2020 NFL Mock Draft: Bengals pass on QB with No. 1 overall pick, Dolphins take Joe Burrow while Tua slides
Joe Burrow continues to make his case as the nation's best QB while Chase Young is unequivocally the nation's best player
By
Ryan Wilson
•
1 min read
Another week, another mock draft with the Cincinnati Bengals holding the No. 1 pick. It's a remarkable achievement given all the Miami Dolphins have done to earn the top spot. But with Andy Dalton headed to the bench and Cincy turning to rookie Ryan Finley, the team won't target a quarterback first overall. Instead, they go for the sure thing and select Ohio State pass rusher Chase Young, who is the best player in college football and deserves to be considered as a legit Heisman hopeful.
That decision opens the way for the Dolphins to take their next franchise quarterback, and for the first time this season, we have them taking one not named Tua, who slips all the way to No. 7. Justin Herbert, meanwhile, remains in the middle-of-Round-1 conversation and until he plays with more consistency we're sticking with that.
Keep reading to see which weapon for Dwayne Haskins the Redskins target at No. 3, as well as the quarterback the Patriots go after at the bottom of the first round. (You know, just in case the speculation that this is Tom Brady's last year turns out to be true.)
The draft order is based on team records through the first eight weeks of the season.
Alright, let's get to it.
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
Andy Dalton was benched on his birthday -- that's all you need to know about the state of things in Cincy -- but now the team has two months to figure out if rookie Ryan Finley is the long-term solution. In the meantime, the Bengals bolster their defense with the best player in college football, who is coming off a monster performance against Wisconsin (four sacks, five tackles for loss), which serves as a microcosm of his dominant season to date (13.5 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss, 5 forced fumbles in 8 games).
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 2
Joe Burrow came into the 2019 season as a Day 3 pick. He has been so consistently good that he's not only worked his way into Round 1, but he could legitimately be the No. 1 overall selection. He had his toughest outing of the season Saturday vs. Auburn and still completed 76% of his throws. A sneaky good athlete, Burrow would give the Dolphins the franchise quarterback they've been looking for since Dan Marino retired more than two decades ago.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 3
The Redskins have needs everywhere. Drafting an offensive tackle makes sense here but Dwayne Haskins needs weapons too. Lamb is an elite route runner who has some of the best hands in college football. His next-level body control allows him to adjust to throws in mid-air, often with defenders draped all over him, and while he may not look it, pound for pound he's one of the strongest pass catchers in college football -- a YAC monster once the ball is in his hands.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 4
Okudah is one of the best athletes in this draft class and he's having an excellent 2019 campaign for the Buckeyes. The junior has three interceptions this year. He'd bring some much-needed physicality and playmaking ability to a sad Falcons defense.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 5
The Jets just traded away 2015 first-rounder Leonard Williams so it makes sense to replace him with Epenesa, who, while he's not explosive, can rag-doll offensive tackles with a straight-arm, and he has the strength to control the line of scrimmage. He's a high-motor edge setter in the run game who can't be contained by just one player and would pair nicely with 2019 first-rounder Quinnen Williams.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 6
Ryan Connelly was a pleasant surprise until suffering a season-ending knee injury, and David Mayo has been serviceable, but the middle of the defense improves immediately -- and immensely -- with the addition of Simmons, who is a hybrid capable of dominating the linebacker position with the athleticism to drop into coverage like a safety.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 7
Veteran Joe Flacco is injured and rookie second-rounder Drew Lock is still on IR. You knew it was only a matter of time before John Elway would be back in the quarterback business. The Hall of Famer was reportedly smitten with Justin Herbert last season before the Oregon star decided to return to school but with Tua on the board it may be impossible for the Broncos to pass on him here as they look to turn around a franchise that is headed for its third straight losing season.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 8
Delpit can line up anywhere -- in centerfield, the slot, near the line of scrimmage, off the edge -- and wherever he ends up he consistently makes plays. He's best coming downhill, but he'll continue to improve the other aspects of his game and his long, lean frame coupled with his fluid movements make him look like a natural playmaker. He'll join a young secondary that includes Denzel Ward and former LSU teammate Greedy Williams.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 9
Who knows who will be under center for the Bucs in 2020, and you could even make a case for Justin Herbert here but he's been too inconsistent to merit a top-10 selection. Instead, Tampa bolsters the O-line with Thomas, who is arguably the best lineman in this class, and has spent the last two years protecting Jake Fromm's blind side.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 10
Another team in need of a quarterback; Philip Rivers is in the final year of his contract, but again, with Burrow and Tua off the board, it would be risky to take a flier on Herbert. Instead, the Chargers land one of the most explosive players in the country. Jeudy is an elite route runner who does everything well. If you're looking to nitpick, he doesn't have top-end speed, though you wouldn't know it when you watch him take over games.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 11
The Raiders need more dynamism on defense and Brown brings that up front. He's hard to move off the ball and has the strength to push the pocket, even against double teams. A disruptive space-eater, Brown can also get after the quarterback; he has four sacks and six tackles for loss this season to go along with three passes defended and two forced fumbles.
| |||
From
Pittsburgh Steelers
Round 1 - Pick 12
Wirfs, who has a little Cody Ford in his game, is surprisingly athletic for his size, and his combination of strong hands and quick feet allows him to control would-be pass rushers. If he gets his hands on you it's over, and he also has the ability to get into space and pave the way in the running game. There's a chance he returns to Iowa but he's a top-10 talent. He'll also upgrade an O-line now tasked with protecting Joe Burrow.
| |||
From
Chicago Bears
Round 1 - Pick 13
Shenault got off to a slow start to the season because he was battling injuries, but when he's healthy, he's a game-changer. Look no further than last week's game against USC when he had nine catches for 172 yards and a touchdown. He lines up all over the field -- in the slot, offset tight end, H-back, quarterback. Shenault has strong hands -- he's made a living out of plucking the ball out of the air with a defender draped all over him. He can win at every level and is always one play away from taking it to the house. Think a stronger, more physical N'Keal Harry.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 14
The Cardinals offensive line has been replacement level in both run blocking and pass protection, and the interior O-line hasn't been immune to those struggles. Biadasz has few flaws and would've probably been a first-rounder if he declared for the 2019 NFL Draft.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 15
The Eagles really need to fix their secondary but they have more issues than that. Okwara, who plays bigger than his listed 240 pounds, shows good hand usage and quick first step around the edge and has the athleticism to sink hips and blow past the offensive tackle. He's quick-twitch explosive, not easily blocked, and even when he doesn't get to the quarterback his hands are up trying to make a play.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 16
Veteran Myles Jack hasn't been good and rookie Quincy Williams has struggled. And while Moses will miss the 2019 season after suffering a torn ACL in August, he's the prototypical NFL inside linebacker in that he's explosive, extremely athletic and has sideline-to-sideline playmaking abilities. He can rush off the edge and has the ability to sift through trash and knife would-be blockers to make plays in the backfield. Moses was the best inside linebacker on Alabama's defense a season ago (and that included Browns fifth-rounder Mack Wilson).
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 17
This may hit a little too close for home for the Titans, who are ready to move on from their last franchise QB, Marcus Mariota, who also played at Oregon. It should be no surprise then that feelings are mixed on Herbert, who has been much better in 2019 than he was last season. It's easy to see why NFL teams could fall in love too; he's 6-foot-6, 240 pounds, incredibly athletic, has one of the best arms in the country -- when he gets hot he's hard to stop. The question is consistency -- can Herbert play at a high level from one play to the next, something we've seen glimpses of this season.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 18
The Lions traded Quandre Diggs to Seattle and were reportedly looking to move Darius Slay, one of the best players on their roster. It's unclear what they're long-term plan is but adding one of the nation's best cornerbacks would make some sense. Fulton, who considered entering the 2019 NFL Draft, has quick feet, smooth hips and was arguably LSU's best cornerback last season even though he played across the field from Greedy Williams, the Browns' second-round pick this spring.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 19
James Bradbury and Donte Jackson have both been good this season for the Panthers but there's not much depth behind them. At 6-1, 200 pounds, Diggs has the prototypical size and speed for today's NFL cornerback, and he has the strength, speed and athleticism that will likely see him go in Round 1 next spring. If he didn't suffer an injury in 2018, he may have been a first-rounder last April.
| |||
From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 20
Regularly the fastest player on the field, Ruggs is a YAC monster who dominates short and intermediate routes and must be accounted for on every play. The Jaguars, meanwhile, need to find another consistent deep threat opposite D.J. Chark for either Nick Foles or Gardner Minshew.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 21
The Cowboys were reportedly trying to land Jamal Adams before the trade deadline but nothing materialized. Instead, the team uses that first-rounder on McKinney, who is stronger, faster and more explosive than former Alabama teammate Deionte Thompson -- and he's much more versatile too.
| |||
From
Houston Texans
Round 1 - Pick 22
The rebuilding continues in Miami. After taking a quarterback and an offensive linemen, the Dolphins land a pass rusher. Gross-Matos needs to get stronger but he has the quickness to regularly find himself making plays in the backfield. He only has five sacks this season -- and none in the last three games -- but he has the ability to be a special player.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 23
The Chiefs have been abysmal against the pass this season and shoring up the secondary will be a priority in the spring. Terrell is a physical, athletic corner who would fill a need in Kanas City where he'd join 2019 second-pick Juan Thornhill.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 24
Wanagho has ability to drive defenders off the line of scrimmage and combo blocks with ease due to athleticism and strength. He needs to play with more consistency but he's had a strong start to the 2019 campaign.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 25
The Bills' running game was stymied against the Eagles and if Josh Allen is going to have any chance to succeed, he'll need a balanced offense behind him. In a word, Swift is explosive. He has the ability to bounce it to the outside using both speed and strength, which sometimes comes with a stiff arm. He can also run between the tackles and he uses his quick acceleration through the hole to get head of steam and that makes him even tougher to bring down. And while he may not be a burner, his one-cut ability can leave defenders flat-footed.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 26
One of best pass-rushing interior linemen through first month of the season (via PFF) and it's easy to see why -- he's strong, quick off the snap and his variety of pass-rush moves frequently gets him into the backfield. Colts GM Chris Ballard has done a great job of putting together a young, athletic team but the defense needs to get better up the middle.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 27
Hall suffered an ankle injury earlier this month but he came into the season as our CB1. He's a tall, physical corner who isn't afraid to gamble. Last season Hall played mostly off-coverage in zone looks but showed the instincts and athleticism to come off his responsibility to make plays. He's also stout against the run and is a solid open-field tackler. If Hall had come out after his junior season there's a chance he would've been a first-round pick.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 28
You wouldn't know it when you watch Aaron Rodgers but he could use more weapons at the wide receiver position. Reagor has gotten off to a slow start to the 2019 campaign (just 25 catches and four touchdowns through seven games and he's yet to crack 100 receiving yards) but he's is electric with the ball in his hands. A season ago he had 72 receptions with 11 total touchdowns and is also a threat in the return game.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 29
Murray has had a strong start to the season and has been one of the best players on Oklahoma's defense. And while he doesn't play with the same physicality of C.J. Mosley, who left Baltimore to sign with the Jets in the offseason, at 6-2, 235 pounds, he looks and plays like the linebackers now coming into the league. Sideline-to-sideline speed, ability to run with tight ends and running backs, and capable of making plays in the backfield all game long.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 30
The Saints signed Jared Cook through the 2020 season but he's 32 years old and has just 15 receptions and two touchdowns through eight games this season. Hopkins can line up anywhere -- even in the backfield -- and would be a perfect chess piece in a Sean Payton offense. A matchup nightmare in the middle of the field, Hopkins is fast, has soft hands, as well as the ability to make contested catches.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 31
Humphrey was an integral part of a dominant unit at Oklahoma last season that had four of his linemates drafted, and he's picked up where he left off in 2019, anchoring a group that has done a tremendous job protecting Jalen Hurts. In San Francisco he'd have the chance to contribute immediately, if not at center than at guard.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 32
This seems like a long shot but the truth is, it's incredibly difficult to predict what the Patriots will do on draft day. And while Hurts has had a fantastic season in Norman, how much of that success has to do with playing in a Lincoln Riley system? That said, there's a lot to like about his game, and the two QBs who preceded him at Oklahoma went on to win the Heisman and go first overall in the draft. There's also the matter of whether there's any truth to the speculation that this could be Tom Brady's last year in New England.
|
