For this exercise I used Pro Football Network’s “Mock Draft Simulator." I chose to be in control of every single team. I drafted based on what I think they will do, opposed to what I would do. Low and behold, your Yinzer Crazy 2020 Mock Draft
- two full rounds with brief explanations.
1. Bengals - Joe Burrow QB LSU
The best QB in the draft can turn the lowly Bengals around quickly.
2. Redskins - Chase Young DE Ohio St.
By most accounts the best player in the draft. Would be #1 overall pick if not for Bengals QB desperation.
3. Lions - Jeff Okudah CB Ohio St.
FWIW, I think drafting a CB at #3 is probably too high. I also think the Lions think that as well and will try and trade down. But given the recent buzz surrounding Tua and his medicals I don’t think any team will give them what they want. In a passing league, this isn’t that bad of a backup plan.
4. Giants - Jedrick Wills OT Alabama
Protect Daniel Jones. Create holes for Saquon Barkely. This isn’t rocket science here and Giants GM Dave Gettlemen has hinted as such.
5. Dolphins - Tua Tagovailoa QB Alabama
Here is where everything gets interesting in my estimation. When it’s all said and done, amidst all of the rumors and medical buzz, the Dolphins stay and take the guy who they and their fans have wanted for over a year. I think the injuries are a concern, but I’d file them under more bad luck than durability concerns.
6. Chargers - Justin Herbert QB Oregon
If the Chargers believe that Tyrod Taylor can keep them competitive this year then they won’t have the chance to draft in the top 6 next year, or any for that matter coming up. How often do you lose your franchise QB then get the chance to draft his successor almost immediately?
7. Panthers - Derrick Brown DT Auburn
They will entertain a trade-down but ultimately decide that Brown, a three-down stud, is better than any offer to move back.
8. Cardinals - Isaiah Simmons Hybrid D Clemson
This is the perfect pick for Kliff Kingsbury. They helped out Kyler Murray by adding All-Pro wideout DeAndre Hopkins this offseason, and now it’s time to help the defense with the best chess piece in the draft.
9. Jaguars - CJ Henderson CB Florida
I don’t know what the Jags are doing, and I’m not sure they do either right now. Henderson definitely shores up a need after trading Jalen Ramsey to the Rams.
10. Browns - Tristan Wirfs OT Iowa
Baker Mayfield was fighting for his life all last year and this is one of the best drafts in recent memory for top-heavy trenches help. This is a no-brainer slam-dunk.
11. Jets - Andrew Thomas OT Georgia
Maybe a bit of a surprise here not going WR but I think the Jets see the draft as O-line top heavy and deep at WR, so they elect to take the help up-front knowing they can get a playmaker at pick 48.
12. Raiders - CeeDee Lamb WR Oklahoma
Vegas gets their choice of the top WR in the draft. I personally think it’s Jeudy, but Mike Mayock prefers the top-line speed of Lamb.
13. 49ers - Javon Kinlaw DT South Carolina
John Lynch quickly finds his replacement for Deforest Buckner and elects to look WR later in the first with the 2nd of their two picks. I think this is a theme we will see - wideouts being pushed down the board due to the depth at the position.
14. Buccaneers - Mekhi Becton OT Louisville
Could you imagine the Bucs adding a Jeudy or Ruggs to continue building their new greatest show on turf? That’s an outside possibility, but the NFL’s new sexiest team should take the least sexy pick, the best lineman available to protect Brady in his final years.
15. Broncos - Jerry Jeudy WR Alabama
The best WR in the draft in my opinion, and checks the boxes for Denver. They may debate Ruggs who is probably a better balance with Courtland Sutton, but Jeudy is ultimately too good to pass up on.
16. Falcons - AJ Terrell CB Clemson
This may be a bit high for Terrell but the Falcons desperately need secondary help and I’m not projecting trades so I think there's a shot if they are unable to move up that they reach on a corner here.
17. Cowboys - Henry Ruggs WR Alabama
This would be a ton of fun. The Cowboys bigger need is in the secondary - but can Jerry help himself here? After losing Randall Cobb they could use a stud in the slot.
18. Dolphins - Josh Jones OT Houston
The Dolphins have a chance to hit a home-run in the 1st round if they’re able to check these boxes - quarterback, offensive-lineman, and offensive weapon after adding to their defense in FA.
19. Raiders - Tre Diggs CB Alabama
This would make it five Alabama players in the top 20. In the NFL today you can’t have enough receivers and corners, and those are the two positions Mayock elects to take in the top 20.
20. Jaguars - Justin Jefferson WR LSU
Love Jefferson, as he pairs with former LSU Tigers WR DJ Chark in creating a dynamic duo for Gardner Minshew.
21. Eagles - Denzel Mims WR Baylor
The Eagles desperately need to add to their target group - they may cut Alshon Jeffery before it’s all said and done and Mims brings them another big target to compliment the aging Desean Jackson.
22. Vikings - Kristian Fulton CB LSU
Another team that could use a WR, but they pass on Brandon Aiyuk after the Jags and Eagles both take guys higher on their list and elect to nab secondary help.
23. Patriots - Jalen Hurts QB Oklahoma
There’s always one huge surprise every 1st round and this is it for me. Belichick bypasses the consensus number three QB in Jordan Love and takes good friend Nick Saban’s other former standout QB in Hurts. Definitely a reach, but don’t be surprised if Hurts ends up in New England somehow in a draft day shocker.
24. Saints - Jordan Love QB Utah State
Back to back quarterbacks for these two franchises who have been stationary at the position for the last decade with Brady and Brees. Love needs plenty of work, but this is arguably the best roster in the NFL and with Brees likely playing his last year this is a great spot for the Saints to make a luxury pick on his potential successor.
25. Vikings - Brandon Aiyuk WR Arizona State
After bypassing Aiyuk and taking Fulton at 23 the Vikings still get a playmaker at receiver to try and help replace the void left by Stefon Diggs.
26. Dolphins - Xavier McKinney S Alabama
The Dolphins got their QB, and they got their OT. They will consider a RB like DeAndre Swift here but ultimately know they can get a tier one back at pick 39. So they go with the best player on their board at another position of need. They trade one Safety from Alabama (Minkah Fitzpatrick), and land another one.
27. Seahawks - AJ Epenesa DE Iowa
Death, Taxes, and the Seahawks trading down in the 1st round. The team has traded out of their 1st round choice seemingly the entirety of the last decade but if they stay I’m sure they will wrestle with who the best possible replacement for Jadeveon Clowney will be - provided he doesn’t ultimately re-sign.
28. Ravens - Yetur Gross-Matos DE Penn State
After the Michael Brockers deal fell through and the Chris Wormley trade to the Steelers, Baltimore will look to replenish their front seven - specifically in the trenches.
29. Titans - Jaylon Johnson CB Utah
Logan Ryan likely won’t be back in Tennessee which means corner is likely at the top of their wish-list. Johnson is a quick riser.
30. Packers - Jalen Reagor WR TCU
The Pack could look to trade down here as WR is very deep, but there’s no denying they need another weapon for Rodgers. They could reach for the top TE in Cole Kmet. They could also go for a bigger bodied WR like Michael Pittman Jr. or Tee Higgins - but I think Reagor, a Randall Cobb type compliments Davante Adams optimally.
31. 49ers - Tee Higgins WR Clemson
Another prime trade-down spot as the 49ers won’t have another pick until the 4th round. They need to add to the receiver group after taking Kinlaw earlier, and Higgins is polarizing but his potential is massive.
32. Chiefs - Cesar Ruiz C Michigan
This is generally a spot teams like to trade in for a QB, but Hurts and Love are already gone. With the Chiefs unable to leverage that, they make the right choice and add Ruiz as their center of the future.
Round 2
Bengals - Ezra Cleveland OT Boise St.
Colts - Austin Jackson OT USC
Lions - Kenneth Murray OLB Oklahoma
Giants - K’lavon Chaisson OLB LSU
Chargers - Isaiah Wilson OT Georgia
Panthers - Jeff Gladney CB TCU
Dolphins - DeAndre Swift RB Georgia
Texans - Antoine Winfield S Minnesota
Browns - Zack Baun OLB Wisconsin
Jaguars - Jonathan Taylor RB Wisconsin
Bears - Prince Tega Wanagho OT Auburn
Colts - Michael Pittman Jr WR USC
Bucs - Clyde Edwards-Helaire RB LSU
Broncos - Ross Blacklock DT TCU
Falcons - Grant Delpit S LSU
Jets - Laviska Shenault WR Colorado
Steelers - J.K. Dobbins RB Ohio State (Steelers Full 7 Round Mock Draft Drops Tomorrow)
Bears - Patrick Queen OLB LSU
Cowboys - Jeremy Chinn S So. Illinois
Rams - Lucas Niang OT TCU
Eagles - Noah Igbinoghene CB Auburn
Bills - Julian Okwara DE Notre Dame
Ravens - Terrell Lewis OLB Alabama
Dolphins - K.J. Hamler WR Penn State
Rams - Josh Uche OLB Michigan
Vikings - Marlon Davidson DE Auburn
Seahawks - Lloyd Cushenberry G LSU
Ravens - John Simpson G Clemson
Titans - Cam Akers RB Florida St.
Packers - Cole Kmet TE Notre Dame
Chiefs - Raekwon Davis DT Alabama
Seahawks - Jacob Eason QB Washington
Whew! Enjoy the draft!
Please leave us some feedback on Social Media! Tomorrow I will be dropping my FINAL Steelers Mock Draft. You already know who I have them taking in Rd. 2. The rest will have to remain a mystery.
Mike Nicastro - Yinzer Crazy Co-Founder and Authentic Draft Nerd.