2020 NFL Mock Draft - RD1 Picks 17-32

"5-star talent, One-star injury luck" is how Ziggy Ansah was described by Detroit Free Press columnist Shawn Windsor. The Seahawks signed Ansah to a one-year deal, and hope he can play to the level of 14.5 sack season in 2015. Realistically it is hoped that Ansah can rotate effectively with 2019 RD1 pick L.J. Collier. Two problems, Ansah is still recovering from shoulder surgery in December and is not partipating in camp. Secondly, Collier has suffered a high-ankle sprain and may miss some regular season games.

I have no idea who is rushing the QB in camp! It's no surprise that this is the headline from Renton: "Russell Wilson has had a phenominal first week of camp!". Hopefully Wison and the offense will score a lot of points in the 2019 season - opposing QBs will certainly have plenty of time to throw!

By the way, while perusing the Texans comment at #22, a case is made that Jadaveon Clowney - who is holding out for a long term deal - could be had for a first-rounder. Hmm!!!

Falcons fans have mocked Thomas Dimitroff's hair since he arrived at Flowery Branch, but the brain underneath all that hair product is pretty astute when it comes to managing the salary cap. In the space of a few sultry July days, Dimitroff was able to lock up stud DT Grady Jarrett and Pro Bowl ILB Deion Jones. This allowed them enough cap space to sign Allen Bailey to bolster the defensive line. Julio Jones is currently standing outside Arthur Blank's bank, directing the armored cars to dump all the money into his pocket, but comparing those talks to any other prima donna WR and it's apparent that there are happy training campers in Atlanta.

However, all those deals for critical components of the team mean that Atlanta will need some interesting draft picks to pay off. The pass rush remains suspect until it actually shows up in games, which means intriguing players like Deadrin Senat and John Cominsky need to turn potential into performance sooner rather than later. Dan Quinn's job depends on a playoff run. The offense is loaded, especially if 2019 picks Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary shore up the O-Line. Can Quinn convert promise to performance?

-Greg Hawes, Falcons Analyst

The Steelers' CB group is lacking playmaking ability. Despite playing behind a front seven ranked first in sacks, the defense was ranked only 28th in interceptions and gave up the 5th-most passing touchdowns. Last year, they led the league in dropped interceptions with 13.

The aging Joe Haden starts opposite Free-Agency-pickup Steven Nelson. Haden will likely be extended a couple years this offseason, but he only has a few years left. Nelson, 2018's most targeted CB, played well at times but has also been victimized by teams trying to claw back into games against the juggernaut Chiefs' Offense. Last year's RD3 pickup Justin Layne hasn't made much noise, for better or worse, through the first week of camp. Considering the age of Haden and the uncertainty around the rest of the group, the Steelers need to keep searching for playmakers to complete what is close to a Lombardi-contending roster.

Looking at what's transpired at Vikings Training Camp so far, one of the biggest areas of concern continues to be wide receiver depth after Diggs and Thielen. Laquon Treadwell has been a bust. I'm ready to call that and just move on. I'd love for him to prove me wrong this year, but I'm not holding my breath. Chad Beebe looks to be in the pole position for WR3, but Zim's already criticized his ability to stay healthy, so who knows how long he can keep the job. Fortunately for the Vikings, the 2020 NFL Draft is LOADED at wide receiver. There could be 6-8 guys taken on Day 1 alone, depending on who declares in January, as the senior class alone isn't strong. Barring an out-of-nowhere breakout season from one of the depth guys, I feel like WR will absolutely be an early target for Minnesota come next April. - Brett Stott, Vikings Analyst

With camp up and firing on all cylinders, optimism has never been higher regarding the Browns. Cleveland has done an outstanding job of putting together a variety of playmakers on this offense, while filling some of their more glaring needs on defense. Still, there are areas of concern, and those are showing up in camp.

After shipping Jabrill Peppers to New York as part of the Browns' blockbuster trade with the Giants, Cleveland made a number of attempts to fill the void at Safety, including making a run at Earl Thomas. Cleveland may not have gotten the player they want at the position, but that isn't going to stop the Browns from employing one of the league's hottest defensive trends, the three-safety package. This personnel grouping is something New England has done at times for the last several years, but it really gained popularity last January when the Los Angeles Chargers used it in a dominant effort against the Baltimore Ravens' unique rushing attack.

If Steve Wilkes is serious about wanting operating out of a three-safety look more often, this pick might be best spent at improving the Safety position. Greedy Williams' former teammate, Grant Delpit may be long gone, but McKinney is looking to have a breakout year for the Crimson Tide. Also, I am still not sold on these tackles, and the offensive line in general is having some struggles in camp. Some of the top tackles may be gone by this point, but keep an eye on Iowa's Tristan Wirfs, who could surge up draft boards with a strong junior campaign.

~ Austin Smith, DraftTek Senior Analyst

Ladies and gentlemen and Houston Texans fans everywhere, it's official: DeAndre Hopkins can officially catch everything Deshaun Watson can throw at him. Even if that thing is sushi and even if Hopkins is using chopsticks to catch it. In other not surprising news, first-year cornerbacks don't generally look too good in training camp when going up against the best wide receiver football has to offer. Who would've guessed?

One issue no one needs to guess on is the health status of some of the Texans' most important pieces on offense and defense. Defensive End JJ Watt, Safety Justin Reid, and the aforementioned Wide Receiver DeAndre Hopkins have been removed from the PUP list and have been cleared to practice with the team. What's even more exciting for Houston's offense is that Will Fuller has completely healed from a torn ACL he suffered last season. He appears poised to don the mantle of one of the most exciting young deep threat receivers in the game!

It's not all peaches and cream for the Texans, however, as Jadeveon Clowney has not reported to training camp, as he seeks a new contract for the start of the 2019 season. It makes it even more problematic that the Texans are still currently without an official full-time general manager. While the dispute doesn't seem hopeful to end anytime soon, it's still possible that a team could make a trade for Clowney if they agree to his asking price. This would also net the Texans a 2020 RD1 draft pick as a part of the nonexclusive franchise tag placed on Clowney in March of this year.

If the offensive line could manage to take a few steps forward this year, then the Texans should still be as optimistic about their chances this season as any team in the NFL!

- Cody Lachney, Texans Analyst

Your Dallas Cowboys are in Sunny CA (Oxnard, for those of you with exacting personalities of the Google-Map persuasion), sans one "elephant in the room". Yes True Believers, Ezekiel Elliott has yet to report to Training Camp; however, for those of you wringing your hands, I would like to introduce a little historical perspective (after all, whether you prefer the original quote of George Santayana in 1905, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" or Winston Churchill's paraphrase from his 1948 speech to the House of Commons, "Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it" matters not to me). The late, great Frank Luska (who worked for five decades covering the Cowboys for three different Dallas-Fort Worth newspapers: Fort Worth Press, Dallas Times Herald, Dallas Morning News) issued this experienced parable to calm the masses. He said players holding out over a contract from training camp are like a cat stuck up in a tree: "Oh, when a cat gets stuck up in a tree, everyone begins to fret. They call the fire department. They try rattling the branches to encourage the cat to come down. They use poles. Anxiety grows high. But you know what? Have you ever found a dead cat up in a tree?" Unless "Zippy Zeke" has been investing his money wisely, most likely he will not want to miss a paycheck!

The other "elephant in the room" is the potential impact of Kellen Moore running the offense. Whether or not Kellen was having fun with the media in the first shorts-and-helmets practice Saturday is up for debate, but he opened practice with a heavy formation with Jason Witten and Blake Jarwin on the right side. As soon as Dak Prescott got under center, they shifted Witten and Jarwin to the left side and then brought Amari Cooper down inside, tight to the formation. This wasn't the only time Moore was moving his personnel around during practice. For those of you that were looking for Moore to show some pre-snap motion and movement, he delivered for you.

-Long Ball, Cowboys Analyst

The biggest headline from the early days of the Packers' training camp was the release of veteran DL Mike Daniels. While GM Brian Gutekunst's pursuit of lengthier athletes led many to believe Daniels' days in Green Bay were numbered, it was still a shock to see a tenured leader simply let go. Daniels was coming off an injury-shortened 2018 season that saw him record his lowest totals in sacks (2), tackles (18), TFL (1), and QB hits (5) since 2014.

Recent CMDs have had some of the top QB prospects slipping down the board, which brings up the question of whether Gutey would be ready to add a RD1 talent at QB. The Packers inked Aaron Rodgers to a $134M extension through the 2023 season last August, banking on the QB performing at a high level through age 39. A Top-10 caliber QB like Herbert or Fromm could entice the Packers' front office to consider Rodgers' heir, much like Rodgers' slide tempted Ted Thompson back in 2005.

- James Siebers, Packers Analyst

It seems like every year I begin the draft cycle projecting the Raiders will take a stud linebacker with an early selection, only to see them neglect the position on Day 1 and Day 2 and fill the position group with over-the-hill veterans and underwhelming talents. And, while I think there's a decent chance this year's iteration is improved, I still would be surprised if it's better than bottom third of the league.

There was zero effort made to infuse youthful talent into the position, and the squad will be fortunate if Vontaze Burfict and Brandon Marshall can make it through most of one season, let alone hold on for a second. The two have average missing 5 games apiece for the last 3 seasons, and they now prepare to turn 29 and 30 respectively, hardly a recipe for a long-term solution. It's clear the need will be there once again in the 2020 Draft, so, will an early projection finally be proven right?

If there's one thing we know about the Colts' draft process in the early stages of the Ballard era, it's that we cannot be entirely sure which position will ultimately be selected with their RD1 pick.

We were "pretty certain" we knew in the 2018 NFL Draft that the Colts would go Offensive Line, and that the player was "likely" going to be Quenton Nelson. That's about as close to being "on target" as we analysts have gotten with GM Chris Ballard. Ballard has many variables that determine the player he feels best fits the scheme of the Colts, and many selections have created some initial consternation among fans and pundits alike -note the final two reviews in that link.

This year, it was Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin. For some, it was the entire draft! ! What we truly do know is that this is a team that is being built slowly, but surely, through the draft.

The early talk heading into the 2019 season is of the Colts being one of the favorites to go the Super Bowl. That's a bit premature (in my estimation), as this roster is still primarily a group of young players still finding out about life in the NFL. However, with the sprinkling of key veterans in the clubhouse adding stability, Coach Frank Reich and his coaching staff creating a scheme that fits the players and a couple of big breaks here and there, anything is possible. I still feel they're a year, perhaps two, away from making a very serious run at a Super Bowl. But it certainly doesn't preclude them from making the playoffs and causing some problems for others looking to get to Miami Gardens, Florida, next February.

Once the season is over, no matter how it turns out, the Colts still need to get younger in the front seven. Free-agent acquisitions Justin Houston, Jabaal Sheard, and Margus Hunt are "30-somethings", playing on borrowed time. EDGE and a solid 1-Tech up front would be two Indy targets next year. Offensive Line, though rated highly this past season, is going to depend largely on the contract outcome of veteran LT Anthony Castonzo. I firmly believe Indy needs additional starting-caliber depth at OT and OG, but the contract status of Castonzo will help determine if the Colts need to select an OT early.

The Eagles' 2019 Training Camp is well underway, and while there are countless topics of discussion already, two items top the list in my mind. The first is Carson Wentz: he looks very good, but he MUST put together a complete season or else the murmurings about his ability to stay healthy will turn into roars. That said, IF he does stay healthy this year, the Eagles have as good a shot as anyone to win the Super Bowl.

The second thing that jumps out at me is the group of receivers Wentz has to work with. Tight ends Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert may not be Gronkowski/Hernandez yet; however, they legitimately have that kind of potential. Alshon Jeffery and Nelson Agholor return as great intermediate weapons for Wentz. Lastly, the most underrated acquisition of the offseason may be WR DeSean Jackson (774 yds, 18.9 ypc). On paper, the thought of DJax (who still looks insanely fast) matched up with Carson Wentz's cannon of an arm stretching defenses vertically, while Ertz/Goedert, Jeffery and Agholor wreak havoc underneath, is enough to cause most Eagles' fans to do a little Happy Dance.

The Eagles have very little in the way of weaknesses right now. However, Philly's D-Line is the heart and soul of their defense, and its overall talent is a notch below what it's been in the last two years. Expect them to address that early and often in the 2020 Draft.

- Broz, Eagles Analyst

The Melvin Gordon standoff creates a need area on one of the league's most complete rosters. Sure, Justin Jackson was a great pluck in the 7th round and Justin Ekeler is a cool piece to have. But Gordon is a legit bell cow, a first rounder who has panned out. But despite his universal top-10 status, emerging analytics and injury concerns mean the league just does not favor big contracts for running backs.

The situation creates a large-to-giant distraction as the Bolts get ready to go chase a title, so it will be compelling viewing as camp winds down. Both sides have strong motivations to stand strong and not to cave for the sake of winning. If the Gordon situation is resolved with an extension, another Chargers' draft option is a high-end developmental QB. As we keep insisting, Phil Rivers can't go on forever, can he?

We're penciling in Travis Etienne at the moment until the Gordon situation clears up. Coincidentally, Drafttek just added a scouting report for Etienne!

There's a new highest paid WR in the NFL and he resides in the Big Easy.

Wide Receiver Michael Thomas will now be a part of the Saints' training camp with a bunch more dinero - with a just-shy-of-$100-million dollar contract. And likely a gigantic smile. He can actually hit that $100-million threshold by reaching some incentives that were included as part of the deal. If not, the deal is "only" worth a total of 96-million. This contract is intriguing on a few levels:

1) It sets the tone for other wideouts around the entire league coming up for contract talks in the next few months and years.

2) It makes for a very interesting dynamic with what the Saints are planning to do with Alvin Kamara, since Brees is already a $100-million-dollar ( by virtue of his last contract). Can New Orleans have that many top-dollar players on one side of the ball? 30-year old Cam Jordan just signed a 5-year, $75-million dollar deal a few weeks back (if he maxes out incentives the entire 5 years of the contract).

3) The Saints still need a #2 wideout and a long-term #1 and #2 TE , to help balance out the otherwise potent offensive attack. Free agent Jared Cook is a stop gap measure and the Saints need to focus in on what's shaping up to be a very talented group of TE prospects for 2020.

Should Drew Brees decide to call it a career after this season, the talk in all Who Dat Nation would be what QB the Saints should draft in 2020 - and can that QB beat out Teddy Bridgewater. But maybe all of that is getting too far ahead of where we are now. Brees hasn't hinted in any direction other than to say he'd like to play at least a few more years.

Aside from WR and TE, the Saints still need to consider a young EDGE prospect that will eventually (and hopefully seamlessly) slide in for Cam Jordan once he retires. The Offensive Line also needs some top-caliber talent for both potential starting role at OG and for more solid depth.

The Rams have a young core of players that they should be able to lean on for the next few seasons. Jared Goff, Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods, and Todd Gurley are all under 30 years old and have already established themselves as integral cogs in Sean McVay's offense.

The defensive side of the ball has Aaron Donald, who is the best at his position, and not much after him in terms of long term answers. Cory Littleton had a breakout year in 2018 while John Johnson improves every year but both still have a lot to prove. In order for the Rams to continue on their current trajectory, the defense needs to be injected with youth. The best way to do that? The NFL Draft. Edge rushers should be a top priority but Dante Fowler might alleviate that need a bit depending on what we see from him in 2019.

Some guys are hidden on the depth chart in Los Angeles that could emerge in the blink of an eye to help out with pass-rushing duties. Trevon Young, Justin Lawler, and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo are all 2018 draftees who might turn some heads in their second years as pros. Especially with veteran Clay Matthews now in the locker room to share some wisdom.

Adding some guys at the cornerback spot should also be a major item on the offseason checklist for Les Snead. Aqib Talib is the team's top corner but is 33 years old and battled injury issues last season. Marcus Peters is only 26 and shows flashes of being elite but who knows if he can truly be trusted as a team leader. Both Talib and Peters are entering the final year of their respective contracts.

Les Snead has put together a nice roster but to stay on top in the NFL, you need to continuously nail the draft. With a deep class of edge rushers and cornerbacks on the horizon, the Rams should focus on those two spots.

The obvious need for the Chiefs' immediate and future success is at CB. Chiefs fans are already screaming about the lack of depth heading into camp. And now, 10-days prior to the first preseason game, AAF darling Keith Reaser is out with an Achilles tear and Tremon Smith has been moved to RB. The Chiefs would quickly need to exercise an emergency plan -- including moving Tyrann Mathieu to corner -- should another injury occur. I do expect GM Brett Veach to make a move after roster cuts, but it will more likely be a short-term fix.

If the NFL moves to an 18-game season, where each player may only participate in 16 games, this RD1 priority may change... which brings me to the less-obvious area of weakness: TE. Think about this: if Travis Kelce were required to sit out two games, who on the current roster would take his place? The departure of Demetrius Harris left a huge vacancy at TE. In 2018, the Chiefs shuffled through 5 additional backup TEs --Tim Wright, Jace Amaro, Alex Ellis, Blake Mack, and, finally, Deon Yelder. The current roster boasts Yelder, Blake Bell (whose uncle, Mike Bell, was a former RD1 pick for KC and played for the Chiefs from 1979-91), David Wells, Nick Keizer, Jody Fortson, and rookie/converted collegiate QB ... and ahh, Heisman Trophy winner (Yeah, That's the ticket!) John Lovett to backup Kelce. I'm cheering for Bell, although I'm not sure I'd call him a quality backup plan.

~KCBudMan, Chiefs Analyst

The New England Patriots were able to skirt their way to a Super Bowl victory last season despite a poor pass rush. It was the second time in three seasons they have achieved the feat. In fact, they're the only team to have won since 2000 while being in the bottom quarter of the league in adjusted sack rate, and they did it twice.

Many words are rightfully penned about how underwhelming and thin the Patriots' pass rush is, but those critiques are typically angled at the Edge position. What flies under the radar is New England's complete lack of interior pass rush over the past half decade. Despite washing out of Foxborough due to multiple injuries, Dominique Easley did provide a quality push up the middle during his limited time with the team. Since his release, however, the Patriots have never replaced his impact. Heading into 2019, this will be an area to watch.

If the edge rushers cannot generate pressure, then it is going to fall on the interior of the line. Lawrence Guy had a tremendous Super Bowl against the Rams, and hopefully that level of play will continue this season. Additionally, New England brought in Mike Pennel who had the 13th-highest pass rush grade among interior defenders last season, according to ProFootballFocus. Even still, this projects to be a weakness for the Patriots this upcoming season, and fcould be a need to address in the 2020 draft.

-Jonathan Rosenberg, Patriots Analyst