2020 NFL mock draft: How the combine shakes everything up

The NFL combine has passed and damn did this class of rookies put on a show. I got UBER hyped about this class of wide receivers but you can say the same about this class of offensive linemen, defensive backs, quarterbacks, even a couple of running backs. It’s going to be a wild and fun NFL draft, I can promise you that much.

Now that we’ve officially passed the combine, it’s time to check out how the draft stands now with all the hype and news coming out about these rookies. You can’t tell me Tua Tagovailoa is going to last until the Dolphins at 5 anymore.

Here’s my latest NFL Draft mock after the combine.

1. Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

Moving on...

2. Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

Dolphins trade picks 5, 18, 39 to Washington for pick 2

Washington would be smart to drum up all the Tua hype they can and get Miami to panic that he won’t make it down to 5. As it is, I’m not sure Tua now makes it past the Lions at 3 given how he looked at the combine. The Dolphins get their man and that’s what matters in their book.

3. Detroit Lions: Chase Young, DE, Ohio State

If Young makes it to the Lions, Matt Patricia might just be able to keep his job post the 2020 season. Young would instantly improve Detroit’s defense at every level and would help get after Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins and.... nope, that’s it. Those are the only QBs in the NFC North.

4. New York Giants: Isaiah Simmons, EVERYTHING, Clemson

I had the Giants taking Simmons here in my last mock and after he ran a freaking 4.39 40, he’s not moving anywhere. Simmons will be the game wrecker the Giants’ defense desperately needs.

5. Washington: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa

Wirfs might have had the best combine performance out of everyone. He’s 6-foot-5, 320-pound who ran a 4.85 40 and had a 10-foot-1 broad jump, tying the record. He certainly has the athleticism to play tackle for Washington, and with Trent Williams’ future still uncertain, this is the move to make for Washington.

6. Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon

Herbert balled out in the throwing drills at the combine, making all his throws look easy and dropping more than a few dimes:

Easy pick for the Chargers here.

7. Carolina Panthers: Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn

The Panthers might be the happiest team about Miami moving up as it pushed Derrick Brown all the way down to seven and the Panthers would love to add a run-stuffing, pass-rushing big man in the middle of their defensive line.

8. Arizona Cardinals: Jedrick Wills Jr., OT, Alabama

The Cardinals need to keep Kyler Murray upright so it’s easy to give them one of the top tackles here. Wills is a natural right tackle but could play on the left side as well if needed.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State

Okudah looked like a sure-fire STUD in the combine and the Jaguars should be ecstatic if he made his way all the way down to 9. (Also the Jags just traded A.J. Bouye to the Broncos so they reaaaaally need a cornerback.)

10. Cleveland Browns: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

Just like the Cardinals above them, the Browns need to keep Baker Mayfield upright and Thomas instantly improves an offensive line that struggled in 2019.

11. New York Jets: Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville

Becton killed it at the combine, running a 5.1 40 while still weighing in at 364 pounds. He’s quick enough in the pass game but can get going downhill and block like hell in the run game. Would help both Sam Darnold AND Le’Veon Bell in 2020 which I, as a fantasy football enthusiast, am all about.

12. Las Vegas Raiders: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma

The Raiders get their choice at wide receiver and they go with Lamb, who had a terrific combine. Lamb ran a 4.5 40, jumped 34.5 inches in the vertical jump, and looked great catching the ball in the on-field drills:

13. Indianapolis Colts: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama

The Colts won’t say no to getting the most polished wide receiver in this year’s draft. Jeudy can run every route and has the ability to make plays after the catch. Pairing him with T.Y. Hilton (when healthy) and Parris Campbell could lead to an explosive passing attack for whomever starts at QB for the Colts in 2020 Philip Rivers.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa

Ndamukong Suh, Jason Pierre-Paul, Carl Nassib, and most importantly Shaquil Barrett are all free agents this offseason. It’s going to be wildly expensive to keep that whole crew together. Epenesa adds a pass rusher who can play inside and outside and help replace whoever leaves in free agency.

15. Denver Broncos: Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama

John Elway likes his big, strong armed quarterbacks and there’s no better receiver to pair with a guy like that than Ruggs, who showed off his speed at the combine running a 4.27 40. Ruggs would also pair quite nicely with Courtland Sutton who emerged last year as a great big bodied receiver.

16. Atlanta Falcons: K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU

The Falcons need to get after the quarterback after finishing only behind the Dolphins in pass rush. Chaisson finished his college career on fire, racking up 4.5 sacks in four games. His explosion off the edge will bring immediate impact to the Falcons pass defense.

17. Dallas Cowboys: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama

McKinney can play all over the field and could help replace Byron Jones who almost certainly is going to depart in free agency with the Cowboys having to still sign Dak Prescott and figure out what to do about Amari Cooper.

18. Washington (via Dolphins): Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina

This is a HUGE get for Washington down here at 18. Kinlaw can lineup all over the defensive line and consistently is able to push the pocket and cause disruption. He’s not Chase Young, but he’s not a bad consolation prize.

19. Las Vegas Raiders (via Bears): CJ Henderson, CB, Florida

Henderson has everything you want in a modern day corner: size, speed, and elite ball-hawkings skills. The Raiders much maligned secondary could use a face lift and Henderson would be an excellent start.

20. Jacksonville Jaguars (via Rams): Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU

The Jaguars would’ve love to have had Henderson make it all the way down to them, but Gladney isn’t a bad consolation prize. Gladney has the height and quickness to lock down opposing receivers and brings the punch in the run game.

21. Philadelphia Eagles: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU

Jefferson did wonders for his draft stock at the combine, running a 4.44 40 and showing out in the on-field drills. The Eagles desperately need receiver help and Jefferson can play inside and outside for them, and would quickly become another young offensive weapon to pair with Carson Wentz and Miles Sanders.

22. Buffalo Bills: Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson

I initially had the Bills going pass rush here and snagging Yetur Gross-Matos but I can’t say no to giving Josh Allen a 6-foot-4 receiver who can catch everything thrown at him. Higgins didn’t workout at the combine so his stock could rise or fall based on his pro-day, but I like him at 22 for the Bills.

23. New England Patriots: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State

Regardless if Tom Brady comes back to New England (which he will, let’s all relax... I SAID RELAX EVERYONE), the Patriots need to get themselves a future franchise quarterback. Love showed the athleticism at the combine that is a must in today’s quarterback and a strong arm to boot.

24. New Orleans Saints: Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin

The Alvin Kamara bell-cow experiment didn’t quite work so now it’s time to return to the two-headed rushing attack that made the Saints offense so hard to stop. Taylor had himself an impressive combine, running a 4.39 40 at 226 pounds, showing the home run speed he brings with his power between the tackles.

25. Minnesota Vikings: Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama

I can’t not pair Trevon Diggs with his brother Stefon Diggs. Plus, Xavier Rhodes was washed all season and I would be stunned to see him stick around in Minnesota in 2020. The pairing just makes too much sense.

26. Miami Dolphins (via Texans): Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State

The Dolphins could not get after the quarterback in 2019 and they’re pretty happy to get a guy like Gross-Matos here at 26. Gross-Matos recorded at least 8 sacks in his last two collegiate seasons and can make an impact in the run game as well.

27. Seattle Seahawks: Austin Jackson, OT, USC

The Seahawks could go pass rusher here, but I’m all for continuing to improve upon this offensive line to give Russell Wilson, Tyler Lockett, and D.K. Metcalf as much time as possible to cook. Jackson can play as a rookie and has the hands to handle explosive pass rushers such as one Bosa, Nick.

28. Baltimore Ravens: Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma

Somehow the Ravens yet again get the exact perfect defensive player missing from their team. Murray ran a 4.52 40 at 241 pounds and can make plays all over the field. He’ll plug into the Ravens defense and play day one without a hiccup.

29. Panthers: Patrick Queen, LB, LSU

Panthers trade picks 38, 69 to Titans for picks 29, 93

With the Panthers defense having a Luke Kuechly sized hole in the middle of it, and the Chiefs looming between them and their second round pick, I think the Panthers get proactive and move back into the first round to get Queen who has the speed to excel in coverage.

30. Green Bay Packers: Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU

It was pretty clear all season that the Packers passing game was Devante Adams or bust. Reagor plays bigger than his 5-foot-11 frame (he jumped a 42 inch vertical) and his 4.47 speed out of the slot would be huge for Green Bay’s offense.

31. San Francisco 49ers: Grant Delpit, S, LSU

With Jimmy Ward a free agent, the 49ers would be very happy to find his replacement at the backend of the

32. Kansas City Chiefs: J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State

Dobbins may not have the elite sub-4.4 speed, but he has excellent vision and is an ever-down back at the NFL level, showing strong hands in the passing game. In the Chiefs high flying offense, he’d be a perfect weapon coming out of the backfield.