With the 2020 NFL Draft fewer than three months away, it's time to reexamine the projected selections in Sporting News' latest 2020 first-round mock draft.
Super Bowl 54 marks the official end of the current NFL season. The week before, the Senior Bowl marked the unofficial kickoff of the serious pre-draft process with the NFL Combine on deck at the end of February.
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With the draft order headed to being settled and the stock of several attractive pro prospects coming into focus, without further ado, here's how we now see the picks playing out from No. 1 through No. 32.
NFL mock draft 2020
1. Cincinnati Bengals (2-14)
- Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Offensive-minded coach Zac Taylor needs a franchise passer with Andy Dalton fading and Ryan Finley not showing much. Burrow enjoyed a meteoric rise as the runaway Heisman Trophy winner and top QB prospect in the class. At 6-3, 215 pounds, he combines his mental and physical toughness in the pocket with a strong arm and accurate delivery. His leadership skills and athleticism flourished in Baton Rouge, capped by elite performances in the College Football Playoff.
2. Washington Redskins (3-13)
- Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
Young qualifies as a better prospect than recent Ohio State studs Joey and Nick Bosa. With defensive-minded Ron Rivera hired as head coach, assuming the Redskins don’t get a can’t-refuse offer to trade back, they should jump at the chance to get this cornerstone talent for the team's defensive rebuild. Young (6-5, 265 pounds) is a game-changing disruptor who had 16.5 sacks in only 12 games as a junior.
3. Detroit Lions (3-12-1)
- Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn need to think about the best defensive player available, and drafting a cornerback to support Darius Slay, who's going into his age-29 season, isn't a bad route. Okudah, an elite ball hawk at 6-1, 200 pounds, has the build to handle receivers of all sizes. He is fluid and quick enough with great recovery skills in coverage to develop into a shutdown type with his strengths showing up in press man.
4. New York Giants (4-12)
- Isaiah Simmons, OLB, Clemson
The Giants also need to address defense with a stat-sheet stuffer, and a versatile linebacker is just what they need for their Patriots-tinged defense coordinated by Patrick Graham under Joe Judge. Simmons seemed to be all over the field at all times in college with great speed and range at 6-4, 230 pounds, and he also can get to the quarterback. He posted 104 tackles, 7 sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss and 3 interceptions in 15 games.
5. Miami Dolphins (5-11)
- Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
Tagovailoa (6-1, 218 pounds) should make a full recovery from his scary hip injury, so the Dolphins might as well land him with the first of their three first-round picks. Miami can keep Ryan Fitzpatrick to serve as the bridge QB should Tagovailoa need extra time to get to full strength. When healthy, Tagovailoa is an accurate, mobile, deep-ball throwing QB with the upside of Russell Wilson, only throwing with his left arm.
6. Los Angeles Chargers (5-11)
- Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Herbert has ideal size (6-6, 237 pounds) and underrated athleticism for a team that needs to look to its QB future beyond Philip Rivers. Although Herbert is efficient and mentally tough, there are times when he can go into a slump with his decision-making, forcing throws out of overconfidence. With good NFL coaching, however, he can live up to being a prototypical superstar, signs he showed at the Senior Bowl. Anthony Lynn would have a strong influence on Herbert.
7. Carolina Panthers (5-11)
- Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
Brown has stood out early in the draft process as the most impactful interior defensive prospect against both the run and the pass, something coach Matt Rhule and coordinator Phil Snow need for their front-seven fortification. At 6-5, 318 pounds, he is a quick disruptor who makes a lot of plays in the backfield.
8. Arizona Cardinals (5-10-1)
- Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Giving Kyler Murray a true go-to guy would allow Christian Kirk to be more dangerous as a complementary playmaker and give Larry Fitzgerald, returning for one more year, a true successor. Jeudy fits the profile as a No. 1 receiver; he is a classic intermediate-to-deep field-stretcher and smooth drive-finisher in the red zone at 6-1, 198 pounds.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-10)
- A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa
Yannick Ngakuoe is a pending free agent who might be too expensive to keep, and Calais Campbell will be entering his age-34 season in Todd Wash's 4-3 defense. This pick would bring in another nice young pass-rushing piece to compliment 2019 first-rounder Josh Allen. Epenesa (6-6, 280 pounds) is a powerful, explosive, big-bodied player. He can push blockers out of the way to get to the quarterback and also stands up strong against the run. He confirmed his top-10 status with 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble against USC in the Holiday Bowl.
10. Cleveland Browns (6-10)
- Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
The Browns have an amazing set of skill players around Baker Mayfield, but their pass protection was the reason they were slow to find their explosiveness early in 2019. That will change with run-tilted and offensive-minded new coach Kevin Stefanski. Thomas matches great size (6-5, 320 pounds) with good hands and footwork. Stefanski also will love what Thomas can do to open holes for the running game.
11. New York Jets (7-9)
- Austin Jackson, OT, USC
The Jets might consider a wide receiver, but they also could use a rock for their offensive line in front of Sam Darnold, given their pass-protection issues and the fact Kelvin Beachum is pending free agent. Jackson (6-6, 310 pounds) has entered the first-round fray as an athletic beast with a strong finish to his final college season.
12. Las Vegas Raiders (7-9)
- Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
The Raiders need help on the back end after getting consistently burned this season despite some improvements in the pass rush. Fulton (6-1, 192 pounds) has the size, speed, smarts and sound coverage skills to have a long, prosperous career. He felt confident enough to pull out of the Senior Bowl. This is a must-address position, and Fulton has the highest playmaking upside among corners in the draft.
13. Indianapolis Colts (7-9)
- CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
The Colts have an aging (and hurting) T.Y. Hilton and little playmaking pop elsewhere at wide receiver, with re-signed Zach Pascal next on the depth chart. Lamb, a DeAndre Hopkins clone, can be an explosive field-stretcher and steady possession guy outside. At 6-2, 199 pounds, he needed only 62 receptions to post 1,327 yards and 14 TDs in 13 games in his final season at Oklahoma.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
- Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Love (6-4, 223 pounds) didn't waste his showcase and discovery opportunity at the Senior Bowl. He has terrific size and immense physical skills, including a big arm, and his athleticism signals a high ceiling if his accuracy, decision-making and footwork can become cleaner with good NFL coaching. Bruce Arians would be the ideal coach for for him with established Bucs weapons, and this pick would indicate the team is moving on from Jameis Winston.
15. Denver Broncos (7-9)
- Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
The Broncos need some defensive and receiving help, but they also could use a boost to their offensive line edge play to help both second-year QB Drew Lock and third-year running back Phillip Lindsay. Wills (6-5, 320 pounds) is a strong, powerful run-blocker who needs a little time to develop into an elite pass-protector.
16. Atlanta Falcons (7-9)
- K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE/OLB, LSU
Chaisson (6-4, 250 pounds) has a great name for an elite, active defender who chases after quarterbacks and running backs alike. He had 6.5 sacks and 60 tackles during LSU’s championship run, and like several teammates, his draft stock shot up throughout the season. He is an effective hybrid player who can work well in Dan Quinn's 4-3 scheme.
17. Dallas Cowboys (8-8)
- Grant Delpit, S, LSU
The Cowboys need an upgrade at free safety from Jeff Heath to get better at covering backs and tight ends. Delpit flies around the field, stopping the run like an extra linebacker and making big plays on the ball in downfield coverage. He plays like the Chargers' Derwin James with tremendous hybrid size (6-3, 203 pounds) for the position.
18. Miami Dolphins (from 8-8 Steelers)
- Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
The Dolphins might think about a running back with one of their three first-rounders, but they can address that later with good value. In between a new QB and a big-play No. 2 wide receiver in this mock, they grab someone to replace Laremy Tunsil. Wirfs has the athleticism at 6-5, 322 pounds to hold down the left side for a long time. He combines his pass-blocking skills with power and physicality in the running game.
19. Las Vegas Raiders (from 8-8 Bears)
- Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
The Raiders need to get stronger on their interior front with a Geno Atkins-like player for Paul Guenther. They can look to Will Muschamp's defense, where the 6-6, 310-pound Kinlaw posted 6 sacks in 12 games for the Gamecocks. Offensive tackle also will get consideration with this pick, but Kinlaw was too impressive at the Senior Bowl to ignore.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (from 9-7 Rams)
- C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
The Jaguars can replace Jalen Ramsey with the pick they acquired from trading him. Henderson (6-1, 202 pounds) plays bigger than his size with great athleticism and technique in his favor. He just needs to get a little more physical to be trusted against receivers who rely on body positioning to get open.
21. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7)
- Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
The Eagles are in desperate need of a big-play threat in Carson Wentz's receiving corps given DeSean Jackson's age and an equally breaking-down Alshon Jeffery. Higgins is a dangerous, all-around playmaker who can be a force in the red zone. At 6-4, 215 pounds, he posted 59 receptions for 1,167 yards and 13 TDs in 15 games. He also rushed for a 36-yard score against LSU.
22. Buffalo Bills (10-6)
- Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
A pass rush upgrade will be fighting wide receiver help early on the Bills' draft board. Gross-Matos (6-5, 242 pounds) is a well-built, explosive and versatile defender who can thrive in Sean McDermott and Leslie Frazier's 4-3 scheme with Lorenzo Alexander retiring and Shaq Lawson a pending free agent.
23. New England Patriots (12-4)
- Kenneth Murray, ILB, Oklahoma
The Patriots have a lot of free-agency concerns at linebacker with Kyle Van Noy, Elandon Roberts and Jamie Collins unsigned for 2020. Murray (6-2, 243 pounds) is an active, rangy playmaker who can be as effective dropping back as he is getting downhill against the run or blitzing.
24. New Orleans Saints (13-3)
- Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
The Saints desperately need to get Drew Brees a second reliable outside threat who can do a little bit of everything opposite Michael Thomas. Ruggs (6-0, 190 pounds) fits the bill as a field-stretcher who can also use his route-running skills to win on shorter routes.
25. Minnesota Vikings (10-6)
- Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State
Xavier Rhodes has faded fast as a big cover man, and Trae Waynes is a pending free agent. Dantzler (6-2, 185 pounds) has nice size and uses his hands and hips well to be disruptive against receivers downfield. He’s at his best operating in zone and can be deployed well in Mike Zimmer’s defense.
26. Miami Dolphins (from 10-6 Texans)
- Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
The Dolphins know DeVante Parker will be around for a while. Now they can get someone to complement him as a big-play threat outside. Jefferson (6-2, 185 pounds) emerged in LSU's passing game as a quick, efficient route-runner with good hands whose speed remains underrated. He posted 111 catches for 1,540 yards and 18 TDs in 15 games.
27. Seattle Seahawks (12-4)
- Tyler Biadasz, C/G, Wisconsin
Biadasz (6-3, 321 pounds) is next in the strong line of Badgers interior blockers (see the Cowboys' Travis Frederick and the Giants' Kevin Zeitler). The Seahawks’ offensive foundation is the power running game, and they are getting old and limited inside with Mike Iupati as a pending free agent. They can also consider offensive tackle, edge and cornerback here.
28. Baltimore Ravens (13-3)
- Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State
The Ravens need to strongly consider upgrading their pass rush, too, especially with Matthew Judon looking at free agency. Weaver (6-3, 265 pounds) was an absolute beast on the blue turf with 13.5 sacks in 14 games in his final college season.
29. Tennessee Titans (9-7)
- Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
The Titans need some help with coverage inside and out with Adoree' Jackson having major downfield struggles, Malcolm Butler coming off a season-ending wrist injury and Logan Ryan heading into free agency at 29. Diggs offers good size (6-2, 207 pounds), strength and downfield speed. Diggs has risen up the board quickly with his big senior season (3 interceptions in 12 games).
30. Green Bay Packers (13-3)
- Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado
The Packers need a reliable all-around No. 2 opposite Davante Adams to give Aaron Rodgers another trusted and technically sound target. Shenault (6-2, 220 pounds) is a sure-handed field stretcher who has some nice big-play flair after the catch. He posted 56 catches for 764 yards and 4 TDs for the Buffaloes, standing out on a struggling team.
31. Kansas City Chiefs (12-4)
- D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
Swift is the best option for the Chiefs to push their backfield forward after getting the most from elevated veteran backup Damien Williams, who was a bit overextended with a feature role and has one year left on his contract going into his age-28 season. Swift (5-9, 229 pounds) is capable of both getting the tough yards inside and breaking free for big plays in the open field. He also flashed well as a receiver for the Bulldogs and can excel in the screen game Andy Reid loves.
32. San Francisco 49ers (13-3)
- Xaiver McKinney, S, Alabama
The Niners have seen their defensive work in the draft pay off, but with Jimmie Ward a pending free agent, they could think about addressing safety next to Jaquiski Tartt. At 6-1, 197 pounds, McKinney could do it all for San Francisco, handling tight ends in coverage and cleaning up against running backs.
