2020 NFL Draft: First-Round Surprises and Best Players Available

April 24, 2020April 24, 2020 Chris McGlynn Draft, Football, NFL 2020 NFL Draft, A.J. Terrell, Atlanta Falcons, Best Players Available, CJ Henderson, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Damon Arnette, First Round Surprises, Green Bay Packers, Jalen Reagor, Jeff Gladney, Jeffrey Okudah, Jordan Love, Jordyn Brooks, Josh Jones, Justin Jefferson, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins, NFL Draft, Noah Igbinoghene, Seattle Seahawks

That was exactly what everyone in the sports world needed. A nice dose of excitement, chaos and entertainment. Cincinnati, Washington and Detroit kicked the draft off with some predictable picks. After that, nothing was guaranteed. Trades started coming fast and furious in the 20s. Miami and Los Angeles stayed put and took franchise quarterbacks. Tons of wide receivers and corners came off the board, maybe not in the order most expected.

I think it is way too early to start handing out grades for the first round. We can do that a few years from now. (I should really go back and regrade the 2015 draft class.) Instead, let’s discuss the biggest surprises of the first round. There are plenty to discuss, but I think the first one is pretty obvious.

446px-aaron_rodgers_2008 — Rodgers turned 36 in December. *(Wikimedia Commons)*

Packers trade up for Aaron Rodgers’ successor
Of all the teams to take a chance on Utah State quarterback Jordan Love, I did not have Green Bay anywhere in the conversation. Thinking about it though, this is exactly what the franchise did with Brett Favre towards the end of his career. They saw a talented quarterback sliding and pounced to find their next franchise passer. What makes this so shocking is that Aaron Rodgers has shown no signs of slowing down. This offense is in desperate need of more playmakers. In a draft stocked with them, it felt like a great chance for the Packers to find Rodgers more weapons. Instead, they found the man who will potentially replace him. After being just a game away from the Super Bowl last year, this feels like an odd move. Credit the Green Bay for being forward thinking, but I definitely did not expect this.

Josh Jones’ slide
I had Houston offensive tackle Josh Jones pegged to go at 18 to the Dolphins. He was my 21st overall prospect and my highest remaining offensive lineman. Miami decided to take USC product Austin Jackson. When the Chargers traded back into the first round, I assumed it was for Jones. They opted for Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray. Tennessee had a chance to take Jones as well, but chose a different tackle in Georgia’s Isaiah Wilson. I was just about convinced the Jones would find a home in the first round. He is a bit older at 23, but he is a physical player with solid technique. It would not be a shock to see the Bengals take Jones at 33, but it is unclear when his slide might end at this point.

800px-jeffrey_okudah_283219231387829 — Okudah was the highest drafted corner since 1997. *(Wikimedia Commons)*

Corner craze in round one
I did not think we were going to see six cornerbacks go in the first round. A.J. Terrell at 16 to the Falcons felt like a bit of a reach to me, but I had seen some first-round buzz around him. Damon Arnette to the Raiders 19th overall was truly a stunner. Then, Noah Igbinoghene went to Miami at pick 30. Teams felt like they were reaching a bit at the position, especially given some of the other players available. K’Lavon Chaisson felt like a great fit for Atlanta. Las Vegas passed on a lot of talented corners to take Arnette, who I had 11th at the position. Miami has spent tons of money locking up Xavien Howard and Byron Jones. Igbinoghene is definitely a luxury pick for the Dolphins, who have a ton of draft picks. Pass rusher felt like a bigger need though with some solid players available. I thought there was depth at the position in this draft, but the league went all in much early than expected. Three felt like a safe number to peg with Jeff Okudah, CJ Henderson and Jeff Gladney in the mix. I didn’t expect that number to double. I think there are some really good options still available too with Bryce Hall, Kristian Fulton and Jaylon Johnson still on the board, so this trend might continue.

Jalen Reagor over Justin Jefferson
I think TCU receiver Jalen Reagor will end up having a solid NFL career, but I think the Eagles missed big time on LSU’s Justin Jefferson, who went a pick later to the Vikings. Reagor plays a bit like former Philadelphia standout DeSean Jackson. He had an uneven 2019 season, but his game speed is impressive. Reagor is definitely a bit undersized, but he posted an outrageous 42-inch vertical at the combine. However, Jefferson is coming off a monster year and is a much better prospect in my opinion. He is really just a bigger, more physical version of Reagor. Jefferson ran a better 40 time, posted better stats and played against much better competition. I think Jefferson would have fit Philly’s system as well. This one left me scratching my head.

selu_lsu_9718_086 — Edwards-Helaire had over 1,800 total yards and 17 TD in 2019. (Wikimedia Commons)

Clyde Edwards-Helaire as RB1
Between D’Andre Swift, J.K. Dobbins and Jonathan Taylor, I thought Clyde Edwards-Helaire would be at least the second back drafted. I had him as my third running back behind Dobbins and Swift. CEH is a physical runner with the ability to be a receiver out of the backfield as well, even if he doesn’t have blazing speed. He reminds me a lot of Maurice Jones-Drew and feels like a good fit for the Kansas City offense, but I don’t think many people expected him to be the first running back off the board. There is also something to be said for Andy Reid drafting a running back for the first time in his 21-year career as a head coach. Very happy for him after he turned in a great season, but I definitely did not see this coming.

Not really enough to warrant it’s own subhead, but I was very confused by Seattle’s pick of Texas Tech linebacker Jordyn Brooks. He is a solid player, but I thought he would go middle of day two and that was definitely not the biggest need for this Seahawks defense.

Best Players Available

Those were the biggest talking points of the night for me. As teams turn their attention to rounds two and three tomorrow, here are my top remaining prospects:

18. Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
20. J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
21. Josh Jones, OT, Houston
23. A.J. Epenesa, DL, Iowa
24. Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
26. Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
28. D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
29. Zach Baun, LB, Wisconsin
30. Ross Blacklock, DL, TCU
31. Grant Delpit, S, LSU
33. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC
35. Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
38. Neville Gallimore, DL, Oklahoma
41. Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
42. Matt Hennessy, OL, Temple
43. Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
45. Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota
46. Lucas Niang, OT, TCU
47. Lloyd Cushenberry, OL, LSU
48. Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
49. Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir Rhyne
50. Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah

Final 2020 NFL Mock Draft: Three-round mock ahead of draft night!

April 23, 2020April 28, 2020 Chris McGlynn Draft, Football, NFL 2020 NFL Draft, 2020 NFL Mock Draft, Cincinnati Bengals, Joe Burrow, NFL Draft

Welcome to draft day 2020! I am beyond excited to watch the first round unfold tonight. To warp up our run of draft week content, which has included redrafting the first round of the 2015 draft, the whole Aftermath crew’s fifth annual roundtable mock draft, and my top 150 prospects and positional rankings, it is time for my final mock draft of the season.

While some might be determined to predict how the draft will actually happen, I know I am not going to come anywhere close to that. There are too many trades and personal preferences for teams for me to ever manage to accurately predict the draft. So instead, this is what I think SHOULD happen on Thursday and Friday. I poured hours into my final, three-round mock for the 2020 class. There are sure to be some surprises and I know some fans will be furious their favorite team opted to select one player when that other, clearly much better, prospect was still on the board. Much like NFL teams, I have my own preferences on the players in this draft class, which is what makes mock drafts so unique.

If you want to hear me rambling about all of this draft stuff on a podcast, check out For the Love of Sports with Michael Rasile. (Warning: it is really long!) I joined his show for a draft special, which was a ton of fun. I talked through each pick in the first round with him and discussed some larger themes of this draft as well. It’s a very deep dive into the draft, so if you want even more content than just this mock draft, check out that link.

With all of that being said, this is one of the most bizarre times in human history, not to mention the sports calendar. This is the closest thing we have to live sports right now, so just sit back and enjoy it for the next few days, because it might be a really long time before we see anything that resembles live sports for quite a while afterwards.

1. Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Seriously, do I really need to explain this one? I have actually stopped considering quarterback a need for the Bengals because I just assume this pick will be Joe Burrow.

2. Washington – Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
There is some late rumblings that Atlanta and a few other teams are interesting in trading up to grab Chase Young. Assuming Washington stays at number two, this should be the pick. Young has the ability to completely change a defense. Think Nick Bosa-type impact, but even better.

3. Detroit Lions – Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Even before Detroit traded away Darius Slay, corner was a need for them. It also helps that Jeff Okudah is the best player left on my board. He has the tools to be a true shutdown defender. Expect them to make this pick at five or six though after someone trades up for a quarterback.

4. New York Giants – Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
Isaiah Simmons is certainly a possibility here. However, after investing an early pick in a quarterback, the Giants have a duty to protect him. Tristan Wirfs is pro ready, can play anywhere but center and has great potential. He is powerful and moves well for a man his size.

5. Miami Dolphins – Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
Injuries are the main concern with Tua Tagovailoa, who has struggled to stay healthy in his two years as Alabama’s starter. All signs point to him checking out medically though and I think his potential is through the roof. He has incredible touch and gives Miami their franchise quarterback to build around.

6. Los Angeles Chargers – Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
I know there is a lot of hate directed toward Justin Herbert. He is my 16th ranked prospect in this draft. Physically, he checks every box. However, Herbert had some frustrating decision making and bad habits that he developed during his senior season. If Los Angeles passes, he could end up sliding for a bit. I think the Chargers need to figure out their future at quarterback though, and Herbert is by far the best option here.

7. Carolina Panthers – Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
Out goes Luke Keuchley and in comes Isaiah Simmons. It’s not a perfect swap in terms of play style, but from an impact point of view, this is a home run for Carolina. Simmons can step in as a leader of the defense right away and his ability to line up just about anywhere only increases his value.

8. Arizona Cardinals – Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina
Arizona could head in a lot of directions here. Adding DeAndre Hopkins and locking up D.J. Humphries I think lets the Cardinals focus on the defense. Javon Kinlaw has load of potential as an interior pass rusher. He would provide a massive injection of talent to that Arizona defensive line.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars – Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Jacksonville seems set to give the Gardner Minshew experience another year. To maximize the evaluation process, finding him an elite receiver to work with is going to be key. Jerry Jeudy is an incredible route runner with the athletic ability to be a top-end receiver in the NFL. Jacksonville can definitely go defense with its second pick of the first round. Don’t rule out a trade down here.

10. Cleveland Browns – Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Cleveland needs a pro-ready tackle who can start at left tackle. Enter Andrew Thomas. He is a great run blocker and fares well in pass protection as well. Having a more mobile quarterback than Jake Fromm should actually help him as well. He and Jack Conklin should completely reshape the Cleveland offensive line.

11. New York Jets – Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
Receiver would certainly be tempting here. Sam Darnold has not had the best supporting cast through his first two seasons. However, he spent a lot of time running for his life in 2019 and that has to stop in 2020. Jedrick Wills spent most of his time in college at right tackle, but he was blocking Tua Tagovailoa’s blindside. I believe he can slot in on either side and help bring some stability to this unit.

12. Las Vegas Raiders – CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Derek Carr has not had a true number one receiver since Amari Cooper left town. Tyrell Williams is injury prone and Hunter Renfrow is great in the slot, but they need an outside threat. CeeDee Lamb is a bit raw as a route runner, but he is physically dominant. He will make a lot of plays after the catch and add some playmaking as the franchise moves to Las Vegas.

13. San Francisco 49ers via Indianapolis Colts – Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
Emmanuel Sanders made a massive difference for this San Francisco offense upon arriving at the trade deadline. Now he is in New Orleans. Jimmy Garappolo needs someone other than Deebo Samuel to work with in this passing game. This run game is incredible as it is. Adding in a field stretching speed demon like Henry Ruggs would only open things up further. He is more complete than just being a deep threat. He would be fun to watch in Kyle Shanahan’s offense.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
Tom Brady, meet your new body guard. Mekhi Becton is about as imposing a figure as you could possibly find in this draft class. He has limitless potential given his blend of size and athleticism. However, he is a bit raw and will need some development before he is a reliable starting option. Starting him on the right side is an option as he learns the system and gets up to speed.

15. Denver Broncos – Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Drew Lock could have a really fun supporting cast following the draft. Courtland Sutton, Justin Jefferson and DaeSean Hamilton would make a promising young group. Add in Melvin Gordon, Phillip Lindsay and Noah Fant and this looks like a complete offense. Jefferson can play outside, but he was incredible in out of the slot last year.

16. Atlanta Falcons – Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
This is later than most expect Derrick Brown to go. I don’t think he has the pass rushing potential to justify going in the top 10. I think he fits well in this Falcons system as a run stuffer and space eater. He is not quite the size of a nose tackle, but he would pair really well with Grady Jarrett. Good luck running inside against that pair.

17. Dallas Cowboys – K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
Robert Quinn had fantastic production in 2019, but quickly left for Chicago. Dallas needs someone to play across from DeMarcus Lawrence. I think he has a lot of room for development as a run defender and tackler. He brings impressive physical traits though and really excels at creating pressure. That is worth the pick.

18. Miami Dolphins via Pittsburgh Steelers – Josh Jones, OT, Houston
If the Dolphins draft Tua Tagovailoa, they will need an offensive line to protect him. Josh Jones is a bit raw despite the fact that he is already 23, but he is powerful. He slides well in pass protection. He should be a massive upgrade on this line early on with room to improve.

19. Las Vegas Raiders via Chicago Bears – Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
With their second pick of the first round, Las Vegas continues to rebuild their secondary. Pairing Xavier McKinney with Jonathan Abram would give the Raiders a great tandem to anchor the backend of their defense. McKinney is a physical, sure tackler who can slide down into the slot on occasion. He should help a unit that really struggled against tight ends last season.

20. Jacksonville Jaguars via Los Angeles Rams – Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
There is a good chance that this will be local(ish) product CJ Henderson, but I am higher on Bryce Hall’s ability to develop into a starting corner. He missed the second half of the season with an ankle injury that kept him out for the predraft process as well. When he was healthy, he was the best corner in the ACC. He has the length and ball skills to play the position at a high level. This a massive need after the Jags shipped out Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye.

21. Philadelphia Eagles – Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
Before the city flips out, I know the Eagles need a receiver, but with the early run at the position, I just can’t see the organization picking Tee Higgins. He would bring a similar skill set to Alshon Jeffrey and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside. Given the depth at the position, and the need for a linebacker, Philly tabs Patrick Queen instead. He brings the speed and coverage skills defensive coordinators will love. He will help fill the void left by Nigel Bradham.

22. Minnesota Vikings via Buffalo Bills – Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
With the pick acquired for Stefon Diggs, Minnesota will attempt to find his replacement. Tee Higgins is nothing like Diggs. He is a jump ball receiver with an elite catch radius and great ball location skills. Diggs was a crafty and savvy route running who could get open with ease. Higgins should provide a different element for the offense and hopefully find ways to be productive while he improves at generating separation.

23. New England Patriots – Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
No quarterback here for the Patriots. There is some buzz that the organization really like Jarrett Stidham. Instead, New England should look to rebuild it’s depleted linebacking corp. Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins and Elandon Roberts all skipped town. Kenneth Murray is the type of downhill hammer that could excel in this defense. He has to work on reading his keys, but that is something I think Bill Belichick can definitely teach him. His speed and tackling will make him an option to see playing time right away.

24. New Orleans Saints – Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
What is the succession plan at quarterback in New Orleans? Putting a first-round tenure on Taysom Hill in restricted free agency would indicate that the Saints view him as a potential solution, but I am not buying it. This would be the perfect situation for Jordan Love, who would get a chance to learn from one of the great quarterbacks in league history in Drew Brees. He would also get to work with a brilliant offensive mind in Sean Payton. Give Love the year to learn and he could be ready to lead this offense in 2021.

25. Minnesota Vikings – CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
After Xavier Rhodes, and Trae Waynes, and MacKenzie Alexander all found new homes, there isn’t really anyone left to play cornerback in Minnesota. They do have 2018 first-round pick Mike Hughes, but that’s not nearly enough. The Vikings can find some to start opposite him in CJ Henderson. Henderson was not as prolific in 2019 as he had been the season before, but he has the requisite size and speed to project well on the outside. It could be a bumpy start, but I imagine he will improve the longer he is in Mike Zimmer’s system.

26. Miami Dolphins – Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
I really can’t imagine Miami will use all three of their first round selections. Whether they trade up or down remains to be seen. For now, let’s assume they hang onto these picks and look to find a pass rusher to add to the mix. Yetur Gross-Matos is high-motor player who leverages himself well in pass rushing situations. He is not a physical freak, but he has the tools to become a reliable edge rusher.

27. Seattle Seahawks – A.J. Epenesa, DL, Iowa
Whether Jadeveon Clowney comes back or not, Seattle needs help along the defensive line. Malik McDowell failed to have much of an impact as a rookie, but if he makes progress in year two, he and A.J. Epenesa could be a fun pairing. Epenesa became something of a sack artist at Iowa, but after testing poorly at the combine, seems more like an interior defensive lineman. He seems like the player you can slide up and down the defensive line to confuse offenses. That should be a boon for a Seahawks team that really struggled to generate pressure last season.

28. Baltimore Ravens – Zach Baun, LB, Wisconsin
C.J. Mosley, Terrell Suggs and Patrick Onwuasor have all left over the past two offseasons. Matt Judon could be next as he is playing on the franchise tag this year. Finding some new talent to build around at linebacker feels like a priority. Zach Baun spent most of his Wisconsin career as an edge rusher, but scouts wanted to move him to linebacker at the Senior Bowl and he excelled. That flexibility is a nice bonus for a player who is strong and gritty in the trenches.

29. Tennessee Titans – Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
It does not seem like the Titans have any interest in re-signing Logan Ryan, so it might be wise to draft his replacement. Jeff Gladney has a similar profile to Ryan. Both a bit undersized, but do a good job locating the ball in coverage and getting into the body of the receiver. I think Gladney has the chops to be a great number two option, but might struggle to become an elite shutdown corner. There is still a lot of value in finding a reliable cover man.

30. Green Bay Packers – Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC
With so many receivers being discussed as possibilities at the end of the first round, this is my pick of the group. Michael Pittman reminds me a lot of Jordy Nelson and I think he would be a great fit for this Packers offense. He has the body type to win downfield, but he is not afraid to grind underneath as a possession receiver. He lacks elite speed, but still manages to generate separation. I think he will be a steal in this draft given that his draft stock is lower on most other big boards.

31. San Francisco 49ers – Cesar Ruiz, OL, Michigan
Coming off an impressive run to the Super Bowl, the 49ers can continue to build up in the trenches. Cesar Ruiz would be the future at center for this team. San Francisco relied on Ben Garland down the stretch after Weston Richburg went down with an injury. Ruiz could spent a year at guard before taking over at center for the long term. He would help keep Jimmy Garoppolo clean and work well with this powerful run game.

32. Kansas City Chiefs – Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Even though they are the defending champs, the Chiefs have a few holes to fill. Trevon Diggs is an aggressive corner who could add some physicality to this secondary. Chavarius Ward and Diggs would form a fun young combo to develop over the next few years while Kansas City tries to capitalize on this title window.

Round 2

33. Cincinnati Bengals – Austin Jackson, OT, USC

34. Indianapolis Colts via Washington – Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor

35. Detroit Lions – Ross Blacklock, DL, TCU

36. New York Giants – Matt Hennessy, OL, Temple

37. Los Angeles Chargers – Lucas Niang, OT, TCU

38. Carolina Panthers – Neville Gallimore, DL, Oklahoma

39. Miami Dolphins – J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State

40. Houston Texans via Arizona Cardinals – Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn
41. Cleveland Browns – Grant Delpit, S, LSU

42. Jacksonville Jaguars – Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota

43. Chicago Bears via Las Vegas Raiders – Lloyd Cushenberry, OL, LSU

44. Indianapolis Colts – Josh Uche, EDGE, Michigan

45. Tampa Buccaneers – D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia

46. Denver Broncos – Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah

47. Atlanta Falcons – Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU

48. New York Jets – Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State

49. Pittsburgh Steelers – Tyler Biadasz, OL, Wisconsin

50. Chicago Bears – Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir Rhyne

51. Dallas Cowboys – Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois

52. Los Angeles Rams – Ben Bartch, OT, St. John (Minn.)

53. Philadelphia Eagles – Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame

54. Buffalo Bills – Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State

55. Baltimore Ravens via Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots – John Simpson, G, Clemson

56. Miami Dolphins via New Orleans Saints – Ashtyn Davis, S, California

57. Los Angeles Rams via Houston Texans – Bradlee Anae, EDGE, Utah

58. Minnesota Vikings – Marlon Davidson, DL, Auburn

59. Seattle Seahawks – Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn

60. Baltimore Ravens – Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado

61. Tennessee Titans – Julian Okwara, EDGE, Notre Dame

62. Green Bay Packers – Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame

63. Kansas City Chiefs via San Francisco 49ers – Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU

64. Seattle Seahawks via Kansas City Chiefs – Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU

Round 3

65. Cincinnati Bengals – Jordyn Brooks, LB, Texas Tech

66. Washington – Adam Trautman, TE, Dayton

67. Detroit Lions – Malik Harrison, LB, Ohio State

68. New York Jets via New York Giants – A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson

69. Carolina Panthers – Troy Pride, CB, Notre Dame

70. Miami Dolphins – Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan

71. Los Angeles Chargers – Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State

72. Arizona Cardinals – Robert Hunt, OL, Lousiana

73. Jacksonville Jaguars – Justin Mandubuike, DL, Texas A&M

74. Cleveland Browns – Troy Dye, LB, Oregon

75. Indianapolis Colts – Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma

76. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Devin Duvernay, WR, Texas

77. Denver Broncos – Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State

78. Atlanta Falcons – Darrell Taylor, EDGE, Tennessee

79. New York Jets – Kenny Willekes, EDGE, Michigan State

80. Las Vegas Raiders – Amik Robertson, CB, Lousiana Tech

81. Las Vegas Raiders via Chicago Bears – Leki Fotu, DL, Utah

82. Dallas Cowboys – Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State

83. Denver Broncos via Pittsburgh Steelers – Larrell Murchison, DL, North Carolina State

84. Los Angeles Rams – Logan Wilson, LB, Wyoming

85. Detroit Lions via Philadelphia Eagles – Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin

86. Buffalo Bills – Davon Hamilton, DL, Ohio State

87. New England Patriots – K.J. Hill, WR, Ohio State

88. New Orleans Saints – Van Jefferson, WR, Florida

89. Minnesota Vikings – Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama

90. Houston Texans – James Lynch, DL, Baylor

91. Las Vegas Raiders via Seattle Seahawks – Jacob Eason, QB, Washington

92. Baltimore Ravens – Terrell Burgess, S, Utah

93. Tennessee Titans – Matt Peart, OT, UConn

94. Green Bay Packers – Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia

95. Denver Broncos via San Francisco 49ers – Ben Bredeson, OL, Michigan

96. Kansas City Chiefs – Jonah Jackson, OL, Ohio State

97. Cleveland Browns – Thaddeus Moss, TE, LSU

98. New England Patriots – Cam Akers, RB, Florida State

99. New York Giants – Jonathan Greenard, EDGE, Florida

100. New England Patriots – Brycen Hopkins, TE, Purdue

101. Seattle Seahawks – Eno Benjamin, RB, Arizona State

102. Pittsburgh Steelers – Jordan Elliott, DL, Missouri

103. Philadelphia Eagles – K’Von Wallace, S, Clemson

104. Los Angeles Rams – Logan Stenberg, OL, Kentucky

105. Minnesota Vikings – Solomon Kindley, G, Georgia

106. Baltimore Ravens – Trevon Hill, EDGE, Miami

Final 2020 NFL Draft Big Board: Top 150 and Position Rankings

April 22, 2020April 24, 2020 Chris McGlynn Draft, Football, NFL 2020 NFL Draft, Big Board, Chase Young, Isaiah Simmons, Jeffrey Okudah, Jerry Jeudy, Joe Burrow, NFL Draft, Position Rankings

Draft day is practically here. I have thrown myself into draft prep in the midst of the coronavirus shutdown. This is a really amazing draft class to dive into as well. It might be the greatest receiver class in recent memory. There are some special playmakers on defense and a good crop of offensive tackles. It isn’t a bad year to need a quarterback either.

I will definitely have some surprises compared to the consensus here, but that’s what makes big boards worth reading. I know I am a bit higher on Michael Pittman, Bradlee Anae and Tyler Biadasz, whereas I am definitely a lot lower on K.J. Hamler, Raekwon Davis and CJ Henderson. With my final mock draft dropping tomorrow, I am just about ready to sit back and just watch the draft unfold! Here are my top 150 prospects for Thursday’s draft. I have noted along the way where I stopped giving out grades for each round. I am well aware that I have fewer first-round prospects than there are first round picks, but I also have way more second and third-round grades than there are picks.

Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina
Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
Josh Jones, OT, Houston
Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
A.J. Epenesa, DL, Iowa
Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
Zach Baun, LB, Wisconsin (End of round 1 grades)
This cut off feels right for me. After this point, I start to feel a bit less confident in any number of things that makes me feel like taking this player in the first round is not worth the pick. If I am on the clock at pick 30 and all 29 of these players are gone. I am looking to move down.
Ross Blacklock, DL, TCU
Grant Delpit, S, LSU
Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC
Cesar Ruiz, C, Michigan
Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Austin Jackson, OT, USC
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU
Neville Gallimore, DL, Oklahoma
Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn
Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
Matt Hennessy, OL, Temple
Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota
Lucas Niang, OT, TCU
Lloyd Cushenberry, OL, LSU
Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir Rhyne
Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
Josh Uche, EDGE, Michigan
Tyler Biadasz, C, Wisconsin
Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame
Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois
Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State
John Simpson, G, Clemson
Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame
Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
Bradlee Anae, EDGE, Utah
Marlon Davidson, DL, Auburn
Ashtyn Davis, S, Cal
Ben Bartch, OT, St. John (Minn.)
A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
Julian Okwara, EDGE, Notre Dame
Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan
Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn
Troy Pride, CB, Notre Dame
Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin (End of round 2 grades)
I think there are going to be a few players worth spending a second round pick on that slip into the third. This second round is loaded with corners and receivers and it would not be a surprise to me to see a run on one or both position groups to happen during the round.
Justin Mandubuike, DL, Texas A&M
Adam Trautman, TE, Dayton
Cam Akers, RB, Florida State
Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State
Amik Robertson, CB, Louisiana Tech
Jordyn Brooks, LB, Texas Tech
Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma
Malik Harrison, LB, Ohio State
Devin Duvernay, WR, Texas
Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State
Robert Hunt, OL, Louisiana
Troy Dye, LB, Oregon
Leki Fotu, DL, Utah
Darrell Taylor, EDGE, Tennessee
Terrell Burgess, S, Utah
Larrell Murchison, DL, North Carolina State
Van Jefferson, WR, Florida
Jacob Eason, QB, Washington
Kenny Willekes, EDGE, Michigan State
K’Von Wallace, S, Clemson
Thaddeus Moss, TE, LSU
Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama
Eno Benjamin, RB, Arizona State
Ben Bredeson, OL, Michigan
K.J. Hill, WR, Ohio State
Matt Peart, OT, UConn
Jonah Jackson, OL, Ohio State
Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia
Logan Wilson, LB, Wyoming,
Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State
Davon Hamilton, DL, Ohio State
Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia
Brycen Hopkins, TE, Purdue
Collin Johnson, WR, Texas
Jonathan Grennard, EDGE, Florida
Tyler Johnson, WR, Minnesota
James Lynch, DL, Baylor (End of round 3 grades)
There is a ton of third round talent available. 38 players by my estimation. This is definitely my cut off for players I would look to target on the first two days of the draft. I debated making the cut after Grennard, but Johnson and Lynch had such great years that it would be hard for me to pass on them if they were sitting there at the end of round three.
Logan Stenberg, OL, Kentucky
Jordan Elliott, DL, Missouri
Bryan Edwards, WR, South Carolina
Solomon Kindley, OL, Georgia
Trevon Hill, EDGE, Miami
K.J. Hamler, WR, Penn State
Raekwon Davis, DL, Alabama
Evan Weaver, LB, California
Gabriel Davis, WR, UCF
Darrynton Evans, RB, Appalachian State
Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Appalachian State
Jason Strowbridge, DL, UNC
Julian Blackmon, S, Utah
Willie Gay Jr., LB, Mississippi State
Lynn Bowden, WR, Kentucky
Ke’Shawn Vaughn, RB, Vanderbilt
Josiah Deguara, TE, Cincinnati
Quintez Cephus, WR, Wisconsin
A.J. Green, CB, Oklahoma State
Francis Bernard, LB, Utah
Tanner Muse, S, Clemson
David Woodward, LB, Utah State
Shadiq Charles, OT, LSU
Khalid Kareem, EDGE, Notre Dame
Darnay Holmes, CB, UCLA
Alohi Gilman, S, Notre Dame
Isaiah Hodgins, WR, Oregon State
Javelin Guidry, CB, Utah
Alex Highsmith, EDGE, Charlotte
Rashard Lawrence, DL, LSU
Damien Lewis, OL, LSU
Hunter Bryant, TE, Washington
Netane Muti, OL, Fresno State
Nick Harris, OL, Washington
Quartney Davis, WR, Texas A&M
Anthony Gordon, QB, Washington State
Alton Robinson, EDGE, Syracuse
Harrison Bryant, TE, FAU
Nick Coe, EDGE, Auburn
James Proche, WR, SMU
Zach Moss, RB, Utah
Brandon Jones, S, Texas
Dane Jackson, CB, Pittsburgh (End of round 4 grades)
This is where we start to get into players who can contribute on special teams or potentially have some red flags that pushed them down draft boards. The final three rounds are where we see teams start to take more risks on players from small schools or with unique physical traits they hope to develop.
A.J. Dillon, RB, Boston College
Antonio Ganady-Golden, WR, Liberty

So that’s my top 150 prospects! That should get you through at least the first two days of the draft. It is easy to get lost scrolling through that many names, so let’s break it down by position. There are even a couple of names on here that didn’t quite crack my top 150, but were my next favorite player in that position group.

Quarterback

Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma
Jacob Eason, QB, Washington
Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia
Anthony Gordan, QB, Washington State
James Morgan, QB, Florida International
Cole McDonald, QB, Hawaii

Running Back

J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU
Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
Cam Akers, RB, Florida State
Eno Benjamin, RB, Arizona State
Darrynton Evans, RB, Appalachian State
Ke’Shawn Vaughn, RB, Vanderbilt
Zach Moss, RB, Utah
A.J. Dillon, RB, Boston College
Anthony McFarland, RB, Maryland
Antonio Gibson, RB, Memphis
Lamical Perine, RB, Florida
James Robinson, RB, Southern Illinois
Joshua Kelley, RB, UCLA

Wide Receiver

Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
Michael Pittman, WR, USC
Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame
Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan
Devin Duvernay, WR, Texas
Van Jefferson, WR, Florida
K.J. Hill, WR, Ohio State
Collin Johnson, WR, Texas
Tyler Johnson, WR, Minnesota
Bryan Edwards, WR, South Carolina
K.J. Hamler, WR, Penn State
Gabriel Davis, WR, UCF
Lynn Bowden, WR, Kentucky
Quintez Cephus, WR, Wisconsin
Isaiah Hodgins, WR, Oregon State
Quartney Davis, WR, Texas A&M
James Proche, WR, SMU
Antonio Ganady-Golden, WR, Liberty

Offensive Tackle

Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
Josh Jones, OT, Houston
Austin Jackson, OT, USC
Lucas Niang, OT, TCU
Ben Bartch, OT, St. John (Minn.)
Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn
Matt Peart, OT, UConn
Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia
Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State
Shadiq Charles, OT, LSU
Jack Driscol, OT, Auburn
Hakeem Adeniji, OT, Kansas

Interior Offensive Lineman

Cesar Ruiz, OL, Michigan
Matt Hennessy, OL, Temple
Lloyd Cushenberry, OL, LSU
Tyler Biadasz, OL, Wisconsin
John Simpson, OL, Clemson
Robert Hunt, OL, Lousiana
Ben Bredeson, OL, Michigan
Jonah Jackson, OL, Ohio State
Logan Stenberg, OL, Kentucky
Solomon Kindley, OL, Georgia
Damien Lewis, OL, LSU
Netane Muti, OL, Fresno State
Nick Harris, OL, Washington
Shane Lemieux, OL, Oregon
Michael Onwenu, OL, Michigan

Tight End

Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame
Adam Trautman, TE, Dayton
Thaddeus Moss, TE, LSU
Brycen Hopkins, TE, Purdue
Josiah Deguara, TE, Cincinnati
Hunter Bryant, TE, Washington
Harrison Bryant, TE, Florida Atlantic
Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, Missouri
Colby Parkinson, TE, Stanford
Devin Asiasi, TE, UCLA

Edge Rusher

Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
Josh Uche, EDGE, Michigan
Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State
Bradlee Anae, EDGE, Utah
Julian Okwara, EDGE, Notre Dame
Darrell Taylor, EDGE, Tennessee
Kenny Willekes, EDGE, Michigan State
Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama
Jonathan Greenard, EDGE, Florida
Trevon Hill, EDGE, Miami
Khalid Kareem, EDGE, Notre Dame
Alex Highsmith, EDGE, Charlotte
Alton Robinson, EDGE, Syracuse
Nick Coe, EDGE, Auburn
Jabari Zuniga, EDGE, Florida
Anfernee Jennings, EDGE, Alabama
Kendall Coleman, EDGE, Syracuse
Jonathan Garvin, EDGE, Miami

Defensive Lineman

Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina
Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
A.J. Epenesa, DL, Iowa
Ross Blacklock, DL, TCU
Neville Gallimore, DL, Oklahoma
Marlon Davidson, DL, Auburn
Justin Madubuike, DL, Texas A&M
Leki Fotu, DL, Utah
Larrell Murchison, DL, North Carolina State
Davon Hamilton, DL, Ohio State
James Lynch, DL, Baylor
Jordan Elliott, DL, Missouri
Raekwon Davis, DL, Alabama
Jason Strowbridge, DL, UNC
Rashad Lawrence, DL, LSU

Linebacker

Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
Jordyn Brooks, LB, Texas Tech
Malik Harrison, LB, Ohio State
Tory Dye, LB, Oregon
Logan Wilson, LB, Wyoming
Evan Weaver, LB, California
Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Appalachian State
Willie Gay Jr., LB, Mississippi State
Francis Bernard, LB, Utah
David Woodward, LB, Utah State
Joe Bachie Jr., LB, Michigan State
Justin Strnad, LB, Wake Forest
Markus Bailey, LB, Purdue

Cornerback

Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn
Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
Troy Pride Jr., CB, Notre Dame
Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State
Amik Robertson, CB, Louisiana Tech
Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State
A.J. Green, CB, Oklahoma State
Darnay Holmes, CB, UCLA
Javelin Guidry, CB, Utah
Dane Jackson, CB, Pittsburgh
Michael Ojumedia, CB, Iowa
Harrison Hand, CB, Temple
Kindle Vildor, CB, Georgia Southern

Safety

Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
Grant Delpit, S, LSU
Antoine Winfield, S, Minnesota
Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir Rhyne
Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois
Ashtyn Davis, S, California
Terrell Burgess, S, Utah
K’Von Wallace, S, Clemson
Julian Blackmon, S, Utah
Tanner Muse, S, Clemson
Alohi Gilman, S, Notre Dame
Brandon Jones, S, Texas
J.R. Reed, S, Georgia
Geno Stone, S, Iowa
Antoine Brooks Jr., S, Maryland

And lastly, as a fun bonus, here is how I think each position group stacks up.

Wide Receiver
Incredible top-end talent, tons of depth. This is the best year to need a receiver in a long time. You can definitely find starting quality receivers in the third and fourth rounds in this draft. Devin Duvernay is my 12th ranked receiver, and I really like Duvernay!
Offensive Tackle
There has been a lot of talk about the top four tackles in this class. Honestly, I have a difficult time separating at least three of them. However, there are a couple of solid options beyond that quartet. The depth is not overwhelming, but there a number of interesting project players that should go in the middle rounds.
Quarterback
Joe Burrow stands head and shoulders above the rest. Tua Tagovailoa brings his injury concerns to the table, but comparison to Drew Brees feel apt. Justin Herbert checks all the boxes physically. If a coach can bring him up to speed on reading a defense and making the right decisions, he will thrive. In Jordan Love, some see Patrick Mahomes and others see JaMarcus Russell. He has tons of arm talent. I think comparing him to Josh Allen feels right.
Defensive Tackle
Javon Kinlaw and Derrick Brown headline this class, but there is a lot of depth. I have round three or better grades on 11 interior defensive linemen. Whether you need a nose tackle, a three-tech or a five-tech, just about every team can find the right fit for their system.
Edge Rusher
Chase Young is the cream of the crop, but there is a really wide gap between him and the rest of the class. The depth here is no inspiring. Most of this class comes with a lot of room to grow, or some major question marks about their ability to transition to the next level.
Running Back
At one point, this running back class looked like one of the best position groups of the 2020 draft. Then Travis Etienne, Najee Harris and Chuba Hubbard all returned to school, robbing this class of a lot of it’s depth. With no elite prospect to carry this group like an Ezekiel Elliott or Saquon Barkley, it’s solid, but unspectacular.
Cornerback
Much like the edge rushers, there is one great prospect at the top from Ohio State, and then a drop off. I’m not as high on CJ Henderson as most. The drop off from Okudah to Bryce Hall is steep. There a decent number of purely nickle corners, which I think hurts the overall depth of the group. There will be some solid starters to come out of the group, but the impact might take a few years to be felt.
Linebacker
Isaiah Simmons is an elite prospect, but does he really count as a linebacker. I think that is probably his best fit, so let’s say yes. Patrick Queen and Kenneth Murray earn first-round grades, but there is a massive drop from there. 49 spots to be exact. There are some interesting developmental options in the third and fourth rounds, but this group is lacking in proven talent.
Safety
This group is pretty thin even if you did include Isaiah Simmons as a safety. Xavier McKinney and Grant Delpit could end up in round one. There are a couple of small school studs in Kyle Dugger and Jeremy Chinn as well. Antoine Winfield Jr. is a wildcard as well given his size. Overall, I don’t think this is a great year to be looking for safety help.
Interior Offensive Lineman
This is a rough year for interior offensive line help. No one earned a first round grade from me and I don’t think I am alone in that conclusion. There is a run that should happen early in round two and some potential depth. It doesn’t help that the draft often doesn’t value the position, but I am unimpressed.
Tight End
I am not a fan of this tight end class. I don’t have a single one of them ranked in the top 50. There is some interesting depth down the line, but most of these guys are developmental prospects. I am not buying the ceiling on most of these players.

2020 Aftermath NFL Mock Draft

April 21, 2020April 21, 2020 Chris McGlynn Draft, Football, NFL 2020 NFL Draft, 2020 NFL Mock Draft, Brian Mandel, Cincinnati Bengals, Jack Venezia, Joe Burrow, Matt Luppino, Mock Draft, NFL Draft

Welcome to the annual 2020 Aftermath NFL mock draft. For the fifth year in a row, Jack Venezia, Brian Mandel and Matt Luppino joined me to run through the first round of the draft. This is always one of my favorite exercises of the year. We each take control of eight picks and then make our selections. I think this is always really interesting because we each have our own player preferences. For example, there are players that went in the first round here that I don’t have ranked on my top 100 big board. Multiple perspectives make it a bit more similar to the actual draft where different teams will have varying opinions on prospects.

For the first time though, we decided to allow some trades. There were definitely some group discussions because different people had picks for the same team. Overall though, it was a fun wrinkle to throw into the mix. These are the trades that went down. (I consulted Draft Tek’s trade value chart just to be sure these were fair.)

Miami sends 1.5, 1.26 and 2021 fourth rounder to Detroit for 1.3
Minnesota sends 1.22, 3.89 and 3.105 to Atlanta for 1.16 and 2021 5th rounder
New York sends 2.48 and 3.79 to San Francisco for 1.31
Los Angeles sends 2.37 and 4.112 to Kansas City for 1.32

Here is the result of year five of this mock draft.

1. Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
I don’t think this one needs much explanation … next! – ML

2. Washington – Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
There’s a reason everyone is making this pick: Chase Young had 16.5 sacks last season with Ohio State last year, is one of the best, if not the best, talent in this year’s draft, and he grew up in the literal same town where Washington’s home stadium resides (Hyattsville, Maryland). You’d be crazy not to make this pick. – JV

3. Miami Dolphins via Detroit Lions – Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
If I’m Miami, I am keeping my finger firmly on the pulse of trade offers for the Lions’ and Giants’ picks, and pouncing if need be. Giving up one of their three first round picks is a small price to pay to guarantee your quarterback of the future. If Tua really is healthy, he has both a higher floor AND ceiling than Herbert. Easy trade for me. – ML

4. New York Giants – Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
It was really tempting to grab Isaiah Simmons here. The Giants defense could undoubtedly use an injection of playmaking ability. However, when you spend a top-10 pick on a quarterback, you have to invest in keeping him upright. Wills is the best pass blocker of the top four tackles and has tons of experience playing in the SEC. I think he will transition well and can start at either tackle spot. – CM

5. Detroit Lions via Miami Dolphins – Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Once Chase Young, unsurprisingly, did not fall to the third pick, trading back two picks to gain an extra first was the most sensible option. I, like most of the football world, think that Okudah is the best pick for the Lions outside of Young, and I knew that I would still be able draft him with the 5th pick. Even before their offseason trade of Darius Slay, the Lions were in great need of a cornerback. Okudah has all of the tools to become one of the next great shutdown corners in the NFL. Importantly, he churns out big plays without gamboling too much. I predict that Okudah will immediately impact a rebuilding Lions’ defense. – BM

6. Los Angeles Chargers – Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Phillip Rivers is gone and the Chargers have Tyrod Taylor for now. I don’t hate Taylor, but he is a temporary solution at best. I think the Chargers either trade up or take whatever quarterback available at the sixth pick. In this draft, Herbert was still available, so I took him. – JV

7. Carolina Panthers – Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
I was shocked to see Simmons still on the board when it was my pick as the Panthers’ general manager. When pundits talk about the type of player that is needed on defense for a modern NFL team, Simmons is the player that they are describing. He has the versatility to be able to stop the run, seamlessly transition to coverage, and blitz. Carolina is in need of a difference maker in multiple areas of their defense. The team will be able to feel good knowing that they are walking away from this draft with a building block. – BM

8. Arizona Cardinals – Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina
I’ve got to be honest, I have no idea what the Cardinals will do on draft day. They feel like a likely candidate to move down. Offensive line is possible as well, but they just locked up D.J. Humphries. I didn’t get a good enough offer to justify passing on Kinlaw. He has enormous potential and a decent track record as a pass rusher. If you are going to invest a top-10 pick in a defensive lineman, he better be able to get after the quarterback. – CM

9. Jacksonville Jaguars – Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
To say that the Jags defense has regressed since their last playoff appearance is an understatement. There are lots of holes to plug, but the one that sticks out most here along the defensive line for a team that gave up over five yards per carry last year. The best run stopper in the draft easily fits that need, with another first round pick to come. – ML

10. Cleveland Browns – Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
This has to be the most offensive line talent an NFL draft has had in years, and so many teams are desperate for quarterback protection. The Browns had mediocre pass protection and an inconsistent running game last year. Taking one of these lineman will fix that. Thomas also provides flexibility as he can play either tackle position and might just be the most pro-ready of the bunch. – JV

11. New York Jets – Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
This was a tougher pick because there were still a lot of incredible receivers on the board, and the first tier of tackles was quickly disappearing. I decided that drafting an offensive tackle that has the opportunity to protect Sam Darnold for the foreseeable future should be given preference over a possible number one wideout, even if it is still a big need for the Jets. It would be hard for Darnold to continue his development if he still has no pass protection, and Becton should make Le’Veon Bell’s job a little easier too. Becton has the highest ceiling of any offensive tackle in this draft. However, he is extremely raw, and the Jets have their work cut out for them to develop a player with such immense physical gifts. – BM

12. Las Vegas Raiders – Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Mike Mayock did a nice job restocking his front seven in last year’s draft. I think he is going to focus on retooling the receiving corps and secondary this year. Jeudy is the top remaining player on my draft board and fills a huge need. While there are tons of good receivers in this class, I think Jeudy is a cut above the rest and should have a major impact on the offense right away. – CM

13. San Francisco 49ers – Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
After letting Emmanuel Sanders go, and seeing both CeeDee Lamb and Henry Ruggs still available, this could very easily be a wide receiver here. But remember, this is a very deep receiver draft, and the Niners have another pick at 31 – so why pass up a chance at one of the four best tackles in the draft? Wirfs could be the left tackle of the future in San Francisco. Remember, Joe Staley is 35 and the only person who is undefeated against Father Time so far is Tom Brady. – ML

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Josh Jones, OT, Houston
The Tom Brady Buccaneers need to protect their newly acquired 74-year-old (give or take 30 years) quarterback because who knows how many more sacks that septuagenarian can take before his bones become silly puddy. Josh Jones definitely isn’t their Prom Queen, but he was the best lineman available at the 14^th pick. Don’t be shocked if they trade up, just to be safe. – JV

15. Denver Broncos – CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Courtland Sutton is a great young receiver, but the position is still a major need for the Broncos coming into this draft. Fortunately, there is still a nice selection of prospects on the board. Although Henry Ruggs is physically more talented than CeeDee Lamb (you cannot teach speed as they say), I drafted the latter. It is not like Lamb does not have all of the physical tools be a number one option. He also has a knack for finding soft spots in coverage. A knock against him might be that the offensive environment of the Big 12 makes it hard to truly evaluate him. Overall, Lamb will come into the league as a complete wide receiver and will be a good injection of talent into the Broncos’ offense. – BM

16. Minnesota Vikings via Atlanta Falcons – Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
The Falcons were looking for a trade partner and with multiple late first round picks, the Vikings were willing to jump up. After Stefon Diggs left Minnesota, the Vikings grabbed Tajae Sharpe, but will likely still be looking for a top receiver. As there was a run on wide receivers, Minnesota pounced. Ruggs and Diggs have very different skill sets, but Ruggs should add a new element to the offense with tons of potential. – JV

17. Dallas Cowboys – K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
The Cowboys could head in a few different directions with this pick. After Byron Jones signed that monster deal with Miami, cornerback became a glaring hole on the Dallas defense. There are plenty of solid options to patch that on day two. One position that is lacking depth in this draft, however, is edge rusher. So the Cowboys do not let one of the best of the bunch get past. – ML

18. Miami Dolphins – Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
At this point, the Dolphins already got their quarterback early and traded away the 26^th pick to do so. Plus, all of the top offensive lineman are off the board. Therefore, the Dolphins decided to give their flimsy secondary a rock in Xavier McKinney, the best safety in this year’s draft. He, Byron Jones and Xavien Howard would make a talented, young trio for Miami to lean on. – JV

19. Las Vegas Raiders – CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
With their first pick in this draft, the Raiders drafted a great receiver for the starting quarterback of their team this year (I do not know if it will still Carr by the end of the year). Now they are able to select a player that helps alleviate their need for talent in the secondary. After Okudah, Henderson is the most complete corner in this draft, and is incredible in coverage. He might have issues with defending against the run at the professional level, and he also had a bit of down year this year after an electric 2018 season. Still, Henderson has the ability to be the number one cornerback that the Raiders are in dire need of. – BM

20. Jacksonville Jaguars – Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
Matt opted for a defensive lineman with their first pick. I think adding a speedy linebacker with good coverage skills would be a nice way to continue rebuilding this defense. Speed on defense is an invaluable trait. Queen definitely rode LSU’s championship wave into first round consideration, but I think he will continue to develop a lot at the next level. – CM

21. Philadelphia Eagles – Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Patrick Queen would’ve been the only player I considered over a wideout here, so the question becomes which one? Plenty of options make sense for the Eagles, who had 40-year-old backup quarterback Josh McCown on the depth chart for receiver at one point last season, but I like the total package of Jefferson here. He has experience both in the slot and outside. – ML

22. Atlanta Falcons via Minnesota Vikings – Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
The Falcons slide back a few picks and land a corner that fits their system. Hall is not as highly touted as some of his peers because he went to Virginia and missed the second half of his senior year with an ankle injury. Before he got hurt though, he might have been the best corner in the ACC. He has the size, speed and ball skills to become a top-end starter. – CM

23. New England Patriots – Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
The Patriots defense was incredible this year, but they lost some key contributors in free agency. Drafting Murray will be an important part in retooling the unit before the 2020 season. Murray is an explosive playmaker that is great at defending the run and getting to the quarterback. There are question marks about his coverage skill, however, and that is mostly because scouts have not seen him in coverage situations very often. He has the athleticism to develop them. Another trait of note, Murray is also known to miss tackles sometimes due to decision making. Ultimately, the Patriots will know how to use him effectively and I trust their player development personnel to develop him. – BM

24. New Orleans Saints – Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
I went back and forth on this for a long time. While the Saints putting a first-round tenure on Taysom Hill in restricted free agency would indicate they believe in him as a future starter, I don’t. I think Love has the physical tools to succeed, provided he is given the right coaching. Sean Payton has shown he get the best out of quarterbacks with both Drew Brees and Teddy Bridgewater. I think this is a perfect fit for Love to develop for a year or two before taking over the starting role. – CM

25. Minnesota Vikings – Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
With the Vikings getting their Stefon Diggs replacement in Ruggs earlier, they use this pick to replace their now bare cupboard of corners. Fulton has the size, speed, and pedigree combo that I don’t think others match here – but I am not biased to the national champs, even if four of my seven picks have been Tigers. – ML (Editor’s note: He was totally bias.)

26. Detroit Lions via Miami Dolphins – Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State
With the pick the Lions received from trading with the Dolphins, I thought that shoring up the offensive line would be best course of action. I know I might be raising some eyebrows by drafting Cleveland so much earlier than he is projected to go, but I think if he is developed correctly, he can be a good tackle in the NFL for a long time. He is a steady blocker in pass protection, and has lots of physical gifts (a theme of mine in the draft this year). If the Lions want to continue with Matt Stafford at quarterback, then they have to make sure he is protected correctly. – BM

27. Seattle Seahawks – A.J. Epenesa, DL, Iowa
The Seahawks have a clear hole along the defensive line whether or not Jadeveon Clowney is back on the team next season. Epenesa does not have the typical build or peripherals of an edge rusher, but I think he can be just as effective. His effectiveness comes from his incredible strength, which will probably see him playing more on the interior. In the end, what’s important for him is whether or not he can pressure the quarterback at the NFL level. I think Epenesa will do just that, just not in the prototypical way. – BM

28. Baltimore Ravens – Zach Baun, LB, Wisconsin
This Ravens linebacking corps has been depleted in recent years. C.J. Mosley, Patrick Onwausor and Terrell Suggs are all gone. Matt Judon is on the franchise tag. Baun gives Baltimore a potential starter right out of the gate with some versatility to rush the passer and play as an off-ball backer. That versatility is valuable and Wisconsin has a history of sending tough, gritty football players to the NFL. That fits really well with how the Ravens do things. – CM

29. Tennessee Titans – Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
Like I have previously mentioned, this is a weaker draft for edge rushers, but Gross-Matos is the best left available before a fairly steep drop-off. Mike Vrabel sees a wonderful interchangeable piece with the newly signed Vic Beasley, Jr., and the consistent Harold Landry off the edge – a strong edge rush rotation. – ML

30. Green Bay Packers – Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
With a deep receiver class, the Packers won’t have to move up in order to find Davante Adams’ partner in crime. Higgins is one of the most naturally gifted receivers in this class, but he needs to be coached up. Green Bay would be the perfect landing spot for him with Rodgers throwing him the ball and the aforementioned Adams showing him the ropes. – JV

31. New York Jets via San Francisco 49ers – Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
The Jets will still be coming away from this draft with a new target for Darnold to throw to. New York trades back into the first round to nab a projectable, but still slightly raw, wide receiver. Currently, their receiver group is full of possession receivers with varying degrees of talent (I am actually a big fan of Jamison Crowder). Mims is a big play option and adds a new dimension to the unit. Darnold will have a receiver that he can trust will come down with a jump ball even if Mims will have to work on his route running. – BM

32. Los Angeles Chargers via Kansas City Chiefs – Austin Jackson, OT, USC
With the final pick of the first round, the Chiefs move back a few spots to add to their five total draft picks. Picking up a fourth rounder is worth it here. For the Chargers, who already grabbed a potential franchise quarterback, grabbing a tackle to protect him. Jackson is definitely a bit raw, but he has the physical tools to become a great left tackle. He showed flashes of that during an uneven season at USC. Los Angeles can keep him local and build a solid offense line in front of Herbert. – CM

2015 NFL Re-Draft

April 20, 2020April 20, 2020 Chris McGlynn Draft, Football, NFL 2015 NFL Draft, Danielle Hunter, Jameis Winston, NFL, NFL Draft, Redraft, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

It’s draft week! We are only a few days away from the 2020 NFL draft. To kick us off in the run up to this week’s main event, we will go back five years and rewrite some draft history.

They say it takes five years to properly evaluate a draft class. Going back five years brings us to a loaded draft class with some notable mistakes going early. In 2015, Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota went first and second overall respectively. Tampa Bay let Winston walk after completing the first 30-touchdown, 30-interception season in NFL history. Tennessee benched Mariota in favor of Ryan Tannehill. The former Oregon star inked a deal with Las Vegas to back up Derek Carr. Needless to say, they probably weren’t worth the first two picks in the draft.

However, there aren’t clear replacements for them in this draft class. If you consult the list of quarterbacks drafted in 2015, you will find a list of career backups and spot starters. After Mariota went second overall, the next quarterback off the board was Garrett Grayson to the Saints at 75th overall. Sean Mannion, Bryce Petty, Brett Hundley and Trevor Siemian round out the rest of the position group in this class. Those five haven’t exactly set the world on fire.

Instead, this draft class is chock full of edge rushers and defensive linemen. There is plenty of talent, just not at the quarterback position, which makes this redraft really interesting to tackle.

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Original pick: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
Redraft pick: Danielle Hunter, DE, LSU
Rather than tab a streaky passer, Tampa grabs an underrated stud to pair with then defensive tackle Gerald McCoy. Hunter far and away leads this draft class in sacks with 54.5 in his career. Frank Clark is the next closest with 43. He has grown as a pass rusher and now has 14.5 sacks in each of his past two seasons, which has translated to a pair of Pro Bowl appearances. Hunter is the real deal and would give the Buccaneers a crucial building block in their front seven.

2. Tennessee Titans
Original pick: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
Redraft pick: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
There is only one player in the 2015 draft class to reach four Pro Bowls in their first five seasons. That would be Cooper. After staring early in his career with the Raiders, he has become one of the game’s top receivers for the Cowboys. He leads the 2015 class in receiving yards and touchdowns, which is impressive when you consider it consists of Stefon Diggs and Tyler Lockett as well. While Tennessee needed a quarterback, with only Zach Mettenberger on the roster, adding a playmaker like Cooper would make life a lot easier for whoever would take over under center.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars
Original pick: Dante Fowler Jr., EDGE, Florida
Redraft pick: Frank Clark, EDGE, Michigan
Fowler never lived up to his potential in Jacksonville, which led to them shipping him off to the Rams less than three years into his tenure. The Florida product posted a career-high 11.5 sacks and landed himself a deal with the Falcons, but he is ninth in this draft class for career sacks. Clark on the other hand has become a dominant force as pass rusher, culminating in winning a Super Bowl with the Chiefs this year. He burst onto the scene in his second season with 10 sacks and has posted at least nine in every season since. Clark might have ended up clashing with some of the high profile Jaguars brass, but he would also have been a much more productive pick.

One last note, the Rams acquired Fowler for third and fifth round picks. The Chiefs landed Clark for a first, future second and third-round pick swap. If nothing else, the trade value for the Jaguars would have been much higher.

4. Oakland Raiders
Original pick: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Redraft pick: Stefon Diggs, WR, Maryland
With Cooper already off the board, Oakland opts for the next-best receiver available. Diggs has quite the resume himself, if not quite as polished as Cooper’s. He ranks second in receiving yards and touchdowns, trailing only the current Cowboys star. However, he has more receptions through five years than Cooper despite playing seven fewer games. Diggs can be downright explosive and would fill the roll of then second-year quarterback’s Derek Carr’s favorite target.

5. Washington
Original pick: Brandon Scherff, OL, Iowa
Redraft pick: Brandon Scherff, OL, Iowa
Finally someone makes the same pick again. If after five years, a player is important enough to franchise tag with the intention of keeping him around, he is usually worth a top-five pick. Washington has struggled to find consistency in its secondary and run game, but Scherff has been a constant for them. He became a day-one starter and has three Pro Bowl appearances to show for his efforts. He is one of the best interior linemen in the league today.

6. New York Jets
Original pick: Leonard Williams, DL, USC
Redraft pick: Preston Smith, EDGE, Mississippi State
The Jets hoped Williams would develop into a premier pass rusher. After trading him to the Giants, I think it is fair to say he felt short of his lofty expectations. Snagging Preston Smith over draftmate and 2019 Pro Bowler Za’Darius Smith might seem a bit controversial, but Preston actually has more career sacks (36.5 to 32) and a bit more consistency to lean on. The former Mississippi State edge rusher would represent the option New York has had to get after opposing quarterbacks since Sean Ellis left. Maybe he could have helped chase Tom Brady from the division a few years earlier.

7. Chicago Bears
Original pick: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
Redraft pick: Tyler Lockett, WR, Kansas State
Bears fans, I will spare you by not even bothering to list White’s career stats here. Instead, imagine the prospect of Jay Cutler and maybe eventually someone other than Mitch Trubisky throwing passes to Lockett instead. The current Seahawks receiver turned in his best season as a pro in 2019, eclipsing 1,000 yards receiving. He has become Russell Wilson’s security blanket and would a much more reliable option for a regularly anemic Bears passing game.

8. Atlanta Falcons
Original pick: Vic Beasley, EDGE, Clemson
Redraft pick: Za’Darius Smith, EDGE, Kentucky
Believe it or not, Beasley actually has more career sacks than Smith. The reason the Falcons pass on him though is that 41.3 percent of his career sacks came in one season. Beasley’s 2016 campaign is a frustrating anomaly. Atlanta thought they had found a star pass rusher, only for Beasley to never top eight sacks over his next three seasons. Smith on the other hand is definitely on the way up in his NFL career. In his first season as a full-time starter, he posted 13.5 sacks and recorded a staggering 37 quarterback hits. Perhaps it was just a one-season spike, but his pass rush win rate of 23% (7th in 2019) makes these numbers feel very sustainable.

9. New York Giants
Original pick: Ereck Flowers, OL, Miami
Redraft pick: Trent Brown, OL, Oregon State
Flowers turned out to be a bust in New York, but has turned himself into a serviceable interior lineman elsewhere. Meanwhile, Brown goes from seventh-round flier to top-10 pick in this redraft. He has had some issues with injuries, but he has turned into a top-end tackle. His 2018 season with New England flashed his immense potential. He is the only offensive tackle from this class to reach a Pro Bowl as well (Brandon Scherff and Andrus Peat have made it as guards). If he could stay healthy, he would solve a lot of problems that plagued the Giants in Eli Manning’s final five seasons.

10. St. Louis Rams
Original pick: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
Redraft pick: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
I thought long and hard about this pick. Rams fans are probably not happy to see Gurley taken again. However, I will maintain that the mistake the then-St. Louis front office made was not drafting Gurley, but handing him a monster contract. There are only two players from the 2015 class to be named first-team All-Pro twice. Gurley is one of them. The other is Marcus Peters (reminder, the Rams once had both of them). Obviously Jeff Fisher’s usage of Gurley did not help things. In a perfect world, St. Louis would monitor his touches and play the long game. It would be hard to pass on him. After all, he has 22 more touchdowns than any other non-quarterback in this draft.

11. Minnesota Vikings
Original pick: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
Redraft pick: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
In terms of talent, no corner in this draft class matches Peters. Waynes never really lived up to the expectations, but still cashed in on a solid second contract with the Bengals. Peters no doubt has a vibrant personality that can lead to him drawing some frustrating penalties, but when he is locked in, he is a shutdown corner. He showed that after being traded to Baltimore this season. He has 13 more interceptions than anyone else in this draft class and has a knack for making big plays. If the Vikings could get him to dial in and put the nonsense aside, they would have an all-world corner.

12. Cleveland Browns
Original pick: Danny Shelton, DL, Washington
Redraft pick: Grady Jarrett, DL, Clemson
Shelton has turned into a decent player bouncing around the NFL, but never really lived up to the billing. Instead, Cleveland could grab a top-end interior rusher in Jarrett. He holds the edge over Arik Armstead for most sacks by an interior lineman in the 2015 class. He posted the second-best pass rush win rate by a defensive tackle in 2019 as well, trailing only Aaron Donald. Jarrett has also been available, missing just three games in five years. He has been a fixture in the middle of the Falcons defense for the past three years now and was handsomely rewarded with a four-year, $68 million extension in the 2019 offseason. He would be well worth the investment for the Browns.

13. New Orleans Saints
Original pick: Andrus Peat, OL, Stanford
Redraft pick: Andrus Peat, OL, Stanford
While an Dante Fowler was tempting here, Peat felt like a solid choice for the Saints five years later. He had a rocky 2019 season, missing six games due to injuries. However, New Orleans still believes in him. They locked him to a five-year deal that makes him sixth-highest paid guard in the league, on average. When he is healthy, Peat has been one of the better interior offensive linemen in football, but he has never started all 16 games in a season. The Saints are clearly counting on him to stay healthy over the next few years, but there is a bit of doubt there given his track record.

14. Miami Dolphins
Original pick: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
Redraft pick: Dante Fowler Jr., EDGE, Florida
Dolphins fans might be interested in seeing Parker go here again after watching him grown up in his fifth NFL season. However, his injury history and otherwise lack of production make it hard for me to get behind that. While Fowler certainly carries some injury concerns of his own, his talent for disruption makes it worth keeping him in the state. Miami has missed on a number of pass rushers around this time, notably Ndamukong Suh and Charles Harris. Fowler’s potential might have taken a few years to fully appear, but his 11.5 sack showing in 2019 seems like a sign of things to come.

15. San Francisco 49ers
Original pick: Arik Armstead, DL, Oregon
Redraft pick: Arik Armstead, DL, Oregon
The 49ers traded down and still landed Armstead on draft night in 2015. While it might have taken a few years to for him to settle in, Armstead flashed his potential with a 10-sack season in 2019. He has the second most sacks of any interior lineman in this class and has the versatility to line up all over the defensive line. While injuries are still likely a concern to resurface. He has started every game over the past two seasons. Expect Armstead to keep climbing as well.

16. Houston Texans
Original pick: Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest
Redraft pick: Byron Jones, CB, UConn
Johnson has started just nine games over the past four seasons. Meanwhile, Byron Jones just cashed in to join the Dolphins on a massive deal. I think it’s fair to say the Texans probably wish they had taken Jones, who went 11 selections later to their in-state rival. Jones does not have gaudy numbers, read as only two career interceptions, but he does well in coverage and is a sure tackler. He would represent a reliable upgrade in a Houston secondary that has struggled to get it right in recent years.

17. San Diego Chargers
Original pick: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
Redraft pick: Mitch Morse, OL, Missouri
Gordon’s time with the Chargers did not end amicably with the former Wisconsin running back signing with the division rival Broncos. Gordon was not consistent enough at a position the league is continually devaluing. Adding Morse would give them somebody to stabilize what has been a mess of an offensive line for years now. For the record, the Chargers have had a different starting center each of the past five seasons. Morse had some injuries problems, but started all 16 games for Buffalo this season. He is a solid run blocker and holds up well enough in pass protection.

18. Kansas City Chiefs
Original pick: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
Redraft pick: Eric Kendricks, LB, UCLA
Kansas City never really found anyone to replace Derrick Johnson when he retired. They also started Josh Mauga alongside him in 2015. Kendricks has turned into one of the best off-ball linebackers in the NFL. He excels in coverage and has the speed to go sideline to sideline. He allowed just 53.3 percent of passes to be completed when he was the primary defender in 2019, which is better than a lot of corners. He would be the perfect replacement for Johnson when he hung up his cleats and could have enjoy a few seasons learning from him before that day came.

19. Cleveland Browns via Buffalo Bills
Original pick: Cameron Erving, OL, Florida State
Redraft pick: David Andrews, OL, Georgia
The Browns had the right idea in locking down the interior of their line. Unfortunately, Erving never turned into the starting center they hoped for. Andrews on the other hand signed as an undrafted free agent and took over the starting job that season. He missed all of 2019 due to a blood clot in his lung, but he is expected to make a full recovery. Andrews dominated in the 2018 playoffs en route to another Patriots Super Bowl. He would have been a massive upgrade for Cleveland and provided a lot of stability at the position.

20. Philadelphia Eagles
Original pick: Nelson Agholor, WR, USC
Redraft pick: Adrian Amos, S, Penn State
There is no question the Eagles have been eager to find talent at wide receiver for several years now. Agholor did not pan out for this team though and ended up being a miss for the team. In this version of the 2015 draft, Philly selects a local kid ready to start from the moment he reached training camp. Amos had four really good seasons in Chicago, who inexplicably let him walk over to the division-rival Packers. The Eagles started converted corner Walter Thurmond at safety in 2015. That was his last season in the NFL.

21. Cincinnati Bengals
Original pick: Cedric Ogbuehi, OL, Texas A&M
Redraft pick: Ali Marpet, OL, Hobart
On the whole, this turned out to be a pretty disappointing offensive tackle class. Ogbeuhi never caught on and would eventually lose his starting job in 2018. His lack of development led to him joining the Jaguars as a free agent that offseason. Meanwhile, Marpet has turned into a versatile starting-caliber lineman. He has started at both guard positions and center in his career. He is far from an elite player, but he is a solid building block on the offensive line.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers
Original pick: Bud Dupree, LB, Kentucky
Redraft pick: Bud Dupree, LB, Kentucky
After being consistently average for four years with the Steelers, Dupree finally broke out in 2019. He had 11.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. While it may have taken a while for Dupree to finally match his potential, he is still worth the pick here because of his consistent contribution. He produced between four and six sacks each of his first four seasons. That’s not setting the world on fire, but it is still decent production. If Dupree can produce another season like the one he just had, Pittsburgh will have no problem handing him an extension to stick around.

23. Detroit Lions
Original pick: Laken Tomlinson, OL, Duke
Redraft pick: David Johnson, RB, Northern Arizona
Back in 2015, the Lions traded down and tabbed Tomlinson in an effort to beef up their offensive line. The former Duke lineman last just two years in Detroit, but has bounced back with the 49ers. Rather than trade down, the Lions could land their most promising running back since Barry Sanders by taking Johnson. He has struggled quite a bit with injuries and had a rough 2019 season. Prior to that, he was one of the best players in the league. His ability as a receiver out of the backfield would have been huge for Matthew Stafford. On a team with Calvin Johnson, there is a good chance David Johnson would have had plenty of running room as well.

24. Arizona Cardinals
Original pick: D.J. Humphries, OL, Florida
Redraft pick: Vic Beasley, EDGE, Clemson
Even though the Cardinals locked up Humphries to a big contract, I’m not sure he was worth a first round pick. He draws a ton of penalties and has struggled with injuries. Instead, the Cardinals pickup the talented, but inconsistent Beasley. Arizona definitely needed another pass rusher to add to the mix. 35-year old Dwight Freeney led the team in sacks that year with eight. Beasley has shown an ability to be productive in spurts. He might have been able to learn a thing or two from a veteran like Freeney as well before taking on a bigger role.

25. Carolina Panthers
Original pick: Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington
Redraft pick: Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington
Thompson didn’t really have a position coming out of college. He had played some running back at Washington and was viewed as being a hybrid linebacker/safety type because of his size. He developed into a solid off-ball linebacker who has enough speed to cover tight ends and running backs out of the backfield. I strongly debated going with Benardrick McKinney here, who fits the more prototypical middle linebacker role. However, I think Thompson was a great pairing with Luke Keuchley and the Panthers would be happy to bring him again if given a second chance.

26. Baltimore Ravens
Original pick: Breshaud Perriman, WR, UCF
Redraft pick: Bernardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State
Perriman just signed with his third NFL team in his five-year career. He flashed a bit of the potential the Ravens saw in him when they drafted him in 2015, but there is no way the front office would choose him again. Instead, they solidify their linebacking core by grabbing a thumping tackler in McKinney. Only Eric Kendricks has more solo tackles by linebackers in this class. McKinney has been a stalwart for the Texans over the past five seasons and would have slotted in really nicely next to C.J. Mosley. He would have taken over Daryl Smith’s job when Smith left the team after the 2015 season.

27. Dallas Cowboys
Original pick: Byron Jones, CB, UConn
Redraft pick: Landon Collins, S, Alabama
With Jones off the board way before this, Dallas opts to bolster its secondary in a different form. Keep in mind that Jones actually spent his first two seasons at safety, so Collins could fill the same position. Now Collins is more of a box safety. Somebody who plays around the line of scrimmage and attacks downhill. He actually leads this draft class by a wide margin with 407 tackles in his career. Collins can hold up well enough in coverage for the Cowboys to get the necessary value out of this pick.

28. Denver Broncos
Original pick: Shane Ray, EDGE, Missouri
Redraft pick: Shaq Mason, G, Georgia Tech
Back in 2015, Denver traded up to grab in hopes that he could be DeMarcus Ware’s successor. That never happened. The Broncos went on to win the Super Bowl that year in Peyton Manning’s final season largely thanks to that defense regardless. One of the biggest issues exposed for Denver that season was it’s porous offensive line. Mason ended up sliding to the fifth round, but became an immediate starter for the Patriots. He is a solid guard with the size and power to play the position. He has lapses at times in protection, but he would be a massive upgrade for a Broncos line that really struggled that season and beyond.

29. Indianapolis Colts
Original pick: Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami
Redraft pick: Darren Waller, TE, Georgia Tech
Back to back Yellow Jackets coming off the board here. It is important to note that Waller was drafted as a receiver actually and it took him a few years to find his way into his role. He also struggled with substance abuse and missed 20 games due to suspension, including the entire 2017 season. He finally broke out in 2019 with the Raiders. While that doesn’t usually scream first round pick, the Colts essentially got the same amount of production out of Dorsett. They ended up trading him to the Patriots in exchange for Jacoby Brissett. Indy has struggled to find reliable pass catchers in recent years and seem to need a tight end more than ever now. Based on his eventual breakout, I could see the Colts taking a flier on him.

30. Green Bay Packers
Original pick: Damarious Randall, S, Arizona State
Redraft pick: Jordan Hicks, LB, Texas
Randall had a fairly productive career with the Packers, but they were more than happy to trade him to Cleveland in exchange for a backup quarterback. Instead, Green Bay can grab a quick linebacker who would’ve been a nice depth option and eventual starter. Hicks has missed a lot of NFL games due to injury, but over the past two seasons he has stayed fairly healthy and been one of the best tacklers in football. He nearly led the league in tackles in 2019. For a Packers team that has been looking for some linebacking help for years, Hicks would be worth developing.

31. New Orleans Saints
Original pick: Stephone Anthony, LB, Clemson
Redraft pick: Kwon Alexander, LB, LSU
Swapping out an under-performing linebacker in Anthony for an oft-injured one in Alexander is a bit questionable, but when healthy, Alexander is one of the best linebackers in the league. He has only played in 54 of a possible 80 games in his NFL career, but he trails Bernardrick McKinney by only two career tackles. McKinney has played in 22 more NFL contests. Alexander’s upside and playmaking ability are worth investing in here, even if he is not always available.

32. New England Patriots
Original pick: Malcolm Brown, DL, Texas
Redraft pick: Leonard Williams, DL, USC
If there is anyone in football who could have found a way to maximize Williams’ skillset and capitalize on his versatility, it would definitely be Bill Belichick. Williams actually generates a lot of pressure, even if those plays don’t always result in sacks. He leads this whole class of talented rushes with 101 career quarterback hits. In a Patriots defense that is always looking for reliable, tough players along the line, Williams would fit right in and likely excel.

The Aftermath

When sporting news breaks, we cover the fallout.

Month: April 2020

2020 NFL Draft: First-Round Surprises and Best Players Available

Final 2020 NFL Mock Draft: Three-round mock ahead of draft night!

Final 2020 NFL Draft Big Board: Top 150 and Position Rankings

2020 Aftermath NFL Mock Draft

2015 NFL Re-Draft

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: