Each year, the day before the NFL Draft, I release my one and only mock draft of the offseason. This year’s edition does not include any projected trades, but I can tell you that the Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins are two teams who are strong candidates to move up from their current positions.
The picks below are based on what I believe will happen on Thursday evening based on the numerous conversations I’ve had around the league. Special thanks to PFN Chief Draft Analyst Tony Pauline for providing the career snapshots and snippets from his scouting reports for each of the picks below. You can also check out Pauline’s final NFL Mock Draft, which he released on Wednesday morning.
Ben Allbright’s 2020 NFL Mock Draft
1. Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Graduate transfer from Ohio State who started both his seasons at LSU. Won the Heisman Trophy and completed 76.3 percent of his passes for 5,671 yards and 60 touchdowns with six interceptions as a senior in 2019. Completed 57.8 percent of his passes for 2,894 yards and 16 touchdowns with five interceptions as a junior.
2. Washington Redskins – Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
Two-year starter who earned first-team All-America honors, led the nation with 16.5 sacks and made 46 tackles (21 for loss), forced six fumbles, and broke up three passes as a junior in 2019. Named second-team All-Big Ten and made 33 tackles (14.5 for loss) with 9.5 sacks, and five pass breakups as a sophomore. Suspended two games for a violation of NCAA rules in 2019 as a result of a loan he took from a family friend who was an agent.
3. Detroit Lions – Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Two-year starter who earned first-team All-America honors and made 35 tackles with three interceptions and nine pass breakups as a junior in 2019. Made 32 tackles with eight PBUs as a sophomore.
4. New York Giants – Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
A two-year starter at right tackle. Earned first-team All-SEC honors as a junior in 2019. Large, strong college right tackle who plays with a nasty and violent disposition. Quickly sets up off the snap, immediately gets his hands into opponents, and stays square.
5. Miami Dolphins – Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
Two-year starter who earned second-team All-America honors, led the SEC with 43 touchdown passes and completed 69 percent of his passes for 3,966 yards with six interceptions as a sophomore in 2018. Earned second-team All-SEC honors and completed 71.4 percent of his passes for 2,840 yards and 33 touchdowns with three interceptions as a junior before a dislocated hip ended his season.
6. Los Angeles Chargers – Justin Herbert, QB Oregon
A physically gifted quarterback with the tools necessary to develop into a productive starter in the NFL. Patient in the pocket, sells ball fakes and looks away from covered targets. Goes through progressions, senses the rush, and only leaves the pocket as a last resort. Athletic and gets outside the pocket to elude the rush and buy time for wideouts. Possesses a big arm and easily gets the ball downfield.
7. Carolina Panthers – Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
Three-year starter who earned first-team All-America honors and made 55 tackles (12.5 for loss) with four sacks, two forced fumbles, and four pass breakups as a senior in 2019. Earned second-team All-SEC honors and made 48 tackles (10.5 for loss) with 4.5 sacks as a junior. Set a career-high with 56 tackles and added nine tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks as a sophomore.
8. Arizona Cardinals – Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
A three-year starter for Clemson. Began Clemson career as a safety in 2017 before transitioning to linebacker for 2018 and 2019. Named first-team All-ACC and ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2019. Became the school’s first-ever Butkus Award winner in 2019. Unanimous All-American selection in 2019.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars – C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
Two-year starter who earned first-team All-SEC honors and made 33 tackles with 11 pass breakups as a junior in 2019. Earned second-team All-SEC honors and made 38 tackles (five for loss) with three sacks, two interceptions, and seven PBUs as a sophomore. Started five games as a true freshman and intercepted a career-high four passes. Missed three games in 2019 due to an ankle injury.
10. Cleveland Browns – Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
Three-year starter at right tackle who earned second-team All-America honors as a junior in 2019. Named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten as a sophomore. Made four career starts at left tackle.
11. New York Jets – Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
Three-year starter who was named to the first-team All-ACC in 2019. Started 33 games for the Cardinals, 21 at left tackle and 12 at right tackle. Began at right tackle, playing ten games as a freshman. Started ten games at left tackle and two at right tackle as a sophomore. Started 11 games at left tackle as a junior before deciding for forgo his senior season.
12. Las Vegas Raiders – CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Three-year starter who earned first-team All-America honors, led the Big 12 with 14 touchdown receptions and caught 62 passes for 1,327 yards as a junior in 2019. Named Honorable Mention All-Big 12 and made 65 receptions for 1,158 yards and 11 touchdowns as a sophomore. Made 46 catches for 807 yards and seven TDs as a true freshman in 2017. Missed one game in 2019 with an undisclosed injury.
13. San Francisco 49ers – Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
Two-year starter who caught 40 passes for 746 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior in 2019. Made 46 receptions for 741 yards and a career-high 11 touchdowns as a sophomore. Missed one game in 2019 due to bruised ribs.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Three-year starter who earned first-team All-America honors as a junior in 2019. Started at left tackle his final two seasons at Georgia. Started all 15 games at right tackle as a true freshman in 2017.
15. Denver Broncos – Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Two-year starter who earned first-team All-America honors, led the SEC with 14 touchdown receptions and caught 68 passes for 1,315 yards as a sophomore in 2018. Earned First Team All-SEC honors and made 77 receptions for 1,163 yards and ten touchdowns as a junior in 2019.
16. Atlanta Falcons – Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Junior-college transfer who started all three of his seasons at South Carolina. Earned first-team All-SEC honors and made 35 tackles (six for loss) with six sacks and two pass breakups as a senior in 2019. Made 38 tackles (10 for loss) with 4.5 sacks, five pass breakups, and two forced fumbles as a junior. Missed one game in 2018 after he underwent a hip procedure.
17. Dallas Cowboys – K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
First-year starter who earned first-team All-SEC honors and made 60 tackles (13.5 for loss) with 6.5 sacks and two pass breakups as a sophomore in 2019. Started three games and made 27 tackles (4.5 for loss) with two sacks and two PBUs as a true freshman in 2017. Missed most of the 2018 season due to a torn ACL.
18. Miami Dolphins – Josh Jones, OT, Houston
Four-year starter at left tackle who earned second-team All-AAC honors as a senior in 2019. Missed two games with a knee injury as a sophomore.
19. Las Vegas Raiders – Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
Three-year starter who earned third-team All-America honors and made 102 tackles (17 for loss) with four sacks and four pass breakups as a junior in 2019. Earned second-team All-Big 12 honors, led the conference with 155 tackles and added 12.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and two pass breakups as a sophomore. Named Co-Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year and made 77 tackles (7.5 for loss) with one sack.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars – Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
First-year starter who made 85 tackles (12 for loss) with three sacks and two pass breakups as a junior in 2019. Started four games as a sophomore and made 40 tackles (five for loss) with one sack.
21. Philadelphia Eagles – Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Two-year starter who led the SEC with 111 receptions and added 1,540 receiving yards and 18 touchdown catches as a junior in 2019. Caught 54 passes for 875 yards and six TDs as a sophomore.
22. Minnesota Vikings – Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
Nice-sized cornerback with solid ball skills and tremendous upside. Quick in his backpedal, smoothly flips his hips and loses nothing in transition with opponents. Physical, willingly lays his pads into opponents and mixes it up with receivers throughout the route.
23. New England Patriots – A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa
First-year starter who earned second-team All-America honors and made 49 tackles (14.5 for loss) with 11.5 sacks and four forced fumbles as a junior in 2019. Named second-team All-Big Ten and made 37 tackles (16.5 for loss) with 10.5 sacks and four forced fumbles as a sophomore.
24. New Orleans Saints – Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
Sure-handed pass-catcher who is effective on short and intermediate routes. Fluidly releases off the line of scrimmage, quickly gets into breaks, and runs sharp routes to separate from defenders. Fights with his hands and displays solid focus and hand-eye coordination.
25. Minnesota Vikings – Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State
Three-year starter who earned first-team All-Mountain West honors in each of his final two seasons at Boise State. Named Honorable Mention All-Mountain West as a sophomore in 2017.
26. Miami Dolphins – D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
First-year starter who earned first-team All-SEC honors, rushed 196 times for 1,218 yards and seven touchdowns and caught 24 passes for 216 yards and one score as a junior in 2019. Started five games and earned second-team All-SEC honors, carried 163 times for 1,049 yards and 10 touchdowns, and made 32 receptions for 297 yards and three TDs as a sophomore.
27. Seattle Seahawks – Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
Two-year starter who earned first-team All-Big Ten honors and made 40 tackles (15 for loss) with 9.5 sacks as a junior in 2019. Named third-team All-Big Ten, finished second in the conference with 20 tackles for loss, and made 54 tackles with eight sacks as a sophomore in 2018.
28. Baltimore Ravens – Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
Two-year starter who earned first-team All-SEC honors and made 95 tackles (5.5 for loss) with three sacks, three interceptions, four forced fumbles, and five pass breakups as a junior in 2019. Made 74 tackles (six for loss) with three sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and 10 pass breakups as a sophomore.
29. Tennessee Titans – Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia
Two-year starter at right tackle. Missed two games in 2019 due to an ankle injury. Large, powerful right-tackle prospect with starting potential at the next level. Blocks with leverage, quickly sets up off the snap, and keeps his head on a swivel.
30. Green Bay Packers – Jordyn Brooks, LB, Texas Tech
Four-year starter who earned second-team All-America honors, led the Big 12 with 20 tackles for loss and made 108 tackles with three sacks as a senior in 2019. Made 84 tackles (7.5 for loss) with three sacks as a junior.
31. San Francisco 49ers – A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
Athletic cornerback with a high upside. Physical, battles receivers, and works hard to defend throws. Displays good awareness, knows where his opponent is on the field, and effectively covers receivers on crossing patterns.
32. Kansas City Chiefs – Cesar Ruiz, C, Michigan
Two-year starter at center who earned second-team All-Big Ten honors as a junior in 2019. Named third-team All-Big Ten as a sophomore. Made five starts at right guard as a true freshman in 2017.
Ben Allbright is an NFL Insider for Pro Football Network. You can follow him on Twitter: @AllbrightNFL.