Halfway through the 2019 season, team needs have become more apparent. Meanwhile, the top college stars are fine-tuning their resumes for the next level. The 2020 NFL Draft is shaping up for an exciting edition.
The 2020 NFL Draft features many unique qualities, whether it’s the number of teams with multiple first-round picks or the elite talent stacking up at the top of the draft. It makes for a fun draft to mock.
The order is based on thedraftnetwork.com‘s order as of November 1.
The only scenario I foresee Tua Tagovailoa not going number one overall is if a team set at quarterback ends up with the pick. Even then, teams like Miami have the capital to get to the spot.
With the standings the way they are now, Cincinnati has the pick and it’s a no-brainer. Benching Andy Dalton tells the league the Bengals feel they are in play to land the talented lefty from Alabama.
It would be a shock if the Dolphins didn’t trade up to number one regardless of the circumstances, but this mock doesn’t dabble in trades. Still, settling for LSU’s Joe Burrow isn’t really settling. Burrow is a smart quarterback with a passionate game. Whoever lands in Miami will have an uphill climb to success in the NFL, but Burrow has the talent to make it work.
Imagine taking the best player in the draft at third overall. Washington may be set on the edge for now, but passing on a talent like Chase Young out of need is foolish. Young will spark any defense into a top-half squad, and considering the pieces Washington already has, the Redskins would fall over themselves to the podium.
Atlanta has so many problems defensively. Taking the second-best defensive player will go a long way in solving those issues. Derrick Brown’s value comes from the interior pressure he produces, which allows his edge rushers to feast. With Tak McKinley and Vic Beasley manning the outside, both players could see a resurgence with the addition of Brown.
Keep the franchise upright. Sam Darnold is the real deal, but he can’t be effective on his back. In just four starts in 2019, Darnold has been sacked 15 times, half as many as his rookie campaign. This may be a thin year at tackle, but Andrew Thomas is an elite talent and should be the pick for the Jets here.
They can’t all be top-five picks. Jerry Jeudy is arguably the best prospect at his position since Julio Jones. What Jeudy lacks in size he more than makes up for in his inhuman agility. Daniel Jones gets a true number one option that, with time, could turn the Giants offense into one of the NFL’s elite attacks.
This is the spot in the draft where ‘best player available’ outweighs need. Grant Delpit’s name has lost a bit of luster due to the LSU Tigers’ underperforming defense, but by the time the draft rolls around, he’ll earn back the respect he had in the preseason.
Baker Mayfield is an easy target for fans and the media, but his offensive line has been just short of horrendous in 2019. Tristan Wirfs is no Joe Thomas, but he’s worth this selection and will help take pressure off Mayfield.
Hurts will be a media favorite once the season ends and that will undoubtedly raise his stock. The organization and its fans are ready to move on from Jameis Winston. Hurts would be a galvanizing component in turning the team around.
The Chargers would likely trade back for value’s sake, but upgrading the interior of the offensive line is too much of a need. Tyler Biadasz isn’t quite the same name as those surrounding him, but his value shouldn’t be diminished.
Henry Ruggs’ speed will open up the Raiders’ offense underneath. The power run style employed by Jon Gruden through Josh Jacobs is made more valuable in the process, while Derek Carr gets a much-needed weapon added to his arsenal.