Russell Brown’s final 2020 NFL Mock Draft

04/23/2020
DB+

We’re here. It’s officially Christmas day. Let’s go through a final mock draft for the 2020 NFL Draft!

1. Cincinnati Bengals — Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

It’s pretty much confirmed. We know, you know. Let’s move on from the Bengals and their franchise quarterback. 

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

Regardless of what the rumors are right now, the Redskins will stay put. Young here is a home run as they the get the best player in this draft. Keep in mind, Jack Del Rio has always had a premier edge rusher to build his defense around (Von Miller, Julius Peppers and Khalil Mack). Now he’s got Young.

3. Miami Dolphins (mock trade with Detroit) — Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon

It wouldn’t be surprising to the see the Lions stay at No. 3 and make the pick. However, they’ll get some draft capital to move back two spots. For Miami, they get a high football IQ quarterback to pair with Ryan Fitzpatrick and learn from him. I feel confident that the Dolphins will pick Herbert with this selection.

***Miami trades their 2020 first round pick (fifth overall), 2020 second round pick (39th overall) and a 2021 fourth round pick to Detroit for the third overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.***

4. New York Giants — Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa 

Dave Gettleman has never traded down in an NFL Draft and I don’t see it happening here. He might get plenty of calls to make something happen but ultimately, they need help up front. Wirfs is an athletic freak with raw power that should be highly coveted along the offensive line. He can be a plug and play right tackle for the Giants and some believe he can play guard. Regardless, it won’t be surprising to see Wirfs as the Giants highest-rated offensive lineman.

5. Detroit Lions (mock trade with Miami) — Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn 

I’m not sure who it’ll be for Detroit but it’ll be a defensive player. History shows that they like players in the trenches and they start their draft by going inside and then work their way out. Back in January, I said that defensive tackle would be their biggest need by April and I still think it’s up there. They have a lot of needs but they get some additional picks in a not so great defensive tackle class. They get the best one in the class with this pick.

***Miami trades their 2020 first round pick (5th overall), 2020 second round pick (39th overall) and a 2021 fourth round pick to Detroit for the third overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.***

6. Los Angeles Chargers — Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama 

Even though Chargers general manager Tom Telesco has stated that he’d like to have a player with limited durability concerns, that won’t be the case here. They know they need a long-term solution at quarterback and Tagovailoa makes the most sense for them in that regard. His career might not have the longevity of someone like Burrow but they’ll get him on at least a five-year rookie deal to get the most out of him and his dynamic ability.

7. Carolina Panthers — Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson

The sudden retirement of Luke Kuechly has made the Panthers have a glaring need at linebacker. Some will consider Simmons a safety and others will say he’s Superman. Call him what you want but he fills a need and his versatility should be highly coveted in the Panthers’ defense.

8. Atlanta Falcons (mock trade with Arizona) — Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State 

It’s well known that the Falcons want to move up in this draft. It’s about finding a spot for them but this spot makes sense as the Cardinals have been rumored to be a team that’s looking to trade back. Okudah falls slightly here but he’s still a terrific prospect with his length and ability to dominate receivers in man coverage.

***Atlanta trades their 2020 first round pick (16th overall), 2020 second round pick (47th overall) and 2021 second round pick to Arizona for the eighth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.***

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (mock trade with Jacksonville) — Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama

It’s “all in” on Tom Brady. They’ve added Gronk and the Bucs will reach out to the Cardinals to move up and get an offensive tackle. It’s their biggest need and even though they’ll have to give up an extra pick this year and possibly one next year to make it happen, it’ll be worth it for a plug-and-play right tackle with terrific footwork.

***Tampa Bay trades their 2020 first round pick (14th overall), 2020 third round pick (76th overall) and 2021 fifth round pick to Jacksonville for the ninth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.***

10. Cleveland Browns — Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

I’ve been on this train for weeks. Thomas is a perfect fit for the Browns scheme and he’d help them in the run game immediately. He’s a plug-and-play left tackle and the Browns are lucky that my top ranked offensive tackle is available. He’s consistent and that’s needed on the left side for Baker Mayfield and the Browns.

11. Denver Broncos (mock trade with New York Jets) — Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama 

There’s no secret about the Broncos having an interest in gaining additional weapons for Drew Lock. Weeks ago, I wrote about how the Broncos should be interested in moving up for a playmaking wide receiver. Ruggs scored on 24 of his 98 touches in college and the Broncos have a serious need to score more points. This is a home run.

***Denver trades their 2020 first round pick (15th overall) and 2020 third round pick (77th overall) to Cleveland for the 11th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.***

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

Grabbing the top wide receiver in the draft is exactly what the Raiders should consider. They need a true number one receiver and regardless of who the quarterback is of the future, they’ll have Lamb to become a huge help in their passing game.

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

I’ve said for weeks that the 49ers will be interested in moving out of their first round picks (13, 31) but they can’t strike a deal to move back on this one. They stay put and will take a terrific wide receiver to help their offense after the departure of Emmanuel Sanders. With Jeudy, he’s a natural separator and one of the best route runners in this class. At this point, it’s a steal.

14. Jacksonville Jaguars (mock trade with Tampa Bay) — Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina 

After moving on from Calais Campbell, the Jaguars will need to figure out an alternative on their defensive line. Kinlaw has great length at 6-6 and is as versatile as they come along the defensive line. By moving back a few spots and to still get him is a win-win for the Jaguars.

***Tampa Bay trades their 2020 first round pick (14th overall), 2020 third round pick (76th overall) and 2021 fifth round pick to Jacksonville for the ninth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.***

15. New York Jets (mock trade with Denver) — Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville

There’s a chance the Jets stay and take an offensive tackle to ensure they get one. However, they move down and still get their guy. Becton is the best finisher of any offensive tackle in this class and with his athletic ability for his size, he’s even more intriguing. There’s some cleanup work needed but he’s a great prospect that makes a ton of sense for the Jets.

***Denver trades their 2020 first round pick (15th overall) and 2020 third round pick (77th overall) to Cleveland for the 11th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.***

16. Arizona Cardinals (mock trade with Tampa Bay) — Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma 

All of the top four offensive tackles are off the board and the Cardinals will go the alternate route. Kyler Murray petitioned for former teammate Lamb but that didn’t work out. How about another former teammate and a great locker room guy in Kennth Murray? Murray is an athletic specimen with great length and the range to play in the middle of this defense. He’s a high-character player that teams love. He’s going to go higher in this draft than people expect and I expect him here to the Cardinals.

***Atlanta trades their 2020 first round pick (16th overall), 2020 second round pick (47th overall) and 2021 second round pick to Arizona for the eighth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.***

17. Dallas Cowboys — C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida 

After the departure of Byron Jones, I think the Cowboys will do their best to find a cornerback to replace him. It won’t take them long as Henderson falls in their lap. He’s an athletic corner with terrific footwork. He should be able to hold up just fine in the Cowboys secondary.

18. Miami Dolphins — Austin Jackson, OT, USC 

Got laughed at in November when I said that Jackson was going to be a first round pick. Now here we are and I’ve got to stay true to those words. He didn’t have the year we all wanted him to have but he had barely anytime to rehab after he donated his bone marrow to his sister. It was one-month and he was back on the field. Jackson has the tools to mold into a franchise left tackle. He’ll need to get stronger but with his length and natural athletic ability, I think he’ll be fine. Keep in mind, he’s only 20 years old.

19. Las Vegas Raiders — Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah 

This pick is a tough one as the Raiders can still go in multiple directions. Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden have shown the tendency to go after players that have high character, high football IQ and are athletic. Johnson seems like a Mayock type of a player and he’d give them a legitimate option as a number one cornerback with a his ability in man coverage.

20. Jacksonville Jaguars — Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU 

Despite a couple of really good cornerbacks going off the board in front of them, the Jaguars take a player that I still like. Fulton had a solid combine, moved well and is a physical press corner. His value is all over the place but he’s a first round caliber defensive back and the Jaguars could really use him after moving on from AJ Bouye and Jalen Ramsey.

21. Baltimore Ravens (mock trade with Philadelphia) — Patrick Queen, LB, LSU 

The Ravens have the draft capital needed to move around in this draft. They have a significant need for a linebacker and Queen should provide immediate help. He’s got some of the best range and instincts of any linebacker in this class.

***Baltimore trade their 2020 first round pick (28th overall) and their 2020 third round pick (92nd overall) to Philadelphia for the 21st pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft***

22. Minnesota Vikings — K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU 

The Vikings struck gold after taking another LSU edge rusher a few years back with Danielle Hunter so they’ll look to do it again. This time, Chaisson falls into their lap and they’ll need to find another edge rusher opposite of Danielle Hunter. With Chaisson, he’s got the natural ability to rush the passer as he’s got the bend needed to generate pressure on a consistent basis.

23. Green Bay Packers (mock trade with New England) — Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU

If Jefferson falls in this draft, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Packers get aggressive and move up to get him. He can play in a big-slot WR role and he’d be utilized perfectly over the middle with Aaron Rodgers. He had 12 touchdowns in the red-zone last season, so with Adams and Jefferson, the should be highly productive near the end-zone. Also, the Packers will have the names of two former presidents at wide receiver so we all win here.

***Green Bay trade their 2020 first round pick (30th overall), 2020 third round pick (94th overall) to New England for the 23rd overall pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.***

24. New Orleans Saints — Jordan Love, QB, Utah State

I could certainly see a scenario where Love falls out of the first round. However, the Saints don’t have a huge need and I think they should prepare for a quarterback of the future. Love is a perfect fit in New Orleans and it would be beneficial to have him learn from Brees as much as possible.

25. Minnesota Vikings — A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson

There’s no doubt in my mind that the Vikings are selecting a cornerback in the first round; I just don’t know who or which pick. I love the fit for Jeff Gladney as he seems like a Mike Zimmer type of player but ultimately, they’ll go back to Clemson and draft a talented cornerback with Terrell. Outside of the LSU game, there’s plenty of consistency and great plays to take into account with Terrell. He’s physical with good usage and his lower his clean to get in the hip pocket of receivers.

26. Miami Dolphins — Antoine Winfield Jr., SAF, Minnesota 

At the NFL Scouting Combine, Winfield Jr. spoke highly of Dolphins head coach Brian Flores. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Dolphins be the first time to take a safety in this class. Winfield Jr. is the best safety in it despite only being 5-9 and 203 pounds. He’s got terrific ball skills and with a high football IQ, he’d be a plug-and-play type of guy for the Dolphins.

27. Seattle Seahawks  — Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State

I can see the Seahawks moving down but I’ll have them stay put. With this, they’ll take Gross-Matos who is my top ranked edge rusher on the board. He wins with his length and has a nice blend of speed-to-power in his game.

28. Philadelphia Eagles (mock trade with Baltimore) — Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State

Even though they failed to move up and get Ruggs, the Eagles move back and get some extra draft picks. In the process, they’re still able to land an explosive playmaker after the catch. Aiyuk isn’t for everyone but what he does after the catch is near the top of any receiver in this draft. Pairing him with Carson Wentz at QB could become a match made in heaven down the road.

***Baltimore trade their 2020 first round pick (28th overall) and their 2020 third round pick (92nd overall) to Philadelphia for the 21st pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft***

29. Tennessee Titans — Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia

Had Wilson going to the Seahawks in my previous mock draft so he slides a few spots but nothing major. Regardless, it’s a huge reach for the teams drafting him in the first round and I like Wilson, too. However, this makes a lot of sense. The Titans need to replace Jack Conklin and with Wilson having the length and dominant ability in the run game, this only helps Derrick Henry. With time, this could be a win for the Titans.

30. New England Patriots (mock trade with Green Bay) — Zack Baun, EDGE, Wisconsin

It won’t be surprising to see the Patriots move down and being that they do, they get my highest ranked player on the board. Baun doesn’t have elite length but he has some of the fastest hands in this draft. Meanwhile, he provides plenty of versatility for a Patriots defense that could certainly use him to replace the departing Kyle Van Noy.

***Green Bay trade their 2020 first round pick (30th overall), 2020 third round pick (94th overall) to New England for the 23rd overall pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.***

31. New York Giants (Mock Trade with San Francisco) — Cesar Ruiz, IOL, Michigan

Getting in front of the Bengals and Lions is the object here for the Giants. They could use an upgrade at center over Spencer Pulley. It’ll be rich for some fans but Ruiz is a plug-and-play center and that should be key with the developing Daniel Jones.

***New York Giants trade their 2020 second round pick (36th overall) and 2020 fourth round pick (110th overall) to San Francisco for the 31st overall pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.***

32. Kansas City Chiefs — Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin 

Most people are against the idea of taking running backs in the first round. Well, Andy Reid doesn’t care. Get him a true No. 1 running back for his offense. Chiefs take the best back in the draft and he should provide an immediate impact in their backfield.

National Scout for Cover 1. Host of Cover 1 | The NFL Draft Podcast. NFL Draft Enthusiast. X's and O's. Heard on ESPN Radio, FOX Sports Radio and CBS Sports Radio.

0 Comments