11. New York Jets – Andrew Thomas – OT – Georgia
I had the Jets trading down in my first mock draft but I don’t see the Saints trading up for Jordan Love anymore, they are in win-now mode after all. The Jets on the other hand, have been addressing their o-line in free agency and will continue to with this pick.
If Sam Darnold really is their guy, the Jets need to protect him. Thomas is good with his hands and can mirror speed rushers, top strengths for an offensive tackle. The Georgia Bulldog would go a few picks higher if he didn’t bend at his waist sometimes, something the Jets will look to coach out of him.
12. Las Vegas Raiders – Jerry Jeudy – WR – Alabama
Fresh off a move to Las Vegas the Raiders need weapons at receiver, the rest of their offense is very good. Jeudy is without a doubt a top 10 player in this draft class, unfortunately for him, the group of wideouts is stronger than ever. That could result in teams waiting till Day 2 or 3 of the draft to grab their new starting receiver.
The Antonio Brown situation really messed with their offensive play-calling and scheme last year, I’m intrigued to see what Gruden has up his sleeve with a new weapon to play with. Jeudy’s route running ability is unheard of, the best we’ve seen coming out of college in a good few years.
13. San Francisco 49ers (Colts) – Javon Kinlaw – DT – South Carolina
Javon Kinlaw is the best player left on my board, and with a defense sans-DeForest Buckner the niners get a brilliant replacement on that d-line.
Best player available from the Niners, how fitting that the pick they received from the Buckner trade is used on a new starter for their elite defensive line. Kinlaw will slot straight in as San Francisco embarks on the goal of reaching SB55 in Tampa.
Their elite D-line has a chance of leading them back to the big game for the second year in a row. Defense wins championships y’all and Kinlaw certainly has the skill set to win at the next level, potentially at an all-pro level with his strong hands and quick get off.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers trade pick to Philadelphia Eagles
TB gets picks 21 and 103 in 2020 Draft, 2021 2nd rounder.
PHI gets picks 14, 139 in 2020 Draft
Philadelphia Eagles – CeeDee Lamb – WR – Oklahoma
The Eagles need a weapon of Lamb’s caliber and I like him in that offense. 2 weeks ago I had them drafting the former Oklahoma sooner at pick 21, but I don’t see him lasting that long. They didn’t have to give up much to move up 7 spots either, especially as Philly isn’t far off another go at a championship.
The Eagles have needed receiver help for a year now it’s one of their only needs, and they get the second-best receiver in the draft class to add to their already stacked roster. Carson Wentz will be happy.
15. Denver Broncos – Henry Ruggs III – WR – Alabama
Drew Lock had an impressive end to his rookie season, so Denver gives him another target to pair with Courtland Sutton. The Broncos will be in the wildcard mix this year, without a doubt.
Ruggs is certainly a weapon, he’s one of the fastest receivers to come out of college in recent memory possessing game-changing speed, whilst also being an intelligent route runner.
16. Atlanta Falcons – CJ Henderson – CB – Florida
The same pick as the first mock and one of my favourite players in this draft, Henderson is the second-best corner in this class without a doubt. He has the size and speed to match up with Michael Thomas and Mike Evans, and then also Chris Godwin in their division.
Watch Henderson’s film, he’s very good in man coverage. The only knock on Henderson is his tackling, it’s not the best. If he can sort that out he can be a Marcus Peters level Pro-Bowl corner. His draft stock rose after an impressive combine performance, the best of all cornerbacks.
17. Dallas Cowboys – Xavier McKinney – S – Alabama
I had Delpit as the pick last week, but after some consideration and watching some more tape he’s nowhere near as good as McKinney and not really worthy of a first-round grade. He needs to work on tackling, a lot, to be at Xavier’s level. Either way, Dallas needs to improve its secondary.
McKinney is always around the ball, from position to position covering a lot of ground. He’s a mix of Minkah Fitzpatrick and Tyrann Mathieu, McKinney and Minkah have almost identical measurables and can play across multiple positions in the secondary. As for comparisons to the honey badger, their big-play potential and ball skills are very similar.
18. Cleveland Browns (Dolphins) – Austin Jackson – OT – USC
Cleveland back on the clock at 18, this time they will stick where they are and pick the same position they would have taken at 10. They continue to improve their o-line by drafting the best tackle left on the board, Austin Jackson. Jack Conklin was a great addition on the right side, Joel Bitonio in the middle and Jackson on the left and that’s an above average line instantly.
He’s raw, but has tremendous upside and could become a franchise left tackle. There’s a lot of good tape and some very bad tape, thanks to Bradley Anae. That doesn’t stop Jackson from being one heck of an athlete, with the quickness required to mirror speed rushers. He also has a fair bit of experience against quality opposition in college.
19. Las Vegas Raiders (Bears) – Ross Blacklock – DT – TCU
This is a potential trade back spot here with Jordan Love still on the board, they could take Love themselves but after the Marcus Mariota acquisition I don’t see that likely. The Raiders will stick where they are, selecting Ross Blacklock in the process. He will add depth to the defensive line, joining Maurice Hurst and Maliek Collins, as Gruden and Mayock continue to build the trenches.
Blacklock’s biggest strength is his hands, he’s very good with his hands getting almost perfect timing with his feet a lot of the time. He’s an effective interior pass-rusher, who’s quick at the point of attack to close in on the quarterback in a hurry. Don’t count out his ability in the run game either.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (Rams) – Zack Baun – LB/EDGE – Wisconsin
Baun’s been creeping up on my board for some time now and is the first player in this mock to be promoted into the first round. As for the Jacksonville fit, he’s an aggressive player who will contribute to the pass rush of Josh Allen and help stop the run from the edge. The former Wisconsin Badger’s play compares to that of Kyle Van Noy.
Really? Two defensive picks for Jacksonville? Well, after all the Jags were the 24th ranked defense in 2017 and lost a few pieces in the offseason. Players of Baun or Okudah’s caliber won’t be available in later rounds, whereas a receiver will, 100%. A value pick.