3-round NFL mock draft: Is it the year of the wide receiver?
The 2020 NFL draft countdown has begun so, with the virtual three-day event (April 23-25) right around the corner, we wanted to join in the chorus of mock drafts.
We’ve spoken to experts and former NFL scouts, in addition to doing plenty of reading and research, so you can find our three-round NFL mock draft below.
First Round
1. Cincinnati Bengals: LSU QB Joe Burrow
Can we just have a random NFL fan sign this draft card? Burrow may not have elite arm strength and he might not be used to consistently avoiding pressure, but he’s got just about everything else going for him. NFL analyst Greg Cosell compared his composure to that of Tom Brady. Praise doesn’t get much higher than that.
2. Washington Redskins: Ohio State DE Chase Young
Young might not go No. 1 overall, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t the best player in the draft. Positional value pushes Burrow to the top spot, but Young has the kind of potential off the edge that teams fawn over. It’d be a surprise if Young doesn’t make several All-Pro appearances. He has elite bend and rushes the passer better than anyone in the country.
3. Detroit Lions: Ohio State CB Jeff Okudah
This is a prime opportunity for the Lions to trade down for more picks. But, if they stay where they are, it’ll be hard to pass up on a position where they’re sorely in need of help. The Lions had the seventh-worst pass defense last season — and they lost their top defensive back, Darius Slay, to the Philadelphia Eagles. Hello, Okudah.
4. New York Giants: Alabama OT Jedrick Wills Jr.
Dave Gettleman, the Giants GM, hasn’t exactly been great at drafting, but we’ll assume he makes the right call here. You can’t go wrong with any of the top offensive tackles in this class, but Wills Jr.’s athleticism gives him upside that can’t be matched by most of the other options.
5. Miami Dolphins: Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa
If Dr. David J. Chao — better known as the “Pro Football Doc” — doesn’t think Tagovailoa is injury prone, that’s good enough for us. The Dolphins can’t rely on 37-year-old QB Ryan Fitzpatrick for much longer, and Tagovailoa’s ceiling merits a top-5 pick.
6. Los Angeles Chargers: Oregon QB Justin Herbert
The Chargers could take an offensive tackle here, but the need for a franchise quarterback is hard to ignore. Herbert will infuse a good blend of arm strength and athleticism to take advantage of weapons like Keenan Allen and Mike Williams while avoiding pass rushers.
7. Carolina Panthers: Clemson LB/S Isaiah Simmons
Defensive players don’t come much more versatile than Simmons, who’s almost like a bigger Tyrann Mathieu. The 238-pound college linebacker clocked a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, making him the second-fastest at his position in more than a decade. He’ll start from Day 1.
8. Arizona Cardinals: Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs
The Cardinals need help protecting last year’s No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray, and Wirfs would go a long way in doing that. The former Hawkeye can play guard or tackle and is one of the best athletes in the class, regardless of position. Even if he slides inside to guard, Wirfs will provide plenty of value to the Cardinals.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars: Auburn DT Derrick Brown
This would be an absolute steal but, as it stands, we have Brown falling to No. 9 because of needs elsewhere. Brown can play as both a 1-gap and 2-gap lineman and, while he needs to improve as a pass-rusher, he has the immediate tools to contribute against the run. And he has the ability to learn when it comes to the former.
10. Cleveland Browns: Georgia OT Andrew Thomas
It’s easy to see the Browns moving down from this spot but, since there are no trades in this mock, we’ll give them one of the two remaining tackles in the top group. Thomas is our best bet to have a sustained career among the group of four, although he may lack some of the upside Wills Jr., Wirfs and our next pick have.
11. New York Jets: Louisville OT Mekhi Becton
The Jets should be thrilled with Becton here, considering they had one of the worst offensive lines in the league last year. Granted, New York addressed some of those concerns in free agency, but it could use some more help. Becton is more of a project than the other top-four tackles, but he could have the highest ceiling. If we’re comparing him to someone, he reminds us a bit of former Minnesota Viking Bryant McKinnie.
12. Los Angeles Raiders: Oklahoma WR CeeDee Lamb
There was some thought given to handing the Raiders a quarterback here, considering head coach Jon Gruden’s reluctance to praise current starter Derek Carr. But it’s hard to pass up the best receiver in the class. Lamb is electric with the ball in his hands and tracks the ball exceptionally well in the air.
13. San Francisco 49ers (from Indianapolis): Alabama WR Jerry Jeudy
The negatives? Jeudy won’t win a lot of 50/50 balls. The positives? Everything else. Jeudy could be the 49ers’ true No. 1 from Day 1, and he’s the best route runner in the NFL draft. He’s earned comparisons to Antonio Brown and Odell Beckham Jr. Deservedly.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: USC OT Austin Jackson
This might be a reach but it’s hard to see Tampa Bay doing anything other than helping out Tom Brady. Jackson is the next-best offensive tackle after the top four and might have more upside than any other tackle not named Becton.
15. Denver Broncos: Alabama WR Henry Ruggs III
The Broncos need a second threat at receiver besides Courtland Sutton, and Ruggs III would be a tremendous fit. He’s the fastest wideout in this draft — sorry, KJ Hamler — and he registered a 4.27-second 40-yard dash in the NFL combine.
16. Atlanta Falcons: Florida CB C.J. Henderson
The Falcons have been rumored to be looking to trade up, presumably for a corner, but in our mock they get their guy without giving up any extra picks. Henderson is an elite athlete and might be a better pure cover corner than Okudah. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him land in Atlanta at a much higher pick.
17. Dallas Cowboys: LSU LB K’Lavon Chaisson
The Cowboys need an edge rusher opposite DeMarcus Lawrence, and Chaisson is the best option remaining. Is he the most experienced player here? With 17 career starts, absolutely not. But he ran down Oklahoma WR Ceedee Lamb in the national semifinal. He has the tools to be a special player.
18. Miami Dolphins (from Pittsburgh): South Carolina DT Javon Kinlaw
At some point talent outweighs everything else and that’s what happens here. The Dolphins need to add talent on both sides of the ball, especially in the trenches. Here they get the No. 2 defensive tackle in the class after adding a franchise quarterback with their first pick.
19. Las Vegas Raiders (from Chicago): Utah State QB Jordan Love
As we’ve already mentioned, Jon Gruden clearly isn’t a huge fan of his quarterback in Derek Carr, which is why the Raiders also signed Marcus Mariota in the offseason to a two-year, $17.6 million deal. The Raiders are searching for their franchise quarterback, and Love is the best option remaining here. He has a lot of the tools — such as a big arm, quick feet and athleticism — but his accuracy and decision-making are both big issues.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (from L.A. Rams): Alabama S Xavier McKinney
The Jaguars are revamping their entire defense, and the addition of Brown at No. 9 makes it easier to improve in the secondary with this pick. They have the Rams’ pick after sending them former All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey during the season. McKinney is the top safety in the class, and while he doesn’t have any elite skills, he doesn’t have many flaws either.
21. Philadelphia Eagles: LSU WR Justin Jefferson
If the Eagles go anywhere other than receiver here, there might be riots in Philly. This seems like a terrific match, especially considering Jefferson is best in the slot — and both Alshon Jeffrey and DeSean Jackson are both already on the outside. Jefferson surprised many by posting a 4.43-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine.
22. Minnesota Vikings (from Buffalo): Baylor WR Denzel Mims
The Vikings need help at wide receiver after acquiring this pick from Buffalo by shipping out Stefon Diggs. Mims would offer Minnesota a deep threat to take the top off defenses and allow Adam Thielen to do damage in the middle of the field.
23. New England Patriots: Iowa DE AJ Epenesa
Do we think Epenesa is the best defensive end available here? Honestly, no. But he’s the best fit for the Pats. He has the versatility to play on both three- and four-man defensive fronts, and the Patriots prefer power over speed when it comes to the edge.
24. New Orleans Saints: LSU LB Patrick Queen
The Saints could use some help in pass coverage and Queen is the kind of linebacker who can provide that value. He’s an excellent coverage linebacker who can cover running backs and tight ends thanks to his athleticism. He doesn’t provide as much value as other linebackers in run support, but his ability against the pass is more valuable in the pass-heavy NFL.
25. Minnesota Vikings: Penn State DE Yetur Gross-Matos
We see the Vikings taking a wideout at No. 22, so cornerback or edge rusher is the likely pick here. And, based on value, it might be difficult to pass up the former Nittany Lion. He’s fast for a 6-foot-5 and 266-pound athlete, and he has the ability to start now with the potential to grow into one of the division’s best.
26. Miami Dolphins (from Houston): Michigan OC Cesar Ruiz
Tagovailoa will need some protection, so it seems inevitable that the Dolphins will grab an offensive lineman with one of their three first-round picks. Ruiz can be the offensive line’s signal caller for a long time. His ability to call the protections will ease the workload on the rookie quarterback.
27. Seattle Seahawks: Wisconsin LB Zack Baun
With the expectation of losing DE Jadeveon Clowney, the Seahawks are in serious need of finding a new EDGE rusher. Baun fits that bill. He’s not the most polished prospect, but he’s been rocketing up draft boards for the past year. He just needs to find the right situation — and the Seahawks should be exactly that.
28. Baltimore Ravens: Oklahoma LB Kenneth Murray
The Ravens are in need of a playmaker in the middle of their defense, and Murray is the perfect option. He can play sideline-to-sideline as a tackler and a coverage linebacker, even if he’s not the same kind of man coverage linebacker that Queen can be. He also adds a dimension of pass rushing that other inside linebackers can’t match in this class.
29. Tennessee Titans: Michigan LB Josh Uche
With five-time Pro Bowler Jurrell Casey moving on to the Denver Broncos, the Titans need to find some more help on the defensive line — and they wouldn’t pass up on an EDGE rusher. Enter Uche, a project with a high ceiling. Some might call this a reach, but a “high” risk in this case could lead to a high reward.
30. Green Bay Packers: Clemson WR Tee Higgins
The Packers could use some help across from Davante Adams at wide receiver, and Higgins has the kind of upside to make them one of the most feared duos in the league. The former Clemson Tiger is at his best on the outside and provides the ability to stretch the field with his speed and his wide catch radius.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Auburn DE Marlon Davidson
The 49ers have two first-round picks and then don’t have another pick until the fifth round, so it would obviously be beneficial for them to trade down to secure more picks. But, if they don’t, they have the ability to draft a high-ceiling player here, even if they need to wait a season to reap the full rewards. And Davidson could be just that guy; the 49ers already conducted a pre-draft interview with him.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Georgia RB D’Andre Swift
It usually isn’t a good idea to take a running back in the first round, but when you’re the defending Super Bowl champs, you don’t have many holes to fill. Swift is the best running back in the class and will give the already elite Kansas City offense a new weapon to use out of the backfield.
Second Round
33. Cincinnati Bengals: USC OT Joshua Jones
34. Indianapolis Colts (from Washington): USC WR Michael Pittman Jr.
35. Detroit Lions: TCU DT Ross Blacklock
36. New York Giants: Alabama LB Terrell Lewis
37. Los Angeles Chargers: Boise State OT Ezra Cleveland
38. Carolina Panthers: Alabama CB Trevon Diggs
39. Miami Dolphins: Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor
40. Houston Texans (from Arizona): Texas A&M DT Justin Madubuike
41. Cleveland Browns: Minnesota S Antoine Winfield Jr.
42. Jacksonville Jaguars: Utah CB Jaylon Johnson
43. Chicago Bears (from Las Vegas): Clemson CB AJ Terrell
44. Indianapolis Colts: LSU CB Kristian Fulton
45. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LSU RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
46. Denver Broncos: Auburn CB Noah Igbinoghene
47. Atlanta Falcons: Ohio State RB JK Dobbins
48. New York Jets: Arizona State WR Brandon Aiyuk
49. Pittsburgh Steelers: Georgia OT Isaiah Wilson
50. Chicago Bears: LSU OL Lloyd Cushenberry
51. Dallas Cowboys: TCU WR Jalen Reagor
52. Los Angeles Rams: Boise State LB Curtis Weaver
53. Philadelphia Eagles: LSU S Grant Delpit
54. Buffalo Bills: Lenoir-Rhyne S Kyle Dugger
55. Baltimore Ravens (from New England via Atlanta): Colorado WR Laviska Shenault Jr.
56. Miami Dolphins (from New Orleans): UConn OT Matt Peart
57. Los Angeles Rams (from Houston): Louisiana OG Robert Hunt
58. Minnesota Vikings: Ohio State CB Damon Arnette
59. Seattle Seahawks: Temple OG Matt Hennessy
60. Baltimore Ravens: St. John’s OT Ben Bartch
61. Tennessee Titans: Missouri DT Jordan Elliott
62. Green Bay Packers: Notre Dame TE Cole Kmet
63. Kansas City Chiefs (from San Francisco): TCU CB Jeff Gladney
64. Seattle Seahawks (from Kansas City): Oklahoma QB Jalen Hurts
Third Round
65. Cincinnati Bengals: Florida DE Jonathan Greenard
66. Washington Redskins: Dayton TE Adam Trautman
67. Detroit Lions: Utah DE Bradlee Anae
68. New York Jets (from New York Giants): Notre Dame DE Julian Okwara
69. Carolina Panthers: Virginia CB Bryce Hall
70. Miami Dolphins: Southern Illinois S Jeremy Chinn
71. Los Angeles Chargers: Penn State WR K.J. Hamler
72. Arizona Cardinals: Missouri TE Albert Okwuegbunam
73. Jacksonville Jaguars: South Carolina WR Bryan Edwards
74. Cleveland Browns: Ohio State LB Malik Harrison
75. Indianapolis Colts: Washington QB Jacob Eason
76. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: California S Ashtyn Davis
77. Denver Broncos: TCU OT Lucas Niang
78. Atlanta Falcons: Florida State RB Cam Akers
79. New York Jets: Wisconsin OG Tyler Biadasz
80. Las Vegas Raiders: Oklahoma DT Neville Gallimore
81. Las Vegas Raiders (from Chicago): Clemson S K’Von Wallace
82. Dallas Cowboys: Ohio State OG Jonah Jackson
83. Denver Broncos (from Pittsburgh): Texas Tech LB Jordyn Brooks
84. Los Angeles Rams: Notre Dame CB Troy Pride Jr.
85. Detroit Lions (from Philadelphia): Oregon LB Troy Dye
86. Buffalo Bills: Mississippi State CB Cameron Dantzler
87. New England Patriots: Purdue TE Brycen Hopkins
88. New Orleans Saints: Notre Dame WR Chase Claypool
89. Minnesota Vikings: Alabama DT Raekwon Davis
90. Houston Texans: Washington OG Nick Harris
91. Las Vegas Raiders (from Seattle via Houston): Florida DE Jabari Zuniga
92. Baltimore Ravens: Utah RB Zack Moss
93. Tennessee Titans: Auburn OT Prince Tega Wanogho
94. Green Bay Packers: Oregon OG Shane Lemieux
95. Denver Broncos (from San Francisco): Fresno State OT Netane Muti
96. Kansas City Chiefs: Mississippi State LB Willie Gay Jr.
97. Cleveland Browns (from Houston Texans): Iowa S Geno Stone
98. New England Patriots: Michigan WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
99. New York Giants: Minnesota WR Tyler Johnson
100. New England Patriots: LSU DT Rashard Lawrence
101. Seattle Seahawks: Washington OT Trey Adams
102. Pittsburgh Steelers: Georgia QB Jake Fromm
103. Philadelphia Eagles: Texas WR Devin Duvernay
104. Los Angeles Rams: Liberty WR Antonio Gandy-Golden
105. Minnesota Vikings: Ohio State DT Davon Hamilton
106. Baltimore Ravens: Utah DT Leki Fotu
This story was originally published April 22, 2020 at 11:54 AM.
