2020 way too early NFL mock draft

By: Brandon Feit

Greenville, NY, February 28th, 2020 Opinion

Now that the Chiefs are world champions, the draft order is locked in and NFL teams look to improve for a chance to claim the throne next season. Cincinnati will have the first pick in this year's draft, following a 2 and 14 season where nothing went in their favor. All heights and weights provided by ESPN.
With the first pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select - Joe Burrow, QB, LSU - This is a bit of a given, unless the Bengals’ Front Office decides to trade back in hopes of claiming Justin Herbert, another QB, out of Oregon. Burrow threw for 50 touchdowns, won the Heisman and the National Championship with LSU. It should be a no brainer since the Bengals were ranked 30th in offensive efficiency this past season.
Pick #2 Washington - Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State - The best player in the draft, and an absolute freak. Standing at 6’5” and 265lbs he is a very big man and one who is very hard to stop from getting to the quarterback. Washington struggled in all aspects of the game, so why not draft the best player available?
Pick #3 Detroit -Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn - Last year the Lions had the third-worst defense in the league and could not do anything in terms of pressuring the quarterback. Derrick Brown could be a difference-maker in both the passing game and stopping the run.
Pick #4 New York Giants - Jedrick Willis Jr, OL, BAMA- The giants have big plans for Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley, that duo can’t strive unless the giants can get some big bodies blocking for them, Willis is 6’5”, 320, and can play guard or tackle and can move around the field well for a guy that size.
Pick #5 Miami - Tua Tagovailoa, QB, BAMA - Fitzmagic, is hot and cold, and when he is cold he is the worst QB in the league. Coming into the season this is the kid that Miami wanted, and they would be thankful to see Cinci draft Burrow over Tua.
Pick #6 LA Chargers - Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State- The chargers were underwhelmed with both the offense and defense this season and gave up too many big plays, especially during late stages of the game. Okudah is a smart defender and has what it takes to be a lockdown defender in the league.
Pick #7 Carolina - Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson - Carolina lost 8 straight games to end the season, and to add insult to injury, star linebacker Luke Keuchley announced his retirement leaving some big shoes to fill in the center of this already struggling defense.
Pick #8 Arizona - CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma- The cardinals are going all-in on Kyler Murray hoping to turn the franchise around, this would provide Murray a big time weapon and playmaker.
Pick #9 Jacksonville - Kristian Fulton, CB, Clemson- The Jags want to bring back the dominance on defense we saw a couple of seasons ago, Fulton is solid in man to man coverage and fits the defensive scheme.
Pick #10 Cleveland - Andrew Thomas, OL, UGA - The browns are loaded offensively, the amount of talent is unreal, yet without a competent offensive front 5, even these all stars struggled. A tackle is a huge need for the browns and Thomas is literally huge, 6’5” and 320lbs.
Pick #11 New York Jets - Tristan Wirfs, OL, Iowa - Sam Darnold is a promising quarterback, well he could be if he is mono free and has time to throw, Wirfs is a solid tackle who can pick up downhill momentum to help Bell out of his slump as well.
Pick #12 Las Vegas - Kenneth Murray, LB Oklahoma - The Raiders had the worst defense in the league last year and the front 7 were horrendous, Murray is versatile and can make a huge difference in Vegas.
Pick #13 Indianapolis - Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson - Last year we saw how little depth the colts had at receiver, and how easy small guys get injured. Higgins adds size and security, something Brissett could agree he needs.
Pick # 14 Tampa Bay - Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon- Last year Jameis Winston was a turnover machine and a textbook example of a loose cannon. Herbert has a bigger arm, more mobile and isn’t nearly as colorblind as Winston.
Pick #15 Denver - Trevon Diggs, CB, BAMA - Chris Harris Jr is set to become a free agent and Denver will be forced to take on the best person to start in place of Harris.
Pick #16 Atlanta - Javon Kinlaw, DL, SC - Atlanta could use an extra push up front to give their backs a chance
Pick #17 Dallas - Grant Delpit, S, LSU - the cowboys are weak in the secondary, no brainer here.
Pick #18 Miami - A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa - if you wanna win you need to get to the quarterback, the fins haven’t been able to do so.
Pick #19 Las Vegas - Julian Okwara, DL, Notre Dame - Again, The Raiders’ defense was terrible, they struggled to stop both quarterbacks and the run, Julian Okwara, is fast off the snap and can beat backs to the outside.
Pick #20 Jacksonville - Jerry Jeudy, WR, BAMA - The Jags have a young wide receiver core and none of them have proven they have what it takes to be a true #1 receiver.
Pick #21 Philadelphia - Henry Ruggs, WR, BAMA- Last season Philadelphia did not have a single receiver reach 500 yards, Ruggs can be a difference maker and a key target for Carson Wentz.
Pick #22 Buffalo - Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame - Allen likes to throw to big body tight ends, but in buffalo talent at tight end is limited, Kmet is a Mark Andrews type playmaker who could Allen’s job much easier.
Pick #23 New England - Tyler Biadasz, OL, Wisconsin- In all likelihood, Tom Brady will be returning to New England next season and he will need more protection if that offense wants to be one of the best in the league.
Pick #24 New Orleans - Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU - very versatile can really help open up Sean Payton’s offense
Pick #25 Minnesota - CJ Henderson, CB, Florida - Xavier Rhodes had an awful season, Trae Waynes struggles against the deep ball, CJ Henerson is the best on the board for them.
Pick #26 Miami - Xavier McKinney, S, BAMA - Miami Traded Minkah Fitzpatrick to the steelers for their pick prior to this, so i expect them to draft a replacement for Minkah here.
Pick #27 Seattle - Neville Gallimore, DL, Oklahoma - Seattle’s line didn’t look like it had in the past, Jadeveon Clowney, was the only seahawk who had any consistency in terms of getting to the quarterback.
Pick #28 Baltimore - Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, PSU - The weakest spot on the team, especially with the possibility of Judon leaving in search of a big money contract.
Pick #29 Tennessee - Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin - Derrick Henry may leave Tennessee to get a real chance at a ring, and if not this kid would complement his power with speed.
Pick #30 Green Bay - Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU- Aside from Davante Adams, Rodgers doesn’t have guys who can make separation consistently.
Pick #31 San Francisco - Curtis Weaver, EDGE, BOISE- John Lynch likes to draft pass rushers, he wouldn’t hesitate to take Weaver if he fell to 31.
Pick #32 Kansas City - Bryce Hall, CB, UVA- three defensive backs are set to hit free agency this offseason, rookie deals are cheaper than retaining a veteran corner.