With the 2020 NFL Draft a little more than two weeks away, here’s my third look at how teams will draft when Round 1 begins on April 23.
School: LSU | Year: Senior (RS)
I’m sure there will be several teams interested in trading up for Burrow, but I can’t see the
Bengals passing up the opportunity to land their top QB.
Chase Young – Edge
School: Ohio State | Year: Junior
I understand the
Redskins already have depth on the defensive line, but Young is too good to pass up.
Jeff Okudah – CB
School: Ohio State | Year: Junior
Okudah is the premier player at his position in this draft and fills a massive need on the
Lions‘ defense.
Tristan Wirfs – OT
School: Iowa | Year: Junior
The
Giants have needs all over their defense, but I still believe protecting
Daniel Jones is the top priority.
Tua Tagovailoa – QB
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
The
Chargers have a talented roster and now they have a point guard to distribute the ball for the next decade-plus.
Derrick Brown – DT
School: Auburn | Year: Senior
The
Panthers have a bunch of intriguing options with the seventh pick. I wouldn’t rule out a trade down from this spot, either.
Mekhi Becton – OT
School: Louisville | Year: Junior
The
Jaguars have a multitude of needs on defense, but this pick helps them upgrade two spots. Becton takes over at LT and
Cam Robinson slides inside to guard.
Isaiah Simmons – LB/S
School: Clemson | Year: Junior (RS)
The
Browns need another offensive tackle, but Simmons might be too good to bypass. He is the perfect defender to match up with the division’s most dangerous playmaker,
Lamar Jackson.
CeeDee Lamb – WR
School: Oklahoma | Year: Junior
The
Jets need to continue to upgrade the O-line, but they must weigh taking the fourth-best OT versus the top wideout.
Sam Darnold needs some dynamic players around him.
Jerry Jeudy – WR
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
This decision would likely come down to Jeudy versus
Javon Kinlaw. I would applaud either choice.
Henry Ruggs III – WR
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
Let’s take a minute and just imagine Ruggs in the hands of a creative play-caller like Kyle Shanahan.
Andrew Thomas – OT
School: Georgia | Year: Junior
The Bucs are all in on
Tom Brady. Adding some protection for him is a good idea.
Javon Kinlaw – DT
School: South Carolina | Year: Senior
The
Broncos could go receiver here, but they also have a need on the D-line. Kinlaw has unlimited potential.
C.J. Henderson – CB
School: Florida | Year: Junior
The
Falcons have plenty of firepower on offense, but the secondary needs help. Henderson has the greatest upside of any cornerback in the draft class.
K’Lavon Chaisson – Edge
School: LSU | Year: Sophomore (RS)
Chaisson would be an ideal fit on the opposite side of
Demarcus Lawrence. He is still a little raw, but he’s very explosive.
Yetur Gross-Matos – Edge
School: Penn State | Year: Junior
Gross-Matos would give the
Dolphins some much-needed edge rush. The more I studied him, the more I liked him.
A.J. Terrell – CB
School: Clemson | Year: Junior
Terrell would reunite with his college teammate,
Trayvon Mullen, to give the
Raiders two tall, long and rangy CBs to build their secondary around.
Justin Jefferson – WR
School: LSU | Year: Junior
Jefferson has outstanding hands and route polish. He excels on third down and in the red zone.
Kenneth Murray – LB
School: Oklahoma | Year: Junior
The
Eagles need to add receivers, but they can afford to wait a round or two. Murray would give them a dynamic playmaker in the middle of their defense.
Jaylon Johnson – CB
School: Utah | Year: Junior
Johnson is rock solid on tape and he has the tools to fit perfectly in the
Vikings‘ scheme.
A.J. Epenesa – Edge
School: Iowa | Year: Junior
The
Patriots love size and power on the edges. Epenesa isn’t an elite tester, but he’s a very productive football player.
Patrick Queen – LB
School: LSU | Year: Junior
The
Saints don’t have many glaring needs. They can afford to simply take the best player available.
Tee Higgins – WR
School: Clemson | Year: Junior
Higgins would bring some size and red-zone ability to the
Vikings‘ offense.
Joshua Jones – OT
School: Houston | Year: Senior (RS)
The
Dolphins must address the offensive line in this draft. I could see them doubling up in the next round.
Austin Jackson – OT
School: USC | Year: Junior
Jackson was very up and down last season, but he’s an outstanding athlete. He should continue to improve as a pro.
Zack Baun – LB
School: Wisconsin | Year: Senior (RS)
The
Ravens need more edge rush. Baun has the athleticism to drop and cover, as well.
Brandon Aiyuk – WR
School: Arizona State | Year: Senior
I love Aiyuk’s game and his toughness would fit the culture in Tennessee.
Jordan Love – QB
School: Utah State | Year: Junior (RS)
It’s tough to find the right spot for Love. He could go in the top 10 or fall to this neighborhood of the draft. The
Packers would be a great fit for him to sit, learn and develop.
Ross Blacklock – DT
School: TCU | Year: Junior (RS)
The
49ers will likely trade down to stockpile selections, as they currently don’t hold a pick in Rounds 2-4.
Cesar Ruiz – C
School: Michigan | Year: Junior
The
Chiefs could have their choice of the top running backs, but they also need to get younger/better along the interior of their offensive line.
Follow Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter @MoveTheSticks.