2020 NFL Mock Draft - RD1 Picks 17-32

Previously (or in our last episode), there were questions about potential candidates for new HC McCarthy's coaching staff. Slowly but surely, those questions are being answered, as Mike has been on the recruiting trail. From what I've been able to learn, new DC Mike Nolan has coached both 4-3 and 3-4 alignments; as a result, the defensive front may not change immediately. However, Nolan does have an affinity for a large NT in both alignments, so I moved the 1-Tech DT's up in the pecking order to pair with prospects in the defensive backfield.

- Long Ball, Cowboys Analyst

Ryan Fitzpatrick ended the season as Miami's leading rusher. The Phins failed to uncover a lead back, but the main reason for Fitzmagic's accession was that he was always running for his life behind an awful O-Line. Fitzpatrick also had the 3rd-lowest average time to throw amongst 39 qualifying QBs. Miami has to add pieces in the trenches early, and often, in the draft. Alabama OT, Jedrick Wills, is an easy pick here.

- David Payne, Dolphins Analyst

After selecting 3 Clemson Tigers in the 2019 Draft, Gruden could do worse than doubling down on his obsession with Dabo's program by taking 2 Tigers in 2020's RD1. His mediocre playoff showing (85 catches for 0 TDs over 2 games) shows he may not be as ready to take the role of WR1 as Jerry Jeudy or CeeDee Lamb, but the long passcatcher has also shown sustained flashes, with 346 yards and 8 TDs over the last 3 games prior to the playoff, including a dominant performance in the Conference Championship game. The Raiders really struggled at WR, and could also be fascinated by an Al Davis special, speedster Henry Ruggs. New DL coach Rod Marinelli might also advocate for Javon Kinlaw at this spot.

In this mock draft, the Jags have several attractive options at #20. Javon Kinlaw is available to bolster the defensive line. His stock may continue to improve in the eyes of GM David Caldwell if the release of expected cap-casualties Marcell Dareus and Calais Campbell comes to pass. On the other side, Henry Ruggs is still on the board to offer a WR target opposite D.J. Chark for whomever is slinging the ball in 2020.

As in recent mocks, we continue to roll with the best-available linebacker prospect in Kenneth Murray to address a significant team weakness. The Jags suffered poor performance in defensing the run in 2019, allowing a 27th-ranked 2229 rushing yards, 31st in yards/attempt at 5.1, and 31st in rushing TDs allowed at 23.

Most mock draft addicts will be clamoring for a WR here to fix this glaring positional weakness, but I expect Free Agency to be used to make this group respectable. The Draft should be used to add great players, not fill holes. If we go into the Draft still desperate for a WR, the front office has failed. Nabbing DT Kinlaw, WR K.J. Hamler , and Antoine Winfield with the first three picks would be nice. Kinlaw is a beast, and I'll take Hamler in RD2 over Ruggs in RD1 any day.

-Broz, Eagles Analyst

You create offense in one of two ways: protect the QB better until he finds his target, or get him a real #1 WR with separation. A look through the DraftTek Team Needs pages shows that the greatest need is at Tackle. You'll already see pretty-big Reaches for OT in RD2 (-49 for the next-available OT at the Bills' pick).

Tristan Wirfs is the top RD1 pick on my BillsMafia War Chart, created from scout visits in 2019. A scout watched Wirfs in a shutout on 9/7, Beane and Schoen saw him in at the Michigan game 10/5 [Highlights], and 2 scouts returned two weeks later for Purdue.

- Dean Kindig, Bills Analyst

New England's Wild Card loss to the Titans strongly reinforced the need to upgrade the Patriots' offense. Despite the final score being 20-13, New England needed to score more than 14 points in order to win this game, yet they couldn't muster even that. Wide Receiver and Tight End figure to top the team's list of target positions this offseason, either in Free Agency or the draft. Julian Edelman's recent arrest doesn't help clarify things, either.

- Jonathan Rosenberg, Patriots Analyst

Ruggs would've been the choice here, even over local LSU star Justin Jefferson, if he wasn't already selected in the previous pick. OG Solomon Kindley, OLB Anfernee Jennings, and CB Trevon Diggs are all potential options instead of Jefferson. Most Who Dats want an improved defense and not another offensive toy for Sean Payton. The Saints need to "hit" correctly on whichever prospect they select, but coming off the National Championship, Jefferson is the sentimental choice here.

The Vikings are built to win right now, you could even say we were built to win this year. They've got the leagues worst salary cap situation, over the limit by $5M for 2020, so expect a couple of their big dollar players to be shipped off. Looking at the players expiring, well, now, and we don't see a lot of dollars coming off of the cap. Checking out OverTheCap.com for 2020, the team loses key DBs Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander.

Next year QB Kirk Cousin's contract expires, opening up $28M. He's gone, as is Dalvin Cook. The team won't be able to afford what Cook will command, so it's be his last year. GM Rick Spielman has 5 defensive "front-7" players with contracts north of #10M per annum: Danielle Hunter, Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks, Eversen Griffin and Linval Joseph. One or two of these guys will be considered "nice to have" versus "need to have". Spielman will try any keep the core pieces together for one more shot at the brass ring next year, but after that it's rebuild time.

Miami would be smart to use this pick, gained by trading Laremy Tunsil, to draft another O-Lineman. Miami needs to add some 'nasty' to the offense. There aren't many tougher, or meaner, than Wisconsin Lineman, Tyler Biadasz. Biadasz remains the top interior line prospect despite a 'quiet' 2019 campaign. Biadasz would immediately slide in as a starting OG or C, and become the leader Miami needs on offense.

- David Payne, Dolphins Analyst

Once again, the Seahawks are bounced from the playoffs because they are too stubborn to let Russell Wilson be Russell Wilson until they are down multiple scores after half-ime. It's the usual targets as well for Seattle come the off-season; offensive line and pass rush -with the secondary sprinkled in. However, they have $62M in cap space this year ($70M if Justin Britt is cut) and three picks in the first two rounds of the Draft. Big things are possible.

~ Jeff Chapman, Seahawks Analyst

I don't claim to know why the Ravens could outgain the Titans 520 yards to 300, run 88 plays to Tennessee's 52, and lose by a lopsided 28-12 margin. It is disheartening to see negativity directed toward QB Lamar Jackson, who threw 59 passes and ran the ball 20 times (for 143 yards). Point a finger instead at the coaching staff, who only ran 9 of 88 plays that did not involve Jackson. Note to John Harbaugh: when you "gamble", sometimes you will lose. Yes, analytics may "favor" going for it on 4th down, but "favor" is not a sure thing. In a close game where the Ravens involuntarily turned the ball over 3 times, adding another 2 "turnovers" via 4th-down fails may well have been the tipping point.

In this mock, the Ravens forego needs at EDGE and LB here in RD1 due to lack of value.

This run is incredible: the Titans just beat the number-one seed in the AFC, to everyone's shock. Ryan Tannehill has been great at winning games; you can't argue with those results and the fact that he's led the team to the AFC Championship. Tannehill is an amazing story, but he threw for only 88 yards against the Ravens. Double-digit passing yards isn't a great recipe for long-term success, especially when the "hot take" from last weekend was that Lamar Jackson is overrated and a "gimmick quarterback", since he only generated 500 yards of offense by himself. The smart move is re-signing Tannehill for another year, and bringing along a young QB when he's ready. This mock draft has the Titans taking Jake Fromm.

Fromm is experienced, having started as a true freshman. He's less athletic, but has a better arm than Will Grier from last year's class. Fromm might not be worth a first-round pick, but QBs are extremely valuable, and the Titans need one for their future.

Davante Adams dominated SEA in the Divisional Round, but his 8 catches for 160 yards accounted for 50% of the team's completions and 65.8% of GB's yards through the air. In fact, no other WR on the roster saw more than one target in the game. The Packers will have to ride Adams hard the remainder of the season, but GM Brian Gutekunst has to add some weapons to ensure a consistent passing game. Minnesota's Tyler Johnson, coming off a season with 1,318 yards and 13 TDs, could be a strong option.

I don't know about you Chiefs' fans, my insides are still twisted in a knot. When your team's first-quarter highlights are only flubs and screw-ups, one assumes the end results will be negative. In next week's AFC Championship Game, the Chiefs now host the last team to beat them. The Titans, by the way, are the only team that Andy Reid has not beaten twice. After this turnaround victory over Houston, I take this as a good sign. Reid will win. This is our year! Pick #32 is ours!

We've looked at RB, CB, and LB for the Chiefs, but KC Kingdom makes a great case for the Chiefs to snag a WR in RD1. See their NCAA Championship Game prospects here.

~ KCBudMan, Chiefs Analyst

The 49ers didn't leave much to criticize in their divisional-round win against the Vikings. Even Akhello Witherspoon, who got burned for an early (and the Vikings' only) TD was redeemed when, after being benched, he asked to take over replacement (Emmanuel Moseley's) special-teams duties. While the camaraderie is incredible, the future of the Niners' CBs is uncertain. Witherspoon and Pro Bowler Richard Sherman are set to hit Free Agency in 2021 and Moseley's contract expires after this season, (but as an ERFA, he's all but assured to be back.)

Adding Florida's C.J. Henderson makes sense for San Fran as a safeguard against erosion at the position. Henderson's long frame and physical play style make him a strong fit for the Niners secondary and a steal at the end of RD1.

- Brett Clancy, 49ers Analyst