KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The 2020 NFL Draft has a chance to be extremely unique this season compared to previous years because of the virtual communication, the potential for bandwidth issues and teams not being able to fully get comfortable with some players through pro days and private workouts.
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Nick Jacobs' 2020 Chiefs all-round mock draft
This might be one of the less predictable mock draft seasons in years, but here some good options when each team is on the clock:
1. Cincinnati — QB Joe Burrow, LSU
The Bengals nab the next potential franchise quarterback to build their offense around. Cincinnati has needed a changing of the guard for a while and the national championship quarterback allows them to do just that.
2. Washington — DE Chase Young, Ohio State
Ron Rivera likes a strong pass rush. Young is arguably the best edge rusher coming out in this class and has flashes of dominance on his college tape. The former Buckeye would be paired with a solid group around him on defense.
3.Detroit — CB Jeff Okdah, Ohio State
Matt Patiricia comes from the Bill Belichick tree and, if there is anything he should have learned from his mentor, it’s that Belichick builds his rosters based on strong defensive linemen and a great secondary. Okdah gives them arguably the best corner on tape.
4. New York Giants — OT Jedrick Willis, Alabama
Dave Gettleman likes to invest highly in offense and defensive linemen. This pick allows him to address an offensive line that needs a great deal of additional attention.
5. Miami — QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
Brian Flores has begun to assemble the cornerstones of his rebuild in Miami. Now is the time for the Dolphins to add their franchise quarterback to the roster. The AFC East is there for the taking now with a Belichick reload and Josh Allen standing in their way.
6. Los Angeles Chargers — DT Derrick Brown, Auburn
This is where the projected curveball happens. Tom Telesco could select their next franchise quarterback or he could enhance the offensive line, but the only way to topple the Chiefs is to bring waves of quick pass-rushing pressure.
They have the edge rushers and invested in the position last year, but it wasn't enough. Brown paired with Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram and Jerry Tillery gives them a shot.
7. Carolina — CB C.J. Henderson, Florida
The Panthers need to infuse their secondary with youthful speed.
8. Arizona — OT Tristan Wirfs, Iowa
Kyler Murray ran from the pocket a lot more than you would like to see in his first season. The Cardinals could use additional help to protect their franchise.
9. Jacksonville — LB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
The Jaguars had one of premium defenses just a couple of years ago, but along the way they have had to release and trade off key components . Simmons is too good of an athlete to pass up here.
10. Cleveland — OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia
The Browns need to add offensive line help for Baker Mayfield. At one time, the Browns had Joe Thomas, Mitchell Schwartz, Alex Mack and John Greco. Free agency and retirement slowly stripped them of one of their bigger strengths. Previous GM John Dorsey poorly invested in the position during his tenure.
11. New York Jets — WR CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
The Jets could use help on the offensive line but one of the more explosive wide receivers in this draft should be tough to pass up at a reduced rate. The loss of Robby Anderson is something New York should address for their franchise quarterback Sam Darnold.
12. Las Vegas — QB Justin Herbert, Oregon
Jon Gruden needs a franchise quarterback, whether he is willing to admit it yet or not. Derek Carr will continue to hold the franchise back and Marcus Mariota is unlikely to be the answer. The Raiders can wait for next year or compete with the AFC West now.
13. San Francisco — WR Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
The 49ers lost the Super Bowl because of four weaknesses on their roster. They lacked eight good pass rushers to sustain the rush for four quarters, had a quarterback with a limited arm, didn’t have an elite young wide receiver that Jimmy Garoppolo could push the ball to and there isn’t enough speed in their secondary. San Francisco can get arguably one of the best route-running receivers here.
14. Tampa Bay — OT Mehki Becton, Louisville
The Bucs need to protect their quarterback. Their season depends on Tom Brady's ability to stay healthy. Right tackle is a glaring weakness on their offensive line, but Becton would give them a massive presence in both the run and pass if he lasts this long.
15. Denver — WR Henry Ruggs III, Alabama
The Broncos could use help in their secondary and along their offensive line, but the chance to get an explosive receiver in Ruggs is something John Elway shouldn't pass up. It gives him a great target for Drew Lock, and Denver needs to keep pace with the Chiefs on offense. They have the early makings with Cortland Sutton and Noah Fant, but Ruggs would add a huge deep threat to the offense.
16. Atlanta — DT Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina
Atlanta may not sit tight in this spot, but if they do they need to create a pass rush. The Falcons will have a difficult time winning the NFC South if they don't find ways to make Tom Brady and Drew Brees uncomfortable. The best way to do that is with interior pressure. Kinlaw provides an athletic defensive tackle who fits the bill.
17. Dallas — CB Jeff Gladney, TCU
Jerry Jones needs to add attitude to his defense. Gladney fits the bill and replaces the loss of Byron Jones, who signed with Miami. Corners in this era of football need to have high-end athletic ability, high football IQ, versatility and a willingness to tackle. Gladney checks all those boxes.
18. Miami — S Xavier McKinney, Alabama
The Dolphins have done a good job of rebuilding their roster in the Patriots image. They rebuilt their front seven on defense then added a high-end corner through free agency. McKinney would provide them a safety that likely has some familiarity with their scheme coming from Nick Saban's system. He has already been introduced to the Patriot Way in college and would likely have a quick transition to a similar mindset.
19. Las Vegas — CB A.J. Terrell, Clemson
The Raiders need to add help at the cornerback position. They struck out in free agency but cannot continue to ignore the position. Terrell would provide the Raiders with an athletic corner who might finally close the revolving door.
20. Jacksonville — CB Trevon Diggs, Alabama
Diggs is an aggressive corner with a physical style of play. It might lead to some routine penalties in the NFL, but being in the Jaguars’ scheme would allow him room to gamble without being burned like in other schemes.
21. Philadelphia — DE K'Lavon Chassion, LSU
The Eagles could use help at wide receiver, along the offensive line and in the secondary. General Manager Howie Roseman has never been one to pass up a defensive lineman who can rush the passer, though. This is likely one of their best chances to create an impact in their wide-nine scheme with a speed rusher.
22. Minnesota — CB Kristian Fulton, LSU
The Vikings have invested in the secondary. Their picks just seem to struggle in the scheme or get injured. He appears to fit the Vikings mentality-wise on tape and would add some solid versatility at the position.
23. New England — LB Patrick Queen, LSU
The Patriots are reloading the overall roster. They could use additions along the offensive line, at wide receiver and potentially quarterback. But the value at this position screams Bill Belichick — and how did he do it again?
24. New Orleans — WR Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
Drew Brees isn't getting any younger and the Saints need to surround him with as many targets as possible. Aiyuk has long strides but with Michael Thomas on the opposite side, he would have time to build up on some of his routes.
25. Minnesota — WR Tee Higgins, Clemson
Minnesota got their value in a corner. Now, they need to add a receiver to replace Stefon Diggs, who was traded to Buffalo. Higgins would give them a target who has deceptive speed to go with his frame. He would be an ideal target for Kirk Cousins with his ability to win contested catches.
26. Miami — C Cesar Ruiz, Michigan
Miami adds another cornerstone to its roster in Ruiz. He is one of the better interior offensive linemen in this draft and would provide much needed stability.
27. Seattle — DE Curtis Weaver, Boise State
The Seahawks need to add on to their pass rush. They may not stay at this pick, but Weaver would give them a jolt with a high-energy pass rusher they like. He would also give Seattle the option to move on from Jadevon Clowney if the price point couldn't match.
28. Baltimore — LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
The Ravens get an athletic linebacker for their ferocious defense. Baltimore has been adding players this offseason to match up with the Chiefs. Murray would give them an athletic coverage linebacker who could help with exactly that.
29. Tennessee — OT Isaiah Wilson, Georgia
The Titans’ offensive line has undergone a transition the past two seasons. They need to replace the loss of Jack Conklin. Wilson would provide them an upgrade in athletic ability.
30. Green Bay — WR Justin Jefferson, LSU
The Packers’ draft should be about finding receiver help, fixing the run and protecting Aaron Rodgers. Jefferson would provide Rodgers a target he has arguably needed for multiple seasons.
31. San Francisco — S Grant Delpit, LSU
Delpit might be considered a reach by some here, but his speed could have been used on a certain third-and-15 play that was a real “stinger” to the 49ers’ Super Bowl dreams.
32. Kansas City — CB Jaylon Johnson, Utah
Unless the Chiefs move Chris Jones on Thursday, I anticipate the team trading back out of the first round. If not, Johnson is an aggressive corner who has athletic ability that rivals the top prospects.
He sees combination routes well and is a physical tackler despite playing most of 2019 with a torn right labrum. Johnson had surgery on his shoulder March 4 after the NFL Combine.
Johnson has a forceful press that he alters throughout a game to keep the receiver guessing on his release. He shows a high football IQ in off and soft coverage as well as zone.
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