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.

2020 NFL Mock Draft: Post Free-Agency Mock with Trades

March 23, 2020March 23, 2020 Chris McGlynn Draft, Football, Free Agency, NCAAF, NFL 2020 NFL Draft, 2020 NFL Mock Draft, Cincinnati Bengals, Football, Joe Burrow, NFL, NFL Trades, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tom Brady

I never thought I would see the day Tom Brady left the Patriots. I figured he would play as long as he could in New England and then retire. His decision to join the Buccaneers shakes up the entire league. Really, with Brady in Tampa, Philip Rivers in Indy and Teddy Bridgewater in Carolina, the quarterback market has shifted drastically. New England is now a major player, while the obvious candidates like Cincinnati, Miami and Los Angeles still remain.

With free agency mostly behind us, it feels like a good like to reexamine how the first round could shake out. After all, Minnesota and San Francisco now own an extra pick each in the opening round. While players like Jadeveon Clowney, Jameis Winston and Robby Anderson remain unsigned, there aren’t really any others that could influence the decision making behind a first round pick. With the dust mostly settled, here are the trades I like to go down.

Projected Trades:

Dolphins send 1.5 and 1.26 to Lions for 1.3

Buccaneers send 1.14, 2.45 to Arizona for 1.8, 4.114

Vikings send 1.22, 3.89 and 5.155 to Cowboys for 1.17

Broncos send 2.46, 3.83 to 49ers for 1.31

Trying to predict draft day trades is like trying to pick the winning lottery numbers. Fun, but nearly impossible. There will be plenty more moves I never saw coming. With just about a month until the draft gets underway, let’s dive in to this latest mock draft!

1. Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Unless Cincinnati suddenly gets an offer that blows them away, this will likely be the pick. He handles pressure exceptionally well and can throw on the move. Those will be important early on given the Bengals offensive line struggles.

2. Washington – Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
The likely smokescreen for Tua Tagovailoa took a hit with the coronavirus shutdown of the pre-draft process. I think Washington was always going to take Young. He has the physical tools all coaches crave and will be a Day 1 contributor.

3. Miami Dolphins via Detroit Lions – Tua Tagovailoa, QB Alabama
I still believe Miami needs to move up to secure this deal. If not, I think the Giants will be getting a lot of calls at pick four. Tagovailoa’s medicals looked good the last time we had an update. He would come into a situation where he can fully rehab for a year behind Ryan Fitzpatrick while this team continues to rebuild.

4. New York Giants – Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
I expect the Giants to listen to some trade offers here, but when it’s all settled, I think Dave Gettleman will gladly just take an offensive lineman. They have their pick of a talented bunch and I think they will land on Wills. He is solid as a pass blocker with room for some growth in the run game. Keeping Daniel Jones clean has to be a priority.

5. Detroit Lions via Miami Dolphins – Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Detroit moves down and still lands the player everyone expects them to target. Even with Desmond Trufant on the roster, this team needs so much help at corner. Okudah is dominant in man-to-man coverage, using smooth hips and good closing speed to make a lot of disruptive plays.

6. Los Angeles Chargers – Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Los Angeles is committed to starting Tyrod Taylor in 2020. While that is a mistake for at least a dozen reasons, there is no one on this roster that looks the part of a franchise quarterback. Herbert has his knocks, but his arm strength and experience make him a solid fit for a Chargers team needing to rebuild.

7. Carolina Panthers – Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
With Luke Keuchley gone, this feels like an obvious move. Carolina could target an offensive tackle here, but I think they trust their recent draft picks to step up. Simmons can be a game-changing player on defense and someone new coach Matt Rhule can rebuild this defense around.

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers via Arizona Cardinals – Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
They got the future Hall of Fame quarterback. Now Tampa needs to protect Brady. Trading up to get their pick of those remaining is important, and it’s far from a guarantee anyone will still be available at 14. Wirfs can step in and lock down the right side of the line immediately at either guard or tackle. His versatility is intriguing and his long-term potential at left tackle makes him the best option here.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars – Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina
This vaunted Jaguars defense is in shambles. They spent some money on Joe Shobert, but that does not solve the underlying issues. Assuming Yannick Ngakoue stays, Kinlaw would be a great fit next to him. He can collapse the pocket and has the size to plug up the middle against the run.

10. Cleveland Browns – Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Cleveland found it’s right tackle in Jack Conklin. Now it needs to find its left tackle. Thomas is a pro-ready option who can run block with the best of them. He has some raw power to work with. He is my favorite tackle in this class. I just don’t think his potential is quite as high the rest.

11. New York Jets – Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
Joe Douglas has sunk a lot into the offensive line, but the outlook at tackle is still a bit murky. Becton needs a lot of refining, but based on raw skill and size, he has the highest ceiling of any tackle in this class. He should be in the mix at right tackle right away with the potential to kick to the other side with a bit of seasoning.

12. Las Vegas Raiders – CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
I had been mocking receivers to the Raiders for months. While they haven’t done much to address the need, I think they will wait given the relative depth of the class. Instead, they tab the best corner on the board. I don’t rate Henderson this highly, but it is unlikely he makes it to their second selection this round. He has the athleticism and size to develop into a solid starting option.

13. San Francisco 49ers – Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
The defensive line was getting too expensive to keep together, so John Lynch pulled a masterclass move to position himself to find his receiver of the future. Jeudy is the best route runner in the class and has plenty of athleticism. With Emmanuel Sanders headed to New Orleans, this fills a huge need.

14. Arizona Cardinals via Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
Arizona can recoup the second round pick it gave up in the trade for DeAndre Hopkins. This might be best case scenario as well for the Cardinals defense as they land a talented interior option. Brown shows flashes of being an elite pass rusher and should contribute against the run. He fits the build of a 3-4 end with good upside.

15. Denver Broncos – CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Courtland Sutton is a great starting option. However, he needs a partner in crime. Lamb should benefit from playing with an arm like Drew Lock’s. Sutton and Lamb have the potential to develop into the best tandem in the NFL in a few years. This would be a huge step in the Broncos turning this roster around.

16. Atlanta Falcons – K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
Picking up Dante Fowler is a nice addition, but Atlanta can’t count on that being enough. Chaisson brings impressive strength for his size. I see him as being a situational rusher for the Falcons while he continues to develop other parts of his game. He has a long way to go as a run defender.

17. Minnesota Vikings via Dallas Cowboys – Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
With two first round picks and a ton of of mid round options, Minnesota can afford to be aggressive in finding its replacement for Stefon Diggs. Ruggs has dynamite speed with a bigger frame than most realize. He has a different skill set than Diggs, but should help this Vikings offense add a new dimension to the passing game.

18. Miami Dolphins – Josh Jones, OT, Houston
Miami made some questionable moves in free agency, but did not find it’s offensive tackle of the future, so taking a flier on Jones feels like a smart move. He is a bit raw despite being a little older than some of the other tackles in this class. However, he brings an impressive blend of mobility and power to the table and should be able to help the Dolphins in both the short term and long term.

19. Las Vegas Raiders via Chicago Bears – Tee Higgins, WR, Alabama
Mike Mayock loves Clemson players. Even if the Raiders GM hadn’t spent three picks on former Tigers in 2019, this would be a great landing spot for Higgins. His size and ball skills make him a matchup nightmare with tons of potential to contribute in the red zone. He didn’t run at the combine, so he might never get to answer questions about his speed for teams, but his game tape makes him worth a top-20 pick.

20. Jacksonville Jaguars via Los Angeles Rams – Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Gardner Minshew is the best option Jacksonville has for 2020, but beyond that, that is up for debate. Love is an unfinished product with lots of potential. After shipping off Nick Foles, this team could use another option to build around going forward.

21. Philadelphia Eagles – Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
After trading for Darius Slay and signing Jonathan Hargreave, Philly has set themselves up to target a receiver early in this draft. Jefferson is a great fit given his size and playmaking ability. Given the team’s struggles at receiver this past season, this will be a welcome addition.

22. Dallas Cowboys via Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills – Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
Dallas slides back a few spots and still lands a solid corner with some potential to contribute for next season. Hall is coming off an injury, but he was putting together a really strong senior year before going down. He tracks the ball well in coverage and has the size to be a prototypical starter. With Byron Jones now in Miami, this is a huge need.

23. New England Patriots – Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
What comes next for the Patriots without Tom Brady is anyone’s guess. What feels like a Bill Belichick move is to grab a linebacker with great coverage ability and range. Queen is the perfect fit for New England’s defense with the loss of Kyle van Noy.

24. New Orleans Saints – Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
Emmanuel Sanders is 32 and does not solve New Orleans’ long-term need for a receiver, but it does give them flexibility in the draft. Adding a downhill linebacker with good speed and instincts is never a bad thing. The Saints have been trying to solidify their linebacking corps for years. Murray might actually help them do it.

25. Minnesota Vikings – Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
The Vikings went bold and grabbed a top-end receiver, but they still need to patch up the secondary. Gladney is a bit undersized, but he plays the ball well and plays his man even better. He is a bit rough around the edges, but he should be capable of contributing early on in his NFL career.

26. Detroit Lions via Miami Dolphins and Houston Texans – A.J. Epenesa, DL, Iowa
Adding Danny Shelton was a good move, but it does not solve all of Detroit’s defensive line needs. Epenesa has really good play strength and some versatility as a pass rusher. He is a bit inconsistent, but when he is on, he has the talent of a top-10 player in this draft. This is not the biggest need on Detroit’s board, but he is the best player left available and they pick again early in round 2.

27. Seattle Seahawks – Ross Blacklock, DL, TCU
Rumors point to Jadeveon Clowney returning to Seattle, who at the time of writing, is still unsigned. If Clowney does come back, Blacklock could slot in well next to him and create a dynamic front four for the Seahawks. He rarely loses ground in the trenches and often drew double teams at TCU. It would be fun to see him run free because Clowney would definitely be drawing the majority of the attention.

28. Baltimore Ravens – Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
Baltimore made some savvy moves to restock the defense without breaking the bank, but those moves were in the front seven. To round out the defense, the Ravens can tab a rangy safety who likes to play down in the box. McKinney should help soften the blow of Tony Jefferson’s departure and give John Harbaugh another starting option in the secondary.

29. Tennessee Titans – Austin Jackson, OT, USC
Jack Conklin is now a Brown. That means the Titans desperately need help on the right side of the line. Jackson is a bit of a project. However, he has great size and measurables along with some solid moments on tape. Putting him on the right side could hide some of his deficiencies while he develops.

30. Green Bay Packers – Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC
Here is my comp for Pittman: Jordy Nelson. Nelson is 6’3″, 217 pounds and ran a 4.51 40 time. Pittman is 6’4″, 223 pounds and ran a 4.52 40 time. We know what Aaron Rodgers did with Nelson. I think Pittman could be the perfect complement to Davante Adam’s and help jumpstart this offense.

31. Denver Broncos via San Francisco 49ers – Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
With a bunch of mid-round picks, Denver can get aggressive in moving up to find Chris Harris’ replacement. Yes, they traded for A.J. Bouye, but when you play in the same division as Patrick Mahomes, you need a few good corners. Fulton is aggressive and played against some great competition this year. He is a bit inconsistent, but at his best, he is a lockdown corner.

32. Kansas City Chiefs – Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Given the way the board broke for the Chiefs, I could see them trading out. Instead, Kansas City should tag the lengthy Diggs to help rebuild a decimate cornerback room. His size and physicality would bring a different element to this Chiefs secondary and it should be a welcome one.

For more NFL Draft coverage, check out the Aftermath’s NFL Draft Podcast, with new episodes every Thursday.

2020 NFL Mock Draft: Post-combine mock with trades

March 2, 2020March 1, 2020 Chris McGlynn Draft, Football, NCAA, NCAAF, NFL 2020 NFL Draft, 2020 NFL Mock Draft, Cincinnati Bengals, NFL, NFL Combine, NFL Draft, NFL Trades

With the combine officially over, it’s time for another mock draft. Let’s make this one a fun and chaotic one. For the first time in preparing for the 2020 draft, I am allowing trades! I am also predicting a couple of the big time free agent decisions for this offseason to help guide some of the decision making here. Before we dive into the mock itself, let’s review a couple of the biggest moves and all the trades.

Projected free agent signings:

Colts sign Jadeveon Clowney

Chargers sign Teddy Bridgewater

Patriots sign Tom Brady, Amari Cooper

Buccaneers sign Philip Rivers, Jack Conklin, tag Shaq Barrett

Projected Trades:

Dolphins send 1.5 and 1.26 to Lions for 1.3

Colts trade 1.13, 2.44 and 2021 first to Giants for 1.4 and 6.164

Buccaneers send 1.14, 3.76, 2021 first and 2021 fourth to Chargers for 1.6

Giants send 1.13, 2.44 to Cardinals for 1.8

Chargers trade 2.37 and 4.109 and 2021 fourth (from TB) to Titans for 1.29

Eagles trade 2.53, 3.85, 4.124 and 5.168 to 49ers for 1.31 and 6.210

Chiefs tag and trade Chris Jones to Seattle 2.59

Ravens tag and trade Matt Judon to Detroit for 3.67

Lions trade Darius Slay to Broncos for 3.77

Bengals tag and trade A.J. Green to Raiders for 3.91

This is obviously far from an exact science, but it helps guide the discussion a little bit and certainly makes for a very interesting mock draft. With tons of movement coming in draft stock for players following the combine, let’s get into this wild mock draft!

1. Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Don’t overthink this one, Cincinnati needs a franchise quarterback to build around. Burrow has great pocket mobility, a strong enough arm and none of the injury questions facing Tua Tagovailoa.

2. Washington – Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
There is a bit of buzz about the potential Washington will target Tagovailoa, but Young is the safer bet. He becomes a headache opposing offenses right away. Ron Rivera would love to get that type of player.

3. Miami Dolphins via Detroit Lions – Tua Tagovailoa, QB Alabama
First trade of the draft here. Miami needs to find its quarterback of the future and Tagovailoa should be an excellent option. He needs to answer those injury concerns, but he comes into a great situation to sit behind Ryan Fitzpatrick for a year before he takes over as starter. Sending the 26th pick in the draft ensures the Dolphins get their guy.

4. Indianapolis Colts via New York Giants – Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
The Giants said they are open to trading down. That is an opening the Colts should pounce on. With lots of draft capital to work with, Indy can send a pair of first round picks and it second second rounder of the year to New York to sign its quarterback of the future. Herbert showed out at both the Senior Bowl and combine. I think he should be locked in as the third quarterback taken.

5. Detroit Lions via Miami Dolphins – Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Okudah fills a huge need and is the best player available. His closing speed is impressive and he can fit into either a man or zone scheme. Especially with Darius Slay getting traded in this scenario, the Lions would be wise to find his potential replacement. Detroit drops two spots, lands pick 26 and still gets their guy.

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers via Los Angeles Chargers – Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Tampa Bay might have signed a veteran quarterback in Philip Rivers, but that is a short-term fix. Love could be the future at the position. He has a strong arm and Bruce Arians will be determined to bring out his 2018 form, when he had a better supporting cast. With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, Love should have plenty of talent to work with.

7. Carolina Panthers – Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
Luke Keuchley retired, perhaps a bit earlier than most expected. As it turns out, Carolina has the best linebacker in the class fall into its lap. Now Simmons is not a perfect replacement for Keuchley, but he has the same nose for the football. He would be a difference maker Matt Rhule can build his defense around.

8. New York Giants via Arizona Cardinals – Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
Let’s get weird and have the Giants start wheeling and dealing. Unlikely with Dave Gettleman calling the shots, but one can pretend. Not wanting to miss out on the top tackles in the class, New York can send the second round pick it got from Indianapolis to Arizona to land their favorite of the group. I expect it will be Wills, who faced great competition and has the movement skills to be a starting left tackle.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars – Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Jacksonville has a lot of questions to answer this offseason. If they can hang on to their top free agents, they can target a player to help Gardner Minshew. Jeudy would complete a solid receiver core with D.J. Chark and Chris Conley. He is dynamic and about as polished as it gets when it comes to route running.

10. Cleveland Browns – Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
Protecting Baker Mayfield is the top priority for this team. I think Cleveland will fall in love with the upside Mekhi Becton brings to the table. He is very raw, but his physical skills are incredible given his size. It might take him a year or so to get fully acclimated, but he has the potential to be one of the best tackles in the league with the right coaching.

11. New York Jets – Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
The run on tackles should continue with the Jets picking at 11. They have made it no secret they want to rebuild this offensive line in front of Sam Darnold. Wirfs is a powerful prospect who could start in a couple different positions. He has the size and mobility to play tackle, which makes him worth taking here. He should also also help Le’Veon Bell be a bit more effective.

12. Las Vegas Raiders – CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
I really debated the Raiders going after Jordan Love here or getting aggressive and trading up for Isaiah Simmons. Instead, Vegas should stand pat and let the draft come to them. Nabbing CeeDee Lamb gives them a dynamic playmaker on the outside that should open up the offense a lot more for Derek Carr.

13. Arizona Cardinals via New York Giants Indianapolis Colts – Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina
Arizona pulls a savvy move here by trading down and landing a player I thought they might take at number eight. The interior of the Cardinals defensive line was awful in 2019. Javon Kinlaw has flashed incredible pass rushing ability and dominated at Senior Bowl week. I think he should make an immediate impact.

14. Los Angeles Chargers via Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Los Angeles adds a ton of draft capital by moving down and still manages to land one of the top tackle prospects. Thomas is a proven run blocker who struggles occassionally with speed rushers. He should be able to develop into a solid starter on the left side of the line. Thomas will be tasked with keeping Teddy Bridgewater upright.

15. Denver Broncos – Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
Courtland Sutton and Henry Ruggs would form a formidable duo for Drew Lock to work with. His speed in off the charts and he showed it by running a 4.27 40 at the combine, but he brings more than that to the table. He needs to develop his route running, but he should make an instant impact.

16. Atlanta Falcons – Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
While Atlanta needs an edge rusher, I don’t think K’Lavon Chaisson fits this defense or is as well-rounded as some in the draft community. Brown could step in next to Grady Jarrett and create a huge strength on that defense. He moves really well for his size and could develop into a solid interior pass rusher.

17. Dallas Cowboys – Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Receiver, really? I think so. My guess is Dallas will franchise tag Dak Prescott and lock up Byron Jones to a big deal. That could leave Amari Cooper on the open market, where the Cowboys could get priced out. Instead, Jerry Jones can find an immediate replacement with tons of big-game experience and impressive physical tools in Jefferson.

18. Miami Dolphins – K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
I personally think Chaisson has a long way to go as a run defender, but he has the chops to be a solid pass rusher. He is a bit undersized, but he is explosive and brings the physical tools scouts want to see. After finishing last in the league in sacks last season, this is a no-brainer for Miami.

19. Las Vegas Raiders via Chicago Bears – Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
In the 2019 draft, the Raiders stocked up on Clemson players. I could see them doubling up on Oklahoma standouts in 2020. Murray gives Las Vegas some much needed speed along the middle of that defense. He diagnoses plays well and is an effective tackler.

20. Jacksonville Jaguars via Los Angeles Rams – Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
Telvin Smith is not coming back. Queen can step in to fill that void. He has a nose for the football and should be a three-down contributor from the moment he arrives in Jacksonville. There is no denying his big-game experience either after winning a national championship. This Jaguars roster looks a lot better with him and Jeudy.

21. Philadelphia Eagles – Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
While fans may be clamoring for a receiver, there are going to be a lot of talented ones available in the second round. Instead, Philly should look to patch a woeful secondary. Xavier McKinney has enough speed to be effective in coverage, but he is truly special making plays downhill. He tackles well and takes good angles to make plays in space.

22. Buffalo Bills – Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
Everyone wanted to see Higgins run at the NFL combine. We will have to wait for Clemson’s pro day, but he is a great fit in Buffalo. With solid possession receivers in Cole Beasley and John Brown, Higgins’ big play ability and size would make him an excellent complement. Josh Allen will love working with a player that has Higgins’ catch radius.

23. New England Patriots – Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
I expect Tom Brady back in New England. I also expect the Patriots to be aggressive in finding a receiver in free agency, landing Amari Cooper. That means New England can turn its attention to other needs. With no tight ends worth going in the first round, the Patriots tab Gross-Matos, who has a good motor and solid pass rush moves. He would immediately become a situational rusher in this defense.

24. New Orleans Saints – Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
Laviska Shenault will have to undergo surgery, but I think his tape should keep in the first round. He is quick, athletic and reliable. Colorado did all sorts of things to get the ball in his hands. He would be able to line up across from Michael Thomas right away and hopefully give Drew Brees another dependable target.

25. Minnesota Vikings – CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
After a tough season from its secondary, Minnesota should look to add another corner to its defensive backfield. Henderson had a great combine and should, hopefully, put injury concerns behind him. He was a bit inconsistent this year, but he has all the measurables. Give him a year with Mike Zimmer and he could be a great starting option.

26. Detroit Lions via Miami Dolphins and Houston Texans – A.J. Epenesa, DL, Iowa
Epenesa’s combine numbers solidified him as an interior lineman. He clearly does not have the necessary speed to play on the outside. He still has the size and strength to be a 4-3 defensive tackle or maybe even a 3-4 defensive end. He can still rush the passer, but Detroit would definitely be lining him up inside. After cutting Damon Harrison, the Lions definitely have a need there.

27. Seattle Seahawks – Josh Jones, OT, Houston
Seattle could head in a few directions here, but I think bolstering the offensive line in front of Russell Wilson makes the most sense. Jones has been generating buzz since showing up big time at the Senior Bowl. He is a bit unrefined despite being a redshirt senior. I could see him growing into Wilson’s blindside protector down the line.

28. Baltimore Ravens – Zach Baun, LB, Wisconsin
Now Baun is not a pure edge rusher, at least not anymore. He worked out as an off-ball linebacker at the Senior Bowl and thrived in the role. His versatility and speed should intrigue the Ravens. With Matt Judon gone, potentially along with Patrick Onwuasor as well, Baun fills a major need.

29. Los Angeles Chargers via Tennessee Titans – J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
After signing Bridgewater and drafting Thomas, Los Angeles needs to retool its offense around them. With Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler both slated for free agency, getting a young running back with game-breaking speed is a must. While the league values the position less than ever, spending a first round pick on a back gives the Chargers an extra year of control. Dobbins should give LA an exciting back to rely on.

30. Green Bay Packers – Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan
Peoples-Jones had very pedestrian numbers in college playing at Michigan. I think that can mostly be blamed on the system and the quarterbac. (Sorry Shea Patterson fans.) However, he put up some eye-popping numbers at the combine. Peoples-Jones the best vertical of any participant by 2.5 inches and ran a 4.48 40, which matched Jerry Juedy. If anyone can capitalize on that physical ability, it will be Aaron Rodgers.

31. Philadelphia Eagles via San Francisco 49ers – Michael Pittman, WR, USC
Pittman had an excellent combine that went a bit under the radar. He does not have the same blazing speed as Henry Ruggs, but he ran a 4.52 40 which is really impressive at 6’4″, 223 pounds. He also finished top four in both the three cone and 20-yard shuttle. Across the board, he posted better numbers than a former USC standout by the name of Juju Smith-Schuster. He would give Carson Wentz a huge upgrade on the outside. San Francisco is lacking draft picks and all too happy to pick up a bounty of picks to move out of the first round.

32. Kansas City Chiefs – Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
It feels good to be on top. In order to stay there, Kansas City will need to rebuild its cornerback room. Kendall Fuller, Bashaud Breeland and Morris Claiborne are all free agents. Hall missed the second half of the season with an ankle injury, but looked the part of a shutdown corner prior to that. He has the size and speed to turn into a starter in the next few seasons.

For more NFL Draft coverage, check out the Aftermath’s NFL Draft Podcast, with new episodes every Thursday.

15 NFL free agents set for a big payday

February 24, 2020February 23, 2020 Chris McGlynn Football, Free Agency, NFL Anthony Harris, Austin Ekeler, Austin Hooper, Chris Jones, D.J. Reader, Dak Prescott, Derrick Henry, Football, Graham Glasgow, James Bradberry, Matt Judon, NFL, NFL Free Agency, Shaquille Barrett, Teddy Bridgewater, Tre Boston, Yannick Ngakoue

Every year, there a number of players in contract years who make themselves a ton of money. Players like Josh Norman, Nick Foles and Olivier Vernon showed out in their final year before hitting free agency and cashed in. Raheem Mostert would have been a great candidate to be on this list, but he signed a nice deal just before the Super Bowl.

To be clear here, these are players who have yet to earn that big payday in the pro football. Obviously, Tom Brady, Phillip Rivers and Jadeveon Clowney will land huge contracts, but they have already raked in a ton of cash. With NFL free agency just three weeks away from opening, let’s take a look at players looking to earn a big pay raise.

Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys
It has been a long time coming, but Dak Prescott is going to get a massive pay increase this offseason. The former 4th-round pick made just over $2 million in 2019. He could very well be in line to land a deal that pays him close to $40 million per season. Even if Dallas decides to use the franchise tag on him, he would likely earn over $25 million in 2020.

Chris Jones, DL, Kansas City Chiefs
Meet the top defensive player not named Jadeveon Clowney in this free agent class. Jones has been nothing short of a game-wrecker in Kansas City and was an integral part of that defensive resurgence in 2019. There is some buzz about him being an option for the franchise tag. The Chiefs may also look to trade him after that, which they did last year with Dee Ford. He made roughly $1.3 million during his Super Bowl run. On the open market, he could command close to $20 million per year on his next deal.

Matt Judon, EDGE
There has already been some buzz about the Ravens franchise tagging Judon and looking to trade him. He has not been as prolific as Ngakoue, but he does have 29 sacks in four seasons. As a fifth-round pick, he made right around $2 million this year. The franchise tag would see him make around $16 million in 2020, but he could also sign a long-term deal for at least $14.5 million per year.

Shaquille Barrett, EDGE, Buccaneers
Nobody made more money for themselves in 2019 than Barrett. The 27-year-old signed an incentive-laden deal with the Buccaneers, maxing out at $4 million. He went on to lead the NFL in sacks and now seems poised to land a contract somewhere in the range of $17 to $20 million per year. That type of leap is nothing short of incredible.

Derrick Henry, RB, Titans
Heading into the season, I was very pessimistic about Henry’s chances of landing a long-term deal in Tennessee. After he led the NFL in rushing this season and almost carried the Titans to a Super Bowl. He made about $1.1 million this season. He will almost definitely 10 times that in 2020.

Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Saints
Many thought Bridgewater would attempt to land a big payday in the 2019 offseason. Instead, he signed a one-year, $7.25-million deal to stay as Drew Brees’ backup. His 5-0 stint as the starter when Brees got hurt earned him a ton of money. Expect him to sign a deal north of $20 million per year in New Orleans or elsewhere.

Yannick Ngakoue, DE, Jaguars
If somehow Jacksonville lets Ngakoue walk, some team is going to hand him a monster deal in free agency. He has 38 career sacks in four seasons. As a former third-round pick, Ngakoue has well outplayed his contract. He made around $2 million in 2019. He should make upwards of $17 million per year going forward.

Austin Ekeler, RB, Chargers
As a former undrafted running back out of West Colorado State, Ekeler flew under the radar for a while. He is not a bellcow back, but came just shy of 1,000 yards receiving in 2019. He earned a meager $645 thousand this past season, but he should probably earn himself around 10 times that on average, in the $7 million range. At 24 years old, he is hitting free agent at a prime point for running backs.

Austin Hooper, TE, Falcons
He has flown under the radar a bit, but Hooper has turned into one of the top 10 tight ends in the NFL. As a 2016 3rd-round pick, he played at the final season of his rookie deal. The 25-year-old should have plenty of suitors and should more than quadruple the $2 million he made in 2019.

Anthony Harris, S, Vikings
People have started to learn his name, especially after he finished tied for the NFL lead in interceptions this season. As a former undrafted free agent in 2015, Harris is in line for a massive pay bump. He earned roughly $3 million this year on a one-year deal. The 28-year-old will likely land a deal four times that.

Tre Boston, S, Panthers
Working as a mercenary the past three seasons, Boston is in line for a longer deal with some more financial guarantees. He has 11 interceptions in that time frame. He turns 28 this summer and should be looking to cash in after another good season. After earning $2.275 million last year, he should be looking into the $9 million per year range at least on his next deal.

James Bradberry, CB, Panthers
Another member of the Panthers secondary in line for a big jump, Bradberry is one of the better cover corners in the NFL. Carolina will likely keep him in house and hand him a handsome raise. He made just under $1 million this season. He should be making upwards of $13 million per year by next season.

D.J. Reader, DL, Texans
As a former 5th rounder, Reader has flown under the radar. He made just over $2 million in 2019 but he outplayed that paycheck by a wide margin. He won’t reset the market by any means as mostly a run stuffing option. I think we will likely see him land a deal worth around $10 or $11 million per year. He is due for a nice payday.

Graham Glasgow, G, Lions
Interior linemen don’t often move the needle, but finding a player capable of keeping your quarterback upright is invaluable. Glasgow has started 58 games out of a possible 64 over the past four seasons. He is 27 years old and should find himself making about $10 million per year after earning just $2 million in 2019.

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2020 Aftermath NFL Mock Draft

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2020 NFL Mock Draft: Post Free-Agency Mock with Trades

2020 NFL Mock Draft: Post-combine mock with trades

15 NFL free agents set for a big payday

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