Jake Apperley
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With the 2020 NFL Draft, a little more than two days away, here’s Pickswise mock draft for how teams will draft when Round 1 begins on April 23.
1. Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Burrow is a lock to be the No. 1 overall pick thanks to a brilliant senior campaign in which he won the Heisman Trophy and the National Championship.
2. Washington Redskins: Chase Young, DE, Ohio State
Young is arguably the best available player in the entire class, and that is absolutely what the Redskins need, regardless of position.
3. Detroit Lions: Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Ohio State products will likely fly off the board early and often, and Okudah has the size and speed to be a star at the next level.
4. New York Giants: Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
An offensive lineman is a possibility, but Simmons is the best player available here after turning in a stellar effort at the combine earlier this spring.
5. Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
The Dolphins have been hailed as Tagovailoa’s likely landing spot for more than a year, and now they can get him at No. 5. Passing on him is too big of a risk.
6. Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Although the word on the street is that Miami could be leaning toward Herbert, the thought here is that Herbert will fall to the Chargers at No. 6.
7. Carolina Panthers: Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
The Panthers’ rebuilding process includes a clear picture of what they want to do on offense, so it’s time to address the defense in round one of the draft.
8. Arizona Cardinals: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
Wirfs delivered some draw-dropping workouts last month. Quarterback Kyler Murray needs more protection so he can run around like a wild man in the backfield.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars: Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Brown falling this far would be ideal, but it probably won’t happen. Kinlaw racked up six sacks last season despite seeing plenty of double-teams.
10. Cleveland Browns: Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
In a deep offensive line class, Cleveland will get at least someone it needs at No. 10. Wills and Wirfs are in a battle to be the first OT off the board.
11. New York Jets: Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
Becton may have some substance-abuse questions, but his physical tools cannot be denied. He ran a 5.10 in the 40-yard dash while registering at 6’7’’ and 364 pounds.
12. Las Vegas Raiders: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Head coach Jon Gruden will want to get his new Las Vegas fanbase excited with the addition of a skill-position player. Lamb has emerged as the best receiver.
Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
13. San Francisco 49ers: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Will Lamb go ahead of the two Alabama standouts (Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III). Only time will tell, but any of them would be a good fit in San Francisco.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
At least for two more seasons, the Buccaneers are no longer in the market for a quarterback after signing Tom Brady. Now the 42-year-old must be protected.
15. Denver Broncos: Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
With the addition of Ruggs, quarterback Drew Lock would have an easier time impressing the front office. Of course, QB is also an option right here.
16. Atlanta Falcons: K’Lavon Chaisson, DE, LSU
Atlanta signed Dante Fowler to a three-year contract, but help is still needed in the department of pass-rushing. Chaisson would get playing time immediately.
17. Dallas Cowboys: C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
Dallas could go in several directions here—especially on the defensive side—but Henderson is the best player available, and cornerback is a need.
18. Miami Dolphins: Josh Jones, OT, Houston
Miami’s haul of first-round picks is going to have a theme: offense, offense, and more offense. Jones or running back D’Andre Swift could be picked here.
19. Las Vegas Raiders: A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
After first going with a receiver at No. 12, it’s time to improve the defense. There should be plenty of CBs going off the board in the mid-to-late first round.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars: Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
A cornerback is an option here, as the Jaguars own this pick stemming from their trade of Jalen Ramsey to the Rams. But Murray, who might not be available, would also work.
21. Philadelphia Eagles: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
LSU products and wide receivers will be big stories in the first round. So, why not take a former LSU wide receiver if you’re the Eagles?
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
22. Minnesota Vikings: Austin Jackson, OT, USC
Not the sexiest of picks, but the Vikings also don’t have to make a sexy pick. One of their few obvious needs is on the offensive line.
23. New England Patriots: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
Will the Patriots take to the draft to fill their first hole at quarterback in more than two decades? Maybe, but a safety is probably a more prudent way to go.
24. New Orleans Saints: Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
New Orleans is still in good hands with Drew Brees and once again doesn’t have much to do on offense. But the Saints are by no means kings on the defensive side of the ball.
25. Minnesota Vikings: Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
Minnesota owns two first-round picks thanks to a trade with Buffalo. It’s time for this team to get younger—and better—at cornerback.
26. Miami Dolphins: D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
Swift would add another jolt to the offensive makeover in Miami. He will probably be the only running back selected in round one.
Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
27. Seattle Seahawks: A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa
Don’t be surprised if a big run on edge rushers occurs late in the opening round. Seattle will be happy to get the party started.
28. Baltimore Ravens: Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State
If you want to win the AFC, you have to be strong up front and harass opponents’ backfields. Gross-Matos can do just that for Baltimore.
29. Tennessee Titans: Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
The Titans do two things well that helped them reach the AFC Championship last season: run the ball and stop the run. Their passing defense, however, needs work.
30. Green Bay Packers: Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
Look for Mims to wrap up the run on wide receivers in the first round. Green Bay does not want to waste the latter stages of Aaron Rodgers’ prime by refusing to give him help.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Cesar Ruiz, C, Michigan
The rich are getting richer in the NFC, as the 49ers are proud owners of two first-round picks. There is a good chance they address the offense with each one.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Zack Baun, DE, Wisconsin
Interestingly, both of the latest Super Bowl participants could improve in pass rushing and interior offensive line. If San Francisco goes with Baun, Kansas City could snag Ruiz.
Pickswise Draft Betting Guide By Position
Identifying the betting value on which players will get drafted first, second, or third by position below:
