NEW ORLEANS, LA--- On January 13th, 2020, Joe Burrow led the LSU Tigers to a national championship victory over Clemson; and as the college football season ends, and the NFL season also draws to a close, it becomes time to think about the NFL draft. Now that most prospects have chosen what they will do next year, here is version 1.0 of our mock draft. Note: Any trades involving first round picks done after 1/16/20 have not been factored into this draft. Additionally, the draft order is as it would be after the divisional round.
1. Bengals- Joe Burrow (QB, LSU), Reason: They NEED a quarterback
2. Redskins- Chase Young (DE, OSU), Reason: Best prospect in the draft
3. Lions- Jeff Okudah (CB, OSU), Reason: Need to replace Darius Slay
4. Giants- Isaiah Simmons (S, Clemson), Reason: Need to replace Landon Collins
5. Dolphins- Tua Tagovailoa (QB, Alabama), Reason: Desperately need a QB
6. Chargers- Justin Herbert (QB, Oregon), Reason: Phillip Rivers may not return
7. Panthers- Jedrick Wills Jr. (OL, Alabama), Reason: Need to protect the new QB
8. Cardinals- Jerry Jeudy (WR, Alabama), Reason: Old Larry Fitz needs a protégé
9. Jaguars- Derrick Brown (DT, Auburn), Reason: Sacksonville needs more sacks
10. Browns- Andrew Thomas (OL, Georgia), Reason: Offense needs help, badly
11. Jets- Tristan Wirfs (OL, Iowa), Reason: Help Sam Darnold stay protected
12. Raiders- Javon Kinlaw (DL, South Carolina), Reason: Make up for last year
13. Colts- CeeDee Lamb (WR, Oklahoma), Reason: Need to replace T.Y. Hilton
14. Buccaneers- A.J. Espensa (DE, Iowa), Reason: Build on an average defense
15. Broncos- Henry Ruggs III (WR, Alabama), Reason: Build on an okay offense
16. Falcons- Trevon Diggs (CB, Alabama), Reason: Secondary needs help
Halfway headlines: 1. Trevon Diggs will play brother Stefon and the Vikings if this happens. 2. Alabama has 5 players in top 16, and 0 titles in the past two years. 3. Most teams draft for replacements & improvements, not raw talent.
17. Cowboys- Grant Delpit (S, LSU), Reason: Perfect fit into roster, great talent
18. Dolphins- Tyler Biadasz (OL, Wisconsin), Reason: New QB needs a new line
19. Raiders- Tee Higgins (WR, Clemson), Reason: Try to create top-10 offense
20. Jaguars- Bryce Hall (CB, Virginia), Reason: Replace Jalen Ramsey
21. Eagles- Kenneth Murray (LB, Oklahoma), Reason: Fill up the depth chart
22. Bills- Lavishka Shenault Jr. (WR, Colorado), Reason: Build a lethal offense
23. Patriots- Cole Kmet (TE, Notre Dame), Reason: Get a long term TE for future
24. Saints- Xavier McKinney (S, Alabama), Reason: Become an elite secondary
25. Vikings- Creed Humphrey (OL, Oklahoma), Reason: Cousins needs help
26. Dolphins- Yetur Gross-Matos (DE, Penn St.), Reason: Defense could use help
27. Seahawks- K'Lavon Chaisson (DE, LSU), Reason: Complete the defense
28. Ravens- D'Andre Swift (RB, Georgia), Reason: Continue the young offense
29. Titans- Terrell Lewis (DE, Alabama), Reason: Puts pressure on other QBs
30. Packers- Justin Jefferson (WR, LSU), Reason: Needs WR help desperately
31. Chiefs- Neville Gallimore (DL, Oklahoma), Reason: Replenish the D-line
32. 49ers- Johnathan Taylor (RB, Wisconsin), Reason: Allows for good trades
Have any questions or comments? Make sure to email me at ryanterp1@gmail.com or find us on Twitter!