2020 NFL Mock Draft - RD1 Picks 17-32

The NFL's PR machine has been pushing Patrick Mahomes, Jared Goff, DeShaun Watson, and Lamar Jackson as the QB stars-of-the-next-generation. Even Baker Mayfield was getting (prematurely) placed into that Green Room. Yet Jameis Winston, a guy who by the end of this season will have thrown for more TDs and passing yardage than anyone in history - before the age of 26 - is thrown into an "instant-offense" journeyman/castoff category a la Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jay Cutler. Comparing TDs, Winston has 111 through 13 games versus Peyton Manning's record of 117. Regarding passing yardage? Winston already owns that one with 18,743 (and counting).

The Bucs may have the best collection of WRs in the league, with Chris Godwin and Mike Evans both topping 1,000 yards through 13 weeks; Tom Brady can only dream about a group this talented!!. Even former RD1 Ravens' bust Breshad Perriman is showing signs of reverse-busting with 8 catches for 157 yards and a score in their recent two wins against Jacksonville and Indy. Perriman will get more reps with which to prove himself, with Evans on the shelf for the season's last three games.

We'd like to draft an OT here in RD1, but the Bucs 3-game win streak has pushed their pick to #17 and out of contention for the elite OT prospects. Instead GM Jason Licht will look to the Defensive Line. Pass rush has been a long-term liability for the team that, at least for 2019, has enjoyed some modest success with the league's leading sacker Shaq Barrett (14.5 thru 14 games). Still, the team as a whole has totalled 34, good for just 15th in the league. In a cruel twist of fate, not just Barrett will be hitting the streets as a Free Agent, but the Bucs' #2 and #3 sackers as well. Carl Nassib (5.0 sacks) and JPP (3.5) join Barrett in search of a new contract.

A.J. Epenesa's draft stock has slipped this season as he was not able to match his sophomore season's statline, but Epenesa has been on a tear in recent Iowa games. He personally destroyed the 7th ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers with 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Not to be outdone, Epenesa added 14 tackles, 2 sacks and 4.5 TFLs in the regular-season finale against Nebraska.

I continue to look for help on this offensive line, but if Freddie Kitchens is going to be let go, we could see a number of changes based on the new coach. I have always believed Kitchens was a good coach, and I actually played for North Texas his final year coaching the running backs for the Mean Green. Still, I was perplexed by his decision to both wear a shirt in regards to the embarrassment that took place during the Steelers-Browns contest, as well as his rationalization of it.

To say that he would do all over again can't possibly be true. If it is, he has no business being the leader of a football team. Forget any sort of truth in the message on his shirt. Leaders must be accountable for their actions and the players they coach, and one has ripped a player's helmet off and hit him in the head with it. If coaches spend their time pointing fingers at the opposing team's transgressions, as opposed to addressing their own squad, the message is that your own players were not at fault. Even if you do address your team's actions, a shirt like this negates the sincerity of that message.

With the kind of discipline from the man in charge, it's no mystery why this team is second in penalty yardage this season. For those reasons, I am going to point out, for the second straight week, the leadership of Biadasz. He is the kind of player that holds himself and the players around him accountable, and he has the kind of character that this team desparately needs. There are plenty of players who can help the Browns, but if they don't possess that quality in particular, I'm afraid I'd have to pass.

~ Austin Smith, DraftTek Senior Analyst

While the offense that was humming midseason has stalled and now has a desperate need for a talent infusion, we can't forget about a thoroughly dreadful defense. Ranking 25th in the league in sacks - only 6 of the Raiders' 27 come from the interior DL. The fact that so little pressure comes from the middle allows opposing QBs to have the time to deliver the most yards per attempt in the entire league.

Here's where a long, athletic interior DL with a high ceiling as a passrusher, like Kinlaw, could be a factor. Now, after getting 5 sacks in the first 6 games of the season, Kinlaw had only 1 in the second half of 2019, so his stock has taken a bit of a hit. Still, if the Raiders don't want to signal that they've already given up on #4-overall pick Clelin Ferrell, look for DT or LB to be the second RD1 selection come springtime.

The Tennessee Titans are quietly on a roll - 6-1 over the last seven games! They're on the edge of the playoff race, tied with the Steelers at 8-5 but lagging PIT in the tiebreaker. The schedule is difficult with the Texans twice and the Saints once. The Texans are actually tied with the Titans at 8-5, so the results of those two games could determine not only a wild card playoff spot, but the AFC South Division crown as well.

Jack Conklin has played well this season, he's currently the 20th ranked offensive tackle according to PFF.com's rankings, but they chose not to pick up the fifth year in Conklin's contract, so even if he continues playing well, the Titans will have to pay market value for a talented offensive tackle.

With the Titans' lack of depth and Conklin's impending departure, Tennessee needs some help at the tackle position. Enter Washington's Trey Adams. He's huge, even for an offensive tackle measuring in at 6'8". Adams has dealt with some scary injuries in his college career, with an ACL injury and a neck injury shortening his past two seasons.

Adams is a tough player who finishes his blocks. The most important stat from Adams season is that he started every game for Washington this season, proving that he can stay healthy. His performance this year earned him 1st all Pac-12 honors. If Adams passes the Combine physical, he will be a steal for the Titans, who just might be coming off a playoff run, but they will definitely be looking for a starting right tackle to line up on the other side of Taylor Lewan. The Titans have to protect Ryan Tannehill or whoever is behind center next year if they want to continue their upward momentum.

Despite Ryan Fitzpatrick's likeability, if Tua falls to this pick, Miami would be stupid not to pull the trigger. At the moment, this feels like the right sort of range for Tua, given the uncertainty around his future. I can foresee Tua's stock rising closer to the draft, but for now this feels like the perfect scenario, for both Tua and the Phins. It would also mean another season of Fitzmagic, allowing Tua time to completely rehab. This has to happen, who do I need to talk to? Santa?

Despite this perfect scenario, we have to address Miami's other needs here. Even in the games Miami has won, they have not been able to muster much of a rushing attack. Miami are having one of the worst-ever seasons for rushing yards. Currently, Miami is on pace for only just having slightly more rushing yards than the 2000 San Diego Chargers. The Chargers, in 2000, managed only 1,062 rushing yards at an average of 66.375 YPG. This is the fewest in a 16-game season. The Dolphins' RBs have been deficient, but the overriding issue with Miami's run game is the O-Line. Miami needs to go heavy on O-linemen in the draft. Even after snaring Andrew Thomas with the #4 pick, Miami has to keep adding pieces, and that could be a strong option here if the right player falls.

I'm going to take this opportunity to heap praise on some of Miami's stars from this season. DeVante Parker has finally blossomed into the dominant WR he was expected to be out of Louisville. Parker seems fitter than ever, and his confidence is through the roof. Nik Needham also needs praise for stepping in as Miami's best CB down the stretch. The UDFA is by no means elite, but he shows great effort and will, hopefully, continue to get better and better.

- David Payne, Dolphins Analyst

Miami's secondary should have been its strength this season. At the start of the season, a lineup of: Xavien Howard, Eric Rowe, Bobby McCain, Reshad Jones, and Minkah Fitzpatrick could/should have challenged anyone in the league. Three of the 5 players named are currently on Injured Reserve, and Minkah is enjoying life in Pennsylvania. Eric Rowe is playing well, but has moved from CB to Safety. It's a miracle that Miami has been competitive given the players that currently reside in the secondary, but they deserve great credit, and it bodes well for the future of this unit. Miami will address CB and Safety in the draft, but not here in RD1.

The pass rush absolutely, positively has to be addressed in the off-season. Assuming Miami doesn't go EDGE crazy in Free Agency, it will have to factor within the 5 picks Miami has in the first 2 rounds. Miami has the money to offer someone like Yannick Ngakoue a contract he and his agent can't refuse. Even if the Phins can secure one of the top free agents at the position, they'd still be wise to draft someone like Curtis Weaver. Weaver has had a great season for Boise State, and he seems to have cemented himself as one of the top Edge Rusher prospects. The Junior has been very productive in 2019, and teams will hope he declares. Weaver would fit well in Miami's scheme, and should be a plug-and-play piece in Miami's rebuild.

- David Payne, Dolphins Analyst

The Jags' own pick has been increasing in value as the team continues to lose games. However, this pick, acquired from the Rams for Jalen Ramsey, has slipped in the selection order as the Rams have won two straight (thru Week 13) and still have playoff aspirations. Dave Caldwell (or whomever the new GM may be) will look hard at linebacker here to further shore up the run defense and ability to cover opposing TEs.

In our previous mock draft, I highlighted problems that the entire Jags' LB corps is having with missed tackles. Myles Jack, who signed a $14M/year contract earlier in the year, has completely flopped. In the last five games, Jack has 5 missed tackles versus 17 actual tackles. He's allowed 12 completions on 12 targets in coverage. I certainly hope that Jack's contract is structured with escape clauses, because the team won't do well with this performance through the 2024 duration of his deal. DraftTek's board shows that all available linebackers are 2nd-round talents, but I believe a reach is in order to get their guy. There is no certainty that top LB prospects Malik Harrison or Kenneth Murray will be available when the Jags' next pick comes up in RD2.

"This loss and the Patriots loss rank in the same category as far as two prestige teams, playing right there with them and, ultimately, coming up short...That's what really pisses you off," said Ed Oliver. Just remember, being pissed off is always better than being pissed on, and we weren't. The 24-17 result against the hottest team in the NFL wasn't determined until the final minute, when Allen's fourth-down pass touched former Raven John Brown's outstretched fingers. Contrary to you Daboll nay-sayers, it was the right call: In 2019, Brown still has the 2nd-most receiving yards against press by any NFL player. A big WR with separation is still a RD1-RD2 need, and it's a great year to draft one.

Also contrary to Bills Twitter, Josh's fumble doesn't mean we should be running the poorly-protected gunslinger out of town. Over the last 3 games, we are tied for #1 in Fewest Giveaways with .7 per game (Saints, Pack, Cheatriots, Ravens, Niners), and have made the most improvement in that metric over last season. A Real Tackle would be nice, a younger Ty Nsehke type, to plug the leaky hole on the right.

Second to Baltimore's gaudy 46.96%, the Bills lead the league in Rushing First Down Percentage (36.84%). Credit Daboll's increased use of Devin Singletary and Josh's run-for-your-life moves. Singletary's blocking of pass rushers 100 pounds heavier isn't pretty. In RD1-4, we'll take Gore's successor. Playoff chances are 95% now, 100% next year.

- Dean Kindig, Bills Analyst

The Vikings have a tough road ahead of them if they want to host a playoff game in January. To put it simply, they have to win all of their remaining games from here on out. Anything short of that, and they'll be travelling to (most likely) the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field to play the Packers for the third time or Jerry World for a rematch with the Cowboys. Neither of those options should scare any respectable NFL team, but they're a lot less exciting than a home game at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings are very quietly having a very strong season. 7 of their 9 wins have been by double digits, and only one of their four losses has been by more than 6 (the wake-up call game vs. the Bears in Week 4). The key for this team down the stretch will be staying healthy (Thielen and Cook most importantly) and limiting the mental errors that have plagued them this year, like untimely penalties, coverage gaffes, and costly turnovers. If they can reel those in, watch out!

BTW, DraftTek is looking for a Vikings' writer/analyst for the upcoming draft season to study team needs and prepare mock draft comments. If you bleed purple and gold and have, at a minimum, college-level writing and analytical skills, drop an email to Drafttek1@gmail.com.

Hey Patsies! Sahh-rry tah put an end to yah 21-game home-win rec-ahhd!  With that victory, the Chiefs clinched their fourth straight AFC West Division crown -- a first for the franchise; hopefully, a sign of a turning tide. Chiefs fans may now breathe a little easier; the 2019 regular season is all but a wrap. By the way, the Titans are the only NFL team that Andy Reid has not beaten twice in his career. I’d like to see that happen in the playoffs. My biggest playoff concern: Not retribution from the Patriots; it’s retribution from the Ravens. That team is hot!

Looking ahead to the 2020 season, here are the Chiefs' concerns:

CBs: Only Charvarius Ward and Rashad Fenton remain signed through 2020. This should be addressed in the draft AND in Free Agency.
Big $ Contracts in Jeopardy: Chris Jones, Sammy Watkins, Anthony Hitchens, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, and Emmanuel Ogbah. I’d like to see us keep Ogbah; and, franchise or trade Jones (RD1 and RD3 pick). All other over-priced contracts? Move on.
RBs: After costly fumbles against the Colts and Packers, Andy Reid lost his confidence in LeSean McCoy. But, no one else in the unit appears to have gained Reid’s confidence. It’s a great year to draft RB, maybe even two.
LBs: The weakest unit on the team, also, the least cost-efficient. This is not the strongest position on the 2020 draft board. GM Brett Veach should pick early.
O-line: Our OTs are aging. Our Center is mediocre. Darn! We are out of draft picks. Click here for a nice list of free-agent options to fill needs.

~ KCBudMan, Chiefs Analyst

When the Kansas City Chiefs came to Foxborough in Week 14, logic dictated New England would run the ball, control the time of possession, and play defense. The Chiefs rank 30th in DVOA rush defense, and keeping Patrick Mahomes on the sidelines is essential. Despite the obvious plan of attack, Sony Michel once again could muster nothing on the ground. After gaining eight yards on five carries, Michel now has rushed for 653 yards this season on 189 attempts, only a 3.5 average.

While the offensive line is part of the problem, Michel is averaging 1.3 yards after contact per rush. For context, his former Georgia teammate Nick Chubb, who was drafted after Michel in 2018, has doubled him up, averaging 2.7 yards after contact per attempt. Michel's longest run this season is 26 yards. He is simply creating nothing on his own.

Much was made after New England's Super Bowl run last season that they had transitioned to a power run offensive, driven by their star rookie running back Sony Michel. To the contrary, Michel has been a huge letdown in his sophomore season. What's more, when Michel is on the field, the Patriots run the ball at a higher rate than when any other running back is on the field in the league. Additionally, when James White is on the field, New England throws the ball at a higher rate than when any other running back is on the field in the league. Bill Belichick is sure to loathe the fact the Patriots' offense is continuously tipping its hand in this way.

The Patriots have never shied away from adding a running back in the draft. In 2011, they double-dipped at the position, taking Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley in the second and third rounds, respectively. White was a fourth-round pick in 2014, Michel a first-round pick in 2018, and Damien Harris a third-round pick in 2019. New England may very well look to address the position again in the mid-rounds in 2020.

- Jonathan Rosenberg, Patriots Analyst

Though the Packers have legitimate playoff hopes, inconsistent performances on both sides of the ball leave this writer worried once win-or-go-home football begins. The Packers' defense ranks 22nd in yards allowed (4783), 27th in yards per play (5.9), 13th in points allowed, and 21st in expected points contributed (-59.9) as of December 10. Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers passed for under 200 yards three times from Weeks 9-14 and has thrown for one or fewer TDs in seven of the Packers' first 13 games. Yet, Matt LaFleur became the franchise's first coach to hit double-digit wins in his first season, and Aaron Rodgers seems at ease with the concept of "winning ugly all the way to the Super Bowl".

When Mike Daniels was released in June, many experts speculated that one of the primary drivers of the decision was the development of Montravius Adams. The 2017 RD3 pick has failed to impress, registering 11 tackles in 11 games and appearing in just 18 defensive snaps between Weeks 12-14. The Packers' run defense ranks 28th in DVOA rush defense, and the Super Smith Brothers have logged a whopping 67% of Green Bay's sacks. While GM Brian Gutekunst will be tempted to take a non-QB offensive skill player for this first time since 2002, he may need to address the front seven first. Florida State's Marvin Wilson, who posted 5 sacks and 8.5 TFL in 2019, would be an immediate boost to the Packers' run defense and pass rush.

- James Siebers, Packers Analyst

The Saints remain one of the favorites to end up in the Super Bowl, but that doesn't mean they don't have some "patching up" to do on their roster. The two obvious areas (aside from debating the long-term status of QB Drew Brees) is at WR and TE.

Michael Thomas is a beast, but imagine him (and a roaming Alvin Kamara out of the backfield) being freed up a bit more with the addition of a top-caliber wideout forcing defenses to keep from doubling-up. Along that same line, a TE that can give Brees that additional bona fide weapon, or at least a very capable (and dependable) chain-mover underneath.

The Offensive Line will likely need a mauling OG to battle for a starting spot with Peat, and I also wouldn't rule out a RB selection. The Saints could go to a "3-headed monster" type rotation to enhance a running game that has been missing for quite a lot of this season.

While the defense has made some remarkable progress up front, the secondary is still in need of an additional CB that forces the opposition QB to think twice about targeting his area of the field. Eli Apple still makes me nervous in "crunch time", and New Orleans could really use a Corner who can handle outside routes.

A starting-caliber LB for depth is another target New Orleans should consider on the defensive side of the ball. Craig Robertson (16 solo tackles, 6 assists) has filled in nicely during injuries, but a 3rd backer is a must.

Overall, New Orleans is loaded with talent and capable players led by a top-caliber HC and QB. Once a few more pieces are added, I think the team will have one of the deepest, most talented rosters in the NFL.

With an 11-3 record and as good a possibility as any team to get to the Super Bowl, you'd think the Seahawks would be hitting on all cylinders, but you'd be wrong. Defensively the team is 22nd in Points Allowed with 321 (thru 14), and in Total Yards Allowed they rank 26th with 4882 - slumming it with all the leagues doormats. It's through the air where the team is the weakest - DC Ken Norton Jr.'s group sits at #29 (3525 yards).

Despite acquiring Ziggy Ansah and Jadaveon Clowney for the season, there's little to show for it, the Seahawks are 29th in sacks with just 23 and 26th in Total Pressures (sacks, hurries, knockdowns). Clowney, despite just 3 sacks, has shown value - his 4 Forced Fumbles have turned games, and he's top-10 in TFLs and Pressures. The Seahawks traded a RD2 pick to Houston for Clowney, who is a franchise-tagged Free Agent. You'd think there has been some gentlemen's handshake agreement to come to terms on a long-term deal, but until the ink is on paper Clowney is as free as a bird.

GM John Schneider added L.J. Collier in the 1st round on the 2019 draft, but the rookie has played just 93 snaps with 2 tackles and no impact plays. The team will return to the drawing board in the 2020 draft in search of Edge Rush help. Here it's Jabari Zuniga of Florida.

In our last mock draft following Week 12, we proclaimed the Ravens to be an unstoppable juggernaut. In the two weeks since, the Ravens faced tougher sledding against the solid defenses of the Niners and Bills. Lamar Jackson was slowed on the ground, but the Ravens used an improving defense to limit the offenses of those two teams. The Ravens are now in the driver's seat and are definitive favorites to reach the Super Bowl, where they will face a stiffer challenge than their AFC rivals will provide. I just can't see the Patriots, Chiefs, or Bills knocking off the Ravens if the game is held at M&T. Baltimore will need to guard against losing to an unpredictable Browns team (again), who could unleash all their pent-up frustrations in the Week 16 tilt. The loss of home-field advantage to the Patriots in a AFC Championship situation would not be favorable.

Baltimore has always been a franchise that sets up for long-term success. Their GMs, formerly Ozzie Newsome and currently Eric DeCosta, understand that football is a business. They don't "mortgage the future" by trading multiple high-round draft picks for that one player who "might" push them to the Super Bowl, and they are careful in doling out long-term, big-money contracts to their emerging stars. Last year, the team let Za'Darius Smith and Terrell Suggs walk; this year, it's Matt Judon who has emerged to fill in at Edge Rusher. Through 13 games, Judon has produced 7 sacks (12th in the NFL) and 48 pressures (5th), but DeCosta may let him walk in favor of the next man up, hopefully the continuously-improving rookie, Jaylon Ferguson. If Judon and Pernell McPhee (IR) are not re-signed, the Ravens will definitely look to the early rounds of the draft to restock the Edge pipeline.

BTW, DraftTek is looking for a Ravens' writer/analyst to study team needs and prepare mock draft comments. If you bleed purple and black and have, at a minimum, college-level writing and analytical skills, drop an email to Drafttek1@gmail.com.

It may be striking to see the NFL's #2 ranked rushing unit spending a RD 1 pick on a RB, but there is a set of circumstances that makes targeting one of the 2019 squad's strongest positions not only practical, but nearly necessary. Jerick McKinnon will carry a cap hit of $8.5 mil in 2020 if the 49ers don't part ways with the talented dual-threat back. McKinnon has yet to take the field in a regular season game with the 49ers due to back to back knee injuries, making him a likely cut this offseason.

Tevin Coleman, who came to the Niners from Atlanta on a 2-year deal, doesn't have any guaranteed money in 2020. San Francisco could save nearly $5 mil by cutting the former Falcon, who totaled just 21 yards on 8 carries and one catch in weeks 13 and 14. Not to mention Matt Breida will be a restricted free agent and could draw interest from the league depending on which (if any) tender San Fran chooses to use on their leading rusher through 14 weeks.

If the cards fall just right Wisconsin's Johnathan Taylor would be a steal with the 32nd pick and an instant star in Shanahan's offense with some room made for Raheem Mostart. If the Niners can sort out their RB room before the draft they become a prime trade target for any team hoping that the devaluation of RBs in the NFL will be their gain: grabbing JTT (the extra "T" stands for touchdown) at a bargain and locking in that crucial 5th-year option while Lynch and Co. collect some much needed picks

-Brett Clancy, 49ers Analyst