NFL DRAFT PREDICTIONS
Cards look at LB after Hopkins deal
The NFL Draft will proceed as scheduled April 23-25, and it’s never too early to take a look at how things could play out in the first round. Last year in my final mock draft, I correctly projected 26 of the 32 players that would be selected in the first round, with three going to the designated team I projected.
This is version 2.0 for the 2020 draft. The initial version appeared on azcentral.com March 5. Plenty of things have changed since then, however, because of trades, roster cuts and two full weeks of an aggressive free-agency spending spree. The majority of team needs, in many cases, have already been addressed and now, it’s all about building for the future.
The experience will look and feel very different due to the COVID-19 pandemic -- players won’t be paraded on stage in Las Vegas and teams will be working remotely away from normal club headquarters. Still, this could be one of the more intriguing drafts in recent memory.
It could go down as the best wide receiver class in history and it’s also top-heavy with first-round talent at cornerback along with four stud offensive linemen. Mix in the fact that four quarterbacks could go in the first round, including three inside the Top 10 in Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert, and that multiple trades are expected to come into play, this could be the most-watched NFL draft in years.
Keep an eye on teams like the Dolphins, who presently have three picks in the first round; the Jaguars and Raiders, who like Miami, have two picks in the Top 20; and the Patriots, who will be trying to reload without Tom Brady as their quarterback. And don’t sleep on the Cardinals, who could consider drafting Kyler Murray’s former college teammate, CeeDee Lamb, even after acquiring superstar receiver DeAndre Hopkins in a trade with the Texans.
My picks are based on observations, team needs, scouting services and various NFL sources:
The only thing that could be different is whether someone like the Dolphins, Chargers, Jaguars – or a surprise team – could be willing to trade multiple picks to jump into this spot to take the best college quarterback in the land a year ago. rush the passer, cover tight ends, and drop back and cover deeper passing routes, too. He’s a bigger, meaner version of the Honey Badger. An offensive lineman is an option here, but maybe less likely if Simmons is still on the board.
Simmons was the pick in my first mock draft, but now that he’s gone, the Jaguars find their new left tackle in the biggest, baddest lineman in the draft. Becton is an athletic freak who, if he can show he can excel as a pass blocker, will be an absolute beast. The Jaguars have already filled some of their bigger needs on defense. Unless they reach for a quarterback – Utah State’s Jordan Love – Becton is an ideal pick.
Previously, the choice was Becton. With two of the top tackles off the board, the Browns don’t waste any time grabbing one of the top two studs available, either Wirfs or Georgia’s Andrew Thomas. They need a left tackle to further bolster an aggressive offseason in which they already have acquired a star right tackle (Jack Conklin), tight end (Austin Hooper) and multiple defensive backs.
Since they already used the start of 2020 to retool and reload on the offensive line, they give Sam Darnold some playmaker help and lo and behold, they get the top-rated receiver – in my book, anyway – in Lamb. Hard to believe he’s falling out of the Top 10, but hey, it could happen.
The Raiders love Lamb and Jeudy – and probably speedster receiver Henry Ruggs III from Alabama, too. They’ll nab one of them no matter what. Count on it. Since they released Desmond Trufant, they need a top-notch corner and Henderson is the second-best one in this draft. Problem solved.
I originally had Chaisson going No.14 to the Buccaneers and the Cowboys selecting former Alabama safety Xavier McKinney. With Robert Quinn singing a five-year deal with the Bears as a free agent, the Cowboys need extra pass-rushing help If Chaisson bulks up and gets a little stronger, he could be a very nice compliment to DeMarcus Lawrence.
Miami made a huge splash in free agency and has a ton of draft picks, but don’t be surprised if they feel they have to deal one of their three first-rounders to move up and grab Tua, as I mentioned earlier. McKinney gives them a quarterback in the back end of their secondary.
Prior to this, I had them picking Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray. The Raiders, though, have filled their needs at linebacker and plenty of other positions as well. They’ve added Eli Apple at corner but could still use more help there and Diggs gives them two Alabama draftees in the first round they’re going to love.
I thought they might take a cornerback here, but since they’ve added two since the start of free agency, don’t be shocked if the Jags make a play for Love or even trade up to get one of the three QBs I have going in the Top 10. They won’t be afraid to upgrade from Gardner Minshew if there’s a chance.
Previously, the pick here was LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton, but now that they’ve acquired Darius Slay in a trade with the Lions, the Eagles address a need that still exists in wide receiver. They should draft at least two of them considering how deep this class is and how thin they are at the position. Jefferson can play inside or outside and will bring some instant buzz. DeAndre Hopkins would have brought a lot more, but the Eagles couldn’t match the deal with Houston that Arizona did.
They could still draft a receiver here, but now that they’ve added Emmanuel Sanders, look for the Saints to go with a cornerback. With Eli Apple gone, Fulton has a chance to start opposite Marshon Lattimore.
Terrell has good size and can play outside as well as handle the slot. The Vikings could use another corner badly, too, after releasing Xavier Rhodes and letting Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander leave as free agents and sign with the Bengals.
Miami might be tempted to grab one of the draft’s top running backs here in either D’Andre Smith from Georgia or Jonathan Taylor from Wisconsin, but after signing Jordan Howard I expect them to address the offensive line. But again, keep in mind the Dolphins could be trading at least one of their three, first-round picks.
Seattle could be looking to stockpile some pass-rushing help up front even if or when they come to terms on a new deal for Jadeveon Clowney. Given how they’ve gone through running backs, they might also be interested in D’Andre Smith or Jonathan Taylor.
Look for the Ravens to target a linebacker at this spot, be it Queen or Wisconsin’s Zack Baun or even Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray, should he fall this far. Whoever they pick, these guys know how to identify and groom linebackers and they need another one.
Previously, the pick here was Alabama corner Trevon Diggs. It’s in the defensive secondary where the Titans will probably look to find a gem in the first round and the options could be plentiful.
I had them drafting a wide receiver and that still might be the case. Baun gives the defense a shot in the arm thanks to his explosiveness and versatility to move around and play at multiple spots. Somebody’s going to love this kid. Why not the hometown Packers?