Chase Hammes: 2020 NFL Mock Draft 2.0

by Chase Hammes (chasingthedraft) on November 19, 2019

There’s no better feeling then releasing another mock. I present to you my second mock draft of the year. Also, I have some big things coming so if you want to stay tuned or want to give feedback follow me on Twitter @chasingthedraft.

Notes to start with

The order for this mock is based off of what I’ve seen and my predicted order of finish.
It will update throughout the year to try to keep it realistic as possible.
The following teams do not have first round picks:
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Minkah Fitzpatrick)
- Chicago Bears (Khalil Mack)
- Los Angeles Rams (Jalen Ramsey)
- Houston Texans (Laremy Tunsil)
I have included the above teams’ first picks at the end of this article.

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1. Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow – (QB, LSU)

I was interested to see how Joe Burrow would look vs Alabama’s defense and he carved them up pretty easily. For right now he’s my QB1, and he would fit perfectly in Zac Taylor’s offense. Burrow would be surrounded by a good left tackle Jonah Williams, receivers John Ross, Tyler Boyd and running back Joe Mixon. A.J. Green is likely leaving in Free Agency, but Auden Tate has shown some flashes. Burrow’s poise, accuracy, anticipation and pocket mobility are all very special. In some ways he reminds me of Tom Brady with his pocket mobility and poise, but I see someone like Tony Romo at the next level.

2. Washington Redskins – Chase Young – (EDGE, Ohio State)

Washington is in a bad place right now with the Trent Williams saga and I think some big changes will be made over the course of the next year. With a new coach and potentially a new GM Washington could look at a quarterback, but Young is simply too good to pass up at this spot. Young is one of the most dominant defensive players I’ve ever seen in college, he’s far and ahead the best player in this years class. I think Young will grade out as the best prospect I’ve ever evaluated. Young was suspended 2 games for receiving money from a booster but I don’t think it should have any major impact on his draft stock.

3. Miami Dolphins – Tu’a Tagovailoa – (QB, Alabama)

Miami has messed up the tank, well kinda. They have won already won two games with Cincinnati and New York still on their schedule. I think it’s a very realistic chance that Miami has to part with one of their first rounders if they want to get Tu’a or Joe Burrow. If they lose one or both of those games then it won’t matter, and Tu’a is in my opinion the best fit for them. Tu’a has been banged up the last year and a half and dislocated his hip vs Mississippi State on Saturday. He’s expected to make a full recovery but I’m still worried about his durability. People are worried about his arm strength, and although it isn’t elite I think he will be a very good NFL QB.

4. New York Jets – Andrew Thomas – (OT, Georgia)

Shoot the Jets to the sun. Sam Darnold‘s looked like a disaster, Adam Gase is who we all thought he was, and they were taking calls for the leader of their team at the trade deadline. Hopefully they make a coaching change, but the priority should be trying to get Darnold back on track, and that starts with a new left tackle. Andrew Thomas is that dude at left tackle. He’s had an elite PFF grade all three years as a starter. He’s been the best offensive lineman in CFB the last 2 years. He would be a franchise left tackle for Darnold to be protected by for many years to come.

5. Denver Broncos – Tristan Wirfs – (OT, Iowa)

Garrett Bolles is horrendous but so is Joe Flacco so maybe they go Justin Herbert, but I think they see what they have in Drew Lock next year and then make a decision. Wirfs is a right tackle and some even want him at guard so I don’t love the fit, but Wirfs is such a good talent that I think he can play pretty much anywhere. He’s a mauler and a freak athlete who moves people at will. He’s known as more of a power player but he moves well in space and he still has a lot of upside as a pass protector.

6. Atlanta Falcons – Jeffrey Okudah – (CB, Ohio State)

Atlanta desperately needs help on defense. They spent a second round pick on Isaiah Oliver and he hasn’t been great, so It’s time to bring a true lockdown corner to Atlanta. Okudah is big time player who has great ball skills and plays great in man to man coverage. Okudah is next up as another great Ohio State corner prospect. He checks all the tools for a corner prospect, long, sticky in coverage and is great at making plays on the ball.

7. New York Giants – Jerry Jeudy – (WR, Alabama)

Well Daniel Jones has been up and down as expected but he has very little talent on offense and Jerry Jeudy is one of my favorite players to watch. He can step into the NFL right now and be one of the best route runners in the league. His elusiveness after the catch is special and would make the Giants offense a force with Saquon Barkely, Jerry Jeudy and Evan Engram. The future in New York doesn’t look too gloomy.

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8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Justin Herbert – (QB, Oregon)

Herbert has been my guy since his last half of his freshman year, and he’s still my QB1. I still think Miami and Cincinnati both have their guys and now Bruce Arians has his guy. Herbert is regarded as a Josh Allen type of prospect but that simply isn’t true. He doesn’t turn the ball over and he’s made NFL throws all over his tape the last three years. His consistency is still too spotty, and he will maybe need some time until he starts. With the right situation I think we’re talking about Wentz 2.0.

9. Arizona Cardinals – Josh Jones – (OT, Houston)

Arizona has surprised me this year, and the Kyler Murray–Kliff Kingsbury duo looks like it can actually be legit if they hit on their picks. They need to be able to protect Kyler Murray and that starts with replacing D.J. Humphries. Josh Jones is one of my favorite tackles in this years class. He’s a big, athletic left tackle who’s great as an anchor, and has an higher run blocking grade then pass blocking grade according to PFF. He still has some issues as a pass protector that need to be fixed, but he has an elite pass blocking grade and is PFF’s highest grade draft eligible offensive lineman.

10. Tennessee Titans – Derrick Brown – (iDL, Auburn)

Tennessee is my number one candidate to land Trevor Lawrence next year. But I could easily go quarterback here but I think they extend Tannehill this off season and ride it out for ’20-’21. They just took Jeffrey Simmons in the first round, but they still need help on the interior and Jurrell Casey is getting up there in age. Derrick Brown isn’t the best athlete but he’s a force against the run and dominates as a bull rusher. Good luck trying to stop Derrick Brown, Jeffrey Simmons and Harold Landry all at once.

11. LA Chargers – Jacob Eason – (QB, Washington)

The LA Chargers need some help on the offensive line, but they can land some guys in free agency as Philip Rivers only has a couple years left. Rivers isn’t the same quarterback he used to be, and he will be 38 in December. I wouldn’t feel great about taking Eason this early but he has some of the most wow throws on film this season. He has a huge arm but can also throw with touch unlike most guys like him. I really worry about his pocket presence, but I think that’s something that can be improved with more experience.

12. Cleveland Browns – Alex Leatherwood – (OT, Alabama)

Cleveland has been one of the most disappointing teams for me this year, and I think it starts up top but they also need to get Baker back to his rookie season form. After losing Joe Thomas to retirement two years ago the left tackle position has been underwhelming and Leatherwood is one of the smoothest pass protectors in this years class. He played at guard last year and wasn’t great, but he’s only allowed 5 pressures this year according to PFF.

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13. Oakland Raiders (via Chicago) – Isaiah Simmons – (LB, Clemson)

The soon to be Las Vegas Raiders have looked a lot better this year then last, but they still have a hole at linebacker that needs to be filled. Isaiah Simmons is a top 10 player on my board. He’s a SAF/LB hybrid who excels as a run defender and as a mismatch cover guy against slot receivers, tight ends and running backs. His pursuit speed is unreal and he’s downhill style will draws lots of fans in the draft community. I expect him to blow up the combine similar to Montez Sweat did last year.

14. Jacksonville Jaguars – CeeDee Lamb – (WR, Oklahoma)

Minshew Mania is over for at least this week, enter Nick Foles. Minshew had great chemistry with D.J. Chark, and although Chark has looked great they can use a truly dynamic weapon on offense. I expect a deep receiver class to push Jeudy, Lamb and Ruggs farther then they should, but Lamb has been lights out all year long for OU’s offense. He truly has no weaknesses as a receiver. His route running, hands, body control and after the catch ability make him an elite receiver prospect, and a future WR1 next to D.J. Chark. His best comparison is DeAndre Hopkins.

15. Carolina Panthers – Grant Delpit – (SAF, LSU)

Similiar to Derwin James, Grant Delpit was getting some top 5 talk this off season and he falls quite a bit. Delpit although a great player has missed too many tackles this year and could cause him to drop similar to former teammate Greedy Williams last year. Delpit is good in coverage and has he versatility to cover multiple different positions. Delpit would be an immediate upgrade at safety for Carolina, and would be an absolute steal if he’s still available.

16. Buffalo Bills – Henry Ruggs III – (WR, Alabama)

Buffalo needs a number one receiver they don’t make them like Henry Ruggs. He’s my 10th ranked player in this years class and my 3rd overall receiver. He has a shot to break the 40-yard dash record at the combine next spring, and he has one of the highest ceilings of anyone in this years class. He’s known as a speed guy, but he shows the ability to high point the ball in contest situations. If he becomes a more nuanced route runner at the next level I think he can be one of the best receivers in the league one day.

17. Miami Dolphins – A.J. Epenesa – (EDGE, Iowa)

Miami got this pick from Pittsburgh in the Minkah Fitzpatrick trade. Miami needs some help at edge rusher and Epenesa would be a good fit for Brian Flores’s defense. Epenesa hasn’t had the same production as he did last year, but he’s still a powerful edge rusher who is also very good against the run. I think he still has some untapped potential as a pass rusher and would be a great fit at this spot.

18. Philadelphia Eagles – Trevon Diggs – (CB, Alabama)

Philadelphia has one of the most talented rosters in the league, but they can’t cover anyone and it’s holding their team back. Jalen Mills has been one of the worst starters in the league, and they just need a number one corner to get back to contending. Trevon Diggs has a perfect frame for an outside cornerback and has all the athletic boxes checked as well. He has excellent ball skills after transitioning from wide receiver, with already 5 PBU’s and 3 INTs this year..

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19. Oakland Raiders – LaViska Shenault – (WR, Colorado)

Oakland has Tyrell Williams and Hunter Renfrow, but they need a more dynamic weapon in the passing game and Shenault will provide that. He can line up anywhere on at X, slot or even line up in the backfield and get a couple carries per game. He still needs to show he can consistently win outside one on one but with his size and his athletic traits I think he can win at a good level in the NFL. Colorado hasn’t done a good job using him this year, but I think he’s being undervalued right now and can be one of the steals of the draft if he stays healthy.

20. Detroit Lions – Kristian Fulton – (CB, LSU)

Detriot has one of the more underrated corners in the league with Darius Slay, but they don’t have a true viable CB2 on their roster. Some believe Fulton is a better prospect then Greedy Williams was last year and I’m a big fan. He’s another very good man coverage corner who has great ball skills the the experience that NFL scouts want. Like a lot of guys like him he’s not a good tackler and probably won’t ever be one, but that’s not a huge issue. According to PFF he has 6 PBU’s and has allowed only 46% of targets this year.

21. Jacksonville Jaguars (via Los Angeles) – Paulson Adebo – (CB, Stanford)

Jalen Ramsey was traded to the Los Angeles Rams so Jacksonville is going to have to find someone to play across from A.J. Bouye. Adebo isn’t everyone type as he’s an average athlete who is very good at coming up to make plays as a run defender. He’s not a guy I trust consistently in man at the next level because of the physicality you can use in college compared to the NFL. He’s honestly very similar to A.J. Bouye, and although I don’t think he reaches that level I think he can be a solid starter for somebody,

22. Indianpolis Colts – Javon Kinlaw – (iDL, South Carolina)

Jacoby Brissett is doing just enough to keep his job, and with no good QB prospect available Indianpolis needs to go best player available. Javon Kinlaw is one of the most slept on prospects in this years class. He has looked dominant in every SEC game this year and will look to further push his stock in Mobile at the Senior Bowl. His consistency is too up and down but he has some of the most ridiculous plays from an interior defensive line player this year in college. According to PFF he has a 90.4 grade on pass rush snaps this season.

23. Miami Dolphins (via Houston) – Jedrick Wills – (OT, Alabama)

Jedrick Wills was a 4 star rated offensive lineman recruit out of high school, but until this year he hasn’t lived up to that praise. According to PFF he went from a 68.7 overall grade last year to a 90.3 overall grade this year as Tua’s right tackle and blindside protector. Wills has great footwork in pass protection and also eats people up as a run blocker. He’s a guy who I wouldn’t be surprised if he went higher then this spot.

24. Minnsota Vikings – Marvin Wilson – (iDL, Florida State)

I was ready to hit the panic button for Minnesota earlier this year but Kirk Cousins has picked things up the last several weeks. Minnesota needs to keep investing into the trenches especially the defensive line after losing Sheldon Richardson. Marvin Wilson is out for the rest of the year with a hand injury, but he was one of the best defensive lineman this past year. He’s a giant (6’5 315) and he can move well for a guy his size. He’s a lot like Dexter Lawrence except he’s lighter and may be a better pass rusher. He would be a steal at this spot for Minnesota.

25. Dallas Cowboys – Ashtyn Davis – (SAF, Cal)

Dallas tried to trade for Jamal Adams and tried to acquire Earl Thomas last year, and they have to get an upgrade at safety. Davis is another guy I’m very excited got an invite to the Senior Bowl. He’s a single high safety who has great range, and impressive athletic tools. With Byron Jones potentially walking in free agency having Davis as a guy to move around make plays to ease the loss if he leaves this off season. He’s not the most physical guy but I love his coverage abilities at the next level. This is one of my favorite fits in this years class.

26. Kansas City – Bryce Hall – (CB, Virginia)

Patrick Mahomes was down a couple weeks with an ankle injury, and they’re still in the hunt in the AFC, but their defense still needs to be improved. Bryce Hall went down with an ankle injury, but I fully expect him to be a first rounder next spring.Like Adebo he’s willing to be physical and come and make plays against the run. He’s not an elite athlete, but he has great production the past two years with 22 PBU’s in 2019. He is another very good zone corner who will make a nice pairing outside with Kendall Fuller in the slot.

27. Green Bay Packers – Dylan Moses – (LB, Alabama)

Dylan Moses missed this year with a knee injury but he would easily be a top 15 pick if he was healthy this year. Green Bay added some pass rushers but they need another inside linebacker to pair with Blake Martinez. Moses is a freak athlete who excels going downhill and making plays against the run. He has great pursuit speed and also loves to hit. In coverage he still doesn’t process great but with coaching I think his athletic ability can elevate him to be a good coverage linebacker in time.

28. Seattle Seahawks – Carlos Basham – (EDGE, Wake Forest)

One of the surprise picks in this mock but I have a feeling someone will love “Boogie” enough to take him in the back half of the first round. He was a multi sport athlete in high school who has the traits teams look for in round 1 pass rushers. He needs to be coached up, but his frame and speed/power combination are rare to find. I expect him to continue to rise over the course of the next few months, similiar to Marcus Davenport in 2018. I have a feeling Pete Carroll will fall in love with Basham’s upside.

29. Baltimore Ravens – Curtis Weaver – (EDGE, Boise State)

This is a common mock draft pairing and one of the easier selections to make. Weaver is Baltimore’s prototype edge rusher. He doesn’t wow you with elite physical traits or bend, but he can line up inside or outside and win. His strong hands and get off are a nightmare for Mountain West opponents. He hasn’t faced elite competition at Boise State, but according to PFF he has the 2nd highest graded pass rushing grade in the country (93.1).

30. San Francisco 49ers – C.J. Henderson – (CB, Florida)

San Francisco remains undefeated this year and their defense is a big reason why, but the secondary could use some improvement. Ahkello Witherspoon and Richard Sherman are both good starters, but they’re lacking depth and Henderson can line up anywhere. I love his ability to mirror in man coverage, and I think he can take over the slot role from day one, but he can also play outside and play on deep threats.

31. New England Patriots – Hunter Bryant – (TE, Washington)

New England is the hardest team to predict and Hunter Bryant won’t appear in many first round mocks but he’s legit. After battling injuries the past two years he’s finally been healthy for the Huskies and he has produced. He has the versatility to line up anywhere on the Patriots offense. He has good size and the ablity to play outside as a boundary receiver and make plays. He’s a lot like former New York Giants first round pick Evan Engram.

32. New Orleans Saints – Kenneth Murray – (LB, Oklahoma)

New Orleans has very few holes but they need help at linebacker. Kenneth Murray has made himself a lot of money this past year. He has been the leader in the middle of Oklahoma’s defense the last two years. This year he has stepped up playing with speed and physicality that I didn’t see from him a year ago. He has a high understanding of route concepts and gets tested frequently in the Big 12.