2020 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting Round 1 of the NFL Draft (V4)

Oct 19, 2019; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (13) celebrates after a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA football game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

The Bengals have an easy decision with the No. 1 overall pick as far as addressing the quarterback position. Not only is fresh blood needed as Andy Dalton was clearly not the savior for the franchise, but they have the rare opportunity to pick from two great quarterbacks. Joe Burrow should be their choice, especially after clarifying that he's good with the Bengals drafting him.

Burrow's blend of accuracy, playmaking and mobility make him one of the strongest prospects in recent memory. Zac Taylor will need to mitigate the number of intermediate throws outside the numbers in order to hide Burrow's average arm, but expect Burrow to continue addressing that area of his game. He already showed progress throughout his career at Ohio State and LSU, so it's possible he'll either continue to make do with his arm strength or see some improvement. 

It'll be more interesting to see whether the Bengals trade A.J. Green or Dalton during the draft, or whether they'll move back into the first-round for an impact blocker or linebacker.

It seems as though the Tua Tagovailoa talk that was trending around this pick was quickly busted as false information. This selection will be Chase Young, and it's the correct decision for Ron Rivera and company to rebuild this franchise. 

He'd join a talented defensive front that will need to get to quarterbacks quickly. The secondary has been rebuilt into a physical unit that'll support the run defense, but needs to prove itself in coverage. Young will assist their efforts as a pass-rusher.

Young's in the same stratosphere as Myles Garrett and Von Miller as a prospect. We've seen recent Buckeyes Joey and Nick Bosa be fantastic NFL stars quickly, but Young's more athletic than those two. His technique and strength aren't at their level, but he'll be an impact player in Year 1 just like the aforementioned group.

As soon as the Detroit Lions signed right tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai and traded All-Pro cornerback Darius Slay, their first-round plan became much clearer. Regardless of whether they trade down a few spots or stick at No. 3, there's no question the cleanest combination of talent fit and need is Ohio State cornerback Jeffrey Okudah. He'd immediately settle the cornerback room as Okudah, Desmond Trufant and Justin Coleman.

The Lions could easily justify going with Derrick Brown, Javon Kinlaw or even Tristan Wirfs to solidify those positional groups. But Okudah is an elite cornerback prospect, whereas the other options have some questions about their on-field performance and lesser value overall. I still question why the Lions would trade Slay for two mid-round picks instead of pairing him with Okudah, but egocentric coaches make decisions based less on talent and more on personality.

Detroit looks geared for a big bounce back season if the team's collective health cooperates with their potential. Matthew Stafford remains at the center of that discussion. Another notable injury could lead to the franchise looking for a new signal-caller in 2021. 

Similar to the Lions, the Giants have several needs they could easily justify taking with the No. 4 overall pick or trading down. Isaiah Simmons or another blocker would be worth this selection, but the latest buzz has them taking the best overall blocker right now. Alabama right tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. is ready-made to step in and help an offense that's otherwise a solid unit if Daniel Jones is the right quarterback.

Tristan Wirfs is the other name that's in the mix thanks to his dominance of the combine and solid tape. He projects as a potential Pro Bowl guard, and some believe he can stay at right tackle. Value-wise, Wills would be the better selection due to the importance of tackles and fact he should instantly be a top-10 positional player based on his collegiate tape.

This move helps Jones, Saquon Barkley, and the rest of their playmakers. Wills will benefit from veterans Nate Solder, Kevin Zeitler and even backup Cameron Fleming being on the roster. It's not sexy but it's a winning pick for the Giants.

We can be confident Miami is taking a quarterback with their first of three first-round picks, but they may not stay at No. 5 to do so. The question is whether they're comfortable with Tua Tagovailoa's medicals or not. If they are, I think they'll leap to No. 3 to grab him. If not, staying at five to select Justin Herbert sounds like their alternative option.

A lot of smoke has come out recently about Miami's interest in Herbert. They've been linked to him for two years, but the biggest reason they should like him more than Tua is health. General manager Chris Grier alluded to the importance of medicals in a recent press conference, and their determination on Tua's outlook is the biggest x-factor of the top-five. 

Tagovailoa would rival Burrow as the top quarterback in the class if not for his worrisome injury history. His touch and timing on passes is excellent, and has excelled when asked to be more of a creator (2017-2018) and traditional point guard (2019). He's also known to be a tremendous leader and can continue the change of culture that's in motion.

The Los Angeles Chargers have also been linked to Tua Tagovailoa and for good reason. Tyrod Taylor is a good stopgap for this veteran team, but the long-term answer is needed. I expect the Chargers to be in the running to leap over Miami via trade if Tua's medicals are cleared, but that's not how this mock plays out.

Would Los Angeles be happy with either Justin Herbert or Jordan Love if Tua is gone? This roster doesn't figure to produce more bottom-six finishes in the future if the quarterback position is decent since it's one of the more talented assemblies of talent in the league. This is the Chargers' chance to land a future franchise quarterback.

Hebert has a lot to clean up despite his athleticism, size and huge arm. Anthony Lynn and company can build a favorable situation for him to develop his footwork and mental processing, then ease him into a loaded offense.

This is a tough spot to predict. The second cornerback in the draft could easily go here since the Panthers are slated to start Corn Elder, Luke Cole or Dominique Hatfield across from Donte Jackson, and that'd be a disaster. Adding a veteran like Bashaud Breeland, whom they signed last year before a foot injury voided the deal, would allow them to go with the best player available who also fills a massive need. 

But there's also a need for a defensive tackle who can complement Kawann Short and solidify the defensive front. Playmaker Isaiah Simmons would also be justifiable thanks to his versatility and the potentially devastating pairing with Shaq Thompson. Even guard Tristan Wirfs would bring great value to an offense that's nearly completed. 

Derrick Brown makes the most sense in terms of need, fit and talent. He's a run-stopping fiend with the strength and body to continue improving his pass-rush abilities.

Could the draft fall better for Arizona in terms of having options? It's not likely. They could draft an elite receiver like Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs or CeeDee Lamb and set themselves up for the next several years at the position. Or go with a defensive line playmaker like Kinlaw or Brown. Even C.J. Henderson is justifiable as the cornerback position could use another young, solid piece.

But adding an offensive tackle that evaluators have told me is the "prototype" piece to build around is too exciting. I love Becton's upside and fit, even if it meant he or D.J. Humphries would move to the right side. Kliff Kingsbury hasn't prioritized the offensive line as much as other teams but having Kyler Murray and a great scheme plays into that. 

Becton's journey to this point is remarkable and will win over coaches who have any skepticism about his outlook. His length, movement ability and power is second-to-none, and he'd be an anchor for a decade to come.

The Jacksonville Jaguars own enough draft picks to make a big splash in this draft class. They can stay put and land a defensive cornerstone to rebuild their secondary in C.J. Henderson, and later grab another defensive piece or roll the dice on quarterback Jordan Love, if he falls that far. This roster has enough needs to make it difficult to have any confidence in whom they'll select.

Henderson is a very good corner prospect with upside. He's often more of a coverage corner than a playmaker on the ball but that can improve and still has value. He's fast and long, projecting as a potential traveling boundary corner. 

Getting the second-best corner prospect now allows them to snag a falling talent with their next pick.

The Cleveland Browns had a solid free agency as they revamped their offense with Jack Conklin and Austin Hooper, and smartly added starters with upside on defense. There's a massive hole at left tackle still for the long-term, so it'd be highly surprising for this selection to be anyone but a blocker.

For months we had Andrew Thomas here, and he certainly makes sense. However if Tristan Wirfs falls this far, the Browns very well could opt for his upside over Thomas' refined game. Keeping Chris Hubbard on the roster at least gives some insurance if Wirfs isn't ready to start at tackle, or if he proves to be an elite guard.

Either way, the Browns will have accomplished their mission to drastically improve this offensive line with the addition of Wirfs. It wouldn't be surprising to see the organization go back-to-back offensive linemen early on as they enter a critical season with Baker Mayfield and new head coach Kevin Stefanski.

As much as the New York Jets need pass-rush and receiving help, landing one of the top offensive tackles at this point gives them an easy call. The interior line is set but both George Fant and Chuma Edoga could be the worst starting tackles in the league, so that can't continue. Georgia's Andrew Thomas is a stout presence who will immediately bolster both their pass-blocking and run-production.

Thomas doesn't have the physical upside of his peers but he's ready-made for Sam Darnold to make a leap. Adam Gase's offense will maximize Thomas' zone-blocking prowess and that in turn is helpful for Le'Veon Bell. Falling in love with one of the top receivers will be tempting but the depth of the receiving class offers reason to wait.

The Las Vegas Raiders have invested considerably into their defense over the last two years and the results are promising. Sitting at No. 12, there's no way they'd expect to see Isaiah Simmons fall into their lap. But the defensive playmaker is a toss-up for several teams that have bigger needs elsewhere than a hybrid defender.

The Raiders can simply take the best player to help round out their defense if he's on the board. Simmons can play weak-side linebacker or safety at any given point, and the potential dime defense of Damarious Randall, Johnathan Abram, Lamarcus Joyner and Simmons is incredibly progressive and versatile. 

If he's gone, taking the top receiver or corner of their choice would also be massively beneficial for their long-term growth. It's a good class at both positions and they have the assets to be on the rise in 2020.

The 49ers boldly moved DeForest Buckner as looming cap issues necessitated a trade, and they land an absolute steal in this mock. South Carolina defensive bully Javon Kinlaw is ripe for development into a monstrous presence. Easing into a loaded 49ers front would give him the chance to play a specific role right away and find success.

Kinlaw's a massive presence at 6'5" and 324 pounds, with the skill set as a penetrating nose or 3-technique. His dynamic first step and strong upper body will immediately boost what was a porous run unit in 2019 while also giving major upside as a pass-rusher. He's similar to DeForest Buckner.

The other option is looking at receivers. With Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs both available, the 49ers must think about whether they believe in any of their young receivers besides Deebo Samuel to pass them up. I don't, so if Kinlaw is gone, one of them should hear their name called.

There's not a team that underwent a more drastic change with one move than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did when Tom Brady signed on. Moving on from Jameis Winston for Brady is a massive rush on their process but most of the roster is ready to compete. Adding championship-caliber pieces capable of contributing in 2020 is paramount.

Drafting a tackle to protect Brady could be considered since Joe Haeg doesn't have the strongest resume, but most options were left tackles in college and will inevitably struggle through the transition from college to NFL, let alone switching sides. Trading for Trent Williams with Day 2 picks and moving Donovan Smith is a better option if they're willing to finance the future for Brady.

Taking K'Lavon Chaisson is the right move with how the board fell. The Buccaneers defense needs another pass-rusher with Carl Nassib gone, and adding a competent edge presence is never a bad idea. Chaisson would rotate onto the field quickly thanks to his quick burst off the line and solid run awareness.

There's a lot of buzz that the first receiver who will go off the board is Henry Ruggs, but the tape doesn't lie. Jerry Jeudy is a better overall playmaker and would complement this playmaking corps right away. Giving Drew Lock a high-impact starter in Pat Shurmur's offense would be a home-run pick.

Jeudy is a smooth route-runner with great speed and nuance. He can play inside or out, and is as dangerous with the ball as he is without it. Pure speed doesn't trump the precision Jeudy possesses. 

A Courtland Sutton, Jeudy and Noah Fant combination would be a fearsome trio for the AFC West to face twice a year. They'd stretch defenses vertically and have varying skill sets to keep defenses scrambling to match up.

The Atlanta Falcons should very clearly address their defense, and their need for a cornerback is as rich as anything. The pass rusher list here is weak but they can nab the second-best corner on the board in Clemson's A.J. Terrell. This is a prime trade-down spot since Jordan Love is slipping and CeeDee Lamb is still on the board in this mock. 

Terrell had an outstanding career until the LSU receiving corps made some ridiculous plays in the title game. There's no need to overvalue that game when his resume is so strong. He'd immediately start on a team lacking outside corners. 

The Falcons should be focusing heavily on defense the rest of this draft and sneak in a running back somewhere on Day 2. Their depth has been ravaged over the last few years due to decline and injuries. Hitting on Terrell and finding another starter in Kendall Sheffield or Isaiah Oliver would be a huge help.

My top receiver in this class is CeeDee Lamb, and you can bet the Dallas Cowboys would be excited to see him fall this far. Lamb has an excellent blend of size, speed, creative ability and upside. He looks like the next DeAndre Hopkins. 

Dallas has a bare receiving corps outside of Michael Gallup and Amari Cooper, so adding a receiver early if the right one is on the board makes sense. This offense is one-piece away from being complete and Lamb's an overqualified option. There's nothing wrong with adding another dominant playmaker for a mid-first round pick.

Dallas will likely look to bolster their secondary in later rounds but for now it's about taking the best player available. If Lamb and Jeudy are gone then expect a cornerback to replace Byron Jones. 

There's a lot of buzz about Austin Jackson and DeAndre Swift as first-round options for Miami, but the best player here for left tackle is Josh Jones, not Jackson. Jones has mysteriously gone somewhat under-the-radar in this deeply talented tackle class but he's absolutely a first-round talent. 

Jones is an exciting prospect for teams with faith in their offensive line coach. The Houston prospect has every physical tool needed to be an excellent starter, but needs work with his hand placement and strike speed. Those are fixable skills that Miami can afford to endure in 2020 while they groom Tua for 2021. 

The Dolphins would have ample picks to address the right tackle position and add long-term prospects at guard and center. Winning in the trenches is massively important for Brian Flores' regime.

The Las Vegas Raiders pass on some quality receivers as they put a finishing touch on what'll be an exciting defense if these two first-rounders come to fruition. Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock like experienced players who come from an accomplished coaching staff instead of projections. 

TCU's Jeff Gladney checks those boxes and is able to move to the boundary or into the slot if need be. Though he's not the most physical player and his size is a limitation in the run game, he's smooth in coverage and has the ball skills to bank on. He'd fit into a secondary with Trayvon Mullen and Lamarcus Joyner as building blocks already at corner spots.

Getting a corner out of the way frees the Raiders to find receiving help and depth for the rest of their picks. They can be set up for years by hitting these picks and Gladney would be an instantly impactful starter.

Where Jordan Love will fall is going to be one of the hot stories of the first-round. Long-term fits like New Orleans, New England, Minnesota or Green Bay make some sense, but none are clean matches. Jacksonville needs a better long-term plan than Gardner Minshew, and though Love is a highly risky prospect due to his messy mechanics and decision-making, he offers massive physical upside.

Jacksonville is a good low-pressure situation for him to be slow-baked while the team figures out exactly what Minshew is. There's a good foundation with the offensive line and talented receivers, and the defense has the bones to be rounded out over the next year or two. Love may become a high-variance quarterback who can elevate his surrounding cast if he can simply cut down on the bad turnovers.

Other contenders may shy away from investing into a multi-year project while they can still compete right now.

The Eagles wisely snatched up Darius Slay and finally took care of their most pressing roster need. Now they can focus on revamping a receiving corps that went from tantalizing to broken and confusing. Alshon Jeffrey looked broken and second-round pick J.J. Arcega-Whiteside was shockingly ineffective in 2019.

Injecting another explosive body in Henry Ruggs III would protect against another Jeffrey or Desean Jackson injury. In the best-case scenario, both Arcega-Whiteside and Greg Ward leap in their development and Ruggs proves to be an impactful presence early on. His speed is a massive selling point but he looked more well-rounded in limited opportunities at Alabama.

This is a big year for Doug Pederson and the Eagles offense. Several moves were made to shake up a bland offense in 2019, but even a Super Bowl winning coach can't survive pressure forever. Ruggs has that early impact talent to help curve disappointment.

The Minnesota Vikings decided to make themselves a worse team by trading Stefon Diggs for this pick, but at least they were able to get a first-rounder for their star receiver unlike Houston did for DeAndre Hopkins. They're in the right range to add a very good receiver prospect. They simply need to identify what type of playmaker they prefer.

Combine winner Justin Jefferson gets the nod with a stock boost here. Jefferson dominated the combine like he did on the field with LSU as he racked up 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns.

His combine performance had scouts and social media buzzing with excitement. His 4.43 40, 37.5-inch vertical and 126" broad jump confirmed his athleticism is a difference-making factor, and has high-end No. 2 receiver upside. Fitting him next to Adam Theilein would be excellent for both the Vikings offense and Jefferson's potential impact.

Over time the New England Patriots' roster has become less impressive due to attrition and refocusing on value than starpower. It's worked as Tom Brady and this coaching staff have been able to overcome roster limitations. That changed this past year after both Antonio Brown and Josh Gordon flamed out, and losing Trey Flowers in free agency hurt their pass-rush.

There's not a fix-all at No. 23. Losing Brady hurts badly and they appear set to enter 2020 with Jarrett Stidham as their starter barring a veteran signing. Taking Jordan Love could be under consideration but if they flame out this season they could get a much better prospect. 

Patrick Queen's much like Atlanta's Deion Jones, able to drop into coverage like a safety, rush the passer like a decent edge presence, and stop the run well enough to be a legitimate middleman in spread-heavy attacks. Even if offenses change to more tight formations and trends change, Queen will have value as an overhang coverage option against slots and tight ends. 

We know that Drew Brees is back, so now the Saints must do whatever it takes to keep him productive. Addressing their linebacker position merits consideration but getting into the receiver run would be wise. Replacing Ted Ginn's pure speed is an option with K.J. Hamler.

The Saints have done well to find production from no-namers and veterans besides Thomas, but investing a significant pick for a Year 1 starter is wise for Brees' success. Hamler's going to prove more valuable and versatile in the NFL than in a limited Penn State situation. I think he'll be someone who can outperform expectations quickly. 

He's lightning quick upfield and can take even a slant to the house. The trio of Thomas, Hamler and Emmanuel Sanders is easily the best this regime has had, and may prove to be a difference-making unit in the playoffs as they stretch defenses thin.

The Vikings had one of the stronger rosters in the NFL last year, but they're tight on cap space and have to deal with losing several defenders to free agency. Another edge rusher would help but there's a massive long-term hole at corner as well. This draft worked out to fill the latter need.

LSU's Kristian Fulton is a solid pick this late in the first-round. The 6'0", 197-pounder fits the physical mold that Minnesota likes. He's not the stickiest in coverage but can play the ball and has the traits to recover. He's similar to Trae Waynes in nature. 

The uncertainty with Mike Hughes' health and departure of their three top corners basically forces Minnesota to spend again at the position. Hitting on Fulton and getting lucky with Hughes' health would go a long way in re-solidifying a position that looked set just a few years ago before age and injuries struck.

Miami simply shouldn't use this pick on a running back considering their needs elsewhere. It's a luxury pick that can wait until there's more value on Day 2, whereas continuing to invest into their porous offensive line will help protect Tua for the next several years. I mentioned earlier that Miami should address the tackle position earlier, and now's the chance to solidify their interior line.

Cesar Ruiz is a hot name thanks to his projection as an upper-tier center or guard. He plays well within the pass-blocking phone booth, but also showed road-grading potential in the run game at Michigan. His time with Jim Harbaugh gave a clear pathway for his NFL success, and Miami runs similar concepts to accentuate his strengths.

The Dolphins' offense would need a long-term right tackle and running back but they have enough picks to continue addressing those concerns. This team looks well positioned to be a playoff contender in the near future if they nail all three firsts.

The tackle run began early and continues into the late first-round thanks to the rare athleticism and upside of the class. Seattle loves moldable athletes and both Austin Jackson and Georgia's Isaiah Wilson qualify as candidates to become long-term starters for the Seahawks. Journeymen like D.J. Fluker and Cedric Ogbuehi aren't good enough to stop the Seahawks from investing into Russell Wilson's protection.

Jackson's one of the more beloved tier-2 tackles by scouts thanks to his ability to kick slide in pass protection sets. There's a lot to clean up but the pathway to becoming a very good starter is there, but that's also something Seahawks fans heard about recent busts like Germain Ifedi. Technique development will very likely determine Jackson's career success. 

One-year after adding Marquise Brown, the Baltimore Ravens aren't done building around Lamar Jackson yet. We saw massive growth from Jackson last year, and he's an MVP candidate with his explosiveness. He needs better options than Willie Snead and Chris Moore to continue his arc, though. 

Baylor's Denzel Mims is a great value in the late first-round. The 6'3", 207-pound athlete is as explosive as they come for his frame, and his wide catch radius is perfect for Jackson. Though he's unrefined as a route-runner, his Senior Bowl and combine performances show huge promise for what he can become.

He creates big plays on the sideline, in the end zone, and after the catch. He's not as proven as CeeDee Lamb, but there's not much difference in their styles or potential. 

The surprising trade of Jerrell Casey opened up room in the first-round for an ideal replacement pick in Ross Blacklock. The TCU defensive lineman is a versatile piece who can play the 5-technique in base and kick inside on nickel downs. Blacklock was incredibly productive throughout his stint with Gary Patterson, tearing through the conference until an Achilles injury derailed his sophomore season. He projects as an early contributor even to a playoff contender.

His ability to penetrate upfield is especially notable for the Titans' needs. Casey had game-wrecking potential, and though Blacklock isn't quick as good with his hands, he's quick and has the instincts needed to be close. 

His run defense and ability to handle double teams will be a work in progress. That's the case for many young linemen though, and unfair to be overvalued considering the current state of the league.

Could a 4.6 40-yard dash runner make it into the first-round over speedier options? Tee Higgins should be able to because he's still fast for his 6'4", 216-pound frame. Some of that is due to his route-running and usage of his body.

Even if he's not a burner, the Packers may want to give Marquez Valdes-Scantling another year of development as a downfield threat. But someone has to be added to this playmaking group. The list of young talent that's flashed but unable to consistently produce isn't good enough yet.

Higgins is the type to walk in and produce right away. Davante Adams is terrific, and his presence allows Higgins to be isolated on vertical routes and jump ball opportunities. We already know Aaron Rodgers can give his receivers excellent chances to finish strong, and Higgins is the best in class at it.

Earlier I mentioned that San Francisco could justifiably go with a receiver, but sitting at No. 31, I don't love the Jalen Reagor or Laviska Shenault fits as much as I do this pick. The 49ers offensive line is terrific, but plugging in an elite athlete into the right guard position would continue their elite road-grading. 

Combine winner Ezra Cleveland is custom-made for their zone-blocking scheme. The 6'6", 311-pounder dominated drills, and confirmed how athletic he looked on tape. He's a candidate to play anywhere on the line and develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber zone blocker. 

Taking a bigger-bodied receiver like Bryan Edwards, Donovan Peoples-Jones or Van Jefferson would also make sense as they try to compliment their current corps. Putting a pure speedster into their roster doesn't make as much sense considering their approach.

We continue to hear the Kansas City Chiefs will add a playmaker to their already explosive offense despite needs on the interior line and defense. There's quality speed at receiver available with Jalen Reagor on the board, but the Chiefs offense would benefit more from a three-down back who hits home runs. Enter Ohio State's J.K. Dobbins.

Dobbins is a stout, sturdy and explosive back thanks to his upper-echelon acceleration and stability through contact. The Buckeyes' workhorse showed great ability as a receiver and improvement as a blocker as a junior, which helped propel him into first-round consideration. This is a great running back class, but Dobbins is the most-well rounded of the group.

He'd enter an offense geared to challenge some of the all-time units if Patrick Mahomes stays healthy for the entire year. Mecole Hardman scratched the surface last year, and the return of Sammy Watkins will keep this corps balanced and versatile.