Kyle Yates’ 2020 NFL Mock Draft (4.0)

Kyle Yates’ 2020 NFL Mock Draft (4.0)

The NFL Draft is inching closer and closer. We’re now two weeks away from one of my favorite sporting events of the entire calendar year and I simply can’t wait.

This year is going to be incredibly interesting though as the entire draft will be virtual and done remotely. Not even NFL front offices are allowed to congregate in person and must communicate via Zoom or Slack or whatever custom tool they build out for this event. Because of that factor, and the inability to perform medical checks, there’s going to be an increased level of unpredictability from our side of things.

Teams that would have swung for the fences with draft picks may be more willing to play it safe and/or trade back to accumulate more picks in 2021. With all that being said though, there are going to be teams that will choose to take advantage of other organizations’ hesitancy and are going to scoop up some tremendous players for their rosters.

What could this year’s draft look like with this unique format and who could your teams be selecting in the first four rounds?

I attempt to answer those questions here in my NFL Mock Draft 4.0.

Round One

1. Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow (QB – LSU)
This pick has been written in pen since the CFB season ended. Burrow will be a Bengal in 2020 unless some team makes a ridiculous offer to come up and get him.

NFL Draft Prop Bet: Is there any value in betting the No. 1 overall pick?

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

There are smoke screens everywhere that the Redskins might be looking at QB, but I don’t buy it. I believe that the Redskins will stay put and take the dominant edge defender out of Ohio State.

NFL Draft Prop Bet: Chase Young Draft Position

3. Detroit Lions – Jeff Okudah (CB – Ohio State)

The Lions traded away Darius Slay and they need someone to replace him. Enter in one of the smoothest and most fluid athletes in this draft, Jeff Okudah. Okudah will be a dominant CB in the NFL for a long time and the Lions take him here all the way up at No. 3 overall.

4. New York Giants – Isaiah Simmons (LB – Clemson)

The popular pick here has been to give the Giants an OT, but Dave Gettleman might not be able to pass up the ultra-talented LB, Isaiah Simmons. Gettleman has a track record of selecting linebackers in the first round and I believe he will select the rangy prospect out of Clemson.

NFL Draft Prop Bet: Isaiah Simmons Draft Position

5. Miami Dolphins – Jedrick Wills (OT – Alabama)

The Dolphins have been linked to a QB prospect throughout this draft process here at No. 5 overall, but the uncertainties with medical checks and their atrocious offensive line currently may have them moving off of taking Tua Tagovailoa. If that is the case, they also choose to pass on Justin Herbert, who would be a reach at this spot, and shore up their OL. Jedrick Wills is as safe of an OT prospect as you’ll find in this class and he would immediately help upgrade the tackle spot on this unit. If they go this route, they can look to add Cam Newton or Jameis Winston in free agency if they don’t feel comfortable with Ryan Fitzpatrick in 2020. And then address QB with their plethora of picks in the 2021 NFL Draft.

6. Los Angeles Chargers – Tua Tagovailoa (QB – Alabama)

The Chargers sat out the QB musical chairs event in free agency and will look to add a QB in the NFL Draft. This is the dream scenario for them with Tua falling into their laps. Of course, the injury history is a concern, but Tua would bring fans into that stadium. If the Chargers don’t feel like they can get him here at six, watch them to trade up to three overall with the Detroit Lions.

NFL Draft Prop Bet: Tua Tagovailoa Draft Position

7. Carolina Panthers – Tristan Wirfs (OT – Iowa)

The Panthers have needs everywhere, but they desperately need help on the offensive line. They invested in Teddy Bridgewater to be their starter, but he needs to be protected. Wirfs is another tackle in the room to go with Russell Okung, Greg Little, and Taylor Moton, but he can kick inside and play guard. If the Panthers also kick Little inside, they now have a solid unit to rebuild this team upon.

8. Arizona Cardinals – Andrew Thomas (OT – Georgia)

The Cardinals stole DeAndre Hopkins to give Kyler Murray a weapon and they now turn their attention towards protecting their young QB. Andrew Thomas is an incredibly high-floor prospect who would immediately provide an upgrade to that unit, while also bringing experience playing on the right side of the line.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars – Derrick Brown (iDL – Auburn)

The Jaguars are entering yet another “retooling” and the first place they should start is on their defensive line. That unit needs help after they traded away Calais Campbell and they simply plug in Derrick Brown in his place. Brown’s a monster up front and will help speed up this rebuild.

10. Cleveland Browns – Mekhi Becton (OT – Louisville)

The Browns desperately need linebacker help, but Mekhi Becton here is a dream fit for the offense they’re installing. He’s a mammoth in the run game and Nick Chubb will love running behind him. The Browns are going to rely on the run game heavily this year and Becton would provide the last missing piece to that solid unit.

11. New York Jets – CeeDee Lamb (WR – Oklahoma)

The Jets miss out on the top-tier of OTs, but they have a few needs elsewhere on that roster. If this is how the board plays out in front of them, they can take one of the best WRs in this class to help out Sam Darnold. Lamb’s an alpha when he’s on the field and he’d become a favorite target of Darnold’s right away.

NFL Draft Prop Bet: CeeDee Lamb Draft Position

12. Las Vegas Raiders – Jerry Jeudy (WR – Alabama)

The Raiders would have certainly loved having Lamb on their team, but they’re not going to be disappointed with who they got instead. Jeudy’s the top-rated WR on my board by a wide margin and he’d immediately help upgrade this lackluster WR unit.

13. San Francisco 49ers – Henry Ruggs III (WR – Alabama)

The 49ers traded up to this spot in the draft and walk away with a dynamic playmaker for this offense. The 49ers were in the Super Bowl this past season with a frankly mediocre WR room, but reload here with the blazing fast WR out of Alabama. Ruggs would be a perfect fit for this offense that would allow him room to create after the catch.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Javon Kinlaw (iDL – South Carolina)

The Bucs would have loved an OT to fall to them here to protect Tom Brady, but instead they address their defense with the “wrecking ball” defensive lineman out of South Carolina, Javon Kinlaw. A defensive line that features guys like Vita Vea, Ndamakong Suh, William Gholston, and Kinlaw just simply isn’t fair.

15. Denver Broncos – CJ Henderson (CB – Florida)

The Broncos miss out on Henry Ruggs III, who they apparently love, so they turn towards the defense and give Vic Fangio a Chris Harris Jr. replacement. Henderson’s a dog in coverage and would be a perfect fit for this defense.

16. Atlanta Falcons – Kristian Fulton (CB – LSU)

The Falcons desperately need CB help and they address it here with the talented CB out of LSU, Kristian Fulton.

17. Dallas Cowboys – K’Lavon Chaisson (EDGE – LSU)

The Cowboys lost Robert Quinn to free agency, who played very well for them last season. They draft his replacement here with K’Lavon Chaisson who can be a perfect compliment to Demarcus Lawrence on the edge.

18. Miami Dolphins – Justin Herbert (QB – Oregon)

The Dolphins chose to pass on QB at No. 5 overall and it paid off. Due to the teams in between them here not needing a QB, and this mock not projecting trades, Herbert slides a bit down the board. While I’m not a fan of Herbert in the top-10, this is where he should go and where teams can safely bet on his upside. The Dolphins found a way to address a critical need at OT and still land a QB to build this team around with their first two picks. (If this mock were projecting trades, I would watch the New England Patriots to come up if Herbert does experience a bit of a slide.)

NFL Draft Prop Bet: Justin Herbert Draft Position

19. Las Vegas Raiders – Jeff Gladney (CB – TCU)

The Raiders address their two biggest needs in the first round with two very good players. Jeff Gladney‘s a super fluid athlete and has shown an ability to compete with the best of them in college. Adding him to go alongside Trayvon Mullen is a great move.

20. Jacksonville Jaguars – Xavier McKinney (Safety – Alabama)

The Jaguars need CB help, but there isn’t one here in the first round that they should feel comfortable reaching for now. Instead, they add the versatile defender in Xavier McKinney. McKinney can play all over that defense and could help alleviate some of the need at CB right out of the gate, but yet also simultaneously provide an upgrade at the safety position.

21. Philadelphia Eagles – Grant Delpit (Safety – LSU)

The Eagles have a gaping hole at safety after the departure of Malcolm Jenkins. Grant Delpit has the ability to play like a top-5 strong safety in the NFL and the Eagles choose to bet on that upside here, while addressing WR later on in this draft.

22. Minnesota Vikings – Justin Jefferson (WR – LSU)

The Vikings traded away Stefon Diggs and now have Adam Thielen, Chad Beebe, Olabisi Johnson, and Tajae Sharpe as the options at WR. Justin Jefferson is a seamless fit into this offense and would be an amazing addition for the Vikings at this point of the draft.

23. New England Patriots – Zack Baun (EDGE – Wisconsin)

The Patriots have never been a team to panic and that continues here in this mock draft. While they may look at other options at QB, Jarrett Stidham appears to be their guy moving into 2020. If that’s the case, they’ll stay put here and address a position of need with a versatile defender out of Wisconsin, Zack Baun.

24. New Orleans Saints – Kenneth Murray (LB – Oklahoma)

Kenneth Murray is one of my favorite players in this class and it’s hard to imagine him falling all the way down here, but without trades, that’s what happens. Murray would be an instant upgrade over everyone not named Demario Davis on that roster and would help improve an already solid defense as the Saints go all in to win it this year.

25. Minnesota Vikings – A.J. Epenesa (EDGE – Iowa)

At the time of writing, the Vikings haven’t brought back Everson Griffin yet. If they don’t, they have a gaping hole on their defense opposite of Danielle Hunter. Epenesa is a Griffin clone from a body-type standpoint, but may possess even more raw power. Epenesa in this defense would be a ton of fun and makes sense at this point without any CBs in this range to consider.

26. Miami Dolphins – Josh Jones (OT – Houston)

The Dolphins continue addressing critical needs and add the raw, but athletic, OT out of Houston. Jones will need some time to hit his ceiling, but he’s a prospect worth taking a shot on here at No. 26 overall.

27. Seattle Seahawks – Yetur Gross-Matos (EDGE – Penn State)

The Seahawks are unlikely to bring back Clowney at this point, which means that they need to solve their pass rush. Gross-Matos is a bull in a china shop and would bring an attitude and intensity to this Seattle pass rush grouping.

28. Baltimore Ravens – Patrick Queen (LB – LSU)

Patrick Queen solves a gigantic need here for the Ravens. He’s fast, rangy, and is excellent in pass coverage. The Ravens are ecstatic to get him here at this point of the draft.

29. Tennessee Titans – Isaiah Wilson (OT – Georgia)

There’s buzz growing that Isaiah Wilson is going to go in the first round. He’s a monster of a human being at 6’6/350, but projects as a pure RT prospect. If that’s the case, he slides in perfectly to this offense that just saw Jack Conklin leave in free agency. Wilson’s at his best in the run game and that’s how Tennessee prefers to play, which makes this a perfect pairing.

30. Green Bay Packers – Denzel Mims (WR – Baylor)

The Packers have a thing for tall and fast WRs, so they add another one into their offense here with Denzel Mims. Mims would help stretch the field for Aaron Rodgers and would be a perfect compliment to Davante Adams.

31. San Francisco 49ers – Trevon Diggs (CB – Alabama)

Trevon Diggs is a former WR who is still learning the ropes of the CB position. With that being said, if it all clicks for him, he can be the type of defender that will lead the NFL in interceptions. He’s an incredible playmaker in the secondary and would benefit greatly from the defensive line pressure that’s created in front of him.

32. Kansas City Chiefs – A.J. Terrell (CB – Clemson)

AJ Terrell struggled against J’Marr Chase, but not many college DBs are able to lock him down. Otherwise, Terrell put together a solid season and the Chiefs desperately need CB help.

Round Two

33. Cincinnati Bengals – Cesar Ruiz (iOL – Michigan)

34. Indianapolis Colts – Tee Higgins (WR – Clemson)

35. Detroit Lions – Jonathan Taylor (RB – Wisconsin)

36. New York Giants – Austin Jackson (OT – USC)

37. Los Angeles Chargers – Jalen Reagor (WR – TCU)

38. Carolina Panthers – Neville Gallimore (iDL – Oklahoma)

39. Miami Dolphins – Antoine Winfield Jr. (Safety – Minnesota)

40. Houston Texans – Terrell Lewis (EDGE – Alabama)

41. Cleveland Browns – Willie Gay Jr. (LB – Mississippi State)

42. Jacksonville Jaguars – Noah Igbinoghene (CB – Auburn)

43. Chicago Bears – Lloyd Cushenberry III (iOL – LSU)

44. Indianapolis Colts – Jordan Love (QB – Utah State)

NFL Draft Prop Bet: Jordan Love Draft Position

45. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – D’Andre Swift (RB – Georgia)

46. Denver Broncos – Matt Hennessy (iOL – Temple)

47. Atlanta Falcons – Justin Madubuike (iDL – Texas A&M)

48. New York Jets – Lucas Niang (OT – TCU)

49. Pittsburgh Steelers – Ross Blacklock (iDL – TCU)

50. Chicago Bears – Jeremy Chinn (Safety – Southern Illinois)

51. Dallas Cowboys – Jaylon Johnson (CB – Utah)

52. Los Angeles Rams – Darrell Taylor (EDGE – Tennessee)

53. Philadelphia Eagles – KJ Hamler (WR – Penn State)

54. Buffalo Bills – JK Dobbins (RB – Ohio State)

55. Baltimore Ravens – Tyler Biadasz (iOL – Wisconsin)

56. Miami Dolphins – Jonah Jackson (iOL – Ohio State)

57. Houston Texans – Michael Pittman Jr. (WR – USC)
Editor’s Note: This pick was traded to the Rams as part of the Brandin Cooks trade.

58. Minnesota Vikings – Damon Arnette (CB – Ohio State)

59. Seattle Seahawks – Ezra Cleveland (OT – Boise State)

60. Baltimore Ravens – Jonathan Greenard (EDGE – Florida)

61. Tennessee Titans – Marlon Davidson (iDL – Auburn)

62. Green Bay Packers – Raekwon Davis (iDL – Alabama)

63. Kansas City Chiefs – Nick Harris (iOL – Washington)

64. Seattle Seahawks – Donovan Peoples-Jones (WR – Michigan)

Round Three

65. Cincinnati Bengals – Curtis Weaver (EDGE – Boise State)

66. Washington Redskins – Prince Tega-Wanogho (OT – Auburn)

67. Detroit Lions – Davon Hamilton (iDL – Ohio State)

68. New York Jets – Julian Okwara (EDGE – Notre Dame)

69. Carolina Panthers – Kyle Dugger (Safety – Lenoir-Rhyne)

70. Miami Dolphins – Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB – LSU)

71. Los Angeles Chargers – Cam Akers (RB – Florida State)

72. Arizona Cardinals – Josh Uche (EDGE – Michigan)

73. Jacksonville Jaguars – Jalen Hurts (QB – Oklahoma)

NFL Draft Prop Bet: Round Jalen Hurts is Drafted

74. Cleveland Browns – Ashtyn Davis (Safety – California)

75. Indianapolis Colts – Cole Kmet (TE – Notre Dame)

76. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Matt Peart (OT – UConn)

77. Denver Broncos – Brandon Aiyuk (WR – Arizona State)

78. Atlanta Falcons – Jabari Zuniga (EDGE – Florida)

79. New York Jets – Damien Lewis (iOL – LSU)

80. Las Vegas Raiders – Bryan Edwards (WR – South Carolina)

81. Las Vegas Raiders – Jordan Elliott (iDL – Missouri)

82. Dallas Cowboys – Devin Duvernay (WR – Texas)

83. Denver Broncos – Ben Bartch (OT – St. John’s)

84. Los Angeles Rams – Malik Harrison (LB – Ohio State)

85. Detroit Lions – Khalid Kareem (EDGE – Notre Dame)

86. Buffalo Bills – Bryce Hall (CB – Virginia)

87. New England Patriots – Jake Fromm (QB – Georgia)

88. New Orleans Saints – Chase Claypool (WR – Notre Dame)

89. Minnesota Vikings – Robert Hunt (iOL – Louisiana)

90. Houston Texans – Rashard Lawrence (iDL – LSU)

91. Las Vegas Raiders – Jordyn Brooks (LB – Texas Tech)

92. Baltimore Ravens – Laviska Shenault (WR – Colorado)

93. Tennessee Titans – Bradlee Anae (EDGE – Utah)

94. Green Bay Packers – Brycen Hopkins (TE – Purdue)

95. Denver Broncos – Akeem Davis-Gaither (LB – Appalachian State)

96. Kansas City Chiefs – Logan Wilson (LB – Wyoming)

97. Cleveland Browns – John Simpson (iOL – Clemson)

98. New England Patriots – Leki Fotu (iDL – Utah)

99. New York Giants – Terrell Burgess (Safety – Utah)

100. New England Patriots – Adam Trautman (TE – Dayton)

101. Seattle Seahawks – Netane Muti (iOL – Fresno State)

102. Pittsburgh Steelers – Jacob Eason (QB – Washington)

103. Philadelphia Eagles – Evan Weaver (LB – California)

104. Los Angeles Rams – Cameron Dantzler (CB – Mississippi State)

105. Minnesota Vikings – Troy Pride Jr. (CB – Notre Dame)

106. Baltimore Ravens – Thaddeus Moss (TE – LSU)

Round Four

107. Cincinnati Bengals – Markus Bailey (LB – Purdue)

108. Washington Redskins – Darnay Holmes (CB – UCLA)

109. Detroit Lions – K.J. Hill (WR – Ohio State)

110. New York Giants – Alex Highsmith (EDGE – Charlotte)

111. Houston Texans – Logan Stenberg (iOL – Kentucky)

112. Los Angeles Chargers – Saahdiq Charles (OT – LSU)

113. Carolina Panthers – Troy Dye (LB – Oregon)

114. Arizona Cardinals – Antonio Gibson (RB – Memphis)

115. Cleveland Browns – Van Jefferson (WR – Florida)

116. Jacksonville Jaguars – Alton Robinson (EDGE – Syracuse)

117. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Antonio Gandy-Golden (WR – Liberty)

118. Denver Broncos – Larrell Murchison (iDL – N.C. State)

119. Atlanta Falcons – Anthony McFarland Jr. (RB – Maryland)

120. New York Jets – Gabriel Davis (WR – UCF)

121. Las Vegas Raiders – Solomon Kindley (iOL – Georgia)

122. Indianapolis Colts – Kenny Willekes (EDGE – Michigan State)

123. Dallas Cowboys – K’Von Wallace (Safety – Texas)

124. Pittsburgh Steelers – Shane Lemieux (iOL – Oregon)

125. New England Patriots – Quartney Davis (WR – Texas A&M)

126. Los Angeles Rams – Ben Bredeson (iOL – Michigan)

127. Philadelphia Eagles – Lamical Perine (RB – Florida)

128. Buffalo Bills – Jonathan Garvin (EDGE – Miami)

129. Baltimore Ravens – Alohi Gilman (Safety – Notre Dame)

130. New Orleans Saints – Amik Robertson (CB – Louisiana Tech)

131. Arizona Cardinals – Davion Taylor (LB – Colorado)

132. Minnesota Vikings – Quintez Cephus (WR – Wisconsin)

133. Seattle Seahawks – McTelvin Agim (iDL – Arkansas)

134. Baltimore Ravens – Lynn Bowden (WR – Kentucky)

135. Pittsburgh Steelers – Eno Benjamin (RB – Arizona State)

136. Green Bay Packers – Joe Bachie (LB – Michigan State)

137. Jacksonville Jaguars – Zack Moss (RB – Utah)

138. Kansas City Chiefs – Ke’Shawn Vaughn (RB – Vanderbilt)

139. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – James Morgan (QB – Florida International)

140. Jacksonville Jaguars – Josiah Scott (CB – Michigan State)

141. Miami Dolphins – Michael Onwenu (iOL – Michigan)

142. Washington Redskins – Albert Okwuegbunam (TE – Missouri)

143. Atlanta Falcons – Harrison Hand (CB – Temple)

144. Seattle Seahawks – A.J. Dillon (RB – Boston College)

145. Philadelphia Eagles – Hakeem Adeniji (OT – Kansas)

146. Philadelphia Eagles – Isaiah Coulter (WR – Rhode Island)

Kyle Yates is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Kyle, check out his archive and follow him @KyleYNFL.

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Kyle Yates

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Kyle Yates is an independent content creator that's passionate about helping people dominate their fantasy football league. He's spent time previously as a writer for The Fantasy Footballers, was a full-time fantasy analyst for FantasyPros from 2020-2022, and was the Fantasy Football Content Director at Pro Football Network.

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