2020 NFL Draft: Offensive linemen rising in postseason mock draft
By Jeremy Meek
. player. 13. Pick Analysis. QB. Oregon. Justin Herbert. 10
Aside from Joe Burrow to Cincinnati, this is possibly the next most common mock draft pairing. Philip Rivers should be a Hall of Famer, but at 38 years old, he is on the downside of his career. He’s also having one of his worst seasons in his career, with a QBR lower than it has been since 2012. The writing may be on the wall.
Justin Herbert is a bit of an enigma. Had he left school last year, he probably would have been a top ten pick. This year, some really poor performances have hurt his stock. He has en elite arm, and can make every throw, though. He comes off the board early and still has a really high ceiling and the Chargers could be getting a steal if Herbert falls to them as he does in this mock draft.
DL. 11. player. 87. . Pick Analysis. South Carolina. Javon Kinlaw
The draft really opens up at this point, with the Panthers having a number of directions to go, and several needs. They signed Gerald McCoy this past offseason, but could overhaul the unit after this season. The defense is giving up 27 points per game, and could stand to be more dynamic on the line.
A player like Javon Kinlaw could make a massive difference on the Panthers’ front seven. He is a solid pass rusher, with 10 sacks in the past two seasons, but he’s athletic, and is a terrific penetrator. He’ll be a disruptive addition to a defensive line sorely needing it. They have been gifted in this mock draft.
WR. Henry Ruggs III. 45. Scouting Report. Alabama. 12. player. Pick Analysis
The Broncos might have found their quarterback of the future in Drew Lock, if his performances since his return from injury mean anything. Next on the list is to get him some weapons. Emmanuel Sanders was traded a few months ago, so getting another pass catcher makes sense with this pick, especially with the top offensive linemen gone.
Speed kills, and few have more of it than Henry Ruggs. His ability to catch the ball, then pull away from anyone near him is astounding, and with Lock’s big arm, he will get the chance to make plays down the field as well. He’s a big play waiting to happen, and his stock will only rise when he destroys the NFL Combine.