Brad Kelly’s 2020 NFL first-round mock draft
17) Dallas Cowboys – Kristian Fulton, CB LSU
With the loss of Byron Jones in free agency, the Cowboys will be in the market for a starting level cornerback in the NFL Draft. Kristian Fulton was the best senior at the position last season and did more than hold his own against the talented Alabama and Clemson receiver corps. Fulton has clean footwork in coverage and proper instincts at the catch point. He would create a formidable outside cornerback duo along with Chidobe Awuzie.
18) Miami Dolphins – Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
While I have Oregon’s Herbert rated as a second-round prospect, his value at this stage would be too strong to pass up for the quarterback-needy Dolphins. Herbert has decent upside at the most important position for the middle of the first round and would take over as the Dolphins starter late in 2020 and beyond. Drafting Herbert in the top-10 would be too rich for my liking, but by this stage, there aren’t any prospects who increase Miami’s potential like a future starting QB.
Justin Herbert drops in it the bucket from 55 yards out #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/Fi9orCAUiH
— Brad Kelly (@BradKelly17) March 4, 2020
19) Las Vegas Raiders – Grant Delpit, SAF LSU
Grant Delpit’s tackling issues have been the cause of a drop in his draft stock, but that shouldn’t overshadow the impact he could make in coverage. Delpit is rangy at free safety, with the ability to rotate down in man coverage against pass-catching tight ends. Adding Delpit to the defensive back room not only improves their potential but allows Johnathan Abram and Damarious Randall to lock into their best roles. After seeing their defensive line take a step forward last season, improving their back-end should be one of their priorities after already upgrading their offensive weapons with the Ruggs selection.
20) Jacksonville Jaguars – Xavier McKinney, SAF Alabama
After improving their defensive front with their first pick, in this scenario, the Jaguars strengthen their back-end with Alabama safety Xavier McKinney. One of the smartest defensive backs in the class, McKinney can fill a variety of roles, all the way from single-high coverages to playing weakside linebacker. McKinney is a natural processor of route combinations, and the strength in his lower body allows him to be a sound tackler. Jacksonville needs to improve at both cornerback and safety, and McKinney’s coverage versatility would be a welcome addition.
21) Philadelphia Eagles – Denzel Mims, WR Baylor
Philadelphia’s wide receiver corps has been on a steady decline since their Super Bowl victory, and they require a talent influx despite spending a second-round pick on J.J. Arcega-Whiteside last year. After a dominant week at the Senior Bowl and jaw-dropping showing at the NFL Scouting Combine, nobody has improved their draft stock in this process than Denzel Mims. He’s a vertical boundary threat with size, speed, and details at the catch point. With his massive catch radius and ability to stress coverage, he’ll be a helpful target for Carson Wentz while opening the intermediate level for the Eagles talented group of tight ends.
22) Minnesota Vikings – Justin Jefferson, WR LSU
After trading star wide receiver Stefon Diggs, the Vikings have a hole at the position behind Adam Thielen. On top of that, Kirk Cousins has consistently had better success with wide receivers who can separate with their route running throughout his career. With Jefferson’s footwork and his understanding of beating zone coverages, his skill set fits well with Cousins’ accuracy and timing. Jefferson is an ideal fit for the Vikings offense and fills a positional need, and there is a realistic possibility that he wouldn’t be available at the 25th pick due to the needs of the Patriots and Saints.
Justin Jefferson’s stop on a dime looks even better from All-22 pic.twitter.com/WBjbz3Iy6m
— Brad Kelly (@BradKelly17) February 3, 2020
23) New England Patriots – Javon Kinlaw, IDL South Carolina
Javon Kinlaw has the talent to be selected in the top-10, but there are fewer teams in need of interior defensive lineman than other positions. With the Patriots missing out on the first waves of quarterbacks and wide receivers, they select Javon Kinlaw as a replacement for the departed Danny Shelton. Kinlaw provides upside and depth to their defensive line, which needs to be stout after their linebacker depth was depleted during free agency.
24) New Orleans Saints – Patrick Queen, LB LSU
New Orleans could be targeting one of the top wide receiver prospects with this selection, but “settle” for the best pure linebacker in the draft class. If the Saints have a positional need on defense, it’s depth and talent in their second level. Patrick Queen is an instant processor who has elite athleticism at just 20 years old, making eye-popping plays in space. Queen is Louisiana born and stayed close to home by attending LSU, which would make him a fan favorite among fans.
25) Minnesota Vikings – Jeff Gladney, CB TCU
Minnesota released long-term starting cornerback Xavier Rhodes this offseason and saw Trae Waynes leave in free agency. They already needed an upgrade at the position, and now will be looking for multiple potential starters. Jeff Gladney is a competitor at cornerback who offers man coverage skills with some instincts. While a bit undersized, he projects to the outside due to his ability to diagnose route combinations and fly to the catch point.
26) Miami Dolphins – Ashtyn Davis, SAF California
In this scenario, Miami already upgraded their offensive line and quarterback room, making a defensive prospect a natural pick. Miami upgraded each level of their defense through free agency but could use a single-high safety with range to fill the Devin McCourty role of coach Brian Flores’ defense. Ashtyn Davis fits that skill set while still having the versatility to be physical near the line of scrimmage.
27) Seattle Seahawks – K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE LSU
Seattle had to work hard to produce a pass rush last season, as they lack a pure edge rusher. With just 28 sacks last season, improving that area is an obvious offseason need. LSU’s K’Lavon Chaisson is an explosive, bendy pass rusher who can shorten the edge track and slip by offensive tackles. His skill set is usually one that gets drafted earlier than the late first-round, so he provides value by this stage as well.
28) Baltimore Ravens – Cesar Ruiz, IOL Michigan
Cesar Ruiz has starting experience at both guard and center and projects to a similar career path as Frank Ragnow of the Lions. With that versatility and upside, the Ravens could use his services to solidify their interior offensive line after the retirement of a potential hall of fame player like Marshall Yanda. On top of that, center Matt Skura will be returning from a season-ending knee injury, and starting left guard Bradley Bozeman struggled in pass protection last season. Not only does Ruiz fill a need, but he’s my top-rated interior offensive line in the draft class.
29) Tennessee Titans – Ezra Cleveland, OT Boise State
Tennessee lost Jack Conklin in free agency and re-signed former swing tackle Dennis Kelly to compete for the starting position. Kelly is 30 years old with just 31 career starts, making him an uninspiring option moving forward. Ezra Cleveland would be one of the few starting-caliber tackle options by this stage, offering athleticism and explosiveness. Cleveland is still developing after just a few seasons at offensive tackle, making him moldable and offering upside at either spot if Tennessee decides to exercise the potential outs in Taylor Lewan’s contract moving forward.
30) Green Bay Packers – Laviska Shenault Jr., WR Colorado
Green Bay’s defense took massive steps forward last season, but their offense was held back by a lack of depth at wide receiver. They don’t have a definite starter outside of Davante Adams and should be targeting the position or a Bryan Bulaga replacement with their first-round pick. Shenault has a special ability with the ball in his hands, offering size and versatility in the method of how he gets the ball in his hands. Shenault can align anywhere while offering upside with his boundary receiver traits.
Laviska Shenault gets on the toes of the defensive back, uses the forearm pull to beat the jam and easily separates to the corner. Shenault needs more experience facing press coverage, but the traits are within him. His splash plays are special. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/OOOdkGJkJf
— Brad Kelly (@BradKelly17) February 8, 2020
31) San Francisco 49ers – Jaylon Johnson, CB Utah
San Francisco has a stacked roster heading into next season after multiple offseasons building their nucleus. One position that was exposed a bit during the playoffs was outside cornerback, and they’ll have a competition between Emmanuel Mossley and Ahkello Witherspoon for the starting role next season. Adding Jaylon Johnson to the mix would be another talented option with potential in his press coverage traits and technique.
32) Kansas City Chiefs – Zack Baun, LB/EDGE Wisconsin
Zack Baun’s skill-set would make him a natural fit in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense, as a versatile stand-up linebacker with edge rusher traits. While the Chiefs return nearly all of the starters from their Super Bowl-winning team, their linebacker core ability and versatility on passing downs have been their major weakness over the past few seasons. Baun’s impact would change that with just one draft selection.