NFL mock drafts can take on a variety of forms. You can see a predictive mock draft, where the author assembles selections based on what he or she expects to see happen. You can see a what I would do mock, where the author makes selections based on what they would do with each pick.
Touchdown Wire’s 2020 Mock Draft 4.0 for blends the predictive with the suggestive. While the majority of positions for each team are predictive, there are some suggestive elements based on scheme fit and potential usages for each player upon arrival in the league.
So sit back, pour your #QuarantineLife drink of choice, and enjoy.
1. Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
The Bengals have made solid decisions so far in free agency. Adding former Texans defensive tackle D.J. Reader is quietly one of the better signings of free agency, given what he can do in the interior both against the run and as a pocket pusher. Giving Trae Waynes a shot makes sense if they use him as more of an aggressive man-coverage cornerback. Finally, placing the franchise tag on wide receiver A.J. Green allows them to keep a key offensive weapon in place for their next quarterback.
As many expect, they will find that quarterback in the draft. Joe Burrow’s combination of pocket management, accuracy, athletic ability and competitive toughness make him an ideal fit for what awaits him in the AFC North.
2. Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
VIA trade with the Washington Redskins. Miami sends picks Nos. 5 and 18 in exchange for pick No. 2.
Now things take a turn.
Many — myself included — have advocated for Washington to stand pat with the No. 2 overall selection and draft Chase Young, the prototypical edge-rusher from Ohio State. But a case can be made for Washington actually trade out of the spot, with an eye on addressing another position, because it already has three players that can get after the passer: Ryan Kerrigan, Jonathan Allen and Montez Sweat.
So although Young is a difference-maker (and a local kid, hailing from Prince George’s County, Maryland), Washington could trade back and look to acquire an additional pick, while still addressing a need a few spots later.
From the Dolphins’ perspective, they have three first-round picks and a need at the quarterback position. Many pundits expect the draft to really begin at the third spot with the Detroit Lions, including perhaps the Dolphins themselves. If they want to make sure they get their quarterback, getting up to No. 2 makes sense.
The current climate might make drafting Tagovailoa a risk from a medical perspective, but he is a solid fit for the new offense that coordinator Chan Gailey will be bringing to Miami. A spread system rooted in West Coast elements fits Tagovailoa to a T. With Ryan Fitzpatrick in place, the Dolphins can take their time with Tagovailoa from a health perspective, and given some of the additions Miami has made in free agency so far, losing one of its other first-round picks is not a huge sacrifice.
3. Detroit Lions: Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
If the board unfolds this way, Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn will have a fascinating decision to make. They traded away cornerback Darius Slay during free agency, so drafting cornerback Jeff Okudah would be an enticing option. Sure, the Lions added Desmond Trufant in free agency, but a cornerback with experience in both man and combination coverage schemes who can start on Week 1 is a very safe play.
So, too, is Chase Young. A season ago, the Detroit Lions added Trey Flowers in free agency, and while Flowers nearly matched his sack total from 2018, one man does not make a pass rush on his own. Pairing Flowers with Young on the other side of the field gives Detroit a pair of pass rushers who truly can collapse pockets off the edges. When you factor in new acquisition Jamie Collins, and what he can do as a blitzer attacking the A-gaps, now you might just have a pass rush.
4. New York Giants: Tristan Wirfs, OL, Iowa
When general manager Dave Gettleman took to the podium at the NFL combine and told the media that offensive line is the most important position for a young quarterback because “… you can’t throw the ball from your back; I’ve done those studies,” it was clear to me that you could put offensive tackle in Sharpie next to the Giants’ pick in the fourth spot.
Now just which offensive tackle from the “Big Four” is a different question altogether. Between Tristan Wirfs, Mekhi Becton, Andrew Thomas and Jedrick Wills Jr., there are four very solid options for teams that want to address the position.
Wirfs’ potential flexibility up front will make him an enticing option to Gettleman. The first true freshman ever to start at offensive tackle under Kirk Ferentz, Wirfs saw the bulk of his snaps (693) at right tackle, but he also saw 161 snaps at left tackle. Others think his best position in the NFL would be to kick inside to guard. But studying him uncovers an NFL-ready tackle with the athleticism and power to handle either the left or right side. The Giants can slot him in at right tackle and keep Nate Solder at left tackle, giving them and quarterback Daniel Jones some protection up front.
5. Washington Redskins: Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Having traded back, Washington can still grab an immediate impact player picking from the fifth spot. Cornerback is a need, even with the acquisition of Kendall Fuller, and Ron Rivera’s defense gets a prototypical coverage corner who can start on Week 1. Okudah has great footwork, elite movement skills and ideal size and length to be a lockdown NFL corner. He can play press man and off-technique, and he can also click-and-close when playing in zone coverage.
Last season, Okudah allowed just 27 receptions on 58 targets, for only 282 yards and a 45.3 passer rating when targeted. According to charting data from Pro Football Focus, he allowed just two receptions on the 11 targets of more than 20 yards downfield. Furthermore, Okudah has not allowed more than 50 yards receiving in any game over the past two seasons. As PFF wrote of him in its draft guide: “Okudah really does have it all. The ‘cons’ on his scouting report were some of the most difficult to write of any prospect in the class. He not only has a high floor, but everything you want for a high ceiling.”
6. Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
With the departure of Philip Rivers to the Indianapolis Colts, the Chargers are looking for a quarterback for the first time in a long time. The organization appears ready to move forward with Tyrod Taylor as starting quarterback to open next season, although recent photographs of Taylor working out with free agent Cam Newton have sparked speculation that Newton could be moving to the West Coast. He would be a solid fit, schematically, in an offense that likely looks similar to what Newton has been running the past few seasons with the Carolina Panthers.
Whether it is Taylor or Newton as the Week 1 starter, the Chargers likely believe that this draft is their best chance to grab a long-term solution at the position. That brings us to Herbert. The Oregon product might face questions about the system he ran in college, and we know he has faced questions about his leadership style, but the Chargers’ offense is almost an ideal fit for his trait set. Herbert has a cannon for an arm, and showcased at Oregon the ability to read leverage and exploit it in the passing game, including the vertical parts of the playbook. After Burrow and Tagovailoa, he is the QB closest to being ready to play in the NFL, and the Chargers can grab their quarterback of the future and develop him at their own pace.
7. Carolina Panthers: Isaiah Simmons, D, Clemson
With the acquisitions of Teddy Bridgewater and P.J. Walker, quarterback is less of an immediate need for the Panthers than other positions. Looking down their roster, they need help at the linebacker spot, they need help at cornerback, and they could use help at safety. They also could look to boost their pass rush at some point this offseason.
What if they could do that with one player?
Isaiah Simmons is the future of defensive football. A hybrid type of player for which there is no comparison, which interestingly enough was his comparison in the Pro Football Focus draft guide from lead analyst Mike Renner. Of Simmons, Renner wrote, “Whether it’s the speed, the explosiveness, the length, the versatility, you name it, Simmons is probably elite at it. There really is no precedent for the skill set he brings to the table.” Last season alone Simmons saw 132 snaps at free safety, 299 at box safety, 262 at slot cornerback, 116 at defensive line and even 13 at cornerback, according to PFF’s charting. He has the size to handle tight ends and the speed to run with receivers:
There is Simmons making a play on a seam route against Myles Boykin from a few seasons ago. Simmons gets spun a bit off Boykin’s release, but he recovers and runs with Boykin stride for stride and breaks up the play.
Remember, Boykin ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at his combine.
Just draft Simmons and slot him in as your starter at “defense.”
8. Arizona Cardinals: Mekhi Becton, OL, Louisville
I know, Arizona Cardinals fans, you’re probably going to yell at me again over this pick.
When I prepared my post-combine mock draft, Mekhi Becton was the player I slotted to the Cardinals with this selection. The reviews were … less than stellar.
Most of the responses clamored for a wide receiver with that selection, and I understand the allure of pairing Kyler Murray with his former Oklahoma teammate, CeeDee Lamb. Believe me, I do. I also realize that the Cardinals have made moves along the offensive line already, signing right tackle Marcus Gilbert and tackle Justin Murray, and reaching an extension with starting left tackle D.J. Humphries. I know all of this.
I also know that the Cardinals just acquired DeAndre Hopkins to play wide receiver, and as enticing as it sounds to have a 10 personnel package with Lamb, Hopkins, Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk, I have to believe that Arizona goes back to the trenches to make sure they have Murray protected next season.
That leads us to Becton. The Louisville standout has the size, strength and athleticism to be a stud tackle for years to come. He might face questions about his ability to be an anchor tackle in a true dropback passing game, and according to charting from Pro Football Focus, he had just 73 “true pass sets” this past season, but in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense he will be more than ready to handle what he is asked to do.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars: Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina
The Jaguars are hitting the reset button. Most of the pieces from their run to the 2017 AFC Championship Game are elsewhere, save for Yannick Ngakoue, who is likely to be traded sometime in the next few weeks. They need help on both sides of the football, but with Calais Campbell now in Baltimore, Ngakoue likely heading out of town, and Taven Bryan not living up to his first-round billing, the interior of the defensive line could use an injection of talent.
Enter Javon Kinlaw, who can be a true disruptive force on the interior of the defensive line. Turn on his film, and you can see the explosiveness off the line, and his combination of length and burst will make an immediate impact for Jacksonville’s defense. As described in the Pro Football Focus draft guide, “Kinlaw’s blend of size, length, explosiveness, and production is a tried and true winning formula when projecting to the NFL. No one is a ‘sure thing’ in the NFL draft, but drafting Kinlaw is a very low-risk proposition.”
When it comes to applying pressure from the inside, Kinlaw checks that box. He had 26 hurries last season, and according to PFF, his pass-rush win rate of 18.1% placed him second in college football among all interior defensive lineman with 250 or more pass-rushing snaps. Only Missouri’s Jordan Elliott had a better mark.
10. Cleveland Browns: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Free agency gave us a better idea of how the Browns’ offense is going to operate under new head coach Kevin Stefanski. They acquired tight end Austin Hooper, and given how often Stefanski ran 12 personnel last season with the Minnesota Vikings you can expect to see Hooper and even David Njoku a great deal. They acquired former Titans tackle Jack Conklin, and you can expect him sliding immediately into the right tackle spot in front of Baker Mayfield.
Yet they still need a left tackle, and that is where Andrew Thomas comes into the picture. A stalwart left tackle in the SEC, Thomas has a blend of power and athleticism that is ideal for the NFL. He moves extremely well, and that is an ideal fit for an offense expected to rely heavily on the outside zone running game.
Some observers might have concerns about how Georgia’s run-heavy offense, which uses tight ends heavily to aid in the blocking effort, might have lessened the load for Thomas. But any such worries can be alleviated by the offense he’ll be stepping into with the Browns. A system that relies heavily on 12 and even 21 personnel with new fullback Andy Janovich would be a great setting for Thomas to embark upon his NFL career.
11. New York Jets: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
The Jets need to do two things to help young quarterback Sam Darnold: shore up the offensive line and give him weapons — especially in the wake of Robby Anderson leaving town. They threw a lot of money at the first issue, adding George Fant, Connor McGovern and Greg Van Roten to the offensive line in free agency. Now they address the second, getting one of the top three wide receivers in this year’s draft.
CeeDee Lamb might not be the speed demon that the Jets lost in Anderson, but everything else the Oklahoma product brings to the table is near-elite. He is an advanced route-runner with great ball skills, and his 26 broken tackles flash what he can do with the football in his hands. Some might still have concerns about his long speed, but his 10-yard split of 1.46 seconds — which puts him in the 99th percentile among wide receivers — demonstrates that he can win where it matters in the NFL. With so many offenses concentrated in the short- and intermediate-areas of the field, especially Adam Gase’s system, Lamb is an ideal fit.
12. Las Vegas Raiders: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
The Raiders need more weapons on the outside for quarterback Derek Carr. Three wideouts on their current roster caught more than 35 passes a season ago: Hunter Renfrow (49) and Tyrell Williams (42) with the Raiders, and Nelson Agholor (39) with the Philadelphia Eagles. That’s it; that’s the list.
It is not a list that inspires confidence.
Gruden needs a solid route-runner for his West Coast system and a receiver that can win near the line of scrimmage. He will get that in Jeudy. His short-area quickness and change-of-direction ability make him an ideal fit for Gruden’s system, and his ability to turn short throws into huge plays are the philosophical root of the West Coast offense. He didn’t blow the doors off at the scouting combine, with a 20-yard shuttle of 4.53 seconds (just in the sixth percentile among wideouts). But like Lamb, his 10-yard split in the 40-yard dash (1.48 seconds) puts him in the 99th percentile among WRs and speaks to his ability to win in Gruden’s system. Get him involved on some slants, juke routes and crossers and let him thrive.
13. San Francisco 49ers: Henry Ruggs, III, WR, Alabama
It’s a run on wide receivers!
When the 49ers sent DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for this selection, it gave them two picks in the first round and a ton of options. San Francisco does not have a ton of holes, but the loss of Buckner up front might point them toward Auburn’s Derrick Brown if the board fell this way. They also could address the secondary, as our Doug Farrar predicted in his recent mock draft, tabbing Alabama cornerback Trevon Diggs in this spot.
But with the chance to grab one of the top wideouts in this class to replace Emmanuel Sanders, who departed for the New Orleans Saints in free agency, John Lynch turns in the card with Ruggs’ name on it. Ruggs has exceptional speed; it shows on film, and it showed when he rocketed to a 4.27 40-yard dash at the combine. But he also posted a 42-inch vertical jump and a 10-yard split of 1.43 seconds, both impressive numbers. On film, he stresses defenses down the field, but don’t sleep on what he can do in the short and intermediate areas as well. According to charting from Pro Football Focus, Ruggs had 10 receptions on 14 targets for two touchdowns and a passer rating of 153.3 on throws from 0-9 yards, and 14 receptions on 18 targets for two touchdowns and a passer rating of 155.8 on throws from 10-19 yards. He is a solid route-runner, and with his speed, he’s a home-run threat even on the slant route:
That will work in the NFL.
15. Denver Broncos: Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
John Elway would love to add a wide receiver in this draft, which would give Courtland Sutton a running mate and young quarterback Drew Lock another weapon in the passing game. But with the trio of Henry Ruggs, Jerry Jeudy and CeeDee Lamb coming off the board in the prior three selections, the general manager needs to look at addressing another area.
The Broncos lost Chris Harris Jr. in free agency to the Los Angeles Chargers, and even though they acquired A.J. Bouye from the Jacksonville Jaguars, cornerback is another area they could address at this spot. With Jeff Okudah off the board, they turn to Kristian Fulton, the talented cornerback from the defending national champions.
Fulton is a sticky man-coverage corner who has great balance, change of direction ability and clicks-and-closes like he is being shot out of a cannon. In the modern NFL, when a huge number of throws are attempted in the range of 10-19 yards, Fulton is as close to a shutdown corner as you can find. Pro Football Focus charted him allowing just nine receptions on 21 targets in that area of the field last season, for just a single touchdown while allowing a passer rating of just 63.2.
For good measure, PFF lead analyst Mike Renner offered A.J. Bouye as a comparison for Fulton in PFF’s draft guide. It wouldn’t be bad to have those two guys prowling your secondary.
16. Atlanta Falcons: Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
The Falcons could go in two different directions at this spot. They might want to address the cornerback position, given the departure of Desmont Trufant. Or they could look to address the edge, given the loss of Vic Beasley. While they added Dante Fowler Jr. from the Los Angeles Rams, pass rushing is at a premium in today’s NFL.
But the value of Derrick Brown falling into their lap is just too good to pass up.
Brown is another top-flight interior defender with the ability to play almost anywhere up front, and the ability to truly be a destructive force against the run and as an interior pass-rusher. He has great hand usage for an interior defensive lineman, and over his time at Auburn, he developed into a premier pass rusher. Last season, he tallied 20 hurries, 10 quarterback hits and five sacks. Pairing him on the interior with Grady Jarrett immediately helps the entire Atlanta defense.
17. Dallas Cowboys: K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
The Cowboys added to their defensive line during free agency, acquiring Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe. But they still have a need on the edge opposite Demarcus Lawrence, and they can fill it by drafting the LSU edge-rusher.
Chaisson might make for an interesting evaluation in the scouting community, raising the question of tools versus production. Chaisson has the tool kit to take over a game, but he never really showed that while at LSU. His production did take a big step forward last season, as his seven sacks, seven hits and 21 quarterback hurries were all career highs. In addition, he recorded four or more pressures in each of his last four games of the season.
But he does have an array of moves and the natural bend that are critical to playing the position at a high level:
With the presence of Lawrence on one edge, the Cowboys can bet on Chaisson producing on the other with his set of traits and skills.
18. Washington Redskins: Josh Jones, OT, Houston
VIA trade with the Washington Redskins. Miami sends pick Nos. 5 and 18 in exchange for pick No. 2.
Having traded out of the second spot, Washington is on the clock again in the first round. The addition of Jeff Okudah earlier provides a top-flight cornerback, and now Washington can turn to the offensive line with this selection.
The relationship with left tackle Trent Williams seems strained beyond repair, meaning Washington should look to address that position with this selection. Trading back to 18 puts them out of range for one of the top four tackles, but there are two others making some first-round noise: Austin Jackson from USC and Josh Jones from Houston.
The Redskins roll with Jones, who put together a solid week of work in Mobile for the Senior Bowl. There are some, including Pro Football Focus and Jim Nagy, executive director of the Senior Bowl, that put Jones alongside the top four tackles in the draft:
Jones has been almost dominant as a pass blocker over his time at Houston. PFF charted him with allowing just 18 pressures on 1,282 pass blocking snaps over the past three years. By contrast, according to PFF’s charting, the Redskins’ starting tackle tandem last year of Morgan Moses and Donald Penn allowed 37 and 34 pressures, respectively.
While trading out of the No. 2 spot means Washington passes on Chase Young, coming out of the draft with a lockdown cornerback and a potential bedrock left tackle in the first round would be a haul.
19. Las Vegas Raiders: C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
The Raiders made some solid acquisitions on both sides of the football and even added to their cornerback room in free agency, signing Eli Apple. Now, Apple was pretty solid as a press coverage cornerback, allowing just 0.87 yards per press coverage snap during the 2019 season, which led us at Touchdown Wire to name him one of the league’s top reclamation projects for the 2020 season.
Nevertheless, the Raiders could still look to add talent at corner, leading them to C.J. Henderson from Florida. The former Gator took a step back last season, perhaps due to injuries, allowing 20 receptions on 37 targets for 389 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and a passer rating of 109.0 when targeted. He also finished the season without an interception. That is a far cry from what he did as a freshman in 2017, when he allowed a passer rating of 74.1 with three touchdowns and four interceptions, and a huge drop from 2018, when he allowed a passer rating of just 49.4 when targeted.
He remains, despite that drop-off, a very solid man-coverage cornerback. Turn on the tape, and you will see why. Watch as he stays in perfect positioning on this vertical route and then makes the play at the catch point:
With Apple and Henderson, the Raiders might have a stout duo of coverage corners.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars, Grant Delpit, S, LSU
As the Jaguars look to rebuild their defense, they address another position on that side of the football with their second first-round selection. Javon Kinlaw gives them an athletic presence up front, and now they add athleticism on the back of the defense by grabbing the LSU safety.
Grant Delpit may have his detractors, and those who doubt him point to missed tackles as a red flag. But Delpit has the size, length and athleticism to erase tight ends early in the NFL. Delpit also has the change-of-direction ability and route recognition that make him savvy in zone coverage, as well as a force down near the line of scrimmage. He is also a versatile defender that the Jaguars could use in a variety of ways. Last season alone, he saw snaps at free safety (385), box safety (149), slot cornerback (316), defensive line (24) and even at boundary cornerback (10). The team that does not overthink the tackling issues and looks at what he brings to the table is going to be happy with its decision.
21. Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
Down the stretch last season, Carson Wentz was throwing to a cast of thousands at the wide receiver spot. His most consistent target was likely Greg Ward Jr., a former college quarterback who grew into a role as a slot receiver. Even though Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson are slated to come back from injury, the Eagles need more help at wide receiver.
Enter Jalen Reagor, who despite poor quarterback play at TCU put enough on film — and performed well enough at the combine — to lock up a first-round selection. Reagor is scary after the catch but still has enough in the tank to get open deep, making him almost an ideal fit for Doug Pederson’s West Coast offense. Watch as he gets inside of this defender and then stacks him on his back. Only a poor throw prevents the touchdown:
But before you classify him as just a burner, watch the footwork on this Dino post route:
His route-running, vertical awareness and ability after the catch will make him a huge asset in the Eagles’ offense.
22. Minnesota Vikings: Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
Last year, the following cornerbacks saw the bulk of coverage snaps for the Minnesota Vikings: Mackensie Alexander (369), Trae Waynes (461) and Xavier Rhodes (472).
All three players have new homes. Only Mike Hughes, who was fourth in coverage snaps for the Vikings with 326 returns next season.
That makes cornerback a need. Minnesota could also consider a wide receiver here in this spot, but while that position is deep in this draft, cornerback starts to thin out. With a few of the top corners already off the board, Minnesota grabs a solid fit with Jeff Gladney from TCU. Gladney is a stout coverage corner who plays down on underneath routes with the ability to break deep and stay on vertical stuff. He is also effective at the line of scrimmage with the ability to re-route receivers using his footwork. Mike Zimmer could plug him in opposite Hughes and feel comfortable about his secondary.
23. New England Patriots: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
But Jordan Love is still on the board …
Yes, the New England Patriots need a new starting quarterback for the first time in a lifetime, but the plan in Foxborough does seem to be the Jarrett Stidham Show. The organization appears pleased with what he displayed from a developmental perspective a season ago, and the acquisition of Brian Hoyer as a potential backup/mentor points to Stidham taking the reins.
That leads us to other needs on this roster. Quietly, the Patriots’ defense needs some new blood, given losses on that side of the football. Linebacker might be a need, with Elandon Roberts, Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins all leaving town, but Bill Belichick also lost safety Duron Harmon. Belichick values the safety position and relies heavily on a number of three-safety packages. That makes Xavier McKinney a likely target for Belichick.
Last season, the Crimson Tide used McKinney all over the field, including at free safety (272 snaps), box safety (285 snaps) and in the slot (227 snaps). That makes him ideal to both replace Harmon, but also serve as a backstop for veteran Patrick Chung, who sees a large percentage of his snaps down in the box or even aligned as a linebacker. Coming from Nick Saban’s system, which asks a lot of its defensive players, McKinney will be ready to step into Belichick’s defensive scheme on Day One. That might help, given the potential for rookie minicamp and even training camp to be delayed in reaction to the coronavirus pandemic.
24. New Orleans Saints: Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
The Saints don’t have a ton of needs, and they already addressed one of their biggest in free agency when they added wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders to work opposite Michael Thomas. Linebacker is another need, and they can shore up that position by grabbing the raw but talented Patrick Queen from LSU.
Queen is young — set to turn 21 right before the 2020 season begins — and he might need to add some mass at the next level, but he looks the part of the modern NFL linebacker. He is great in coverage and shows the ability to read and drive down on underneath routes better than most of his peers. He allowed just half a yard per coverage snap this season, which is an incredible statistic against SEC competition, and it was his first season with a big number of snaps (780 in 2019, as opposed to just 250 in 2018). With his potential for growth and high ceiling, Queen just might give the Saints a cornerstone defensive piece with this pick.
25. Minnesota Vikings: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
With Stefon Diggs heading to Buffalo, the Vikings need to add at the wide receiver spot. Their offense needs a receiver who can create after the catch as well as someone who can win at the catch point for Kirk Cousins.
The Vikings can get both in Justin Jefferson. The LSU wideout can make defenders miss after the catch, and if Cousins needs a ball-winner, Jefferson can be that guy, too. Pro Football Focus charting indicates that Jefferson had the best contested-catch conversion rate out of any receiver in this draft class, and his grade on contested-catch situations was 92.3 percent, the strongest category for him.
LSU did not use him a ton in the vertical passing game, as he operated primarily out of the slot, but he posted a 4.43 40-yard dash at the scouting combine, showing that he can get downfield as well, if needed.
Questions about Jefferson center on his ability — or perhaps lack thereof — to create on his own. LSU used him on crossers and in-breaking routes where he could find soft spots and grass, and that makes his ability to consistently beat man coverage a question mark. But in Minnesota’s offense, where those routes off of play-action are a staple, he would be an ideal fit and in position to contribute immediately.
26. Miami Dolphins: Zach Baun, LB, Wisconsin
After the trade up to grab Tua Tagovailoa, the Dolphins are finally back on the clock. Should the board fall this way, they could go in a few different directions. They could look to add a running back, but with the addition of Jordan Howard in free agency, that becomes a position the Dolphins can wait to address. They could look to an offensive tackle, but with the top five players at that position off the board, forcing a pick is not in their best interest. Yes, Austin Jackson is well liked in NFL circles and has some raw tools, but his failure to progress from 2018 to 2019 is a bit unsettling.
Brian Flores and Chris Grier can look to the defensive side of the ball and make another smart addition, adding Zach Baun from Wisconsin. Baun might have a similar skill set to Kyle Van Noy, whom the Dolphins added in free agency, but where Van Noy has the ability to play both inside and outside on the second level, Baun might be best utilized on the outside to begin his NFL career.
The Wisconsin product has the athleticism to operate in space and as a man- or zone-coverage defender, plus the pass-rushing skills to be a factor coming off the edge. Last season, he generated pressure on 16.5 percent of his pass-rushing opportunities, which tied him for sixth in the nation. Flores will now have a defense that can cover and pressure — everything he wants on that side of the football.
27. Seattle Seahawks: Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
While the market for free agent edge-rusher Jadeveon Clowney remains a question, the Seahawks still will need to add to their pass rush even if he returns to the Pacific Northwest. Last year, even with Clowney in the fold, the Seahawks generated more pressure than just one NFL team: the Miami Dolphins. Whether Clowney is back or not, they need another pass-rusher.
Yetur Gross-Matos gets them that player. He might be raw, but his length, size and pass-rushing moves make him a very interesting option for Seattle. Watching him on film, you do see that some of his best work comes when he is kicked inside, but with Bruce Irvin returning to Seattle and potentially Clowney as well, Pete Carroll could conceivably use him inside and get him favorable matchups to start his career. Even with some of these questions about his game, Gross-Matos tallied nine sacks, five quarterback hits and 22 QB hurries. Seattle would like that kind of production out of someone not named Clowney next season.
28. Baltimore Ravens: Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
Eric DeCosta has been busy this offseason, making some acquisitions with a focus on the defensive side of the football. The Ravens traded for Calais Campbell and added Jihad Ward, and after the acquisition of Michael Brockers fell through, they added Derek Wolfe on the open market. They also used the franchise tag on outside linebacker/edge rusher Matt Judon.
Offensively, the Ravens traded away Hayden Hurst and saw Marshal Yanda retire. Yet given the tight end depth already in place, plus the fact that the later rounds are probably a better time to target the interior offensive line, DeCosta can look elsewhere. Here he adds a deep ball threat for Lamar Jackson with Denzel Mims, the Baylor wideout.
Mims might not be the most refined route-runner — and part of that is due to operating in an offense that asked him to run either a slant or a go most of the time — but he is a vertical threat and a great weapon on back-shoulder throws. He has also enjoyed a stellar pre-draft process, first in Mobile for the Senior Bowl and then at Indianapolis for the combine, when he posted a blazing 4.38 40-yard dash with a 1.51 10-yard split. Given how often the Ravens use 12 personnel, they could roll out a combination of Mims and Hollywood Brown as their two wideouts next season and really put some stress on defenses.
29. Tennessee Titans: Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State
The Titans, fresh off their run to the AFC Championship Game, are doing what they can to get the band back together. They reached a long-term extension with quarterback Ryan Tannehill, enabling them to apply the franchise tag to running back Derrick Henry. They also made some acquisitions in free agency, including Vic Beasley, but the release of Cameron Wake makes pass-rush an option for them with this selection.
However, they also need to address the secondary. Perhaps they find a way to bring Logan Ryan back into the fold, as he is still available on the open market, but both he and Malcolm Butler struggled at times last season. That makes cornerback an option at this spot, and the Titans address the position by adding Cameron Dantzler from Mississippi State.
This might be a surprising selection, with both Trevon Diggs and A.J. Terrell on the board, but the Titans are looking at the scheme fit with this pick. A year ago, the Titans were predominantly a zone-coverage team, running zone on 64 percent of their snaps. Dantzler is solid in both zone and man coverage, while Diggs and Terrell are at their best in man coverage. That flexibility makes the Mississippi State product a wise choice for Tennessee.
30. Green Bay Packers: Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
Now let’s have some fun.
Some of the best information you can learn about a prospect during the media portions of the scouting combine are when you ask their teammates about them. Especially when you ask a quarterback about his receivers. During his media session in Indianapolis, Colorado quarterback Steven Montez gushed about his favorite target, Laviska Shenault: “Laviska is a security blanket. He’s supremely talented. He’s a big target. He’s fast. He can kind [of] do it all. I think he’s unguardable.”
Shenault aggravated a groin injury at the combine, which subsequently required surgery, so the 4.58 that he posted in the 40-yard dash should be taken with a grain of salt. When healthy, he is a weapon all over the field, as Colorado used him at boundary wide receiver, in the slot, in the backfield, at quarterback and even at tight end. He is dynamic with the football in his hands, and he broke 29 tackles in 2018 and 15 tackles in 2019. He could be a running back if he wanted to, and Pro Football Focus lead analyst Mike Renner compared him to Saquon Barkley, of all players — and if you want some video evidence to support that position:
Aaron Rodgers and Matt LaFleur would love to have another receiving threat across from Davante Adams, but Shenault gives them more than that. He gives the Packers an offensive weapon that can win matchups at various levels of the field. From the slot, out of the backfield and out wide, Shenault can win one-on-one situations. With positionless football becoming the wave of the future, Shenault is a great selection for Green Bay.
31. Indianapolis Colts: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
VIA trade with the San Francisco 49ers. Indianapolis sends picks No. 34 and 122 in exchange for pick No. 31.
The Colts and the 49ers already executed one pre-draft trade, with the Colts sending San Francisco the 13th overall selection for defensive lineman DeForest Buckner. But they are not done trading, and with quarterback Jordan Love falling almost out of the first round, the Colts dip back into the first and grab their quarterback of the future.
From San Francisco’s perspective, currently without another selection until the fifth round, some additional picks on Day 2 would be a nice acquisition. For the Colts, despite signing Philip Rivers in free agency, the veteran QB is probably a one- to two-year plan at most. In Love, the Colts and Frank Reich can acquire their quarterback for the next five years, but put him on a developmental arc similar to what Patrick Mahomes enjoyed behind Alex Smith in Kansas City.
Love has a tremendous arm and upper-level athleticism, but he’ll need some time to develop. Landing in Indianapolis with a coach in Reich who has some experience developing a QB is an ideal spot.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
The defending Super Bowl champions don’t have a ton of needs at this point, but some depth at cornerback would be at or near the top of any such list. They lost Kendall Fuller to Washington in free agency, and adding a corner to the mix makes a lot of sense.
Trevon Diggs, the Alabama cornerback, would be an ideal selection for the Chiefs, and his ability to step in and be a press-coverage corner, coupled with his experience in a diversified coverage scheme under Nick Saban, makes him a likely Week 1 starter in the NFL. Pro Football Focus charted him with allowing a completion rate of just 42.3 percent, and he forced incompletions over 20 percent of the times he was targeted.
Diggs was also a machine deeper down the field. When targeted between 10 and 19 yards downfield, he allowed just four catches on 11 targets for a meager 21.4 passer rating. On downfield throws, Diggs was almost as good, giving up a catch on just four of his 18 targets for a passer rating of just 37.5.
