The first half of the 2019 NFL regular season is in the books, and the college football regular season is entering its final month. With the NFL Draft order starting to come into focus and the top prospects on the radar of most scouts, it's a perfect time to clock in with an updated 2020 mock draft.
The 0-8 Bengals hold the first pick now, but the 0-7 Dolphins have a game in hand. The battle for that selection probably comes down to the teams' head-to-head matchup in Week 16.
From the updated 1-32 based on current NFL standings and playoff seeding, here is Sporting News' second in-season projection for the 2020 NFL Draft in Las Vegas.
NFL POWER RANKINGS:
Updated order ahead of Week 9
NFL mock draft 2020
1. Cincinnati Bengals (0-8)
- Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Burrow has enjoyed a meteoric rise as the new Heisman Trophy favorite and appealing top QB prospect in this 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 also have flourished in Baton Rouge. Coach Zac Taylor will see some Jared Goff qualities in Burrow as a traditional passer, which makes sense for the Bengals after their benching of Andy Dalton, assuming Ryan Finley doesn't pull a Gardner Minshew.
2. Miami Dolphins (0-7)
- Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
Tagovailoa hasn't done much to drop his value, but the durability concerns, combined with Burrow's spectacular play, have caused him to slip for now in the eyes of many NFL observers. Contrary to popular growing belief, Tagovailoa when healthy is not just the product of the talented offense around him. He is an accurate, mobile deep-ball thrower with the upside of Russell Wilson, only left-handed.
3. Washington Redskins (1-7)
- Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Assuming the Redskins want to stick with and develop first-round QB Dwayne Haskins in the right way with a new coach, they need a new rock of a left tackle. Thomas matches great size (6-5, 320 pounds) with good hands and footwork, so he can also be an asset in the running game.
4. Atlanta Falcons (1-7)
- Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
There's a good chance defensive-minded coach Dan Quinn will not be around to help Falcons officials make this pick, but they should be hoping the three teams ahead think QB and offense first. Young is an explosive athlete who can finally solve the team's long-standing edge rush issues, which it has had limited success addressing. Young (6-5, 265 pounds) is a game-changing disruptor. He has followed up a 10.5-sack season with 13.5 already in eight games as a junior.
5. New York Jets (1-6)
- Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
The Jets need an all-around perimeter guy for Sam Darnold with speedy deep threat Robby Anderson unlikely to be re-signed. Jeudy is a classic drive-finishing No. 1 at 6-1, 198 pounds. He also won't be the only 'Bama wideout taken in the first round.
6. New York Giants (2-6)
- A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa
Dave Gettleman is slowing working on getting the Giants back to elite defense with their 3-4 scheme under James Bettcher, and this is a great spot to address the outside pass rush. There's also some promise up front with Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams, and Ryan Connolly should return healthy to star at linebacker. Espensa (6-6, 280 pounds) is a powerful, explosive, big-bodied player with some traits similar to those of Joey Bosa.
7. Denver Broncos (2-6)
- Grant Delpit, S, LSU
The Broncos' secondary has Chris Harris Jr. and not much else for Vic Fangio's defense. Unlike his Bears group, they are missing someone who can fly around the field, stop the run like an extra linebacker and make big plays while inside in coverage. Delpit plays like the Chargers' Derwin James with tremendous size (6-3, 203 pounds) for the position.
8. Cleveland Browns (2-5)
- Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
Securing the edges of their offensive line, especially in pass protection, is the Browns' top target. At 6-5, 315 pounds, Wirfs is the all-around stout tackle the Browns desperately need to fortify their front for the sake of both Baker Mayfield and Nick Chubb.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-5)
- Jeffery Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Okudah has emerged as a premier ballhawk for the Buckeyes with his three interceptions in eight games and keeps getting better as a shutdown type at 6-1, 200 pounds. The Buccaneers have been awful on the back end with Vernon Hargreaves disappointing and Carlton Davis being a liability.
10. Los Angeles Chargers (3-5)
- Isaiah Simmons, ILB, Clemson
The Chargers remain weak on the second level, both against the run and in intermediate coverage, and have been further exposed without James. Simmons is an active player who seems to be all over the field at all times for the Tigers.
11. Las Vegas Raiders (3-4)
- Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Kinlaw has been a big-time inside disruptor for the Gamecocks with five sacks in eight games. At 6-6, 310 pounds, he can be the new Geno Atkins in Paul Guenther's defense. He would look good playing with Clelin Ferrell and Maxx Crosby.
12. Miami Dolphins (from Steelers)
- CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Lamb has needed only 36 receptions in eight games to put up 816 yards and 11 TDs. At 6-3, 190 pounds, he is both a great vertical threat and a red-zone target. The Dolphins need to pair Tagovailoa with a dominant No. 1 like Lamb.
13. Las Vegas Raiders (from Bears)
- Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
The Raiders whiffed on Antonio Brown, but Tyrell Williams was a great signing and has been solid when healthy working as the necessary No. 1. But the Raiders could use a No. 2 who can take the top off a defense. Ruggs (6-0, 190 pounds) plays bigger than his size as a dynamic deep threat with underrated qualities as a possession man.
14. Arizona Cardinals (3-4-1)
- Calvin Throckmorton, OT, Oregon
Throckmorton (6-5, 309 pounds) is putting together a fine senior season for the Ducks while blocking for Justin Herbert. He is a smooth, agile pass protector with the upside to develop into a better run blocker in the NFL. Kliff Kingsbury would be thrilled to have him operate in front of Kyler Murray.
15. Philadelphia Eagles (4-4)
- Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
Everyone can see the Eagles' desperate need for a lockdown corner who has a nose for big plays given how messy that position has been for them in 2019. Fulton (6-1, 192) is a physical cover man with great technique and footwork, giving him shutdown upside.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-4)
- Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
Yannick Ngakoue is a pending free agent who might be out of their price range, and Calais Campbell is 33. The Jaguars will need to resupply their pass rush, and Gross-Matos (6-5, 242 pounds) is a well-built, explosive and versatile defender who can thrive in Todd Wash's 4-3 scheme.
17. Tennessee Titans (4-4)
- Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma
We could have the Titans going to Oregon again and getting Herbert to replace Marcus Mariota, but we know this is a copycat league in which QBs from Oklahoma's great passing system were the past two No. 1 picks. The NFL is more open to dual threats of his ilk, and Hurts, at 6-2, 219 pounds, has good enough size with a welcome winning pedigree. The latest buzz on him can't be denied.
18. Detroit Lions (3-3-1)
- Tyler Biadasz, G, Wisconsin
The Lions need to keep upgrading their power run blocking, because it clearly hasn't been good enough this season. Biadasz (6-3, 321 pounds) is next in the strong line of Badgers interior blockers (Travis Frederick, Kevin Zeitler).
19. Carolina Panthers (4-3)
- Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
The Panthers, after addressing the edge with Brian Burns and Christian Miller, need to beef up their front with a quick disruptor who makes plays in the backfield. Brown (6-5, 318 pounds) fits that mold.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Rams)
- Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
The Jaguars can replace Jalen Ramsey with Diggs, who can pair well with A.J. Bouye because of his size (6-2, 207 pounds), strength and downfield speed. Diggs is rising fast with his big senior season (three interceptions in eight games).
21. Miami Dolphins (from Texans)
- Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
The Dolphins can complete their offensive skill rebuild by adding a feature back to support Tagovailoa and Lamb. Taylor (5-11, 219 pounds) has great vision and burst as a runner, and he doesn't get enough credit for what he can do as a receiver, which has been on display more this season.
22. Minnesota Vikings (6-2)
- Creed Humphrey, G, Oklahoma
The Vikings need to keep upgrading their run blocking to fit their new offensive identity with Dalvin Cook. Humphrey (6-4, 312 pounds) is a good hand-fighter who has great athleticism for the position.
23. Buffalo Bills (5-2)
- Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado
The Bills have a deep threat in John Brown and a steady slot presence in Cole Beasley. But they have a glaring hole at the other outside receiver spot, where Zay Jones didn't work out and former CFL standout Duke Williams isn't looking like the answer, either. Shenault is a more complete receiver at 6-1, 215 pounds.
24. Seattle Seahawks (6-2)
-
C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
The Seahawks, two years removed from losing Richard Sherman, still need to get better at cornerback. Henderson (6-1, 202 pounds) plays bigger than he is 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.
25. Dallas Cowboys (4-3)
- Neville Gallimore, DT, Oklahoma
Gallimore (6-2, 301 pounds) has gotten more attention for the punch he has shown on the Sooners' interior line this season, blossoming as a senior with three sacks. The Cowboys could use someone like him to further set the tone up front and get to the quarterback to complement what they have on the edge.
26. Kansas City Chiefs (5-3)
- Kenneth Murray, ILB, Oklahoma
The Chiefs have been trying to get by with a rotation in the middle, and the results have been awful, as they can neither stop the run nor cover backs or tight ends. 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.
27. Baltimore Ravens (5-2)
- Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State
The Ravens need to find that dominant pass rusher for their 3-4 defense after losing Za'Darius Smith and Terrell Suggs. Weaver (6-3, 265 pounds) has been an absolute beast on the blue turf with 9.5 sacks this season.
28. Green Bay Packers (7-1)
- Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
Higgins combines tremendous, No. 1-style size (6-4, 205 pounds) with explosiveness. He is averaging 21.8 yards per catch with three TDs for the Tigers in 2019. The Packers need to clean up the committee behind Davante Adams.
29. Indianapolis Colts (5-2)
- Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
30. New Orleans Saints (7-1)
- Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
The Saints need a dasher to complement Michael Thomas and stretch the field. Reagor fits the bill at 5-11, 185 pounds and also provides some nice run-after-catch skills.
31. San Francisco 49ers (7-0)
- Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
The Niners have seen their defensive work in the draft pay off, but they still have a hole at safety. At 6-1, 197 pounds, McKinney could do it all for San Francisco, handling tight ends in coverage and cleaning up against running backs.
32. New England Patriots (8-0)
- Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama
Davis (6-7, 312 pounds) is a massive, versatile player from a scheme and program Bill Belichick likes. He can line up at both end and tackle to eat space against the run.
