John Vogel’s 2020 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

The NFL Draft is looming, and we all love NFL mock drafts. I am not the type of writer that will have Mock Draft 63.0 by the time the NFL Draft is upon us, I rather like to let it marinate and see what happens. I’m certain that by this time next week, several NFL fan bases will be upset with who I mocked to their beloved team.

Y’all, I am all for having a discussion about who your team really needs. I will be ignoring anything else in the responses on social media to this. Enjoy.

Note: The order of the Draft is according to Tankathon. Thank you.

1. Cincinnati Bengals – QB Joe Burrow, LSU

Joe Burrow has been the sensation of this college football season thus far. Really, I don’t think we have ever seen an entire program change it’s entire system to better cater to their senior quarterback’s skill set. LSU has become a force behind Burrow, who is showing incredible field vision, accuracy and good arm strength to add to his mobility and winning personality. It’s been a fantastic season for Burrow, and his skill set better fits what coach Zac Taylor wants to do.

2. Miami Dolphins – QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama

Tank for Tua is all we have heard from Miami all season. They have their sights set on the Alabama product and building their new franchise model around him. Tua’s stock should be rising after this week, seeing how the Alabama offense changed drastically when he left this week’s game with a high ankle sprain. He’s a big play waiting to happen, but a smart, heady quarterback who can do almost anything you ask him to. Brian Flores will have a fantastic quarterback who will help mold the culture there.

3. Washington Redskins – OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia

The Redskins are going to be very tempted to take a quarterback here for who ever the new head coach is, but they will pass to see what they have in Ohio State product Dwayne Haskins. Instead, the Redskins will take a replacement for Trent Williams, and take a stud out of Georgia who isn’t all that different from Williams. Thomas should anchor the left tackle spot immediately, being a fine pass protector.

4. Atlanta Falcons – EDGE Chase Young, Ohio State

The best pass rusher in this draft without question. The Atlanta Falcons are undoubtedly moving on from Dan Quinn. It’s been an embarrassing season for the franchise, as they have been raked in almost every way. It’s time for the Falcons to rebuild, and with the lack of production from Vic Beasley, they are in the market for a pass rusher. Young shouldn’t fall to four, but need from the teams ahead of the Falcons drop the best player in the draft. It’s a steal for the Falcons.

5. New York Jets – WR Jerry Jeudy, Alabama

Jerry Jeudy is the latest star receiver from Alabama (one of them), an absolute stud. The Jets are looking to build around their franchise guy, Sam Darnold, and Jeudy is a great weapon for the Jets to pair with wide outs Robby Anderson and Jamison Crowder. Jeudy would bring more speed and excellent route running to New York immediately.

6. New York Giants – IDL Derrick Brown, Auburn

Arguably the most talented player in this draft, the Giants are strictly drafting here off of best-available-talent, something that the Giants could really use. Brown would be a most welcome addition to the defensive line, and could help shore up the Giants porous run defense.

7. Los Angeles Chargers – LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma

The senior leader this season of a much improved Oklahoma defense, Kenneth Murray is a classic, downhill linebacker who is excellent in run defense. Murray can provide pass rushing help up the middle as well, both things that the Chargers defense so desperately needs. It’s a welcome marriage and one that immediately benefits the struggling Los Angeles franchise.

8. Denver Broncos – S Grant Delpit, LSU

Grant Delpit is just the latest all-american safety to come out of “DBU”. Delpit is a very talented defender in both pass coverage and in run defense, and would be an excellent fit to Vic Fangio’s defense. Imagine how much better the Broncos defense would be with a reliable safety.

9. Cleveland Browns – OT Tristan Wirfs, Iowa

A much needed boost to the Browns offensive line, Wirfs is an all-american stud who got to practice everyday against one of the top edge prospects in this draft and honed his craft. Wirfs is a very reliable blocker, and could very easily take the Browns right tackle spot, assuming that they have added a left tackle via trade/free agency before the draft. If not, Wirfs can play left tackle too.

10. Miami Dolphins (From PIT) – CB Jeffrey Okudah, Ohio State

Why not grab a shut down corner to play opposite of Jordan Howard? Sounds like a winning combination to me! Jeffrey Okudah is a stud, an excellent cover corner with good ball skills. He’s come up big when his team has needed him again and again, so that’s already a welcomed addition to the depleted Dolphins crew.

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – QB Justin Herbert, Oregon

Does Tampa Bay have bigger needs on defense? Yes. But with the weapons that this roster has on offense, it’s time to get someone who will protect the football and still manage to get the ball to these guys. Yes, I am talking about Justin Herbert. Herbert has the arm strength, the accuracy and mobility to do everything that Jameis Winston does, and not turn the ball over. Why wouldn’t Bruce Arians want to bring in a guy he could start from scratch with?

12. Detroit Lions – CB Bryce Hall, Virginia

Detroit has one of the better corners in the league in Darius Slay, but why not grab someone to get the other side? Hall is the perfect cornerback fit in Matt Patricia’s offense, a shutdown man corner who plays excellent run defense. I remember trying to watch a cut-up of a safety from Virginia last year and going halfway into the video before realizing I was distracted completely by Hall. He’s good, ladies and gentlemen.

13. Jacksonville Jaguars – WR CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma

The Jaguars offense has so far performed under rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew, but that doesn’t mean it’s been pretty. A lack of playmakers at the perimeter is a weak spot for the Jaguars, who have been relying heavily on DJ Chark and Chris Conley to move the football. Dede Westbrook, Jags fans, has some of the worst hands. CeeDee Lamb is an absolute monster, with incredible athleticism and speed, he would be a demon in the AFC South.

14. Tennessee Titans – LB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson

This pick is assuming that Mike Vrable is still the head coach at the end of the year (you never can be too sure with Tennessee). Isaiah Simmons is the perfect fit to the young Titans defense, someone who can relieve Kevin Byard in trying to cover big tight ends, and offer excellent smarts and run support to the team. This marriage seems too perfect to pass up.

15. Las Vegas Raiders – EDGE AJ Epenesa, Iowa

Jon Gruden is convinced he can build his own pass rushing group without the talents of Khalil Mack. If AJ Epenesa falls to him this far in the draft, he will prove himself right. Epenesa is one of the best players in this draft, despite being undervalued by most scouts that I talk with. Pair him with Maxx Crosby and Clelin Ferrell, and this Raiders squad is scary good, man.

16. Philadelphia Eagles – IDL Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina

The Eagles are going to be very tempted to reach for secondary help here, but they resist the temptation and take a defensive tackle, a weak spot to injury in 2019. Kinlaw is very close to the level that Derrick Brown is on, but I think he’s just a tad bit slower. He won’t let that effect him though, and the Eagles get much needed help on the interior of their defensive line.

17. Arizona Cardinals – IOL Tyler Biadaiz, Wisconsin

It’s all about protecting Kyler Murray at this point for the Cardinals. You have a franchise quarterback, he’s getting good weapons, now let him stand in the pocket and make the throws! Biadaiz is that guy, being able to both run block effectively and set in pass protection. It’s no surprise that Jonathan Taylor is running for almost 2000 yards every year behind an offensive lineman like Biadaiz.

18. Las Vegas Raiders (From CHI) – CB Tristan Fulton, LSU

This is a bit of a reach for Oakland, but it fills a need and it’s a Gruden-like pick. Fulton is a solid cornerback, being lauded coming into the year as a shutdown type of guy. While he has struggled with leg muscles this season, he’s not been a shutdown guy but he has been good. Remove him from the heat and humidity of southern Louisiana, and get him to dry heat in Las Vegas and I think he will be fine.

19. Jacksonville Jaguars (From LAR) – LB Dylan Moses, Alabama

This is such a Jaguars-type pick. The Jaguars love to stock up on defenders, and Moses is a perfect fit to the culture. Moses is currently sitting this season with a torn ACL, but should be ready to go by next year. The tape that Moses has put together is simply outstanding, and as a tackler in space, Moses might be the best in the class.

20. Carolina Panthers – IOL Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma

The Panthers are doing well with a fresh face under center, Kyle Allen, but they could be doing better. They know that they can use some protection to keep their quarterback safe, and Creed Humphrey is an excellent addition to the squad. A solid pass protector, leader and a good run blocker, Humphrey is strong, quick and powerful. He can play guard or center.

21. Dallas Cowboys – IDL Raekwon Davis, Alabama

Raekwon Davis will be bringing back memories to Cowboys fans of Ed “Too-Tall” Jones, a long time defensive tackle through the 1980’s. Davis is bigger than Too-Tall, standing at a monstrous 6’7″ and 305 pounds. He’s powerful, a physical freak doing things that people his size shouldn’t be doing. An excellent run defender, the Cowboys could use him, and they get a steal getting him this late in the first round.

22. Miami Dolphins (From HOU) – RB Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin

The Dolphins need a reliable pair of legs who can both grind the ball for Tua, and be a receiver out of the backfield. Taylor has proven above and beyond that he is both, being the most successful runner in Wisconsin school history since Ron Dayne in the late 1990’s. Taylor’s numbers are huge, running for over 2000 yards as a freshman and damn near doing it again last season. He’s be a great addition to the Dolphins team, and wouldn’t be effected by the cold when playing the other teams in the division.

23. Indianapolis Colts – WR Henry Ruggs III, Alabama

Think of how fitting this would be – The Colts, who need help at the receiver position (most notably a true #2 receiver), giving the keys to Jacoby Brissett and handing him TY Hilton and Henry Ruggs III to throw to. That would be absolutely ridiculous. Ruggs has all-world speed, and may run a sub 4.3 forty at the combine. He is excellent after the catch, and has great hands. What a steal this would be for the Colts.

24. Seattle Seahawks – EDGE Julian Okwara, Notre Dame

Seattle added Jadevion Clowney to try and help with it’s lack of a pass rush, but they still could use another piece. Julian Okwara could legitimately help. Okwara has produced at Notre Dame, collecting 8 sacks last season and 5 so far in this one. Speed off of the edge seems to be his top move, and he gives right tackles fits. Sounds like Seattle would love him.

25. Baltimore Ravens – CB Trevon Diggs, Alabama

Marlon Humphries is an excellent player for the Ravens in the secondary, but they could use more depth behind him. Diggs fits that well. The brother of Vikings wide receiver Stefon, Diggs has most of his brothers speed and quickness. While not a shut-down type of a guy, Diggs would give the Ravens valuable depth.

26. Minnesota Vikings – QB Jacob Eason, Washington

Yes, Minnesota, get ready. I think the Vikings are about to move on from Kirk Cousins. Would you want to sign him to another extension with the roller-coaster that it has already been? Yeah, I wouldn’t either. Eason gives the Vikings a guy who wants to push the ball down field and can improvise, unlike Cousins. He won’t start right away, but it’ll be a good situation for the young signal caller.

27. Buffalo Bills – WR Laviska Shenault, Colorado

I don’t expect to see the Bills drafting this high come April. Of course, I could be very wrong. Either way, Buffalo wants to be a physical football team. Laviska Shenault is a very physical receiver, with incredible after the catch ability. Shenault has a ways to go before he’s “ready” per say, but he’s a piece the Bills will heavily value.

28. New Orleans Saints – WR Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State

A good pick for the Saints, taking a vertical threat to pair with Michael Thomas. The Saints have wanted that for a while, and have used Ted Ginn Jr to that role. Imagine someone almost as fast as Ginn but several inches taller. You have Tylan Wallace in the Saints offense.

29. Kansas City Chiefs – CB Paulson Adebo, Stanford

Paulson Adebo reminds a lot of people of Richard Sherman when he was at Stanford. A big, physical cornerback more effective in zone coverage. Adebo is smart, and would fit the defensive scheme that the Chiefs run. He’s been wildly inconsistent in man coverage, something most other teams would be concerned about. However, Kansas City doesn’t ask their defense to play much man, so Adebo would be just fine.

30. Green Bay Packers – WR DeVonta Smith, Alabama

The third Alabama receiver selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Mock Draft, DeVonta Smith is Green Bay’s attempt to give Aaron Rodgers a second fiddle to use. With DeVonte Adams being the only star receiver on the team and the position lacking depth, it would only make sense for the Packers to take Smith, a perfect #2 receiver with big play ability and speed.

31. San Francisco 49ers – IDL Rashard Lawrence, LSU

The 49ers have shored up their pass rush, collecting a stud cast. However, run defense seems to be a little weak spot on the team, and Rashard Lawrence is clearly the best available talent on the board. The 49ers just collect him here, a guy who is both a leader and a gap plugger, with pass rushing ability as well.

32. New England Patriots – EDGE K’Lavion Chaison, LSU

Nothing new here for the Patriots, removing the top talent from the board at the end of the round. Chaison is really a steal too, a powerful 3/4 outside linebacker who is good in zone coverage and can really get after the quarterback. It happens to be a position of need for the Patriots as well, and they get lucky by being patient… again.

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