Alex McRae’s 2020 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Predictions for rounds 1-2
April 20, 2020
- Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow, Quarterback, LSU
The Bengals could possibly ink Burrow to a contract even before the draft. This would be the first time since Matthew Stafford was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2009 that any player was signed before the draft. Burrow didn’t even feel the need to participate in the combine and Bengals fans should start pre-ordering jerseys as we speak. This is a lock for the No. 1 overall selection.
- Washington Redskins: Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
Rumors have swirled about Ron Rivera’s apprehension with quarterback Dwayne Haskins, and if the Redskins were to shock the world and select a quarterback it would be only the third time ever that a team has selected a quarterback in the first round in back-to-back years. I don’t see that happening, as Chase Young is a can’t miss prospect on the edge and with Rivera being a defensive-minded coach, I see these rumors purely as a smoke screen. Young is another guy that didn’t feel the need to participate in combine drills and rightfully so. A dominant force should not drop below this spot.
- Detroit Lions: Jeffrey Okudah, Cornerback, Ohio State
The third selection in the NFL draft is really where the drama of draft day is going to pick up. The Lions are in a spot where one of the highest valued quarterbacks in the draft is ripe for the picking, but the Lions have a franchise quarterback already in Matthew Stafford and they would have to pay 20+ million dollars for him to play elsewhere in 2020. Thus, the ideal solution for this pick would be to trade it to a quarterback-needy team. Yet, because I do not project trades, if the Lions were not able to trade this selection, I believe the best corner in the draft would be a perfect fit for the Lions given the recent trading of Pro-Bowl corner Darius Slay.
- New York Giants: Isaiah Simmons, Safety/Linebacker, Clemson
Simmons is a guy whose combine results really have made some teams pay attention. A sub-4.4 40-yard dash for a guy that has played linebacker at a high level in college isn’t just impressive, it’s completely unprecedented. He can cover anyone from scat backs to tight ends and there isn’t a significant difference in the quality of his coverage. Not only that, Simmons is also a guy who isn’t afraid to mix it up in the box and get his hands dirty. He doesn’t shy away from contact and will lay the pain on any unsuspecting ball carrier. In the right system, Simmons could have a Troy Polumalu level of impact for a defense.
- Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa, Quarterback, Alabama
Like I said with the Lions pick, I don’t expect Tagovailoa to be here at five, nor do I expect the Dolphins to select him with the fifth pick. What I do expect, however, is that Tagovailoa will be selected by Miami. I do not project trades, but Miami has the perfect mix of need and draft capital to make the trade to move up and grab their man. Miami has lots of needs, especially on the offensive line, but they need someone to protect, and Tagovailoa is the perfect man for the job. He’s the guy with possibly the most potential at the quarterback position in this entire draft.
- LA Chargers: Tristan Wirfs, Offensive Tackle, Iowa
The Chargers are another team that could potentially look to take a quarterback here, but I don’t think there is a guy out there that warrants a selection this high. Thus, the Chargers, a team that has had its fair share of struggles on the offensive line, go out and select one of the most athletic linemen I’ve ever seen. Wirfs is an absolute monster on the offensive line. He ran a 4.85 40-yard dash while weighing a whopping 320 pounds. Pair that with a broad jump of 121 inches and a 36.5-inch vertical and it’s easy to see why Wirfs could be the first offensive lineman off the board in 2020. Whoever lines up under center for the Chargers this upcoming season should be thrilled about having a guy like Wirfs protecting his blindside.
- Carolina Panthers: Jerry Jeudy, Wide Receiver, Alabama
The Panthers are a team with an oddly unclear direction at quarterback, after giving 2015 MVP Cam Newton “permission to seek a trade,” only to release him a week later. Kyle Allen was also traded to the Redskins, reuniting him with coach Ron Rivera. Regardless of who is under center in 2020, Carolina’s offensive weapons outside of Christian McCaffrey and D.J. Moore have been lacking. Curtis Samuel is a nice piece but far from a legitimate second option at the wide receiver position. Partner this with the addition of Joe Brady and Matt Rhule and this selection just makes too much sense. Jeudy has been one of the most dynamic and dangerous offensive weapons since his breakout 2018 campaign. In his sophomore and junior seasons, he racked up 145 receptions for over 2,500 yards and 24 touchdowns. A more impressive combine would have had him in the top five, but with numbers that didn’t stand out in an exceptional class of wide receivers, he falls into the lap of one of the best offensive minds in football.
- Arizona Cardinals: Mekhi Becton, Offensive Tackle, Louisville
The Cardinals look to have found their franchise quarterback in Kyler Murray, and with that said the offensive line they trotted on the field in 2019 was abysmal. From the first regular season game of the season against the Lions, Murray was forced to run around like a chicken with its head cut off. In order to protect their investment, the only real option for the Cardinals has to be an offensive lineman. Thus, enter Becton, who gets to trade one Cardinal uniform for another. Becton may not have the pedigree that some of the other tackles in this class can tout, as Louisville has really struggled during his time on campus. With that said, Becton was a rock for a team that had its fair share of peaks and valleys. The Cardinals have a lot of needs to fill before they can become a legitimate playoff contender, but selecting Becton would certainly be a step in the right direction.
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Derrick Brown, Defensive Tackle, Auburn
Jacksonville is a team that experienced a sort of renaissance just a few seasons ago after a long stretch of losing. That period of success has seemingly been cut short, as a majority of the big pieces of that run are now elsewhere, most notably a large chunk of a formerly dominant defensive line. In order to attempt to recapture that former reputation, the Jaguars go out and snag the best interior defensive lineman in this class. Brown has been mocked as high at third overall to the Lions, but I think his best fit is here with Jacksonville. Brown is a guy that could be the rock in the center of a defensive front for years to come.
- Cleveland Browns: Jedrick Wills, Offensive Tackle, Alabama
Since the retirement of Joe Thomas, the Browns’ offensive line has struggled to prevent anyone from getting consistent penetration. With former first overall selection Baker Mayfield scrambling for his life on nearly every drop back, a solid blindside protector is well overdue in Cleveland. Even with the big money addition of Jack Conklin, the tackle position is still a huge need for the Browns. Wills is another 3-4 elite, day one starting caliber offensive tackle prospect in this class. A part of one of the most dynamic offenses in football the last three seasons at Alabama, Willis is an excellent pass and run blocker. He falls here to 10 only because he doesn’t seem to have the superhuman athleticism of guys like Wirfs or Becton. While I think those measurables are very important for any NFL athlete, that doesn’t make Wills any less of a prospect. Wills may very well be the safest pick out of this class, but based on the potential of the other guys in this class, the Browns are able to steal him at 10.
- New York Jets: Henry Ruggs III, Wide Receiver, Alabama
It’s unclear as to whether the Jets will hang onto Robbie Anderson in free agency, as he may prove to be too expensive. In an attempt to put weapons around former first-round selection Sam Darnold, the Jets go out and get an absolute burner. Ruggs doesn’t have the numbers that some other wide receivers in this class have, but he makes up for it in pure athleticism. A 4.27 40-yard dash partnered with a 42-inch vertical and a 13- inch broad jump show just how special Ruggs can be. He played second fiddle to Jeudy during his time with the Crimson Tide, but that’s something a lot of college guys would do. The wide receiver room at Alabama in 2019 has at least four NFL players in it, so it’s not unfair to assume that Ruggs has the potential to be a better professional player than he ever was in college.
- Las Vegas Raiders: Justin Herbert, Quarterback, Oregon
I’m still not sold on the Jon Gruden/Derek Carr relationship. I think a changing of the guard at the quarterback position is imminent with the Raiders. Herbert may just be the guy to fill that position. A great talent with all the physical tools, the only real knock against Herbert would be the lackluster performances against high-level competition, recording a total of 14 losses during his four years in Eugene. Personally, I think this has been overblown during his evaluation process. In the right situation, with the right coach, Herbert can flourish in the NFL.
- San Francisco 49ers: Javon Kinlaw, Defensive Tackle, South Carolina
The 49ers decided to shed some salary and trade DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts for this selection in the draft. If this pick turns out the way I have it projected here, the 49ers are either pure geniuses or one of the luckiest teams in this draft. Kinlaw is arguably the most talented defensive tackle in this class and would serve as the perfect replacement for Buckner. He’s known for being a menace towards opposing quarterbacks, batting down eight passes and racking up 10 sacks during his short time in Columbia. The 49ers will fill a significant hole in the most disruptive defensive line in recent memory. Not many offensive lines will be able to stop Nick Bosa, Javon Kinlaw, Arik Armstead and Dee Ford. 49ers fans should be giddy to see this unit take the field.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Andrew Thomas, Offensive Tackle, Georgia
The Buccaneers may have made the largest splash out of any other team in the NFL by signing Tom Brady. With the addition of the greatest quarterback of this generation, it’s of paramount importance that the Bucs protect their million-dollar man. Thomas is just one in an increasingly long line of elite offensive line talent out of the University of Georgia. Thomas is the last of the can’t miss prospects at the offensive tackle position and Tampa Bay should sprint to the podium if he is still available here. Thomas falls merely because he is the least proven in pass protection. Georgia was known for its elite running attack and a large part of that was thanks to Thomas. He’s a mauler who I think would be a perfect right tackle in the NFL, but due to this situation, may be forced to play the blindside initially. In time, Thomas will be an elite offensive tackle.
- Denver Broncos: CeeDee Lamb, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma
Drew Lock is, at the moment, the future for the Broncos. With this said, the loss of Emmanuel Sanders via trade last season naturally hit Denver’s receiving core quite hard. Courtland Sutton may have experienced a breakout 2019 campaign, but this should not dissuade John Elway from giving his young quarterback another elite prospect to throw too. Lamb has been one of the most productive wide receivers in all of college football the last two seasons and if it weren’t for two exceptional prospects from Alabama, Lamb would likely be a top 10 selection.
- Atlanta Falcons: K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
The loss of Vic Beasley has actually been a cause for celebration in Atlanta, as his lack of production relative to the price has severely hindered the ability of the Falcons to sign quality depth. Replace this almost dead weight with a guy with immense potential to partner with Tak McKinley and Dante Fowler and you have a potentially elite edge rushing unit. Chaisson may not have put up the most eye-popping pass rushing numbers at LSU, but where he lacked in pass rushing ability he made up for in character, run stuffing and athleticism. In 2019 he racked up 60 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. He was a captain as a redshirt sophomore and has shown very high character traits. An injury did derail his true sophomore season and that may have had a bit of an impact on his pass rushing numbers.
- Dallas Cowboys: C.J. Henderson, Cornerback, Florida
The loss of Byron Jones was one that many Cowboys faithful had seen coming for a while now, as it was clear Dallas wouldn’t have the cap space to resign him. It’s safe to assume the Cowboys will be desperate to attempt to mitigate this loss in the draft, and a prospect such as Henderson may just be the perfect one to fill this role. Henderson is an elite pass defender, knocking down 20 passes in 30 games at Florida. Henderson is also an elite athlete as he ran an incredibly impressive 4.39 40-yard dash and partnered that with a 37.5-inch vertical jump. The only real knock on Henderson would be his physicality, as he only racked up 93 tackles and 8 tackles for loss during his entire career as a Gator. That said, I think the Cowboys are willing to take the risk for such an elite prospect.
- Miami Dolphins (via Pittsburgh Steelers): Josh Jones, Offensive Tackle, Houston
The Dolphins got their man in Tagovailoa with their first selection in this draft, so now they go ahead and draft an insurance policy for a guy that has had serious injury concerns. Jones has flown up draft boards for about the last month or so and rightfully so. He was poised for a great 2019 at the University of Houston but those plans were quickly foiled after Houston started 1-2 and essentially packed it in for the rest of the season, many of the best talent on the roster opting to sit out for the rest of the season. Thus, the Cougars finished with a disappointing 4-8 record and many of the pro prospects on the roster lost much of their luster. That’s exactly the case here with Jones. He is a mauler and a dominant run blocker who would fit perfectly into Miami’s offense, being run by a rookie quarterback. I don’t think he projects as a left tackle immediately but he’s a guy that should be a day one starter at either guard or right tackle.
- Las Vegas Raiders (via Chicago Bears): Justin Jefferson, Wide Receiver, LSU
The Raiders are trying to build a truly explosive offense consisting of Josh Jacobs, Darren Waller, a solid duo of Hunter Renfrow and Tyrell Williams as well as adding Herbert earlier in this draft. This said, they are still lacking a true game-changing wide receiver. Enter one of the most productive college receivers in recent memory. Jefferson was the beneficiary of plenty of Joe Burrow dimes during his time at LSU, but the question entering the combine was, “who is most responsible for the numbers, Jefferson or Burrow?” Obviously, Jefferson heard those questions and decided to absolutely show out. A 4.43 40-yard dash and a 37.5-inch vertical jump paired with the 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns that Jefferson put up in 2019 are the makings of a top tier prospect.
- Jacksonville Jaguars (via LA Rams): Trevon Diggs, Cornerback, Alabama
The Jaguars have now parted ways with both of their starting cornerbacks from the 2019 season. Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye are not easily replaced, but Jacksonville will attempt to do just that here. Diggs is the youngest of three brothers, including Buffalo Bills wideout Stefon. Initially a wide receiver, Diggs only started one season at Alabama, but that should not make the Jaguars shy away. Diggs is the definition of a ball hawk; he plays the cornerback position with the sole goal of forcing turnovers. He has prototypical NFL corner size, standing at 6-foot-1, which allows him to match up with any receiver the AFC south could offer up.
- Philadelphia Eagles: Kristian Fulton, Cornerback, LSU
The recent addition of Darius Slay from the Lions may force others to mock a wide receiver to the Eagles here and that may very well end up being the case. But in my opinion, I believe the best course of action would be suring up the leaky secondary with more quality talent, then selecting a receiver later as this is an incredibly deep class at that position. That said, the best corner left on the board here is Fulton, a highly recruited guy out of high school who was supposed to have an outstanding senior year which would catapult him well into the top 10. However, he ended up being overshadowed by freshman phenom Derek Stingley Jr. That’s not to say Fulton was bad by any means, but it certainly explains his fall here. Fulton is a lot like Trevon Diggs in that his game experience isn’t ideal, but the potential is far too great to pass up.
- Minnesota Vikings (via Buffalo Bills): Denzel Mims, Wide Receiver, Baylor
Minnesota recently went through a rather public breakup with former star receiver Stefon Diggs. The trade netted them this selection here, which makes it only fitting that they go out and select his heir apparent in Mims, an incredible athlete who is able to blow past just about anyone. A 4.38 40-yard dash paired with a 38.5-inch vertical jump packed into a 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame makes him a matchup nightmare for any defensive coordinator. He has the ability to take the roof off of any defense and would serve as the perfect complement to Adam Theilen’s possession style of play. He put up two 1,000+ yard seasons at Baylor and persevered through lots of losing early in his career and was rewarded with a final send off in the Sugar Bowl. He would be a welcomed addition to the Vikings offense.
- New England Patriots: Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State
This offseason has not been kind to the Patriots as they have been utterly gutted, losing Tom Brady, Kyle Van Noy, Ted Karras, Jamie Collins and Danny Shelton. So what does Bill Belichick do? He goes out and selects the best group of five player in this class. Weaver put up ungodly numbers for the Broncos. He lived in the opponent’s backfield, racking up 47.5 tackles for loss and 34 sacks in three seasons. He may not be the most elite athlete, but he’s just the kind of player that would fit perfectly in Belichick’s edge rusher role. He would fill the gap left by Van Noy immediately and could be a real impact player from day one.
- New Orleans Saints: Kenneth Murray, Linebacker, Oklahoma
The Saints have struggled to find a guy that can lock down the inside linebacker position since Johnathan Vilma retired. Both Demario Davis and A.J. Klein had solid seasons in 2019, but Davis is on the wrong side of 30 and Klein signed a 3-year deal with Buffalo earlier this offseason. Thus, a gaping hole in the middle of the Saints defense needs to be filled. Enter Murray, a starter in all three seasons he spent as a Sooner and a difference maker from day one. He was a tackling machine, racking up a total of 325 tackles (155 alone in his sophomore season), 36.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. He may not be the best in pass protection, but the Saints defense has improved enough in recent years to allow Murray to develop in this aspect.
- Minnesota Vikings: Austin Jackson, Offensive Line, USC
With their second selection in the first round, the Vikings go offense once again, but this time they address a need that has persisted for years now: offensive line. Jackson from USC is one of the better run blockers in this class and he should fit right into the Vikings’ run first mentality. A team that has consistently struggled with their offensive line for a few years now, the Vikings are desperate for some consistency from this unit. Jackson is one of the more athletic tackles in this class and will be a welcomed addition to this ball club.
- Miami Dolphins (via Houston Texans): Jonathan Taylor, Running Back, Wisconsin
Miami has done nothing but hit home runs in this mock draft, and so far they’ve got their quarterback and left tackle. Now they go out with their last selection in the first round and grab the first running back in the draft. Taylor is one of the most underrated running back prospects in recent history in my opinion. A guy who put up more yards and scored more touchdowns (on less carries) than none other than arguably the best college running back of all time, Hershel Walker. There were concerns about Taylor’s workload over his three years in Madison as well as his speed. The workload question may not be disputable, but as someone that doesn’t believe in paying running backs after their rookie contracts, it should bother Miami. The speed question on the other hand has been totally refuted, as he ran the fastest 40-yard dash out of any running back and many other players in general. If Taylor maintains his health, then he will be a very successful NFL running back.
- Seattle Seahawks: Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
The loss of Jadeveon Clowney in the offseason is going to leave a large hole on the edge of the Seahawks defense. This class has been noted as one of the worst edge rushing classes in the last few years, but that’s not to say there still isn’t gobs of talent to be had. The perfect example of this talent is Yetur Gross-Matos. One of James Franklin’s biggest recruits, Gross-Matos led the defense of one of the most underrated teams in the nation the last two seasons. In his two seasons as an everyday starter, Gross-Matos lived in the backfields of opponents, racking up 34.5 tackles for loss and 17 sacks. He’s as good a prospect as you’ll find on the edge in this class.
- Baltimore Ravens: Julian Okwara, EDGE, Notre Dame
The Ravens are in an interesting position as they franchise tagged Matt Judon this offseason, continuing to fill their edge position with plenty of talent. That said, it’s more likely than not that the Ravens lose Judon next offseason, as players don’t tend to take too lightly to the franchise tag. Thus, I have them going out and drafting an insurance policy with Okwara. This selection may actually be one of the best fits I can think of. Allowing Okwara to sit in a relatively low leverage role for a season or two will allow him to develop his skills even more. He’s coming off a season that was ended prematurely due to an injury. He hadn’t had a great season before the injury, but he has all the tools you’d want from an edge rusher, especially in Baltimore’s scheme. Allowing Okwara to get up to speed, sitting behind and playing beside a guy like Judon could help create an absolute monster on the edge.
- Tennessee Titans: Lucas Niang, Offensive Tackle, TCU
The Titans opted to let their former first-round pick, Jack Conklin, walk in free agency, leaving a pretty large hole on the right side of their offensive line. With the franchise tagging of Derrick Henry and the resigning of Ryan Tannehill, it shows the Titans’ recommitment to the strong run first offense that pushed them past arguably more talented rosters in the 2019-20 playoffs. Much of this success was thanks to the dominance of the Titans offensive line. Thus, in order to attempt to replicate their 2019 success, they go out and select Niang from TCU. Niang is a veteran starter from a pass-heavy scheme, which at first may not seem like it would fit into the Titans’ gameplan. But with Henry only on a one-year franchise tag, and lots of draft capital being invested in the wide receiving core, the Titans may look to expand the passing game this offseason.
- Green Bay Packers: K.J. Hamler, Wide Receiver, Penn State
Aaron Rodgers is straying further and further away from his prime, and his ability to make no-name weapons into viable NFL options may just be behind him. He already has the likes of Aaron Jones and Davante Adams, but injury history and a lack of depth warrant another addition to the offensive arsenal. Hamler may just be the perfect complement to the one-two punch of Adams and Jones. He’s the definition of a slot receiver, standing at only 5-foot-9 and he fits that role perfectly; an excellent athlete with the ability to play in the middle of the field or stretch the defense deep. The first round may be a little high for Hamler, but considering the Packers don’t have another selection until late in the second round, this player fits a huge need.
- San Francisco 49ers: Xavier McKinney, Safety, Alabama
With the 49ers’ second selection in the first round, the rich only get richer, as they go to the well once more on the defensive side of the ball. Excluding Isaiah Simmons, McKinney may just be the best safety prospect in this class, and San Francisco may just be the perfect landing spot for any defensive talent as the mix of young talent and veteran leadership carried an average offense all the way to the Super Bowl where it took a late comeback from Patrick Mahomes to seal the deal. McKinney is accustomed to winning as he spent his college years in Tuscaloosa and should fit right into a rotational role in the secondary from day one.
- Kansas City Chiefs: Bryce Hall, Cornerback, Virginia
Pass coverage has been one of the only weak spots on an otherwise exceptionally built NFL team. Andy Reid has everything in place to make yet another deep playoff push as, barring any unforeseen injuries, the Chiefs will be stacked from top to bottom once again. That said, even while holding onto Bashaud Breeland, cornerback is still a large need for this ball club. Enter Hall, arguably the best cover corner in this entire class. Unlike some of the other corners in this class, Hall has the college stats to back up his projection here. Unfortunately there are some injury concerns as he missed significant time last season due to injury. His athleticism is also in question as he doesn’t have the prototypical size and has looked sluggish at times. With that said, I think his potential is too great to pass up and the Chiefs potentially hit a home run here.
- Cincinnati Bengals: Grant Delpit, Safety, LSU
With the first selection in the second round, there are a multitude of places the Bengals could go as they have needs up and down the depth chart. I have them going with one of the more talented safeties in this class in Delpit from LSU. He has dropped a bit here after a mildly disappointing 2019 campaign, as he was overshadowed by others in the defensive backfield, but that should not dissuade the Bengals here as he’s still a dynamic talent that can be very productive at the NFL level.
- Indianapolis Colts (via Washington Redskins): Jordan Love, Quarterback, Utah State
After making a trade to drop out of the first round while picking up a dynamic defensive talent, the Colts make their first selection in the draft and still wind up with the guy many people mocked to them in the first round. Love is an excellent talent that I see as a developmental prospect who should take a year or two before he is given the reins to the offense. Love was very productive against most college opponents, but some more mediocre performances have given pause to his appointment as a blue chip quarterback prospect.
- Detroit Lions: A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa
The Lions defense in 2019 was one of the worst defensive units I’ve watched in my time watching football. The addition of Jeffrey Okudah will help significantly, but games are won and lost in the trenches. The Lions’ defensive line and pass rush was historically bad last year and the need to address this issue should be atop the Lions’ to-do list. Epenesa is a guy who has been mocked as high as the top 15 or as low as the bottom of the second round. On tape, he’s highly disruptive and extremely productive, but the concerns are raised with his showing at the combine, as he left much to be desired. Depending on who Epenesa really is, the Lions could’ve hit a home run or struck out.
- New York Giants: Tyler Biadasz, Center/Guard, Wisconsin
The Giants are a team that have a ton of talent on the offensive side of the football, with Saquon Barkley, Daniel Jones, Evan Engram, Golden Tate and Darius Slayton. After adding the dynamic defensive talent of Isaiah Simmons in the first round, they go out and grab one of the more talented run blocking interior offensive linemen in this class. Biadasz was integral to the success of Jonathan Taylor at Wisconsin and is one of the most decorated offensive linemen in this draft. He should be able to step into a starting role immediately.
- LA Chargers: Jalen Hurts, Quarterback, Oklahoma
The Chargers may have surprised quite a few people when they decided to pass on Justin Herbert and Jordan Love in the first round, instead going with an offensive tackle. Their rationale for this selection is based largely on the performances of quarterbacks with similar play styles to Hurts, like Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. The image of the prototypical NFL quarterback may be changing, as mobility is now the name of the game. Hurts fits this definition perfectly, as his first and only season in Norman allowed him to flourish and showcase not only his dynamic running ability but his accurate and powerful arm. Hurts has the upside of those aforementioned quarterbacks, and with the offensive weapons already with the Chargers, I think this is a match made in heaven.
- Carolina Panthers: A.J Terrell, Cornerback, Clemson
The Panthers let their star corner, James Bradberry go this offseason following an underwhelming 2019. Thus, in order to address this glaring need, the Panthers go out and get A.J. Terrell. One of the more athletic corners in this class, Terrell was the star corner on an incredibly impressive Clemson defense. He consistently went up against the opposition’s best receiver and essentially shut him down every time.
- Miami Dolphins: Marlon Davidson, EDGE, Auburn
The Dolphins spent their first three selections in this draft on the offensive side of the ball and I don’t know many Miami fans that would be unhappy about that. With this said, the defensive line has also been a huge area of need for the Dolphins, which makes Davidson the perfect selection here. A guy that fits the Brian Flores defensive scheme perfectly, Davidson can play both on the interior or exterior of the defensive line and is able to play the run and pass effectively from any spot. Miami grabs another guy who should be a starter from day one.
- Houston Texans (via Arizona Cardinals): Ross Blacklock, Defensive Tackle, TCU
The Texans’ offseason has been questionable to say the least, as the team traded one of the three best receivers in the game in the form of DeAndre Hopkins for David Johnson and this selection here. Questionable trade aside, the Texans also let defensive stalwart D.J. Reader walk in free agency, leaving a massive gap in the middle of their once vaunted defensive line. Enter Blacklock. During his two full seasons at TCU, Blacklock was one of the best defensive tackles in the country, racking up 15.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He may not be as big as Reader but he certainly has the same pro potential.
- Cleveland Browns: Lloyd Cushenberry III, Center/Guard, LSU
The Cleveland offensive line was so bad last year, it has to be addressed once more here in the second round. Cushenberry is one of the few offensive linemen in this class to have experienced an offense predicated mostly on the run one year, and then the next to be a part of the most prolific college passing offense of all time. This is far from a bad thing, as this experience may prove to be invaluable for the Browns as an offense that has Jarvis Landry, Odell Beckham Jr. and Nick Chubb must have a healthy run/pass balance. Cushenberry was the play caller on a very impressive LSU offensive front and should be able to play any of the interior offensive line positions for the Browns.
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Jonathan Greenard, EDGE, Florida
The Jaguars will very likely trade their star edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue as he has publicly stated his disinterest in playing for Jacksonville under a franchise tag this season. Thus, they go out and grab local product Greenard from Florida. Slightly larger than Ngakoue but just just as capable, Greenard showed out in his only season with the Gators, racking up 10 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. He’s on the older side as he had to sit out a season after transferring from Louisville following the 2017 season, but a more experienced and polished prospect like Greenard is exactly what the Jaguars need heading into 2020.
- Chicago Bears (via Las Vegas Raiders): Prince Tega Wanogho, Offensive Tackle, Auburn
The retirement of Kyle Long may have taken quite a few Bears fans by surprise considering he is only 31 years old, but nonetheless this move has forced the Bears front office to look to address major issues across the entire offensive line. Luckily for them, a talent like Prince Tega Wanogho has fallen to them here, Wanogho played tackle in college and projects to be one in the NFL. Not the most physically imposing guy but one that is a solid pass and run blocker. He should push for first team reps at either tackle spot immediately
- Indianapolis Colts: Jaylon Johnson, Cornerback, Utah
Indianapolis released one of their starting cornerbacks, Pierre Desir, this offseason and it would be smart of them to replace him early in the draft as the top end talent in this class has real staying potential. One of my favorite corners in this class is Jaylon Johnson from Utah. He has prototypical NFL size and athleticism as well as an elite knack for finding the football. One of the better ball hawks in this class, Johnson should fit right in to a greatly improved Colts defense.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Netane Muti, Offensive Guard, Fresno State
It only makes sense for the Buccaneers to further insure their multiseason investment in the oldest quarterback in the league. Muti is everything you look for when you’re scouting NFL offensive guards, he’s big, he’s strong and he’s technically sound. If it weren’t for a substantial injury history, Muti would most likely be a top-20 pick in any draft. He stands out most in pass protection which will be paramount with Tom Brady in the pocket.
- Denver Broncos: Isaiah Wilson, Offensive Tackle, Georgia
Denver has struggled in protecting the quarterback for quite a while now as some draft picks have left a bit to be desired. Enter Wilson, one of the youngest offensive linemen in this class. He showed elite traits across the board at Georgia and may end up being the steal of this draft here. He’s knocked because of his lack of experience on the left side of the line, but considering how good the Bulldogs offensive front was the last two seasons, I don’t think it’s that much of a red flag. Wilson should compete for a guard or tackle spot immediately.
- Atlanta Falcons: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Running Back, LSU
The Falcons made a big splash this offseason inking Todd Gurley to a one year contract, that said the depth behind him and Gurley’s longevity are serious question marks. With both Julio Jones and Matt Ryan not getting any younger, it’s important for the Falcons to attempt to capitalize on their talent now. Edwards-Helaire adds a very important weapon to this offense: youth and versatility. Racking up nearly 1,500 yards rushing and 500 yard receiving, Edwards-Helaire is one of the most versatile backs in this class and in my opinion is drastically underrated. I think he has Le’Veon Bell levels of upside and may even force the Falcons to let Gurley walk next offseason.
- New York Jets: Justin Madubuike, Defensive Tackle, Texas A&M
By trading former first round pick Leonard Williams mid-season in 2019, there is now a sizable hole on the Jets defensive front that cannot be totally filled by Quinnen Williams. The best defensive fronts have consistent rotations that allow their best guys to stay fresh while mitigating lost production. I think the addition of another mauler in the middle, like Williams, would greatly help this Jet’s unit. A solid pass rusher up the middle, Madubuike would be a great passing down option in the middle for the Jets. Madubuike is also no slouch when it comes to stuffing the run either, racking up over 20 tackles for loss in his two seasons as a starter for the Aggies.
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Jacob Eason, Quarterback, Washington
Ben Roethlisberger has begun to show his age, as his injury list begins to get longer and longer, it would be smart for the Steelers to begin to look at more long term replacement options. Eason may just fit the bill perfectly here. A guy that I think needs more time to season before he’s ready to be thrown into the fire, only really starting two years in college, one at Georgia and one at Washington. Eason has a big arm and prototypical NFL size, he’s the classic pocket passer and will fit Pittsburgh’s offense quite well.
- Chicago Bears: Cole Kmet, Tight End, Notre Dame
Chicago needs weapons for whoever their starting quarterback ends up being Mitchell Trubisky or Nick Foles. Allen Robinson, Tarik Cohen and David Montgomery are all solid offensive weapons but their options in the passing game are still relatively limited. Putting Kmet into this offensive scheme would add something the Bears haven’t really had in a long time, a pure red zone threat at tight end. A huge target at 6-foot-6 and nearly 270 pounds, Kmet is the perfect red zone jump ball candidate and could be a touchdown machine for the Bears. No slouch in the blocking game either, Kmet projects to be a do it all type of tight end.
- Dallas Cowboys: Cesar Ruiz, Center/Guard, Michigan
The surprise retirement of Travis Frederick this offseason has left the most important position on the offensive line wide open for the Cowboys. Luckily, one of the better center prospects I’ve seen in recent years has fallen right into their laps. Ruiz is the definition of consistency, starting 31 games at Michigan, 26 of those at center. Ruiz is your classic hard nosed, yet cerebral center. He may not be Frederick right away, but he certainly has the potential to be just as effective.
- LA Rams: Ben Bartch, Offensive Tackle, St. John’s
The Rams offensive line was awful in 2019, there weren’t many bright spots on a front that really struggled to protect Jared Goff. Bartch isn’t a name that will be recognized by many outside the draft community as he played at the NCAA Div. III level for St. John’s in Minnesota. Having lost only seven games in his four years on campus, Bartch is accustomed to winning football and should be able to adjust to the Ram’s culture rather quickly. He’s very athletic: a converted tight end who ran track in high school. He lacks true experience as an offensive tackle, but considering the state of the Rams offensive line, he may very well find himself in the mix at either guard or tackle.
- Philadelphia Eagles: Laviska Shenault Jr., Wide Receiver, Colorado
Shenault Jr. is a guy that can make plays at all three levels and isn’t afraid to take on bigger, more physical guys. He was integral to Colorado’s offensive game plan as he was involved in nearly every aspect. That’s not to say however that he comes without any red flags, the largest of all is his durability, he ran a relatively unimpressive 4.58 40-yard dash and then proceeded to undergo core surgery a few days later. He’s never played a whole 12 game slate during his time in Boulder and that may make some Philadelphia fans weary. The cancellations of individual workouts may be detrimental to Shenaults draft stock, thus allowing him to fall and be picked here.
- Buffalo Bills: Josh Uche, EDGE, Michigan
Buffalo has had an elite defensive unit for some time now, that said, it’s impossible for a team to continue this level of play without replenishing the reserves every once and a while. The defensive front for the Bills has been hit the hardest in terms of losses thus far this offseason as they lost both Shaq Lawson and Jordan Phillips. Adding an athletic pass rusher like Uche could help mitigate these losses. Back to back 7+ sack seasons with 18.5 tackles over that stretch always help your draft stock. He’s athletic, yet powerful: the perfect Buffalo Bill.
- Baltimore Ravens (via Atlanta Falcons, via New England Patriots): D’Andre Swift, Running Back, Georgia
Baltimore runs one of the most unique offensive schemes in the NFL, predicated largely off the running game. Lamar Jackson’s dynamic abilities aside, their rushing attack is led by 30-year old Mark Ingram. Nothing against older running backs but the numbers say their production will drop significantly after the turn 31. A changing of the guard is coming sooner rather than later and Swift is the perfect guy to fill that hole for the Ravens. Back to back 1,000+ yard seasons for the Bulldogs, Swift is the perfect compliment to the hard nosed Ingram’s running style. He should be able to earn plenty of carries right away.
- Miami Dolphins (via New Orleans Saints): Patrick Queen, Linebacker, LSU
Miami goes defense one more time for their last pick in the second round. This time opting to address their struggles at the linebacker position with the Louisiana native Queen. One of the leaders on the championship winning Tigers defense, Queen is a leader on the defensive side of the football. Raekwon McMillan took a step back in his second season and he battled some injuries along the way. Thus, Queen will walk into a situation where he can see a ton of playing time right away.
- Houston Texans: Damon Arnette, Cornerback, Ohio State
Houston is back on the clock with their second pick in this round and once again they go defense. The Texans fans will be clambering for a wide receiver or possibly an offensive lineman but I think this value is too good to pass up here. He was often drawing top tier matchups as teams were often trying to avoid Jeffery Okudah and he held his own against top tier talent time and time again. He may not be the most polished prospect in terms of athleticism or size but I think the fit works well here.
- Minnesota Vikings: Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama
The Vikings surprised some people by letting go of Everson Griffin this offseason. A mainstay on the Vikings defensive line for seemingly generations, Griffin will surely be missed, that said so will his production. Lewis is a guy who could do just that. Not the most productive at Alabama, but supremely talented nonetheless, Lewis is a guy who may allow the Vikings to be in a rotation with Anthony Barr for the other edge rushing position opposite of Danielle Hunter.
- Seattle Seahawks: Michael Pittman Jr., Wide Receiver, USC
The Seahawks have been starved for an elite trio of receiver talent for a while now. D.K Metcalf last year and Tyler Lockett a few years before that, have been steps in the right direction, but that third option still has yet to show themselves at the wide receiver position in Seattle. Pittman may just be the answer to the Seahawks prayers. In a phenomenal 2019 season, Pittman caught over 100 passes, for over 1,200 yards and 11 scores. This kind of talent opposite Metcalf, allows Lockett to move to the slot. Which could greatly improve the Seahawks offensive output.
- Baltimore Ravens: Brandon Aiyuk, Wide Receiver, Arizona State
Baltimore has really struggled to find consistent wide receiver play since Steve Smith and Anquan Bolden left half a decade ago. Hollywood Brown showed great promise his rookie season but he only ended up bringing 46 passes after a great first three games. In order to add more versatility to this offense the Ravens go out and grab the athletic freak Brandon Aiyuk. A JUCO transfer, he only played two seasons in Tempe, but that’s all the time he needed to demonstrate his abilities. Nearly 1,200 yards and eight touchdowns in his senior season, Aiyuk was one of the most underrated wide receivers this last season who offers the ability to also return punts and kicks.
- Tennessee Titans: James Lynch, Defensive Tackle, Baylor
Tennessee has built their roster around hard nosed, old school kinds of guys. Physical defense and power runs have dominated the Titans mindset since Mike Vrabel took over as head coach two seasons ago. This offseason, the Titans traded away long time defensive tackle Jurrell Casey, creating a hole at the tackle position. Lynch, from Baylor, was one of the most impressive defensive linemen, regardless of position, in 2019. 19.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks for a defensive tackle are numbers you don’t see everyday and for that reason I think the Titans could fall in love with Lynch as a prospect. He played both on the interior and the edge in his final college season but I think he’d make a better NFL defensive tackle. That said, he might have to bulk up a bit to play inside at the NFL level. If he’s able to do that, the Titans were able to find a day one starter.
- Green Bay Packers: Matt Peart, Offensive Tackle, Connecticut
Green Bay let Bryan Bulaga walk in free agency and they absolutely have to do whatever they can to protect star QB Aaron Rodgers and running back Aaron Jones. If they aren’t able to have either of those two on the field their season is as good as over. Peart from UConn could just fill that right tackle spot for the Packers right away. He started all four years at UConn, while the team may not have been that great over that span its impressive nonetheless. He’s known for his ability to pass blocks which Rodgers will absolutely love. He’s very athletic and looks the part, standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing in at nearly 320 pounds.
- Kansas City Chiefs (via San Francisco 49ers): Shane Lemieux, Offensive Guard, Oregon
The Chiefs have a question mark at only one position on the offensive side of the football: guard. nexperience at this spot may be worth addressing early in the draft. Therefore. I have the Chiefs going out and selecting one of the most experienced offensive linemen in this class in Lemieux. A long time starter on one of the most dominant offensive lines in the country at Oregon, he is a well rounded, powerful guard. He’s known for being able to throw run and pass blocks well at either guard spot, while being able to climb to the second level exceptionally well. Lemieux could walk into Kansas City and start right away.
- Seattle Seahawks (via Kansas City Chiefs): Solomon Kindley, Offensive Guard, Georgia
Seattle has struggled protecting Russell Wilson for years and it’s seemingly become a joke amongst many NFL fans. They tried to address this by signing Mike Iupati to a one year deal this offseason, but I don’t think that should discourage them from selecting another guard early in the draft. I have Kindley here because he was dominant at Georgia, really showing that through run blocking schemes for NFL-caliber running backs Nick Chubb, Sony Michel and D’Andre Swift. His pass protection may need some work but I think this could be a home run for the Seahawks, a starter on the offensive line, if not right away, thensoon down the line.
Alex McRae is the Assistant Sports Director for Impact 89FM WDBM who primarily covers football. Follow him on Twitter at @amac595.