The college football season is almost over and it is never too early to look ahead to the next NFL Draft and what team could be targeting. Here is the 2020 NFL Mock Draft January 9.
1. Cincinnati Bengals-Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Just when it was thought that Joe Burrow couldn’t impress anymore, he dominated a great Georgia defense in the SEC Championship Game. Then he threw seven touchdown passes in the first half against Oklahoma. The Bengals need to get their quarterback of the future in this draft.
2. Washington Redskins- Chase Young, Edge, Ohio State
Young is a freak athlete and could help the team out immediately. The Redskins need to protect Dwayne Haskins, but they can’t pass up on the best player in the class.
3. Detroit Lions- Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Okudah has great ball skills and can stick to a man like glue. The Lions still have a shaky secondary outside of Darius Slay and could use a corner across from him.
4. New York Giants- Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
The Giants have played themselves out of the Chase Young sweepstakes and can now focus on giving Daniel Jones some more playmakers to work with. Jeudy has shown flashes of being a number one receiver with his ability to get open and cut on a dime.
5. Miami Dolphins- Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
The Dolphins clearly don’t believe in Josh Rosen, as Ryan Fitzpatrick has been starting. They should still get a quarterback of the future. Tua Tagovailoa’s injury looks like it could be healed in time for the draft. Miami can afford to take the risk on Tagovailoa if they keep Rosen or Fitzpatrick around.
6. Los Angeles Chargers- Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Justin Herbert just had a solid performance in the Rose Bowl. He looks the part of an NFL quarterback and could be the person to take over for Philip Rivers.
7. Arizona Cardinals- Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
Had he come out after last season, Brown would’ve been a top 10 pick. He has that potential this season if teams have a need for interior linemen. The Cardinals need to get better in the trenches on both sides of the ball this offseason.
8. Carolina Panthers- Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Andrew Thomas has plenty of experience at left tackle for Georgia and looks like a lock to be an early first-round pick. The Panthers have to figure out the quarterback position, but also need to protect whoever is in the pocket.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars-Â Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
Simmons is a freakish athlete who has the tools to play both linebacker and safety. The Jags could use a versatile player on defense.
10. Cleveland Browns- Jedrick Willis, OT, Alabama
The Browns have a lot of good skill position players, but they neglected the offensive line and it is costing them. Willis is quickly rising up draft boards after a solid season for Alabama.
11. New York Jets- Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
The Jets need to protect Sam Darnold as he continues to develop. Wirfs is playing right tackle for Iowa, but is playing well and could be an early first-round pick.
12. Las Vegas Raiders- CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Lamb is great once the ball is in his hands and should help the Eagles move the ball. The Raiders need to get some playmakers in this draft to help build the team in Las Vegas.
13. Indianapolis Colts- Jacob Eason, QB, Washington
Eason had his ups and downs through his college career, but he does have great arm talent. The Colts need a quarterback of the future and can let Fromm develop behind Jacoby Brissett.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Grant Delpit, S, LSU
Delpit is a great safety prospect that could be a starter for the next decade. The Buccaneers missed out on Derwin James and could use a playmaker at the back of the defense.
15. Denver Broncos- Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Diggs would’ve been a first-round pick last season, but he got injured. The Broncos have Chris Harris on a one-year deal and need more cornerbacks outside of him anyways.
16. Atlanta Falcons- Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford
The Falcons need to get a better defense if they want to compete again. Adebo is a long, talented corner who is rising up draft boards.
17. Dallas Cowboys- Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama
With Robert Quinn and DeMarcus Lawrence at the defensive end positions, the Cowboys can focus on the interior of the defensive line. Davis was overshadowed by Quinnen Williams last year, but still is a big powerful player.
18. Miami Dolphins (via PIT)- Austin Jackson, OT, USC
The Dolphins need to improve the offensive line if they want their rebuild to go well. Jackson is an athletic left tackle, who could be the cornerstone of an offensive line for years.
19. Las Vegas Raiders (via CHI)- A.J. Epenesa, Edge, Iowa
Jon Gruden has mentioned how tough it is to find a good pass rusher, so he’ll likely address that in the draft. Epenesa jumped out on tape when watching some of Iowa’s prospects that were eligible for the 2019 NFL Draft. He was a backup last year and now is getting a chance to shine.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (via LAR)- C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
After trading Jalen Ramsey to the Rams, the Jaguars might want to replace him to help their defense move back into the ranks of the eilte.
21. Philadelphia Eagles- Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
The Eagles are struggling on offense right now and could use a better receiving core. Ruggs is a fast receiver who should be able to get open often in the NFL.
22. Buffalo Bills- Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
Shenault is athletic and can make acrobatic catches in the NFL. The Bills offense isn’t quite where it needs to be and they can get Josh Allen an upgrade at wide receiver here.
23. New England Patriots- Yetur Gross-Matos, Edge, Penn State
Gross-Matos is a part of a great defensive line and will likely go round one. The Patriots would love to scoop him up at the end of the round.
24. New Orleans Saints- Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
South Carolina upset Georgia this year and Kinlaw’s disruption was a major reason why. New Orleans should try to improve the interior of their defensive line.
25. Tennessee Titans- Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
Becton is one of the biggest tackles in the class. The Titans declined Jack Conklin’s fifth-year option and could be in need of offensive linemen this offseason.
26. Minnesota Vikings- Tyler Biadasz, OG/C, Wisconsin
The Vikings have focused on running the ball more this season and they should get better interior linemen to make it easier on them.
27. Miami Dolphins (via HOU)- Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Jefferson had four touchdown catches against Oklahoma, which reaffirms his draft stock. The Dolphins need to get weapons on the outside along with a lot of other things in order to improve.
28. Seattle Seahawks- Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame
Russell Wilson hasn’t had a great tight end since Jimmy Graham left town. Kmet had a breakout season with Notre Dame and should be the first tight end selected in a weak class.
29. Kansas City Chiefs- Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
Murray has good instincts and speed, making him a three-down player. The Chiefs need any help they can get on the defensive side of the ball.
30. Green Bay Packers- K.J. Hamler, WR, Penn State
Hamler had a good season at Penn State, proving his ability to run after the catch. The Packers need someone other than Davante Adams to step up.
31. San Francisco 49ers- Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
San Francisco has had a great season, but they can still add to their offense. With Tee Higgins, they’ll have a good outside threat for defenses to worry about to go along with Emmanuel Sanders and Deebo Samuel.
32. Baltimore Ravens-K’Lavon Chaisson, Edge, LSU
Chaisson has been a good edge rusher for LSU and has unique athletic ability. The Ravens need to maximize their Super Bowl window and getting a good edge rusher will help with that.