Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles.
One app.

Start reading

Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles. One news app.

Start reading

USA Today Sports Media Group

Sport

Luke Easterling

2020 NFL mock draft: Surprise scenarios for every top-10 pick

We’re nearly a week away from the 2020 NFL Draft, so at this point, you’ve probably seen every possible mock draft scenario already.

Well, what it a truckload of trades turns the early part of the first round upside down?

Here’s a projection that throws a little chaos into the top of this year’s draft, starting with the No. 1 overall pick. Where’s what it might look like if a handful of blockbuster moves completely change the landscape of the first round and beyond.

1. Miami Dolphins (from CIN)

Joe Burrow | QB | LSU

If there’s any team that has the ammo to put together a trade package that could entice the Bengals to move off this pick, it’s the Dolphins. They’re loaded with early round picks in this draft and the next one, giving them more than enough firepower to jump up from No. 5 overall.

Now, it’s easier said than done, but if the Bengals have the opportunity to fill multiple holes on their roster with premium picks, including a franchise quarterback at No. 5 overall, they have to listen.

Burrow is one of the best quarterback prospects I’ve ever scouted in over 20 years of evaluation, which means it wouldn’t surprise me for the Dolphins to make a bold move up the board to secure him. It would surprise me for the Bengals to give up the chance to draft him, but if the price is right, it could happen.

2. Los Angeles Chargers (from (WAS)

Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Alabama

The Dolphins aren’t the only team that might be willing to pay a king’s ransom for an elite quarterback at the top of this year’s draft. The Chargers could package next year’s first-round pick in a deal to move up four spots with Washington, another team that could use more picks to fill tons of needs on both sides of the ball.

Chase Young is the easy plan for Washington here, but they need other positions more than a pass rusher, even an elite one like Young. If the right offer was made, I could see Ron Rivera opting for the chance to add multiple blue-chip prospects in his first draft as head coach.

Yes, Tua has injury/durability questions, but the Bolts are in a perfect position to let him come along slowly in his rookie season. Tyrod Taylor is the perfect bridge quarterback for the time being, putting little pressure on Tagovailoa to start right away as he bounces back from a scary hip injury. Once he’s ready, this move could pay off in a big way.

3. Detroit Lions

Chase Young | EDGE | Ohio State

What a dream scenario for the Lions, who would land the best overall prospect in the entire draft at the No. 3 overall pick. Young is a steal anywhere south of No. 1 overall, and he’s exactly the kind of impact player Matt Patricia’s defense needs.

The Lions are a popular mock destination for teams targeting a move up the board for a top quarterback, but if multiple teams jump ahead of them to get those top passers, it could leave the Lions without any more suitors to work a deal with.

I doubt another team would offer them the world for a chance to move up for the draft’s third-best quarterback prospect, or at least enough to get them to pass on Young.

4. New York Giants

Andrew Thomas | OT | Georgia

Okay, so the surprise here is that this pick is boring, but Giants general manager Dave Gettleman is an old-school personnel man who knows the value of building in the trenches on both sides of the ball.

This year’s offensive tackle class is loaded at the top, featuring four prospects worthy of consideration here. Sure, that could lead the Giants to seeking a trade down the board to get better value, but if nobody wants to jump the Bengals in this scenario for Justin Herbert, why wouldn’t Gettleman just take his pick of those top tackles?

Yes, Tristan Wirfs lit up the NFL Scouting Combine, and the upside of Jedrick Wills and Mekhi Becton has stolen plenty of headlines. But Thomas is the most polished, pro-ready prospect of the bunch, and he feels like somewhat of a forgotten man at this point. He’s as close to a sure thing as we have in this class, at a premium position the Giants need, and Gettleman is known for locking in and getting his man. That could be Thomas this year.

5. Cincinnati Bengals (from MIA)

Justin Herbert | QB | Oregon

The Bengals need to come out of the top of this draft with a franchise quarterback, and while it hurts to give up the best one in the class, this is a sweet Plan B for a team that needs way more than one position to get out of the NFL cellar.

It would take at least Miami’s other two first-round picks in this year’s draft for Cincy to make this deal, and likely a good bit more. That being the case, the Bengals start their first-round trifecta in this draft with a polished, experienced passer who is ready to start immediately.

Now, the Bengals have their franchise passer in Herbert, and three more picks in the top 33 to build around him. It’s not Joe Burrow, and the Bengals would have some explaining to do to all the fans who already bought those custom jerseys, but it’s a handsome haul in return that could pay big dividends in the long run if Herbert pans out.

6. Washington Redskins

Jeff Okudah | CB | Ohio State

Just like the Bengals, Washington would certainly have some angry fans if they pass on the chance to take the best overall player in this draft at No. 2 overall, no matter what they get in return.

That said, this scenario turns out strong for a team that needs way more than just a pass rusher. Their biggest need on defense is at corner, where they desperately need a true shutdown artist like Okudah, who is far and away the best corner in the class.

Ron Rivera knows he can’t rebuild this roster in one offseason, which is why adding an additional first-round pick in next year’s draft is a huge part of this deal being a win for him and Washington. Okudah gives them an immediate upgrade at a premium position of need, and they’re better equipped to keep building for the future with additional draft resources.

7. Cleveland Browns (from CAR)

Tristan Wirfs | OT | Iowa

Nobody needs anything in this draft more than the Browns need a new left tackle. Signing Jack Conklin in free agency gives them a much-needed upgrade on the right side, but the left tackle spot is still by far the team’s biggest need on either side of the ball.

This year’s class features four offensive tackle prospects who should be top-10 picks, but with one already off the board, the Browns could get spooked and feel forced into making a move up the board to get the one they want.

Wirfs backed up his strong film with a stellar workout at the NFL Scouting Combine, and his athleticism gives him as much upside as any tackle in this class. The price shouldn’t be too steep to move up three spots, especially for something other than a quarterback, which makes this a smart move for the Browns.

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from ARI)

Jedrick Wills | OT | Alabama

Just like the Browns, the Bucs have a glaring need at one of their tackle spots. For Tampa Bay, Donovan Smith is locked in at left tackle for at least another season, but Demar Dotson is gone, making the right side the priority here.

This draft should give the Bucs a perfect opportunity to remedy that, but currently sitting at No. 14 overall, they may not get a shot at any of this year’s top four tackles without making a move up the board like this. It’s a six-pick jump into the top 10, so it won’t be terribly cheap, but targeting a non-quarterback should keep the price reasonable.

Wills played right tackle for the Crimson Tide opposite Alex Leatherwood, and was tested against some of the top competition in the nation. He’s exactly what the Bucs need to bolster Tom Brady’s protection immediately, and also give them a long-term solution at a key position.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars

CJ Henderson | CB | Florida

There are plenty of attractive options for the Jags in this scenario. They could keep the offensive tackle run going with Mekhi Becton, improve their run defense with Derrick Brown, or even take the first receiver off the board.

That would make it a surprise then, if the Jags take one of the faster-rising prospects in the class, even at a huge position of need. After trading away both Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye, the Jags are in desperate need of corner help. They need depth, for sure, but also a true No. 1 cover man.

Henderson has an ideal combination of height and length, with the athleticism, ball skills and confidence to quickly develop into a corner that pro quarterbacks do their best to avoid. This isn’t a name people are used to seeing in the top 10, but don’t be shocked if that ends up happening.

10. Carolina Panthers (from CLE)

Isaiah Simmons | LB | Clemson

Similar to the Lions at No. 3 overall, the surprise here is the Panthers getting one of the best prospects in this entire class way later than they should. Simmons is the No. 3 overall player on by board, with the rare athleticism to be a dynamic defensive weapon, no matter where he lines up.

Luke Kuechly’s surprising retirement has made linebacker a much bigger need than originally expected, and safety was already another area of need. Simmons has the skill set to play either spot, and his athleticism and versatility has the potential to immediately transform any any defense.

Trading back a few spots, getting additional draft resources, and still landing one of the best players in the draft would be a pleasant surprise for Panthers fans.

If the top 10 falls that way, here’s how the rest of the first round could shake out:

11. New York Jets | Mekhi Becton | OT | Louisville

12. Las Vegas Raiders | Jerry Jeudy | WR | Alabama

13. San Francisco 49ers (from IND) | CeeDee Lamb | WR | Oklahoma

14. Arizona Cardinals (from TB) | Derrick Brown | DL | Auburn

15. Denver Broncos | Henry Ruggs III | WR | Alabama

16. Atlanta Falcons | Javon Kinlaw | DL | South Carolina

17. Dallas Cowboys | K’Lavon Chaisson | EDGE | LSU

18. Cincinnati Bengals (from PIT via MIA) | Kenneth Murray | LB | Oklahoma

19. Las Vegas Raiders (from CHI) | Jeff Gladney | CB | TCU

20. Jacksonville Jaguars (from LAR) | Josh Jones | OT | Houston

21. Philadelphia Eagles | Justin Jefferson | WR | LSU