Mocking the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft

Draft day is here! While it might be a much different than normal draft day the excitement is the same and by the end of the day, our Denver Broncos will be coming away with an exciting prospect. So with that said, let us take a look at how I see the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft play out.

Cincinnati Bengals - 1st overall: LSU Quarterback Joe Burrow

This pick as been known since the Bengals earned themselves the top overall pick at the end of the 2019 NFL season. They’ll select their new hopeful franchise quarterback in Joe Burrow.

Burrow’s is coming off an excellent and historic 2019 season for LSU where he passed for 60 touchdowns. Now, he’ll join a Cincinnati offense that is in desperate need of a spark.

Washington - 2nd overall: Ohio State EDGE Chase Young

With Burrow’s going first overall, Ron Rivera and Washington are able to get the best player in the draft in Chase Young.

He’s a dominant edge rusher who can do everything asked of from an edge defender and do it well. His pass rushing skill set is similar to Von Miller and he has that sort of upside. Washington gets a good one here in Young.

TRADE ALERT!! The Miami Dolphins trade their 5th overall pick and 26th overall pick to the Detroit Lions

Miami Dolphins - 3rd overall: Georgia Offensive Tackle Andrew Thomas

The current rumor as I am typing this up in the early hours of Thursday morning are that the Miami Dolphins are looking to trade up to the third overall pick to select quarter...what? offensive tackle Andrew Thomas? That’s the rumor and it appears to have some legs.

We heard how Miami was going to suck for Tua for what seems like years now and now a hip injury that Tua suffered last season may have drastically changed the Dolphins draft plans here.

Thomas is a very good tackle who can start day one at left tackle for the Dolphins offense.

New York Giants - 4th overall: Iowa Offensive Tackle Tristan Wirfs

The Miami Dolphins jumped ahead of the Giants here to select Andrew Thomas. This means that the Giants will now “settle” with Iowa offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs instead.

The highly athletic and versatile lineman should step in on day one and help protect Daniel Jones blindside.

Detroit Lions(via Miami) - 5th overall: Ohio State Cornerback Jeffrey Okudah

The Lions were able to trade back and still get their guy in Ohio State cornerback Jeffrey Okudah. He’s one of the better corner prospects to come out in awhile and the Lions were able to get him and another first-round pick by trading back with Miami.

With Darius Slay now in Philadelphia, Okudah should step in as the Lions top corner on day one.

Los Angeles Chargers - 6th overall: Oregon Quarterback Justin Herbert

It’s not often that you can stand pat and still get one of the better quarterback prospects in the draft at 6th overall, but that’s exactly what happened here.

Longtime quarterback Phillip Rivers is now playing for the Colts and Tyrod Taylor is currently listed as the Chargers expected starter so Herbert definitely makes sense here.

The Broncos will get to see the quarterback John Elway was reportedly smitten with last season twice a year.

Carolina Panthers - 7th overall: Auburn Defensive Tackle Derrick Brown

The Panthers lost both of their starting defensive lineman in free agency and will look to fill that void by adding big Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown.

Brown is one of my favorite prospects in the draft and he’ll be a nice building block for the Panthers who are looking to have a fresh start.

Arizona Cardinals - 8th overall: Clemson Linebacker/Safety Isaiah Simmons

Like any team Vance Joseph coaches the defense on, the Cardinals struggled big time at covering tight ends last season. They’ll look to hopefully fix this weakness by adding the defensive chess piece that is Isaiah Simmons.

He can play linebacker, safety, slot and man up against the tight end which he’ll likely be asked to do in Arizona. With them acquiring DeAndre Hopkins already this offseason, they are able to add talent to their defense.

TRADE ALERT!! The Atlanta Falcons send their 16th overall pick(and more) to the Jacksonville Jaguars for their 9th overall selection

Atlanta Falcons(via Jacksonville) - 9th overall: Florida Cornerback C.J. Henderson

The Falcons traded up with the Jacksonville Jaguars to select Florida cornerback C.J. Henderson.

They already released veteran Desmond Trufant this offseason and will look to Henderson to replace him in their secondary. You have Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Teddy Bridgewater in your division so you better have some talent at corner.

TRADE ALERT!! The New England Patriots send their 23rd overall selection(and more) to the Cleveland Browns for their 10th overall selection

New England Patriots(via Cleveland) - 10th overall: Alabama Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa

Gotta have one big surprise in here.

If Tua starts falling outside the top 10, the New England Patriots will be looking to pounce on him. It’s widely known that the Cleveland Browns are looking to trade back and the Patriots have to do something at quarterback so this move makes way too much sense.

Tua is a giant wildcard in this draft because of his medicals but I think he’s the type of player Belichick would like. WIll this happen? Who knows, but I wouldn’t be too surprised if he started to slip some.

New York Jets - 11th overall: Louisville Offensive Tackle Mekhi Becton

Becton is a mammoth prospect at nearly 370 pounds but also a very nimble and athletic one who ran a sub 5.0 40-time at the Combine.

The Jets will be looking to protect quarterback Sam Darnold and Becton will be tasked to block his blindside. He’s a dominant run blocker who has the upside to become a very good all around tackle.

Las Vegas Raiders - 12th overall: Alabama Wide Receiver Henry Ruggs III

The ghost of Al Davis is pleased.

Jon Gruden loves wide receivers and reportedly wants the speedy Henry Ruggs. He’ll join the AFC West and give Derek Carr a legit deep threat defenses will have to scheme against week in and week out.

San Francisco 49ers - 13th overall: Oklahoma Wide Receiver CeeDee Lamb

The 49ers hit the jackpot last season when they drafted Deebo Samuel in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Now, they find him a running mate to help replace the void that veteran Emmanuel Sanders left in this offense by selecting the big CeeDee Lamb.

This will give quarterback Jimmy G. a young core at wide receiver to grow around while leaning on the rushing game and tight end George Kittle to carry this offense. Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch are building a really good looking offense there in San Francisco.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 14th overall: Alabama Offensive Tackle Jedrick WIllis

The Bucs offensive overhaul continues

You just signed Tom Brady so you better do your best to protect him and they do that here by getting a steal in Jedrick Willis at 14th overall.

WIllis can play either tackle positon and play guard as well, so he gives the Bucs some versatility. However, I think he’ll play left tackle in this scenario and be tasked with protecting Brady’s backside during his rookie year.

Denver Broncos - 15th overall: Alabama Wide Receiver Jerry Jeudy

The Broncos get their receiver without needing to trade up(I really hope they don’t)

Jeudy would be my WR1 or WR2 if I was grading prospects. He has the speed, a crisp route runner, freaky body control and just an all-around high-end looking prospect. I think he’s a great fit in Pat Shurmur’s offense as he can he play inside or outside, go deep, be a weapon in the screen game and has the skill set to be a weapon in the quick passing game as well. He’s a great fit.

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

He’ll join Pro Bowl wide receiver Courtland Sutton, quarterback Drew Lock, 2019 first-round pick Noah Fant and running backs Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay in a suddenly young and explosive Denver Broncos offense.

Jacksonville Jaguars(Via Falcons) - 16th overall: South Carolina Defensive Lineman Javon Kinlaw

The Jaguars traded their 9th overall selection to the Atlanta Falcons and are now selecting South Carolina defensive lineman, Javon Kinlaw.

He’s a big and explosive lineman who will look to replace Calias Campbell along that defensive line. The Jaguars are going through a bit of a overhaul and Kinlaw would be a nice building piece to begin with.

Dallas Cowboys - 17th overall: Clemson Cornerback A.J. Terrell

The Cowboys lost Byron Jones to the Miami Dolphins in free agency this winter and now will look to replace him during the draft. They will look at cornerback A.J. Terrell to fill that void left by Jones.

Outside of the game vs. LSU, Terrell had himself a productive college career and will now look to continue that in Dallas in Mike McCarthy’s defense.

Miami Dolphins - 18th overall: Utah State Quarterback Jordan Love

The Dolphins traded up to third overall to take Andrew Thomas and bypassing quarterback’s Tua and Justin Herbert. It sounds like they may have their sights set on the high-upside Jordan Love instead.

I am not sure if he’s ready to start day one for the Dolphins, but he gives the Dolphins a high-upside quarterback to groom to be their quarterback of the future.

Las Vegas Raiders - 19th overall: LSU Cornerback Kristian Fulton

The Raiders are needy at corner and are in the same division as Patrick Mahomes and the explosive Kansas City Chiefs offense so a strong secondary is needed. Fulton can step in a be a starter day one in Jon Gruden’s defense.

I like Fulton a lot and think he’ll fit in well in Raiders zone based defense. He’ll join fellow former SEC player Henry Ruggs in Las Vegas.

Jacksonville Jaguars - 20th overall: LSU EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson

The Jaguars continue to revamp their defensive line by adding the explosive pass rusher K’Lavon Chaisson to their defensive front. He’ll replace the likely soon to be traded Yannick Ngakoie in the Jaguars defensive unit.

He might be a passing downs only guy early on but he has an explosive first step that should excite any defensive coach who gets him.

Philadelphia Eagles - 21st overall: LSU Wide Receiver Justin Jefferson

The Eagles are in desperate need of some receiving help and they get some here with LSU’s Justin Jefferson. He’s coming off a highly productive season in the explosive LSU offense and will look produce in the same fashion for Carson Wentz and the Eagles offense.

Jefferson can play inside and out but I think he’ll be a very good slot receiver for the Eagles and quickly become one of Carson Wentz’s most trusted targets.

Minnesota VIkings - 22nd overall: Utah Cornerback Jaylon Johnson

Mike Zimmer has a type when it comes to corners and that is big and physical ones. That is exactly what Johnson is and he would be a great fit in their defense.

They parted ways with longtime corner Xavier Rhodes earlier this offseason and now Johnson will look to replace him in Mike Zimmer’s defense.

Cleveland Browns(Via Patriots) - 23rd overall: Boise State Offensive Tackle Ezra Cleveland

The Browns are switching to a zone-blocking offensive scheme and Boise State Ezra Cleveland is a perfect fit for that scheme. Plus, the Browns are able to get their guy while also acquiring a decent haul from the Patriots via a trade.

Cleveland is a highly athletic tackle who will help protect Baker Mayfield’s blindside during his rookie year. The Browns offensive line struggled badly in 2019 but they already signed Jack Conklin to play right tackle and now drafting Ezra Cleveland to play left tackle which should really improve the unit.

New Orleans Saints - 24th overall: TCU Wide Receiver Jalen Reagor

Outside of Michael Thomas, the Saints really do not have much at receiver. They did sign veteran wid receiver Emmanuel Sanders but another piece needs to be added. This is where the explosive Jalen Reagor comes into the picture.

Sean Payton had Brandin Cooks in his offense before and I believe they will use Reagor in the same way they used Cooks in the past. I like this fit a lot for Reagor.

Minnesota Vikings - 25th overall: Arizona State Wide Receiver Brandon Aiyuk

With the Vikings second first-round selection I have them finding their replacement for Stefon Diggs whom they traded to the Buffalo Bills. I have them selecting the explosive Brandon Aiyuk out of Arizona State.

The Vikings love to throw the deep ball off play action and this is where Aiyuk should excel. His explosiveness gives him a chance to replace the role Diggs held in this offense.

Detroit Lions(via Miami) - 26th overall: TCU Defensive Lineman Ross Blacklock

The Lions acquired this pick after trading back with the Miami Dolphins. I have them selecting TCU defensive lineman Ross Blacklock.

There are rumors they make take Derrick Brown at 5th overall but I have them taking Jeffrey Okudah instead. Here I have them addressing the defensive line by adding the big and stout lineman Ross Blacklock

Seattle Seahawks - 27th overall: Iowa defensive lineman A.J. Espenesa

The Seahawks probably trade this pick away because it’s what they do. However, I have them selecting defensive lineman A.J. Espenesa here in the first round.

I really like his fit with the Seahawks and think he can play defensive end in Pete Carrol’s defense.

Baltimore Ravens - 28th overall: Alabama Safety Xavier McKinney

Ozzie Newsome may no longer be the General Manager but I have a hard time seeing the Ravens passing up on this talented Alabama prospect.

McKinney can step in right away and start at safety for the Ravens as well as contributing in the slot and as a linebacker in sub-packages if needed. He’s a very good all-around player and one the Ravens always seem to scoop up as they fall to them.

Tennessee Titans - 29th overall: TCU Cornerback Jeff Gladney

The Titans let veteran Logan Ryan walk in free agency and will look to replace him in free agency. TCU’s Jeff Gladney is arguably the best cornerback available here and would be a solid fit in Tennessee’s defense.

If you want to win the AFC, you need to stop the pass so a contending team like the Titans should keep their secondary strong.

Green Bay Packers - 30th overall: Baylor Wide Reciever Denzel Mims

The Packers finally decide to draft a young weapon for veteran Aaron Rodgers who outside of Davante Adams is working without much help in the way of pass catchers. Mims will give the Packers a big deep threat who can high point the ball.

I really like this fit for Mims and the Packers.

San Francisco 49ers - 31st overall: Auburn Cornerback Noah Igbinoghene

Noah Igbinoghene is a very raw but high potential corner who could flourish with the 49ers. He’s big and physical and under the right coaching could turn into a very corner.

I really like him as player and think he can play early on for the 49ers as well.

Kansas City Chiefs - 32nd overall: LSU Linebacker Patrick Queen

I hate this pick, but it makes a ton of sense for the Chiefs who get great value here in Queen. He’s a highly athletic linebacker who should fit very well in their defense that’s kinda weak at that position.