NFL Mock Draft 3.0

Author | Michael Weitzner

If you haven’t heard, all hell’s broken loose. First of all, the coronavirus has the entire country (and the world) in social distancing, so expect a lot of mock drafts to come. Second, Tom Brady actually left the Patriots and is going to Tampa Bay?! Third, NFL free agency has started and its turning into NBA free agency where everyone changes teams. Fourth and finally, the NFL league office announced that the 2020 NFL Draft is still happening. Big win for sports fans that need a break from the real world. That all being said, NFL Mock Draft 3.0 is here! If you want to review our previous mocks, click here for Mock Draft 2.0 and here for Mock Draft 1.0.

1.         Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
We’ve known for months that Burrow was going to be the pick. Don’t overthink it.

2.         Washington Football – Chase Young, Edge, Ohio St.
3.         Detroit Lions – Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio St.
If you are one to believe that HC Matt Patricia is trying to create a Belichick-ian defense in Detriot, Jeff Okudah is the obvious pick. Okudah is the best cornerback in the draft and a needed piece for an elite secondary, especially since Darius Slay is going to the Eagles.

4.         New York Giants – Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
5.         Miami Dolphins – Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
As free agency continues, less and less teams are in need of a quarterback. I used to believe that the Dolphins would need to trade up to #3 in order to secure Tua . . . but that’s becoming less and less likely.

6.         Los Angeles Chargers – Jordan Love, QB, Utah St.
The current projected starting quarterback is Tyrod Taylor . . . There is ZERO chance the Chargers start the season in the same situation. Jordan Love is electric. He will get all (four?) Chargers fans into the new, shiny stadium.

7.         Carolina Panthers – Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
8.         Arizona Cardinals – Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
After absolutely annihilating the Texans in the DeAndre Hopkins trades, the Cardinals are going to continue being smart and giving QB Kyler Murray pass protection he desperately needs. Becton is truly special with his physical talent and those kinds of tackles don’t fall in the draft.

9.         Jacksonville Jaguars – Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
This one feels obvious. Justin Herbert screams Jacksonville quarterback who looks good for one season, makes the playoffs, gets overpaid in Jacksonville, fails, and gets traded/released within two years of that contract extension. Put shortly: I’m not a fan of Herbert.

10.       Cleveland Browns - Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
11.       New York Jets – Jedrick Wills Jr., OT, Alabama
12.       Las Vegas? Raiders - Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Here’s another big winner of the Texans-Cardinals trade. The Raiders are (for some unforeseen reason) sticking with Derek Carr at quarterback. In fact, they doubled down by signing Marcus Mariota. They are winners because they get the best route runner (and best WR in the draft, in my opinion).

13.       San Francisco 49ers (from IND) - CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
14.       Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Josh Jones, OT, Houston
I don’t know if you heard but Tom Brady is signing with the Buccaneers. That means that every move/signing/trade/draft pick going forward is about TB12. Offensive line is the weakest spot on Tampa Bay’s offense.

15.       Denver Broncos - CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
16.       Atlanta Falcons - Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina
17.       Dallas Cowboys - Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
18.       Miami Dolphins (from PIT) – Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
The Dolphins have improved almost every position during free agency (DE, LB, CB, OG, RB) but haven’t addressed the glaring need for not only one but BOTH offensive tackles. Andrew Thomas is part of the higher tier of offensive tackles in this draft and would be a day one starter in Miami.

19.       Las Vegas! Raiders (from CHI) - Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
20.       Jacksonville Jaguars (from LAR) - A.J. Epenesa, Edge, Iowa
21.       Philadelphia Eagles - Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
After trading for Darius Slay, the Eagles may want to double down on secondary players and draft another defensive back. But I think it’s much more likely that they draft Ruggs III. He has elite speed and is a top wide receiver in this draft.

22.       Minnesota Vikings (from BUF) - Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota
23.       New England Patriots -  Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
24.       New Orleans Saints - Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado
The Saints are rolling with Drew Brees for two more seasons (at least). I think they should start stock piling offensive weapons for him.

25.       Minnesota Vikings - K'Lavon Chaisson, Edge, LSU
26.       Miami Dolphins (from HOU) – Grant Delpit, S, LSU
The Dolphins signed Bryon Jones (cornerback from Dallas), kept Xavien Howard, Eric Rowe, and Bobby McCain. Brian Flores wants to recreate Belichick’s defense in Miami, which is built on the secondary. Grant Delpit gives the Dolphins immediate versatility and depth at safety.  

27.       Seattle Seahawks – Zack Baun, LB, Wisconsin
I really really wanted to put Jonathon Taylor here again for the Seahawks. But edge rushing for the Seahawks has been a weakness for a few years and the linebacking core is starting to age. Zack Baun helps both those issues.

28.       Baltimore Ravens – Yetur Gross-Matos, Edge, Penn State
29.       Tennessee Titans - Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU
30.       Green Bay Packers - Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
31.       San Francisco 49ers – Lloyd Cushenberry III, IOL, LSU
32.       Kansas City Chiefs – Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama

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