While mock drafts can have multiple formats, the “What I would do” version has always been my favorite. Not only is this format a tool to see team needs and potential options, but it helps get a sense of the class through the view of different draft writers and evaluators. I detailed the first round of the NFL Draft as if I were in charge of each team’s draft room, giving ideal selections for every unique situation that your favorite team could find themselves facing. Here’s my 2020 “What I would do” first-round mock.
Brad Kelly’s 2020 NFL first-round mock draft
1) Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow, QB LSU
It’s seemingly a foregone conclusion that the Bengals will be moving on from long-term starting quarterback Andy Dalton, leaving an opening atop their depth chart. Heisman winner Joe Burrow, fresh off his 60 passing touchdown season at LSU, is an Ohio-born QB worthy of the top pick in the draft. Burrow throws with accuracy and touch. He has the mobility to escape pressure and is one of the most efficient collegiate passers in recent memory. He projects to a Pro Bowl level early on in his NFL career and would be the face of the new Bengals regime as a natural fit in head coach Zac Taylor’s offensive system.
Joe Burrow releases the ball with his front foot on the 15, Ja’Marr Chase catches it on the opposite 32
53 yards in the air. Thrown as in stride as you can expect from a 50+ yard bomb #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/D5XBX5owSL
— Brad Kelly (@BradKelly17) March 12, 2020
2) Washington Redskins – Tua Tagovailoa, QB Alabama
Washington spent a first-round pick on Dwayne Haskins during the 2019 NFL Draft and traded a fifth-round pick for Kyle Allen to compete and push for the starting job. While both options showed flashes during their starting stretches last season, neither have the ceiling of Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa. Adding him into the quarterback room creates competition, and either Tagovailoa or Haskins could be moved down the line for draft capital. If Washington truly believes in Haskins, then others around the league will as well, meaning he’ll hold value even if he loses out in a competition with Tagovailoa.
3) Detroit Lions – Chase Young, EDGE Ohio State
Despite losing star cornerback Darius Slay by way of trade, Detroit has attempted to improve their defense through free agency. They have a hole in their secondary and elite cornerback prospect Jeffrey Okudah is available, but his teammate Chase Young is too good of a prospect to pass up at this point. Young would improve the Lions against the run and the pass, immediately becoming their best pass rusher and potentially the best in the entire league. Young is every bit as sure of a thing as a prospect as Myles Garrett was coming out of Texas A&M.
4) New York Giants – Isaiah Simmons, SAF/LB Clemson
Isaiah Simmons is a fantastic defensive prospect with versatility and athleticism. With his size and athleticism, he can cover tight ends and running backs, fit the run from weakside linebacker, be a productive blitzer, or show his range from two-high safety shells. Simmons would have a similar impact to the Giants’ defense as Derwin James did to the Chargers, unlocking the best role from the rest of their starters. The Giants still need improved coverage ability from their linebacker core, and Simmons would continue the offseason restructure of their second level.
5) Miami Dolphins – Jedrick Wills, OT Alabama
Miami could be targeting a quarterback this high, but I only view Burrow and Tagovailoa as worthy options when they have this many other holes on their offensive depth chart that need to be filled. Enter Alabama right tackle Jedrick Wills, my highest-rated offensive line prospect in the draft class. No matter the direction the Dolphins decide to take at the QB position, that player will need improvements upfront in order to operate. Wills is already a fantastic road grader with the swift feet and power to project as a strong pass protector early in his professional career. Without a true right tackle on the roster, Wills would be the rare prospect that fits in quality, need, and positional value.
6) Los Angeles Chargers – Jordan Love, QB Utah State
While veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor is a serviceable option, Los Angeles will cap the potential of a pretty talented roster if he is the full-time starter. They are in a position to land a quality quarterback prospect at sixth overall and should address the most crucial position when they have the draft capital. I personally prefer Jordan Love to Justin Herbert or other quarterback options. Love has every bit the arm talent, with better improvisation and the superior drive through tight windows. QB is the position to make a positional reach, and it’s worth it to secure Love’s ceiling.
Jordan Love with an off-platform, over the shoulder dime against arguably the best secondary in CFB. Love can make plays outside of the pocket #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/pErXuMBUBD
— Brad Kelly (@BradKelly17) March 19, 2020
7) Carolina Panthers – Jeffrey Okudah, CB Ohio State
Carolina will be searching for their James Bradberry replacement at some stage of the NFL Draft, and in this scenario, they land one of the cleanest cornerback prospects in quite some time. Jeff Okudah has ideal size, athleticism, and technique as a man cover cornerback, projecting as a lock-down defender who travels with the opposing number one receiver. If he’s available when the Panthers make their selection, they should sprint to the podium.
8) Arizona Cardinals – Tristan Wirfs, OT Iowa
After somehow acquiring DeAndre Hopkins without giving up this pick, the Cardinals upgraded their weapons surrounding second-year quarterback Kyler Murray. The next goal of the offseason should be to improve his protection, and Iowa right tackle Tristan Wirfs is a high upside prospect with the athleticism of a superhero. Their current projected starter at that position would be Marcus Gilbert, who is now 32 years old and has an extensive injury history. Wirfs would slide into that spot and immediately provide an upgrade.
9) Jacksonville Jaguars – Derrick Brown, IDL Auburn
Jacksonville traded away Calais Campbell this offseason and restructured Marcell Dareus’ contract to sign him to a modest deal through next year. They need to continue getting younger and adding talent to their interior defensive line. Pairing Derrick Brown with Taven Bryan would give them position flexibility and pass rush potential. Brown’s athletic testing was uninspiring, but his film against SEC talent speaks for itself.
10) Cleveland Browns – Mekhi Becton, OT Louisville
Cleveland enters the NFL Draft with a hole in their starting lineup at left tackle after Greg Robinson’s disappointing season and recent arrest. In order to get the most out of young quarterback Baker Mayfield, they need to hit on a reliable cornerstone blind-side protector. Louisville left tackle Mekhi Becton is massive but has explosiveness and fluidity rarely seen in a lineman his size. With a natural fit at left tackle and all-pro potential, Becton needs to be one of the Browns’ targets at this selection.
11) New York Jets – Andrew Thomas, OT Georgia
While the New York Jets have targeted free agency as a way to improve their offensive line, they’ll still be looking for starters in front of franchise quarterback Sam Darnold. Luckily for them, in this scenario, one of the best pure pass protectors in the offensive tackle class remains on the board; Georgia’s Andrew Thomas. While he most recently started at left tackle for the Bulldogs, Thomas had 15 starts on the right side during his collegiate career. Thomas playing right tackle in the pros would allow free agency signee George Fant to stay at his more natural left tackle position, and complete the Jets re-build up-front.
12) Las Vegas Raiders – Henry Ruggs III, WR Alabama
Las Vegas has a need for a seam stretcher, and they attempted to fill that in free agency with the signing of Nelson Agholor. The beautiful part about drafting Henry Ruggs III is that he’s more advanced than a typical speed threat, offering developed press coverage releases, strong hands (just one drop in 2019), and the ability to win while contested. Ruggs would provide a needed sense of explosiveness to the Raiders’ uninspiring weapons, further unlocking the likes of Tyrell Williams and Hunter Renfrow in the intermediate. I have Ruggs graded as the best wide receiver in the draft, and his skill set fits what the Raiders need better than other top prospects at the position.
Henry Ruggs III joined track as a Senior in high school, and ran a 10.42s 100 meter in his second meet.
“Official” PR (with wind reading) was 10.53s.
Class 7A Alabama 100 meter state champion and record holder. He’s got the jets. pic.twitter.com/IcAQAp4A54
— Brad Kelly (@BradKelly17) October 14, 2018
13) San Francisco 49ers – Jerry Jeudy, WR Alabama
Jerry Jeudy’s fit in San Francisco, both as a part of Kyle Shanahan’s offense and in their current wide receiver depth chart, would be an ideal one. The 49ers offense requires separation from their wide receivers. This would ideally give them extra time to get open with their heavy use of play-action and a constantly moving pocket. Jeudy is one of the best separators to declare for the NFL Draft in recent memory, using explosive cuts and an array of head fakes or double moves to keep defensive backs on their heels. On top of that, he took most of his reps in college from the slot, a position that the 49ers have cycled a bunch of bodies through in the last couple of seasons. Jeudy, Deebo Samuel, Kendrick Bourne, Dante Pettis, and potentially Jalen Hurd, would be an exciting and talented young wide receiver nucleus.
14) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Josh Jones, OT Houston
Tampa had their dream scenario happen this offseason when arguably the greatest quarterback of all-time, Tom Brady, signed as a free agent. Already flush with surrounding talent, they need to address parts of the offensive line, specifically their consistency at offensive tackle. Josh Jones is the only remaining offensive tackle prospect worthy of a first-round pick, even if this stage feels like a slight reach. Jones fills a positional need that absolutely has to be addressed to get the most of out Brady and coach Bruce Arians’ offensive system.
15) Denver Broncos – CeeDee Lamb, WR Oklahoma
Denver’s dream scenario is having Ruggs fall to them at 15, as his speed would pair well with Drew Lock’s arm strength. He’d also stretch the field and demand extra coverage, opening up the intermediate and solo matchups for Courtland Sutton and Noah Fant. Regardless, CeeDee Lamb is no consolation prize. He has the potential to be the best wide receiver from this class. Lamb has outstanding body control and ball skills and fluidity in his route running to uncover at the next level. His downfield chops aren’t anything to scoff at either, and he’d be an exciting new asset for the new-look Broncos offense.
16) Atlanta Falcons – C.J. Henderson, CB Florida
Atlanta released long-time starting cornerback Desmond Trufant and now enter the NFL Draft with a glaring hole in their depth chart. C.J. Henderson has a strong projection to the next level, with excellent size (6-foot-1, 204 pounds), athleticism (4.39s), and man coverage traits. In most years, Henderson is the top cornerback in the class and provides value by this stage of the first-round.
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