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    2020 NFL Draft: Surprising but plausible first-round picks
    PALO ALTO, CA - OCTOBER 06: Jaylon Johnson #1 of the Utah Utes returns an interception 100 yards for a touchdown against the Stanford Cardinal during the second quarter of their NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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    2020 NFL Draft: Surprising but plausible first-round picks

    There's always a pick that while surprising, doesn't add up. PFN Lead NFL writer Cole Thompson could see these surprising moves happen next Thursday night.

    By Cole Thompson

    There’s always a moment in the NFL Draft where fans go “now the madness begins“. This usually begins with a surprising first-round pick. This year should be no different. Last season, the now Las Vegas Raiders surprised everyone with the selection of Clemson’s Clelin Ferrell fourth overall over Kentucky’s Josh Allen.

    Ferrell has yet to live up to the fourth selection one year in, but Mike Mayock addressed a need early. He could regret passing on Allen, who’s thriving in Jacksonville, but a break out year for the former Tiger alongside Maxx Crosby could generate buzz. 

    Surprising first-round picks in 2020

    Every year these moves happen; a team takes a risk on a player early, creating a shockwave of wonder throughout the evening. The stock for one player rises while a run at a position could be on the horizon. And for some teams, it’s a blessing in disguise as a premier player begins to fall down the board. 

    The 2020 Draft will already be weird enough with the virtual element added but expect teams to make surprising first-round picks to the public eye. We know Joe Burrow and Chase Young will start the draft, but who’s to follow and create chaos? Let’s look at a few surprising, yet very plausible moves that could happen once the Cincinnati Bengals are off the clock. 

    Los Angeles Chargers select OT Mekhi Becton at six 

    What do you make of the Chargers offseason thus fur? One side shows promise of improving with the addition of Chris Harris Jr. and Linval Joseph. The other will have fans wondering if Tom Telesco understands the issue under center. 

    Tyrod Taylor has been a serviceable bridge starter, but is he going to be the future of the position? Nine years and one full season as the top guy shouldn’t make Los Angeles fans that cozy, but the sixth pick could have them land a franchise face with a new gunslinger. Slight problem; what if the quarterback they want is gone. 

    The Chargers would love to select Oregon’s Justin Herbert with their pick. Right now, the Miami Dolphins could make that call one selection earlier. If that’s the case, Telesco could pass on Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa and find a franchise left tackle in Mekhi Becton. 

    The Louisville product has the rare size and speed at 6-foot-7 to become the future of the blindside spot. This would help improve an already talented offensive line and give Taylor the protection to remain in the pocket. With their second-round pick, perhaps Los Angeles takes a risk on Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts or Washington’s Jacob Eason.

    Telesco has made it clear Taylor will begin the year starting. If he’s not sold on a QB early, select the most significant need and move on. For not, that’s the left tackle.

    Carolina Panthers select CB CJ Henderson at seven

    Reports have been flying that the Atlanta Falcons could be moving up. If so, they are likely to select Florida’s CJ Henderson with a top-10 pick. And while the speedy defender would become Desmond Trufant’s replacement, there’s another NFC South with a need for a cornerback.

    The Panthers are going to rely on this draft to correct their defense. Linebacker and defensive tackle are the two pressing needs, but the departure of James Bradberry will leave a hole at cornerback. If the draft falls in their favor, Marty Hurney could land Jeffrey Okudah as a steal. If not, don’t count them out for drafting a corner. 

    Henderson has the qualities teams covet in zone coverage. This past season, the former Gator excelled against SEC level talent. His speed allowed him to have 11 pass breakups and record six total interceptions in three years of work. A boundary corner, Henderson would be an immediate upgrade over the likes of Corn Elder and Cole Luke.  

    Carolina could trade out of this spot, but if Isaiah Simmons is gone, cornerback is a dire need. The team could address the defensive tackle position in round two with Texas A&M’s Justin Madubuike or TCU’s Ross Blacklock. They won’t be able to find a cover man in the same slot Friday night. 

    Jacksonville Jaguars select WR Jerry Jeudy at nine

    Jacksonville really could do anything here. Quarterback? Not off the table. OT? Sure. Defense? Dave Caldwell’s favorite place to draft early.

    If the team is moving forward with Gardner Minshew, they have to grab him weapons. D.J. Chark broke out in his second season, but he was also the only viable weapon. If there’s run at tackles and Auburn’s Derrick Brown is gone, the Jaguars could start the picks for wide receivers by adding Jerry Jeudy. 

    Chark’s speed will allow him to become a vertical threat in Duval County. Jeudy was revered for his route-running skills at Alabama, which helped him collect over 150 career receptions and 26 touchdowns. This was also with the likes of Calvin Ridley, Henry Ruggs, DeVonta Smith, and Jaylen Waddle, all taking snaps away. 

    The only downside for Jeudy would be his drops, which have garnered some attention. Outside of that, he’s a perfect running mate to become a possessional receiver. If Minshew’s magic is out of tricks, at the least, the team and new head coach will have plenty of young weapons for either Trevor Lawrence or Justin Fields in 2021.

    Denver Broncos select WR Denzel Mims at 15

    By this point, it’s clear the Broncos will target a speedster early. Ruggs will hopefully be the selection, a match made in heaven, but his speed is going to make him an option at 12 and 13 with Las Vegas and San Francisco. 

    It’s still the pressing need, and John Elway will be adamant about adding that element for Drew Lock. With the Crimson Tide boys off the board, Denver adds another blazing option with Denzel Mims out of Baylor. One of the top risers during the draft process, the former Bear, wowed scouts in Mobile before posting a 4.38 40-time. 

    Mims won’t be quite as fast, but he will become a severe threat and take the pressure off Courtland Sutton and Noah Fant. In the red zone, the 22-year-old can find windows and become a hot-hand in scoring. And if Lock wants to try for a home run ball, he has a target that can win at the line of scrimmage to go long. 

    A wide receiver is going to be the pick for Denver. If Ruggs is available, Elway will be ecstatic to have the potential All-Pro in his offense. If not, Mims is the next best option should they stay put at No.15.

    Dallas Cowboys select OL Cesar Ruiz at 17

    Dallas was ready to select defense at 17. Then, Travis Frederick called it a career and left a giant hole in the middle of perhaps the nation’s top line. This now could have Jerry Jones thinking the other direction should they stay put. 

    There are few interior offensive linemen with a first-round grade – honestly, none are. If the Cowboys were to make the call for one, though, it would be Michigan’s, Cesar Ruiz. A two-year starter under center, the former Wolverine, excelled off the initial snap and could stand tall in the pocket for pass protection. 

    Ruiz is versatile enough to play guard in a pinch, but his home is at the center. Dallas will need to show Dak Prescott they are willing to work with him to have him sign the tag this offseason. Adding protection up the middle makes sense for a mobile quarterback, and it still addresses a need.

    Las Vegas Raiders select CB Jaylon Johnson at 19

    The Raiders have two dire needs — wide receiver and cornerback. Reports have stated that Mayock loves Henderson and could be the pick at 12. If the Gator’s gone, he’ll likely take a wide receiver and address the corner need later.

    Seven picks later; it’s time to overdraft a player like Jaylon Johnson.

    Johnson is a quality corner who has the size to play on the boundary. Last season with the Utah Utes, the junior tallied 10 pass breakups and was one of the more physical defenders at the line of scrimmage. His speed is adequate to cover the blazers, plus his change of direction could have the ball going backward on a low throw.

    Las Vegas is ready to contend, and Johnson could fill a top need. If selected, this could have several other corners, including Alabama’s Trevon Diggs and Auburn’s Noah Igbinoghene, move up draft boards and surprisingly enter first-round conversations. If the Raiders are destined to draft another cornerback to pair with Trayvon Mullen, Johnson could be the backup plan if Henderson is gone. 

    Cole Thompson is a lead NFL writer for PFN. You can follow him on Twitter @MrColeThompson and follow PFN @PFN365.

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