Now that the NFL Combine is over, we can start focusing on free agency and the draft even more. Nobody knows how free agency will turn out but we do know that it will alter a team’s needs. For the time being, this is what I project to happen at this moment in time. Here is my 2020 Post-Combine NFL Mock Draft. (Disclaimer: These mock drafts do not reflect what I would do, but what I think a team will do.)
1. CIN: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
This pick is locked in. Joe Burrow will be a Cincinnati Bengal. It’s happening.
2. WAS: Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
Despite the rumors of Ron Rivera meeting with Tua Tagovailoa and Joe Burrow, Chase Young will be the pick here. I chalk the quarterback meetings up to just being a smokescreen in an attempt to increase the value of the number two pick.
3. DET: Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
This is where the draft gets interesting. This pick likely gets traded, but I don’t do trades in my mocks. Okudah is the best cornerback to come out since Jalen Ramsey. The Lions use him to compliment Darius Slay or replace him if he plays elsewhere in 2020.
4. NYG: Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
Dave Gettleman falls in love with Isaiah Simmons after he ran a 4.39 40-yard dash and refuses to trade back (again). He could likely snag him a couple picks later and gain draft capital in doing so but Gettleman refuses to trade first round picks. Simmons will be an All-Pro caliber player is used properly.
5. MIA: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
Miami probably tries to trade up to secure their quarterback, but in this scenario, he finds himself in a Dolphins uniform anyways. Tua could be in the conversation as the number one overall pick if not for injuries. The medical on the hip has been trending positive, but people tend to forget about the two ankle operations. Despite the injuries, Tua still has the ability to turn a franchise like Miami into a contender for a long time to come.
6. LAC: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
No quarterback has seen their stock rise since the end of the season than Justin Herbert. He took home the Senior Bowl MVP in Mobile several weeks back and displayed his elite arm at the combine in Indy.
7. CAR: Derrick Brown, IDL, Auburn
The Panthers have needs all over the roster. With the news of them trading Pro-Bowl guard Trai Turner on Wednesday, many are wondering what the intentions are for this organization. Here they take the best player available in Derrick Brown.
8. ARI: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
The smart pick here would be to go get an offensive tackle to protect Kyler Murray. However, we all know Kliff Kingsbury loves his wide receivers. The Cardinals reunite Murray with his former college teammate CeeDee Lamb.
9. JAX: Jedrick Wills Jr., OT, Alabama
If the offensive tackles make it this far, it will shock everybody. The Giants and Cardinals made this happen. Now that the run tackles has officially begun, these teams drafting 9-11 will be ecstatic. The Jaguars land the best tackle in this year’s draft.
10. CLE: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
This is the biggest need for Cleveland and it’s not even close. Wirfs blew up the combine after running a 4.85 40, setting an offensive lineman vertical jump record, and tying the broad jump record. This will bolster a position of need for Cleveland, as they can play him at either tackle or guard spot.
11. NYJ: Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
Becton is a mammoth of a man, measuring in at 6’7 and 364 pounds at the combine. He is very powerful as a blocker and has a very high ceiling. The problem with Becton is that he also has a low floor. He could become the best tackle in the league or be a backup.
12. LV: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
The Raiders are going to run to the stage (or swim in this case) to turn in their pick. Jeudy is the best route runner to come out of college in years and would be an immediate upgrade for the Las Vegas Raiders (still doesn’t sound right). No matter who Jon Gruden’s quarterback is for this season, he will surely appreciate having Jeudy to throw to.
13. IND: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Patrick Mahomes has taken the league by storm and now everyone is trying to find the next Mahomes. Jordan Love didn’t impress as much in 2019 as he did in 2018. A big reason for that was he had a new coaching staff and only had one returning starter from 2018. He makes off-platform throws that reminds you of some of the plays that the Super Bowl MVP made.
14. TB: Javon Kinlaw, IDL, South Carolina
Jacob Eason is a popular pick here, but as many of my readers know, I’m not sold on Eason. He has all the talent in the world but he struggled off the field. Selecting Kinlaw here adds a disruptive piece up front that Tampa Bay desperately needs.
15. DEN: Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a player run a sub-4.3 40 and leave the fans disappointed. That’s how fast Ruggs is. Most speedsters are limited in other areas of their game. With Ruggs, you have a sneaky good route runner with great hands. He more durable than your traditional burner at wide receiver.
16. ATL: K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
When I look at pass rushers, I like to focus on the traits more than the production. You need a player whose game will translate to the NFL. Chaisson has the unbelievable ability to bend like no other. He is able to use his speed to run around quality offensive tackles and disrupt the quarterback. Atlanta was hoping to have that when they drafted, soon-to-be free agent, Vic Beasley.
17. DAL: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
Dallas needs help on the back-end of their defense and this is a great player to bring on board. They may look at the cornerback position here with Byron Jones heading to free agency, but this cornerback class is much deeper than the safety class.
18. MIA (via PIT): Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
The Dolphins sure got lucky here. They got their quarterback, kept their draft picks, and were able to add a top talent at offensive tackle to protect him. Andrew Thomas is a high-floor player that can come in and start week one for Miami and coach Brian Flores.
19. LV (via CHI): Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
The Raiders are fortunate to have two first-round picks in this draft class. They grabbed the best wide receiver and now they can add a tackling machine that can fly all over the field. If this scenario happens, the Raiders will challenge Miami for the best draft on day one.
20. JAX (via LAR): C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
The Jaguars traded away Jalen Ramsey during the season and just agreed to ship out former Pro-Bowl cornerback, A.J. Bouye, as well. The Jaguars once-dominant defense is no longer there and they will need to rebuild. Adding a lockdown coverage defender will be a great start to that, if you can overcome his tackling woes.
21. PHI: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
The Eagles need wide receivers. Desperately. Justin Jefferson is a first-round pick now after running a 4.43 40. Many see him as a polished route runner with good hands and a solid understanding of pro concepts, having played in Joe Brady’s offense at LSU. That taught him how to run a full route tree. He can line up in the slot or out wide and give Carson Wentz a new weapon.
22. BUF: Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
This pick makes so much sense to me. The Bills have a speedy receiver and a slot receiver, but they don’t have a big guy to throw to. John Brown and Cole Beasley are under six feet tall, which is less than ideal for Josh Allen and his cannon of an arm. Allen can be a bit inaccurate at times so adding Tee Higgins is a match made in heaven. At 6’4, Higgins has a huge catch radius and will make 50/50 balls look easy. This addition should make Josh Allen’s job much easier.
23. NE: Grant Delpit, S, LSU
Delpit was once considered a top-ten prospect. The former LSU star had a troubling year in 2019, in large part due to injuries. As a result, he had a hard time making tackles and was inconsistent at times. Delpit has the potential to become an elite safety and Bill Belichick may be the guy to get that out of him.
24. NO: Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado
The Saints need a receiver opposite Michael Thomas. There’s no doubt about that. The question here is which one. Shenault has been dealing with some injuries lately, recently having core muscle surgery. He ran slower than many were hoping at the combine and it may been a result of his injuries. Shenault is a weapon that can be used all over the field. He will be dependent on a coach to scheme plays for him and there may not be a better coach for that than Sean Payton.
25. MIN: Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
Minnesota had troubles in their secondary that nobody saw coming. Xavier Rhodes surely took a massive step back in 2019 and Trae Waynes and Mackenzie Alexander aren’t living up to expectations. The Vikings don’t have the cap space to make a splash in free agency so they will have to rely on drafting well. Kristian Fulton was a little up and down at LSU and was often overshadowed by his teammates. With that being said, he still has the potential to develop into a Pro-Bowl caliber corner and should be the pick here.
26. MIA (via HOU): Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
The Dolphins will have drafted a player at the three most important positions in football after taking Gross-Matos. The Penn State standout is a high-motor, pass rushing freak. He’s fast, he’s strong, and he has sky-high potential. This would be a huge night for the Dolphins if they land him, Tua, and Andrew Thomas.
27. SEA: A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa
The Seahawks defensive line may look entirely different when it’s time for the draft. Jadeveon Clowney and Jarran Reed, and Ezekiel Ansah are all set to hit free agency. If the Seahawks are unable to replace all of those guys, A.J. Epenesa could come in and make an immediate impact. I don’t think his potential is too high, but he is a low risk player. He’s strong and plays with great technique. He can line up anywhere on your defensive line and play both the run and pass with effectiveness.
28. BAL: Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
The Ravens really felt the loss of C.J. Mosley late in the season. Not having that linebacker to roam around and make plays was a big difference and they would surely like to find someone that can fill his shoes. Patrick Queen burst onto the scene in the second half of LSU’s national championship season. He shows elite athleticism for a linebacker and has a knack for finding the ball on every play. He’s good in coverage so they would never have to pull him off the field.
29. TEN: J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
Derrick Henry is asking for “Zeke money” and it’s unlikely that he will get that from the Titans. Mike Vrabel when to Ohio State and probably wouldn’t have to look any further than his alma mater for Henry’s replacement. Most importantly, Dobbins is a true three-down back. He can run inside or outside, catch passes, and pass protect.
30. GB: Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
The Packers need speed. Outside of Davante Adams, their receivers are big guys who can’t seperate enough to be open. Reagor is a shifty guy who can run past you or around you. He’s certainly put on some added weight since the end of the season as well, making him more sturdy for the middle of the field. Quarterback play at TCU hindered Reagor. Furthermore, having the opportunity to play alongside Aaron Rodgers would allow him to show off his top-notch talent.
31. SF: Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
The 49ers have little cap space and even less draft capital. San Francisco doesn’t have a second, third, or fourth round pick so that makes this one much more important than usual. They don’t have many holes on their roster but Richard Sherman is aging and he could use a more capable counterpart across the field. Trevon Diggs, younger brother of Stefon, is a former wide receiver. He also played on the offensive side of the ball, resulting in him possessing better ball skills than most defensive backs.
32. KC: D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
First of all, I don’t like drafting running backs in the first round but I’m advocating this pick all day long. Andy Reid would love to give his star quarterback an upgrade at the running back position. D’Andre Swift is the best running back in the draft and his play style matches perfectly with what the Chiefs do. Above all, this pick gives an already explosive Kansas City team another weapon.
33. CIN: Zack Baun, LB, Wisconsin
34. IND (via WAS): Ross Blacklock, IDL, TCU
35. DET: Justin Madubuike, IDL, Texas A&M
36. NYG: Austin Jackson, OT, USC
37. LAC: Josh Jones, OT, Houston
38. CAR: Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
39. MIA: Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
40. ARI: Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
41. CLE: Marlon Davidson, IDL, Auburn
42. JAX: Neville Gallimore, IDL, Oklahoma
43. CHI (via LV): Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
44. IND: Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
45. TB: Jacob Eason, QB, Washington
46. DEN: Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia
47. ATL: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU
48. NYJ: Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan
49. PIT: Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma
50. CHI: Cesar Ruiz, IOL, Michigan
51. DAL: A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
52. LAR: Tyler Biadasz, IOL, Wisconsin
53. PHI: Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn
54. BUF: Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama
55. ATL (via NE): Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame
56. MIA (via NO): K.J. Hamler, WR, Penn State
57. HOU: Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
58. MIN: Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia
59. SEA: Lucas Niang, OT, TCU
60. BAL: Bradlee Anae, EDGE, Utah
61. TEN: Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State
62. GB: Malik Harrison, LB, Ohio State
63. KC (via SF): Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State
64. SEA (via KC): Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne
You can follow me on Twitter @Alex2TheSimpson for more NFL Draft content.
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