We're now inside of a month to the closed doors NFL draft. And since we're all housebound and looking for something to pass the time - I thought it would be fun to do our own collective mock draft. Anyone can jump in at any time to make a pick, the only rule is that you have to justify your selection with at least a sentence or two of reasoning for (so we can get a bit of discussion going simultaneously).

I'll kick things off  - with the first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft the Cincinnati Bengals select Joe Burrow, Quarterback, LSU:



Burrow seems like as much of a lock at #1 as you could possibly get. He was the best QB in college last season, grew up in Ohio, and has the swag that the Bengals desperately need to become a relevant team again.

Washington are on the clock - who's making the pick?

With the 2nd pick, the Washington Redskins select DE/OLB Chase Young out of Ohio St



Consensus top player on either side in this draft, this would stamp Ron Rivera's blueprint on this franchise by taking such a player. Washington can use a go to pass rusher with Kerrigan into his 30's and Haskins had hinted of this being a done deal. Washington out did the Giants and Lions and Dolphins the right to get this player and they aren't trading down even for surplus of picks. Especially given the circumstances, Young's resume speaks for itself that you don't really need to see any more out of such a player. 

Detroit Lions are now OTC

The Detroit Lions select:

Jeff Okudah , CB , Ohio State - Detroit traded away arguably their best defensive player in Slay and now have a massive hole to fill at corner. Okudah has been the consensus #1 corner in the draft forever now and linked to the Lions in almost every mock because it's a pick that makes the most sense. I could also see this being a trade spot for a team looking to grab a quarterback so the Lions could feasibly trade back and still get their guy.


New York Giants are up~!

The New York Giants select:

Isaiah Simmons, LB/Clemson:
Sure this is a very intriguing pick for the Giants to trade for more assets for Tua, but we are not here to do trades right? So let’s snatch up the best defensive player remaining on the board. Sure we can try and secure some O-Line help but this guy is the real deal. We saw how the world reacted when they grabbed Daniel Jones over Josh Allen but this time they get the real superstar. A versatile bonafide beast!

The Miami Dolphins are now on the clock.

With the fifth pick, the Miami Dolphins select Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama.



The Dolphins wanted Tua 12 months ago, and despite only ending up with the fifth pick, thanks to their own better than expected season, Joe Burrow's emergence, and Tua's injury, it ends up happening. There seems to be no residual issues with his hip, and his upside is too great to ignore for a team that desperately needs a leader and a playmaker.

The LA Chargers are on the clock.

With the 6th pick, The San Die.....I mean Los Angeles Chargers select



QB Justin Herbert out of Oregon

Reasons:

1) Tyrod Taylor is the projected starter on the team post Phil Rivers.

2) He had a strong senior bowl and good combine numbers that are going to be huge with the lack of workouts due to COVID-19.

3) Tyrod Taylor is the projected starter on the team post Phil Rivers.

4) Big arm, tall QB, cameback Senior season and wasn't too bad. Will get Josh Allen comparisons who went 7th overall two drafts ago.

5) They can sign Jameis Winston and Cam Newton or trade for Andy Dalton AKA bandages but.....Tyrod Taylor is the projected starter on the team post Phil Rivers.

They need a quarterback. That's it. Anthony Lynn and Tom Telesco know this ship isn't getting righted until this position is solved.

Carolina Panthers are now OTC

The Carolina Panthers select:
CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
- With Okudah gone earlier then expected in the draft and Bradberry gone from their defense, they need an immediate replacement. They get the next best available corner in the draft. A stud corner who can cover like no other. The Panthers fill a position of need as they begin their rebuild focusing on defense.

The Arizona Cardinals are on the clock.

The Arizona Cardinals select Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa.



Arizona would be delighted to have their pick of the tackles here - I highly doubt this happens in real life. They go for Wirfs because of his superior athleticism and how that fits with Kyler Murray's skill set.

Yeah are we allowed to chime in during the draft?

I’m sure Gettlemen is going with O-Line help if they keep the draft pick (Probably Wirfs) which I find unlikely as people will be moving up for Herbert or Tua. I also don’t see Herbert going to the Chargers OR Okudah going that early to Detroit. I mean we’re kind of Fan Ficing this but I think some of these things have a very low chance of happening.

I feel pretty confident that Detroit will trade down - someone will want to get up there to get Tua. The Lions can get extra picks which they need and still get someone like Okudah. The Giants I think are less likely, Gettleman has never traded down and seems to be pretty set on always picking who he thinks is the best player available. OT makes too much sense, trying to help DJ cut down on the turnovers. Someone like Wirfs can slot straight into RT and then eventually take over from Solder on the left. 

Few things on draft thus far....

1) I see Chargers jumping up to 3 maybe 4 for Tua, think that's the type of player that would attempt to sell seats in that stadium that has become an away from home type of environment. He has a somewhat decent enough name and hails from Hawaii. Ownership will make the call regardless. Spanos will make it happen unless Stephen Ross beats him to it.

2) The Henderson pick is a bit of a shocker but I get it with Bradberry gone to NYG. Henderson has a bit of a bad wrap and I think Rhule is all about high character guys(In his eyes, Robby Anderson isn't perfect but to Rhule he is). Would not surprise me if Rhule trades down and gets later down the draft for his WR Denzel Mims honestly, Panthers can dip on another WR. Maybe he trades up in round 1 to get that guy.

3) Feeling Wirfs to Arizona, think at worst you have a stud guard for years to come. If not, a great RT. 

I am still in the camp of Cam going to the Chargers. His character and name alone would help sell seats and they can risk it with him for 2 years. It’s not like Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are bums out there on the field. Their D is still solid barring injuries. Cam is the answer. Not a rookie and not Tyrod Taylor. Hell, if you want a rookie sign Cam to 1 year prove it deal and have the rookie sit behind him. Rolling with Tyrod Taylor is an awful decision for a franchise trying to bring an audience.

With the 9th pick in the 2020 PW NFL Mock Draft , the Jacksonville Jaguars select:



Derrick Brown , DE/DT , Auburn

The Jaguars have gutted their roster and could look for pretty much BPA on other side of the ball , Brown is a top three talent in this draft and fits the mold of what the Jaguars wanting to rebuild their trenches. I could see them go OT here as well but the value of Brown is too good to pass up - especially after trading away Campbell - they not get a younger replacement in a similar mold.


The Cleveland Browns are on the clock!

With the 10th pick the Cleveland Browns select Mekhi Beckton, OT, Louisville.



When the Browns were terrible for years the one thing they did have was a hall of fame left tackle. Now they're actually decent, one of the things holding them back is a gap at that position. Greg Robinson wasn't the answer, and then he got busted trying to take a large human man's weight worth of weed into Mexico. Speaking of large human men, they don't come much bigger than Mekhi Beckton. There might be some question marks about his technique, but he seems like the sort of big rough and tough dude that might lend it self to working in the Browns locker room amongst some of the diva-ish talent.

The Jets are on the clock.

With the 11th pick, The NY Jets will select



WR Jerry Jeudy, Alabama

Might be a questionable pick given Joe Douglas pedigree is OLine and I was torn on either going OLine since two guys fell to pick 11 but Jeudy is a game changer at WR. He may not be the quickest WR in this class or most explosive but purely on technique and route running, he is a game changer for Sam Darnold. Perriman was signed to replace Robby Anderson but is on a 1 year show me deal, Jamison Crowder isn't the most durable, Quincy Enunwa has saw his season lost 2 of the last 3 seasons, point being we need a WR in the worst way possible.

Jets signed Alex Lewis, Connor McGovern, Greg Van Roten and George Fant to start on this OLine and I would not rule out more upgrades on Day 2 but the point being a need for WR is massive right here for this team as they need a number 1 to go guy for Darnold to flourish. Sure it is a deep class but to get an elite prospect at the spot is something the team has to do here.

The Las Vegas(Yes) Raiders are OTC!

Jerry Jeudy would be a wet dream for the Jets. Doubt it happens.

With the 12th pick the Las Vegas Raiders select CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma



Time for a run on receivers! I think Lamb is a nice fit for the Raiders, possibly more so than Jeudy. He's great at YAC which fits what Derek Carr has turned into in Gruden's offence, passing shorter and more accurately, and he's also an elite run blocker which is perfect for Josh Jacobs. The Raiders desperately need more firepower this season to make the playoffs, 26PPG isn't going to to it - and Lamb is a playmaker who can help them improve.

The Colts are on the clock.

Back to back to BACK?!

Oh yes.

The Indianapolis Colts select:
Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
- They did what? That’s right. History is made. 3 WRs in a row in the most loaded WR draft ever! They went for a field stretching playmaker! They brought in Rivers so they need to get Rivers some weapons. Rivers will have more time in the pocket this year then he ever had, but not the weapons to throw the ball to. A man who can take a short pass to the house and burn a lot of corners would definitely be a fun addition to a team with TY, Campbell and the Mack Truck. It might only please Rivers for one season but this team is my pick to win the AFC. Let’s do it!


The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are now on the clock.

There were three WRs drafted in a row in the first round back in 2016!

Niners own the Colts pick via trade of DeForest Buckner!

But that's ok because you give Kyle Shanahan Ruggs and man oh man.

Oh sorry that's my bad, I was looking at a mock from before that trade.

With the 14th pick, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select OT Andrew Thomas out of Georgia

They got Tom Brady, they have so many weapons and have a heck of a defense and with the two top corners long gone, lets get the Day 1 RT up and ready to go with last year's starting RT DeMar Dotson still a free agent. Thomas probably isn't here by this pick but the Bucs will be more than happy to get a key piece of that OLine to keep TB12 up and right. Will be the RT year 1 but in time will bump Donovan Smith and his giant salary over to the right side as Thomas earns Brady's trust to protect his blindside. They signed key reserve Haeg but if Andrew Thomas makes it to 14, they are taking him end of story. 

John Elway and the Denver Broncos are now OTC!

With the 15th pick the Denver Broncos select Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina.



JOHN ALWAYS GETS HIS MAN. Well, actually the Broncos would have liked one of the top WRs to pair with Courtland Sutton, but with them all off the board, they instead look to reboot what made them great a few years ago, and try and restack their defensive line. Bradley Chubb will be back as the other bookend to Von Miller, but they could really use some help on the interior, and Kinlaw is a versatile player with some real explosiveness and power. Kinlaw sounds like a raw prospect, but working with Vic Fangio and Bill Kollar gives him as good a chance as any to succeed.

The Atlanta Falcons are on the clock.

With the 16th pick, the Atlanta Falcons select DE/OLB K'Lavon Chaisson out of LSU

Vic Beasley out, Donte Fowler Jr in. Still though the Falcons need more on that front 7 and can use another pass rusher here to go after Brees or Brady or Teddy B. in that division. Chaisson was a massive contributor on that title team last season and should be ready to go out the gates.



HOW BOUT DEM COWBOYS OTC.

With the 17th pick the Dallas Cowboys select Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama

The secondary is definitely Dallas' weakest spot on the roster. They would have liked Henderson to replace Byron Jones but he went earlier than expected, so they make sure to address safety here because the position depth is not strong in this class. McKinney isn't a physical freak but he's the versatile player that you need in today's league. He can play nickel linebacker, he can blitz, and he can tackle. Plus this gives the Cowboys a pair of Xavier's with Woods the incumbent SS - and that's too cool to pass up.

The Miami Dolphins are back up!

Hate to hog up the picks but this is a complete must for Miami....

With the 18th pick, the Miami Dolphins select OT Jedrick Wills out of Alabama


Miami already got Tua with the 5th pick so lets not only get an immediate day 1 starter on the OLine but also his right tackle and teammate in college! Seems like a slam dunk, teams will look to trade up to get what is considered the final of the 4 tackles in this top of the draft. Miami continues to build their team with all of the draft picks that they have and get their QB and RT of the future here IMO.

Oakl.....Las Vegas Raiders OTC.

With the 19th pick the Las Vegas Raiders select Patrick Queen, LB, LSU.



My second pick in a row that fulfils a huge team need on defence. The Raiders probably had the worst linebackers in the league last season, and while they've taken steps to address that in free agency signing some solid NFL players in Littleton and Kwiatkoski, they could really use a stud athlete to round out the new group of starters. Queen's stock is up after a fantastic combine, and he could become the Raiders Roquan Smith-esque, sideline to sideline, three-down linebacker for the next decade.

The Jaguars are on the clock.

With the 20th pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars select DE/OLB Yetur Gross-Moss out of Penn St

Lets face it, Yannick Ngakowe has one foot out the door and is pleading to be dealt and refuses to take another snap for the Jacksonville franchise. They did draft Josh Allen last year but more of a focus needs to be on both stopping the run(Derrick Brown) and pass and for a defense that got bullied often last season, them getting two pieces here is big time. Gross Moss is seemingly a prospect getting better and will be a nice long term investment at the front 7 position for the Jags. Deeper cornerback class than pass rusher so Jags can wait for Day 2 to upgrade secondary.

Philly Eagles OTC.

With the 21st Pick of the PW Mock Draft , the Philadelphia Eagles select:

Tee Higgins , WR , Clemson


The Eagles need to get more weapons for Wentz if they are going to regain form on offense , also need to stay healthy. Higgin's is a big body target that would pair well with a healthy Jackson on the other side and a good replacement for Jeffrey.


The Minnesota Vikings (via Buffalo) or OTC!

With the 22nd pick the Minnesota Vikings select Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU.

All three of the Vikings starting corners moved on during the offseason, so to say this is a position of need would be a major understatement. Fulton is a bigger corner which Mike Zimmer has always favoured, and he has the press coverage skills similar to Xavier Rhodes before his play completely fell off a cliff - Fulton's forced incompletion percentage is the highest in the class.

The New England Patriots are on the clock.