The Scrum Sports’ NFL Mock Draft 2020
This time next week, we will be on Day 3 of the NFL Draft 2020 and for the first time ever, everything becomes virtual and remote. In what was supposed to be a 3-day spectacle taking place in Las Vegas has now become a remote event for all 32 teams in the NFL.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will be making draft pick announcements from his home and players will be at their respective residences awaiting the call that they have been selected. The league has advised players to not have gatherings of no more than six people at their homes, so celebrations will be minimal.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be picking at No. 14 and candidates for the pick range from offensive tackle to picking up another good defensive lineman. We have done our draft work and below is our own The Scrum Sports NFL Mock Draft 2020. Away we go!
1. Joe Burrows (LSU), QB, Cincinnati Bengals: I mean, if this isn’t a lock, I don’t know what is.
2. Chase Young (Ohio State), DE, Washington Redskins: Former Ohio State Buckeye gives Redskins’ top defensive lineman in the draft.
3. Jeffrey Okudah (Ohio State), CB, Detroit Lions: After trading away Darius Slay, Okudah replaces the void left in the secondary.
4. Jedrick Wills (Alabama), OT, New York Giants: Protecting Daniel Jones should be high priority for New York on its list of needs to address.
5. Justin Herbert (Oregon), QB, Miami Dolphins: Dolphins have been doing their homework and end up picking Herbert over Tua Tagovialoa.
6. Tua Tagovialoa (Alabama), QB, Los Angeles Chargers: Yes, Tyrod Taylor is the starter for now. But the Chargers must prepare for the future now.
7. Derrick Brown (Auburn), DT, Carolina Panthers: Panthers need to bolster the middle of the defensive line after losing some key pieces in the off-season.
8. Tristan Wirfs (Iowa), OT, Arizona Cardinals: Could go wide receiver here too but Cardinals go offensive tackle to protect Kyler Murray’s blind side.
9. CJ Henderson (Florida), CB, Jacksonville Jaguars: After giving away Jalen Ramsey and others in the secondary, Jaguars begin restocking via the draft.
10. Mekhi Becton (Louisville), OT, Cleveland Browns: Baker Mayfield had the sophomore slump in 2019 and has to bounce back. Browns invest in Mayfield with an offensive tackle to protect him.
11. Andrew Thomas (Georgia), OT, New York Jets: New York had one of the worst offensive lineman units in the NFL. They address the need here with Thomas.
12. Ceedee Lamb (Oklahoma), WR, Las Vegas Raiders: One thing that was missing from Jon Gruden’s offense last season was a bonafide No. 1 receiver.
13. Henry Ruggs III (Alabama), San Francisco 49ers: With Emmanuel Sanders now in New Orleans, 49ers gill his absence with top flight receiver Ruggs III.
14. Jerry Jeudy (Alabama), Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The top offensive tackle targets off the board, Bucs go ‘no risk it’ by picking Jeudy at No. 14. Imagine Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Jeudy lined up next to each other.
15. Javon Kinlaw (South Carolina), DL, Denver Broncos: Best available player applies here and Kinlaw fits the bill. Broncos pickup one of the most coveted defensive lineman in the draft.
16. K’Lavon Chaisson (LSU), DE, Atlanta Falcons: Pass rush was lacking last season for the Falcons. Dante Fowler via freebies agency and Chaisson should take care of those needs.
17. A.J. Terrell (Clemson), CB, Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys’ secondary took big blows via free agency. Picking up a defensive back in the draft becomes imperative here.
18. Josh Jones (Houston), OT, Miami Dolphins: Whether it’s Ryan Fitzpatrick or Justin Herbert dropping back, Dolphins must protect either passer. Jones becomes a wise pick for Miami.
19. Jaylon Johnson (Utah), CB, Las Vegas Raiders: Bolstering the secondary is the other skilled area the Raiders are eyeing in this draft. Mike Mayock goes with Johnson at No. 19.
20. Kristian Fulton (LSU), CB, Jacksonville Jaguars: Jaguars continue to address their depleted secondary needs with another cornerback in the first round.
21. Justin Jefferson (LSU), WR, Philadelphia Eagles: The lack of reliable receivers on the Eagles’ current roster justifies picking up a talent like Jefferson.
22. Denzel Mims (Baylor), WR, Minnesota Vikings: Getting rid of disgruntled wide receiver Stephon Diggs to Buffalo opens up the door here for Mims to Minnesota.
23. A.J. Epenesa (Iowa), DL, New England Patriots: Yeah, some might want Jordan Love here but this says defense all over it. Replacing Trey Flowers is addressed with selecting Epenesa.
24. Patrick Queen (LSU), LB, New Orleans Saints: Injuries to New Orleans’ linebacking corps last season have the Saints taking the slightly undersized Queen.
25. Terrell Lewis (Alabama), DL, Minnesota Vikings: Lewis still on the board at No. 25, though getting a cornerback would seem like the go to, adding a pass rusher doesn’t hurt.
26. Jonathan Taylor (Wisconsin), RB, Miami Dolphins: Getting a running back like Taylor and nabbing Herbert and Jones? Addressing plenty of needs in the first round.
27. Ross Blacklock (TCU), DT, Seattle Seahawks: A lot of ways the Seahawks can go with this pick. Heck, they may even trade it. But Blacklock brings much needed talent to the defensive line for Pete Carroll.
28. Kenneth Murray (Oklahoma), LB, Baltimore Ravens: Murray joins a long line of talented linebackers to have played in Baltimore. The former Sooner infuses more talent in the front seven.
29. Yetur Gross-Matos (Penn State), DE, Tennessee Titans: Coming off an AFC Conference championship appearance, the Titans are looking to add more depth in the front seven. Gross-Matos’ pass rushing ability answers the bell.
30. Jordan Love (Utah State), QB, Indianapolis Colts via Green Bay Packers: Yes, the Colts will bring three quarterbacks into camp in Love, Phillip Rivers and Jacoby Brissett. Brissett isn’t the future in Indy, Love could be the answer.
31. Jeff Gladneys (TCU), CB, San Francisco 49ers: Cornerback is a need that’s coming down the line for the 49ers. Gladneys in the first round is a solid pick.
32. Lloyd Cushenberry (LSU), OL, Kansas City Chiefs: Fresh off a Super Bowl victory, protecting long-term starter Patrick Mahomes should be in line with the last pick of the first round.
