MOCK DRAFT 1.0
Louisiana State quarterback Joe Burrow might be an unsurprising choice atop mock drafts this year, but Sam Farmer is thinking another school will dominate pick selections in the first round.
Two words sum up The Times’ first mock draft of the 2020 NFL season: Roll Tide. This scenario features six Alabama players — two on defense and four on offense, including the receiving tandem of Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III — in the first 23 selections. Coach Nick Saban has more first-round picks (26) than career losses (23) at the school. Six University of Miami players were selected in the opening round of 2004, setting the record for the most first-rounders by a school in a draft. Alabama, which has had at least three first-round picks in each of the past three drafts, figures to threaten that record this year.
1. CINCINNATI
QB | Joe Burrow
Louisiana State
The Bengals are moving on from Andy Dalton, and the Heisman-winning Burrow is coming off a 5,671-yard, 60-touchdown season.
2. WASHINGTON
DE | Chase Young
Ohio State
The bookends of Young and Montez Sweat could conjure those old Washington days of Dexter Manley and Charles Mann.
3. DETROIT
CB | Jeff Okudah
Ohio State
Some see Okudah as a generational talent. Lions could have a smothering tandem if he were paired with Darius Slay.
4. N.Y. GIANTS
DT | Derrick Brown
Auburn
Giants have taken an interior defensive lineman among top three rounds of three straight drafts, but Brown is too tempting.
5. MIAMI
QB | Tua Tagovailoa
Alabama
There’s a chance the jockeying for Tagovailoa has him going in the No. 2 slot. Dolphins have the ammunition to trade up if required.
6. CHARGERS
QB | Jordan Love
Utah State
If Chargers don’t address QB in free agency, they need to take advantage of this high pick. Love might be best fit for Anthony Lynn’s scheme.
7. CAROLINA
OT | Mekhi Becton
Louisville
Panthers need help all along the offensive line, but this is too early for a guard. The 6-foot-7, 370-pound Becton is a good start.
8. ARIZONA
WR | CeeDee Lamb
Oklahoma
The sun is setting on Larry Fitzgerald’s career, and Kyler Murray already has started to lobby for his old college teammate, Lamb.
9. JACKSONVILLE
LB | Isaiah Simmons
Clemson
Simmons ran a scorching 4.39-second 40, so he might not last this long. But Jaguars would love to have him as a defensive cornerstone.
10. CLEVELAND
OT | Tristin Wirfs
Iowa
Even if the Browns were to trade for Trent Williams, they would still be short on solid tackles. The explosive Wirfs was Big Ten offensive lineman of the year.
11. N.Y. JETS
OT | Jedrick Wills
Alabama
In the past, when there are a few elite offensive tackles, they have gone off the board in quick succession. Jets need one badly.
12. LAS VEGAS
WR | Jerry Jeudy
Alabama
The Raiders need a No. 1 receiver for Jon Gruden’s offense, and they would be delighted to get the playmaking Jeudy at this spot.
13. INDIANAPOLIS
DT | Javon Kinlaw
South Carolina
The Colts are hungry for a three-technique defensive tackle to wreak havoc up the middle. Kinlaw is an ideal candidate to do that.
14. TAMPA BAY
QB | Justin Herbert
Oregon
The Buccaneers are ready to move on from Jameis Winston. Herbert could go to the Chargers, but Love might be more of a fit.
15. DENVER
CB | C.J. Henderson
Florida
Chris Harris was Denver’s only bright spot among last year’s corners, and he’s about to become a free agent. Even if the Broncos sign Byron Jones, Henderson would be a big help.
16. ATLANTA
RB | D’Andre Swift
Georgia
Swift averaged 6.2 yards per carry last season and would plug right in to Atlanta’s offense with Devonta Freeman probably heading elsewhere.
17. DALLAS
CB | Trevon Diggs
Alabama
The Cowboys want help at safety too, but their corner need is big if Byron Jones leaves. Diggs’ older brother, Stefon, is a Minnesota Vikings star.
18. MIAMI
WR | Henry Ruggs III
Alabama
Receiver isn’t Miami’s top need, but Ruggs would be a great value here, and this team is severely lacking offensive playmakers.
19. LAS VEGAS
LB | Kenneth Murray
Oklahoma
The Raiders need an enforcer in the middle of their defense and in this scenario opt for Murray over Louisiana
State’s Patrick Queen.
20. JACKSONVILLE
LB | Patrick Queen
Louisiana State
Quincy Williams struggled last season in moving to middle linebacker, and it was a bumpy year for Myles Jack too. Enter Queen (or Murray).
21. PHILADELPHIA
WR | Brandon Aiyuk
Arizona State
This draft is rich with receivers, so the Eagles might wait. But they need a burner like Aiyuk who can stretch a defense.
22. BUFFALO
DE | A.J. Epenesa
Iowa
With Shaq Lawson headed for free agency, the Bills need someone who can come off the edge and get to the quarterback. Not a loaded draft in that regard.
23. NEW ENGLAND
S | Xavier McKinney
Alabama Even if the Patriots re-sign Devin McCourty, and it appears they will, they need to start thinking about the player who will replace him.
24. NEW ORLEANS
WR | Justin Jefferson
Louisiana State
Jefferson excelled in former coordinator Joe Brady’s offense, and Brady ran the system he learned with the Saints. Drew Brees needs more receiving targets.
25. MINNESOTA
S | Grant Delpit
Louisiana State
With Anthony Harris on his way to becoming a free agent, the Vikings could use last season’s Thorpe Award winner to shore up the back end of their defense.
26. MIAMI
OT | Andrew Thomas
Georgia
This might be too late for Thomas, whom some see as a premier tackle, so the Dolphins would be thrilled to get him at this point in the first.
27. SEATTLE
DE | Yetur Gross-Matos
Penn State
With Jadeveon Clowney heading toward free agency and Ziggy Ansah a disappointment, Gross-Matos could fill a Seahawks need.
28. BALTIMORE
LB | Curtis Weaver
Boise State
Queen or Murray would fit here too, but the Ravens are looking to generate pressure off the edge. Weaver had 13½ sacks in 2019.
29. TENNESSEE
CB | A.J. Terrell
Clemson
The Titans need to fortify their pass defense. They have Adoree Jackson and Logan Ryan at the corners, but need more than that.
30. GREEN BAY
WR | Tee Higgins
Clemson
The acrobatic, playmaking Higgins would be a solid complement to Davante Adams, and just what Aaron Rodgers needs.
31. SAN FRANCISCO
WR | Laviska Shenault
Colorado
A string of injuries has suppressed Shenault’s draft stock, yet this Deebo Samuel type could thrive in the 49ers’ system.
32. KANSAS CITY
RB | Jonathan Taylor
Wisconsin
Somehow, the Chiefs reached the mountaintop by cobbling together scraps for a running game. Taylor would be a welcome workhorse.