Too Early 2020 NFL MOCK DRAFT 1.0 (1-10)
1.Cincinnati Bengals- Joe Burrow QB (LSU)
The Bengals took Ryan Finley in the 4th round of last years draft. Finley has some upside but most likely isn’t the guy to lead the desperate franchise from Cincinnati. Joe Burrow has become a Heisman favorite as his tiger team has beaten three ranked teams including a huge win in Tuscaloosa that showed the whole world who this kid is. Burrow’s arm strength isn’t Mahomes or Rodgers level but he can make plays with his feet make most throws and has proven he takes care of the football. This season he threw 33 touchdowns while throwing only 4 interceptions. He stands at 6,4” and weighs 216 lbs. Zac Taylor can give some of his talented weapons such as Mixon, Boyd, Green, and Ross some hope by drafting a player like Burrow.
2.Washington Redskins - Chase Young DE (OHIO STATE)
Dan Snyder has been ridiculed throughout the league for years being incapable of building a team in the nation's capital. The skins get lucky here and select Chase Young the hands-down best player in this years draft class. They now have a decent young core on defense with Sweat, Allen, Young, and Collins. This team is a long way from competing, but this is a step in the right direction. Young is the closest thing we know to a Khalil Mack if you don’t need a QB this year there is no excuse to pass on this buckeye.
3.New York Giants- Andrew Thomas OT (GEORGIA)
Thomas has been in the bulldog starting lineup since his freshman year. The Georgia product is dominating his junior year and is setting himself up to be an early pick in the 2020 draft. His 6,5”, 320-pound frame is ideal for an NFL starting tackle. Thomas has proved to be powerful and quick enough to block for both the run and the pass. His footwork has been very impressive during his time in Athens his only weakness is he tends to get beat with a speed rush on occasions. Nate Solder is the most overpaid player in football and Mike Remmers is just plain horrible. Dave Gettleman needs to keep Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley upright and Thomas will provide another tough nose big body to go along with Zeitler and Hernandez.
4.Miami Dolphins- Tua Tagovailoa QB (ALABAMA)
The tank for Tua project in Miami is in question after winning a few games. But, Miami lucks out here when the Bengals decide to go with Burrow. There are not many weaknesses when talking about this player. He has the ability to throw on the run maneuver in the pocket and throw absolute strikes downfield. His pocket awareness is also very exceptional. The one worry about Tua is that the injuries are starting to pile up Tua takes some shots because he is so patient in the pocket, his ankle looked weak in the LSU game which took away his ability to run if he continues to take those hits his bright future in the NFL could be shortened. Brian Flores and the Dolphins have no reason to pass here considering how far they are away from completing a Quarterback is where it all needs to begin.
5.New York Jets- Tristan Wirfs OT (IOWA)
The Jets spent their 2019 cap room on weapons for Sam Darnold. But, a case of mono totally derailed the season for this team. The Jets front office went out and bought Le’Veon Bell who was coming off two historically great years in Pittsburgh before he got caught up in a holdout for the 2018 season. Jamison Crowder was also signed to give some help to number fourteen from USC. But, a player like Bell shouldn’t fall off a cliff and that is exactly what happened so far in 2019. He has proved to be ineffective when there are no holes to run through unlike in Pittsburgh where there were gaping holes for Bell to hit early and often in games. The Jets take a versatile tackle here to help boost their offensive line and give their star players a chance to succeed. Wirfs is 6,5” and weighs 322 pounds and is known for being able to play both right and left tackle. Maybe Wirfs presence will decrease the amount of ghosts that float around at Metlife Stadium.
6.Atlanta Falcons- Jeffrey Okudah CB (OHIO STATE)
The second buckeye taken in the top ten, Okudah is the best all-around corner in this draft. Dan Quinn has struggled this season in Atlanta but the lack of talent on the defensive side of the football prevents him from helping this team reach their full potential. The Falcons have given up 25 points in six games this season. The secondary has been beaten and destroyed by opposing wideouts week in and week out. Okudah’s 6,1” 200-pound build will do wonders for this Atlanta defense and may end up saving Dan Quinn’s job.
7.Trade (CLE trades w LAC) Los Angeles Chargers- Justin Herbert QB (OREGON)
It is time… The Chargers have had one of the most obscure seasons a team could ask for. A large percentage of analysts predicted the Bolts were making runs to the AFC championship game. This team has shown glimpses of being special all year beating Green Bay by a landslide as Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa flew off the edge but setbacks like the Derwin James injury and the offensive line becoming depleted have taken this team out of contention. Rivers has remained elite at times but has shown this year he is regressing. Herbert can provide a new heartbeat for the Chargers to build on and will be able to sit for a few years as Rivers gives the rest of his career to a franchise that has been built around him for as long as many can remember. Herbert shows similarities that look like a young Philip, a family guy who plays with heart and smooth mechanics don’t be surprised if LA reaches for a QB early.
8.Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Kristian Fulton CB (LSU)
Fulton joins Burrow here as two tigers crack my top ten. Fulton has good length and his superb footwork creates some speed for the Bucs here on the outside. Vernon Hargraves was cut, the former 1st rounder showed lack of effort depleting an already vulnerable Bucs secondary. Tampa needs a guy to take on Michael Thomas, Julio Jones, and DJ Moore in a tough NFC South for many years to come.
9.Denver Broncos- CeeDee Lamb WR (OKLAHOMA)
Denver has found a quality receiver in Courtland Sutton this season who is currently projected to go over 1,000 yards for the first time in his young career. But, the offense still seems boring and non-explosive especially with the trade of Emmanuel Sanders this team is in need of another playmaker. Lamb will provide everything that Sutton doesn't. Lamb will provide the speed and run after the catch ability that was once held by Sanders he will also use his frame to make contested catches everywhere on the field. The route running ability is what really draws the Hopkins comparisons. Whether it is Cam Newton or Drew Lock quarterbacking this team in the future Lamb will make any QB’s job easier.
10.Arizona Cardinals-Isaiah Simmons LINEBACKER/S (CLEMSON)
Arizona’s defense is the main reason for their losing record. It gets torched pretty much every week. They have given up the most passing touchdowns in the league at 25. Kyler Murray and that offense need a playmaker on defense. Simmons versatility changes everything for a weak Cardinal defense. Isaiah has had experience in the slot, back deep playing safety, hanging in coverage as a linebacker, and even rushing off the edge this pick can’t go wrong your getting a good player that can be the band-aid and cover up the wounds on a pathetic defense. The combine should help Isaiah don’t be surprised if he goes even earlier.
-By: Sam Kirk
Writer/Gamer/Interviewer