Even with the NFL season hanging at a point of uncertainty, for the next three days NFL fans will watch, wait, and see who the future stars of the league will be. Unlike many seasons, this is one of the most quarterback-heavy draft classes in the decade, with at least six possible first round quarterbacks, and a multitude of other talented all-conference receivers, running backs and defensive ends. Here is how 360 Sports is seeing the first round which will be selected tomorrow.
360 Sports Mock draft
1. Bengals: Joe Burrow, LSU, QB- The 2019 Heisman Trophy winner, Burrow has talent on the field and fits the pro style quarterback look the Bengals want. However, his maturity lacks at times, and if being a top pick goes to his head, the Bengals may never reap the rewards of picking Burrow at No. 1. It’s a tough decision for the management in Cincinnati, but with Burrow being an Ohio kid, I think they do take him at No. 1.
2. Redskins: Chase Young, Ohio State, DE- Nobody was harder for offensive lineman to stop than Young, who was fourth in the NCAA in tackles for loss this past year.
3. Lions: Isaiah Simmons, Clemson, LB- A key piece in Clemson’s back-to-back national championship runs, Simmons anchored a stingy defense totaling three interceptions in 2019.
4. Giants: Jeff Okudah, Ohio State, CB- The Giants desperately need to improve their defense and Okudah can be a large part of the answer, as he led the Buckeyes’ in interceptions with three.
5. Dolphins: Justin Herbert, Oregon, QB- There has been much debate as to whether it will be Herbert or Tua Tagovailoa at No. 5. Both are proven quarterbacks, who have excelled in Power 5 conferences, but I think Miami takes Herbert, who was less-injury-prone during his college career than Tagovailoa, and has a good balance of running and passing ability.
6. Chargers: Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama, QB- With that said, Tagovailoa is arguably the nation’s best quarterback. However, due to multiple injuries that never really allowed him to play at 100% while with Bama, there are questions as to his durability in the NFL. That aside, he has all the tools to contend with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in the AFC West.
7. Panthers: Mekhi Becton, Louisville, OL- While Carolina needs a new quarterback, they use their first round selection to improve another facet of the offense: the O-Line, with arguably the best O-lineman in the nation.
8. Cardinals- Derrick Brown, Auburn, DT- Instead of going into the draft last year, he returned to Auburn for his senior season and got even better, with 33 solo tackles and four sacks.
9. Jaguars- Tristian Wirfs, Iowa, OL- Standing at 6’5, 322 lbs, Wirfs will be the biggest addition to a young, but talented Jaguars offense heading into the 2020 season.
10. Browns- Jerry Juedy, Alabama, WR- This is a bit higher than most mock drafts are predicting for Jeudy, but by adding him to a receiving corps that includes Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry, he will emerge as a go-to slot receiver, whose speed makes him hard to defend.
11. Jets- CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma, WR- With Sam Darnold at QB, Lamb’s route-running ability that led to many touchdowns while playing for the Sooners will hopefully help the Jets’ offense begin to fully function for the first time in a long time.
12. Raiders- Jedrick Wills Jr., Alabama, OL- The first pick for the team as the Las Vegas Raiders will be improving the offense. But not with a quarterback. Instead they’ll add Wills, who was an All-SEC player in 2019.
13. 49ers- Andrew Thomas, Georgia, OL- Thomas was phenomenal protecting Jake Fromm for the past few seasons at Georgia, and would fit perfect paving the way for the 49ers’ star-studded running game.
14. Buccaneers- Henry Ruggs III, Alabama, WR- For a team that totally switched its 2020 outlook with the acquisition of Tom Brady, Ruggs would be the latest addition to a high-powered offense that now includes Rob Gronkowski.
15. Broncos-Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina, DT- Alongside Von Miller on the defensive front, Denver’s defense would be dramatically boosted with the adding of Kinlaw. Some feel owner John Elway will want to acquire a quarterback, but most projections have him going with a defensive player. Kinlaw was a 2019 All-SEC player.
16. Falcons- CJ Henderson, Florida, CB- Atlanta needs to improve on last season’s 7-9 record and it will start with the defense. Currently, there are rumors that they might trade up in the draft, but being those aren’t confirmed, I have them taking Henderson, who was just as good as any in the SEC last season, totaling 11 pass deflections.
17. Cowboys- Xavier McKinney, Alabama, S- The Cowboys will look to continue to add to one of the best defenses in the NFC by adding McKinney, who helped Alabama to the 2017 national title. Historically, they’ve had good luck with draft picks on the defensive side of the ball, as Jaylon Smith (2016) and Leighton Vander Esch (2018) have been
consistent starters at linebacker.
18. Dolphins- K’Lavon Chaisson, LSU, DE- With the No. 5 pick, they acquired Herbert at QB, so with the No. 18 from Pittsburgh, the Dolphins will add talent on defense with Chaisson. He was a key component of LSU’s national title team in 2019, with two solo tackles in the national championship game.
19. Raiders- Justin Jefferson, LSU, WR- With their second first round pick of the draft (from Chicago), the Raiders will take another LSU Tiger, Justin Jefferson. Jefferson has the necessary speed to be a go-to target for new quarterback Marcus Mariota throughout his rookie year.
20. Jaguars-Jordan Love, Utah State, QB- Due to inconsistencies at quarterback over the past few years, the Jaguars need to add a solid backup for starter Nick Foles. Love is the guy. He has room to improve (17 interceptions in 2019), but also a good arm to go along with a strong running ability.
21. Eagles- Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma, LB- The top linebacker in the Big 12 last season, Murray is a superb tackler who can rush the passer from the edge or cover a receiver as a defensive back. Adding Murray would only increase the Eagles’ potential on defense.
22. Vikings- Patrick Queen, LSU, LB- Another member of the reigning national champs’ defensive front, Queen totaled three sacks in 2019 while achieving All-SEC honors.
23. Patriots- Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma, QB- This is an extremely unconventional pick, but without a proven quarterback for the first time in three decades, the Patriots should tap into a great quarterback class this year. Hurts is the guy. He probably won’t be selected before the Patriots’ pick, and would mesh well with head coach Bill Belichick after having played for Nick Saban for four years at Alabama. Oh yeah, and he ranked first in the Big 12 in passing touchdowns and second in rushing touchdowns last season. Not a bad way to finish a spectacular college career.
24. Saints- Ross Blacklock, TCU, DT
25. Vikings- Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State, DE
26. Dolphins-AJ Espensa, Iowa, DE
27. Seahawks- Josh Jones, Houston, DT
28. Ravens- AJ Terrell, Clemson, CB
29. Titans- Tee Higgins, Clemson, WR- Higgins is a stellar wideout with the speed to get by defenders and route running ability to give Ryan Tannehill an open target downfield.
30. Packers- Austin Jackson, USC, OL
31. 49ers- Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin, RB- The newest addition to one of the NFL’s top running back units will be Taylor, who broke Hershel Walker’s all-time NCAA rushing yards record last season while leading the Badgers to a 7-2 Big 10 record in 2019.
32. Chiefs- D'Andre Swift, Georgia, RB- His name gives a hint to his unbelievable speed, especially in the open field. Swift was a first team All-SEC player this past year.
Enjoy! Draft will take place virtually at 8pm (ET) on ABC and NFL Network. Friday will be day two, rounds 2 and 3 starting at 7pm (ET). Saturday will round it out with rounds 4-7 starting at noon eastern time.
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