Image via Getty
The Senior Bowl concluded two weeks ago and Super Bowl LIV just wrapped up. The Kansas City Chiefs are Super Bowl champions. Most teams and fans are focused on the offseason already, and how their franchise can reach the big game in the 2020 season. That means hyperfocus on the 2020 NFL Draft and the excitment around adding new players to the fold. From Joe Burrow and Chase Young to Tua Tagovailoa and Isaiah Simmons, this draft is loaded with elite talent that could push a team over the hump.
With all of the offseason hysteria comes with mock draft season, as we anxiously await the scouting combine and free agency to further clarify what could happen in late April. 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.
We'll do a few of these mocks throughout the offseason to update projections based on team fits and past tendencies. We're sure you're not going to agree with every pick, so make sure you tweet us with your thoughts through the entire draft process.
Ian Wharton's been covering the NFL Draft since 2013, and has provided independent evaluation services for professional teams since 2014.
No. 1: Cincinnati Bengals - Joe Burrow, QB
The Bengals have an easy decision with the No. 1 overall pick. The franchise needs a new direction after Andy Dalton failed to be a transcendent quarterback, and the quickest way to right this ship is to get the quarterback freshly off the greatest season we've seen from a collegiate player. Joe Burrow has to be the pick here.
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. A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd and John Ross is a great trio if Ross can remedy his drops. 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 easiest 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. 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 - Derrick Brown, DT
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 or staying put for the top defensive prospect is a tough decision.
This is a prime spot for Miami, Los Angeles Chargers, Carolina Panthers or even the Oakland Raiders to move up to, ensuring their chance at either Tua Tagovailoa or Justin Herbert. I think a swap between Miami and Detroit will happen at some point, but if Detroit stays put, they'll look at defensive tackles Derrick Brown and Javon Kinlaw, and cornerback Jeff Okudah.
Any of the above players can be argued for with good reasoning. Okudah's a dominant cornerback prospect with elite measurables and would finally solve this team's cornerback issues outside of Darius Slay. But Matt Patricia is a trench guy, and going with the devastating Brown to rebuild his defensive line would also be a well-reasoned decision.
No. 4: New York Giants - Jeff Okudah, DB
Similar to the Lions, the Giants have several defensive 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 the top offensive tackle look like the best options for new head coach Joe Judge.
I think the offense can wait in this scenario, especially since Okudah solves such a critical defensive need and the line is closer to average in overall talent. Getting a right tackle in later rounds is more likely than finding a shutdown, Pro Bowl-talent at corner. Thus, adding Okudah to a young unit with Deandre Baker would be ideal.
Okudah's physicality for his frame is outstanding, and he projects best as a man coverage option. That's ideal with Baker, who struggled as a rookie but profiled best as a No. 2 anyways.
No. 5: Miami Dolphins - Tua Tagovailoa, QB
Maybe the Miami Dolphins will get to have their cake and eat it too. Landing Tua Tagovailoa without having to sacrifice any of their treasure chest full of picks would be a massive win for the franchise so long as the Alabama product proves healthy, which isn't a given considering the fact he's had three injuries requiring surgery in college. His injuries seem random and unrelated but it's hard to predict how the body will handle the rigors of football.
I don't think Tua will fall this far unless there's medical concerns, though. Tagovailoa is as talented as Burrow, except younger and has more of a track record of being an elite prospect. He's of the franchise-quarterback ilk, including his on-field play and personality. He's the type of guy that draws followers and inspires others, which is a massive area of focus for the Dolphins front office.
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 Tagovailoa. 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 - Justin Herbert, QB
Saying that Philip Rivers looked cooked at the end of last year shouldn't be a hot take, and the Los Angeles Chargers should be willing to let the franchise icon walk in free agency as they look for a quick rebuild of their offense. This defense is still young and talented, and the offense can be retooled for early success.
I think this is the spot for a veteran quarterback like Teddy Bridgewater or Derek Carr, if the latter is moved. But without knowing for sure, the Chargers could re-sign Melvin Gordon and change the offense to more of a traditional offense around Justin Herbert. Though I'm not in the camp that sees Herbert as a real difference-making player, there's not much of a better situation than the Chargers for him to develop even as he plays early.
Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Austin Ekeler will all be back in the fold if the Chargers so choose. Adding Gordon back into the mix and staying healthy for once makes this time primed for a playoff run. Herbert should be steady enough, even as a rookie, to manage that.
No. 7: Carolina Panthers - Isaiah Simmons, LB
The sudden and shocking retirement of Luke Keuchly makes this projected pick pretty easy. As tempting as Javon Kinlaw or a top offensive tackle is, simply watching the 2019 college football season showed us just how amazing Isaiah Simmons was for Clemson. He's the perfect defender for 2020.
Simmons and Shaq Thompson would immediately form the most unique and dangerous linebacker duo in the NFL due to their versatility and athleticism. New head coach Matt Rhule could use Simmons as a pseudo-safety in nickel formations, or utilize base with two non-traditional speed linebackers who can drop into coverage with ease. Rhule's talked about playing to his available talent at Baylor, and this pick would further embody that mindset due to the progressiveness of it.
This pick is assuming that the Panthers address the cornerback position in free agency. Retaining James Bradberry should be a priority, but if he walks, Okudah could be the pick if he's still on the board. Donte Jackson is locked in already as the other starter.
No. 8: Arizona Cardinals - Andrew Thomas, OT
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 or opt to surround Kyler Murray with a top pass catcher? Both are of immense need after failing to adequately obtain either last year.
Right now I think Steve Keim will push for adding a legitimate tackle to help Murray become more of a natural pocket passer and try to take advantage of the Day 2 talent at receiver than the opposite approach. Georgia's Andrew Thomas is my top option, capable of bulldozing defenders in the run game or acting as a brick wall as the blind side protector. He could even go to the right tackle position if D.J. Humphries finds consistency and can be good enough at left tackle and still prove to be valuable.
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 CeeDee Lamb and Thomas are both on the board still, but their choice will show how they value certain positions under this regime.
No. 9: 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 the ninth pick.
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 impressively consistent low pad level despite standing over 6'6".
The Jags could also consider a top receiver, Isaiah Simmons or a cornerback, depending on how the board falls to them. They'll benefit from being in a good position to take a highly-skilled player at a critical position of need by jumping on whoever it is that falls.
No. 10: Cleveland Browns - Jedrick Wills JR, OT
A new year, another new regime in Cleveland. With Andrew Berry in as the new GM of the Browns, it's easy to spot the few holes on a star-heavy roster. 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. It's possible Greg Robinson is retained since the left tackle free agency market is bare, making right tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. an immediate starter. His time at Alabama showed one of the most pro-ready and well-rounded prospects at the tackle position that the school's produced.
Wills' two-year stint as the starter allowed him to become a powerful force in the run game yet technically refined as a pass blocker. He's more polished than anyone in the class. His biggest knock is his lack of experience at left tackle and some teams may not value him as highly due to it.
No. 11: New York Jets - Mekhi Becton, OT
The biggest riser in the early parts of the offseason 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 - CeeDee Lamb, WR
Generally I don't put playmakers above similar talents at more valuable positions, and that's why CeeDee Lamb fell this far. But I love the Oklahoma product enough to stay that he's likely a top-six player in this class. He's a fantastic athlete and polished technician with A.J. Green-like potential.
The 6'2", 190-pounder racked up almost 3,300 yards and 32 touchdowns in his three-year career, blossoming into an unstoppable force in his junior season. His remarkable flexibility and speed for his size allows him to dominate on jump balls or take a screen pass to the house with ease. I have no doubt he's a No. 1 receiver in the NFL.
The Raiders would do a backflip if he fell to them. Though they need another pass rusher, cornerback or linebacker, passing on Lamb would be a critical mistake and an example of valuing need too much. They're in a good spot to go with the best overall talent and still fill a need.
No. 13: Indianapolis Colts - Jerry Jeudy, WR
The Colts are in a similar spot as the Raiders in terms of looking at needs and value. This is a popular spot to mock Jordan Love since the Colts lack a franchise quarterback, but I wouldn't be surprised if they wait to take a developmental talent until Day 2 or even 2021 in order to see how Jacoby Brissett does when he's fully healthy. Plus, Jerry Jeudy would be a nice steal at 13.
The Colts offense desperately needs a talent infusion at wide receiver. T.Y. Hilton is already turning 31 this coming season and has dealt with injuries seemingly every year. This team needs to add at least one solid starter and another talented playmaker who can blossom over the next year or two.
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. 14: Tampa Bay Buccaneers - AJ Epenesa, EDGE
Trying to predict what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will do this offseason 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.
Running this thing back and banking on more defensive improvements with experience and hoping Winston cuts down on his turnovers makes sense. That means adding someone who can play a lot in 2020, and the biggest need on this team is for an impact pass rusher. Good news is that A.J. Epenesa falls to them in this mock.
Epenesa was talked about as a similar prospect as Chase Young prior to the year, but then Young ascended into a new tier and that talk quickly disappeared. That doesn't mean Epenesa isn't a clear first-round talent though; he'll be an immediate upgrade on a defense that really lacks an edge presence besides Carl Nassib. They'd want to run the card up with his name as soon as they're on the clock.
No. 15: Denver Broncos - CJ Henderson, DB
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 could justifiably add an impact receiver at 15 or look to bolster the defensive front with a linebacker like Kenneth Murray. The best value mixed with need is going with cornerback C.J. Henderson. The Florida product is well-rounded enough to fit in Vic Fangio's mixed scheme and is physical enough to be an asset in the run game.
Chris Harris Jr. could depart in free agency, but the Broncos need another corner regardless. Fangio's working with a limited group in terms of versatility and upside, and Henderson would walk in as a Day 1 starter. This would become one of the better secondaries in the league if they can re-sign Harris and land Henderson.
No. 16: Atlanta Falcons - K'Lavon Chaisson, EDGE
One of the more random late-season surges in recent years came from an Atlanta Falcons team that looked dead to rights before ripping off six wins in eight weeks. Credit goes to Dan Quinn and the adjustments he made to save his job for 2020, though this roster is quickly looking worse as time separates us from their 2017 Super Bowl appearance. Timing is running out for this roster to avoid a rebuild movement.
The offensive line could use more help, running back is a need, and the secondary is now bad. However because Vic Beasley disappeared the last two years, the Falcons would be wise to grab K'Lavon Chaisson from LSU if he's still on the board at No. 16. The quickly-rising pass-rusher is red hot after his playoff performances and is a good value in the middle of the first.
He'd slide in as a starter immediately, which is huge for Thomas Dmitroff and Quinn. He profiles perfectly as an end, especially if he's allowed to be more free in a pass rushing role than the more conservative approach that LSU usually takes with their ends. Chaisson would be a nice sleeper for defensive rookie of the year in Atlanta.
No. 17: Dallas Cowboys - Henry Ruggs III, WR
There's not a more interesting team this offseason 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. Expect them to draft the best player available of whichever player they lose.
Objectively, they should let Cooper walk. He's inconsistent and more replaceable if Dak Prescott is the star quarterback that they'll pay him like. Jones is a better player at a more valuable position. This shouldn't be a hard decision despite the fact the Cowboys gave up a first-round pick for Cooper.
Should they make that choice, then Henry Ruggs III would be a nasty addition to this offense. Ruggs is a terrific athlete and would instantly be one of the few fastest men in the league. Revamping this offense around Ruggs and Michael Gallup would give the Cowboys one of the more fun and affordable playmaking groups moving forward since both are on rookie deals.
No. 18: Miami Dolphins - Josh Jones, OT
I mentioned that the Dolphins need to build around Tua Tagovailoa under that pick, 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 CeeDee Lamb 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 - Xavier McKinney, S
We're going back into the defensive well for the Jacksonville Jaguars after taking Javon Kinlaw earlier. Going either cornerback, safety or linebacker is all justifiable, and if they lose Yannick Ngakoue to free agency, then edge is another need. I think Ngakoue gets franchised and they'll add a veteran at cornerback to help fill Jalen Ramsey's shoes, meaning this would be a solid spot for the first safety to come off the board.
Alabama's Xavier McKinney is my favorite of the available options. Though not nearly as good as Minkah Fitzpatrick was for Nick Saban, McKinney's versatile and projects as a well-rounded safety who can be trusted single-high or in two-man assignments. He's a safe prospect who should be at least an average player at his position early in his career.
Adding a sure tackler who can play in space or near the line and still produce turnovers is a good recipe for the Jaguars. Former teammate Ronnie Harrison is a terrific pairing for McKinney, and the Alabama duo can be augmented by D.J. Hayden as a slot corner. This secondary can be rebuilt quickly.
No. 21: Philadelphia Eagles - Trevon Diggs, 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 corner. 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 Trevon Diggs of Alabama. He'd give Jim Schwartz a long, lengthy player who's comfortable in zone assignments and communicating at a high level. He's a plug-and-play starter who can be a solid player for a long time.
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 better if Tee Higgins falls to them.
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 - Tristan Wirfs, OL
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. Thus I expect the Patriots to keep the offensive line elite if the board plays out like this.
Tristan Wirfs can play tackle or guard, and the Patriots will likely lost Joe Thuney and Ted Karras to free agency. So Wirfs can slide into the guard position and they expect David Andrews back from injury in 2020. The other options would be adding a pass rusher but there's not one I love here at this spot.
No. 24: New Orleans Saints - Kenneth Murray, LB
If I'm the New Orleans Saints, I'm quietly hoping Drew Brees retires and Teddy Bridgewater can take over for half the cost. Brees looked done despite getting a chunk of the season to rest, but he's a legend and he rightfully can decide when he'll retire. Anyways, let's assume the Saints keep one or both of the two quarterbacks this offseason.
Adding another viable receiver to go with Michael Thomas would be smart and adding fresh blood to the secondary is a must at some point, but I like the value for linebacker Kenneth Murray at this spot. The tackling machine from Oklahoma was considerably better in 2019 under new defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, boosting his value into this range. He's the right modern middle linebacker to invest into.
Murray would slide into Kiko Alonso's role and upgrade the run defense immediately, while saving almost $8 million in cap space if they cut the injured veteran. That's smart cap and asset management, and the Saints have shown growth in that area over the last few years.
No. 25: Minnesota Vikings - KJ Hamler, WR
Maybe it's counterintuitive to invest into the receiving position when Kirk Cousins is coming off a career-low passing attempts in 2019, but the Minnesota Vikings offense needs to prepare for the future while still adding impact players in 2020. New offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak shouldn't change the formula too drastically from created last year based on his tendencies. However the Vikings completely lacked a third receiver beyond Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, so it makes sense to dip into the deep talent well in this class.
The other storyline to watch is whether Diggs will actually stay in Minnesota long-term. He voiced displeasure this past year and it's easier to move him in the offseason. So injecting a speedster like K.J. Hamler helps now and later regardless of what happens with Diggs.
Onto Hamler's game, he's simply electric as a game-changing presence. Whether he's getting a few targets or more than 10, he's able to house a simple slant pattern with his acceleration or draw zone defenders away from underneath routes because of his threat level. He's a candidate to be an even more effective NFL player than he was in college due to the situation he's coming from at Penn State.
No. 26: Miami Dolphins - Zack Braun, LB
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. And edge rusher is extremely important for a defense that finished last in sacks last year, and has no real clear answer for a long-term producer. Enter Wisconsin edge Zack Braun to the mix and Miami can utilize him much like New England has Kyle Van Noy playing.
Braun can easily switch between coverage or rushing roles and be highly competent in both. So while he may not be utilized as a traditional end at all times, Brian Flores has experience getting the most out of guys who are as comfortable going uphill as they are backwards.
No. 27: Seattle Seahawks - Cole Kmet, TE
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 continue building around Russell Wilson and the offense. Adding another receiver later on makes sense, but Tyler Lockett, D.K. Metcalf and David Moore is a nice trio that needs depth behind them. There's a massive need for a better tight end, though.
Notre Dame's Cole Kmet would be the possession option for Wilson that can finally be a long-term solution. He's very good in all categories, which means early playing time opportunities because this staff will value his blocking. And Wilson can take advantage of his quick cuts and sharp routes with timing routes, which would also protect Wilson from unnecessary hits.
No. 28: Baltimore Ravens - Grant Delpit, S
Some people love LSU safety Grant Delpit and think he's a top-10 talent in this class. I just don't see that type of impactful, consistent performer in coverage. Much like his predecessor Jamal Adams, creating turnovers matters as far as valuing this position and Delpit doesn't quite justify that cost.
The late first-round makes more sense even though he missed 20 tackles in 2019. He showed more coverage ability as a junior than he did in years past, though his tackling was worse for whatever reason. Putting him into the right role is important, and he can be terrific with less space to run downhill and take a bad angle.
That situation would be in Baltimore in a secondary with Earl Thomas, Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters. He'd be the hammer who can also cover tight ends, further solidifying their Cover 3 looks. Tony Jefferson should be cut to save money and get healthier, and Delpit is a seamless replacement.
No. 29: Tennessee Titans - Jordan Love, QB
Finally, I feel comfortable putting Jordan Love into this mock. Maybe teams will be more bought in after a good Senior Bowl showing but the tape from his career doesn't lie; Love saw boosted numbers as a sophomore due to scheme and surrounding cast, then crashed quite a bit when everything else declined. His beautiful passing motion could only carry him so far.
The terrible, repeated issues reading underneath coverages plagued him as he tallied 17 interceptions. It's one thing to miss on the occasional short or intermediate route, but his misses lead to costly interceptions too often. He feels more like Josh Allen than anyone else, and to me this is a better value for that type of project than top-10.
The Titans have a good situation to develop him, though. They can bring Ryan Tannehill back and ease Love into a role that won't ask him to do a ton early on. Their run-heavy approach asks the quarterback to do less until they can't, and I think that's best for Love early on.
No. 30: Green Bay Packers - Laviska Shenault, WR
Arguably the best fit of this mock comes all the way at the end, with the Green Bay Packers landing Laviska Shenault Jr. of Colorado. The versatile playmaker burst on to the scene last year with 1,126 total yards and 11 touchdowns, and then followed that season with almost 1,000 yards in a limited offense. His ability to create on catches downfield or after the catch on screens.
The Packers need help badly at receiver despite some positive signs from Allen Lazard and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Shenault is pro-ready with good speed but fantastic balance, hands and route-running. He can produce much like A.J. Brown did for Tennessee as a rookie.
Aaron Rodgers and Matt LaFleur would greatly benefit from a talent that can move all around and be comfortable right away. A more powerful Randall Cobb or Sammy Watkins without the robust speed would be my comparison for Shenault.
No. 31: San Francisco 49ers - Justin Jefferson, WR
Pending free agents will shape the San Francisco 49ers draft decisions. Emmanuel Sanders and Arik Armstead are the big two who need deals on limited space. It's possible the team allows Sanders to walk and replace him with a first-round pick.
LSU's Justin Jefferson should be a favorite of this coaching staff. The lanky 6'3", 192-pounder is a masterful route technician with solid quickness and acceleration. He's also dangerous after the catch, which is exactly what Kyle Shanahan has prioritized in recent investments at the position.
His explosion onto the draft scene came as he tallied 111 catches, 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns for the national champions. His pairing with Deebo Samuel is a nice start to a dynamic long-term duo, and it's a workable group even if Sanders is retained since the rest of the depth chart is so uninspiring.
No. 32: Kansas City Chiefs - Jeff Gladney, DB
The good news runs deep for the Kansas City Chiefs. They're Super Bowl champions and are armed with a high-quality roster that still has assets to utilize after Patrick Mahomes gets his mega-extension. The future is extremely bright, though they'll have to deal with several key pending free agents this offseason.
Defensive tackle Chris Jones must be re-signed, and they need to make a decision on Kendall Fuller and Bashaud Breeland. I'd recommend keeping Breeland on a multi-year deal of the two and replace Fuller with a rookie. In this mock, speedster Jeff Gladney would be an excellent value at the end of the round.
Gladney ideally fits into a man scheme and would be moving inside in this scenario for the Chiefs, but his traits project well there. His ball skills are quality but would see an uptick in the slot, where he can focus more on the ball than the receiver. This would keep the Chiefs young, affordable and versatile in the secondary for years to come.