Posted April 20, 2020.
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What does every team need to accomplish in the 2020 NFL Draft? We'll look at each team's goals on this page, as well as possible selections for each squad. See how the goals are being addressed in the
2020 NFL Mock Draft (will be updated tomorrow).
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Cincinnati Bengals:
The Bengals will obtain their new franchise quarterback with the first-overall pick. What they do after that is almost as imperative. They must protect Joe Burrow as well as possible, and that would entail selecting two offensive linemen in the 2020 NFL Draft. Cincinnati also must address its dreadful pass defense in Rounds 3-5.
Ideal 2020 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
1. Joe Burrow, QB
33. Josh Jones, OT
65. Jordyn Brooks, LB
103. Ben Bredeson, G
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Washington Redskins:
The Redskins have no desire to trade down, as they love Chase Young. The Ohio State star doesn't fill a need, but he's the best player available, by far, and the Redskins just need talent. Thus, they'll have to address needs later in the draft. They must find some weapons and protection for Dwayne Haskins, as well as some talent for their secondary and linebacking corps.
Ideal 2020 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
2. Chase Young, DE
66. Adam Trautman, TE
108. Cameron Dantzler, CB
142. Casey Toohill, LB
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Detroit Lions:
The Lions are in a difficult position. Their front office and coaching staff needs to do everything in its power to win now, but that conflicts with the health and status of Matthew Stafford. The long-time Detroit quarterback has a bad back and doesn't seem like he'll be available to play much longer. It'll be tough for Detroit to balance immediate success with a long-term answer. What they can do is trade down from No. 3 to accumulate more draft capital.
Ideal 2020 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
6. Jeff Okudah, CB (trade down)
35. Yetur Gross-Matos, DE/OLB
37. Cam Akers, RB
67. Jordyn Brooks, LB
85. Ashtyn Davis, S
109. James Morgan, QB
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New York Giants:
The Giants must build around Daniel Jones, which entails finding him some better protection. Once that is achieved, the Giants must address their woeful pass defense by adding some edge rushers and defensive backs. Another talented linebacker to go along with Blake Martinez wouldn't hurt either.
Ideal 2020 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
5. Tristan Wirfs, OT (trade down)
36. Jeremy Chinn, S
99. Darnay Holmes, CB
110. Julian Okwara, DE/OLB
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Miami Dolphins:
The Dolphins obviously need to decide whom they want as their franchise quarterback and then build around him. Their offensive line is dreadful, so they need at least two new blockers. They also must find a new running back to pair with their franchise-signal caller. The defense must be addressed as well, particularly the weak pass rush.
Ideal 2020 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
5. Tua Tagovailoa, QB
18. Austin Jackson, OT
26. D'Andre Swift, RB
39. Antoine Winfield, S
56. Lloyd Cushenberry, C
70. Ezra Cleveland, OT
141. Chauncey Rivers, DE
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Los Angeles Chargers:
The Chargers don't have a viable starting quarterback on their roster right now, so that must be addressed at No. 6 overall (or earlier via a trade). Adding a left tackle and a running back to replace Russell Okung and Melvin Gordon, respectively, is also essential. The Chargers don't have any pressing needs outside of those three areas, so they can focus on adding the best talent available.
Ideal 2020 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
6. Tua Tagovailoa, QB
37. Josh Jones, OT
71. Zack Moss, RB
112. Collin Johnson, WR
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Carolina Panthers:
Despite the signing of Teddy Bridgewater, the Panthers are in rebuild mode. They have holes all over their roster that must be addressed, including the offensive line, defensive backfield, defensive line, and most of all, linebacker in the wake of Luke Kuechly's retirement. This draft is all about the Panthers just adding as much talent as possible so they can begin winning again in 2021.
Ideal 2020 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
7. Derrick Brown, DT
38. Grant Delpit, S
69. Jordyn Brooks, LB
113. Terrance Steele, OT
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Arizona Cardinals:
The Cardinals did a great job of helping Kyler Murray this offseason, as they traded for DeAndre Hopkins and re-signed both of their free agent tackles. They still need help offensively, but this draft class should be focused on improving one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL.
Ideal 2020 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
8. Isaiah Simmons, LB
72. Jaylon Johnson, CB
111. Saahdiq Charles, OT
114. Ben Bartch, G
131. Jordan Fuller, S
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Jacksonville Jaguars:
The Jaguars have traded almost everyone away, so it's clear that they're either "tanking for Trevor" or "losing for Lawrence." They should still add the best talent available in this draft so that Lawrence is surrounded by a solid supporting cast once he enters the NFL in 2021. One specific thing Jacksonville must address is the offensive line, which was particularly dreadful last year.
Ideal 2020 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
9. Isaiah Simmons, LB
20. C.J. Henderson, CB
42. Laviska Shenault, WR
73. Ezra Cleveland, OT
116. Jordan Elliott, DE/DT
137. Hakeem Adeniji, G/OT
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Cleveland Browns:
The Browns were the most disappointing team in the NFL for most people last year, but their struggles weren't a surprise to those who paid attention to how bad their offensive line was. They must fix their blocking even though they've already added Jack Conklin, as two new linemen will need to be acquired. Cleveland must also address its poor linebacking corps.
Ideal 2020 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
10. Jedrick Wills, OT
41. Shane Lemieux, G
74. Jacob Phillips, LB
97. Neville Gallimore, DT
115. Tyler Johnson, WR
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New York Jets:
The Jets must fix some parts of their defense - namely the cornerbacks and edge rushers - but this draft must be about strengthening Sam Darnold's supporting cast. Darnold's protection and receiving corps are both weak points, so both areas absolutely must be addressed with multiple selections.
Ideal 2020 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
11. Jedrick Wills, OT
48. Laviska Shenault, WR
68. Jeff Gladney, CB
79. Terrell Lewis, DE/OLB
120. Netane Muti, G
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Las Vegas Raiders:
The Raiders are ready to contend now. They have some major needs, like receiver, linebacker and cornerback, but they have a pair of first-round picks to fill two of those. Whatever they do, they must come out of the 2020 NFL Draft with a repaired receiving corps after what transpired with Antonio Brown last year.
Ideal 2020 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
12. CeeDee Lamb, WR
19. Kenneth Murray, LB
80. Lynn Bowden Jr., WR
81. Kristian Fulton, CB
91. Bradley Anae, DE
121. J.R. Reed, S
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Indianapolis Colts:
The Colts traded the 13th-overall pick for DeForest Buckner, which was a great deal for them. Because they've addressed the defensive line, they can now look to helping Philip Rivers by giving him a new weapon or two. The secondary must be upgraded as well.
Ideal 2020 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
34. Denzel Mims, WR
44. Trevon Diggs, CB
75. Adam Trautman, TE
122. Kenny Willekes, DE
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
The Buccaneers have gone "all in" on winning this year by acquiring Tom Brady. Thus, they need to make sure he has the appropriate talent around him to win a Super Bowl. This includes a new right tackle to replace Demar Dotson and a new running back to pair with Ronald Jones. The Buccaneers could use some pieces on their defense as well, but they should focus on the offense in this draft.
Ideal 2020 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
14. Andrew Thomas, OT
45. Cam Akers, RB
75. Jaylon Johnson, CB
117. James Morgan, QB
139. Jack Driscoll, OT
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Denver Broncos:
The Broncos have an inexperienced quarterback at the helm in Drew Lock, so they must make sure that he has plenty of talent around him. The pass protection must improve, and a speed receiver to complement Courtland Sutton must be added as well. Defensively, the Broncos have to find a replacement at cornerback for the departed Chris Harris.
Ideal 2020 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
15. Henry Ruggs, WR
46. Solomon Kindley, G
77. Kenny Robinson, CB
83. Matt Peart, OT
95. Bradley Anae, DE/OLB
118. Tyler Johnson, WR
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Atlanta Falcons:
The Falcons finished 6-2 down the stretch, buying Dan Quinn and the front office another year. They need to do everything in their power to save their jobs, which they can do by reaching the playoffs. Thus, making sure they have a great defensive front and cornerback group to combat Drew Brees and Tom Brady is imperative.
Ideal 2020 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
16. Javon Kinlaw, DT
47. Trevon Diggs, CB
78. Nick Coe, DE
119. A.J. Dillon, RB
Go to 2020 NFL Draft Goals: Picks 17-32
Sorry for cutting this into two halves; I've received complaints about load times and putting the mock draft on two pages saves bandwidth.
2020 NFL Mock Draft |
2020 NFL Mock Draft
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