Tony Pauline’s Final 2020 NFL Mock Draft – Round 2
33. Cincinnati Bengals: Josh Jones, OT, Houston
Jones possesses good size and has flashed next-level ability and occasional dominance, but to me he has yet to pull the pieces together. Though he’s well-liked in some areas of the scouting community, I think he’s more of a small-area blocker who must really polish his technique to have any semblance of a future at the next level.
34. Indianapolis Colts: Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
Higgins made an immediate impact at Clemson as a sophomore, and he elevated his game last season as both a game-controlling receiver and home-run-hitting threat. Though he lacks the true speed for a vertical offense, Higgins is fast enough to get downfield to make the reception and big enough to be used on underneath routes. Higgins must improve and expand his route running, but he comes with a large upside.
35. Detroit Lions: Ross Blacklock, DL, TCU
After he missed the 2018 season, Blacklock played incredibly well last year. He’s a one-gap tackle who should only get better as he physically matures and adds strength to his frame.
36. New York Giants: Cesar Ruiz, C, Michigan
In my opinion, Ruiz is one of the more underrated offensive linemen in this draft. In time, I feel that he will become a tremendous starting center in the NFL. He’s likely to fall out of the initial 32 picks and will be great value if he’s still on the board once the second round begins.
37. Los Angeles Chargers: Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
Highly rated by some, Reagor is a solid receiver who should go in the second day of the draft and produce at the next level as a slot wideout and return specialist.
38. Carolina Panthers: Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Diggs possesses the size, speed, and ball skills to be a number one cornerback at the next level, but he must first pull his game together and brush off the rough edges. He comes with tremendous upside, and if coached properly, Diggs will be a bigtime talent at the next level.
39. Miami Dolphins: Josh Uche, EDGE, Michigan
In my opinion, Uche is one of the more underrated defenders in this year’s draft, as he’s an effective pass rusher standing over tackle and out of a three-point stance. He displays the ability to make plays in space and showed well during Senior Bowl practices when used as a traditional linebacker. There may be some bumps in the road for Uche but if given time and properly coached, he could start at the next level.
40. Houston Texans: Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC
Pittman was a consistent pass catcher at USC and ran much better than expected at the combine, which will enhance his draft stock. He still needs to improve the details of his game and his route running, but he has the size, pass-catching skill and seemingly the athleticism to develop into a third or potentially a second receiver at the next level.
41. Cleveland Browns: Zack Baun, OLB, Wisconsin
At first glance, Baun projects as a weakside linebacker and should be effective in space. While he flashed athleticism throughout his career, his results during Senior Bowl practices dictate otherwise. Baun possesses the underlying size and speed to play at the next level, but he must really develop a complete game.
42. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
Aiyuk was a solid pass catcher throughout his career at Arizona State and projects as a fourth wideout who will return punts for an NFL team.
43. Chicago Bears: Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame
Kmet possesses outstanding size and pass-catching skill and surprised everyone with his athleticism at the NFL Combine. He offers bigtime ability, but he must learn to play to his 40 time and improve as a blocker before he can develop into a No. 1 tight end at the next level.
44. Indianapolis Colts: Julian Okwara, EDGE, Notre Dame
Okwara flashed dominance throughout his college career and is a versatile defender who can play in a multitude of schemes. He needs to polish his techniques and line up in a system that does not ask him to read and react, but Okwara will be a productive three-down defender at the next level if properly coached.
45. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
Taylor is a tremendous downhill ball carrier who grinds it out on the inside. He comes with a lethal combination of speed and power, but he’s a scheme-limited ball carrier who isn’t skilled enough for every offense. Best as an inside power runner, Taylor will be very productive at the next level in the proper scheme.
46. Denver Broncos: Matt Hennessy, G-C, Temple
Hennessy was a terrific center who showed consistent progress the past two seasons and went on to perform incredibly well during the Senior Bowl. He comes with big upside and is a second-day prospect who could quickly break into a starting lineup at the next level.
47. Cleveland Browns (projected trade w/ ATL): K.J. Hamler, WR, Penn State
Although he’s vertically challenged and a little slight of frame, Hamler is a terrific receiver with rare speed and next-level toughness. He’s best in the slot or even lined up backed off the line of scrimmage, but Hamler should impact a team as a rookie and only improve as he learns to protect himself.
48. New York Jets: Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State
Weaver looked like a dominant pass rusher during his sophomore season in 2018, but he was overweight last year and did not have the same impact. At the top of his game, he will be a very good 3-4 outside linebacker who can make plays behind the line of scrimmage or drop into coverage when necessary.
49. Pittsburgh Steelers: J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
Dobbins won’t wow anybody with a super-fast 40 time, but he’s a terrific running back who stands out in all areas of the position. He offers potential as a feature back at the next level as a runner and pass catcher, and his skills as a blocker provide added value.
50. Chicago Bears: Grant Delpit, S, LSU
Delpit has been a force on the LSU defense the past three years and is a three-down safety who is effective in coverage or run defense. He’s a good athlete who plays with great intensity and solid instincts but just needs to brush off his game. Delpit will be great value here, and I expect him to have an immediate impact as a rookie in the NFL.
51. Dallas Cowboys: Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota
Winfield’s production was off the charts last season, and he’s more than just an opportunistic safety; he’s a good football player with instincts and ball skills. His size and height limitations will depress his draft stock, but like his dad, he’s a very competitive prospect with a bright NFL future.
52. Los Angeles Rams: Gabe Davis, WR, Central Florida
Davis has displayed consistent improvement over the past three years and possesses the skills and ability necessary to line up as a No. 2 receiver in the NFL. He has speed limitations, but other aspects of his game are worth getting excited about, and Davis comes with a tremendous amount of upside.
53. Philadelphia Eagles: Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn
Igbinoghene was a solid cornerback for Auburn who displayed consistent progress the past two seasons. He possesses the size and speed to be a nickel corner and return kicks.
54. Buffalo Bills: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU
While Joe Burrow was the most celebrated player on the LSU offense, in many ways it was Edwards-Helaire who carried the offense. He’s a hard-charging ball carrier with a complete game and the ability to help an offense at the next level in a variety of ways. Edwards-Helaire will be under-drafted because of his lack of speed and inability to create yardage, but I expect him to have an immediate impact as a rotational back, and he ultimately could be a feature runner.
55. Baltimore Ravens: Lynn Bowden Jr., WR, Kentucky
Bowden Jr. is a tremendous athlete and a versatile skill player, but his game needs a lot of work. He’s by no means a sure thing, but if properly coached he could be an explosive player at the next level as a receiver, as a return specialist and on reverses.
56. Miami Dolphins: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
McKinney displayed terrific progress the past two seasons and is an instinctive safety who plays physical football. He needs to polish his game, but he comes with scheme versatility and could eventually break into a starting lineup in the NFL.
57. Los Angeles Rams: Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn
Wanogho possesses next-level size and enough footwork to develop into a starting left tackle at the next level. He may struggle to handle a complex offense, but he should only improve as he physically matures and receives next-level experience.
58. Minnesota Vikings: Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
Gladney comes with next-level athleticism, speed and ball skills, but his limited size and growth potential is a red flag. Gladney could line up in nickel packages at the next level for variety of schemes at the very least, and he offers potential in either man coverage or backed off the line of scrimmage.
59. Seattle Seahawks: Jordan Elliott, DT, Missouri
Elliott is a large, athletic defensive tackle who showed major development last season and comes with big upside. He needs time to further complete his game, but his size, explosion, and power are great combinations to help him develop into an NFL starter.
60. Baltimore Ravens: Jabari Zuniga, EDGE, Florida
Zuniga was a terrific defensive lineman at Florida and offers possibilities as a defensive end in a four-man front who can occasionally kick inside to tackle. He must physically mature and improve his strength at the point of attack, but Zuniga’s approach to the game and fundamentals will help him succeed at the next level.
61. Tennessee Titans: Lucas Niang, OT, TCU
Niang has an NFL body and showed development the past year and a half before he was sidelined with a season-ending injury. He’s a terrific developmental prospect who could easily break into a starting lineup by his second year in the NFL.
62. Green Bay Packers: Jordyn Brooks, LB, Texas Tech
Brooks is a quick, explosive linebacker who plays with an aggressive mentality. He shows an appetite for physical contact, but he must round out his game and learn to play to his computer numbers.
63. Kansas City Chiefs: Logan Wilson, LB, Wyoming
Wilson is a hard-charging linebacker who stands out against the run and shows some ability in zone coverage. He offers scheme versatility and could eventually develop into a starter at the next level.
64. Seattle Seahawks: Bradlee Anae, Edge, Utah
Anae displayed terrific progress the past three seasons and has watched his draft stock climb north, except for his poor 40 time at the NFL Combine. He’s a fluid, agile pass rusher with the athleticism necessary to be used in space, and he only needs to improve his strength.
Tony Pauline is Pro Football Network’s Chief Draft Analyst and Insider. Follow him on Twitter @TonyPauline. Follow PFN on Twitter @PFN365.