BTD’s 2020 NFL Round One Mock Draft

1. Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow - QB (LSU)

John: This one’s been obvious since January. The Andy Dalton era has ended without a playoff victory, and the Bengals need a new signal caller. They’ll get the best in the class with Burrow. He tore apart the SEC this year en route to a National Championship, with 5,671 yards and 60 touchdowns. Those are absurd numbers, and he belongs with an absurd organization like Cincinnati.

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2. Washington Redskins: Chase Young - EDGE (Ohio State)

Travis: This one is a gimme. No explanation needed. But let's explain it anyway cause this is a blog and you're hear to read. Chase Young is probably the best player in this draft and the NFL team in Washington DC could really use a disruptive force on the edge. Many have stated that Young is better than his former teammate Nick Bosa who was drafted in the same slot last year and tool home the rookie defensive player of the year award.

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3. Detroit Lions: Justin Herbert - QB (Oregon)

The_Coach: Most people aren’t sure that the Lions will go for a quarterback at this spot, but it’s important to remember that Matt Stafford is already 32 years old and coming off an injury-shortened campaign. Herbert is the classic NFL prospect with a big arm and a strong football IQ. Detroit will probably trade this pick or grab Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah, yet I liked the idea of Herbert, even if he’s trade bait.

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4. New York Giants: Isaiah Simmons - LB (Clemson)

Ross: This pick came down to Simmons or Tristan Wirfs, and both are big needs for the Giants. Reports have been coming out that Dave Gettleman is enamored with Simmons and is leaning towards this pick, so this what I rolled with. Simmons gives the Giants a baller in the middle of the defense as the team rebuilds on all sides. Simmons can lead this defense for the next decade.

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5. Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa - QB (Alabama)

John: With the Lions grabbing Herbert, the Dolphins’ decision has been made for them. They’ll grab one of the most productive QBs of the last few years in Tagovailoa. If not for his injury and Joe Burrow being ridiculous Tagovailoa would be the number one pick this year. The Dolphins are getting a steal.

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6. Los Angeles Chargers: Jeff Okudah - CB (Ohio Sate)

Travis: Gonna be honest. I panicked here. Things moved fast after Detroit went rogue and picked the Oregon QB at 3 (because that worked out well last time). Anyway I went with the best talent on the board even though the Chargers have a solid defensive backfield. In retrospect I would have taken the next man off the board in Tristan Wirfs.

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7. Carolina Panthers: Tristan Wirfs - OT (Iowa)

The_Coach: Wirfs is probably my favorite prospect in recent memory. He’s a massive tackle from a college program who knows how to turn out NFL talent, especially on the offensive line. Carolina will look for defense here, but talent is talent. I’m not sure if their trade for a 31-year old Russell Okung fixes their issue at tackle. They’d regret passing on Wirfs with the #7 overall pick.

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8. Arizona Cardinals: Mekhi Becton - OT (Louisville)

Ross: The Cardinals grab a massive human being to protect Kyler Murray’s blindside. Becton will require most work of perhaps all of the top four o-linemen, but Becton’s upside is far and away the best. The addition of a quality tackle, and not to mention adding DeAndre Hopkins, could stack the Cardinals offense and kickstart their resurgence. Plus, watching a 6’7” offensive tackle block for a 5’10” quarterback will be a comical sight.

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9. Jacksonville Jaguars: Javon Kinlaw - DT (South Carolina)

John: A couple seasons ago the Jags had to choose between having one of the best defenses in the league or drastically overpaying Blake Bortles. They chose poorly. They’ve done some work getting the D back together, and Kinlaw should give them a boost. After recovering from hip surgery, he looked stellar in his final season at South Carolina, and should be ready to go day one.

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10. Cleveland Browns: Jerry Jeudy - WR (Alabama)

Travis: A linemen would make most sense, but it's the Browns and they rarely make sense. With Jeudy in the fold they can trade OBJ to a team willing to massively overpay.

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11. New York Jets: CeeDee Lamb - WR (Oklahoma)

The_Coach: I’m not sure why I went with Lamb since this is the Jets’ pick and they’d probably find a way to mess up and pass on a perfect fit like him, but nonetheless, here it is. Lamb is exactly what Sam Darnold needs as the young quarterback tries to grow into a franchise player. He’s a guy who can play a few different receiver spots and has limitless big-play potential.

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12. Las Vegas Raiders: Henry Ruggs III - WR (Alabama)

Ross: Speedy receivers are an all-too familiar target for the Raiders. Like a high school sweetheart you just can’t get over, the Raiders go rushing back to get Tyreek Hill 2.0 here. Ruggs isn’t just a speedster, he is a defined route runner and is built to take the hits in the NFL. Adding Ruggs would give the Raiders a home run threat at wide receiver, whether it’s Carr or Mariota throwing him the ball.

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13. San Francisco 49ers: Andrew Thomas - OT (Georgia)

John: The Niners get a steal here, with one of the best O-Lineman in the draft. Thomas can slot in just about anywhere on the line, and is incredibly physically gifted. His presence could turn Offensive Line into one of San Francisco’s strengths.

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14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jedrick Wills Jr. - OT (Alabama)

Travis: Tom Brady is 63 years old and needs someone to protect him for at least a couple more years til he is eligible for Medicare. That's a lot of pressure to put on Wills shoulders, but they are rather broad so I think he can handle it

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15. Denver Broncos: Derrick Brown - DT (Auburn)

The_Coach: One of the few picks where I had to go for the best talent available and disregard need of positions, Brown falling to this spot would probably shake up Denver’s draft board. Putting a run stopper like him in the middle of that exciting Broncos’ defense would be a scary thought. I love plug-and-play guys who will do their job and not be an issue and the Auburn run-stopper appears to be that kind of talent.

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16. Atlanta Falcons: C.J. Henderson - CB (Florida)

Ross: Falcons reportedly already want to trade up for Henderson. In our draft, they land him at 16 anyways. Cutting Desmond Trufant when Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Julio Jones and Michael Thomas are all in your division is BAD news. Adding a ballhawk like Henderson helps immediately against the NFC South.

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17. Dallas Cowboys: K’Lavon Chaisson - EDGE (LSU)

John: A risky pick, considering Chaisson has only put together one full season as a starter, but absolutely one the Cowboys would make. Chaisson was an absolute nightmare for SEC quarterbacks to deal with, and will bring amazing pass rushing instincts to the pros.

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18. Miami Dolphins: Xavier McKinney - S (Alabama)

Travis: Miami defense=bad. Xavier McKinney = good at defense. I'm no mathematician but this seems like a good match.

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19. Las Vegas Raiders: Kristian Fulton - CB (LSU)

The_Coach: Fulton is a likely choice for Las Vegas who need talent across their defensive secondary, especially at the cornerback spot. He possesses solid fight at the point of attack for the ball and is a strong reader of any underneath routes that unfold in front of him. Fulton had 38 tackles and 14 pass breakups at LSU in 2019, but has had some past off-field issues. I don’t think the Raiders will mind too much.

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20. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jeff Gladney - CB (TCU)

Ross: The Jags just need defensive backs who know which direction the ball is going. Gladney helps the Jags fill a void at CB after trading away A.J. Bouye and Jalen Ramsey. Jags start a retooling of their secondary with this pick.

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21. Philadelphia Eagles: Tee Higgins - WR (Clemson)

John: Wide receiver is a need for Philly, and while there’s been a bit of a run, Higgins is still a great grab here. He showed excellent ability to change direction and create separation at Clemson, and is versatile enough to slot into any position in their receiving corps.

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22. Minnesota Vikings: Justin Jefferson - WR (LSU)

Travis: There were rumors that they tried to trade for former LSU star WR OBJ earlier this week. That didnt happen so let's get them another LSU alum for Kirk Cousins to target.

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23. New England Patriots: Jordan Love - QB (Utah State)

The_Coach: When Love was still on the board and New England came up, it was impossible to pass up on the gunslinger that every “expert” has linked to the Patriots. The 6’ 4”, 225-pounder is a great athlete and excitable play-maker, but consistency (especially with turnovers) is a concern. Taking over for Tom Brady in New England is a huge ask, especially of a rookie, but someone will have to bear that weight.

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24. New Orleans Saints: Kenneth Murray - LB (Oklahoma)

Ross: That punk Coach stole Jordan Love from me. But that’s okay, Saints can add a QB later this draft or next year. Saints instead grab Murray to help solidify the middle of their defense. Last I checked, Todd Gurley and Christian McCaffrey are in the NFC South, and the Bucs will probably add a running back in this draft. The Saints need a sideline-to-sideline linebacker than can shut down these running backs.

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25. Minnesota Vikings: AJ Epenesa - EDGE (Iowa)

John: Epenesa doen’t fulfill the Vikings biggest needs, but there aren’t great fits here at corner or wide receiver. Minnesota could use a pass rusher, and Epenesa had great production at Iowa and fit the mold of what they should be looking for. He’s good value here.

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26. Miami Dolphins: Zack Baun - OLB (Wisconsin)

Travis: Why do the Dolphins have so many dam picks??? Here take a linebacker. This one is from Wisconsin. Miami may be a culture shock for him, but assuming he adapts he should be a pretty solid addition to Miami's putrid defense.

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27. Seattle Seahawks: Isaiah Wilson - OT (Georgia)

The_Coach: The Seahawks need some help on defense, but they could also use a player that would be the future face of their offensive line. Wilson is a massive 6’ 6”, 350 pound talent that probably has his best football still in front of him. He’s a late bloomer who played his high school football in Brooklyn and played only two years at Georgia. His upside is massively high, so long as he continues to progress.

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28. Baltimore Ravens: Denzel Mims - WR (Baylor)

Ross: Mims has been a late bloomer in the draft class and has seen his draft value sky rocket over the past few months. Pairing Mims’ size and physicality with Hollywood Brown’s speed give the Ravens a scary wide receiver duo. Mims is a bit of a risk, but his stock arrow is pointing up and could give the Ravens a downright filthy offense.

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29. Tennessee Titans: Josh Jones - OT (Houston)

John: While he’s been held back by a pair of injuries, Jones has shown remarkable improvement in his time at Houston. He’s got all the physical traits required to be a great left tackle, and the Titans are positioned perfectly in the draft to pick him up. Their line is good, but Jones may be a bit more of a developmental prospect, and could use time to learn.

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30. Green Bay Packers: Laviska Shenault Jr. - WR (Colorado)

Travis: Is this a reach? Yup. But this dude is freakishly talented and if he can stay healthy he gives Aaron Rodgers some tools to play with.

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31. San Francisco 49ers: Grant Delpit - S (LSU)

The_Coach: San Francisco’s most immediate needs are at wide receiver, cornerback and across their offensive/defensive lines. However, a game-changing talent like Delpit could sure up their safety position for the next decade. The LSU star is a lot of talent to land this late in the first round. He’s a play-maker who likes to get downhill and operates comfortably in both pass coverage and run support.

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32. Kansas City Chiefs: J.K. Dobbins - RB (Ohio State)

Ross: Okay, giving the Chiefs J.K. Dobbins isn’t fair. Like this totally sucks for any defense ever in the NFL. The Chiefs already have the probably the best offense in the league. Giving them a true workhorse back that can rush and catch would be borderline illegal. If the Chiefs add a bellcow back this draft, expect a lot of 50-burgers this season.