Front Porch Football2020 Mock Draft Round 1
by Harris Oates
1. Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
The best QB prospect in NFL history is going to the Bengals. I have Burrow rated higher than Andrew Luck or Peyton Manning.
2. Washington Redskins
Chase Young, DE, Ohio State
Young is the best defensive prospect in the draft and will be a massive building block for the Redskins defense. After missing on Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, Young will pan out to be a top edge rusher in the league.
3. Detroit Lions
Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
Patricia looks to solidify the interior defensive line and Derrick Brown will help fill the void from Snack Harrison’s retirement. Brown is as good a prospect as Quinnen Williams was last year.
4. New York Giants
Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
After solving all their issues in the skill position category, the Giants look to protect their long term option at QB. Wirfs is the top lineman in this year’s class.
5. Miami Dolphins
Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
There is a lot of talk about Tua here, but I think that Herbert is the safer option with the same potential. Herbert started 43 games at Oregon and threw for 10,500 yards, 95 touchdowns and ran for another 13. The 6’5” 240 lbs QB is also one of the smartest prospects we have seen this year.
6. Los Angeles Chargers
Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Although Anthony Lynn seems to love Tyrod Taylor, he is still a very short term solution to replace Rivers. Jordan Love will offer a “Mahommes like” approach to mentoring a raw candidate with uncanny arm talent.
7. Carolina Panthers
Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
Panthers look to replace (although impossible) Luke Kuechly by taking the sideline to sideline machine of a linebacker from nearby Clemson
8. Arizona Cardinals
Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
The Cardinals take the best available and look to train Okudah behind all time great Patrick Peterson. They will look to fill a void in their secondary that has remained open since the departure of “The Honey-Badger.”
9. Jacksonville Jaguars
Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
The Jags need help on the inside as their defense live has deteriorated since their deep playoff run in 2017. Kinlaw is an instant starter fix that will disrupt even the best running backs, and also offers above average pass rushing skills.
10. Cleveland Browns
Jedrick Wills Jr., OT, Alabama
Wills is an absolute mauler who will help keep Baker on his feet. Offensive line help is long overdue in Cleveland.
11. New York Jets
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
After posting back to back 1,100+ yard, double digit touchdown seasons, Lamb is the most polished Wide Receiver in recent memory. The Jets failed to retain their top receiving threat, Robby Anderson, which clearly signals that they will most likely explore other options in this loaded WR class.
12. Las Vegas Raiders
Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
The Raiders follow the Jets in taking a Wide Receiver by selecting Jerry Jeudy, who likely would have been the first of his position selected in most drafts. Jeudy is a do it all type wideout who will likely will be pushed out of his slot comfort zone while at Alabama.
13. San Francisco 49ers (from IND)
C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
The 49ers lost defensive cog DeForrest Buckner to land this pick but opt to look for help in the secondary to learn behind longtime vet Richard Sherman. Henderson has the length and quickness that will help to lockdown the loaded NFC West Wide Receivers.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
The Bucs are in a very interesting situation, in which includes their recent acquisition of a 42-year-old (soon to be 43 in August), 6 time Super Bowl winning quarterback. They are truly in a win now situation and their loaded offense is missing a quality running back. The Bucs have failed at taking quarterbacks through the draft, as they have seemed to miss on 38th overall pick from 2018, Ronald Jones. Taylor can transition quickly into the role as lead back and help push the Bucs into a deep postseason run.
15. Denver Broncos
Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
The Broncos look to build around Drew Lock and Thomas at 15 is amazing value. Thomas was a two time First Team All SEC (2018, 2019) and First Team All American (2018). Thomas was also a First Team Freshman All American in 2017. Look for him to rack up more awards throughout his NFL career.
16. Atlanta Falcons
Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn
Another shocker at 16, but the Falcons score one of the best corners in the NFL Draft. Igbinoghene was the core of Auburn’s secondary, a key attributor of one of the nations top defenses. Recent success from fellow teammates Jamel Dean and Calton Davis will help boost Igbinoghene’s success in Auburn’s Front 7 dominant defensive scheme.
17. Dallas Cowboys
Grant Delpit, S, LSU
Once thought of as a top 5 talent, Delpit’s stock fell through the 2019 season, although he still finished as first team all SEC and All American in each of the last two seasons. Delpit’s fall should be kept in perspective, and as he may not be as good of a prospect as generational talent Jamal Adams, he is still the best safety in this draft.
18. Miami Dolphins (from PIT)
Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
The Dolphins look to protect newly acquired scrambler, Justin Herbert, with the most athletic lineman we may ever see. Becton wow’d everyone at the combine with his unearthly size, strength and speed combination.
19. Las Vegas Raiders (from CHI)
A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa
The Raiders capitalize on the talented pass rusher falling to their second pick. They grab Epensa knowing that he wont last long in this weak defensive end class.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (from LAR)
K’Lavon Chaisson, DE, LSU
The Jags take another lineman, this time taking the gamble on an athletic pass rusher. Chaisson had limited production at LSU, but always showed up in the biggest games and has more potential than just about anyone else left.
21. Philadelphia Eagles
Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
The underrated Jefferson quietly scored 18 touchdowns and 1,500 yards off of 111 catches. Most years, these stats would win the Biletnikoff Award, but Jefferson was overshadowed by the winner because they were on the same team! His teammate, Jamar Chase isn’t draft eligible, but is the best Wide Receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson. Jefferson is an elite route runner with the best production in this draft, and a much more complete option compared to the remaining prospects.
22. Minnesota Vikings (from BUF)
Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
The Vikings look to replace Stefon Diggs and realize that the options are starting to fly off the board. Ruggs, although undersized, is blazing fast and has some of the best hands in the draft.
23. New England Patriots
Malik Harrison, LB, Ohio State
Although there are cries for help at Quarterback, the Patriots will most likely elect to give Stidham a shot in 2020. Harrison plugs in nicely to the Patriots defensive scheme and will be a long term building block to build around.
24. New Orleans Saints
Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
Fulton will stay close to home, as the Saints look to strengthen their secondary in a time where he they will deeply compete with Tom Brady for the division.
25. Minnesota Vikings
Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State
The Vikings take the do it all pass rusher who racked up 17.5 sacks over the past two seasons in the Big 10. The 6’5” 265 lbs defensive end with help replace the openings on the line from free agency.
26. Miami Dolphins (from HOU)
Zack Baun, DE, Wisconsin
Baun is another great defensive end from the Big 10 who will quickly find time on the desperate Dolphins defense.
27. Seattle Seahawks
D’Andre Swift, RB, UGA
The Seahawks take a gamble by drafting a running back at the same spot they chose Rashaad Penny two years earlier. Following a devastating finish where their top 2 options were lost to lower body injuries, the Seahawks bring much more depth and diversity with this pick.
28. Baltimore Ravens
Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
The dominant Linebacker falls to the Ravens who elect to take the best option available, which will help lead the Ravens to another successful season.
29. Tennessee Titans
Neville Gallimore, DL, Oklahoma
Gallimore will strengthen the Titans front seven, and add depth along with last year’s first round pick Jeffery Simmons.
30. Green Bay Packers
Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, Missouri
The Packers pick the athletic Tight End from Missouri in hopes to compliment Jace Sternberger and add more diversity to Aaron Rodgers’ arsenal.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
Aiyuk is the 5th Wide Receiver taken in this historically good class. He offers incredible speed and was surprisingly one of the lengthiest receivers at the combine. He will become a great counterpart to Deebo Samuel and the rest of the 49ers young receiving corps.
32. Kansas City Chiefs
J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
Dobbins is the third RB off the board and is a similar prospect to Kareem Hunt, which is why he naturally fits great in Kansas City and immediately compliments “Playoff Damien.”
Harris is a recent graduate of Birmingham-Southern College. He now works in Birmingham as well as coaches lacrosse for Mountain Brook High School. He loves following SEC football, covering fantasy football, the NFL Draft, and is also a lifelong Carolina Panthers fan.
