Final First-Round NFL Mock Draft: 2020 could be the wackiest yet
Nov 23, 2019; Tempe, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Justin Herbert celebrates a touchdown against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The NFL Draft is here and this is my final mock draft for the first 32 picks. With the COVID-19 situation, this draft will be one to remember.
This year, the NFL Draft will be different in more ways than one. Other than being the only virtual draft done ever, the draft will induce even more chaos than usual and it could impact trades getting done. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected not only the draft but also the pre-draft process with canceled pro days and team visits. There is so much unknown with players with injuries, as some have not visited with team doctors and those that were not at the Scouting Combine or the Senior Bowl are hurt the most by this. With that out of the way, here is my first round mock draft for this year just hours away from draft night. This is going to be short and sweet.
Cincinnati Bengals- Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
This pick is a no brainer. The Bengals get their franchise quarterback in the Heisman winner from LSU.
Washington Redskins- Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
If it wasn’t for Burrow, the Ohio State edge rusher could be in contention for the number one overall pick. Washington gets the top prospect here, bolstering their pass rush and defense.
Detroit Lions- Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Even though the Lions don’t have that many options on the defensive line, I would still go with the better prospect in the secondary. The Ohio State cornerback will pair well with Desmond Trufant.
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New York Giants- Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
The Giants could easily trade back and get one of the top tackles to protect Daniel Jones. However, I think the Iowa offensive lineman has a high enough ceiling and a good enough floor to take him.
Miami Dolphins- Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
The “Tank for Tua” chants end now. The Dolphins get their guy and even with the injury concerns, they could sit him for a year with Ryan Fitzpatrick starting and I would not be surprised if they trade up.
Los Angeles Chargers- Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
I think this is a bit rich for the Oregon quarterback here but he will take over Tyrod Taylor’s job after a few weeks. The Chargers, however, could shock many and trade up for Tua ahead of the Dolphins.
Carolina Panthers- Javon Kinlaw, IDL, South Carolina
I think the South Carolina defensive tackle has enough pass-rushing upside to get taken in the top ten. The Panthers get their trench player that will help mold the foundation of their defense.
Arizona Cardinals- Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
To pair with D.J. Humphries, the Cardinals get their right tackle of the future in Wills. The Alabama tackle is a technician on film, in terms of protection, and will help protect Kyler Murray on the offensive line.
Jacksonville Jaguars- C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
I could see someone trade up for Henderson but with the losses in the secondary, the Jaguars need a starting-caliber cornerback. The Florida cornerback is one of the better coverage guys in this class.
Cleveland Browns- Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
It may be a shock for Simmons to fall here but the fit for each team is uncertain. The Browns get the versatile linebacker and safety hybrid from Clemson that can help alleviate their losses on defense.
New York Jets- Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Sam Darnold gets protection with the Georgia tackle. Thomas can plug in on either side and help the Jets offensive line as he would be referred to as a top ten pick in another draft class.
Las Vegas Raiders- CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
The Raiders get their receiver in Lamb, as the weapons last year were lacking in the passing game. The Oklahoma receiver can be a dominant number one receiver that their future quarterback can target.
San Francisco 49ers- Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
The 49ers could trade down, as they need draft capital. But if they don’t, they should target Jeudy, as he is easily the best route runner in this class and has a complementary skill set in the slot.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
Tom Brady gets his protection in the mammoth Louisville tackle. The Buccaneers improve their offensive line but if they want their top tackle, they need to trade up for one but the fall of Becton stops here.
Denver Broncos- Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
Drew Lock gets his blazer in the other Alabama receiver but he offers more than just speed. The Broncos are missing a deep threat and Ruggs III complements Courtland Sutton well in their offense.
Atlanta Falcons- Derrick Brown, IDL, Auburn
The Auburn defensive tackle is regarded as a top ten pick but he falls to the Falcons. They are looking to trade up, most likely, and if the Falcons do not pick a cornerback, it should be Brown.
Dallas Cowboys- A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
The Cowboys, after losing Byron Jones, need to address their secondary early in this draft. The Clemson cornerback has the measurables with good enough coverage skills to match up against most receivers.
Miami Dolphins- K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
The Dolphins add an athletic edge rusher Chaisson that needs improvements in most spots. The LSU pass rusher would fit right in with their hybrid defense and if he falls, look for another team to trade up.
Las Vegas Raiders-Â Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
I could see another team trading up for Love but here, the Raiders get their quarterback of the future. The Utah State quarterback would benefit from sitting and could do so with one of these later teams.
Jacksonville Jaguars- Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Gardner Minshew gets his weapon to pair with former LSU receiver D.J. Chark. Jefferson was proficient in the slot and he would boost the Jaguars passing game further.
Philadelphia Eagles- Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
If the Eagles are looking for a Desean Jackson clone, this TCU receiver fits the bill. Reagor is electric with the ball in his hands and plays bigger than his size.
Minnesota Vikings- Joshua Jones, OT, Houston
Although the Vikings have so many needs, they could in the trenches here with the Houston tackle. Kirk Cousins gets better protection in the offensive line but if they pass, they could trade up as well.
New England Patriots- Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
The Oklahoma linebacker fits what they Patriots often look for would make sense if they don’t trade up for a quarterback. Murray can be the thumper in the middle that can chase sideline to sideline.
New Orleans Saints- Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
The linebacker core gets more youth and speed with Queen. The LSU linebacker would fit right in if they decide to not trade up for a quarterback but he offers rangy coverage ability they don’t have.
Minnesota Vikings- A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa
The Vikings focus on the trenches on defense, with the Iowa pass rusher. Epenesa fits their scheme well and can get to the quarterback as a disruptor on the defensive line. 
Iowa defensive end A.J. Epenesa celebrates during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 19-10. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Miami Dolphins- Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
The Minkah Fitzpatrick replacement is the pick here for the Dolphins. The Alabama safety can do a bunch of things for their secondary and is considered the top pure safety.
Seattle Seahawks- Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
If the Seahawks do not trade down, the Penn State edge rusher fits what their defense is lacking. Gross-Matos looks the part of someone that can fix their pass rush woes on defense.
Baltimore Ravens- Cesar Ruiz, IOL, Michigan
The Ravens had a few losses in the interior offensive line at guard and center. They get the top regarded one in the Michigan’s Ruiz but they could trade up for a linebacker.
Tennessee Titans- Zack Baun, EDGE, Wisconsin
The Titans pair Harold Landry in the Wisconsin edge rusher. Baun can get after the quarterback but he can also cover as a defender that gets involved in every play wherever he is lined up.
Green Bay Packers- Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia
If the Packers are not comfortable starting Rick Wagner, they could target the other Georgia tackle to develop. Wilson is a big mauler that will help improve their offensive line, especially the run game.
2020 NFL Draft: Clint Lamb’s final mock draft
San Francisco 49ers- Austin Jackson, OT, USC
I would expect this pick to be traded but one of their other needs is a future left tackle. The 49ers address that position here with UCS’s Jackson as he can develop behind Staley.
Kansas City Chiefs- Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Even though he is scheme-specific, the Chiefs get a ball hawk in Diggs. The Alabama cornerback has the size as a press-man specialist if they decide to not go with the defensive line.
Write about all things football; including the Baltimore Ravens (my favorite team), College Football, the NFL Draft, and other football related content.
