We’re inching closer and closer to the start of the 2020 NFL Draft.
By the end of the day on Saturday, April 25th, exactly 255 young men will learn their next destination in their football playing journeys. But what’s so unique, better yet abnormal about this year’s NFL Draft, is that this draft will be 100% virtual.
Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the draft won’t take place in the pre-announced destination of Las Vegas. We won’t see the shots of fans looking completely disgusted with their favorite team’s pick, fans won’t be able to see potentially the football’s next stars grace the draft stage, and we won’t get to hear the annual group booing of commissioner Roger Goodell.
It’s become somewhat of a tradition, a tradition none of us have gotten tired of.
Sure, we’ll miss the little things that make us chuckle, and warm our hearts just a little bit.
But we’re all fans of this beautiful game through the thick and thin, we’ll find a way to make the best out of this unfortunate situation one way or another.
So, if you’re about done with the sad description of our reality right now, let’s get into a mock draft shall we?
1. Bengals: QB Joe Burrow/LSU
This one’s a no brainer.
Burrow is one of the most hyped quarterback prospects since Andrew Luck, you think the Bengals are passing up on that?
There’s been some small trade talk involving the #1 pick, but that isn’t going to lead to anywhere. Zac Taylor gets a shiny new quarterback prospect to mold, and Cincinnati gets it’s potential franchise guy for years to come.
2. Redskins: EDGE Chase Young/Ohio State
Unless the Redskins pull off a stunner, Chase Young should be heading to the nation’s capital.
Young is one of the more polished pass rushing prospects the NFL has seen in years, and his film backs up all the hype he’s rightfully been receiving. There was some speculation on whether the Redskins would trade out of #2 or even draft a quarterback over Young, but all that’s died down now, and Young is expected to be a Washington Redskin.
Don’t turn this into a mess Washington, the correct pick is right in your lap.
This isn’t hard.
3. Lions: CB Jeff Okudah/Ohio State
In my original mock, I had the Chargers trading up to 3 to select Tua Tagovailoa. But recent thinking has me believing the Chargers are satisfied with whoever they pick, whether that’s Tagovailoa, or Justin Herbert out of Oregon.
For the Lions, I’ll stick to my original pick, and have them selecting Jeff Okudah out of Ohio State.
The Lions are in dire need of talent on the defensive side of the ball, and they so happen to need a replacement for Darius Slay, who was traded away to Philadelphia earlier on in the off-season.
4. Giants: OT Jedrick Wills/Alabama
Passing on Isaiah Simmons is a risk, but a risk the Giants have to take in order to bolster their offensive line.
Daniel Jones is the guy, but you’ve got to protect him. Nate Solder has been a disappointment ever since he signed lucrative 4 year deal with the Giants in 2018, but the offensive line situation hasn’t been all bad, as Will Hernandez stands out as a difference maker at left guard.
Get Jones some protection, and continue filling out the roster.
The only wild card in this is Dave Gettleman.
Will he do something crazy?
5. Dolphins: QB Tua Tagovailoa/Alabama
There’s been a lot of chatter surrounding Miami’s plans for the early portion of the 1st round, but in this change, I have them staying at 5 and getting them the guy they’ve been connected to for well over a year.
Tua’s medical history has been tossed around like a hot potato during the pre-draft process, but that shouldn’t stop Miami from selecting the now ex-Alabama standout.
With Tagovailoa now in the fold, Brian Flores and company can get to work on surrounding their franchise guy with as much talent as possible.
6. Chargers: QB Justin Herbert/Oregon
The Chargers will draft what ever quarterback Miami doesn’t draft, in this case, it’s Justin Herbert.
Anthony Lynn and company need a new franchise face at quarterback after Philip Rivers’ 15 year run with the teamed came to an end, so it’s only plausible that the Chargers would select Herbert to be that potential replacement.
Herbert has some things to work out at the next level, but his tools will have any team excited about his potential upside.
7. Panthers: LB Isaiah Simmons/Clemson
There’s an obvious change for this selection.
With the quarterback needy teams passing on the chance to select the versatile defender, Simmons will fall right to a team with a history of developing some nasty defenses.
Plug Simmons into this defense, and combined with another young talent in Brian Burns, you can watch this defense explode.
8. Cardinals: OT Tristan Wirfs/Iowa
The Cardinals aren’t in line to draft a top ranked receiver after the acquisition of Deandre Hopkins, so they end up addressing their offensive line here instead.
Wirfs is a powerful, mobile tackle that’ll step in and give immediate protection to Kyler Murray.
Crazy thing is, he’s not even done developing just yet. He still has some room to grow, which should put a big smile on the face of Kliff Kingsbury.
9. Jaguars: iDL Derrick Brown/Auburn
The Jags need some more playmaking at wide receiver, but here they select Derrick Brown, a disruptive interior defensive lineman out of Auburn.
In any other draft, Brown would find himself being taken in the top 5. But with so many offensive tackle/quarterback needy teams in the top 10, along with the offensive tackle class being so damn good, Brown could find himself sliding to 9.
But that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
When the Jags were at the peak of success in 2017, they relied on a nasty defensive line to wreck gameplans for offensive coordinators everywhere. Plugging Brown into this Jags defensive line would go a long way in the attempt to replace Calais Campbell, and bring the Jags back to the historic level of defensive performance they were once at.
10. Browns: OT Mehki Becton/Louisville
The Browns filled one of their offensive tackle spots this off-season, signing Jack Conklin to a 3 year deal. Now it’s time to address the left side of their line, and they do so by selecting Mehki Becton.
Becton is a massive human being, but can move like a little kid hyped up off sweets. The guy is so much fun to watch, personally, I’m excited to watch this man perform at the next level.
However, there’s some concerns about Becton, considering he had a “flagged” drug test at the combine. But that shouldn’t stop any team from adding Becton to their football team.
Enjoy the protection Mr. Mayfield.
