It is time for my post-combine 2020 NFL mock draft. I have already completed a pre-combine mock and now it is time to see who the biggest risers and fallers are.
Here is my second 2020 NFL mock draft of the year. My first was a pre-combine mock and this was coming shortly after the combine. The picks are likely to change again as they did in this draft. With that said let's see how the second mock turned out.
Pick #1 Cincinnati Bengals - Joe Burrow QB LSU
There is not any change here for the number one overall pick. Burrow will go number one unless the Bengals do Bengals things. This will be my #1 overall pick in any of my 2020 NFL mock draft scenarios.
Pick #2 Washington Redskins - Chase Young Edge Ohio St.
Some have Tua Tagovailoa going here believing that the team does not have faith in second-year quarterback Dwayne Haskins. To me, Chase Young is still too good to pass up on. Tagovailoa may not even be healthy enough to play this season. Even if Haskins is not the answer, the team takes Young here and can tank for Trevor Lawrence next year.
Pick #3 Detroit Lions - Isaiah Simmons Linebacker Clemson
Isaiah Simmons is a freak of nature and is one of my biggest risers in this 2020 NFL mock draft moving up to 3rd overall. The Lions have some holes they need to fill but they need to make a pick that jumps out on the field. Simmons may not fill the biggest need for the Lions but it is time for them to just add the best player available.
Pick #4 New York Giants - Tristan Wirfs Offensive Tackle Iowa
Wirfs is one of my biggest post-combine risers. Many people, I do not know why he had questioned whether he was going to switch to guard at the next level or if he could remain at tackle. He checked in with adequate size to remain at tackle but was an elite athlete posting unbelievable combine numbers for his size. The Giants have a franchise quarterback already and a cornerstone running back. They need to bolster the offensive line to allow for maximum growth.
Pick #5 Miami Dolphins - Tua Tagovailoa Quarterback Alabama
Boy did I want to get cute here and go something other than QB, but the Dolphins seem like an organization that has their head on straight...finally. Tagolvailoa has the opportunity to be the best QB in this class and actually the best in the past few years. Ryan Fitzpatrick allows Tagovailoa to sit on the bench to start the season if need be. He can be the future of the franchise.
Pick #6 Los Angeles Chargers - Justin Herbert Quarterback Oregon
Phillip Rivers is gone and the Chargers need to find his replacement. Tyrod Taylor is on the team and I fully expect him to start at the beginning of the season but he is not the long-term answer. Justin Herbert is a west coast guy and has shined throughout the pre-draft process. He would be the SMART choice for the Chargers here.
Pick #7 Carolina Panthers - Jeffrey Okudah Cornerback Ohio St.
Jeffrey Okudah is one of the best prospects in the entire class and the Panthers should jump if he drops to them. This would allow the team to let James Bradberry walk in free agency who will likely cost a pretty penny and actually would be an upgrade at the position.
Pick #8 Arizona Cardinals - CeeDee Lamb Wide Receiver Oklahoma
The offensive line is one of the biggest needs for the Cardinals and it would be smart to pick one here. I think they try to get Kyler Murray more weapons and in this case a familiar face. Lamb and Murray played college ball together and Lamb is the best receiving prospect in this draft. The Cardinals can go offensive line in round two.
Pick #9 Jacksonville Jaguars - Derrick Brown Defensive Tackle Auburn
The dream of the Jaguars landing Isaiah Simmons with the 9th overall pick faded away after we all watched Simmons destroy the combine. With that said the Jaguars do bolster one of the better defensive lines in the NFL. They did not pick up the team option for Marcell Dareus which leaves them a little thinner at the defensive tackle position. Brown is an excellent interior lineman and would pair real nice next to Taven Bryan.
Pick #10 Cleveland Browns - Andrew Thomas Offensive Tackle Georgia
Nothing changing here for me. The Browns seem very interested in Thomas and the buzz all-around has the Browns interested in him. The team really needs to beef up that offensive line and give Baker Mayfield a chance to breathe. Thomas is the pick.
Pick # 11 New York Jets - Mekhi Becton Offensive Tackle Louisville
Mekhi Becton is a beast of a human being and has strength for days. The Jets offensive line was terrible last season and it showed in the performance from both Sam Darnold and Le'Veon Bell. The Jets will likely take whichever tackle falls to them here and Becton is the prize winner here.
 Pick #12 Oakland Raiders - Jerry Jeudy Wide Receiver Alabama
It was obvious that the Raiders need help at the receiver on the outside. Hunter Renfrow came on strong at the end of the season and Darren Waller broke out at tight end last season but outside of those two there was not much help for Derek Carr. Yet still, Carr had solid numbers so I'm not writing him off yet. The Raiders grab the best route runner in the draft and give Carr some love.
Pick #13 Indianapolis Colts - Jedrick Wills Jr. Offensive Tackle Alabama
The fact that Wills drops all the way here is blasphemy but awesome for the Colts. Is it the position they need, not really, but the talent of Wills is far too good to pass on. This also makes letting free agent tackle Anthony Costanzo walk. This makes the line significantly younger, cheaper and potentially better.
Pick # 14 Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Javon Kinlaw Defensive Tackle South Carolina
This is another match seemingly made in heaven to me. The Buccaneers had zero interior pass rush last season. Kinlaw is a high motor beast with beautiful interior pass rush moves. The Buccaneers need to get better on defense and it starts at the line of scrimmage.
Pick # 15 Denver Broncos - Henry Ruggs III Wide Receiver Alabama
Henry Ruggs III is what we thought he was...amazingly fast. Ruggs is a top 5 prospect at the position and the Broncos would be wise to add an outside speedster to pair with Courtland Sutton, Noah Fant, and Drew Lock.
Pick #16 Atlanta Falcons - K'Lavon Chaisson Edge LSU
The Falcons let Vic Beasley walk and have been missing real pass rush for a while now. Chaisson adds great athleticism and motor to the position and, outside of Chase Young, is probably the most talented at the position.
Pick # 17 Dallas Cowboys - Xavier McKinney Safety Alabama
The Cowboys have put out one of the worst safety tandems in the NFL for a few years now and it has amazed me that they have not attacked the position in free agency. Just like in my first 2020 NFL mock draft I have them sticking with McKinney as he is the top safety prospect in the class.
Pick #18 Miami Dolphins - Grant Delpit Safety LSU
The Dolphins have rid themselves of high dollar safeties in Minkah Fitzpatrick and Reshad Jones. With one of their three first-round picks they grab the best replacement possible. Delpit and Xavier McKinney are the 1A and 1B safeties in this draft and the Dolphins will be smart to take whichever one of the two falls to them.
Pick #19 Oakland Raiders - Patrick Queen Linebacker LSU
The Raiders have been missing a true sideline to sideline presence from any of their linebackers for a while now. Queen came on real strong in his final collegiate year with LSU and adds a true speed and athleticism element to the Raiders linebacker corps.
Pick #20 Jacksonville Jaguars - Kristian Fulton Cornerback LSU
Kristian Fulton is a rangy and quick cover corner. Outside of Jeffrey Okudah, Fulton may be the best cover corner in the draft. The Jaguars traded away Jalen Ramsey during the season last season and just traded A.J. Bouye away as well. Cornerback needs to be addressed by the Jaguars in this draft and Fulton is a great addition.
Pick #21 Philadelphia Eagles - C.J. Henderson Cornerback Florida
Most people have the Eagles going wide receiver here, as did I in my first mock, but the wide receiver depth in this draft is unreal. What they really need to do is add an impact cornerback to pair with Ronald Darby in their secondary. the team has been hit with the injury bug a few years in a row and the lack of depth has proven to be an issue. Henderson killed the combine and was a first-round talent prior and the Eagles should attack the corner position in the first round.
Pick #22 Buffalo Bills - Denzel Mims Wide Receiver Baylor
Denzel Mims makes his way into the first round of this draft after I watched more of his tape and he was unreal at the combine. He has great size to go with strong hands, great high point and elite athleticism. Mims should pair perfectly with the rocket-armed Josh Allen and can become the top wide receiver on the team.
Pick #23 New England Patriots - Jordan Love Quarterback Utah St.
Jordan Love is a quarterback with some tantalizing traits. His mobility, arm strength, and athleticism are off the charts. This past season was a bit of a down season for Love but most likely due to the lack of talent around him. It looks like Tom Brady is closer to coming back to New England and would be a good mentor for Love. Though if Brady leaves in free agency Love could operate as the teams starting quarterback.
Pick #24Â New Orleans Saints - Justin Jefferson Wide Receiver LSU
This pick stays the same for me as it seems to make too much sense. Jefferson stays in state and Brees gets some added firepower to his receiving corps. The fact that Jefferson lit up the combine makes this pick even more intriguing.
Pick #25 Minnesota Vikings - Trevon Diggs Cornerback Alabama
You get rid of one Diggs only to add another. The Vikings seemingly are going to trade stud receiver Stefon Diggs this offseason. I have them bulking up their cornerback position by adding his brother Trevon Diggs. Diggs is a big physical receiver that can match up with the likes of Allen Robinson and Kenny Golladay.
Pick #26 Miami Dolphins - Josh Jones Offensive Tackle Houston
I want to grab a running back here for the Dolphins but they pick so early in the second round that they can grab one there. Instead, they add an offensive tackle who had a killer senior bowl that vaulted him into first-round consideration. He now can help protect new cornerstone Tagovailoa.
Pick #27 Seattle Seahawks - Yetur Gross-Matos Edge Penn St.
This pick does not change for me, as he went in the same spot during my first 2020 NFL mock draft. With the free agents this season at the edge position for the Seahawks and the lack of production from L.J. Collier, Gross-Matos is a great addition here and could see significant snaps right away.
Pick #28 Baltimore Ravens - Kenneth Murray Linebacker Oklahoma
This pick also remains the same from my last mock draft. The Ravens are hurting badly at the linebacker position after the departure of C.J. Mosley. Murray ran a 4.52-second 40-yard dash at the combine and showed he is a true speed presence in the middle of the field. Add his ability to blitz and this seems like a perfect marriage.
Pick #29 Tennessee Titans - Jonathan Taylor Running Back Wisconsin
I know a lot of people think that the Titans will buck up and give Derrick Henry a big payday after leading the NFL in rushing for 2019. He still was having a sub-par year until the 8th game of the season. Taylor surprised some at the combine with his speed after running a 4.39 40 yard dash. He fits the Titans scheme perfectly and the offense would not miss a beat with Taylor in the backfield.
Pick #30 Green Bay Packers - Jalen Reagor Wide Receiver TCU
Some people have cooled their jets on Reagor after he did not break the 40-yard dash record like some thought. He is still one of the most talented receivers in this draft class and he plays much faster than his 4.47-second mark shows. The Packers need to add receiver help to Davante Adams and adding Reagor would be perfect. He can line all over the line as a receiver and is dynamic with the ball in his hands.
Pick #31 San Francisco 49ers - Antoine Winfield Jr. Safety Minnesota
Antoine Winfield Jr. has some of the best mental processing from the safety position we have seen in years. He does a great job undercutting routes, making breaks on throws and baiting quarterbacks into poor decisions. He is also great moving up and helping is run defense. Add in the fact that he performed great at the combine and it is a recipe for 1st round success. the 49ers are trying to sign Arik Armstead which means Jimmie Ward is likely a free agent casualty. Winfield Jr. may even be an upgrade to Ward.
Pick #32 Kansas City Chiefs - Neville Gallimore Defensive Tackle Oklahoma
The Chiefs are facing a tough decision with Chris Jones this offseason. They decided to tag him but he may be too expensive to sign long-term. This may lead to them tagging and then trading him this offseason. His replacement could come straight from this draft as Gallimore is an extremely physical presence in the middle showing great strength and athleticism.
Some things changed while others stayed the same. We are only about a month away from the actual NFL draft, things could change but this is how I see the first round panning out.
