NFL: Official ITH 2020 Blogger Mock Draft
It’s almost draft day, and with the final few hours ticking away, we present the official 2020 Inside the Hashes Staff Mock Draft. Each participant was given a few teams to pick for, with analysis coming for each pick:
Jerome: Cincinnati Bengals (2-14)
Joe Burrow, LSU QB
Is there much to say here? Joe Burrow may be a 1-year wonder, but he had the best college season EVER (yeah, I said it). Plenty of 1-year wonder QBs are succeeding in the league, and don’t sleep on the weapons the Bengals have. They just need to fix that O-Line.
2. Darren: Miami Dolphins (5-11) TRADE!!! (WAS)
(Redskins Received: Two 1st #5 Overall, #18 Overall)
Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama QB
If there was ever a good trade to the top two, it was this one. The Dolphins receive Tua Tagovailoa, who will be a perennial Pro Bowl and All-Pro. If he can stay healthy, then the Dolphins have the best overall quarterback selected. Then they get Trent Williams to protect his blindside, and that makes this deal solid in terms of value. Getting a Pro Bowl left tackle and a franchise quarterback with one pick is perfect for the Dolphins.
3. Darren: Detroit Lions (3-12-1)
Jeff Okudah, Ohio St. CB
I know this pick may surprise many people, but it will be a great pick for the Lions in both the short term and long term. Short term, they get someone to pair with Desmond Trufant on the outside, allowing Justin Coleman to play in the slot. Long term, they have a future number one cornerback for a decade in Okudah. He has the best hands, ball skills and technique of any corner. While missing out on Chase Young is surprising, they have other options there. Okudah is a generational cornerback talent.
4. Sam: New York Giants (4-12)
Chase Young, Ohio St. Edge
What a dream this turned out to be. Gettleman sits at 4 and gets the best player in the draft. Young will be the Giants best defensive player from Day 1. Combining the best player available and a team need has the Giants front office hitting a home run here in Round 1.
5. Kris: Washington Redskins (3-13) TRADE!!! (MIA)
(Miami Received: 1Rd (#2) & Trent Williams OT)
Isaiah Simmons, Clemson LB
After trading away Trent Williams, the Redskins still go for the best player available. Simmons has amazing versatility, can play anywhere on the front seven, and can even take responsibilities in pass coverage sets. Simmons playing alongside Johnathan Allen, Da’Ron Payne, Monte Sweat, and Cole Holcomb creates a nightmare for the NFC East.
6. Sam: Los Angeles Chargers (5-11)
Justin Herbert, Oregon QB
Herbert showed he can lead a team and win games, dominating the Pac-12. Even better, he actually began to show some mobility in the late stages of the Ducks season. Herbert wouldn’t be rushed here to play right away, as the Chargers seem confident starting Tyrod Taylor week 1.
7. Jerome: Carolina Panthers (5-11)
Derrick Brown, Auburn IDL
If it’s not Isaiah Simmons or Jeff Okudah, The Panthers have to draft Derrick Brown, who is the third-best defensive player in this draft. The Panthers have been trying to revamp their D-Line for a while now with no success. With Derrick Brown and Brian Burns, they won’t have to worry any longer.
8. Kris: Arizona Cardinals (5-10-1)
Mekhi Becton, Louisville OL
After trading for DeAndre Hopkins, Kliff Kingsbury’s offense is now set for Kyler Murray to have a very good sophomore campaign as long as their offensive line cooperates. Becton is arguably the best OL in the draft, and after Murray was sacked 50+ times last season, they need to build a line to protect their franchise QB.
9. Sam: Jacksonville Jaguars (6-10)
Tristan Wirfs, Iowa OL
The Jags rely on their run game and Minshew’s mobility to spark their offense. The tackle position isn’t deep in Jacksonville. Taking Wirfs would automatically upgrade their offense and give their young stars a chance to thrive. Wirfs combine was incredibly impressive, and it seems like a safe pick here at 9.
10. Darren: Cleveland Browns (6-10)
Jedrick Wills, Alabama OL
Cleveland has plenty of weapons and a quarterback who can sling it to them. Yet, they didn’t have the protection needed to help the quarterback. Wills can help step in and solidify that line they have been building. He will be good against the run and pass, while anchoring the line for the next decade. With Wills on one end and Conklin on the other, this will allow the weapons to shine.
11. Kris: New York Jets (7-9)
Jerry Juedy, Alabama WR
The Jets have yet to give Sam Darnold a legitimate #1 WR to throw to. Now that Robby Anderson is gone, they spent money to improve their OL in free agency, and the time to splurge on a WR is now. It’ll make Darnold better, and Le’Veon won’t see 8 in the box every week.
12. Jerome: Las Vegas Raiders (7-9)
CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma WR
Regarded by many as the best WR in this class. CeeDee fits the type of WR Mike Mayock would be banging the table about if he was still broadcasting. In a new market, the now-Las Vegas Raiders will need a big-time skill position player to pair with their big-time RB of last year. The only question now is, are they comfortable with where they are at QB?
13. Kris: San Francisco 49ers (from 7-9 IND)
Henry Ruggs III, Alabama WR
With Emmanuel Sanders gone, the 49ers need a competent replacement. Ruggs has amazing speed, and in Kyle Shannahan’s offense it will be a nightmare having to guard jet sweeps and misdirection plays with Ruggs and WR Deebo Samuel on the field. With Ruggs lining up alongside Samuel, TE George Kittle, and their top tier running attack, the 49ers could definitely be the favorite to make it out of the NFC again.
14. Jerome: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
Andrew Thomas, Georgia OL
The Bucs made the signing of the offseason, if not the decade, in getting a HOF, greatest-of-all-time QB Tom Brady. They have the weapons that Tom hasn’t had in a long time and this offense should be electric if they can keep TB12 alive. Tom will be 43 going in this season, so they HAVE to protect him at all costs. Andrew Thomas is my second favorite OL in this draft, and will be Tom’s #1.
15. Sam: Denver Broncos (7-9)
Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina IDL
The Broncos once relied on their stars on the defensive side of the football. But these players are not getting any younger, and the Broncos have shown little improvement. The offense should be fun to watch this season, but getting that defense back to what it once was will benefit the offense more than one would think.
16. Darren: Atlanta Falcons (7-9)
Ross Blacklock, TCU DL
This pick could be different, but the best selection is Ross Blacklock, or whomever Atlanta values most at the interior defensive line. They got edge help in the form of Dante Fowler Jr. in free agency. Adding a guy to then pair with Grady Jarrett in the middle will give the Falcons a fierce four in the pass rush. Blacklock will be good stopping the run from the nose tackle spot, while on passing downs collapsing the pocket for the other lineman to get one on ones against their matchups.
17. Darren: Dallas Cowboys (8-8)
K’Lavon Chaisson, LSU Edge
K’Lavon Chaisson will be an animal when he steps on the field. He is a dominant player, and a guy with a great first step. When he is coming around the edge, his speed will get tackles to look like turnstiles. Then, when you add in the factor of the other edge players for the Cowboys, this is the best decision. You have a great counterpart for Demarcus Lawrence, and Chaisson is a guy that can help immediately instead of having to develop more over a year or two.
18. Kris: Washington Redskins (3-13) TRADE!!! (MIA)
(Miami Received: 1Rd (#2) & Trent Williams OT)
Josh Jones, Houston OL
With Williams traded, there’s a gaping hole at the LT spot. Jones has long arms and good athleticism, making him a good pick at this spot. He’s raw as a pass blocker, but under new coach Ron Rivera team they’re going to be more run-oriented, which is right up Jones’ alley.
19. Kris: Las Vegas Raiders (from 8-8 CHI)
Jordan Love, Utah State QB
With CeeDee Lamb taken at the 12th pick, Gruden bites on the Jordan Love project. Even though Gruden is insistent on making Derek Carr their guy, having a QB like Love sit for a year behind Carr and learning from one of the better QB whispers in the league is too good to pass up. Also, we saw Carr get benched several times over the last two years due to poor performance. Having Love in Gruden’s back pocket seems like an ideal fit. Throw in having Jacobs, Williams, Waller, and Lamb to work with when he’s ready? Too good to be true.
20. Sam Jacksonville Jaguars (from 9-7 LAR)
CJ Henderson, Florida CB
Henderson has played some of the best wideouts in the nation, and his size and build matches one of an elite pro corner. The Jags secondary needs someone to take less pressure off of Bouye. Henderson will immediately compete for that second corner position.
21. Kris Philadelphia Eagles (9-7)
Cesar Ruiz, Michigan OL
Hear me out. I know Eagles fans want a WR, but Ruiz is the best interior linemen in the draft. With T Jason Kelce mulling retirement and G Brandon Brooks going down with season-ending injuries over the last two years, they can’t ignore the need for quality depth at the position. The depth at WR in this draft is deep, and there will still be quality contributors in rounds two and three. Ruiz will be able to learn the ropes under Kelce, and if Kelce does decide to hang it up he can just plug-and-play.
22. Sam Minnesota Vikings (from 10-6 BUF)
Justin Jefferson, LSU WR
Jefferson falls past the Eagles and Rams, and the Vikings replace Diggs with a younger, proven national champion who caught over a hundred passes last season. Jefferson will be another weapon for Kirk Cousins, and takes away defenders from Thielen .
23. Darren New England Patriots (12-4)
Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma QB
Surprise everyone, Belichick goes quarterback with the first pick of the draft. They get the true heir to the Brady kingdom, and a franchise quarterback who can come in and be solid immediately. Hurts has all the intangibles for a quarterback while possessing great athletic ability. As long as Josh McDaniels is open to making the playbook work around Hurts, then he will get plenty of numbers and accolades in his career.
24. Jerome New Orleans Saints (13-3)
Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma LB
The pick just makes too much sense. Yeah, they could get a WR here, but they have a #1 WR in the building, and this is a deep draft. Why not get a sideline-to-sideline LB to pair with the underrated Demario Davis? This defense has been the teams’ Achilles heel, but they will now get the final piece to help them get over the hump in Drew Brees’ final year.
25. Kris Minnesota Vikings (10-6)
Kristian Fulton, LSU CB
With Xavier Rhodes gone, they need to find a replacement. Fulton was rarely targeted, and when he was, he allowed only a 40% completion rate. He also has great timing to use his hands to break up passes. The only knock I see on tape is that he needs to be careful face guarding on deep throws, because the NFL is more prone to throw the flag for pass interference. Still, Fulton has all the tools to be a NFL starting corner week 1.
26. Sam Miami Dolphins (from 10-6 HOU)
Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State Edge
Gross Matos has as much raw potential as many first-round prospects; his quickness and flexibility on the edge are hard to pass up at 26. The Dolphins low expectations going into the 2020 season will give Gross-Matos time to grow as a player.
27. Sam Green Bay Packers (13-3) TRADE!!! (SEA)
(SEA Received: 1st (#30) & 3rd (#100)
Jalen Reagor, TCU WR
Green Bay jumps up to grab Davante Adams’ new sidekick, and QB Aaron Rodgers finally gets that second weapon he has longed for. Reagor will complement the Packers’ offense well with his elite athleticism and ability to score from anywhere on the field. Expect the TCU product to become a primary target in this offense.
28. Darren Baltimore Raven (13-3)
Patrick Queen, LSU LB
This team's Achilles heel last year was the inability to stop the run and have great play from the linebacker spot. The team could possibly go with an edge player here to help, but Patrick Queen makes too much sense. He will be able to come in and play sideline to sideline while making splash plays for the Ravens. The best part is that, with the offseason additions of Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe, Queen will likely stay free to make play after play.
29. Jerome Tennessee Titans (9-7)
AJ Epensa, Iowa Edge
I don’t understand why he fell this far, but the Titans should be running to the podium here (or at least the virtual chatroom this year). AJ didn’t test the greatest at the combine, and didn’t get to improve them at his Pro-Day, but watch the tape. His high motor and effort plays will be better than many are giving him credit for, and with the pieces the Titans have been putting together the last few years, I would be surprised if we talking about the Titans defense poorly after adding AJ.
30. Jerome Seattle Seahawks (11-5) TRADE!!! (GB)
(SEA Received: 1RD (#27)
Isaiah Wilson, Georgia OL
Isaiah Wilson is a fringe first-round player. I actually think Isaiah is the best offensive linemen in a first-round that was filled with them early. The Seahawks have to protect Russell Wilson, but if they don’t like the linemen or edge rushers at this point, I can see the Seahawks moving out the first round entirely.
31. Darren San Francisco 49ers (13-3)
Xavier McKinney, Alabama S
While most of the top tier cornerback prospects are gone, it is time to turn to the best player available. Xavier McKinney is a home run pick, with his ability to play all along the defensive backend. The fit works here even more so because they now have three starting safeties to use in their sub-packages, and can match up well with most teams.
32. Kris Kansas City Chiefs (12-4)
De’Andre Shift, Georgia RB
This is a luxury pick for Andy Reid. Reid loves having 3 to 4 RBs and operating a committee backfield. Swift has fluid running motion, a good burst out of his cuts, good vision on zone-read runs, and has the pass-catching which is a signature for any Andy Reid running back. Damien Willams had a really good postseason, but he had better watch out, because Swift will be coming for that RB1 spot.
And that’s the official ITH Mock Draft! Come back for Inside The Hashes’ LIVE pick-by-pick analysis on Draft Day!
Jerome Jones, CEO
Darren Braxton, Writer/Interviewer
Sam Kirk, Writer/Gamer
Kris Thomas, Writer/Interviewer