Please Note: This mock draft was Pauline’s first one and was published on November 21, 2019
With the NFL regular season about to enter the final month, and teams at the bottom of the standings scrambling for positioning at the top of the draft, I offer my first NFL mock draft of the 2020 NFL Draft season. Please note that this is my projected draft order at the end of the season, and not the one that is current heading into Week 12. Let the outrage commence!
Tony Pauline’s NFL Mock Draft 1.0
1) Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
I’m going off my board here and have my concerns, but there’s no denying the upward momentum of Burrow. He can seal the deal with a good outing at the Senior Bowl. Against Alabama, I noted that what had impressed me most was that he took what the defense gave him. He didn’t press, nor did he look overwhelmed by the situation. His playmaking ability, quarterback intellect, and toughness are impressive. You can’t help but admire the way Burrow has his finger on the pulse of that LSU offense and the way he’s so in tune with his receivers. His decision making and pass choices are top-notch.
2) Washington Redskins: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
The situation along the offensive line in Washinton is almost as atrocious as the handling of Trent Williams. Andrew Thomas has done a great job of protecting QB Jake Fromm this season, and is the purest left tackle prospect in the 2020 NFL Draft. He’s an athletic pass blocker who also displays terrific skill blocking in motion. I am incredibly impressed with his athleticism, fundamentals, and ability to slide off the edge or block in space.
3) New York Giants: Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
The Giants get the best player in the draft and fill a major need. In the Week 11 Game Day Blog, I ranked Chase Young as my number one draft prospect in 2020. Young is a quick, athletic edge rusher who beats opponents off the snap and displays great speed up the field. He’s fluid, covers a lot of areas, and easily makes plays in space.
4) New York Jets: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
In a perverse way, the injury to Tua Tagovailoa makes this pick more valuable. While I do believe the Jets and GM Joe Douglas will look to trade down, we’re going to stay put here in this mock draft. That said, if Tristan Wirfs stays in school (as he’s presently leaning), the pick here is Jeffery Okudah.
5) Miami Dolphins: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
The team liked Herbert a year ago and his low-key personality may be perfect for South Beach. In my mailbag last week, I said that you can justifiably make the case that Herbert has the least amount of downside risk of any quarterback who may be eligible in the 2020 NFL Draft. He’s the safest quarterback pick, though I don’t know he’s the most dynamic.
6) Atlanta Falcons: Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
An edge rusher is the desired pick at this spot, but Brown improves the entire defense. He offers a tremendous combination of size, power, and athleticism. Brown is much more than a gap occupier, run defender or box lineman, as he has the power to overrun blockers, change direction and run down opposing quarterbacks or ball carriers in space.
7) Denver Broncos: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Derrick Brown would be the guy if available. Jeudy adds much-needed speed and playmaking ability to the receiver unit in Denver. He’s a quick, sure-handed receiver who possesses game-breaking skills for the Crimson Tide. Opponents struggle to stay with Jeudy out of breaks, and he has the vertical speed to take it the distance.
8) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jeffery Okudah, CB, Ohio State
The Bucs desperately need offensive line help and may need a quarterback, but all are reaches at this point. Okudah gives the team a true number one corner. He possesses preferred cornerback size, athleticism, and speed.
9) Cleveland Browns: Grant Delpit, S, LSU
The Browns are another team in desperate need of offensive tackle help, but all would be reaches at this point. In Delpit, they get a bigger playmaker than former safety Jabril Peppers. He’s a complete defensive back who lays it on the line against the run and stands out in coverage. He’s athletic, intense, and generally plays smart football.
10) Arizona Cardinals: Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Kinlaw has been rising up draft boards and the Cardinals have a lot of holes on defense. He was highly considered by NFL scouts last year, but he decided to return to the Gamecocks for another season. Kinlaw offers tremendous size, growth potential, and athleticism for a man with his frame. However, I am concerned about his streaky play. Kinlaw looks the part and often times plays to it, but he also disappears for stretches, which is a concern.
11) Detroit Lions: Isaiah Simmons, OLB, Clemson
Simmons is the off the ball linebacker the Lions need. He brings great athleticism and ball skills, something he showed as a redshirt freshman when he lined up at safety. Simmons will be a top 20 pick if he enters the draft, something I expect he will do if Clemson makes a serious push towards the championship game.
Related: Underclassmen Draft Prospects Declaring for 2020 NFL Draft
12) Los Angeles Chargers: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Unless a highly rated offensive tackle or cornerback falls in their laps, expect the Chargers to address the quarterback position early. In early October, I highlighted Love as my Mountain West Prospect of the Week. He’s a tall, athletic signal-caller with next-level physical skills and mental aptitude. However, he often presses when attempting to make plays, which has led to some mistakes
13) Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Diggs is a bigger, physical corner with a tremendous upside. He is the second cornerback on my board and I’ve stamped him with a 4.07 draft grade, just shy of Okudah’s 4.10 grade. You can check out my top ten CB board from the Week 9 Game Day Blog in the 8:20 PM update.
14) Oakland Raiders (from CHI): CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Lamb has played phenomenal football this season. The faster he runs in pre-draft workouts, the earlier he will be selected. Back in Week 7, I named his as one of my Risers following his dominant performance against the Texas Longhorns. In that game, he hauled in 10 catches for 171 yards and 3 TDs. The way he scored those touchdowns, breaking tackles along with some spectacular running after the reception, is what stood out.
15) Tennessee Titans: Tyler Biadasz, C, Wisconsin
The Titans have a lot of needs but present center Ben Jones has struggled with injuries recently, including a concussion, and is on the wrong side of 30 years old. Biadasz is a complete lineman who displays explosive strength at the point of attack and stands out blocking in motion. He’s a great zone blocking center who will only get better as he physically matures and gets stronger.
16) Indianapolis Colts: Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama
The Colts defensive line is one of the weaker units on the team. The versatility brought by Davis will help in a variety of alignments. He’s a big guy in the middle of the line and easily holds his ground or occupies gaps. I’ve stamped him with a 4.05 draft grade behind Chase Young, who has a 4.25 grade.
17) Philadelphia Eagles: C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
This is a bit early for Henderson, but I love his upside and the Eagles do a great job developing players. He plays feisty football and shows outstanding athleticism as well as speed in his game. He effectively tracks the ball in the air and possesses the ball skills necessary to beat out opponents.
18) Jacksonville Jaguars (from LAR): Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado
Shenault is having a disappointing season just like the entire Colorado team. Regardless, he has terrific size, speed, and outstanding pass-catching skills. What really stands out on film is the way Shenault works, even when he’s not involved in the action when the play is away from him. He might be able to make up some ground in predraft workouts, where his 40-time and route-running could make a difference.
19) Carolina Panthers: Jacob Eason, QB, Washington
Much of this pick depends on whether or not the Panthers retain their head coach and general manager, as I mentioned in this week’s mailbag. Eason, who transferred from Georgia after losing the starting job to Jake Fromm, has led the Huskies to an overall 6-4 record. At the top of his game, Eason is a gunslinger with excellent size and upside.
20) Miami Dolphins (from PIT): Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
The Dolphins need a lot of help on the offensive line and Leatherwood, a Week 7 Riser, is a great building block at left tackle. Last year, Leatherwood displayed plenty of next-level skill lining up at guard for the Crimson Tide, but his game has taken off since he moved to left tackle. He displays impressive footwork, fundamentals, and balance.
21) Oakland Raiders: Kenneth Murray, OLB, Oklahoma
Murray is the athletic, open field linebacker needed to complete the Raiders defense. He is in the Devin White/Roquan Smith mold in that he’s a little undersized but explosive, quick, and very fast. He possesses a terrific game and has shown a lot of improvement that past two seasons. He’s very much the smaller, run-and-chase linebacker teams seem enamored with these days.
22) Dallas Cowboys: Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
Robert Quinn is having a tremendous season, but he’s in the final year of his contract with the Cowboys. Yetur Gross-Matos is a bit undersized but he brings together an incredible combination of athleticism and fundamentals. Gross-Matos will eventually fill out physically, but his sheer speed and basic fundamentals will help him succeed early in the NFL.
23) Miami Dolphins (from HOU): D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
Herbert needs a strong running game – enter Swift. He’s a complete back who runs hard on the inside and grinds it out but at the same time possesses the speed and quickness to get around the perimeter.
24) Buffalo Bills: Walker Little, OT, Stanford
The Bills need help at receiver and on the offensive line. Selecting Little enables Dawkins to move to guard, strengthening two positions along the offensive line. He may not be the most athletic blocker, but he’s an incredible technician who has starting potential at left tackle. Little blocks with great fundamentals, shows the ability to slide off the edge, and adjusts to speedy pass rushers.
25) Minnesota Vikings: Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
Disappointing play in 2019 and potential free agency defections in the off-season could make cornerback a priority for the Vikings. Fulton possesses an excellent combination of size and speed and shows solid ball skills. That said, there is still plenty of room for improvement in his game.
26) San Francisco 49ers: Cesar Ruiz, C, Michigan
There are some scouts who have Ruiz graded higher than Wisconsin’s Tyler Biadasz. I named Ruiz a Week 9 Riser after his dominant performance against Notre Dame. His blocking was near flawless and he helped pave the way for 303 rushing yards by the Wolverines during their 45-14 victory over the Irish. Ruiz is athletic, strong and tough as nails.
27) Baltimore Ravens: Jon Greenard, EDGE, Florida
Greenard’s draft positioning will hinge on his workouts, but he’s playing like a first-round prospect. Greenard beat blockers off the snap while showing terrific quickness and explosion in his game. He’s fast up the field, shows great balance rushing the edge, and easily changes direction to make plays in backside pursuit. I named Greenard a Week 6 Riser following his performance against the Auburn Tigers.
28) Green Bay Packers: Dylan Moses, ILB, Alabama
I’m not 100% sure Moses is entering the draft, but this would be a great fit and great value. If there are no red flags, Moses could be selected 12 slots earlier if he does in fact enter. Over the summer, I said he is a complete three-down defender who makes plays against the run and is also incredibly effective in space. Moses is smooth and very athletic, but he’s also instinctive and covers a lot of area on the field for Alabama.
29) Kansas City Chiefs: Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia
Wilson is an immediate upgrade at the right tackle position. I am impressed by the way Isaiah Wilson uses body positioning to seal defenders from the action to make up for his lack of quick footwork.
30) New Orleans Saints: Gabe Davis, WR, Central Florida
Since breaking Davis down over the summer, I’ve stamped him as a solid second-round prospect. But his play has improved this season and he would be a lethal combo with Michael Thomas in New Orleans. A tall, sure-handed wideout, Davis displays big-play potential besides being a terrific red-zone threat. He shows great concentration and the ability to come away with the contested grab, and he’s sneaky fast.
Related: Underclassmen Draft Prospects Declaring for 2020 NFL Draft
31) New England Patriots: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
This is just too perfect to pass up. Tua is truly a good quarterback prospect for the next level and not just an athletic guy playing quarterback at the college level. Tagovailoa possesses all the physical skills to play on Sundays. He has a next-level arm, makes all the passes and, at the same time, easily makes plays with his legs. That said, there are still many questions to be answered before the 2020 NFL Draft, which I talked more about in the Draft Insiders Podcast.
32) Seattle Seahawks: Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn
With Germain Ifedi slated for free agency, a hole must be filled at tackle. The prince is sized well and plays with a large degree of athleticism. He is fundamentally sound, bends his knees and shows the ability to slide off the end, and he can also block in motion.
Tony Pauline is Pro Football Network’s NFL Draft Analyst and Insider. Follow him on Twitter @TonyPauline. Follow PFN on Twitter @PFN365. Also, be sure to join us on Saturday for the PFN College Football Game Day Blog, as Tony and the rest of PFN’s NFL Draft team give the latest analysis and inside scoops on the day’s games.