The 2020 NFL combine provided an opportunity for former track athletes to show their outstanding ability to run in a straight line or around cones before picking up and putting down heavy weights. The NFL’s most-meaningless spectacle broadcast in primetime and spanned over a week this year — and of course we all followed closely, like usual.
As silly as that may ultimately be, we learned a few things along the way. There were some exercises that held importance. The medicals and interviews mattered a great deal. The combine is probably the most awkward event in sports. But it provides teams with excellent access to players — and reporters with excellent access to NFL decision-makers. The week brought some clarity to the draft picture, even smokescreens abound.
With that in mind, let’s mock the draft in our post-combine world.
1. Cincinnati (2-14) — Joe Burrow, QB, LSU, Sr.
Do I want Joe Burrow to pull an Eli Manning? Uh, duh.
The Bengals are notorious for penny-pinching, which could hinder Burrow’s development — or ruin his career altogether. But Cincy appears ready to make an effort at reversing its bad reputation for failing to retain talent. The Bengals are expected to place the franchise tag on receiver A.J. Green. That’s one way to keep Burrow from demanding a trade on draft night.
2. Washington (3-13) — Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
It feels crazy to put a quarterback with a hip injury on a team that just drafted a quarterback in the first round. But it’s actually a fairly rational decision. Even with Dwayne Haskins on the roster, the Redskins should draft Tua. Competition is good!
If Washington emerges with a franchise quarterback, the Redskins are winners. It doesn’t matter that they used two consecutive first round picks. Look at the Cardinals, who are no worse for wear after doing just that with Josh Rosen and Kyler Murray. The money isn’t an issue. It’s just a matter of overtly admitting that one of these quarterbacks won’t be your franchise guy.
3. Detroit (3-12-1) — Chase Young, Edge, Ohio St.
If Young lasts to third overall, Matt Patricia will be stoked. Young is arguably the best prospect in the draft class.
4. N.Y. Giants (4-12) — Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
There’s no doubt in my mind that Dave Gettleman and Joe Judge are going to come away from the combine in love with Simmons’ athleticism. (Look at his numbers in comparison to Julio Jones! Sources tell me The Avengers are trying to recruit Simmons.) But the Giants will have to reconcile with the fact that there are a few starting left tackles on the board, and that’s a position of tremendous need.
5. Miami (5-11) — Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
The Dolphins must protect Ryan Fitzpatrick AT ALL COSTS. What would they do if they lost him to injury?
6. L.A. Chargers (5-11) — Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
I keep putting him here, which is boring for a mock draft where I can channel Kevin Garnett. (ANYTHING IS POSSIBBBBBBBBBBLEEEE!) But L.A. is desperate for a quarterback, and Herbert is a good prospect — much better than Jordan Love, who is getting too much hype after the combine.
7. Carolina (5-11) — Jordan Love, QB, Utah
Remember what I told you about anything being possible? Let’s get weird. The Panthers want to make things work with Cam Newton, for now. But perhaps they’ll turn him into a bridge quarterback. Love has upside, with the most potential from the shoulders down among all quarterbacks in this draft. It’s just that coach Matt Rhule will need a year to get Love mentally ready for the NFL. Newton will buy Love that year.
8. Arizona (5-10-1) —Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
One of the draft’s best prospects falls because, well, quarterbacks. The Cardinals secondary gets exponentially better with an elite cornerback.
9. Jacksonville (6-10) — Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
He plays like the freakishly large receivers Kenny Golladay and A.J. Green. Higgins’ potential should tempt a team like the Jaguars to take him in the top ten picks. At 6-foot-4, Higgins’ wingspan is 81 inches. That’s just short of Michael Jordan’s 83-inch wingspan.
10. Cleveland (6-10) — Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
The Browns will weigh a decision between Becton or Tristan Wirfs, both elite athletes who would thrive in Kevin Stefanski’s zone blocking scheme.
11. N.Y. Jets (7-9) — Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
Both of New York’s tackles are set to enter free agency, and Wirfs should be able play on either side of the offensive line, likely starting on the left.
12. Las Vegas (7-9) — Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Derrick Brown, a supreme talent, would be a tempting selection here. Instead GM Mike Mayock goes with a receiver who can contribute alongside Tyrell Williams. Jefferson, who impressed with a 4.43-second 40-yard dash at the combine, will only make Derek Carr better. The wideout shone in big games against Clemson, Oklahoma, Georgia, Florida and Texas — he doesn’t shy from tough matchups.
13. Indianapolis (7-9) — Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
Brown couldn’t have fallen to a better team. At the combine, Chris Ballard was bemoaning the Colts’ inability to generate pressure from the interior. That’s what Brown does best. It’s a perfect match of best player and biggest need for Indy.
14. Tampa Bay (7-9) — Jedrick Wills, OT, Georgia
I’m betting Jameis Winston returns to the Buccaneers on a one-year, prove-it deal, so Tampa should get a left tackle to help Winston make better decisions (which probably won’t work).
15. Denver (7-9) — CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
He’ll be good in any offense, the Broncos not excluded. Lamb and Courtland Sutton will be a nightmare for defensive backs for years to come. Throw in Noah Fant and maybe — just maybe — Drew Lock will put up good numbers in the coming years.
16. Atlanta (7-9) — Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Kinlaw’s talent is undeniable, but he’s not consistent enough to warrant a move into the top ten picks. The Falcons will likely need interior help after free agency. Kinlaw should slide in as a starter.
17. Dallas (8-8) — Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Will the Cowboys retain Amari Cooper? After spending a first-round pick on him on the trade market, you’d think they’d extend him this offseason. But if Dak Prescott’s deal is enormous, then perhaps Jerry Jones will look to the draft for wideout talent. It’s an extremely deep group. Unless five receivers go off the board by 16, they won’t have to reach for a talented pass-catcher.
18. Miami from Pittsburgh (8-8) — Antoine Winfield, S, Minnesota
It’s easy to imagine Bill Belichick coveting this versatile safety, who seems to rarely make mistakes. Maybe Winfield isn’t a ballhawk, but he’s excellent in coverage and in run defense. He’ll help limit the big play. Coach Brian Flores will likely be a big fan.
19. Las Vegas from Chicago (8-8) — Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
Jon Gruden, probably: I’ll ya what, this guy can do everything. Queen, huh? Like the queen on the chess board. He’s everywhere, man. I love that. Knock on wood if you’re with me, Mayock.
*Mike Mayock knocks on wood*
20. Jacksonville from L.A. Rams (9-7) — C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
Henderson showed his outrageous athleticism at the combine, and alerted the media to his impressive draft stock. Surely, NFL teams have already seen the impressive film on this SEC standout.
21. Philadelphia (9-7) — Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
His production in a pass-happy offense in the Big 12 is fairly impressive (66 catches, 1,020 yards, 10 TDs), but Mims’ combine performance proved his athleticism is an outlier. He’s physically gifted enough dominate in the NFL. He’s so good on the sideline with stop, go and back-shoulder routes. He’ll need to develop to win on other routes.
22. Buffalo (10-6) — Cesar Ruiz, OL, Michigan
Henry Ruggs is tempting, but the Bills would be happy to upgrade their offensive line to further cement their ability to run the football for 2020. Josh Allen will certainly continue to air out the ball, but Devin Singletary proved a special playmaker. An athletic and feisty blocker like Ruiz would help offensive coordinator Brian Daboll bring out the best in Singletary.
23. New England (12-4) —Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State
It’s not totally clear what front-seven the Patriots will run in 2020. 4-3? 3-4? It won’t matter — they’ll start Gross-Matos in either system. He could follow in the footsteps of outstanding defensive ends Trey Flowers and Chandler Jones. It’s a popular mock-draft decision to have the Patriots take an offensive player: QB, WR, TE. But New England can fill those holes with veterans. The Patriots need to get younger on defense and quickly.
24. New Orleans (13-3) — Jacob Eason, QB, Washington
The third and final quarterback surprise. Here’s a thought experiment: there are two quarterbacks on the board, Eason and Jake Fromm, who could go in the back end of the first round. They’re complete opposites, with Fromm looking like Andy Dalton (but maybe better?) and Eason looking like a potential Carson Palmer (or Brock Osweiler).
Fromm probably fits the Saints’ style right now. But with Drew Brees returning, they have time to develop a quarterback. Eason’s physical tools will make him a more tempting prospect for a team intent upon redshirting a first-round quarterback. Eason’s highlights are filthy. His low-lights are yucky.
25. Minnesota (10-6) — Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State
Dantzler saw no shortage of elite college receivers in the SEC, and he has great upside, talent and tenacity. He’s a rangy and outstanding athlete, who should smother receivers in his first season.
26. Miami from Houston (10-6) — Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
Georgia running back DeAndre Swift is supposed to be the splashy big-play threat who can play on every down. But Taylor’s combine corrected that unfair assumption. He’s faster and a better pass-catcher. Flores missed out on a quarterback, so he’ll hammer the ball for most of the year with Williams and Fitzmagic. (Williams would also be a stellar fantasy pick.)
27. Seattle (11-5) — Xavier McKinney, DB, Alabama
There is no shortage of rangy, athletic defensive backs in this draft class, but McKinney is a truly special prospect, with the versatility to do what Tyrann Mathieu did for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020. I’m not sure I love the Seahawks as a fit for McKinney, but Pete Carroll will probably know what to do with the defensive back, who could take over for Ugo Amadi in the slot.
28. Baltimore (14-2) — Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
Ruggs in an offense with Lamar Jackson? Opposing teams will be gassed. Ruggs has outrageous speed and elusiveness, just like Jackson. Ruggs may have to start as a gadget player in 2020, but he has the athleticism to develop into one of the league’s most dangerous deep threats.
29. Tennessee (9-7) — K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
If anyone can get the most out of a high-upside prospect like Chaisson, it’s Mike Vrabel. The Titans would embrace the LSU standout and put him at outside linebacker, where he’d replace Kamalei Correa, a pending free agent. Chaisson could end up in the Pro Bowl if he stays healthy (two ACL injuries in college).
30. Green Bay (13-3) — Josh Jones, OT, Houston
The team’s negotiations with tackle Bryan Bulaga aren’t looking good. Jones “needs plenty of work with his pass sets and footwork,” per NFL.com. But the issues shouldn’t take much correction. Jones figures to slot in as a starter in place of a potentially departing Bulaga.
31. San Francisco (13-3) — Grant Delpit, S, LSU
He disappointed in 2019, but his 2018 season (74 takes, 5 INTs, 5 sacks, 9 PBUs) was good enough to earn him a spot in the first round with the 49ers, who are in danger of losing safety Jimmie Ward in free agency. Delpit would be a natural replacement.
32. Kansas City (12-4) — Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame
After this pick, Patrick Mahomes would croak out belly laughter. The already-potent offense would be out of control. There’s a chance that Sammy Watkins may not return, so Kmet is an interesting solution to that problem. Andy Reid could adapt the offense to deploy more two tight end sets, which could be cheat-code dominant. Yes, this is a hyperbolic comparison, but there are snippets of Gronk in Kmet’s game.
