2020 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

As the NFL heads towards a new year and the start of free agency, it’s time to start thinking about the draft.

With that being said, here is Finflam Sports’ Top 10 Mock Draft 1.0

Round 1 Pick 1: Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow – QB, LSU

Joe Burrow is the obvious pick, he was the best QB in college football last year. Burrow’s year rivaled that of Cam Newton’s 2010-11 Heisman Year. Joe Burrow’s two years at LSU include an average to slightly above average year and a Heisman winning, dominate year. The jump Burrow took was massive and could be cause for concern. Tua Tagovailoa could be an option here, but I believe the Bengals will go with Joe Burrow based on his outstanding showing 2019 and clean bill of health.

Round 1 Pick 2: Washington Redskins – Chase Young – EDGE, Ohio State

Washington should take Chase Young, but I don’t think it’s a slam dunk. The regime that drafted Dwayne Haskins is no longer in place and Tua has franchise QB potential. That being said, Chase Young is instant impact player and helps Washington immediately. If Haskins struggles this year, Washington may very well end up in the same spot next year. Next years draft class will most likely contain Justin Fields and Trevor Lawrence. The key to this pick will be the team’s belief (or lack thereof) in Dwayne Haskins or belief in Tua’s talent and health.

Round 1 Pick 3: Miami Dolphins via Trade (Projection) with Detroit Lions – Tua Tagovailoa – QB, Alabama

There has been speculation that the Detroit Lions could keep their pick and select Tua Tagovailoa. My guess is that this is to drum up interest for a potential trade. Matthew Stafford’s contract will hard to move, meaning the Detroit would have to eat a ton of money to trade or cut Stafford. My initial prediction is that the Dolphins will use some of their assets to get the QB of there choice. Justin Herbert has been linked to the Dolphins, but if the medicals check out, I expect Tua to end up with Miami, even if they have use some assets to get him.

Round 1 Pick 4: New York Giants – Jeff Okudah – CB, Ohio State

Jeff Okudah is the best CB coming into this year’s draft. The expectation is that a team like Detroit to select him, especially if the Lions trade Darius Slay. Also, Isaiah Simmons makes all the sense in the world for the New York Giants. Simmons is the most versatile player in this year’s draft. I have the Giants going with Jeff Okudah mainly because of Joe Judge’s background. Judge comes from the Patriots, which built there defense around their DBs. Jeff Okudah could be the Stephon Gilmore of the New York’s revamped defense.

Round 1 Pick 5: Detroit Lions via Trade (Projection) with Miami Dolphins – Isaiah Simmons – S/LB, Clemson

It’s reasonable to think that Jeff Okudah will be high on the Detroit Lions’ wish-list, especially if a Darius Slay trade happens before the draft. With Okudah going off the board one pick before, I see the Lions going with Isaiah Simmons. His versatility will help improve the Detroit’s pass and run defense, which will help turn around their defense faster.

Round 1 Pick 6: Los Angeles Chargers – Jordan Love – QB, Utah State

This is my first shocker of the draft. Justin Herbert is considered a more developed prospect than Jordan Love. Herbert would make all the sense in the world for the Chargers as they move on from Philip Rivers. The biggest prediction I have for the 2020 draft is that Jordan Love is taken in the top 10. My gut feeling is that some team will see his pure talent and go up to get him. Love is a tough QB to judge as his talent and some of his tape is undeniable. His turnovers and decision making has been questioned, but I believe a good coaching staff can help eliminate some of those habits. A team will talk themselves into Jordan Love. The reasoning being that better coaching and better players will bring out his full potential.

Round 1 Pick 7: Carolina Panthers – Derrick Brown – DL, Auburn

The Panthers could be a candidate to trade back, but with an aging defensive line, I think they go with Derrick Brown. Brown is considered the best interior defensive lineman this draft.

Round 1 Pick 8: Arizona Cardinals – CeeDee Lamb – WR, Oklahoma

The Cardinals need weapons for Kyler Murray and with CeeDee Lamb and Jerry Jeudy on the board, the Cardinals can solve that problem. I have the Cardinals going Lamb, but this pick could very easily be Jerry Jeudy. The deep depth of this draft class could allow the Cardinals to get a comparable WR to Jerry Jeudy in the late 1st or early 2nd round, perhaps a WR like Justin Jefferson of LSU.

Round 1 Pick 9: Jacksonville Jaguars – Javon Kinlaw – DL, South Carolina

Javon Kinlaw would provide interior depth to a team that could lose Marcell Dareus and Calais Campbell in free agency. The Jaguars are also a candidate to trade back to get more assets. The Jaguars could go offense, but with limitations at QB, they may view defensive additions as more impactful.

Round 1 Pick 10: Cleveland Browns – Jedrick Wills – OT, Alabama

The Browns will have a few options, but I believe they’ll go with Jedrick Wills. Wills was a three year starter at RT for Alabama, which could be viewed as an impediment. He’s considered the best and most fluid moving offensive lineman in this draft. It doesn’t happen a ton, but there have been enough cases of players moving to LT after being drafted, which shouldn’t discourage the Browns from drafting him.