Cole’s Corner: 2020 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 (4 rounds); Browns Take a Pair of Buckeyes

We are only a couple of weeks away from the 2020 NFL Draft, which means it is mock draft season! My mock draft 1.0 will not only walk you through four full rounds, but there is a summary for each first round pick as well as for every Browns selection.

You can find the team-by-team breakdown linked on the last page.

Round 1

1. Cincinnati (2-14) – Joe Burrow  QB  LSU

The number one pick should be extremely obvious this year. The Bengals need a quarterback and Burrow needs to be their pick. The Heisman winner and National Champion put up crazy numbers in his senior year. Burrow is not only a winner but the complete package. He can scramble when needed, delivers great throws and finds a way to get the job done. I thoroughly believe that Burrow is the best quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck in 2012. If the Ohio native is not picked at one, the Bengals fanbase would probably riot.

2. Washington (3-13) – Chase Young  Edge  Ohio State

Burrow should be the clear number one pick but that does not make him the best player in this draft. That title goes to Chase Young. Ohio State put both Bosa brothers in the league in the last several years, yet Young is probably the scariest one of all three. Young is an absolute freak of nature. His size, speed and pass rush moves will terrorize even the best tackles. Quarterbacks in the NFC East better watch out because it is hard to believe that the Redskins will pass on Young. The team is expected to switch to a 4-3 base defense for 2020 and Young would help supply the correct personnel to do so. Young, Ryan Kerrigan and Montez Sweat will be quite the trio for Ron Rivera and Jack Del Rio.

3. Detroit (3-12-1) – Jeff Okudah  CB  Ohio State

Darius Slay is now a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. That makes the number one corner position a wide-open spot for Okudah. Okudah’s smooth footwork impressed at the combine and that smooth play translates to the field. He is disciplined and a lockdown corner. Okudah is not only the best corner in this draft but I believe the best Ohio State corner in recent memory. The trait that separates Okudah from Marshon Lattimore and Denzel Ward is his tackling ability. Okudah is fantastic at coming forward and making the big stop. Don’t be surprised if he is an immediate Pro Bowler.

4. New York Giants (4-11) – Tristan Wirfs  OT  Iowa

The pick here at four is where most people believe the debate actually starts. Isaiah Simmons is the best talent still on the board and the Giants might decide to take the best available. Linebacker is not one of the key positions of need for the team though, so I believe they will look at the four talented offensive tackles in this class. I believe Wirfs is the best of the bunch and he had one of the best combines overall – for any position. Some scouts think Wirfs would be better suited at guard but the Giants need a right tackle. The Giants offense should be based around the run game with Saquon Barkley, which means the run blocking ability of Wirfs at right tackle could be perfect. Wirfs and Kevin Zeitler sounds like an outstanding right side of a line to me.

5. Miami (5-11) – Tua Tagovailoa  QB  Alabama

I am still disappointed that Josh Rosen was never given a fair chance in Miami. That being said, Fitzmagic time has come to an end. Tua has some injury concerns and there is an argument that he is too fragile. For the Dolphins, that isn’t worth passing up on the Alabama quarterback. Tua is extremely accurate and has great awareness in the pocket. If he can stay healthy, there is potential to become recognized as a top ten left-handed quarterback in NFL history. The AFC East is looked at as more wide open this upcoming season. The Dolphins will hope Tua and their plethora of draft picks helps them take a massive leap in the direction of winning the division.

6. Los Angeles Chargers (5-11) – Justin Herbert  QB  Oregon

The team claims they are starting the season with Tyrod Taylor at quarterback. I actually liked when Taylor was in Cleveland but it did not take long for Baker Mayfield to steal away the starting job. If the Chargers pick Herbert, Taylor might face a similar situation to 2018 in Cleveland. Not only will Herbert sell more jerseys but he has the ability to be a franchise QB. Herbert is tall at 6’6”, fast in the open field and delivers strikes when given time. Herbert will have his ups and downs but there is a lot of potential.

7. Carolina (5-11) – Isaiah Simmons  LB  Clemson

Simmons is the second-best overall player in this draft behind Chase Young. He wowed everyone at the combine with his 4.39 time in the 40-yard dash. Simmons is best as a linebacker but his versatility means he can line up at slot corner or both safety positions. During his time at Clemson, it seemed like Simmons was everywhere on the field. The retirement of Luke Keuchly means the Panthers defense is looking for a new star and Simmons can totally be the next face of their defense. Simmons will immediately be a fan favorite in Carolina.

8. Arizona (5-10-1) – Jedrick Wills Jr.  OT  Alabama

The Cardinals have had a fairly weak offensive line for a while now but they seem to have “their guy” under center. Kyler Murray is talented and certainly has ability throwing and running. Due to Murray’s size, there is the question of how many hits he can really take. Bringing in more talent on the line is crucial for their offense. D.J. Humphries just inked a three-year, $45 million contract extension as the team believes he is a solid left tackle. They could still use an upgrade at right tackle though and Wills would be a great solution. Wills had a strong career at Alabama and is known for bringing a nastiness to the line. I don’t see him making any switch to left tackle which makes Arizona a good fit. Wills has the ability to be a long-time starter at right tackle.

9. Jacksonville (6-10) – Derrick Brown  DT  Auburn

The story for the Jaguars is an intense need to reload talent on the defensive line and in the secondary. Brown would be a start in the right direction. He is big, strong and is the best possible replacement for Marcell Dareus. The best way to describe Brown is a dangerous DT. He is faster than he looks and a solid run stopper. Brown and the Jaguars appear to be a perfect fit on paper.

10. Cleveland (6-10) – Andrew Thomas  OT  Georgia

The biggest need for the Browns is a left tackle. It would be a complete shocker if Andrew Berry does not pull the trigger on a tackle here. The team’s moves throughout free agency all point in the direction that a first-round tackle will be the pick. If there are no trades to move up for a tackle, expect at least one – if not two of the top four tackles still available. Thomas is my favorite true left tackle. He had a great career at Georgia and the word that comes to mind for me is consistency. He is a powerful run blocker and brings fight in pass protection. The Browns new offensive scheme would be a perfect fit for Thomas. Also the last left tackle in Cleveland with the last name Thomas worked out pretty well. Hopefully Andrew could be the same solid rock that Joe was for many years.

11. New York Jets (7-9) – CeeDee Lamb  WR  Oklahoma

The Jets need some more weapons for Sam Darnold, especially now that they have to replace Robby Anderson. CeeDee Lamb is not only a replacement in my opinion, but a massive upgrade. Lamb is the definition of a playmaker. He has excellent hands, nice speed and has excellent vision in the open field. Darnold will be thanking the front office if they decide to bring in Lamb.

12. Las Vegas (7-9) – CJ Henderson  CB  Florida

The Eli Apple deal fell through and that leaves the need at corner even more glaring for the Raiders. Moving from Oakland to Las Vegas does not change the fact that they have to deal with the speed of Tyreke Hill and Mecole Hardman twice per year. CJ Henderson possesses some nice speed with a 4.39 40-yard dash. I think he is hands down the second best corner in this draft. He has a great eye for the ball and can pull in plenty of interceptions. Henderson would be a perfect fit. Expect the Raiders to pick more than just one corner throughout this draft.

13. San Francisco – from Indianapolis (7-9) – Jerry Jeudy  WR  Alabama

The 49ers roster is still loaded but they need to replace Emmanuel Sanders at wide receiver. Jeudy is the best route runner in this draft and his footwork is so precise. Jeudy makes perfect sense for San Francisco. The team might consider trading down since they do not have any picks in rounds two through four. Holding at 13 and picking the Alabama receiver seems like the ideal move.

14. Tampa Bay (7-9) – Mekhi Becton  OT  Louisville

The Bucs need offensive line help and need to protect their new QB Tom Brady. Becton could fall right into their laps. He has a massive frame and there is a lot of potential. Becton might have the highest ceiling of all the o-line prospects but I think his floor is low. I see him as a boom or bust type of player. He is smooth with his footwork and his size can overwhelm pass rushers. He has some technique to iron out though. If he fails to be consistent with technique then he might struggle against dominant edge rushers. Tampa would most likely love the opportunity to work with him though.

15. Denver (7-9) – Patrick Queen  LB  LSU

Queen is not the biggest inside linebacker at 227 pounds but he is excellent in coverage. His high motor and quickness would be a nice addition to the four linebacker set. He has nice instincts and is a sure tackler in open space. Whether he would start or rotate in, Queen would offer a nice new dimension.

16. Atlanta (7-9) – A.J. Epenesa  Edge  Iowa

The Falcons added Dante Fowler but still need another edge rusher. Epenesa is a physical end, who is strong against the run and the pass. He also has heavy hands and offers great power on the rush. In his last two seasons at Iowa, he had 22 sacks and forced eight fumbles. That’s the type of production the Falcons need.

17. Dallas (8-8) – K’Lavon Chaisson  Edge  LSU

The departure of Robert Quinn leaves a need for another edge rusher opposite DeMarcus Lawrence. Chaisson is a pure pass rusher and offers a great deal of speed off the edge. His explosiveness is exactly what the Cowboys need. Chaisson excels when he is standing up as almost more of a hybrid edge. If the Cowboys want some explosiveness off the edge then this could be a perfect match.

18. Miami – from Pittsburgh (8-8) – Xavier McKinney  S  Alabama

The Dolphins defense has been patched up throughout free agency. There is still a need for a playmaking safety though. McKinney is exactly that, a playmaker. He is a hard hitter and is a master at hunting the football. A bit of a ball magnet. The first two picks in this draft could easily mean an Alabama quarterback and safety will be starting next season for the team.

19. Las Vegas – from Chicago (8-8) – Henry Ruggs III  WR  Alabama

The Raiders still need a top level wide receiver. A blazing fast one might be fun for Jon Gruden and Greg Olson’s offense. Ruggs showed off his lightning quick speed at the combine where he posted a 4.27 40-yard dash. He can take the top off any defense and showed that during his time at Alabama. It’s something the Raiders are lacking.

20. Jacksonville – from Los Angeles Rams (9-7) – Kristian Fulton  CB  LSU

The Jaguars brought in Darqueze Dennard and Rashaan Melvin to replace Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye. Dennard and Melvin are good players but nowhere near the same talent level. The team needs some more help outside. Fulton could provide some much needed assistance. He is a press man corner in a heavy man-to-man scheme and is not afraid to get hands on. He reads the ball in the air well but still has some work to do in order to become a high-end starter.

21. Philadelphia (9-7) – Justin Jefferson  WR  LSU

The Eagles had issues with injuries at wide receiver last year and Nelson Agholor kept dropping the ball. Agholor is gone and Wentz needs another receiver who can catch the ball. Justin Jefferson could be that guy. He is a versatile receiver that can play at several spots. He put up great stats last year for LSU with 111 receptions for 1,540 yards and 18 TDs. Another thing Jefferson did well was when Burrow scrambled to extend a play, Jefferson was good at extending his route or breaking off to provide an option. Wentz is known for his ability to extend plays. Jefferson could be a great target for Wentz.

22. Minnesota – from Buffalo (10-6) – Yetur Gross-Matos  Edge  Penn State

The Vikings have a massive amount of replacing to do. One hole is on the edge where Everson Griffen lined up. Gross-Matos could be the solution to filling that spot. He has a long frame with long arms and gets around the edge well. He has the ability to become a top pass rusher but it might take some development to be a top tier production type of player.

23. New England (12-4) – Jordan Love  QB  Utah State

The Patriots need a quarterback and if Love is sitting at 23 then it is probably worth the pick. He reads the field well and is fairly calm in the pocket. He also would bring an athleticism that Tom Brady never had. He needs to work on his timing and ball placement but the upside is worth going for it.

24. New Orleans (13-3) – Kenneth Murray  LB  Oklahoma

The Saints have one of the most complete rosters in the league but if you could point out one position of need, that would probably be inside linebacker. Kiko Alonso is coming off of his third ACL tear which adds some weakness. You can’t find much better than Kenneth Murray. He was a tackling machine at Oklahoma and was the bright spot of their defense. Murray does not seem to be afraid of anything and flies downhill to stop the run. He could start or come off the bench and make a huge impact for the Saints.

25. Minnesota (10-6) – A.J. Terrell  CB  Clemson

The Vikings lost their top three corners from last season and need secondary help. Terrell would be a nice fit. He is a long corner with nice in-game speed. He has good hands and baits quarterbacks into making dangerous throws. He needs to add some strength and work on his tackling ability. In many ways he reminds me of Greedy Williams. If he puts in the work, his ceiling is quite exciting.

26. Miami – from Houston (10-6) – D’Andre Swift  RB  Georgia

The Dolphins have a ton of picks and with their third in the first round, there is a good chance they take the first running back. Their running game was extremely poor last season especially down the final stretch. Adding Jordan Howard is a huge step in the right direction but they need more. Swift would be a nice change of pace. He offers a quick burst throw the hole and is fairly shifty. He also has good hands catching out of the backfield. Swift could easily serve as a third down back or compete with Howard for the starting job.

27. Seattle (11-5) – Javon Kinlaw  DT  South Carolina

The Seahawks produced the second fewest sacks in the league last season. They need some more talent on the edge and in the middle of the line. One step towards getting to the quarterback is by drafting Kinlaw. He is excellent at timing the snap. He is surprisingly quick for a big guy and is disruptive in the backfield. He has all of the physical tools at his disposal if he can just work on his leverage a bit more.

28. Baltimore (14-2) – Zack Baun  Edge  Wisconsin

The Ravens love edge rushers. Specifically versatile players who can drop in coverage and also send the pressure. Baun is that type of guy. He is good as a linebacker or even with his hand in the dirt. He can play in a variety of roles across a front seven. His burst and hand usage will greatly help in early downs against the run. To me, he just feels like a Ravens type of pick.

29. Tennessee (9-7) – J. K. Dobbins  RB  Ohio State

The Titans love to run the football with Derrick Henry. Henry is franchise-tagged though and might not be with the team much longer. They need a solid running back to not only be a backup right away, but likely be the top back the year after. If Mike Vrabel calls up his Ohio State connections, they will tell him Dobbins is the right guy. Dobbins is excellent at sticking his foot in the ground and making quick cuts. He has surprising open field speed and can offer some power as well. The ankle sprain suffered in the semifinal of the College Football Playoff slowed him down, but he displayed his toughness and tried to fight through it. Dobbins is a workhorse and that is the type of RB the Titans love to have.

30. Green Bay (13-3) – Brandon Aiyuk  WR  Arizona State

The Packers need to give Aaron Rodgers some more weapons and stretch the field. Aiyuk is one of the most underrated receivers in this class in my opinion. He should absolutely be considered a first round talent. Whether he is running a route or even fielding the ball in the return game, he is a big play threat. Aiyuk is twitchy and extremely slippery for tacklers. The Packers would be wise to snatch him up at the end of the first round.

31. San Francisco (13-3) – Jeff Gladney  CB  TCU

The 49ers need another corner especially when planning for the future and free agency in 2021. Gladney is a tough corner and he has a knack for getting his hands on the ball. He is scrappy and will get his nose in there against the run game. If he makes it to pick 31 then the 49ers certainly cannot pass this up.

32. Kansas City (12-4) – Austin Jackson  OT  USC

The Chiefs won the Super Bowl and will return with a solid roster once again. They have some spots they need to replace or add depth though. The offensive line could use some depth and Jackson would be a good choice. He is young at just 20-years-old but his youth with ability gives tremendous room for growth. His overall athleticism could lead to him becoming a solid starting right tackle in a few years. Worth the chance for the Chiefs.