Around here, mock draft season never ends.
College football is officially underway, and fans everywhere are excited for the start of a season that will almost surely end in another Alabama-Clemson national championship game. While both teams feature stacked rosters that will be featured heavily in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft, next year’s class will be filled to the brim with intriguing talents from across the nation.
Using Sports Betting Dime‘s Super Bowl 54 odds to determine pick order – and last year’s records to break ties – let’s take a stab at how the first round might play out next April.
1. Miami Dolphins (+21667) – Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
There could still be some hope that Josh Rosen bounces back and becomes the quarterback many thought he would be, but if the Dolphins are picking this high come next year, the pick will be a quarterback.
Having led Alabama to the national championship in his first year as starter, Tagovailoa enters the 2019 season as a Heisman front-runner. His fantastic deep ball accuracy, arm strength, and sense of anticipation make him arguably the most hyped prospect in the 2020 draft class.
If they choose to abandon the Rosen experiment, then Tagovailoa would be a fantastic building block to help Miami turn into a legitimate contender down the line.
2. Cincinnati Bengals (+17000) – Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
The Bengals don’t really have much of an identity right now, but selecting a quarterback to eventually replace Andy Dalton could help them find one.
There’s a very good chance that Herbert could have been the No. 1 pick in the 2019 draft, but he opted to stay at Oregon for his senior year. The 6-foot-6, 225-pound signal-caller throws with great touch and velocity, and he has the size and athleticism that NFL teams covet at the position.
If Cincinnati wants to finally see playoff success down the line, then a high-upside quarterback like Herbert would be a necessary risk.
3. Arizona Cardinals (+13333) – Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
With Kyler Murray in tow, the Cardinals could potentially look for an edge rusher to form a dynamic duo with Chandler Jones. However, their offensive line is among the worst in the league on paper, and protecting their new quarterback should be a priority.
Thomas has served as an anchor for a Georgia offense that has delivered multiple running backs on NFL rosters – including two starters in Nick Chubb and Sony Michel – and will likely do so again in 2020 with D’Andre Swift. The 6-foot-5, 320-pound blindside protector is a very good athlete for his size who has the lateral agility and fluidity to shut down explosive pass rushers.
Though he wouldn’t solve all of Arizona’s offensive line problems, he would provide them with a potential franchise cornerstone up front.
4. Washington Redskins (+13333) – Walker Little, OT, Stanford
As is the case with Arizona, Washington has the player they hope to be their franchise quarterback in Dwayne Haskins. They have needs elsewhere, but if Trent Williams isn’t coming back, then it will be crucial they find a left tackle.
At 6-foot-7 and 313 pounds, Little is anything but (you heard these jokes with Greg Little this year, now you’re going to hear them with Walker this year. Get used to it). He has good athleticism for his size, he is good at resetting his hands to maintain leverage, and he has the hip flexibility to seal the edge and knock pass rushers off their arc.
Protecting one’s franchise quarterback is of extreme importance, so the Redskins would be wise to consider Little were he available come April.
5. New York Giants (+13000) – Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
The Giants added several pieces to their secondary this offseason, but they did very little to improve their front seven. A blue-chip talent like Chase Young could change that.
Young has good burst off the snap and an impressive array of pass-rushing techniques. He plays with viciousness in his hands, yet his movements are especially quick for a 265-pound rusher. He can also turn the corner well, and he plays with good pad level.
Just one year after selecting their potential franchise quarterback in Daniel Jones, New York would have a great foundation in place by adding a potential Pro Bowl pass rusher in Young.
6. Las Vegas Raiders (+10533) – Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama
A wide receiver could be in consideration here for the Raiders – who will have moved to Las Vegas by the time the draft rolls around – if the Antonio Brown experiment continues to blow up. They also currently lack youth and speed in their linebacker corps.
Moses is an intriguing blend of size, speed, and intelligence at the linebacker position. The 6-foot-3, 233-pounder accelerates very well in a straight line and has the athleticism to act upon his quick reads. He plays with a high motor in space and has fantastic range as a tackler.
With two first-round picks again this year, the soon-to-be Las Vegas squad has the chance to add some more youth to their bizarre mix of up-and-coming youngsters and aging free agency additions. Moses would be a great addition to help boost their youth movement.
7. Buffalo Bills (+10000) – Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
The Bills added the likes of Cole Beasley and John Brown in free agency, but they still lack that No. 1 receiver for Josh Allen to throw to. Enter Jerry Jeudy.
From his top-tier athleticism to his route running wizardry that would instantly make him one of the league’s best route runners upon being picked, Jeudy may be the best receiver prospect to enter the draft in at least the past five years. His ability to create separation and evade defenders in the open field is second to none in college football.
Including Tremaine Edmunds, who was the team’s second first-round pick in 2018, Buffalo has selected a defensive player in the first round of the draft for the past four years. If a playmaker with an All-Pro ceiling like Jeudy were to be available, though, they would be wise to buck that trend.
8. Detroit Lions (+9333) – Grant Delpit, S, LSU
With such additions like Trey Flowers, Damon Harrison, and Mike Daniels, the Lions have done a good job of improving their defense over the past year. However, their secondary still needs a lot of work, and a blue-chip safety like Grant Delpit would be a great addition to that unit.
Delpit is a well-rounded safety with elite physical tools. He’s 6-foot-3 and 203 pounds, yet he has the straight-line speed and range in coverage of someone four inches and 10 pounds his inferior. He excels at diagnosing plays and sniffing out screens, he has very good ball skills, and he also offers versatility as a nickelback or a blitzer off the edge.
Detroit has a handful of pieces in place to be successful, but they lack in star power for the most part. A potentially game-changing safety like Delpit could be exactly what their team – and their secondary – needs.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+8867) – A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa
Jason Pierre-Paul suffered a neck injury that could see him missing the entire 2019 season, and the other pass rushers on the Buccaneers’ roster don’t exactly inspire confidence.
Epenesa is a 6-foot-5, 277-pound pass rusher who offers versatility off the edge and kicked inside as an interior lineman. He has a lot of strength in his frame and rushes with violent hands, and he has an impressive arsenal of hand techniques. After getting 10.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for a loss last year as a true sophomore, the Hawkeye could be in for an even bigger year in 2019.
A quarterback could very well be in the running here if Tampa Bay doesn’t believe that Jameis Winston is their franchise guy. If they go a different route, though, then Epenesa would be a slam-dunk addition.
10. Denver Broncos (+8867) – Raekwon Davis, DL, Alabama
The Broncos have a dangerous duo at edge rusher with Von Miller and Bradley Chubb, but they could use some beefing up of their interior defensive line.
Davis could have been a first-round pick in this year’s draft, but he enters the 2019 season a leader of Alabama’s defense and one of their best defenders in the 2020 class. He has good acceleration off the snap, he has quick and active hands, and he plays with a high motor. The 6-foot-7, 306-pound senior offers impressive length, athleticism, and technique for the interior defensive lineman position.
Even if Derek Wolfe re-signs after his contract expires this year, Denver could use some help along the defensive line. Ideally, Davis and third-round pick Dre’Mont Jones would form an up-and-coming duo to help anchor their defense in the long run.
11. Tennessee Titans (+8200) – Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
With Harold Landry locked in at one edge rusher spot, the Titans could potentially have a long-term, impact player at the most important defensive position. By picking Yetur Gross-Matos here, they could potentially have two.
Gross-Matos is an intriguing blend of size and speed. At 6-foot-5 and 262 pounds, he has great length and bulk for the edge rusher position, but he can also change direction and accelerate very well in space. He has flexible hips, he can turn the corner well, and he packs a solid punch at the initial point of contact.
Tennessee is in a bit of a bizarre position, in that they have enough talent to be successful, but not enough to be a legitimate contender. A pass rush is essential to making that next step, so a duo off the edge like Gross-Matos and Landry would bode well for them in the future.
12. New York Jets (+7333) – Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford
A handful of positions could make sense for the Jets here, but they go with arguably the best cornerback in a class that has draft analysts raving.
Adebo is a 6-foot-1 cornerback who brings great physical tools and intelligence to the table. He is rarely fooled by a receiver stems and jumps routes with great timing. He plays with good acceleration coming out of his breaks and has great closing speed as a tackler. With four interceptions and 17 pass breakups in 2018, the Stanford star could arguably be the best cornerback in the nation.
New York has a handful of pieces in place to start making a playoff run in the near future. By adding a high-upside cornerback like Adebo, they give themselves a player who can help limit the many talented gunslingers the AFC has to offer.
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (+4667) – Laviska Shenault, Jr., WR, Colorado
The Jaguars’ defense is one of the most talented in the league, but they have holes galore in their offense, and possibly the biggest hole is the lack of a true No. 1 wide receiver.
Many see Shenault as the best player to play for Colorado since the late Rashaan Salaam, and it’s not hard to see why. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound receiver is a muscular and athletic specimen who has strong hands and excels in contested catch situations. He has good straight line speed, as well as elusiveness after the catch. He knows how to use leverage to his advantage in coverage, and he has good acceleration coming out of his hesitations and breaks.
Jacksonville has lacked offensive star power to go along with their defense, preventing them from being a truly complete team. Regardless of whether Nick Foles is the answer at quarterback, Shenault would give their roster some desperately needed playmaking ability.
14. Baltimore Ravens (+4100) – Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
C.J. Mosley departed for the Jets this offseason, leaving the Ravens with a hole at linebacker they didn’t really fix in free agency or the draft.
Simmons is as enticing an athlete as anyone in the 2020 class. A versatile chess piece who can play as an off-ball linebacker, safety, and nickelback, he has dangerous closing speed and delivers a nasty pop when hitting ball carriers. Despite his 6-foot-3 frame, he is a noted workout warrior who has put up insane numbers in broad jump and vertical jump drills. His instincts are a work in progress, but when he knows what he’s doing, he is a freak of nature.
Baltimore has some pieces in place on both sides of the ball, but they still have a handful of holes to plug up before they can realistically be a Super Bowl contender. Simmons is an athletic marvel whose versatility and upside make him worth taking a shot on in the middle of the first round.
15. Carolina Panthers (+4000) – Ben Bredeson, OG, Michigan
The Panthers have some upside along the offensive line, and offseason additions Matt Paradis and Greg Little should help them out both immediately and in the long run. They could still use some help along the interior, though.
Bredeson is a physical and intelligent blocker who can fill in at either guard position and start from Day 1. He blocks with good pad level, keeps his weight underneath him, and constantly aims to get inside leverage on his defenders, proving he is capable of resetting his hands to do so. A starter for what will be nearly four full years at Michigan, he has great anchor strength and packs a powerful punch upon contact.
With Cam Newton’s recent history of nagging injuries, Carolina should make it a priority to protect him while he’s still in his prime. Bredeson could be a quick fix to help keep him upright.
16. San Francisco 49ers (+3467) – C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
With so many first-round picks having been used on defensive linemen over the past few years, the 49ers have built a dangerous front four. However, their secondary isn’t nearly as stacked. Though Jason Verrett used to be a Pro Bowl talent, he has only played five games in the past three seasons, so San Francisco could add a more reliable cornerback alongside Richard Sherman.
Henderson is a fluid athlete who can accelerate well out of his breaks and close in on ball carriers as a tackler. He is a versatile cornerback who can play press-man, off-man and zone at a high level, as well as be lined up as a safety or nickelback. The 6-foot-1 ball hawk had six interceptions in his first two collegiate seasons, and he is physical when jamming receivers at the line of scrimmage as a press defender.
Henderson is a lengthy, athletic, and productive cornerback whose tape last year looked like that of a first-round talent. The 49ers could use a player like him as another long-term starter for their defense.
17. Seattle Seahawks (+3400) – Kenny Willekes, EDGE, Michigan State
Despite drafting L.J. Collier in the first round of this year’s draft, it wouldn’t be surprising in the slightest to see the Seahawks double-dip at edge rusher.
The Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year last year, Willekes is a high-motor player who can regularly get into the backfield. He has solid acceleration off the snap, notable hip flexibility when turning the corner, and very good hand usage. He plays with impressive pad level and has good anchor strength in his lower body. His athletic ceiling isn’t sky high, but he’s a reliable pass rusher who has worked his way from being a walk-on to a legitimate NFL prospect.
Seattle’s defense is still in a bit of a rebuilding stage after the departure of the Legion of Boom, but a player like Willekes could help set the tone to bringing their unit back to prominence.
18. Houston Texans (+3300) – Alex Leatherwood, OG, Alabama
Keeping Deshaun Watson upright has been an issue for the Texans, so they need all the offensive line help they can get.
Leatherwood is a very fluid athlete for an offensive lineman. His acceleration to the second level is impressive, and his lateral agility on pulls and pass protection is very good. He plays with good pad level and blocks with a high motor on every down. His intelligence is apparent on tape, too, as he excels at sealing off holes in his zone and can pick up combo blocks and double teams well. Though he could use some bulking up in his lower body, he has upside to be a long-term starter for any teams in the NFL.
Houston arguably reached for both Tytus Howard and Max Scharping this year, but both players are still talented linemen who have potential to grow. Leatherwood would be a nice addition to their rebuilding offensive line.
19. Atlanta Falcons (+3100) – Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
Another year, another interior defensive line prospect mocked to the Falcons.
Brown realistically could be selected much higher than No. 19 overall, but the board resulted in his falling nearly into the 20s. He has good acceleration off the snap, drive in his lower body, and a pro-ready frame at 6-foot-5 and 316 pounds. He does a great job of extending his arms when engaging with blockers and playing with active hands. His athleticism in space is solid, and he also improved as a pass rusher from 2018 to 2017.
Atlanta has long had a flashy offense, but their defense has some tantalizing pieces, as well. A well-rounded interior lineman like Brown would help their defense take that next step to help make the team a dangerous unit.
20. Minnesota Vikings (+2600) – Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
As is the case with Houston, the Vikings’ offensive line was as porous as Swiss cheese last year, so, despite drafting Garrett Bradbury this year, they could very well look at another hog molly up front next year.
If you’re looking for a hog molly, then it might be tougher to find someone who fits that description more that Tristan Wirfs, who went viral for a 450-pound hang clean in Iowa’s weight room. He packs a nasty punch upon contact and plays with heavy hands. He has solid lateral agility when engaged with a defender, and his mauling style of blocking makes him a dependable run blocker. Though his overall athleticism and technique could use some work, he blocks with a nasty edge that few players, if any, can match in this class.
Minnesota has a talented running back in Dalvin Cook and a capable quarterback in Kirk Cousins, but both have struggled due to poor offensive line play. Wirfs could help rebuild the weakest link on what is otherwise a pretty complete roster.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers (+2500) – Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
The Steelers could very well consider a long-term replacement for Ben Roethlisberger here, but a shutdown cornerback could also be in the cards for them.
Hall was seen by many as one of the best cornerbacks in the 2019 class before he decided to return for his senior year. His 6-foot-1 frame gives him the length that coaches and scouts cover at the cornerback position, and he combines his size with athleticism, ball skills, and physicality. He has good deep speed, he takes sharp angles to ball carriers, and he does a great job of boxing out receivers on jump balls and high pointing throws.
Pittsburgh has some encouraging young pieces on both sides of the ball, but adding another outside cornerback a year after selecting Justin Layne would give them a promising duo for the long haul that they currently lack.
22. Green Bay Packers (+2133) – Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
Hi, Packers front office, because you’re totally reading this mock draft right now. Want to get the most out of Aaron Rodgers for the rest of his career? Add a blazing fast target to form a scary duo at wide receiver alongside Davante Adams.
One of many jaw-dropping talents in the Alabama wide receivers room this year, Ruggs is arguably the fastest of the bunch. His dangerous breakaway speed and acceleration off the snap indicate he may run somewhere in the 4.2 range at the Combine next year. He has great elusiveness and contact balance after the catch, he flips his hips and sinks into his cuts naturally as a route runner, and he has impressive body control.
23. Dallas Cowboys (+2000) – Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, Missouri
Jason Witten came out of retirement to re-join the Cowboys, and while the move provides a temporary band-aid at the tight end position, they still need to find a long-term option.
Okwuegbunam is a physical freak with impressive speed and a 6-foot-5, 260-pound frame. He accelerates well off the snap, has a large catch radius, and flips his hips fairly well for a big man. With 17 receiving touchdowns in his first two collegiate seasons thus far, he has proven to be a matchup nightmare against SEC defenses. Though still a work in progress as a blocker, he has shown he plays with a high motor and can get inside leverage at times.
Dallas could have bigger fish to fry than tight end, depending on whom they plan on giving contract extensions to. However, Okwuegbunam would give them a high-upside weapon who could potentially develop into a top-5 player at the position with some development.
24. Los Angeles Chargers (+1467) – Trey Adams, OT, Washington
The Chargers have a lot of positions they could address with this pick, very few of them pressing. One of those few pressing needs, though, is their offensive line.
Adams will have a lot to prove in 2019, as he is coming off of two straight seasons resulting in significant missed time to due injury. When healthy, though, he has proven to be a reliable blindside protector for Washington. The 6-foot-8, 327-pound behemoth is light on his feet for someone his size, as he advances to the second level well and has good lateral agility in his kick slide. He also has good anchor strength and times his strikes well.
The Chargers figure to be a playoff threat as long as Philip Rivers is their quarterback, so they should make sure he’s as safe in the pocket as possible. Adams has some durability question marks, but he could still potential be a first-round pick with a great, healthy season.
25. Las Vegas Raiders (via Chicago Bears, +1600) – Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Is Derek Carr the franchise quarterback for the Raiders? Though another year in Jon Gruden’s system should be used to determine this, the team could save $16.5 million by releasing him next offseason, so a cheaper replacement could be an enticing option.
Despite being in a Group of 5 conference, Love has all the makings of a starting quarterback in the NFL. With a 6-foot-4, 225-pound frame, tremendous touch and ball placement on most of his throws, superb arm strength, and mobility in and out of the pocket, he could legitimately go much higher than the late first round with another season like 2018, when he threw 32 touchdowns to just six interceptions.
The Raiders picking a quarterback is far from a foregone conclusion, but it isn’t entirely out of the question at this stage. Love could rise up numerous draft boards as the season progresses, and he would be a very good addition if the team chooses to hit the restart button.
26. Philadelphia Eagles (+1333) – Paddy Fisher, LB, Northwestern
The Eagles have one of the most well-rounded rosters in the NFL, but it wouldn’t hurt them one bit to make an improvement at linebacker.
Fisher was a cornerstone of Northwestern’s defense last season, and he enters the 2019 season as one of the best linebackers in the country. The 6-foot-3, 245-pounder is an intelligent tackler who plays with a high motor and can diagnose plays quickly. He has enough strength in his frame to consistently bring down ball carriers, and he is good at working off of blocks to make plays.
Fisher could have been a relatively early draft pick in 2019, but his decision to return makes him one of the top linebackers in the class in 2020. He would be an intriguing addition to the Eagles’ defense that is already stacked to the brim with people.
27. Indianapolis Colts (+1267) – Rashard Lawrence, DL, LSU
With young pieces nearly everywhere on their roster, the Colts are in good shape going forward. They could use an upgrade along the interior defensive line to help their defense take that next step, though.
Lawrence is a well-rounded defensive line prospect who blends size, speed, and strength pretty well. He has good get-off speed for a 6-foot-3, 300-pound man, but he also plays with violent hands and has very good anchor strength. His pad level is decent, and he has a reputation for being a vocal leader in LSU’s locker room. Though he could expand his pass-rushing arsenal, he has room to grow and potential to become a very reliable interior lineman.
Indianapolis has done a great job of rebuilding their roster to the point where they don’t have too many pressing needs. Lawrence would help them fill one of those few needs.
28. Cleveland Browns (+1200) – Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
The future is bright for the Browns: a sentence that has never been uttered in the existence of mankind before late last year. While they have young stars galore on both sides of the ball, they may want to consider making an upgrade at safety.
McKinney has lined up at strong safety at Alabama, but his skill set is diverse enough that he could play at either safety position at a high level. The 6-foot-1 defensive back has good instincts and can read the progressions and reads of a quarterback to close in on the ball and make a play. He accelerates quickly out of his breaks and has good straight-line speed, and he also takes sharp angles to the ball carrier as a tackler.
Cleveland has two talented, young cornerbacks in Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams, but they don’t really have a standout safety playing behind them. McKinney would be a great addition to the up-and-coming secondary.
29. Los Angeles Rams (+900) – Tyler Biadasz, C, Wisconsin
The Rams lost both Rodger Saffold and John Sullivan this offseason, and Andrew Whitworth turns 38 in December. They will need an offensive lineman – or two, or three – who can step in right away and make an impact, and Tyler Biadasz could be that guy.
Though his decision to return to Wisconsin was a relatively surprising one last year, Biadasz has the potential to be a legit first-round pick in 2020. A technically sound blocker, he plays with very good hand placement and pad level, and he blocks with his weight underneath him regularly. His athleticism in space is impressive, as he can accelerate to the second level quickly and move fluidly in space. He is also an instinctive blocker who picks up double teams and combo blocks well and executes his assignments in zone looks.
Los Angeles has a lot of talent on their offense, but their losses along the offensive line might make it tougher for them to repeat their successes from last year. A stud of a blocker like Biadasz would be a fantastic building block for them.
30. Kansas City Chiefs (+667) – Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
With a loaded offense and a defense that, well, isn’t, the Chiefs would be smart to invest in nearly any defensive position in the first round next year.
Fulton is a fluid athlete who can mirror the movements of his receivers very well. He has great lateral agility and can change direction at a high level, and he has shown that he isn’t afraid of being physical in tight coverage. He takes accurate angles in run support, and he has shown that he can shed blocks pretty well against the run and when defending screens.
Kansas City has a talented safety duo in the works with Tyrann Mathieu and Juan Thornhill, but their cornerbacks could use some upgrades. Fulton would undoubtedly be just that for the defending AFC West champions.
31. New Orleans Saints (+900) – Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
The Saints have talented players galore on both sides of the ball, but adding a high-upside cornerback alongside Marshon Lattimore could give them a dangerous duo in the secondary for years to come.
Diggs is a bit of a work in progress still, but the upside in his game is sky high. The 6-foot-2 former wide receiver has great length and top-notch ball skills, allowing him to go up and grab jump balls just as well as the wide outs he covers. He is a great athlete who bursts out of his breaks very well, and his deep speed is better than a lot of players who are three inches his inferior.
He needs work as a tackler, but Diggs would be a great addition as a cover corner for the Saints, who would benefit greatly from having another freak athlete at cornerback.
32. New England Patriots (+633) – Anfernee Jennings, EDGE, Alabama
What do you give the team who has everything? The Patriots are set at nearly every position, but adding another edge rusher could help further boost their defense.
The next product in a seemingly never-ending lineage of Alabama edge rushers, Jennings has a muscular frame and good athleticism for the position. He plays with very good pad level and has pretty impressive hand usage for someone who used to be an offensive lineman as recently as 2016. He can dip and turn the corner at a high level and read option plays well, too.
Chase Winovich has been making noise for New England in the preseason, but it wouldn’t hurt to add another pass rusher on the opposite side of him. Jennings would be a great fit as a hand-in-the-dirt defensive end in their system.
