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The 2020 NFL scouting combine wrapped up this weekend and it's full-on mock draft season. We have a ton of updates from our last mock now that we have some testing numbers to pair with film grades.
This is a good exercise to see how different teams tend to value need against pure talent that's available. As easy as it is to say that player X "won't be available" at a certain point, these mocks show scenarios where surprising names fall to unexpected ranges. It's fun to simulate how five quarterbacks going in the top-15 will affect the rest of the draft, for example.
We'll do a few of these mocks throughout the off-season to update projections based on team fits and past tendencies. Make sure you tweet us your thoughts and projections.
No. 1: Cincinnati Bengals - Joe Burrow, QB
The Bengals have an easy decision with the No. 1 overall pick as far as addressing the quarterback position. Not only is fresh blood needed as Andy Dalton was clearly not the savior for the franchise, but they have the rare opportunity to pick from two great quarterbacks. Joe Burrow should be their choice, especially after clarifying that he's good with the Bengals drafting him.
Burrow's blend of accuracy, playmaking and mobility make him one of the strongest prospects in recent memory. Zac Taylor will need to mitigate the number of intermediate throws outside the numbers in order to hide Burrow's average arm, but expect Burrow to continue addressing that area of his game. He already showed progress throughout his career at Ohio State and LSU, so it's possible he'll either continue to make do with his arm strength or see some improvement.
The rest of the Bengals will need some work to push the unit into a competitive territory but the bones are there. They need to extend A.J. Green and Joe Mixon, and hopefully John Ross can fix his drops, but their playmaker corps has terrific potential. The line has underperformed, and though Burrow's excellent at creating time, a better unit will keep him alive for longer.
No. 2: Washington Redskins - Chase Young, EDGE
The next clear decision of the draft is Washington's as long as Chase Young is on the board. Already with an Ohio State quarterback as their anchor of the offense, adding another former Buckeye to be their defensive foundation would bring a quick rebuild. New head coach Ron Rivera would surely be thrilled to see Young as his pass-rushing centerpiece.
Young's in the same stratosphere as Myles Garrett and Von Miller as a prospect. We've seen recent Buckeyes Joey and Nick Bosa be fantastic NFL stars quickly, but Young's more athletic than those two. His technique and strength aren't at their level, but he'll be an impact player in Year 1 just like the aforementioned group.
He's a can't-miss talent even without combine data. The Redskins could use help at tackle and in the secondary but there's no justifiable way to pass Young. And don't expect a quarterback here like the Arizona Cardinals opted to do last year, considering owner Dan Snyder personally wanted local product Dwayne Haskins in the 2019 NFL draft.
No. 3: Detroit Lions - Tua Tagovailoa, QB
The common saying will be that the draft really starts with the No. 3 overall pick. The Detroit Lions are a tough team to predict as far as direction, because they're not nearly as bad of a roster as their record says but they also have several key defensive needs. Trading down to accumulate picks from a quarterback-needy team, staying put for the top defensive prospect, or starting to transition away from Matthew Stafford should be a real discussion within the organization.
There's been substantial smoke about the Lions being ready to move on from Stafford and the blowback from fans and pundits has been harsh. The reality of his contract numbers has been overblown though; if the Lions draft Tua Tagovailoa, they can start Stafford in 2020 and move him in 2021, they'd start seeing considerable cap savings and avoid the massive cap charges seen if traded this year. And though Stafford's numbers have been impressive and he's not been "the problem" in Detroit, he's not been good enough to overcome roster limitations and his health issues are piling up.
With Tagovailoa getting extremely optimistic reviews, I'd take him here at No. 3 and start a succession plan. Matt Patricia and company may not have the luxury of long-term planning, which would mean targeting Jeff Okudah or Derrick Brown and sticking with Stafford. But the chance to get a quarterback who'd go No. 1 overall most other years would be great value.
No. 4: New York Giants - Isaiah Simmons, LB
Similar to the Lions, the Giants have several needs they could easily justify taking with the No. 4 overall pick. This is also a trade-down candidate, though I doubt general manager Dave Gettlemen would do so after a long-standing history of staying put. In this scenario, Jeff Okudah or defensive playmaker Isaiah Simmons can help transform the defense.
I think the offense can wait in this scenario, especially since the team has significant cap room to operate in free agency and has addressed some key spots in recent years. The release of Alec Ogletree was justified since he wasn't anything special, but it clearly opens a need. Combining the versatile Simmons with the talented defensive line that Judge inherited is a great start to revamping the unit. More help at cornerback is needed but it's a deep class and the position can wait until the second-round.
The rumors of Tom Brady being a possibility for the franchise is also notable. The Giants should absolutely sign him in favor of forcing Daniel Jones to start, if the opportunity presents itself. The offense has enough talent to succeed with a more competent quarterback, and the defense can be realistically fixed up in free agency to be a competitive team in 2020.
No. 5: Miami Dolphins - Justin Herbert, QB
Anyone other but a quarterback at No. 5 for the Miami Dolphins would be shocking. Moving up to No. 3 still seems likely, but if Detroit or someone else takes Tua Tagovailoa before Miami can get him, their preferred next-option looks like Oregon's Justin Herbert. Herbert's thus far been an off-season winner after a mediocre senior campaign.
Herbert has every physical trait needed to be great, but his mechanics and natural feel for the game leave room for improvement. He needs to be more accurate and process faster to be more than a high-level game manager. I wouldn't take him this highly but he can be a Jimmy Garoppolo-caliber quarterback with the right staff and surrounding cast.
Miami can be a good situation for him if they use their assets properly. They could use a long-term starter at every offensive line position, and another receiver and a stud running back to go around Herbert. Expect free agency to solve a few of those holes and their other high picks to help augment veteran signings.
No. 6: Los Angeles Chargers - Jedrick Wills Jr., OT
The Los Angeles Chargers wisely made it known that the Philip Rivers-era is over since he looked cooked last season, and now they'll look for a quick rebuild of their offense. This defense is still young and talented, and the offense can be retooled for early success.
Taking a cornerback like Okudah would be tempting in this situation, but Jedrick Wills Jr. is the best tackle prospect in the class and would immediately make an impact.
Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Austin Ekeler will all be back in the fold if the Chargers so choose.
No. 7: Carolina Panthers - Jordan Love, QB
Carolina would love to see Isaiah Simmons fall to them here, but they'll have a couple of options if he's off the board. Cam Newton is on his way out and Teddy Bridgewater is in town. Still, the Panthers could look towards the future at QB with thsi pick.
The buzz is that Jordan Love will go high despite a poor 2019 season. He has a beautiful throwing motion and creates chunk plays with his athleticism and ability to keep his eyes downfield. There's a lot of raw talent for Joe Brady to work with, though his skill set is quite different from Joe Burrow's.
Reworking Love's footwork to be more precise and timing-based will be key, and he has to read underneath defenders much faster than he did last year. Brady helped Burrow in those areas and we saw the massive growth he experienced. Starting Newton in 2020 and moving on to Love next year is a real possibility as Matt Rhule starts his NFL journey.
No. 8: Arizona Cardinals - CeeDee Lamb, WR
Arizona has one of the tougher decisions of the top-10 in terms of where they want to go philosophically. Do they go the traditional route of rebuilding their offensive line, add a stud cornerback or opt to surround Kyler Murray with a top pass catcher? All are of immense need after failing to adequately obtain either last year.
CeeDee Lamb has been heavily mocked here and for good reason. He's a phenomenal prospect with his ability to win with size pre-catch and speed post-catch. Going into another friendly scheme that'll maximize his opportunities to use his diverse skill set will lead to immediate production.
This will be a big test of how the franchise will act with Kliff Kingsbury. I don't think there's a wrong answer considering that Lamb, Jeff Okudah and Thomas are still on the board, but their choice will show how they value certain positions under this regime.
No. 9: Jacksonville Jaguars - Jeff Okudah, DB
Is it possible that the best cornerback since Marshon Lattimore will fall to the ninth pick? It seems unlikely, but quarterbacks going higher than expected would lead to an extremely talented player falling further than ever anticipated. And the Jacksonville Jaguars would pounce immediately to replace Jalen Ramsey with Jeff Okudah.
The Jaguars' immense investment into their defense over the years now needs retooled as players have aged or burned out. Pairing Okudah with A.J. Bouye would again give them a top duo to revamp around. Adding a safety or defensive tackle is another priority.
This team doesn't feel too far away from being competitive if they can stay healthy and figure out the quarterback position. Nick Foles' play in 2020 will determine their upside but at least the rest of the roster is getting stronger, so there's an argument they're a good quarterback away from being a true playoff threat.
No. 10: Cleveland Browns - Andrew Thomas, OT
It would be shocking if the Browns opted to address anything but the offensive tackle position.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski will need two tackle additions this offseason and the 10th overall pick is ripe to add one starter in a good class for them. We know that Greg Robinson won't be back on to the team thanks to his marijuana incident, so the direction of this pick will be scheme-based and dependent on who they can acquire in free agency. Mekhi Becton doesn't look like a great zone-scheme fit with his size, but Georgia's Andrew Thomas is more nimble and projects as a left or right tackle well.
Thomas is a plug-and-play prospect in this scheme. Already familiar with the zone concepts and partnership with Nick Chubb, the Browns would need to see improvements from whoever lines up at right guard and the opposite tackle. But filling one of the tackle spots with this pick would be a big win for the new regime.
No. 11: New York Jets - Mekhi Becton, OT
The biggest riser in the early parts of the off-season has been Louisville tackle Mekhi Becton. NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah spilled the beans on him via Twitter and the hype has followed since. It's deserved though, as the 6'7", 369 pounder is one of the best athletes for his size I've ever seen.
His enormous size translates exactly how you'd hope on the field. His reach and strength are devastatingly effective, and it's clear he was too much for collegiate competition. He's still quick in his pass protection sets to recover against speed rushers, meaning he'll be effective even if his technique isn't perfect due to his immense physical traits.
The Jets need help all over but finally getting a stonewalling presence at tackle is important. Both Sam Darnold and Le'Veon Bell require more assistance than the garbage line that was put on the field last year. Becton fills a massive need while arguably being the best value here as well.
No. 12: Las Vegas Raiders - Jerry Jeudy, WR
The Las Vegas Raiders could be looking to address the quarterback position, but the board only leaves them with one possible first-round option: Jacob Eason. I don't think Jon Gruden will see Eason as a bigger difference-maker than Derek Carr, so he'll go best-player available with Jerry Jeudy.
The Raiders absolutely need another downfield playmaker on this roster. Combined with Tyrell Williams and Darren Waller, this trio would be downright scary and capable of creating chunk plays with ease. Gruden would love Jeudy's ability to play inside the slot or outside.
Jeudy's a fantastic playmaker, boasting top-notch speed and route running ability. His body control to catch tough passes allows him to play with less precise quarterbacks and not seem like a wasted asset. Jeudy should be a considerably impactful player even as a rookie with his polish.
No. 13: Indianapolis Colts - Derrick Brown, DT
The Colts are in a similar spot as the Raiders in terms of looking at needs and value. The roster could use another impact receiver or pass-rusher, and they land an absolute steal in this mock. Most have Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown as a top-eight lock, but quarterbacks being forced upward moves him down. General manager Chris Ballard would almost be obligated to take Brown if he fell this far.
Brown's a massive 6'6" presence that can get after the quarterback with a unique blend of power and speed. He was extremely disruptive in the SEC, and his traits project him to be an excellent interior rusher. He'd immediately fit into a deep rotation that could use a star as their anchor.
Quarterbacks and receivers would get a look here if the board fell favorably for either position. Adding playmakers around Jacoby Brissett needs to be a priority, if not drafting a successor for Brissett. They're a candidate to trade up if Justin Herbert starts falling or if they believe in Jordan Love as a franchise-type.
No. 14: Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jacob Eason, QB
Trying to predict what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will do this off-season would be even tougher had they not finished the year with five wins in eight games to finish with a 7-9 record. They felt ripe for an overhaul, starting with Jameis Winston. But then they had a strong run with Winston and they need to deal with his pending free agency.
Head coach Bruce Arians' remark that they can win with another quarterback doesn't bode well for Winston, though. There's considerable talk that Tampa Bay will move Winston, sign Philip Rivers and take his successor in this draft. With how the board has fallen, Jacob Eason makes sense as a protege.
Eason's a raw but physically gifted passer. The power thrower would be comfortable in Arians' under-center approach, but he needs to significantly improve his intermediate and deep accuracy through mechanical adjustments. Working with Byron Leftwich could be the secret for Eason to unlock the potential that his bazooka arm promises.
No. 15: Denver Broncos - Henry Ruggs III, WR
Though it's surprising the Denver Broncos let offensive coordinator Rick Scangarello go, hiring Pat Shurmur should be a quality move for this unit. Drew Lock is a talented passer who will likely struggle more in 2020 than his few starts this past year as the league adjusts to him but there's a lot of talent on this roster to help him. This is an ascending team.
General manager John Elway must consider addressing the defensive backfield, but the chance to go with an elite deep threat is tempting. Alabama's Henry Ruggs III had a monstrous combine and is a benefactor from running under a 4.3 40. Some scouts believe he was the best receiver on Alabama's roster in 2019, which is notable considering how good Jerry Jeudy and Devonta Smith are.
A Courtland Sutton, Henry Ruggs and Noah Fant combination would be a fearsome trio for the AFC West to face twice a year. They'd stretch defenses vertically and have varying skill sets to keep defenses scrambling to match up.
No. 16: Atlanta Falcons - K'Lavon Chaisson, EDGE
The Atlanta Falcons should very clearly address their defense, and their need for a pass-rusher is extreme as any team's in the league. Luckily for them, one of the major risers K'Lavon Chaisson is available. If he's gone, cornerback would be the next logical area for the team to consider.
But an edge-rusher is a must since Vic Beasley is on the way out and Takkarist McKinley looks like a bust. The only way this defense will regain its once-elite status is to pressure the quarterback at a much higher rate without blitzing. Chaisson would be ideal.
Chaisson gained valuable experience in Dave Aranda's defense, preparing him to be more than just a pass-rusher. He's a strong run defender as well, meaning he'll be an immediate upgrade on a defense that really lacks an edge presence. They'd want to run the card up with his name as soon as they're on the clock.
No. 17: Dallas Cowboys - Xavier McKinney, S
There's not a more interesting team this off-season than the Dallas Cowboys. They have three premier free agents but limited resources to take care of them, meaning it's more than likely they'll lose one of Amari Cooper or Byron Jones. Talk around the league is Cooper's deal will get done, and Jones will walk.
That leaves Dallas with a massive need to bolster their secondary. Replacing Jeff Heath's snaps is important, and there's enough corner depth in free agency and the draft to think they'd benefit from taking the top safety in the draft, Xavier McKinney. The Alabama product isn't quite as good as Minkah Fitzpatrick but he's from similar ilk and will be a solid player right away.
McKinney can play up high in Cover 1 and Cover 3 or split in two-high formations. He's a solid but unspectacular run defender, making him more attractive than Grant Delpit. Getting a good starter right here is proper value for a defense that needs that instant impact.
No. 18: Miami Dolphins - Josh Jones, OT
I mentioned that the Dolphins need to build around whatever QB they end up taking, and the 18th pick is the perfect spot to land an impactful blocker to replace Laremy Tunsil. Getting their choice of the next tier of blockers is important, so though some may feel Josh Jones is a reach, getting their guy makes sense. Trying to wait until the 26th pick is risky since this is the trade zone.
Jones is an exciting prospect for teams with faith in their offensive line coach. The Houston prospect has every physical tool needed to be an excellent starter, but needs work with his hand placement and strike speed. Those are fixable skills that Miami can afford to endure in 2020 while they groom Tua for 2021.
Going with Tristan Wirfs or an interior prospect like Creed Humphrey also makes sense. This draft is more about finding the foundational pieces for the next several years than anything else for Miami, so they can take a solid presence instead of a high-upside piece like Jones if it's more comfortable. Chris Grier has an enviable position with his rebuild due to these assets and flexibility.
No. 19: Las Vegas Raiders - Patrick Queen, LB
We already added Jerry Jeduy to the Las Vegas Raiders roster earlier, and now it's time for some speed to be injected into Jon Gruden's defense. The Raiders desperately need help at linebacker and they get lucky as LSU missile Patrick Queen is still on the board. He's another incredible riser thanks to his performance as LSU surged in 2019.
Queen's much like Atlanta's Deion Jones, able to drop into coverage like a safety, rush the passer like a decent edge presence, and stop the run well enough to be a legitimate middleman in spread-heavy attacks. Even if offenses change to more tight formations and trends change, Queen will have value as an overhang coverage option against slots and tight ends.
The Raiders defense needs more help than just Queen but the building blocks are coming together with Maxx Crosby, Trayvon Mullen, Mo Hurst and Clelin Ferrell being nice young pieces. Finding another corner, a safety and another linebacker have to be priorities for this unit but Queen would immediately help.
No. 20: Jacksonville Jaguars - Javon Kinlaw, DT
The Jacksonville Jaguars have dumped a ton of assets into the trenches over the last several years but they'll need to go back into that well. Their interior defensive front desperately needs an impact body, and South Carolina's Javon Kinlaw is thankfully still on the board in this scenario. It's quite possible both he and Derrick Brown will be gone by their first pick, let alone this far down the board.
Kinlaw could easily be the second-best defender in this class. He's massive and strong yet nimble, capable of penetrating the pocket quickly enough to fold passing plays and disrupt rush attempts. He plays with an impressively consistent low pad level despite standing over 6'6".
The Jags could also consider a receiver, edge defender or safety here. Kinlaw's simply too good to pass up though, and their defense would be much more interesting in 2020 with Okudah and Kinlaw headlining their acquisitions.
No. 21: Philadelphia Eagles - Cameron Dantzler, DB
Everyone expects the Philadelphia Eagles to go wide receiver at No. 21 and it'd be completely justified if they do. However, they lost out on Henry Ruggs III to their division rival earlier, and I'd argue that fixing the cornerback position is more important for this team than adding a first-round receiver. The positional depth in this class plays a massive part of that justification.
The Eagles' defense has somehow stayed competitive despite having limited talent at the corner position. I like Sidney Jones but he hasn't found the consistency they need to keep his name penned in as a starter, and neither Rasual Douglas or Avonte Maddox have done enough to be locked in long-term. Adding new blood to the mix is a must.
My choice here is Mississippi State's Cameron Dantzler. He's a riser from the combine based on interview feedback and drills, and fits nicely into Jim Schwartz's varied scheme.
No. 22: Buffalo Bills - Tee Higgins, WR
The Buffalo Bills are sitting in a really good spot as far as roster flexibility and talent to build around, depending on your feelings on Josh Allen. I don't think they can win anything meaningful with him and he'll be stuck in the below-average-to-average range for his career, but that doesn't mean they should stop building around him. The playmaking corps around him is strong and would get even stronger if Tee Higgins falls to them at pick 22.
Higgins was the forgotten man in college football for much of the year due to the team's talent depth. He showed out whenever given the chance because of his incredible ability to win with the ball in the air. He's the best in class at contorting his body near the sideline, adjusting to passes as late as he can to prevent the corner from challenging him, and has enough speed and quickness to become the complete package from a No. 1 receiver.
Buffalo has quality receiving talent already with John Brown, Robert Foster, Dawson Knox and Cole Beasley, but Higgins would really solidify their group. I'd argue a guard would be a wise investment as well if Quinton Spain leaves, but Higgins is a great value here.
No. 23: New England Patriots - AJ Epenesa, EDGE
Over time the New England Patriots' roster has become less impressive due to attrition and refocusing on value than starpower. It's worked as Tom Brady and this coaching staff have been able to overcome roster limitations. That changed this past year after both Antonio Brown and Josh Gordon flamed out, and losing Trey Flowers in free agency hurt their pass-rush.
There's not a fix-all at No. 23. Adding another receiver would make sense if Brady's retained and he could find success with a rookie, but one hole on his resume is the inability to produce with a rookie. It's also seeming more likely that Brady departs and they'll try to win with a journeyman like Philip Rivers, Teddy Bridgewater or a similar option.
The best value though is Iowa's A.J. Epenesa. His combine was subpar, but Bill Belichick would happily add someone who is used to reading run keys and finding success as a skill-based pass-rusher. He can play anywhere from a 3-4 end, 4-3 strong-side end, or nickel defensive tackle.
No. 24: New Orleans Saints - Justin Jefferson, WR
We know that Drew Brees is back, so now the Saints must do whatever it takes to keep him productive. Addressing their linebacker position or adding to their offensive line deserves consideration, but combine winner Justin Jefferson gets the nod with a stock boost here. Jefferson dominated the combine like he did on the field with LSU as he racked up 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns.
His combine performance had scouts and social media buzzing with excitement. His 4.43 40, 37.5-inch vertical and 126" broad jump confirmed his athleticism is a difference-making factor, and has high-end No. 2 receiver upside. Fitting him next to Michael Thomas would be excellent for both the Saints offense and Jefferson's potential impact.
The Saints have done well to find production from no-namers and veterans besides Thomas, but investing a significant pick for a Year 1 starter is wise for Brees' success.
No. 25: Minnesota Vikings - Jeff Gladney, DB
The Vikings had one of the stronger rosters in the NFL last year, but they're tight on cap space and have to deal with losing several defenders to free agency. There's also the potential of a Stefon Diggs trade, which would almost force them to draft a playmaking receiver if he's dealt. I don't think they'd actually move Diggs, so we'll focus on plugging one of their defensive needs.
TCU's Jeff Gladney is one of the more impressive competitors of the class. The 5'10", 191-pounder is physical and fast, and he fits the modern NFL better than ever before despite being shorter than some would prefer. His ability to smother quick, shifty receivers allows him to play inside, while his physicality and ball skills allow him to survive outside.
The uncertainty with Mike Hughes' health, Trae Waynes' pending free agency and Xavier Rhodes' effectiveness basically forces Minnesota to spend again at the position. Hitting on Gladney and getting lucky with Hughes' health would go a long way in re-solidifying a position that looked set just a few years ago before age and injuries struck.
No. 26: Miami Dolphins - Ashtyn Davis, S
Miami's back on the clock with a new quarterback and left tackle of the future, and there's plenty of options here. They could go back and address the offensive line, go with a receiver or running back or a cornerback. Any of those is justifiable to a certain level.
Going with the most valuable position if the talent's similar the best play. Edge-rusher Zack Baun will be considered, but we'll go with Ashtyn Davis of Cal to act as Brian Flores' Devin McCourty. The speedy, rangy single-high safety can help transform the back-end of the Dolphins defense.
Building around playmakers like Xavien Howard and Davis, and surrounding them with players like Eric Rowe, Nik Needham and possibly Reshad Jones would be a marked step-up in personnel from last year. Even if Jones is jettisoned for a draft pick, the combination of Davis and Rowe is a surprisingly good complimentary situation.
No. 27: Seattle Seahawks - Zack Baun, EDGE
Some teams tend to be easier to predict as far as player profiles and positional value because of tenure, and Seattle's firmly in that boat. Pete Carroll and John Schneider go for the same type of player, and we'll have a great idea of their direction post-combine and free agency. We have to see how they handle Jadaveon Clowney's contract situation, but they'd be smart to keep the pass rusher and avoid creating a massive hole.
With that in mind, I'd like to see them address the other pass-rusher position that 2019 first-rounder L.J. Collier utterly failed to fill last year. Collier looked the part on paper but had subpar film compared to his draft slot, and Seattle now must compensate by finding a good athlete who can help on Day 1. Luckily Zack Baun is available in this mock.
Baun's a versatile piece who can rush the passer or drop back into coverage and be an above-average performer. His 6'2", 238-pound frame allows him to be fast and fluid, but still effective as a LEO-type speed end.
No. 28: Baltimore Ravens - Kenneth Murray, LB
As impressive as Baltimore's 2019 leap with Lamar Jackson was, their stunning playoff loss to Tennessee showed how their defensive overhaul built some limitations against certain matchups. Loading up on secondary pieces left them vulnerable after losing C.J. Mosely and Za'Darius Smith, and the Titans pulverized them on the ground. Drafting Oklahoma's Kenneth Murray would provide a clear answer at middle linebacker for the next decade.
Murray is a rangy presence in coverage, but amassed huge tackle numbers in college thanks to his constantly improving run prowess. His junior season showed marked development with his hand usage and attack angles, helping the Sooners' defense become a respectable unit. He'd have a similar impact on the Ravens.
With Josh Bynes, Patrick Onwuasor and Matt Juden slated to hit free agency, Murray would give an affordable solution to a major area of need. It's possible he's considered as early as Oakland's second first-round pick, and several other contenders could use his talent. This is a great value if the situation presents itself.
No. 29: Tennessee Titans - Tristan Wirfs, OT
We'll assume Ryan Tannehill or Philip Rivers are at quarterback for the Titans in 2020, meaning this front office will look to keep their investment upright and healthy. Tennessee was a breakout playoff surprise but continuing to progress deeper means hitting perfectly on a few draft picks. With Jack Conklin staring free agency in the face, the Titans can get one of the most athletic tackles in the class to replace him.
Iowa's Tristan Wirfs was a huge winner from the scouting combine. Some project him as a top guard prospect capable of going much higher than this, but he'd fit well into the Titans' punishing run attack as a tackle. They're able to protect him in the passing game just like they did with Conklin for four seasons.
The other consideration should be another pass-rushing linebacker or cornerback since their depth is weak at both spots. Allowing Logan Ryan to walk in free agency would be a smart way to save money and replace him with a rookie, while Harold Landry needs another legitimate rusher across from him.
No. 30: Green Bay Packers - Denzel Mims, WR
Another combine winner who sees a boost in this mock is Denzel Mims. While Laviska Shenault Jr. struggled and is injured again, Green Bay would be wise to target this healthy, dynamic physical specimen instead. Mims is a svelte 6'3", 207 pounds, and has the traits to become a fantastic complimentary piece next to Davante Adams.
His Baylor tape showed a playmaker with great balance, timing on jumps, and body control on sidelines. Though not an especially experienced route-runner, he's smooth and quick like Courtland Sutton was, which projects well for development. And his physical profile is extremely promising.
His 4.38 40, 38.5-inch vertical, and 6.66 3-cone time should have Matt LeFleur and Aaron Rodgers drooling. Mims would immediately add a new type of weapon for this unit and could alter how the NFC North race plays out despite being a rookie.
No. 31: San Francisco 49ers - Kyle Dugger, S
Could a Division II player make his way into the first-round over LSU's Grant Delpit? That possibility seemed as unlikely this time last-year, but Delpit's mediocre junior season coincided with Kyle Dugger's emergence as a terrific hybrid safety. Scouts have the two graded similarly and the combine was another helpful moment for Dugger.
The 6', 217-pounder has a massive wingspan that helps him challenge receivers in man coverage or swat the ball as a help defender. He's a physical presence as well, making him a threat to deliver jarring hits that stop offenses from moving upfield. There may not be a better Jimmie Ward replacement in this class.
Replacing Ward with an affordable and reliable talent will be huge for the 49ers due to their cap situation. Investing into someone with Ward's injury history would be a considerable risk. They can simply avoid that pitfall by taking advantage of a good safety class.
No. 32: Kansas City Chiefs - Ezra Cleveland, OG
The Super Bowl champs enter free agency with several priorities, and how they handle Sammy Watkins, Chris Jones (expect the franchise tag at least), Bashaud Breeland and Kendall Fuller will directly affect this draft pick. Getting Watkins back on a reduced salary would be helpful, and retaining at least one of the corners and Jones would give them freedom to continue building the offense.
Andy Reid and Brett Veach have communicated their willingness to keep the offense as talented as possible, meaning bolstering the offensive line is possible. Though the unit is very good, they're stronger as a unit as individuals. Upgrading the left guard or center spot would be helpful for their long-term play.
Combine winner Ezra Cleveland is custom-made for their zone-blocking scheme. The 6'6", 311-pounder dominated drills, and confirmed how athletic he looked on tape. He's a candidate to play anywhere on the line and develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber zone blocker.