Front Porch Football

2020 Mock Draft 2.0

by Harris Oates

ROUND 1

1. Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

Burrow is still a firm lock at #1 to the QB needy (or not so needy) Bengals. Trading down would be both foolish and extend the playoff winning drought another 20 years.

2. Washington Redskins

Chase Young, DE, Ohio State

Pick #2 is also a lock, as Young is a firm second best choice on our big board. The Ohio State standout checks every box and only time will tell who the best OSU Edge Rusher will be in the NFL.

3. Detroit Lions

Jeffery Okudah, CB, Ohio State

Okudah at three is close to being another lock in this draft. The Lions need help everywhere on defense and an elite NFL corner is a good place to start. 

4. New York Giants

Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama

The Giants are between either taking Isaiah Simmons or an offensive tackle. I liked Tristan Wirfs (Iowa) in this spot, but I think that Wills may be the top tackle and ultimately the best fit for the Giants’ offensive scheme. He can immediately be plugged into his natural right tackle spot opposite of Nate Soldier. 

5. Miami Dolphins

Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon

The Dolphins have done more work on Herbert than anyone else in the draft and I think he is also the best fit for the offense. Herbert has been knocked for his “lack of production and success” in college, which could not be further from the truth. Over the past two years he threw for 61 touchdowns to only 14 interceptions with a 150.7 rating and a 63.2% completion percentage (improved from 59.4% to 66.8% from ’18-‘19). His 95 career touchdowns rank 6^th all-time in the Pac 12 record books, and he also added another 13 on the ground. The 4-year starter is a poised leader with the most experience in the draft class. He also won the MVP of the Senior Bowl. 

His final record at Oregon was 29-13, with five of those losses coming in his first season. In 2018 his only two losses came to #16 Auburn by six points and to Arizona State by three points, both on the road. He finished his career by knocking off the No. 8 Wisconsin Badgers in the Rose Bowl. Herbert had three rushing touchdowns and earned the game’s MVP honors (an award also won the past five years by first round picks Marcus Mariota, Christian McCaffrey, Sam Darnold, Sony Michel and Dwayne Haskins). College success does not always translate to the next level, but Justin Herbert’s will.

If anyone tries to say that he did not produce, or experienced a lack of success, has low football IQ and clearly has not followed him very closely. Also, keep in mind that there are five Alabama players in the top 100 and only one from Oregon.  

6. Los Angeles Chargers

Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson

Simmons is a candidate to fall outside the top five, but if he does it will not be very far. Although he proved he can do it all, Simmons will be tough to fill a specific position right away. He played just about everywhere from defensive line to cornerback, but in the NFL he most definitely will be a linebacker. The Chargers could draft a quarterback in this spot, but with Herbert already off the board look for them to ride it out with Tyrod Taylor and their high-powered weapons another year before possibly targeting Lawrence or Fields (much better candidates than anyone left on the board at 6^th overall). 

TRADED TO

7. Denver Broncos (from Carolina for 15^th and 46^th pick)

Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama

The Broncos have been rumored to trade up and Elway decides to pull the trigger to ensure that he has one of the best young duos of wide receivers. Jerry Jeudy, a true competitor and team player, is the furthest thing from a diva. He is the best route runner in the draft, and had insane production at Alabama, which are key reasons why Tua and Ruggs are also first round candidates.

8. Arizona Cardinals

Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa

Wirfs is the second tackle drafted in this amazing class. The Cardinals could look to build up their defense by taking Derrick Brown, but decide to help out their franchise quarterback Kyler Murray (even though he still wants WR help!?)

9. Jacksonville Jaguars

Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn

The Jaguars have lost a lot of talent on their offensive line and will most likely lose more this weekend. Falling to the Jaguars at 9 is the perfect landing spot for the draft’s most dominant defensive tackle. 

10. Cleveland Browns

Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

Thomas is a talented, big bodied tackle that can play in any offensive scheme. His athleticism with help for an offense that will focus around OBJ, Nick Chubb, Jarvis Landry, Austin Hooper, Kareem Hunt and David Njoku. 

11. New York Jets

Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville

There have been rumors about Becton tumbling due to his recently failed drug test, but the Jets have a huge hole to fill on their offensive line. After the recently passed CBA, I don’t think teams will put much emphasis worrying on failed drug tests for marijuana.  Becton made waves with his extremely impressive combine, but he is still a project. He has monstrous size and speed, but he will need to continue to improve on his pass protection. Although the public is begging for a WR at 11, I think they will first address the line and hope to score later with this stacked class. 

12. Las Vegas Raiders

CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma

The Raiders thought they had the best WR in the NFL last year, until Antonio Clown decided to turn his life into a reality show. Lamb will be able to push the outside and is another insanely good red zone target who can also help Carr on the screens and bubbles. Carr, who has caught a lot of heat lately, is only 29 and has been to Pro Bowls in three of his first six years in the league.

TRADED TO

13. New Orleans Saints (from 49ers: 2020 13th and 31st for 2020 24th and 2021 1st round and 3rd round pick)   

Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama