The 2020 NFL Draft is now just hours away. In the next few days you will likely be hearing a flurry of rumors and reports about team X who wants to trade with team Y, or team X who is interested in prospect X, etc. The best thing you can do is ignore all of it. This is silly season. Draft rumors and reports are more often than not strategically and purposely leaked by agents or organizations prior to the draft. My plan is to skim over all of that and not let it impact my mock draft below.
There will be trades, albeit fewer than usual due to the circumstances, so keep that in mind when reading through this mock. For reference, I used CBS Sports' draft trade value chart.
Before we get to all 106 picks, here are the terms of the mock-draft trades:
- Dolphins get No. 3; Lions get No. 5, No. 39
- Browns get No. 4; Giants get No. 10, No. 41, No. 97
- Buccaneers get No. 7; Panthers get No. 14, No. 45
- Jets get No. 9, No. 116; Jaguars get No. 11, No. 79
OK, let's get to it.
Jump to a specific round in the mock draft
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
You can knock Burrow for the small sample size, but he flashed signs of what makes him a special prospect dating back to his 2018 tape -- anticipatory throwing, advanced mental processing after the snap, and perhaps most importantly, the accuracy and willingness to fit pass attempts into tight windows (the hole shots). Is it possible that he had a perfect storm of talent around him and Brady's pro-style system? Maybe. But I would bet on the traits above before worrying about how much of a role the system played in his performance.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
If the pre-draft process was normal, it's possible the Redskins would've pulled a Cardinals and drafted Tua only to trade Haskins, but I still think it would've been unlikely. In this truncated pre-draft process, Young to the Redskins feels like almost as much of a lock as Burrow to the Bengals. The Maryland native has already expressed his desire about coming home to play for the Redskins and that's something owner Dan Snyder will love to hear. It also helps that he's probably the best player in this class and at a premium position of value.
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Mock Trade from
Detroit Lions
Round 1 - Pick 3
The Dolphins have used the circumstances to quiet their interest in Tua, but I'm not buying it. Not only is he and has he been their guy for longer than a calendar year, but they will make sure there's no way they miss out on him by trading up to No. 3, using No. 5 and No. 39 overall as leverage. I have my concerns about Tua (windup throwing motion, size/durability, the fact that he played with so much talent around him), but he has displayed enough of an advanced level of anticipatory throwing to get the Dolphins (or any QB-needy team) excited about his upside.
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Mock Trade from
New York Giants
Round 1 - Pick 4
Everyone expects the Browns to draft an OT, but with a roster that's closer to contention than expected if Baker Mayfield returns to his rookie form, they instead make a bold move to trade up for my second-highest grade non-QB in the class. The Browns have an even bigger need at inside linebacker than at OT (believe it or not), but Simmons will play all over the defense (safety, slot, even off the edge at times) and provide a playmaking ability that could prove as the final piece to jolt an already talented defense over the top.
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Mock Trade from
Miami Dolphins
Round 1 - Pick 5
It's do or die time for the Patricia-Quinn show in Detroit (each entering year three of a four-year contract) so that means they will want an immediate impact defender. Okudah allows Detroit to replenish a secondary they've ravaged by trading away two excellent defensive backs who "didn't fit the culture" Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn are trying to create.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
The Chargers stay patient and land a quarterback prospect who can benefit from one year behind Tyrod Taylor. There is untapped potential when it comes to Herbert because the Oregon offense he played in didn't fit his skill set at all (he should have been in a vertically-oriented passing attack). More importantly, Herbert's ability to throw accurately on the move, his size, arm talent, and running ability are reminiscent of Bills QB Josh Allen but with more upside as a passer. Buffalo has proven that you can win with a QB like Allen with the right roster around him. Los Angeles has the right pieces in place -- specifically on defense and with the improvements they made on the offensive line this offseason.
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Mock Trade from
Carolina Panthers
Round 1 - Pick 7
The Bucs aren't taking any chances after leaving the RT position wide open following free agency. They understand the short window they are in with Tom Brady so they trade up to draft the most NFL-ready offensive tackle on my board and my OT1. The good news is, he can slide right in at RT. No one looks smoother and smarter than Wills with his textbook pass sets and ability to seamlessly react to stunts like a seasoned veteran. None of these OTs prep for their opponents' pass rush moves better than Wills.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
The Cardinals offense took massive strides in the second half of 2019 despite having a rookie QB and an offensive line that graded out well below average. Upgrading the line is key to unlock both Kyler Murray's potential and the upside of Kliff Kingsbury's system -- trust me when I tell you that he wants to take more vertical shots with a QB like Murray whose deep-ball accuracy is off the charts. By drafting Wirfs, the Cardinals also grab the draft's most athletic OT and that should come in handy with all the quick-hitting perimeter throws and outside run designs that we've seen from this offense.
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Mock Trade from
Jacksonville Jaguars
Round 1 - Pick 9
The Jets don't chance a team trading up ahead of the Giants to draft the third of the big-four OTs (before their cross-town rival snags the last one at No. 10). The Jets lose their best Day 2 pick in the process (but grab back an early Day 3 pick), but that's a fine price to pay to lock in their choice of the final two OTs (an absolute must given the current depth chart). Thomas has played against some of the best competition in the SEC, but he is my OT4 in this class (only slightly behind the top three) due to issues I spot in pass protection. At times when you watch Thomas, it also feels like he was hidden by Georgia's play-action heavy system. A case can be made that Thomas is OT1 and for some teams who just might be -- the Jets come away thrilled with this pick.
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Mock Trade from
Cleveland Browns
Round 1 - Pick 10
GM Dave Gettleman is not one for smokescreens (see: Barkley, Jones) and during a pre-draft presser he told reporters he will be making calls to teams to try and trade the No. 4 pick (he hopes to have a deal done prior to the draft). It will be easier said than done to find a trade partner considering the Giants are unlikely to want to move outside of the top 10. In this scenario, they find one. In the process, they lock in one of the big-four OTs and it's unlikely Becton is last of the four on their board. While it's true Becton isn't the most technically sound, I'm not sure it matters. He is in the 99th percentile when it comes to height, reach, hand size, and weight (despite running a 40 in the 81st percentile). It doesn't always look pretty, but more times than not defenses simply can't get around him due to his naturally quick feet. At just 20 years old, it's easy to say that an improvement in his technique could morph him into a dominant OT and he's already shown signs of progress (in training videos released) with OL guru/teacher Duke Mayweather. Becton will immediately transform an offensive front's physicality and run blocking and he has experience at RT -- he'll be a Day 1 starter.
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Mock Trade from
New York Jets
Round 1 - Pick 11
The Jaguars need to replace the massive hole left by trading Calais Campbell and they not only fill a major need but also get a player they have graded among the five best overall in the entire class -- after already trading pick and acquiring another asset in the process. Jacksonville continues to rebuild the defense with a lot of talent at solid rate considering how much talent from the 2017 AFC Championship roster they've traded away.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
The Raiders have been transparent about their interest in upgrading at wide receiver this offseason, but that doesn't mean they'll draft one first -- the sheer depth at WR in this class should give any GM some first-round pause -- unless they get a chance to draft their WR1. In this mock, they do. Lamb is my WR1. He glides with the football after the catch and uses the angles to create big plays. He's also arguably the best pound for pound contested-catch WR in this class. Straight-line speed might be the only question (good, not elite), but that was the same question that led to draft slides for notable WRs A.J. Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Cooper Kupp and DeAndre Hopkins.
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From
Indianapolis Colts
Round 1 - Pick 13
Henderson is a top-10 player overall for me because he is one of only two CBs who will lock down on the boundary in coverage on Day 1. There are so few of those players in the NFL -- and it's so important to counter top wide receivers -- so I place a premium on drafting them. Henderson has tackling issues that are well documented, but teams will trade a missed tackle for a boundary CB who can track No. 1 WRs and has the straight-line speed (4.39) and length to soon match up against any WR.
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Mock Trade from
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Round 1 - Pick 14
After acquiring more draft capital via trading back, the Panthers strike early to replace Luke Kuechly. Queen can step into his role; combined with Shaq Thompson, the duo would make up arguably the most athletic off-ball linebacker tandem in the league. There's not much to dislike about Queen's game, though some have pointed to concerns about his size. A case can be made Queen is the best one for one replacement for Kuechly in this class.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
The Broncos can go in a number of directions here, but if they stay at the pick, Jeudy is their highest-rated player and at a position of need (to some degree) -- especially after the team spent major cap space upgrading the offensive line in free agency. Jeudy joins Lamb in a tier of their own at the top for me. He wins in different ways, but Jeudy is a lock to evolve into a WR1 and adds a creative addition to a Broncos offense that has a lot more talent than is being discussed. Melvin Gordon, Courtland Sutton, Noah Fant, and Jeudy sounds like an incredible group for Drew Lock to work with in year two.
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Round 1 - Pick 16
Most expect the Falcons to draft a CB here, but they don't have any of the remaining CBs graded at this level. Instead, they upgrade the defense (arguably more) by drafting an interior defensive lineman who should combine with Grady Jarrett to provide an interior push and make life easier for the rest of the pass rushers.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
McKinney has been my pick for the Cowboys since my first mock because he is typically the best defensive back remaining here independent of position. His versatility will remind the Cowboys a little of early days Bryon Jones, but more importantly, he is one of the few impact DBs in this round. He'll be an immediate contributor and even if he's not in on early base downs, he'll be on the field whenever Dallas is in subpackage defense (75% of the time or more).
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From
Pittsburgh Steelers
Round 1 - Pick 18
The Dolphins stay patient here -- banking on a cushion in the pick before them created by the top WRs and Dallas' roster construction -- and it pays off. The best thing the Dolphins could do first for Tua was to use their very next draft pick on an offensive lineman. Jones is a bit riskier than the top-four OTs because he dominated a lower level of competition, but he has the upside of starting in Week 1.
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From
Chicago Bears
Round 1 - Pick 19
Terrell is going to be drafted higher than people expect -- here he comes off the board as the CB3. Raiders GM Mike Mayock is going to love -- and has proven his love for -- his pedigree (Clemson). He's an excellent fit on an improving Raiders defense that can use another boundary CB.
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From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 20
The Jaguars find a replacement for the losses of A.J. Bouye and Jalen Ramsey over the last calendar year. Fulton is more Bouye than Ramsey, but he'll add a much-needed improvement on the boundary.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
The draft falls into the Eagles' laps again as their patience rewards them with Ruggs at No. 21 overall. If teams get more aggressive at WR, I imagine the Eagles will be fine grabbing Justin Jefferson in this spot. If DeSean Jackson can stay healthy, the presence of Ruggs could open up the middle of the field for Carson Wentz to get back to his MVP level of play. He adds game-altering plays on offense and potentially on special teams to an offense that looked like it needed it in 2019.
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From
Buffalo Bills
Round 1 - Pick 22
Johnson's medicals are trending in the right direction and Mike Zimmer will love to get him as he might be the best fit in the entire class for Minnesota's defense. In a way, he replaces Xavier Rhodes on the boundary and adds physicality and man coverage skills -- something Rhodes lacked in his latter years as the injuries caught up.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
The Patriots are not a team that you would expect to use consecutive first-round picks at the WR position, but they find the value too strong to pass up here on Jefferson. If you're looking for someone to fit what Josh McDaniels' passing game has been all about, then Jefferson is your guy.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
The Saints can go in a number of directions here, but they decide the best way to capitalize on Drew Brees' window is to get him another WR who can offer some of what makes Michael Thomas so special in this offense. The Saints would benefit from adding another offensive weapon outside of Thomas and Alvin Kamara, even after the addition of Emmanuel Sanders, and they can afford to given the resources they've invested in their offensive line.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
The Vikings grab a player who some felt would go higher and add another element to a pass rush that can use a boost. Fans might not like both first-rounders used on the defensive side of the ball, but it's the fastest way back to the divisional round and beyond.
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From
Houston Texans
Round 1 - Pick 26
I have to give credit to my colleague Ryan Wilson for nailing this 1-2-3 for Miami a couple of weeks ago, and in my mock, the board falls in a way where the Dolphins can draft Tua and two big bodies to protect him and they can develop together. If Miami can leave the first round with a top quarterback, offensive tackle, and center -- without reaching to get any of them -- then they've done an excellent job. A strong case can be made that this plan accomplished that.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
Cleveland has all the traits the Seahawks like in their prospects from an athletic standpoint. Cleveland was better in 2018 than 2019, but when you factor in that he played through a nasty turf toe injury in 2019, it makes sense. If Cleveland can get stronger and more technically sound he'll emerge as a definitive starter for Seattle. It's time to get Russell Wilson another big body up front.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
The Ravens don't have to search any longer for C.J. Mosley's replacement. Murray looks a little out of control at times when I watch him, but you can't deny his raw athleticism and ability to impact plays when attacking downhill. You will see a lot of that right away as a rookie from Murray.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
The Titans make a surprising selection to some by grabbing Chinn -- out of Southern Illinois -- but it's also the most exciting pick. Chinn lined up all over in college and the Titans will have a lot of fun lining Chinn up with the goal of using him to attack downhill on the line of scrimmage. Chinn is what so many teams are now looking for and so few teams have at the linebacker position -- and that's where I feel he will ultimately settle in.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
The Packers are in a prime spot to draft another outside WR for Aaron Rodgers and why not try to replicate the success he's found with bigger-bodied WRs by drafting an athletic specimen like Mims. At 6-foot-3 and 207, Mims ran a 4.38 with jumps in the 84th and 94th percentiles. Mims can ball even if Baylor's QB situation didn't always make that obvious.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
Blalock will likely be too good of a value to pass up for the 49ers after trading DeForest Buckner earlier this offseason. A somewhat subpar combine isn't going to drop Blalock out of the first round with a team like the 49ers wise enough to make a play that hopefully leads to a less noticeable drop-off on defense without Buckner.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
Delpit was my pick for the Chiefs in my only other mock and I love what he offers the secondary and what it allows DC Steve Spagnuolo to do with Tyrann Mathieu. Delpit's ugly tackling issues crept up in 2019, but that's fixable, you're looking at a potential top-10 pick talent wise -- with range in the deep half that only a few prospects in his class have -- at the end of Day 1.
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NFL Mock Draft
Round 2
Round 2 - Pick 1 (33)
Wilson is a late-riser in the process who the Bengals can pair with 2019 first-round pick Jonah Williams to provide a much-improved front for Burrow. Wilson should be an immediate boost for Joe Mixon in the ground game.
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From
Washington Redskins
Round 2 - Pick 2 (34)
The Colts are thrilled to get a big-bodied boundary WR who perfectly fits Philip Rivers' skill set. Jon Ledyard compared Pittman to Vincent Jackson and you can see it when you watch him consistently win on downfield throws with positioning, body control, and the ability to box out defenders (almost all of whom are smaller than him).
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Round 2 - Pick 3 (35)
The Lions want to upgrade at DE on the opposite side of Trey Flowers and Epenesa fits the defensive system well.
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Round 2 - Pick 4 (36)
Baun could end up playing on the EDGE where he was very successful against Big Ten OTs or kick inside to an off-ball LB position. The Giants don't care. They can use an upgrade at both spots. More likely than not, Baun's role will change based on the down, distance, and opponent. He embodies everything the Giants have said they want in a defender and they've done a lot of homework on him. It's not a lock he falls to this spot, but if he's on the board, I expect them to take him.
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Round 2 - Pick 5 (37)
The Chargers immediately find a new running mate for Herbert who adds an element of vertical explosiveness and speed to the offense. An argument can be made that Reagor should be a first-rounder, and while he likely would be in most classes, the depth of the position dropped him right into Los Angeles' laps.
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Round 2 - Pick 6 (38)
Jackson looks like an elite OT prospect on paper and tested as such, but when you watch him, that image is quickly replaced with another one. Jackson has a ways to go in his development, but there's always the chance it all clicks for the athletically-gifted tackle with the right coaching.
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Mock Trade from
Miami Dolphins
Round 2 - Pick 7 (39)
Using the extra pick they acquired from the Dolphins, the Lions take the first RB off the board. I see Taylor as the clear-cut RB1 and it's odd that a prospect with his game film -- backed up by his athleticism on display at the combine -- is not a consensus top RB. Taylor needs to work on ball production and route running, but they are coachable. The Lions find their foundation back for the power offense they want to run behind center Frank Ragnow.
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From
Arizona Cardinals
Round 2 - Pick 8 (40)
With the pick they acquired for Hopkins, the Texans get a player many expected would come off the board on Day 1. Gross-Matos is a bit raw but flashes big-time pass-rushing upside and can provide this defense what it lost when Houston traded Clowney to Seattle.
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Mock Trade from
Cleveland Browns
Round 2 - Pick 9 (41)
Tempted by Antoine Winfield Jr., the Giants pass due to injury concerns (and his size doesn't help the cause) and instead get my favorite free safety in the draft class. Davis is a rock star who converted from cornerback to safety and looked like a natural fit. More importantly, Davis spent more time in single-high safety looks (and he was very successful in doing so) than any safety in this class. The Giants need a deep-half safety to allow DC Patrick Graham more flexibility and to fill a role past starters like Antoine Bethea, Curtis Riley, and Darian Thompson never could. Davis has injury concerns of his own, but nothing concerning enough to pass on a high-upside pick at a unicorn position -- and that's what a deep-half safety with range has become.
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Round 2 - Pick 10 (42)
The Jaguars replenished the defense on Day 1 and now they shift their focus to finding another playmaker on offense for Gardner Minshew. Shenault is another one of these WRs who would normally be a Day 1 pick and Jacksonville can get creative in how they use him -- with prensap motion and jet sweep action.
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From
Las Vegas Raiders
Round 2 - Pick 11 (43)
The Bears need to find a replacement for Prince Amukamara, and Gladney's production should wash away any concerns about his combine.
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Round 2 - Pick 12 (44)
The Colts have not committed long term to Marlon Mack for a reason, but they want to be a physical team and they have the offensive line to back it up. They can't pass on the value here even if it means giving up a position that is considered more of a need.
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Mock Trade from
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Round 2 - Pick 13 (45)
The Panthers find their replacement for the loss of No. 1 CB James Bradberry in free agency. Diggs is not the same kind of prospect, but he'll add athleticism and ball skills to a new Panthers defensive system.
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Round 2 - Pick 14 (46)
Denver has made it clear they're open to moving away from Garett Bolles at OT so they take a swing on Niang. In 2018, Niang was one of the best tackles in CFB (see: Ohio State game). He dropped off during an injury-plagued 2019, but that shouldn't define him.
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Round 2 - Pick 15 (47)
The Falcons draft the highest-rated defender on their board, and he's an absolute playmaker in center field. They will find ways to use Winfield early and often and he will continue to make big plays as he did during 2019 season.
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Round 2 - Pick 16 (48)
After finding Darnold an OT, the Jets give him one of the players most fun for me to evaluate this pre-draft process. At times when watching Hamler, he reminds you of Tyreek Hill-lite. He will add an element of vertical speed the Jets currently only have with Perriman, but he's not a one-trick pony. The best part about Hamler is his ability to create separation on a wide variety of routes. That's his trump card -- the trait that makes him special. It will also make him an immediate fit for a QB like Darnold who likes to throw on the move and is accurate doing so.
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Round 2 - Pick 17 (49)
The Steelers are not going to let their offensive line get weak and after a regression in 2019 followed by Ramon Foster's decision to retire, they don't wait long to replenish with Jackson. He might be the cleanest OG in the entire class.
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Round 2 - Pick 18 (50)
The Bears continue to replenish their secondary here with a player who may eventually have to settle in to a variety of roles with one key goal in mind: attacking downhill on the line of scrimmage. He will be an excellent addition to an already stout Bears defense at all three levels.
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Round 2 - Pick 19 (51)
The Cowboys add one of the bendiest edge rushers in the entire class. Okwara's upside as a pass rusher is through the roof. His stock was dragged a bit during the pre-draft process as he recovers from a broken fibula and that opens the door for Dallas to find value.
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Round 2 - Pick 20 (52)
The Rams cannot wait any longer to upgrade their rapidly-declining offensive line, which was the key culprit behind their 2019 collapse.
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