Chase Hammes: 2020 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
There’s no better feeling then releasing my first mock of the year, and after many hours of time and film I present to you my first 2020 NFL Mock Draft. Also, if you like this mock or want to give feedback follow me on Twitter @chasingthedraft
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. These teams don’t have first round picks: Pittsburgh Steelers (Minkah Fitzpatrick) , Chicago Bears (Khalil Mack), and the Houston Texans (Laremy Tunsil).
1. Miami Dolphins – Tu’a Tagovailoa – (QB, Alabama)
Miami has made it pretty obvious that they wanted to tank this year. They traded away their best player Laremy Tunsil for picks, and it looks like Josh Rosen won’t get a fair shot in Miami this year. They need to bring in someone who can be the face of their franchise and that’s Tu’a. He’s pinpoint accurate on all levels of the field, even without the strongest arm. He’s a lot like Drew Brees.
2. Cincinnati Bengals – Justin Herbert – (QB, Oregon)
Cincinnati hasn’t gone anywhere with Andy Dalton and he’s aging, and it’s time for them to move on from him. Justin Herbert is my top quarterback in this years class, and reminds me so much of Carson Wentz (My original comp). He has been getting some undeserved criticism this year, but he’s taking better care of the ball this year and making better decisions.
3. Washington Redskins – Chase Young – (EDGE, Ohio State)
Washington fired head coach Jay Gruden, and they need the best players possible. Chase Young will provide a desperate franchise a new face to build around and to be excited about. Young draws a lot of Myles Garrett mostly because of his freakish measureables, but Young has the chance to be even more productive then Myles Garrett was at Texas A&M. He’s got all the tools needed to be an all-pro edge rusher in the future.
4. New York Jets – Andrew Thomas – (OT, Georgia)
Oooof, New York has had a rough go this year. Sam Darnold has been sick, the team lacks identity and the coach is just a mess. The number one step should be to build around Sam Darnold and they need someone who can come in and protect him. There are a bunch of holes that need to be filled on this roster, Adam Gase will have to rebuild everything from the ground up.
5. Denver Broncos – Jeffrey Okudah – (CB, Ohio State)
Surprisingly the offense hasn’t been the main problem in Denver, it’s been the secondary. Bradley Chubb is out for the season with a Torn ACL, and Von Miller wasn’t himself the first four weeks, and I think it’s a throwaway year for Denver. Okudah’s stock will be similar to former Ohio State corners Marshon Lattimore and Denzel Ward, who both went in the top fifteen. Okudah has a lot to like as a corner, he brings great ball skills and great man to man coverage abilities, similar to Denzel Ward but bigger.
6. New York Giants – Jerry Jeudy – (WR, Alabama)
I may have to eat crow on Daniel Jones because I absolutely hated the pick at the time, but he has looked pretty good to start his rookie campaign. They need to surround him with better talent on offense and Jerry Jeudy would give him a true alpha receiver who can win in the slot or outside. Jeudy has a wide variety of releases off the line, and some of the most detailed route running I’ve seen from a receiver prospect. He’s also lethal after the catch and makes people miss with ease in the open field.
7. Miami Dolphins (via Pittsburgh Steelers) – Tristan Wirfs – (OT, Iowa)
Well now you have your franchise quarterback, you just need to find someone to protect him. Tristan Wirfs is a right tackle and Tu’a is a left handed quarterback, it’s a perfect fit. Wirfs is one of the best athletes in the whole draft class as an offensive lineman. Wirfs has the size and pure strength to maul defensive lineman and clear holes for whoever is running the ball in Miami. He will need to continue to grow as a pass protector, but he’s my number one offensive tackle.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Isaiah Simmons – (LB, Clemson)
Atlanta needs to address their defense very badly. Isaiah Simmons is talked about as a hybrid type of player but I think he’s just a linebacker who has freak athleticism. He is good against the run and will make plays in coverage against tight ends. He has the the traits to be a very very good linebacker, he’s the perfect fit at linebacker for the modern NFL.
9. Arizona Cardinals – A.J. Epenesa – (EDGE, Iowa)
Arizona still has a bunch of holes that need to be filled, but for right now they need to take the best player available, and that’s Epenesa. He’s the first five star recruit to go to the University of Iowa, and what a player he has been in college on limited snaps. Last year his production was insane, and I just think he will continue to grow with his technique and as an athlete
10. Jacksonville Jaguars – CeeDee Lamb – (WR, Oklahoma)
Jacksonville may have found a franchise quarterback and a number wide receiver, but i’m not ready to go that far yet. Even if Chark continues to impress they still need someone across from him who will elevate Chark and Minshew. Lamb has the potential to be a top five receiver one day. He has smooth routes, phenomenal hands and great body control. He has everything needed to be a star in the league.
11. Minnesota Vikings – Jordan Love – (QB, Utah State)
Kirk Cousins hasn’t been cutting it and his contract is over in 2021. Love has the set of traits to be a very good NFL quarterback. He has good size, a very good arm and is at his best on the run. He will need some time to sit and develop, which is why Minnesota would be such a great fit for him. Love will be a guy to keep an eye on for the rest of the season.
12. Tennessee Titans – Derrick Brown – (iDL, Auburn)
As crazy as it sounds im not ready to give up on Marcus Mariota yet, but if he struggles the rest of the year i think it will be time to move on from him. Tennessee needs to keep strengthening its defense, especially in the interior. Derrick Brown is a beast in the interior who has flashed some more ability as a pass rusher so far this year. Jurrell Casey is aging and Brown can step right in and be a stud.
13. Oakland Raiders (via Chicago Bears) – Bryce Hall – (CB, Virginia)
Oakland’s secondary has been rough the past few years and an upgrade at corner is needed. Bryce Hall is one of the best corners in college football. Hall doesn’t have a single strength that separates him, but he’s good at everything and he’s a very high iq football player. He’s great at making plays in the air and also is willing to come up and make tackles, and I expect him to test well enough to go this high.
14. Buffalo Bills – Henry Ruggs III – (WR, Alabama)
Buffalo needs a number one receiver and I think Henry Ruggs can become that in the NFL. Ruggs is my second ranked wide receiver, and I honestly think he can be the best player from this class. He has legit 4.1 speed, and I think he will break the forty yard dash time next April. He’s deadly before and after the catch and if he continues to develop as a route runner he can be a dominate receiver for many years. Pairing him with Josh Allen would make the Buffalo a legit contender.
15. Los Angeles Chargers – Creed Humphrey – (iOL, Oklahoma)
LA has been one of the most disappointing teams so far this year, and the offensive line is a big reason why. They need to bring in some help on the interior. Creed Humphrey is only a redshirt sophomore, but he is one of the best offensive lineman in the country. He has room to improve as a pass blocker, but Humphrey is at his best as a run blocker where he can move people with his leverage and lower body power.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Kristian Fulton – (CB, LSU)
Tampa’s secondary is rough and it’s time to move on from former first rounder Vernon Hargreaves. Kristian Fulton was the less talked about guy at LSU but he can absolutely play. He has very similar traits to former teammate Greedy Williams. He’s a good athlete who can match-up well one on one, but he still needs to get better in zone to take the next step as a player. I love his fit in Tampa.
17. Oakland Raiders – Laviska Shenault – (WR, Colorado)
After the AB drama Tyrell Williams has stepped up, but they still need a real number one for Derek Carr or whoever the future is at quarterback. Laviska Shenault is my favorite player in the whole class. Although he’s been hurt, Laviska shows good athleticism, versatility, and dynamic plays with him as a runner or as a receiver. I hope he can stay healthy the rest of the year for Colorado, or his stock could drop. He reminds me a lot of a JuJu Smith Schuster mixed with Cordarrelle Patterson.
18. Carolina Panthers – Trevon Diggs – (CB, Alabama)
Kyle Allen has taken over for injured quarterback Cam Newton and done a really good job. The defense has looked impressive so far but a corner upgrade is needed across from James Bradberry, Trevon Diggs is a long athletic corner who can be a major difference maker when he is on the field. He has the size and speed combination that NFL teams dream about. If he can stay healthy I think he can potentially be a top ten pick when April arrives.
19. Baltimore Ravens – Dylan Moses – (LB, Alabama)
C.J. Moseley left to go to New York and they need to replace his presence in the middle of that defense. Although he;s hurt Dylan Moses is still a very highly rated prospect who will be a first rounder if he declares. Moses could bring some intensity and swagger back to Baltimore that they haven’t had since number fifty two wore the purple and black.
20. Indianapolis Colts – Marvin Wilson – (iDL, Florida State)
Indianapolis has looked good this year even without Andrew Luck, mostly because of the defense, but they need some defensive line help. Wilson is a big dude who can get after the quarterback and win with quickness or power. Him dropping this far would be unfair, because I think he’s a top ten talent but his play hasn’t backed that up enough yet. He’s a guy that we could be talking about very highly next spring.
21. San Francisco 49ers – K’Lavon Chaisson – (i OL, Oklahoma)
This is purely a projection, but K’Lavon Chaisson has the talent to go much much higher then this spot, he just needs to stay healthy. He has freakish bend and athleticism, and if he is able to stay healthy we could be talking about a top ten player, but up to this point he’s been unreliable. Pairing Chaisson with Nick Bosa could finally sure up the 49ers pass rush.
22. Detroit Lions – Paulson Adebo – (CB, Stanford)
After missing on Jalen Tabor and other guys it’s time for Detroit to upgrade the corner spot across from Darius Slay. Adebo has fallen a little for me after some plays he’s missed this year. He’s still an agressive, physical corner who can come up and make tackles and play good zone coverage. His man skills wont ever be great because of his athleticism, but he’s so well rounded it’s not a huge issue.
23. Cleveland Browns – Prince Tega Wanogho – (OT, Auburn)
PROTECT. BAKER. MAYFIELD. That’s what John Dorsey and Freddie Kitchens should be thinking after the hits and sacks Baker has taken so far to start this year. They need a plug and play left tackle and Prince Tega Wanogho is a perfect fit in Cleveland. He’s still pretty raw because he hasn’t played football for long, but he has the traits wanted by scouts, and he’s an impressive athlete.
24. Seattle Seahawks – Javon Kinlaw – (iDL, South Carolina)
Seattle doesn’t have many glaring holes but the defensive line needs to be addressed. Jarran Reed and Poona Ford are there, but they need someone else who can make an impact there. Kinlaw is a talented defensive tackle prospect that is a good athlete who can stop the run. His technique needs to be refined and he’s still limited rushing the passer, but Seattle will be able to get the most out of him.
25. Los Angeles Rams – Julian Okwara – (EDGE, Notre Dame)
Dante Fowler Jr. is back to the player people thought he could be coming out of Florida, but the problem is no one besides him can rush the passer. They need someone who can get after the quarterback, and that’s Okwara’s calling card. Okwara is undersized and needs to get stronger, but his pure ability to rush the passer could push him up even further then this.
26. Miami Dolphins (via Houston Texans) – Tyler Biadasz – (iOL, Wisconsin)
Now that quarterback and offensive tackle are set lets go ahead and keep rebuilding that offense. Biadasz was far and away my favorite interior offensive lineman last year, but he decided not to declare and instead return to Wisconsin. He’s got a mean streak as a run blocker, with a powerful lower body and good leverage. This addition would help immediately transform Miami’s offensive line and make it a very exciting young unit.
27. Dallas Cowboys – A.J. Terrell – (CB, Clemson)
Dallas may lose corner Byron Jones this off-season and they need to bring someone in to replace him. Terrell is a long athletic man to man corner who was one of the top players in the college football playoffs last year. He needs some refinement with his technique, like when he got beat down the field vs UNC. He may fall down further then this or he may not even declare, but he’s very talented.
28. Green Bay Packers – Hunter Bryant – (TE, Washington)
This seems like a luxury pick but Jimmy Graham is aging and is no longer the player he used to be. Bryant struggled with injuries his first two years but hopefully he’s starting to put it all together. He lines up all over the field for Washington and can do the same thing at the next level. As a prospect he reminds me a lot of Giants tight end Evan Engram.
29. Philadelphia Eagles – RaeKwon Davis – (iDL, Alabama)
Philadelphia needs help in the secondary but there isn’t a corner I would take here. Davis can come in and slide into the defensive line rotation in Philadelphia. He needs to be more consistent getting to the quarterback,the rest of the year, but his calling card is against the run. His length allows him to get off blockers and make plays for that Alabama defense.
30. Kansas City Chiefs – Travis Etienne – (RB, Clemson)
Kansas City has had multiple different running backs this year, and you might as well pair speed with even more speed. Etienne is such a fun runner to watch, he’s got great contact balance, acceleration, and home run speed. He hasn’t been used a lot as a receiver in Clemson, but in time he could be a dangerous receiving weapon out of the backfield.
31. New Orleans Saints – Joe Burrow – (QB, LSU)
Teddy Bridgewater just doesn’t look like the player he was once drafted to be before his injury, and it’s time to find who’s next in line behind Drew Brees. There has been no other player in College Football who’s raised their stock more then Joe Burrow. He looks calm, confident and is making quick decisions in the pocket. He’s looked like a first rounder and if he keeps it up he can climb even more.
32. New England Patriots – Alton Robinson – (EDGE, Syracuse)
After losing Trey Flowers last off-season New England needs to try and replace his production. Alton Robinson is a very similar player who wins in the same way Flowers does. He’s a power player who can rush the pass and make plays against the run. He’s not the greatest athlete, but I’m confident he will be able to win at the next level pretty regularly.
