Two-Round NFL Mock Draft
Are we ready to get digital football fans? The NFL announced that the 2020 NFL Draft will be fully digital so we should be in for something special come April 23rd! In the meantime to satisfy your draft fix, I have created my first official two-round NFL mock draft. Keep in mind these selections are made for what I project to happen at the end of April. With the rumors swirling that trades will be less likely to happen with the new draft format, I will be following suit and not featuring trades in my mock. Let’s not forget either, that after being left out of all first-round mock drafts the Steelers, Rams, Bears, Colts, Bills, and Texans can finally get in on the action!
So without further ado here is my Two-Round NFL Mock Draft. Please enjoy responsibly.
First Round
1. Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
It is the most obvious pick, but it is justified because he is the best quarterback in the draft. In 2019 he led the LSU Tigers to the National Championship after throwing for 60 touchdowns, 5,668 yards, and completing passes at an absurd 76.3%.
2. Washington Redskins: Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
The Redskins need to improve on defense and it starts with their defensive line. If they combine Young with other defensive first-rounders that include Da’Ron Payne and Montez Sweat that line will resemble what the 49ers built on their defense.
3. Detroit Lions: Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State
The Lions traded away Darius Slay for a reason, so what better way to address the need by taking a lock-down cornerback that fits right into Matt Patricia’s scheme.
4. New York Giants: Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
The Giants feel they are currently set at the tackle position with Nate Solder and Cameron Fleming. Thus, they take a generational defensive player in Simmons as the best talent on the board.
5. Miami Dolphins: Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
The Dolphins want to make sure that when they do get their quarterback they can protect him. Julien Davenport who is their current left tackle ranked 53rd out of 65 eligible tackles per PFF grades at the tackle position last season.
6. Los Angeles Chargers: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
The Chargers have been somewhat non-committal about Tyrod Taylor being their starter, but we all know they need to leave this draft with a quarterback. Tagovailoa is a great fit for Los Angeles. In 2019, Tagovailoa led all quarterbacks in yards per attempt (11.3) and independent quarterback rating (146.6).
7. Carolina Panthers: Derrick Brown, IDL, Auburn
The Panthers will continue to look towards the future by grabbing a defensive lineman who in the short-term will not help them win more games in 2020. However, it will provide them a building block for a formidable defense as Carolina rebuilds under new head coach Matt Rhule.
8. Arizona Cardinals: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
The Cardinals need to add offensive linemen to protect their franchise quarterback. There is no better fit than Wirfs who impressed everybody at the NFL combine with his size/speed combination (115.7-speed score).
9. Jacksonville Jaguars: K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
The Jaguars continue to tear down their defense and it looks like Yannick Ngakoue will be eventually traded. They get his replacement for pass-rush with Chaisson.
10. Cleveland Browns: Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
Jack Conklin will fill it at the right tackle position, so the Browns add Wills to further protect Baker Mayfield. Mayfield needs to play behind a better offensive line than last season so he does not further hinder his development.
11. New York Jets: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
The Jets decided to not bring back Robby Anderson so they need to add a playmaker for quarterback Sam Darnold. CeeDee Lamb is my number one receiver in this draft and can become the Jets true No.1 wide receiver. According to Sports Info Solutions, Lamb ranked number one last season in yards per target (14.3), yards per route run (3.9), and yards after the catch per reception (11.2).
12. Las Vegas Raiders: Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
Al Davis would be proud of this selection. Adding the speedy Ruggs to take the top off the defense will allow the Raiders to free space for their other skill players underneath like Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow. Ruggs can absolutely fly and defenses in college needed to consistently shift coverage over to his side because of his deep threat presence.
13. San Francisco 49ers [from IND]: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
There may not be a better fit for a crafty slot receiver than Jeudy in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. He would easily contribute from day one and become Jimmy Garroppolo’s number one target at wide receiver. His yards per route run from the slot (3.39) ranked fifth overall in the NCAA of all receivers with at least 200 snaps in the slot per PFF.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Breaking news: Tom Brady is no spring chicken. The Buccaneers need to make sure their 43-year old quarterback savior is well protected.
15. Denver Broncos: C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
Denver needs another outside cornerback to pair with A.J. Bouye with Bryce Callahan playing in the slot. Henderson is the number two cornerback in this class.
16. Atlanta Falcons: Javon Kinlaw, IDL, South Carolina
Vic Beasley has departed in free agency and it would make sense for the Falcons to add to the pass-rush; especially when looking at the interior. Putting Kinlaw alongside Grady Jarrett is going to look very scary come September.
17. Dallas Cowboys: Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
Dallas has a type when it comes to drafting pass-rushers and Gross-Matos checks off the boxes. Listed at 6-5, 266 pounds with 34 7/8-inch arms, Gross-Matos is their guy to pair opposite Demarcus Lawrence.
18. Miami Dolphins from [PIT]: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
The Dolphins did not love Herbert at pick 5 but at pick 18? They are all-in on their future franchise quarterback from Oregon. With Fitzpatrick already entrenched as the current starter, they have no reason to rush to start Herbert if they feel he is not ready.
19. Las Vegas Raiders from [Chicago]: Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
From a scheme perspective, there’s no better cornerback target for Las Vegas than Diggs. Via PFF, Diggs’ best fit is in press-heavy defenses that run a ton of Cover 1 and Cover 3. The Raiders fit the mold.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars [from L.A. Rams]: Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
A.J. Bouye and Jalen Ramsey are both gone so the Jaguars need to add a cornerback that can start from day one. They bring in Fulton who was the best cornerback on college football’s best defense.
21. Philadelphia Eagles: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
We saw last year Carson Wentz throwing to the likes of Greg Ward Jr. and Boston Scott. They need to add to the wide receiver room with Alshon Jeffery’s days looking numbered as an Eagle. Jefferson can be another dynamic receiver from the slot that can help Wentz return to his MVP form.
22. Minnesota Vikings [from Buffalo]: Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
Gladney checks all the boxes for a Mike Zimmer cornerback. Has the tenacity and swag the Minnesota secondary has been missing. They need this position desperately because all they have on the depth chart is Mike Hughes.
23. New England Patriots: Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
The Patriots linebacker core has been depleted after losing Kyle Van Noy, Elandon Roberts, and Jamie Collins. D’Onta Hightower is also entering the last year of his deal. Murray can be the future three-down linebacker and defensive captain.
24. New Orleans Saints: Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
The Saints like New England are undermanned at linebacker outside Demario Davis. Queen brings a speed element and high-motor to a team that figures to be in a ton of huge games in Drew Brees’ final season.
25. Minnesota Vikings: Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
Outside of Adam Thielen, this wide receiver room is laughable after the departure of Stefon Diggs. Mims gives Kirk Cousins an upside playmaker at wide receiver; he also makes Mike Zimmer happy because he is big, physical, and will gladly run block. He dominated the NFL combine with workout metrics via Playerprofiler.com that showed his 4.38 (96th percentile) 40-yard dash, 96th percentile overall speed score, 90th percentile burst score and 96th percentile catch radius.
26. Miami Dolphins [from Houston]: A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa
The player compared most to Epenesa is Trey Flowers. What better pairing than landing in Miami for Epenesa to be an edge presence with Brian Flores who overlooked the development of Flowers while in New England?
27. Seattle Seahawks: Josh Jones, OT, Houston
Per Jason Truitt on Twitter (@TruittJasonNFL): “His quickness and length will pair excellently in pass protection with Russell Wilson’s constant scrambling outside the pocket.” Anything to further bolster protection for Wilson seems like the most logical move for Seattle.
28. Baltimore Ravens: Cesar Ruiz, IOL, Michigan
Guard Marshal Yanda is gone from the Ravens so they want to retool that interior offensive line. Ruiz is clearly the best interior offensive linemen in this class so adding him will help keep Jackson upright and keep those running lanes open.
29. Tennessee Titans: Austin Jackson, OT, USC
Tackle Jack Conklin has departed so the Titans just draft his replacement in Jackson who played the right tackle position at USC.
30. Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
The Packers were among the teams that have virtually contacted Love during the pre-draft process. Though it may seem like a bone-headed pick for a team that just played in the NFC title game, Rodgers is at about the same age that Brett Favre was at when Rodgers was drafted in the first round. Love has elite traits and if he was given the chance to sit the Packers could have another franchise quarterback for the next ten-plus years.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Grant Delpit, S, LSU
The 49ers do not have much depth at safety, so to aid their secondary they add Delpit. He’s a nice upgrade over Jaquiski Tartt and makes an impact in all phases of the game.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
They need a cornerback and Terrell fits the mold as a pressman cover cornerback. A lot of cornerbacks will be drafted in round two so they cannot afford to pass on one at pick 32 for fear of missing out altogether.
Second Round
33. Cincinnati Bengals: Marlon Davidson, IDL, Auburn
With it being a digital draft look for teams to hone in players that they are familiar with. The Bengals coaching staff coached the South team in the 2020 Senior Bowl and they take one of the players they got to spend the week with. The Bengals need to improve from their 32nd worst-ranked rush defense from last season so adding Davidson to go along with free agent D.J. Reader should help plug up that defensive interior.
34. Indianapolis Colts from [WAS]: Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
The Colts need to upgrade the receiver position and the betting lines are projecting Higgins as a potential landing spot. He can slide right into the X receiver role opposite T.Y. Hilton and is a great fit for Rivers “go-get-it” throws. In 2019, Higgins yards per reception (19.8) and yards per route run (3.67) ranked fifth amongst all receivers with at least 80 targets.
35. Detroit Lions: Zack Baun, EDGE, Wisconsin
Like the Bengals, the Lions are going to go with another Senior Bowl player, but this time on the North team that they coached. Baun at the Senior Bowl was heavily featured as the WILL linebacker in the Lions 3-4 scheme. He is a perfect fit for the Detriot defense and fits a need at the edge.
36. New York Giants: Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn
The Giants took the best defensive player on the board with Simmons in Round 1. They follow-up with a tackle to help protect their franchise quarterback with Wanogho.
37. Los Angeles Chargers: Lucas Niang, OT, TCU
With their quarterback for the future on the roster they now need to get him some additional protection. Considering the Tagovailoa is a left-handed thrower they need to solidify the right tackle position. Niang profiles as a right tackle at the next level.
38. Carolina Panthers: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
The Panthers need playmakers on defense especially in the secondary. Outside Tre Boston, they have nothing on the roster at the safety position.
39. Miami Dolphins: De’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
The Dolphins get their running back of the future in the second round to further build their foundation for the upcoming seasons. Jordan Howard is not a long-term solution, but Swift can be. Per Jody Smith of FantasyData, Swift has the potential to be a three-down feature back in the NFL.
40. Houston Texans from [Arizona]: Ross Blacklock, NT, TCU
Bill O’Brien finally gets to make his pick and of course, they take a nose tackle. Go figure. But in reality, Blacklock does have pass rush repertoire to make an impact in the passing game from the interior defensive line. The Texans were fourth-worst in sack percentage last season. They also lost Reader in free agency and J.J. Watt is not getting any younger.
41. Cleveland Browns: Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota
The Browns are lacking playmakers at the safety position with just Karl Joseph and Andrew Sendejo entrenched as the starters. Winfield Jr. would be an immediate starter for them in the secondary where he can be a roaming free safety.
42. Jacksonville Jaguars: K.J. Hamler, WR, Penn State
The Jaguars want to find a slot receiver so they can move Dede Westbrook outside more per Matthew Berry at ESPN. Hamler played exclusively in the slot and with free releases, he can be a great threat for the Jaguars passing attack. In 2019, 28% of passes thrown his way were more than 20 yards downfield. His yards per route run from the slot (2.45) ranked 11th in NCAA last season and receiving touchdowns ranked ninth (8).
43. Chicago Bears from [Las Vegas]: Lloyd Cushenberry III, IOL, LSU
The interior of the offensive line for the Bears is a mess, especially at guard.
44. Indianapolis Colts: Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
Xavier Rhodes might have been a Pro Bowler in 2019…but we all know he is dust at this point. The Colts need an upgrade at cornerback after releasing Pierre Desir and having T.J. Carrie as their other starting cornerback.
45. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Johnathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
The Buccaneers are looking to add a pass-catching running back, but they end up just taking the best running back available. Though Taylor is not known for being an elite pass-catcher he still can contribute. Per Jody Smith “Taylor boasted solid receiving chops in 2019, snagging 26 balls for 252 yards and five more scores.”
46. Denver Broncos: Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
The Broncos would love to get some elite speed and explosiveness on the outside to open things up for Noah Fant and Courtland Sutton underneath. Reagor fits the mold perfectly. He impressed in the jump drills at the NFL combine ranking in the 97th percentile in the vertical jump and 98th percentile in the broad jump. His overall explosiveness as a player will be exciting to see in the NFL. 2018 was Reagor’s best statistical season; he finished with 1,040 receiving yards (33rd), 131 targets (10th), and 71 receptions (33rd). Also, we have a family connection here as well: the Broncos drafted his father Montae Reagor back in 1999.
47. Atlanta Falcons: J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
Dan Quinn has said that the strongest parts of this draft are wide receiver, running back, offensive tackle, and defensive tackle. They have already taken a defensive lineman so now they address the running back position to take over in 2021 full-time after Todd Gurley’s knee fully combusts. Gurley is only on a one-year contract. Dobbins rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his three campaigns at Ohio State.
48. New York Jets: Ezra Cleveland, OL, Boise State
The Jets need protection for Sam Darnold, so adding to the offensive line after adding an elite pass-catcher makes the most sense. Cleveland is a super-athletic offensive lineman who ran a 4.93 (96th percentile) at 6’6” and 311 pounds. His SPARQX score (124.6) was the highest of any OL player at the NFL combine.
49. Pittsburgh Steelers: Neville Gallimore, IDL, Oklahoma
He is the perfect replacement for the departed Javon Hargrave to be an explosive threat in the defensive interior.
50. Chicago Bears: Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois
The Bears did not force enough turnovers in 2019 ranking 21st; after 2018 where they ranked number one in the league. Adding Chinn adds a playmaker to the Bears’ secondary that has great ball skills, while still being impactful in the run game.
51. Dallas Cowboys: Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne
Clinton-Dix is on a one year deal and the other presumed starter, Xavier Woods, is scheduled to be a free agent next offseason. Though safety doesn’t look like a need right now, in 12 months it becomes a significant need.
52. Los Angeles Rams: Julian Okwara, EDGE, Notre Dame
The Rams need some help on the edge at pass rush with Dante Fowler departing in free agency.
53. Philadelphia Eagles: Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State
You can never have too many good defensive backs on a roster. With all the injuries the Eagles dealt with last year it would behoove them to continue to add cornerback depth to their roster. Arnette is also used to being heavily targeted across a shutdown cornerback as he played alongside Okudah at Ohio State. He would translate well to play across from Slay. His versatility to play outside, in the slot and free safety at times make him a great addition to the Eagles’ secondary.
54. Buffalo Bills: Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State
The Bills add another piece to that defensive line. Fits into the Bills 4-3 scheme and can be a situational pass rusher on third-downs.
55. Baltimore Ravens from [NE]: Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado
The Ravens add another dynamic wide receiver to their offense that can lineup all over the field and makes the offense even scarier in 2020. This would be an absolutely exciting landing spot for a receiver that dominates in yards after the catch. According to PFF, Shenault has forced the most missed tackles in college since 2017.
56. Miami Dolphins from [NO]: Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
There’s not much in their receiver core behind DeVante Parker and Preston Williams who are both far from top-tier wide receivers moving forward. Aiyuk is a YAC monster and can play the role that Albert Wilson has failed to accomplish since becoming a Dolphin. In 2019, Aiyuk according to Sports Info Solutions ranked fourth in yards per target (11.5), second in yards per route run (3.2), second in yards after the catch per reception (10.9).
57. Los Angeles Rams: Netane Muti, IOL, Fresno State [HOU]
Muti projects to be a left guard but could replace Austin Blythe at right guard for the Rams. Muti can play both guard spots along with left tackle so he can be versatile especially if he is used more in space. Blythe was the 101st graded guard last season out of 123 eligible guards. Their right guard Austin Corbett was not much better at the 95th rank.
58. Minnesota Vikings: Justin Madubuike, IDL, Texas A&M
The Vikings need to help generate more pressure from the interior. Madubukie profiles as a versatile piece that can play anywhere along the defensive line and generate a pass rush.
59. Seattle Seahawks: Josh Uche, EDGE
It does not look like Clowney is going to be coming back for Seattle, so they need to add a pass-rusher. Uche can play as an off-ball linebacker and work as an edge rusher.
60. Baltimore Ravens: Clyde Edwards-Helaire RB, LSU
Fantasy owners rejoice! The Ravens take their running back of the future with Ingram having a potential out in his contract in 2021. CEH would bring a whole other element to the passing game for the Ravens. He had 55 receptions for LSU in 2019.
61. Tennessee Titans: Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama
The Titans were not afraid to draft Jeffery Simmons last year amid his injury concerns. The follow the same philosophy with Lewis who arguable has the first-round talent but will fall because of durability concerns. Solid contingency plan if Vic Beasley cannot generate a solid pass-rush.
62. Green Bay Packers: Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame
The Packers have been in desperate need of a tight end so they get the top one in the class with Kmet. This gives Rodgers a tight end that excels as pass-catcher.
63. Kansas City Chiefs from [SF]: Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia
Not a crucial need, but you want to have depth at the tackle position with both Chiefs current starting tackles being free agents in 2022. Wilson needs time to develop and can do so with Kansas City.
64. Seattle Seahawks from [KC]: Jacob Eason, QB, Washington
He is a local player growing up in Washington and the Seahawks currently do not have another quarterback outside Russell Wilson on the roster. Considering 57 different quarterbacks started games last season, teams do not want to entirely just punt their back-up quarterback scenarios.
