If you think creating a mock draft of the current year's first round is a dart throw, doing one for the next season's draft is virtually impossible.
Actually as it turns out I'm not terrible at it. Two years ago I landed 13 guys in the first round, with two players being first rounders the next year (Christian Wilkins and Clelin Ferrell surprised and returned to Clemson). Last year I managed to land another 10 first-round picks a year in advance and I would have nailed Dexter Lawrence to the Giants if I'd known Dave Gettleman was going to have two first-round picks. It was that obvious.
Less obvious is this draft class, although I think we could see a serious bender when it comes to quarterbacks. What's new?? There are QB-needy teams at the top of this draft -- the order is based on SportsLine's simulations, don't get mad at me -- and there are some teams on the back end of the first round who need to eventually replace older quarterbacks.
Let's get drafting.
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
The Dolphins traded for Josh Rosen during the 2019 NFL Draft, and I think/hope he'll work out in Miami, but I ultimately see a QB going first overall and Rosen wouldn't prohibit them from taking someone they believe in like Fromm.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
The Cardinals could certainly go offensive line here or trade down in a QB shuffle, but grabbing the Ohio State DE after passing on one last year makes sense too.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
Barring a monster year from Derek Carr, I expect the Raiders to draft a QB as they gear up for Vegas.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
The Bills want to keep adding pieces around Josh Allen and getting him a top tier wide receiver makes a lot of sense. Shenault oozes upside.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
The Bengals keep doing all the right things to support Andy Dalton, but if they have a top-five pick it means he had a disaster season. QB is certainly in play.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
The Jaguars are in a curious spot here because it means Nick Foles wasn't good. But they're not high enough for one of the top QB prospects, so they go with a lineman instead.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
The Buccaneers invested in their defense in 2019, but they still have serious questions off the edge. If this is a top-10 pick it's possible a whole new regime is making the selection.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
With Greg Little and Adams the Panthers have now completely overhauled the offensive line. For Cam Newton or ... someone else?
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Round 1 - Pick 9
More weapons for Dwayne Haskins and Washington even gets to take another Alabama player! Win-win-win all around. This is decent value for Jeudy and it means the Redskins really surprised some people this season.
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Round 1 - Pick 10
If Dave Gettleman is still the GM, he will keep doing Dave Gettleman stuff and that means taking defensive linemen in the top half of the draft. Wideout is a possibility here too.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
Amani Oruwariye was thought to be a possible first-round pick, but he didn't go off the board until Day 3. The Lions get their first-round talent in Fuller -- plus, you can never have too many good defensive backs.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
The Titans will probably keep pumping talent into this defense for the next year or so, barring an opportunity to take a quarterback or Marcus Mariota/Ryan Tannehill completely disappointing in 2019.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
Hmmm. Not sure a pick in this area means everyone is around for Atlanta, but in the event they are, we'll give them the defensive help they should have taken in 2019.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
Kyle Shanahan has some nice pieces, but can add his alpha receiver here.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
Vic Fangio's defense is predicated on great linebacker play and the Broncos passed on Devin Bush to trade down and get picks last year. Now they add a linebacker.
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Round 1 - Pick 16
The Texans have to keep adding talent on the offensive line.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
The Vikings have to keep adding offensive line help in this draft as well.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
Keep an eye on this Louisville offensive line with Dwayne Ledford in town -- the Jets certainly need help up front to protect Sam Darnold.
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Round 1 - Pick 19
Cowboys go for best player available and continue to improve a young defense.
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Round 1 - Pick 20
 
Joe Gaziano
DL
Northwestern
• Sr
• 6'4"
/ 275 lbs
The Ravens have a lot of defensive needs, including pass rusher, after losing a lot of guys in free agency and adding only Jaylon Ferguson.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
The Packers filled out their defensive needs in the last draft and need to find some protection for Aaron Rodgers.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
Randomly picking a player for the Seahawks in the first round of next year's draft feels easier than randomly predicting a player for this year's draft. They need more depth and talent at WR.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
The Colts want to continue to get physical at the point of attack and Brown lets them do just that.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
The Steelers stay a step ahead and secure the services of an offensive lineman they can develop for down the road.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
The Eagles are thinking best player available here and also know they need to build out depth in the secondary.
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From
Chicago Bears
Round 1 - Pick 26
Offense with the first pick and defense with the second pick. The Raiders are an interesting team for 2020 all of a sudden.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
How the offensive line operated in 2019 is going to play a big role in deciding whether the Browns are a playoff contender. Clearly they were in this simulation, but they still need to get more protection for Baker Mayfield.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
Philip Rivers might play for a long time but there is still a need to get his long-term replacement on the roster sooner rather than later.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
The Todd Gurley situation really reared its ugly head during this season. The Rams overcame it but know they need to get another replacement.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
The Chiefs have to keep pumping resources into this defense if they want to get over the hump in the AFC.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
The Saints would happily add another player of Coe's caliber on their defensive line.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
The Patriots have to know Tom Brady isn't playing forever and this is a good class to land a quarterback.
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