Friday, March 29, 2024

NFL: 2020 Mock Draft: Volume Three (Draft Day)

20. Jacksonville Jaguars (Rams) – D’Andre Swift – RB – Georgia

The Jaguars are shipping out Leonard Fournette too by the seems of things, and will probably look to replace him in his draft. In my opinion, Swift is a better back than Fournette but is similar in ability to the other four main backs, so will see his draft stock crash. He enters the first round for the first time in my mock.

He’s an Alvin Kamara style back, rather than what they’ve got with Fournette but that’s not a bad thing, in fact, Swift is a better fit with Gardner Minshew and his offense. He’s an instinctive runner with a great cut and explosive burst. A very good pass-catching back too.

21. Philadelphia Eagles – Brandon Aiyuk – WR – Arizona State

My favourite player in this entire draft class. As soon as the ball hits his hands Aiyuk comes alive, it’s really entertaining. He’s off an impressive performance at the NFL Combine, especially the bench press drill.

He compliments Alshon Jeffrey and Desean Jackson nicely, and helps with Philadelphia’s big need for recieving talent. They’re getting closer to another Super Bowl run, and add one of the premier wideouts in the class.

22. Minnesota Vikings trade pick to Indianapolis Colts

MIN gets pick 44, 160 and 2021 3rd rounder

IND gets pick 22

Indianapolis Colts – Jordan Love – QB – Utah State

The Colts are an impressive young team with a tonne of cap space to extend those running out of contract, and with Philip Rivers on a one year deal, they take his successor in Jordan Love. Minnesota gets an extra second-rounder to draft a starting DB, perhaps Jeff Gladney out of TCU.

He ends up in a near-perfect situation being able to sit back and learn from quality coaches in Indy. I like Love, he’s just a tad raw and needs coaching. He has the biggest upside of all QB’s in this draft. If you watch Love’s tape he’s a similar signal-caller to 2018 MVP Patrick Mahomes. Accuracy is a big issue, the Colts will try and work with that

23. New England Patriots trade pick to Baltimore Ravens

NE gets pick 28 and 2021 2nd rounder

BAL gets pick 23

Baltimore Ravens – Patrick Queen – LB – LSU

Jordan Love’s off the board and New England loves a trade down, whilst two linebacker needy teams are on the clock in a row, as Baltimore trades up. The Saints look certain to grab a linebacker in this draft, so the Ravens come up and get their guy.

We’ve got a really fast linebacker group this year, and the Baltimore Ravens are the pinnacle of speed, what better fit than Patrick Queen. They’ve improved their defense a lot already in free agency, and add another piece to embark on another deep playoff run with Lamar Jackson at the helm. He’s a very fast, three down, sideline to sideline linebacker, just like Isaiah Simmons

24. New Orleans Saints – Kenneth Murray – LB – Oklahoma

I really like Kenneth Murray, in fact, I put him in my list of my favourite players to watch, yesterday. He covers sideline to sideline with great speed and has the biggest upside of all linebackers, bar Simmons. New Orleans seems a great spot for him, he joins a team in win-now mode and adds an extra dimension to Dennis Allen’s defense.

Murray’s got a lot of buzz since the combine and makes his way to the first round for the first time in my mock. Teammates and coaches rave about how much of a leader he is and how hard he works, one of the standout players on that front in this entire draft.

25. Minnesota Vikings – Justin Jefferson – WR – LSU

Minnesota needs a DB and a receiver out of this first round, they could go with AJ Terrell here, but there’s a few good receivers still on the board. The now Stefon Diggs-less Minnesota Vikings select Justin Jefferson out of LSU, with the pick they received for their old wideout. They get the number two receiver to partner Adam Thielen.

At 6ft3 he’s a RedZone threat, who should accompany Thielen nicely, and be a nice target for Kirk Cousins. He’s also very good when lining up in the slot, don’t count that out. The Vikings may need to dip back in on Day 2 or 3 to draft a speed guy, as Jefferson lacks the speed to burn past DB’s deep.

26. Miami Dolphins – Antoine Winfield Jr. – S – Minnesota

Miami are lacking a safety, and Winfield screams ‘Brian Flores player’. Another versatile safety coming into the league, he’s fast, like really fast, and has a tonne of agility loaded on top of that to cover a lot of ground. He’s tough, bit like a patriot player essentially, and has a physical streak to him.

I love his ability with the ball, he plays the ball well and yet again has receiver like hands. He’s disciplined on the back end and rarely takes false steps in coverage. He’s a bit like Ed Reed, always around the ball. A great fit here with the Dolphins defense.

27. Seattle Seahawks – K’Lavon Chaisson – EDGE – LSU

The same pick as the other two mocks, I really like the fit here. Seattle has a bit of a hit and miss record with first-round picks, taking projects over sure things. Chaisson is another project pick for the Seahawks with tremendous upside. He’s an intriguing prospect and will still be the pick even if the Hawks do resign Jadeveon Clowney. Chaisson’s a Boom or bust prospect, but he may be worth a shot.

Knowing John Schneider we could see a trade at some point in this first round from Seattle. I’m going to keep them where they are for now. They’re a young team rebuilding their defense from the legion of boom days, so here’s another piece for them to coach up to hopefully pro-bowl level. That is entirely possible bearing in mind Chaisson’s extremely high upside.

28. New England Patriots (Ravens) – AJ Epenesa – EDGE – Iowa

New England trades down and get the same player they would have probably taken at 28.  He has the length, size, strength and the motor to set a tough edge for that Patriots defense. He’s a Trey Flowers kind of player, something New England could be lacking.

They could literally take anyone, the Patriots are a mysterious organisation. It could be Cole Kmet, or Jalen Hurts, or Ashtyn Davis out of California as a surprise. It could literally be anyone with New England.

29. Tennessee Titans – Ross Blacklock – DT – TCU

One of the best players left on the board in a key need. Jurrell Casey was on a LOT of money, so it was smart to get rid of him, especially when another top defensive lineman in Blacklock on the board. Neville Gallimore could be another option.

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

30. Green Bay Packers – Cole Kmet – TE – Notre Dame

The Packers need more targets for Aaron Rodgers, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St.Brown aren’t it. To add to the wounds, Jimmy Graham also left in free agency. Kmet had a great combine, attracting loads of attention and propelling up into the first round.

I’d say he is more Zach Ertz than Travis Kelce or George Kittle. They have similar frames and contribute massively in the red zone, slightly lacking in speed. He has the right shape to be a brilliant run blocker, but that isn’t his strong point. If Green Bay can improve that, he’s a great value pick.

31. San Francisco 49ers trade pick to New York Giants

SF gets picks 36, 110 in 2020 Draft

NYG gets pick 31 in 2020 Draft, 4th rounder in 2021

New York Giants – Josh Jones – OT – Houston

The Giants decided Isaiah Simmons was too good to pass on at four, and still trade up to get a good offensive tackle. They trade up for Joshua Jones, the offensive tackle out of Houston. Jones looks set to be a first-round pick. As for the Niners, they have to trade down from one of these spots to get Day 2 and 3 picks.

Jones is another quick lineman who’s loose and agile in order to mirror an edge rusher. He’s of great height and weight to be a starting right tackle. Daniel Jones gets protection, as Jones will be in place to stop DeMarcus Lawrence, and now Chase Young from getting to him.

32. Kansas City Chiefs – AJ Terrell – CB – Clemson

The Chiefs lost Kendall Fuller to the Washington Redskins in the offseason, so need some desperate help at corner if they are to repeat. They draft AJ Terrell, a promising corner with a lot of upside. He’ll be in place to matchup with Keenan Allen, and now Jerry Jeudy in division.

He’s a terrific tackler and a prospect with very good straight-line speed. The only downside to Terrell is the fact he’s got quite a low ceiling. At this current point in time, I see more athlete than player. His technique needs developing, something I’m sure Steve Spagnuolo will like to work on.

Notable available players

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell at 2009 NFL Draft
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will announce the picks from his basement in the first ever virtual draft.
© ‘Marianne O’Leary’ | no changes | licence
  • Jalen Hurts – QB – Oklahoma
  • Jacob Eason – QB – Washington
  • Jonathan Taylor -RB – Wisconsin
  • JK Dobbins – RB – Ohio State
  • Clyde Edwards-Helaire – RB – LSU
  • Zack Moss – RB – Utah
  • Tee Higgins – WR – Clemson
  • Denzel Mims – WR – Baylor
  • Laviska Shenault – WR – Colorado
  • Austin Jackson – OT – USC
  • Cesar Ruiz – C – Michigan
  • Lloyd Cushenbury – C – LSU
  • Damien Lewis – G – LSU
  • Justin Madubike – DT – Texas A&M
  • Neville Gallimore – DT – Oklahoma
  • Marlon Davidson – EDGE – Auburn
  • Bradley Anae – EDGE – Utah
  • Zach Baun – LB/EDGE – Wisconsin
  • Jeff Gladney – CB – TCU
  • Kristian Fulton – CB – LSU
  • Damon Arnette – CB – Ohio State
  • Grant Delpit – S – LSU
  • Ashtyn Davis – S – California
  • Jeremy Chinn – S/LB – Southern Illinois

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