My first mock draft of the year comes in the most unique of times -- both for our country and for the NFL. I've had multiple coaches and general managers tell me just how different this year is, with hour-long interviews happening over Skype instead of in person, coaches living in different states and communicating over Zoom, and countless prospects who won't have the luxury of a pro day turning to Instagram to showcase their skills.
And yet, the 2020 class is one of the deepest in recent history, and it includes a ton of great talents, leaders and personalities. Let's get into it.
School: LSU | Year: Senior (RS)
Burrow won't be pulling an Eli Manning. He won't be pulling a John Elway. The Bengals went against their history and spent big money in free agency. There's a lot for Burrow -- an Ohio native -- to like about Cincinnati, and vice versa.
School: Ohio State | Year: Junior
I thought long and hard about going with Tua Tagovailoa here, but think Young is the pick. Washington quietly boasts one of the better young defensive lines in the NFL. Young would put the group in that top-tier conversation.
School: Ohio State | Year: Junior
The Lions could trade back here, but I won't be shocked if they stay put and select Okudah. A polished product from a big-time program that's been a defensive back factory over the past few years, Okudah wowed teams in interviews at the NFL Scouting Combine. He's an NFL starter at CB from Day 1 -- and could be a No. 1 corner by midseason. Add in the departure of Darius Slay, and this pick makes sense.
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
Dave Gettleman's never traded his first selection in an NFL draft. If things shake out the way they do here, he'll be able to pick any of the top four offensive linemen in this year's class. Joe Judge has a history with Alabama's Nick Saban, who has spoken positively of Wills to coaches around the league. Multiple coaches have told me Wills is the guy who goes first.
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
Tua's a rare deal. He's maybe as unique a draft prospect as there's been in recent years, and that was before the current state of the country, in which team doctors won't get another chance to see him up close and personal before Round 1 kicks off. I'd think the Dolphins would be elated to see him sitting there at No. 5 overall, texting/Slacking/emailing that pick to the league office ASAP.
School: Oregon | Year: Senior
Herbert reminds me a bit of Daniel Jones a year ago. Not the loudest guy in the room, but an Academic All-American, the Senior Bowl MVP and someone who won games in college. Herbert had a fabulous combine week in Indy when the two quarterbacks who'll go before him in the draft didn't throw in the field drills. Tyrod Taylor can assume his role as the mentor; Herbert can be the heir apparent.
School: Clemson | Year: Junior (RS)
How's this for a perfect fit? A Clemson superstar, who does it all, staying in the Carolinas to help start a new era of Panthers football. Simmons is 6-foot-4, runs a sub-4.4 40 and can play multiple positions. Matt Rhule values speed and leadership. Here's the first pick of his tenure.
School: Auburn | Year: Senior
The Cardinals*added Jordan Phillips to their defensive line* in free agency, but they won't be done bolstering that unit if Brown is still on the board at No. 8. The DeAndre Hopkins acquisition makes all those Kyler Murray/ CeeDee Lamb dreams a little less likely. Brown blowing up opposing teams' offensive lines? Far more likely.
School: South Carolina | Year: Senior
The Jaguars love what they've gotten out of their first-rounder from last year (Josh Allen) and could find themselves going D-line again on Day 1. Calais Campbell*is gone* and Yannick Ngakoue's future with the team is a giant question mark. Meanwhile, Kinlaw could be the third-best defensive lineman in this class. The South Carolina product dominated the Senior Bowl before exiting with an injury and impressed in combine interviews.
School: Louisville | Year: Junior
The Browns have a glaring need at tackle, and Becton could be the best of the entire bunch. The dominant run blocker is compared to Trent Brown and Bryant McKinnie due to his massive size ( 6-7, 364 pounds), and yet, he's still fairly nimble and can run (5.1 40-yard dash!). The Browns have all those weapons; they need to protect their quarterback.
School: Iowa | Year: Junior
The Jets*re-stocked their offensive line* the best they could in free agency, but they're not done. If Wirfs is still on the board at 11th overall, I could see GM Joe Douglas -- a former offensive lineman himself -- taking very little time submitting the pick to the league. Wirfs can be an NFL offensive tackle or guard. He's an athlete with tremendous power who comes from an offensive line factory. He's a Day 1 starter wherever you use him.
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
Think Raiders fans would be happy with how this ended up? I've had an NFL offensive coach tell me Jeudy has a "master's in footwork." My colleague Nate Burleson compared Jeudy's quick feet and route-running ability to Chad Johnson's. Jeudy joining Josh Jacobs for a little Alabama connection out in the Vegas desert? Sure sounds good to me (and Jon Gruden/Mike Mayock).
School: Oklahoma | Year: Junior
Kyle Shanahan, John Lynch, Adam Peters and Paraag Marathe -- the 49ers' brain trust -- have been so disciplined in acquiring talent at the wide receiver position over the past two seasons. They knew they loved Deebo Samuel at the Senior Bowl and were patient enough to wait until the second round to take him in 2019. They resisted swapping a top pick for Odell Beckham last offseason. They didn't trade for or sign*Antonio Brown* when there was interest from the player a year ago. All that patience could pay off if Lamb falls to the 49ers at 13. Samuel and Lamb together? Watch out, NFC.
School: Georgia | Year: Junior
The Bucs may have landed the big fish of free agency in Tom Brady, but bringing back Ndamukong Suh, Jason Pierre-Paul and Shaq Barrett could be just as important in 2020. Keeping Brady upright so he can get the ball to his two 1,000-yard receivers is, of course, a priority. Thomas can play guard or tackle for Tampa Bay and was a dominant run blocker for a host of running backs during his time at UGA.
School: Oklahoma | Year: Junior
I had an NFL GM tell me at the combine that Murray was the best interview subject he's had in years. Teams love what they see on film, but Murray might be an even better leader and person. The Broncos obviously already have two absolute studs on defense in Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. Make it three with Murray.
School: LSU | Year: Sophomore (RS)
The Falcons loaded up on former first-round picks in free agency -- Todd Gurley (No. 10 in 2015) and Hayden Hurst (No. 25 in 2018) should make immediate impacts on the offense. The defense could still use a pass rusher. Chaisson is raw and didn't compete in field drills at the combine, but could be a stud pass rusher at the next level.
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
Cowboys fans could be salivating if they see Henry Ruggs III on the board here, but I could see Dallas going with the uber-versatile McKinney to elevate the back end of the defense instead. As disciplined and instinctive a safety as there is in this draft, McKinney can also be used as a nickel LB. With the departure of Byron Jones, don't be surprised if the 'Boys go DB in Round 1.
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
Miami has done an outstanding job adding talent on the defensive side of the ball in free agency. If the Dolphins could snag Tua and his teammate Ruggs with their first two selections of the 2020 NFL Draft, their fans would be very pleased. Ruggs is one of the true X-factors in this year's class, a game-breaker with all-world speed and very good hands. He and DeVante Parker would form a very nice 1-2 combo at receiver.
School: LSU | Year: Junior
The Raiders struck gold with a deep draft class a year ago, and will likely add at least one defensive starter with their first two picks this year. Queen was a breakout performer in his lone season as a starter for LSU, though he's anything but a flash in the pan. Teams love his athleticism, tackling and ability to go sideline to sideline (4.50 40 speed).
School: Florida | Year: Junior
Jags GM David Caldwell and coach Doug Marrone know there's an emphasis on getting impact players who can contribute right away. In Henderson, they would be scooping up a starting cornerback with 4.39 speed who plays smart and both inside and outside. Terrific player and, from all accounts, leader, as well.
School: LSU | Year: Junior
If the Eagles don't trade up for one of the "Big Three" receivers (Ruggs III, Lamb, Jeudy), they could end up feeling pretty good about sitting tight and scooping up Jefferson. Crazy statistics in last year's championship season (111 catches, 1,540 yards, 18 TDs) matched by great interviews and surprising speed at the combine (4.43 40) make this a perfect fit.
School: USC | Year: Junior
Jackson has an incredible backstory, and he's a heck of a player, too. The Vikings have invested in the offensive line over the past few drafts, but they may not be done. Still just 20 years old, Jackson's upside is off the charts.
School: Southern Illinois | Year: Senior
The Patriots will be in the hunt for a quarterback, but I'm not sure Jordan Love, Jacob Eason, Jake Fromm or Jalen Hurts make a ton of sense at this point in the draft. Does a do-it-all safety from a small school? Maybe not initially, but scouts rave about Chinn, whose metrics lined up with Isaiah Simmons' at the combine. Capable of playing safety or linebacker, Chinn would be learning from Bill Belichick, the linebacker corps, the McCourty brothers and Patrick Chung, and could be used in a variety of ways.
School: Baylor | Year: Senior
The Saints' roster is loaded. With the addition of Emmanuel Sanders, Drew Brees finally has a No. 2 to Mike Thomas. But I don't think GM Mickey Loomis and coach Sean Payton are done stocking up on playmakers just yet. Mims is far more than just a combine breakout star. A big-play guy who'll more likely burn you for 80 yards along the sideline than make the tough catch over the middle, he's the home-run threat akin to Ted Ginn.
School: Clemson | Year: Junior
Terrell had an outstanding combine and solidified himself as one of the top cornerbacks in this draft. The national title game was not his best showing, but Terrell has interviewed extremely well and has answered any doubts about that performance. He also has as much big-game experience as just about any top defensive back in this class. Minnesota's strength was once that defensive backfield. Not so much anymore. It's time to reload.
School: Georgia | Year: Junior
Miami goes offensive skill position (Tua), offensive skill position (Ruggs III) and offensive skill position (Swift) with its three first-round picks, snagging the top running back on most teams' boards with their final selection. Swift can run both inside and outside, block in the passing game and catch out of the backfield. Josh Jacobs had an outstanding rookie season and made an impact right away. Swift could do the same.
School: Iowa | Year: Junior
Epenesa is a favorite of a lot of NFL GMs. He's all business, a student of the game, was a multi-sport star in high school and can play different positions across the defensive line. The Seahawks have one of the savviest front offices in the sport. Epenesa would be a good fit with what they do up in Seattle.
School: Penn State | Year: Junior
I think GM Eric DeCosta continues the Ravens' annual tradition of adding franchise cornerstones at key positions. Gross-Matos is an above-average pass rusher who can also stop the run. Wink Martindale runs one of the fiercest defenses in the league. Gross-Matos could be an immediate impact guy.
School: Auburn | Year: Senior
School: Wisconsin | Year: Senior (RS)
Quarterback will, of course, be a thought for many here. But I don't see it. Baun is a versatile linebacker who can not only replace Blake Martinez in the middle, but can be a bit of a jack-of-all-trades type in Mike Pettine's defense. Baun can be your traditional LB or he can work in the passing game and blanket tight ends. Not a first-round pick in many mock drafts, but I know quite a few teams who like him as an end-of-first/early-second-round guy.
School: LSU | Year: Senior
Don't be shocked if the 49ers trade back here and pick up additional selections (they currently have zero picks in Rounds 2-4). Fulton has good size and big-game experience, and would be a great apprentice to Richard Sherman. For as good as the 49ers' defense was last year, the second cornerback spot was an issue.
School: TCU | Year: Junior (RS)
The defending champions scoop up one of the fastest-rising prospects in the draft. Blacklock is a dynamic pass rusher and run stuffer, but an Achilles tear in 2018 could scare some teams off. Kansas City's D stepped up when needed last year down the stretch. Blacklock would be a promising young addition.
Follow Peter Schrager on Twitter @PSchrags.
