While the 2019 NFL Draft is still fresh in the college football nation and the NFL, it is never too early to start looking to see how college football’s biggest stars in the upcoming season would fit into the NFL. The 2020 NFL Draft class will be rich with another huge quarterback class with Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa, Oregon’s Justin Herbert, and Georgia’s Jake Fromm. There are also many other players that have a great early indication of where they would be selected if the 2020 NFL Draft was today. This Way Too Early 2020 NFL Mock Draft selection order is based on ESPN’s FPI ranking and their win probability more than their run in the postseason.
Way Too Early 2020 NFL Mock Draft
- Miami Dolphins – Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama)
The Dolphins have stated they would rather wait for the 2020 NFL Draft for their franchise quarterback. That may still be the case despite the Dolphins trading for slightly disgruntled Josh Rosen from the Arizona Cardinals. Rosen may be the quarterback for a year or two while they prepare for Tua.
- Arizona Cardinals – Offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (Georgia)
Arizona had many problems this past season. Rosen wasn’t the best rookie quarterback this past season but it didn’t help that they gave up 52 sacks (tied for fifth in the league). Drafting the best offensive lineman will certainly create some solidarity in the pass protecting game.
- New York Giants – Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (Alabama)
Losing a top wideout like Odell Beckham will not come without consequences. Whether the Giants stick with aging Eli Manning or “over-drafted” Daniel Jones from Duke, the Giants need a number one wide receiver.
- Cincinnati Bengals – Quarterback Justin Herbert (Oregon)
Andy Dalton is running out of chances with the Bengals franchise and the fan base. The Bengals were 24th in the league in passing yards per game (206 yards) last season. Getting a pro-ready quarterback like Herbert might convince wide receiver A.J. Green to re-sign in 2020 free agency.
- Washington Redskins – Offensive tackle Trey Smith (Tennessee)
Washington found their franchise quarterback in Dwayne Haskins this past 2019 NFL Draft. The next step is to get a solid pass protector as they allowed 44 sacks (12th most in the league) this past season. Smith has been a solid contributor to the Volunteers’ offensive line since day one of his freshman year.
- Buffalo Bills – Defensive end Chase Young (Ohio State)
The Bills only accounted for 36 total sacks last season, which is 26th highest in the league. Young might be the most gifted pass rusher in this draft class and can define himself this upcoming season. Imagine Young and Ed Oliver on the defensive line in the 2020-2021 NFL season.
- New York Jets – Cornerback C.J. Henderson (Florida)
There are plenty of positions that need to be filled but it would be smart for the Jets to select the best available player. The jury is still out if the Jets will be able to sign cornerback Morris Claiborne in free agency next off-season. Henderson will be a solid contributor, either as the number one corner or second corner with Claiborne re-signed.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Quarterback Jake Fromm (Georgia)
The Buccaneers might let their franchise quarterback in Jameis Winston walk in the 2020 NFL free agency. With a talented quarterback class in this 2020 NFL Draft, Tampa Bay will have to decide now if they want a new leader or the same PR nightmare with Winston.
- Detroit Lions – Safety Grant Delpit (LSU)
Detroit once again needs to find some consistent defensive talent. The smartest and safest pick is for the Lions to pick the best LSU Tigers safety since Jamal Adams in Grant Delpit. He can be a versatile and explosive playmaker for the Lions for years to come.
- Las Vegas Raiders – Offensive tackle Walker Little (Stanford)
The new Las Vegas Raiders finally have a reliable number one receiver, a quarterback, and a younger running back. The one thing they will need to build is a more reliable offensive line to allow less pressure on Derek Carr. They allowed 52 sacks (tied for fifth highest in the league) this past season.
- Denver Broncos – Defensive end A.J. Epenesa (Iowa)
While Von Miller and Bradley Chubb are monsters in the pass rush game, the Broncos need a pure three-point stance end. Chubb and Miller (dual-hybrid linebackers) are the only players to account for more than three sacks. Epenesa will be the main run-stopper on the line as well.
- San Francisco 49ers – Cornerback Kristian Fulton (LSU)
San Francisco’s defense was 11th in the league in passing yards allowed per game (233 yards). At the same time, they only accounted for two interceptions and allowed the second highest passer rating (105.4). They need better playmakers in defending the passing game.
- Carolina Panthers – Defensive End Raekwon Davis (Alabama)
Even though the Panthers drafted a solid pass rusher in Brian Burns, they’ll still need another defensive end to solidify the run defense as well as ad another pass rusher. Davis will take this 2019 college football season to prove his worth in both areas of the game.
- Dallas Cowboys – Defensive tackle Derrick Brown (Auburn)
Defensive tackle remains as one of the most underlying positions the Cowboys need to address. They have solid contributors as edge rushers but they consistently overwhelmed up the middle on defense. Brown is the most talented interior defensive lineman in the 2020 NFL Draft.
- Jacksonville Jaguars – Wide receiver Laviska Shenault (Colorado)
The day finally came when the Jaguars decided to move on from their underwhelming franchise quarterback in Blake Bortles. Now with Nick Foles as their leader, they could use some more weapons in the arsenal. T.J. Yeldon was second on the team with receiving touchdowns with four and now he is gone.
- Baltimore Ravens – Linebacker Dylan Moses (Alabama)
Baltimore made a questionable decision to let their star young middle linebacker C.J. Mosely walk in free agency. The Ravens will attempt to replace one Crimson Tide middle linebacker with another one in Moses.
- Pittsburgh Steelers Tight end Albert Okwuegbunam (Missouri)
JuJu Smith-Schuster will have no problem being the number one receiver for the Steelers for the remainder of his career. Regardless of who will be the quarterback in 2020, they’ll need younger, diverse and explosive targets.
- Seattle Seahawks – Wide receiver Tee Higgins (Clemson)
Seattle just re-signed quarterback Russell Wilson to a large contract extension. They’ll need to add viable targets to make their 27th passing offense (193 passing yards per game) more efficient. Higgins can be the number one wideout for Seattle like he is for the now explosive Clemson Tigers.
- Tennessee Titans – Guard/center Tyler Biadasz (Wisconsin)
The interior offensive line is one an area that must continue to be addressed despite acquiring Nate Davis from Charlotte. Much of the 47 allowed sacks this past season came from in-between the tackles. Getting Biadasz will improve the pass protection and bulk up the Titans’ power running game.
- Green Bay Packers – Wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (Alabama)
Outside of Davante Adams, the Packers receiver corp was virtually invisible this past season. There wasn’t a player outside of Adams who accounted for more than two receiving touchdowns. This is not a good attribute to possess with Aaron Rodgers as your quarterback.
- Cleveland Browns – Offensive tackle Trey Adams (Washington)
It is hard to believe that the Browns are in a situation where now one of the top teams to take the AFC North title. Taking more steps to ensure their development into a great team will require some better insurance for Baker Mayfield.
- Minnesota Vikings – Cornerback Bryce Hall (Virginia)
The Vikings will have two of their top three cornerbacks listed as unrestricted free agents. While Xavier Rhodes has been great for Minnesota, they’ll need to bring in another young talented defensive backs in a tough NFC North divisional passing offense.
- Philadelphia Eagles – Linebacker Isaiah Simmons (Clemson)
Jordan Hicks signing with the Cardinals was a huge loss to the Eagles defense in the off-season. The Eagles will need a new leader of their linebacker corp. Simmons will be the new leader of the new Clemson Tigers defense in the 2019 college football season.
- Houston Texans – Running back Travis Etienne (Clemson)
The Texans needed to address all throughout the offensive line in this offseason. Even if Lamar Miller re-signs with Houston in the 2020 off-season, the Texans will need a more versatile and younger running back with former Clemson Tiger Deshaun Watson in the backfield.
- Atlanta Falcons – Defensive tackle/end Nick Coe (Auburn)
The interior defensive line was the biggest area to address this off-season, yet it wasn’t addressed. Last season, the Falcons were 25th in the league in rushing yards allowed per game (124.9). Bringing in Coe will create solidity in the interior and then as a run defender at the edge.
- Los Angeles Chargers – Cornerback Lavert Hill (Michigan)
Many of the needed positions for the Chargers to address with the 26th overall pick is too high to pick. Hill is not a sexy pick for the Chargers but he will fit their scheme and possibly fill in a free agent departure spot.
- Las Vegas Raiders (from Chicago Bears) – Linebacker Paddy Fisher (Northwestern)
When the Raiders got rid of dual-position pass rusher Khalil Mack, they lost a consistent defender in both defending the passing and running game. Fisher is a player that excels at dropping back into zone coverage and making short gain tackles, something the Raiders desperately need.
- Indianapolis Colts – Defensive end/outside linebacker Kenny Willekes (Michigan State)
Indianapolis will need a strong presence in the pass rushing game as they allowed accounted for 38 sacks this past season. Being in the back end of the draft will be tough to get the most aggressive sacker in college football.
- New England Patriots – Inside linebacker Shaquille Quarterman (Miami)
Pure linebackers and dual-hybrid pass rushers are positions that head coach Bill Belichick loves to draft. Having a tough and consistent tackling machine like Quarterman next to Dont’a Hightower will make the Patriots defense impossible to run the ball against.
- Los Angeles Rams – Defensive end/outside linebacker Curtis Weaver (Boise State)
If the Rams keep Dante Fowler Jr. in 2020 free agency, they’ll still need more consistent edge rushers. The lack of edge pass rushers was highly noticeable as the postseason continued for the Rams.
- New Orleans Saints – Wide receiver Tylan Wallace (Oklahoma State)
Whoever will be the quarterback for New Orleans in 2020, they’ll need a wide receiver who can create an impact in the passing game. Michael Thomas is an elite wideout but he is the only legitimate deep threat receiver.
- Kansas City Chiefs – Running back D’Andre Swift (Georgia)
Swift will be the complete replacement to Kareem Hunt as he will be the perfect system back for the Chiefs. The fast-paced offense that the Chiefs have under Andy Reid makes Swift a perfect back to take the full carrying load. He will also be a great open receiver in the backfield or like as an extra slot receiver.
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