The 2020 NFL Draft is quickly approaching. With limited personnel being encouraged to gather for the draft, teams are scrambling to create plans to communicate during the event. There will likely be an uptick in communication between general managers leading up to the draft as they try to gather information on potential trade packages so that a deal can come together quickly on draft night. In today's mock draft, I explore some of those scenarios.
Without further adieu, let's kick this off!
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
Miami's efforts to trade for the No. 1 overall selection fall short. Cincinnati gets its franchise quarterback.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
Washington could trade down but Detroit is willing to trade down as well and the price is lower. The Redskins do not get the necessary package to move down and choose to take Young.
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Mock Trade from
Detroit Lions
Round 1 - Pick 3
Miami has the most draft capital and a need at quarterback. If they decide Tagovailoa is the second best option at the position -- and I believe they will -- then they need to do whatever is necessary to move up and select him. No excuses. It costs them No. 39 overall.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
New York bypasses an urge to select Isaiah Simmons and instead chooses to address the right tackle position. They will likely have to address the left tackle position next offseason so it makes sense not to do it all at once.
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Mock Trade from
Miami Dolphins
Round 1 - Pick 5
The Lions move down a few spots, pick up an additional second round pick and still land their replacement for Darius Slay.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
Los Angeles is stuck with potentially its third quarterback. Herbert offers them a potential long-term answer at the game's most important position. The roster can be built around him now.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
Isaiah Simmons is a logical replacement for Luke Kuechly in Carolina. He is so versatile. Matt Rhule had a plan to take really talented players with upside and empower his coaching staff to develop them. If he follows the same model, then why would his pick be anyone but the Clemson linebacker?
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Round 1 - Pick 8
Arizona needs a right tackle, which is where Wills has excelled in Tuscaloosa dating back to his freshman season. They fortify the line in front of Kyler Murray.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
It might come as a surprise to see the Jaguars take a quarterback with Gardner Minshew on their roster. What if all those trades made were done with a purpose? They get a potential long-term fit at the position.
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Round 1 - Pick 10
Cleveland watches all of the drama unfold in front of them as a top offensive tackle falls into their laps. Thomas is their solution at left tackle.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
Until New York addresses the offensive tackle position with a little more confidence, it is hard to envision them venturing away from the selection of an offensive tackle.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock obviously want a wide receiver but it is hard to pass on Brown's talent. He is a difference-maker.
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From
Indianapolis Colts
Round 1 - Pick 13
Lamb gives Kyle Shanahan a vertical threat that he has coveted since he was hired. Lamb and Samuel are the future in San Francisco.
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Mock Trade from
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Round 1 - Pick 14
Jacksonville moves back up and takes a top-10 level talent. They address a weakness on defense after adding their quarterback of the future. Tampa Bay gets No. 73 overall and a future sixth to move back.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
Rinse and repeat with Ruggs at No. 15 overall.
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Mock Trade from
Atlanta Falcons
Round 1 - Pick 16
Vegas is making some moves to secure elite talent. After risking the chance to select a No. 1 wide receiver at No. 12 overall, they trade back up and select Jeudy. Las Vegas moves the No. 91 overall selection for the right to Jeudy.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
Dallas does not have a lot of draft capital so they are fortunate their guy falls to them at No. 17 overall. Henderson has clearly separated himself as the draft's second best cornerback.
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From
Pittsburgh Steelers
Round 1 - Pick 18
Miami needs two offensive tackles so the selection of Jones is a start to a larger reclamation project.
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Mock Trade from
Las Vegas Raiders
Round 1 - Pick 19
Banking on Dante Fowler Jr. being the team's answer to a lack of pass rush is a bold strategy. They double down with their first round pick and select Chaisson.
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From
Jacksonville Jaguars
Round 1 - Pick 20
Tampa Bay gets some blindside protection for Tom Brady. If they can continue to build around him, he will have every reason to succeed in 2020.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
Philadelphia needs to address the wide receiver position this offseason and next. Jefferson is not a reach at this point. He carries a first round grade from me.
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From
Buffalo Bills
Round 1 - Pick 22
Murray is an active linebacker that covers sideline to sideline. Minnesota will need to make some changes to that unit in the near future.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
Kenneth Murray has been a popular pick to New England for me. It is increasingly less likely that he would be available so Queen is the next best option.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
A long-term slot receiver could have been an option and linebacker would have been more desired. However, Murray and Queen are off the board. New Orleans gets a talented, young tight end in what sounds like Drew Brees' final season.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
Minnesota overhauled the cornerback position this offseason so they need some bodies in that room. Terrell is not a consolation prize. He has a high ceiling.
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From
Houston Texans
Round 1 - Pick 26
Miami sticks to its board and selects the best player available. Epenesa has the versatility to play inside or outside.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
Jadeveon Clowney remains unsigned so Gross-Matos is a solid insurance policy until there is a resolution in Seattle.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
McKinney can play a nickel role or drop back to safety. Mike Vrabel will be creative in the way that he uses him.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
Green Bay adds some high-level play-making ability to its defensive line. Gallimore is a really active player.
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Mock Trade from
San Francisco 49ers
Round 1 - Pick 31
Los Angeles has been busy adding Trai Turner and Bryan Bulaga at right tackle. They move back up into the first round to take Austin to play left tackle. San Francisco adds the No. 112 overall selection and a future sixth.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
Kansas City adds a rising cornerback at the back end of the first round.
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NFL Mock Draft
Round 2
Round 2 - Pick 1 (33)
Cincinnati has built one of the better defensive lines in the NFL but they need to invest in the linebacker unit. Uche has high upside and could really be a sack demon off the edge.
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From
Washington Redskins
Round 2 - Pick 2 (34)
Indianapolis adds a big body to take some pressure off of T.Y. Hilton. Philip Rivers gets another weapon.
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Round 2 - Pick 3 (35)
The Lions added their cornerback in the first round and swing back around to get a solid defensive tackle in the second round.
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Round 2 - Pick 4 (36)
Delpit alongside Jabrill Peppers is a formidable duo in the NFC East. New York takes a gamble that could pay huge dividends.
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Mock Trade from
Los Angeles Chargers
Round 2 - Pick 5 (37)
After sliding back a little bit to facilitate the Chargers' needs, the 49ers land an interior offensive lineman to fulfill a starter's role.
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Round 2 - Pick 6 (38)
Diggs has length and athleticism. Matt Rhule is willing to gamble on traits. Time will tell if the strategy pays off for him.
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Mock Trade from
Miami Dolphins
Round 2 - Pick 7 (39)
Detroit lands the draft's top running back in the second round. He will provide them balance in the run and pass game.
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From
Arizona Cardinals
Round 2 - Pick 8 (40)
After trading DeAndre Hopkins, wide receiver has become a big need. Houston adds Denzel Mims as a weapon for Deshaun Watson.
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Round 2 - Pick 9 (41)
Chinn can play safety or linebacker. Cleveland needs help at both positions so they bring in an intriguing talent.
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Round 2 - Pick 10 (42)
Jacksonville is having themselves a potential franchise-changing draft upon adding Jordan Love, Javon Kinlaw and Fulton.
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From
Las Vegas Raiders
Round 2 - Pick 11 (43)
The Bears add some strength and meanness to the heart of their offensive line.
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Round 2 - Pick 12 (44)
Hunt played right tackle last season but projects as an offensive guard. Indianapolis gets a really gifted player in the second round.
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Round 2 - Pick 13 (45)
Edwards-Helaire will not be outworked. He is one of the easiest prospects to evaluate because he is going to bring everything on every single play. Tom Brady will love having that kind of work ethic with his new franchise.
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Round 2 - Pick 14 (46)
John Elway loves traits. Igbinoghene is a fast player that could develop into an All-Pro.
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Round 2 - Pick 15 (47)
Johnson may not be taken this early because of medical concerns. His talent warrants the selection though.
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Round 2 - Pick 16 (48)
After adding a left tackle in the first round, New York addresses the wide receiver group with a flashy pass catcher.
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Round 2 - Pick 17 (49)
How healthy is Ben Roethlisberger? Pittsburgh does not want to place the fate of their season in the hands of Mason Rudolph and Duck Hodges again.
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Round 2 - Pick 18 (50)
Chicago adds a thumper to its secondary. He has great genes and a passion for the game.
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Round 2 - Pick 19 (51)
Again, medicals may be a concern for the safety. He is inherently smart and instinctive. Dallas would do well to add a strong leader and communicator to the secondary. It does not hurt that he has also been a track star within the PAC-12.
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Round 2 - Pick 20 (52)
Los Angeles brought in Leonard Floyd as a potential high reward play but they need to quit taking such big gambles. By adding Lewis, they get two talented players that can compete and potentially fulfill a long-term role.
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Round 2 - Pick 21 (53)
Philadelphia adds a productive pass rusher to the edge of its defense. Okwara could stand up and man the strongside linebacker position.
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Round 2 - Pick 22 (54)
Weaver is an ideal replacement for Jerry Hughes. His body structure needs some work but he excels getting off blocks.
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From
Atlanta Falcons
Round 2 - Pick 23 (55)
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