2020 Draft Big Boards, Position Rankings & Mocks

[fortsbest]

I'm kinda wondering if Ruggs is there at 17 about taking him and then getting Winfield in the 2nd or 3rd..

 

[jsmith6919]

I'm kinda wondering if Ruggs is there at 17 about taking him and then getting Winfield in the 2nd or 3rd..

Ruggs is tempting, it's been a long time since we had that kind of speed at wr, but if Brown, Kinlaw, McKinney, or Delpit drops then no way do I even consider him

 

[boozeman]

Dallas Cowboys

5 needs	Picks	Selections
S	1.17	S Grant Delpit
CB	2.51	iDL Marlon Davidson
iDL	3.82	TE Jared Pinkney
WR	4.121	WR Antonio Gandy-Golden
TE

Assuming the Cowboys are able to retain Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper, the team’s most glaring need is obviously at safety. There’s a pretty decent chance that the Boys will have their choice of Grant Delpit or Xavier McKinney at 1.16.

Of course, if CB Byron Jones gets away, the 16th pick might be going that direction. Our exercise assumes the Cowboys have threaded the needle on that account, allowing Dallas to move on to secondary needs in Day 2.

WRs Randall Cobb and Tavon Austin are both free agents as well, which motivates Dallas to take a receiver in the middle rounds even if they re-sign Cooper. Antonio Gandy-Golden fits the bill of a developmental prospect who can go up and get it.

In Round 3, Dallas grabbed a long-term Jason Witten replacement plan in Vanderbilt TE Jared Pinkney, a paradox of a prospect. Pinkney was seen as a Round 2 prospect -- and potentially even a Round 1 prospect -- as recently as last summer. But Vandy’s offense tanked in the fall, and Pinkney’s production suffered as a result. This would be a little bargain shopping on a player who has shown true inline potential in the past.

Mock Drafts: Thor's Multi-Round Mock Team Breakdowns - Fantasy Columns

 

[L.T. Fan]

Dallas Cowboys

5 needs	Picks	Selections
S	1.17	S Grant Delpit
CB	2.51	iDL Marlon Davidson
iDL	3.82	TE Jared Pinkney
WR	4.121	WR Antonio Gandy-Golden
TE

Assuming the Cowboys are able to retain Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper, the team’s most glaring need is obviously at safety. There’s a pretty decent chance that the Boys will have their choice of Grant Delpit or Xavier McKinney at 1.16.

Of course, if CB Byron Jones gets away, the 16th pick might be going that direction. Our exercise assumes the Cowboys have threaded the needle on that account, allowing Dallas to move on to secondary needs in Day 2.

WRs Randall Cobb and Tavon Austin are both free agents as well, which motivates Dallas to take a receiver in the middle rounds even if they re-sign Cooper. Antonio Gandy-Golden fits the bill of a developmental prospect who can go up and get it.

In Round 3, Dallas grabbed a long-term Jason Witten replacement plan in Vanderbilt TE Jared Pinkney, a paradox of a prospect. Pinkney was seen as a Round 2 prospect -- and potentially even a Round 1 prospect -- as recently as last summer. But Vandy’s offense tanked in the fall, and Pinkney’s production suffered as a result. This would be a little bargain shopping on a player who has shown true inline potential in the past.

Mock Drafts: Thor's Multi-Round Mock Team Breakdowns - Fantasy Columns

Why would you draft a TE when everyone says Jarwin is already the answer.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Why would you draft a TE when everyone says Jarwin is already the answer.

Because you need more than one and no one has said Jarwin is the answer. Just that he is better than Witten now and clearly Witten isn't the answer.

In all fairness I don't want anything to do with Pinkney. I think he was badly overrated and some seem to think he should still be a high draft pick. I think he has been exposed as what he is. Not very good.

 

[L.T. Fan]

Because you need more than one and no one has said Jarwin is the answer. Just that he is better than Witten now and clearly Witten isn't the answer.

In all fairness I don't want anything to do with Pinkney. I think he was badly overrated and some seem to think he should still be a high draft pick. I think he has been exposed as what he is. Not very good.

Yeah. I was being sarcastic. Jarwin is faster and can get a better average per catch but no more than the TE position has been used Witten was the answer for pass protection. Not many are better at that TE task than him.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Yeah. I was being sarcastic. Jarwin is faster and can get a better average per catch but no more than the TE position has been used Witten was the answer for pass protection. Not many are better at that TE task than him.

Jarwin is way better at YAC and his catch radius is a ton better. But it doesn't mean he is the answer. Just a possible solution.

 

[L.T. Fan]

Jarwin is way better at YAC and his catch radius is a ton better. But it doesn't mean he is the answer. Just a possible solution.

Well then the team has both so the blocking is covered and the extended recieption is covered if Jarwin is consistent. Maybe McCarthy will use him more. Either way that position will probably require two players unless you can find one that can do both. So who is the draft solution? Witten is solid in the red zone for both responsibilities.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Well then the team has both so the blocking is covered and the extended recieption is covered if Jarwin is consistent. Maybe McCarthy will use him more. Either way that position will probably require two players unless you can find one that can do both. So who is the draft solution? Witten is solid in the red zone for both responsibilities.

I'm ok with Schultz and Jarwin but if I was drafting a guy its probably on day 3 and guys like Albert Okwuegbunam intrigue me. Maybe even Moss on day 3.

 

[L.T. Fan]

I'm ok with Schultz and Jarwin but if I was drafting a guy its probably on day 3 and guys like Albert Okwuegbunam intrigue me. Maybe even Moss on day 3.

I like Moss. Hope he has his daddy’s hands and speed but that’s too much to hope for with a TE.

 

[Rev]

I like Moss. Hope he has his daddy’s hands and speed but that’s too much to hope for with a TE.

if he had his dads speed and hands he probably wouldnt be talked about going so low...

 

[Cotton]

if he had his dads speed and hands he probably wouldnt be talked about going so low...

He also wouldn’t be a TE.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

He also wouldn’t be a TE.

Yeah he has some of his dads traits but I wouldn't even say he is overly athletic for a TE. But he has great hands and can make some difficult catches. He is also a way better blocker than his daddy.

I'm not counting on him to be a star TE. More of just a piece who has useful skills.

 

[Cotton]

Full mock at 2020 NFL mock draft: Updated 4-round projections

 

[Cotton]

2020 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Mel Kiper's new first-round predictions for Tua Tagovailoa, more
6:55 AM CT
Mel Kiper Jr.
Football analyst

The Kansas City Chiefs are Super Bowl LIV champs, and now it's time to turn the page to 2020 NFL draft season, which is my time to shine. With the combine a few days away -- we have some fun stuff in store for you on ESPN next week -- let's project every first-round pick in my Mock Draft 2.0.

Last month, I had four Round 1 quarterbacks in my Mock Draft 1.0. This time I have ... four quarterbacks going in Round 1, but three of them are matched to different teams. You'll also find a slew of receivers and offensive tackles, plus impact defenders across the board. There might also be a few prospects you haven't heard much about.

Team needs will change, obviously, as free agency sorts itself out, but these are my 1-32 predictions for every team as it stands right now, using a combination of my Big Board rankings, how I see each team's needs and which positions could be upgraded.

You won't be surprised by my first two picks here, but hear me out on No. 3.


1. Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

I don't see this changing over the next two months, and ESPN's Adam Schefter has already reported that the Bengals have no intention of trading down. The Heisman Trophy winner will immediately become the face of the franchise. It's time to move on from Andy Dalton -- could they get back a draft pick in a trade? -- but Cincinnati stills needs to put some more pieces around Burrow, starting with franchise-tagging or extending A.J. Green. The Bengals also have to draft an impact player with the first pick of the second round.


2. Washington Redskins
Chase Young, DE, Ohio State

Likewise, Young is likely to remain No. 1 overall on my Big Board through the draft, and Washington is in a great spot to add an edge rusher with All-Pro potential. He has rare physical ability and outstanding production, two traits that aren't always a guarantee at the top of the draft. Am I crazy to think the Redskins aren't that far away from being a contender in the NFC East? They have some nice defensive pieces such as Jonathan Allen, Montez Sweat and Landon Collins. If they can sort out their offensive line issues -- bring back Trent Williams and re-sign Brandon Scherff -- and get a Year 2 jump from Dwayne Haskins, Ron Rivera's team should be much improved in 2020.


3. Detroit Lions

Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

The Lions say they're not shopping quarterback Matthew Stafford, but there is some buzz that they like Tagovailoa, who might not work out for teams before April's draft because of his hip injury. Is that just a smoke screen? We're still two months away from the draft, of course. Stafford's contract is extremely tough to trade in 2020 -- the team could have up to a $32 million dead-cap hit -- but what if Detroit likes Tagovailoa so much that it keeps Stafford on the roster for another year? This pick also seems like the perfect spot for a team to trade up to get a quarterback, whether that's Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert or someone else. Could the Chargers or Raiders or Jaguars move up to jump the Dolphins at No. 5 and get their guy? Everything is in play here, and since I'm not going to project trades, I'll stick with Tagovailoa at No. 3.


Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Oklahoma receiver CeeDee Lamb and Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah ESPN

4. New York Giants
Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State

So if Tagovailoa jumps into the top three, that means the Giants could choose between Okudah and Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons, whom I mocked to New York in my first projection of picks 1-32. And after the Giants cut Janoris Jenkins in December, cornerback surged to the top of the team's needs. First-round pick DeAndre Baker had a rough rookie season, racking up nine penalties and getting burned badly at times. Let's get Okudah to New York in this scenario, locking down one side of the field with the clear top corner in this class. Edge rusher and offensive tackle are also positions this team must address in the offseason.


5. Miami Dolphins
Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon

With five picks in the first two rounds of this draft, Miami has to add a quarterback, right? What's tough to predict is whether the Dolphins will instead look to the deep quarterback class in free agency, where they will have almost $100 million to spend. Would they rather have someone like Jameis Winston, if he doesn't return to Tampa? What about Andy Dalton, who is likely to be cut by Cincinnati? Luckily, free agency happens before the draft in the NFL, so we'll know in a month. For now, I think they should go with the top quarterback on the board, and that's Herbert. I said during the season that he is a maddening evaluation because of his inconsistencies as a thrower, but he is rising after an MVP week at the Senior Bowl. Herbert has the highest ceiling of any of the quarterbacks in this class.


6. Los Angeles Chargers
Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama

Remember a year ago when the Chargers were coming off a 12-4 regular season and a playoff win? We're a long way from that, and now stalwart quarterback Philip Rivers won't return, and they have several decisions to make on free agents, including tight end Hunter Henry, running back Melvin Gordon and linebacker Jatavis Brown. This is a team with some talented pieces but a few glaring holes, so let's fix one of them with Wills, an elite left tackle prospect who could start immediately on the right side, too. Russell Okung has one year left on his contract, and Wills could be the franchise blindside protector (unless L.A. ends up with Tua Tagovailoa). A quarterback obviously makes sense here too, but with Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert off the board, they shouldn't reach. They could instead look to free agency for their 2020 starter, or stick with Tyrod Taylor, who won't turn the ball over.


7. Carolina Panthers
Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn


As I mentioned in my Mock Draft 1.0, Carolina could lose a slew of defensive linemen in free agency, with Gerald McCoy, Mario Addison, Bruce Irvin, and Vernon Butler all on the market. That makes this pick obvious, as the 6-foot-5 Brown could literally and figuratively fill a huge void for Matt Rhule's team. He's not Aaron Donald, but he does have the explosive athletic ability to penetrate past centers and guards, and he'll make things easier for Brian Burns & Co. I also thought about linebacker Isaiah Simmons here, but he's a totally different player than the recently retired Luke Kuechly and is a better fit as an outside linebacker/safety hybrid. If James Bradberry leaves in free agency, cornerback becomes a big need, too.


8. Arizona Cardinals
Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa

This is a really good class for high-end offensive tackles -- there could be five or six who go off the board in Round 1. That's good news for Arizona, which has a hole even after it decided to bring back left tackle D.J. Humphries. Veteran right tackle Marcus Gilbert is set to hit free agency, while Justin Murray, who ended the season as the starter, is a former undrafted free agent who has bounced around the league. Wirfs played primarily on the right side for the Hawkeyes, and he had a dominant career. I expect him to test off the charts at the combine. Offensive Rookie of the Year Kyler Murray had a great first season, but the Cardinals need to add some more infrastructure around him to get Kliff Kingsbury's offense to the next level.


9. Jacksonville Jaguars
Isaiah Simmons, OLB, Clemson

The good news for the Jaguars: With two first-round picks thanks to the Jalen Ramsey trade, they can upgrade two positions and try to get instant-impact players. The bad news? One of their biggest holes is now at cornerback, where they have to find a capable starter to fill Ramsey's spot. After Okudah, I don't have another cornerback ranked among the top 10 prospects, so Jacksonville could wait until No. 20 to target a corner. I also look at its brutal run defense from last season -- the defense gave up 5.1 yards per carry, which ranked 31st in the league -- and see room for improvement. Enter Simmons, a versatile run-and-cover linebacker who is perfect for an NFL that craves three-down, rangy linebackers. The Jags never replaced Telvin Smith, who abruptly retired last May, and so Simmons would slot in perfectly.


10. Cleveland Browns
Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville

This one is easy: I'm sticking with my pick, because the Browns' need at left tackle is so obvious. The 6-7, 370-pound Becton can be an immediate starter on Baker Mayfield's blind side, and he'll be a beast in the running game in front of Nick Chubb. One other thing to keep an eye on is the new Cleveland front office led by Andrew Berry trying to trade back to pick up more picks. If one of the quarterbacks drops to No. 10, Berry & Co. should be open for business. The Browns also have holes at safety, tight end and receiver.


11. New York Jets
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma

Can Sam Darnold get some help, please? With Robby Anderson potentially departing in free agency and Quincy Enunwa's future up in the air, Darnold's top receivers are Jamison Crowder and ... Le'Veon Bell? That's not an ideal situation for a third-year quarterback who stagnated in Year 2. Lamb can be the Jets' top wideout -- he is stellar after the catch and can run every route in the tree. Jets quarterbacks averaged just 6.6 yards per attempt last season (27th in the NFL), but that would rise with Lamb on the field. This team is likely to see massive turnover along the offensive line this offseason, so it could target a tackle here, too, depending on what happens in free agency.

Lamb's circus catch sets up OU TDOklahoma's CeeDee Lamb hauls in an unreal one-handed catch to set up a 3-yard Kennedy Brooks touchdown late in the first quarter.

12. Las Vegas Raiders
Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama

The Raiders had big defensive issues last season, but in their 1-5 swoon to close out 2019, they scored just 14.7 points per game, which ranked last in the league. So let's help Jon Gruden's offense with this pick, then address the defense with the team's second Round 1 pick (No. 19). Darren Waller emerged as a really good tight end last season, but the Raiders don't have a true No. 1 receiver. Jeudy, a polished route runner and smart receiver, would instantly become their best pass-catcher. And with a nucleus of Jeudy, Waller and Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas would have one of the NFL's best young WR-RB-TE combos to help whomever starts at quarterback in 2020.


13. Indianapolis Colts
Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina

The Colts, a surprise playoff team in 2018, took a step backward last season, but it wasn't just on the offense. No, Jacoby Brissett wasn't Andrew Luck, but injuries decimated Brissett's receiving core. And injuries hurt the defense too, with Darius Leonard, Kenny Moore II, Malik Hooker and Jabaal Sheard among the starters who missed time. The result was a league-average unit overall but one that allowed quarterbacks to complete 70.1% of their passes, which ranked 31st in the league. This defense needs depth. The Colts could target a corner here, but this might be Kinlaw's floor, and he'll help the back end of the defense, too. A massive, 6-6 interior penetrator, Kinlaw was one of the best prospects in the Senior Bowl.


14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
K'Lavon Chaisson, OLB, LSU

I mentioned in my Mock Draft 1.0 the Bucs' possible departures along the defensive line -- Ndamukong Suh, Carl Nassib, Jason Pierre-Paul and Beau Allen are all free agents -- and Chaisson would be a perfect fit as an outside linebacker in Todd Bowles' 3-4 defense. Chaisson had just 9.5 sacks in his college career, but this is a bet on a terrific upside for a twitchy pass-rusher who should test well at the combine later this month. After taking Devin White in the first round last year, Tampa can go back to the LSU well here with Chaisson.


15. Denver Broncos
Josh Jones, OT, Houston

It's probably time to end the Garett Bolles era at left tackle in Denver; the 2017 first-round pick led the league in holding penalties in each of the past three seasons, and he hasn't gotten better. Jones, a four-year starter for the Cougars, is rising after dominating at Senior Bowl practices. He has the potential to be an All-Pro left tackle. The Broncos also have needs in the secondary and could lose a couple starters along the defensive line to free agency.


16. Atlanta Falcons
A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa


We already know that Vic Beasley Jr. won't return to Atlanta, as the Falcons will let the former first-round pick enter free agency, but this team needed pass-rushers even before parting ways with him. As I mentioned in my Mock Draft 1.0, their 28 sacks last season tied for second fewest in the league and Takkarist McKinley didn't make a jump in Year 3, finishing with 3.5 sacks. At 6-6, 280, Epenesa is big enough to play tackle or end in a 4-3 defense, and he has some juice and power as an edge rusher. If Atlanta loses Austin Hooper in free agency, a huge void opens at tight end, though I don't have one ranked this high.


17. Dallas Cowboys
Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama

So much about the Cowboys' offseason is unresolved. Will they sign quarterback Dak Prescott to a huge contract extension? Will they lock up star receiver Amari Cooper? What about free-agent defenders Byron Jones, Robert Quinn and Michael Bennett? Will veterans Jason Witten and Sean Lee return on short-term deals? The good thing is that we'll know about all of these players before the draft. For now, I'm betting on Jones being the odd man out among the guys who have to get paid this offseason. That opens up holes at corner, of course, but also accentuates the need at safety, where Dallas has struggled the past few years. The versatile McKinney, who had three interceptions and four forced fumbles last season, is my top-ranked safety in this class.


18. Miami Dolphins (from PIT)
Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

With the Dolphins still in the beginning stages of their teardown-and-rebuild project, they have a lot of positions they could upgrade. This is one of the worst rosters in the league. And with three first- and two second-round picks, they have a chance to add some immediate starters. If I'm giving them a quarterback at No. 5, let's help Justin Herbert here with a left tackle. Thomas has dropped a little bit since he went in the top 10 in my Mock Draft 1.0 last month, but that's because this tackle class is so good at the top. A pure left tackle with great feet, Thomas doesn't have the ceiling of Laremy Tunsil, but he's a really solid player. Given its depleted roster, Miami should go with the best prospect available in Round 1, and that's Thomas at No. 18.


19. Las Vegas Raiders (from CHI)
Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma

I'll stick with a Vontaze Burfict replacement here with Murray, a big and physical inside linebacker who put up gaudy tackle numbers for the Sooners. Jon Gruden loves aggressive defenders, and Murray, a good blitzer with great athleticism, fits the bill. Cornerback is another position to watch for the Raiders, but I should also mention the possibility of Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock packaging their two first-round picks to move up for a quarterback. It's doable. Las Vegas is a team to watch for quarterbacks in free agency -- Derek Carr's contract won't prohibit it from moving on if it likes someone else -- and in the top 10 of this draft.


20. Jacksonville Jaguars (from LAR)
CJ Henderson, CB, Florida

Finally, the second corner goes off the board; there are some good cornerbacks in this class, but it's more deep than elite. I mentioned earlier the Jags' Jalen Ramsey-sized hole at the position, and Henderson could help fill it. The word I've used to describe Henderson's tape is "natural." He is smooth in coverage, flipping his hips with ease to run with run with receivers. He didn't have an interception in 2019, but he had six total in the two previous seasons. I don't expect free-agent Yannick Ngakoue to leave Jacksonville this offseason, but pass-rusher would become a priority if he does.


21. Philadelphia Eagles
Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson

I just like the fit with Higgins in Philadelphia, as he has great size (6-4) and elite ball skills, boxing out defenders to high-point the ball on sideline routes. We know all about the Eagles' problems at receiver last season, so this fills a massive void. If Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson can stay healthy -- and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside can take a leap in Year 2 -- this position could go from a weakness to strength. Safety is another position to keep an eye on in Philly, with Malcolm Jenkins' unhappiness (and age -- 32) and Rodney McLeod potentially leaving in free agency.

play
0:51
Higgins trucks defender on Clemson trick-play TDTee Higgins plows through a LSU defender on a reverse en route to a Clemson 36-yard touchdown.

22. Buffalo Bills
Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama

John Brown and Cole Beasley each were targeted more than 100 times last season. Can you name the Bills pass-catcher who ranked third on the team in targets? That would be rookie tight end Dawson Knox, who came on at the end of the season, finishing with 28 catches on 50 targets. So let's get Josh Allen another speedy target in Ruggs, who might be the fastest player in the entire 2020 class. I've been told to expect a time under 4.30 in the 40-yard dash at the combine. Ruggs is more than a speed guy who will catch deep balls; he improved as a route runner in 2019 and can break tackles after the catch.


23. New England Patriots
Jacob Eason, QB, Washington

Yes, that's right, I'm now going with a quarterback for the Patriots, who still don't know if they'll have Tom Brady under center in 2020. Even if the 42-year-old free agent returns on a short-term deal, the Pats have to address the position on the first two days of the draft, so why not do it now? I like 2019 fourth-round pick Jarrett Stidham's potential, but I'm not sold on him as a long-term starter. Eason has been getting a lot of buzz from people I talk to in the NFL lately, though he's not a lock to be the fourth quarterback taken; he's still battling with Utah State's Jordan Love, but I'll give the 6-6 Eason the edge for now. He has the best arm of any signal-caller in this class, though he can be erratic at times. It'd be ideal if he got a year or two to sit behind Brady, but he has a much higher ceiling that Stidham. Safety and linebacker are other positions to keep an eye on for New England's top pick.


24. New Orleans Saints
Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn

This is a really tough pick to project. Like the Patriots, the Saints' quarterback situation is murky, with Drew Brees and Teddy Bridgewater unrestricted free agents and Taysom Hill a restricted free agent. Luckily this position will be sorted before the draft, so we'll know by then whether New Orleans will be a team to watch for the quarterbacks in Round 1. For now, I'll stay away from QBs in this mock draft and focus on another need with Eli Apple and P.J. Williams free agents. Veteran Janoris Jenkins is the other starter at cornerback opposite Marshon Lattimore, but the Saints can get a young player to compete with Jenkins. Igbinoghene is a track athlete who is still developing his technique, but he has the traits to be a star.


25. Minnesota Vikings
Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota

Yes, this is the son of that Antoine Winfield, who was drafted by the Bills in Round 1 in 1999 and played nine seasons for the Vikings. The junior Winfield had seven interceptions last season, and while interceptions can sometimes be misleading as a projection tool for prospects, he was more than a ball hawk; he also had 88 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles. Winfield showed great range and instincts at the position, and I really liked watching his 2019 tape. Let's hope he's past the hamstring and foot injuries that prematurely ended his 2017 and 2018 seasons for the Golden Gophers. Safety might not appear to be a priority position for the Vikings, but they have salary-cap issues and could lose Anthony Harris to a big offer in free agency.


26. Miami Dolphins (from HOU)
D'Andre Swift, RB, Georgia

That's three first-round picks, three offensive players for the Dolphins, with Swift taking over as the No. 1 running back to help Justin Herbert and run behind Andrew Thomas. Swift is the best receiving back in this class, and as I mentioned last month, I have a higher grade on him than I did on Josh Jacobs last year. This is a great way to build the Miami offense, though it still needs some pieces to get back on track. If an edge rusher like A.J. Epenesa falls to this pick, don't be surprised if this team pounces.


27. Seattle Seahawks
Justin Madubuike, DT, Texas A&M


Get to know Madubuike's name, because I expect him to rise at the combine. The 6-3, 305-pound defensive tackle put up stellar numbers as an interior penetrator for the Aggies the past two seasons, racking up 11 sacks and 22 total tackles for loss. He wreaked havoc on SEC offensive linemen. Seattle could see huge turnover along its defensive line with Jadeveon Clowney, Ezekiel Ansah, Jarran Reed, Quinton Jefferson and Al Woods all free agents, so Madubuike would help it reload after a down season in which the Seahawks had just 28 sacks. They have an extra second-round pick to help them restock.


28. Baltimore Ravens
Patrick Queen, ILB, LSU

I love the fit with Queen in Baltimore, which lost C.J. Mosley in free agency last offseason and could replace him a year later with a sideline-to-sideline run-and-hit inside linebacker. This is one of the NFL's best rosters -- look no further than the Ravens putting 12 players in the Pro Bowl -- so it's tough to find a position outside of middle linebacker that could see a rookie come in and start on day one. Keep an eye on a possible trade-down situation here with teams trying to trade into Round 1 to get their guy.


29. Tennessee Titans
Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State

Tennessee's list of positions to target could look drastically different a month from now after general manager Jon Robinson and coach Mike Vrabel settle on what to do with free-agent starters Ryan Tannehill, Derrick Henry, Logan Ryan and Jack Conklin. But edge-rusher will still be on that list, and the Titans can address it with Gross-Matos, who had 17.5 sacks over the past two seasons. At 6-5, 265, Gross-Matos would be a great fit as an outside linebacker in their 3-4 defense.


30. Green Bay Packers
Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU

Aaron Rodgers isn't getting any younger; it's time for the Packers to use a first-round pick on a receiver. Davante Adams was the only Green Bay pass-catcher to have more than 53 targets last season, and he had 127. This team needs a competent No. 2 wideout. Jefferson broke out in a big way last season, catching 111 passes for 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns. You might remember him from his four-touchdown performance against Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff semifinal. He led the FBS in total catches and first-down receptions (66). If Green Bay cuts Jimmy Graham, it would become a candidate to take the first tight end off the board in this class.


31. San Francisco 49ers
Grant Delpit, S, LSU

As I mentioned last month, the 49ers have to get this pick right because they don't have another selection until the fifth round. No pressure, general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan. Delpit struggled through an ankle injury last season and needs work as a tackler, but I'm betting on his upside as an athletic, versatile safety. The Niners could lose Jimmie Ward in free agency, and Delpit would help fill that void. Wide receiver is also an interesting position to keep an eye on for San Francisco, which could let free-agent Emmanuel Sanders walk and replace him with a playmaker from a super-deep class.


32. Kansas City Chiefs
Cesar Ruiz, C/G, Michigan

I really like Ruiz's film from last season, and I have a higher grade on him now than I did on the 2019 class' top center Garrett Bradbury last year. It's just tough to project where centers will land because few teams actually need them. Ruiz, who also started a few games at guard in college, is an outstanding pass-blocker. The Chiefs could upgrade at center over Austin Reiter or put Ruiz at guard in place of veteran Stefen Wisniewski, who is a free agent. Both had tough games in the Super Bowl win against a spectacular 49ers defensive line. Edge-rusher and cornerback are other possibilities here.

 

[boozeman]

Way-too-early Dallas Cowboys seven-round mock draft

By Jon Machota Feb 12, 2020

33
Every year it seems like NFL Draft coverage gets kicked into high gear earlier

than the one before. Teams won’t start selecting players for another two and a half months. The annual scouting combine in Indianapolis is still two weeks away. But mock draft season is absolutely in progress. Although predictions are difficult to make at this point, mocks are a fun way to see how teams could potentially fill some of their biggest needs.

For this exercise, we’ll take a look at one possible scenario for the Dallas Cowboys. This is based on Dak Prescott being re-signed or franchise-tagged and Amari Cooper staying in the mix for the 2020 season. That still leaves plenty of uncertainty. Free agency is expected to take several key contributors from the roster. It’s also unknown what kind of additions Dallas will make in free agency or via potential trades.


First round, No. 17 overall: A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa.

The Cowboys have several needs on defense, and it’s a good bet that this pick will be spent on that side of the ball. Despite two of the draft’s top safeties — Alabama’s Xavier McKinney and LSU’s Grant Delpit — still available, Dallas goes with the highest-ranked remaining player on its board. Losing Quinn in free agency would make pass rusher arguably the Cowboys’ biggest need. Epenesa doesn’t have Quinn’s speed off the edge; if he did, he’d never fall to No. 17. But he was extremely productive for the Hawkeyes over the last two seasons. His 2018 stats: 10.5 sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and three passes defended. In 2019, Epenesa totaled 11.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and three passes defended.

At 6-6 and 280 pounds, Epenesa showed an ability to win rushing off the edge or while lining up inside. He would give the Cowboys an immediate impact pass-rusher to line up opposite of DeMarcus Lawrence. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranked Epenesa as the draft’s No. 14 prospect in his latest top-100 board.

Second round, No. 51 overall: Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne.

Safety has been one of the Cowboys’ biggest needs for a while. They had an opportunity to upgrade the position in the second round last year but passed in favor of DT Trysten Hill. They pull the trigger in the second round this time, pairing the 6-2, 220-pound Dugger with Xavier Woods.

Dugger, one of the top performers at this year’s Senior Bowl, only played in seven games last season because of injury. However, he did enough to win the Cliff Harris Award, given to the nation’s small college defensive player of the year, representing Div. II, Div. III and NAIA schools. Dugger finished his college career with 237 tackles, 10 interceptions, 36 pass break-ups, six forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, two blocked kicks and six punt-return touchdowns.

Third round, No. 82 overall: Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia.

If Byron Jones takes his talents to another team via free agency, cornerback will be one of the Cowboys’ biggest offseason needs. Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis are under contract for another year. Anthony Brown is a free agent, but he might be retained on a team-friendly deal. Corner could also be addressed as early as Pick 17. In this scenario, the Cowboys go with the best player available in the first two rounds and address cornerback in the third.

Hall started Virginia’s first six games last season before suffering a season-ending ankle injury. The 6-1, 200-pound defensive back recorded five interceptions and 44 pass deflections in 44 career games (39 starts). He led the nation with 22 pass breakups in 2018. Hall was ranked 73rd on Brugler’s top-100.

Fourth round, No. 113 overall: Devin Duvernay, WR, Texas.

If this scenario played out, the Cowboys wouldn’t be drafting an offensive player in the first three rounds for the first time since 2017. That year, their fourth-round pick ended up being wide receiver Ryan Switzer. Again, Dallas goes with an inside receiver in Duvernay. Cooper is expected to be back. There’s a good chance Randall Cobb also returns. That doesn’t leave a lot of opportunities for a young receiver to immediately step in and make an impact, but a player like Duvernay could find some touches in 2020 and then see his role increase in 2021.

The 5-11, 210-pound receiver put up big numbers during his senior season, finishing with 106 receptions for 1,386 yards and 10 touchdowns. Duvernay wound up 98th on Brugler’s rankings and could be gone by this pick, but the position is so deep in this class that quality receivers are likely to still be around at this point.

Fifth round, No. 147 overall: Benito Jones, DT, Mississippi.

The Cowboys need to get bigger up the middle and a 6-1, 330-pound tackle like Jones could be the answer. He led Ole Miss in tackles for loss last season with 10 while also totaling 5.5 sacks, 30 total tackles and an interception in 11 games.

The Cowboys are expected to bring Antwaun Woods and Trysten Hill back. Tyrone Crawford also has the ability to play inside. But with Maliek Collins hitting free agency, defensive tackle will need to be addressed this offseason and maybe earlier than Pick 147.

Fifth round, (Compensatory pick for Cole Beasley): Devin Asiasi, TE, UCLA.

It’s tough to project where the tight ends will come off the board, but this seems like a good place for the Cowboys to address the position. Blake Jarwin is obviously part of the team’s future. He has proved to be a reliable pass-catcher. But with Jason Witten’s future uncertain, that leaves Dalton Schultz as the only other tight end.

Asiasi (6-3, 260) had a breakout junior season, catching 44 passes for 641 yards and four touchdowns. If he’s already off the board, this also could be a good spot to address linebacker, an offensive tackle project or add another defensive back.

Seventh round, No. 209 overall: Shaquille Quarterman, LB, Miami.

Linebacker should be addressed at some point, whether it’s for depth with Leighton Vander Esch coming back from his neck issue or Sean Lee possibly playing somewhere else. It’s also a great position to improve special teams. The Cowboys were able to find solid linebacker options like Anthony Hitchens (2014) and Damien Wilson (2015) in the fourth round. Both ended up starting this year for the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Maybe Dallas tries to find another similar type of linebacker earlier than the seventh.

Quarterman (6-1, 240) led Miami with 107 tackles and 15.5 tackles for loss last season. The four-year starter finished with 356 tackles, 46.5 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, 13 pass deflections and two forced fumbles in 52 career games.

 

[jsmith6919]

27. Seattle Seahawks
Justin Madubuike, DT, Texas A&M


Get to know Madubuike's name, because I expect him to rise at the combine. The 6-3, 305-pound defensive tackle put up stellar numbers as an interior penetrator for the Aggies the past two seasons, racking up 11 sacks and 22 total tackles for loss. He wreaked havoc on SEC offensive linemen. Seattle could see huge turnover along its defensive line with Jadeveon Clowney, Ezekiel Ansah, Jarran Reed, Quinton Jefferson and Al Woods all free agents, so Madubuike would help it reload after a down season in which the Seahawks had just 28 sacks. They have an extra second-round pick to help them restock.

I was really hoping he'd fall to us in the 2nd

 

[Cotton]

I won't post the whole mock, but here is the latest Athletic mock....

___________________________________________________________________________________

17. Dallas Cowboys: Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Many experts have projected that the Cowboys will take a safety here. There are great options like LSU’s Grant Delpit and Alabama’s Xavier McKinney still on the board. There’s no question the safety position needs to be upgraded, but the Cowboys haven’t drafted one in the first two rounds since Roy Williams in 2002. I don’t think they’ll do it here, either. With Byron Jones headed to free agency, I believe Dallas will put a greater value on cornerback. A standout defensive lineman like Javon Kinlaw or A.J. Epenesa would be my pick if either was still available. In this scenario, I see the Cowboys taking the best cornerback on the board. That could be Diggs, LSU’s Kristian Fulton or Florida’s C.J. Henderson. I went with the brother of Vikings WR Stefon Diggs because of his size (6-2, 207) and ball skills (3 interceptions and 8 pass breakups last season). — Jon Machota

What the Cowboys would be getting with Diggs: Diggs graded well at cornerback for Nick Saban’s secondary in 2019. He has an NFL pedigree as the brother of one of the league’s best receivers (Stefon Diggs). He checks a lot of boxes. He has the size at 6-foot-2, 207 pounds, and the length that scouts like in the secondary. The athleticism is there as well. He came to Alabama and started off as a wide receiver. He even spent some time on special teams. There’s value in that on limited NFL rosters. He made three interceptions his senior season in 12 games (he didn’t play in the bowl game) with eight pass breakups. —Aaron Suttles, Alabama beat writer

The rest of the mock is at Mock draft, combine special: NFL beat writers predict,...

 

[fortsbest]

If we lose Cooper and Ruggs is there at 17 and we pass I'll not be happy. It'll be worse if he makes it to the Iggles and they pick him.

 

[Couchcoach]

Saw that Epanesa shit his shorts yesterday. Not nearly as quick and athletic as many thought