens look to do here. Interior offensive line is a need and adding another wide receiver for Lamar Jackson may not be a bad idea.
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29. Tennessee Titans
The Pick: Isaiah Wilson | OT | Georgia
The Reasoning: The team lost Jack Conklin in free agency and need a right tackle. Wilson played on the opposite side of Andrew Thomas in college and he’s known as a road-grader with a nasty demeanor. He’s got plenty of size, measuring in at 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds. Wilson will help blast open holes for superstar power back Derrick Henry.
What They Could Do: They traded defensive tackle Jurrell Casey to the Broncos, so that means defensive tackle or just defensive line help in general is on the list. Adding a running back like Jonathan Taylor to back up Henry would be interesting and like most teams, adding another edge player to get after the quarterback always makes sense.
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30. Green Bay Packers
The Pick: Brandon Aiyuk | WR | Arizona State
The Reasoning: The Packers haven’t selected a wide receiver in the first round since Javon Walker back in 2002. That changes here with the selection of Aiyuk. He can play out wide or he can play from the slot, and Aiyuk is one of the most explosive receivers in this draft class. Aiyuk only falls to this spot because of core muscle surgery he had earlier this month. He’ll be fine for the start of the regular season but would’ve went much higher if he had no injury concerns.
What They Could Do: A better tight end could be on the books for the Packers, but not at this pick. It’s late enough that a tight end wouldn’t be outlandish, but this is not a good tight end class so perhaps they’ll wait. They have a couple of starting offensive linemen who are set to become free agents in 2021, so an offensive tackle here could be a possibility.
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31. San Francisco 49ers
The Pick: Cesar Ruiz | C | Michigan
The Reasoning: This might be a shocking pick for some, but not those who are in the know. Ruiz is one of the most talented centers in this draft class and the 49ers need an upgrade inside. With no picks in rounds 2-4, the 49ers need a hit and a solid player like Ruiz. He can play center or guard with starting experience at both spots. Ruiz understands leverage and uses his 11-inch hands to snare-and-steer opponents tasked with getting by him. He’s smart and teammates love him, so Ruiz will be a great presence in the locker room on a team that wants another shot at the Super Bowl.
What They Could Do: Defensive line, cornerback and safety are needs here, as well. They could reach a bit for some corners still out there, but the team might wait until day three to add at the position.
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32. Kansas City Chiefs
The Pick: Jonathan Taylor | RB | Wisconsin
The Reasoning: This pick is just for me. I just like the idea of Taylor’s bruising style added the Chiefs offense. They have talented backs on the roster already like Damien Williams and Darwin Thompson, but a back like Taylor is just different. His power is undeniable, and he would be a great closer for the Chiefs, especially in cold-weather games, in the playoffs or late in the regular season.
What They Could Do: Cornerback and linebacker are high on the priority list for this team. They’ve returned 10-of-11 starters on offense from the team that won the Super Bowl. That means this pick could be on the other side of the ball.
