2020 NFL Mock Draft: First-round mock with many trades
Linebacker. Jacksonville Jaguars. Isaiah Simmons. 9. player. 52.
This might seem a little late for Simmons and I tend to agree. It’s more likely a team trades up or someone falls in love with Simmons’ athleticism and pulls the trigger in the top 6, but I think Jacksonville is perfect landing spot for the Clemson backer.
Simmons stands 6-4, 230 and ran a blazing 4.39 forty at the combine. Simmons is a rare athlete that can play a plethora of positions. Inside backer, outside backer, edge, safety, and even some cover corner in certain spots. Jacksonville adds a Swiss army knife to begin rebuilding a defense that was one of the best in football only a couple years ago.
Highlighted by Josh Allen and Myles Jack, Isaiah Simmons slides right in to help bolster the *once again* rebuilding Jags.
Wide Receiver . Denver Broncos. Jerry Jeudy. 10. player. 45.
TRADE
Denver Broncos receives: No. 10 overall
Cleveland receives: No.15 overall, Denver’s second-round pick (46), Denver’s fifth-round pick (178), and a 2021 Day 2 pick.
Denver paid a lot to move up five spots after all the “blue chip” prospects are gone, but that’s the price they need to pay to land the Alabama wideout. With two wideout needy teams in front of them, it was a necessity to jump up and get their man.
Jeudy is an elite route runner with solid hands and great separation skills and explosion after the catch. I see him as a similar style player as former Broncos wideout Emmanuel Sanders, only better. Jeudy will be a perfect compliment to Courtland Sutton and give second-year passer Drew Lock another tool to help him take the next step.
30. . Offensive Tackle. New York Jets. Jedrick Wills. 11. player
The Jets have been rumored to be looking for a wideout in the first round but with Lamb and Jeudy gone, it makes more sense to get a tackle to protect Darnold who’s entering ‘prove it’ territory in New York.
Wills is a big, violent pass protector that has rare athleticism and footwork for a tackle his size. Wills also has the ability to get low and blow opponents off the ball in the running game, which bodes well for Le’Veon Bell, who despite being one of the better backs in the league for the last handful of years only managed 789 yards and three scores in 2019. Wills will be plugged in day one and can play either tackle spot at a very high level if need be.
44. . Cornerback. Atlanta Falcons. C.J. Henderson. 12. player
TRADE
Atlanta receives: No. 12 overall, Arizonas 6th round pick (202)
Arizona (via LV) receives: No. 16 overall, Atlanta’s 3rd rounder (78), 2021 4th, and 2022 Day 3 pick.
Atlanta has been linked to a trade up for a while, attempting to get into the top 10 to land a top prospect like Isaiah Simmons or Derrick Brown Unfortunately, they don’t have the draft capital to move up into the top 10. Instead they move up four spots after trading with a Cardinals team that is adding picks for the future to grab the second-best corner in the draft.
After releasing Desmond Trufant, Atlanta is void of corner talent and Henderson fixes that right away. Much like Okudah, Henderson helps Atlanta minimize the damage Michael Thomas, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and the hall of fame quarterbacks in the division can do.
player. 42. . Wide Receiver. San Francisco 49ers. Henry Ruggs III. 13
Can you imagine if the Niners would’ve had a burner on that late-game overthrow that would have all but sealed a Super Bowl 54 win? Going forward, Ruggs will be that burner.
San Francisco arrived a year early, taking the league by storm and charging its way to an NFC title and just coming short of winning it all. The 49ers were just one of the many teams eyeing Jerry Jeudy, but with Denver going all in to grab Jeudy three picks earlier, Jimmy G and Co. are left grabbing the speedy wideout to go opposite rookie standout, Deebo Samuel.
48. . Offensive Tackle. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Andrew Thomas . 14. player
Andrew Thomas begins his career by protecting the greatest quarterback in NFL history. Luckily for him, Brady’s ability to get the ball out quickly will make life much easier for Thomas as he feels out the leap from college to the pros.
Thomas is a natural pass protector with great length and technique. His skillset gives him the ability to have a lengthy NFL career, and he could end up being a future Pro Bowler.
. Safety. Cleveland Browns. Xavier McKinney. 15. player. 53
Cleveland grabs Alabama safety Xavier McKinney with his pick. The Browns are in desperate need of a left tackle, so that could very easily be the pick here. However, there are reports Cleveland is still sniffing around the Redskins and Trent Williams and based off the current demand from the Williams camp, the Browns will be able to nab Williams for much less than a first-round draft pick.
This allows them to focus on bolstering the back end of their defense with this rangy, hard-hitting defender. McKinney will provide ball skills, a sturdy last line of defense, and all-around versatility to the Cleveland secondary.
Offensive Tackle. Arizona Cardinals. Mekhi Becton. 16. player. 32.
Arizona has loaded up adding five additional picks between this year and next year’s draft and still winds up with a player who fills one of their top needs. A year after Kyler Murray went No. 1 overall, they draft Becton who is tasked with keeping Murray upright for the next decade-plus.
Becton’s strength and reach will give him the ability to throw edge rushers around giving Murray time in the pocket and the ability to move the pocket as needed.