2020 NFL Mock Draft: An early look at next year's class
Last April, it would have been far-fetched to predict that Kyler Murray would become the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. But that won't stop us from taking a long look ahead at 2020 and predicting who might hear their name called first when the event is held in Las Vegas.
Here is theScore's very early 2020 mock draft. The order of the picks was determined by the most recent Super Bowl odds set by Westgate Las Vegas.
1. Miami Dolphins - Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
Will Josh Rosen prove he's the long-term answer at quarterback in Miami? If not, the Dolphins could take one of the promising QBs in the 2020 class. But if so, Brown, a 6-foot-5, 318-pound tackle, might be the best player available. He had 48 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks as a junior.
2. Arizona Cardinals - Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
The Cardinals did an excellent job of surrounding Murray with weapons in the 2019 draft, including receivers Andy Isabella and Hakeem Butler. Next year, they could opt to fortify the offensive line by taking Thomas, a 6-foot-5, 320-pound prospect who has started all 28 games played since he arrived at Georgia.
3. Cincinnati Bengals - Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
If the Bengals are indeed picking third, they're likely going to need a new quarterback. Yes, they took Ryan Finley in the fourth round on Saturday, but it would be hard to pass up Tagovailoa. The Crimson Tide pivot threw 43 touchdowns this past season and finished second to Murray in the Heisman Trophy race.
4. Buffalo Bills - Chase Young, DE, Ohio State
The Bills improved their defensive front by taking Ed Oliver ninth overall this year, and they could go get a pass-rusher in 2020. That player might be Young, who led the Buckeyes in both tackles for loss (14.5) and sacks (9.5) during 2018.
5. Detroit Lions - A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa
A year after taking tight end T.J. Hockenson, the Lions could go back to Iowa for Epenesa, one of the better pass-rushers in college football. He posted 10.5 sacks in 2018.
6. Washington Redskins - Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
The Redskins tried to find Dwayne Haskins some mid-round help in Terry McLaurin this year, but Washington's receiving corps will still be looking for a No. 1 option. Enter Jeudy, the Biletnikoff Award winner who caught 68 passes for 1,315 yards in 2018.
7. Tennessee Titans - Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama
This pick could be a quarterback if the Titans decide to move on from Marcus Mariota. If not, it isn't a reach to go with Moses, the 6-foot-3, 235-pound linebacker who recorded 86 tackles (10 for loss) last season.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
If the Buccaneers are drafting in the top 10, they might look to replace Jameis Winston, who's entering a contract year. Bruce Arians could begin Year 2 with the franchise by choosing a young QB like Herbert.
9. New York Giants - Walker Little, OT, Stanford
No matter who plays quarterback for the Giants, better offensive line play is a must. Little started for Stanford as a true freshman and made the All-Pac-12 first team as a sophomore.
10. Las Vegas Raiders - Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia
If the Raiders are still picking in the top 10 after making three first-round selections this year, it will be time to add a quarterback prospect. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Fromm completed 67 percent of his passes in 2018.
11. New York Jets - Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
The Jets went defense with four of their six picks in 2019, so they'll need to focus on getting Sam Darnold some help in 2020. Becton is huge at 6-foot-7, 355 pounds and has 23 games of starting experience under his belt.
12. Denver Broncos - CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Emmanuel Sanders will be 33 years old and the Broncos don't have many proven playmakers beyond him. A year after Marquise Brown went in the first round, Oklahoma has another intriguing prospect in the 6-foot-2, 189-pound Lamb. He went for 1,158 yards last season and made plays like this.
13. Carolina Panthers - C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
Despite a need at the position, the Panthers didn't take any defensive backs this year. The 6-foot-1 Henderson posted two interceptions and three sacks in 2018.
14. Jacksonville Jaguars - Grant Delpit, S, LSU
With this pick, the Jaguars likely get the best value in this mock draft and would also fill a need with Delpit, the best safety in the class. He posted 74 tackles, five interceptions, and five sacks in 2018.
15. Baltimore Ravens - Shaquille Quarterman, LB, Miami (Fla.)
Baltimore lost C.J. Mosley in free agency this offseason and didn't take a linebacker with any of its eight draft picks. Quarterman finished second in the ACC among linebackers with 14 tackles for loss last year and second on the Hurricanes with 82 tackles.
16. Houston Texans - Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
The Texans did well to address needs in the 2019 draft, taking a tackle (Tytus Howard) and a cornerback (Lonnie Johnson) with their first two picks. Going forward, Lamar Miller is entering the last year of his contract and hasn't rushed for 1,000 yards since 2016. Etienne, with his 8.1 yards per carry and 24 touchdowns in 2018, is the type of back who could go in the first round.
17. Atlanta Falcons - Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama
The Falcons drafted two offensive linemen in the first round this year and could look to upgrade the interior of their defensive line in 2020. Davis' production dipped from 2017 to '18, but the 6-foot-7, 309-pounder should still be a first-rounder if he produces a strong senior year.
18. Seattle Seahawks - Isaiah Simmons, S/LB, Clemson
Seattle grabbed safety Marquise Blair in the second round this year, but the 6-foot-4, 225-pound Simmons is a playmaker. He led the national champion Tigers with 89 tackles.
19. San Francisco 49ers - Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
The 49ers snagged an NFL-low two interceptions last season and neither of them were produced by cornerbacks. Enter Hall, a highly productive, 6-foot-1 corner who intercepted two passes during 2018 while leading the nation with 24 passes defended.
20. Dallas Cowboys - Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
The Cowboys haven't invested more than a third-round pick in a safety since taking Roy Williams in 2002. McKinney, who recorded 74 tackles as a sophomore and was named defensive MVP in Alabama's Orange Bowl win over Oklahoma, is trending up.
21. Minnesota Vikings - Rashard Lawrence, DT, LSU
The Vikings signed Shamar Stephen this offseason and then drafted Armon Watts in the sixth round, but might still need a long-term plan at defensive tackle. Lawrence already has 23 games of starting experience ahead of his senior season.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers - Curtis Weaver, DE/OLB, Boise State
Bud Dupree will be a free agent after the 2019 season and the Steelers could get younger by taking Weaver, one of the most productive pass-rushers in college football. The 6-foot-3, 264-pound prospect has recorded 20.5 sacks over the last two years.
23. Cleveland Browns - Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn
Only three offensive linemen on the Browns' roster were drafted by the team, so another investment in the position is needed. Wanogho is a fascinating prospect who hails from Nigeria and came to Auburn as a 250-pound defensive end. He's now 6-foot-7, 305 pounds and was an All-SEC first-team pick by Pro Football Focus for 2018.
24. Philadelphia Eagles - Paddy Fisher, LB, Northwestern
Cornerback and middle linebacker already look like positions of need moving forward for the Eagles. Fisher has racked up 230 tackles in two seasons, finishing second in the Big Ten with 117 during 2018.
25. Los Angeles Chargers - Tyler Biadasz, C, Wisconsin
Picking here would mean the Chargers are a playoff team in 2019, so perhaps it won't yet be time to invest a first-round pick in a quarterback. Instead, Biadasz would provide great value as an interior lineman. He's started 27 games at center for Wisconsin and Mike Pouncey will be a free agent next offseason.
26. Green Bay Packers - Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
The Packers did nothing to address their receiving corps in the 2019 draft and the group still looks thin beyond Davante Adams. Higgins is a big target at 6-foot-4 and is primed for a breakout year catching passes from Trevor Lawrence.
27. Las Vegas Raiders (from Chicago) - Kenny Willekes, DE, Michigan State
The Raiders acquired this pick as part of the Khalil Mack trade. Even after drafting Clelin Ferrell with the fourth overall pick this year, the team could use more reinforcements up front. Among the power-conference defensive players returning to school, Willekes ranked second in tackles for loss with 20.5 in 2018 (Arizona's Colin Schooler was first).
28. Indianapolis Colts - Collin Johnson, WR, Texas
The Colts did a nice job of adding receivers this offseason, signing Devin Funchess and drafting Parris Campbell in the second round. But Funchess is only in Indianapolis on a one-year deal, and the 6-foot-6 Johnson will offer an alternative. He's returning for his senior year after catching 68 passes for 985 yards in 2018.
29. New Orleans Saints - Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State
This is another interesting place to speculate about a quarterback (Shea Patterson? Jacob Eason? Jalen Hurts?) because of Drew Brees' age. But New Orleans could also use a young cornerback to pair with Marshon Lattimore. Dantzler, a Louisiana native, posted 43 tackles and two interceptions in 2018.
30. Kansas City Chiefs - Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State
The Chiefs just used their second-round draft pick on speedy receiver Mecole Hardman after telling Tyreek Hill to stay away from team activities, but they could still improve the group of playmakers surrounding Patrick Mahomes. As a sophomore, Wallace caught 86 passes for 1,491 yards and was a Biletnikoff Award finalist. He plays bigger than his 6-foot, 185-pound frame.
31. Los Angeles Rams - Tommy Kraemer, OG, Notre Dame
The Rams took two tackles in the middle rounds of the 2019 draft but could also use a prospect inside. Kraemer has started 21 games over the last two seasons for a successful Fighting Irish program.
32. New England Patriots - Richie Grant, S, UCF
Devin McCourty and Patrick Chung will both be 33 years old by Week 1 of the 2020 season and McCourty's contract will run out after this year. Grant is coming off a highly productive campaign that included 109 tackles, six interceptions, and three forced fumbles.