2020 NFL Mock Draft Predictions and Betting Odds
NFL general managers would like the NFL Draft, scheduled for April 23-25, pushed back due to the coronavirus, but commissioner Roger Goodell – as of now – is steadfast it will stay put. Here’s a look at how we think the first 10 picks will go along with incorporated NFL Draft odds.
No. 1 Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU. Last season, the Arizona Cardinals picked in the top spot and we projected them to take a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback in Kyler Murray. There wasn’t much suspense there, and the Cardinals did just that. Worked out very well. There’s no suspense here, either, as the Bengals are taking the 2019 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback in Burrow. NFL draft odds that Burrow ISN’T the top pick and that’s yes-only at +1900. The last LSU player to go No. 1 overall was QB JaMarcus Russell in 2007 to the Raiders, and he was a mega-bust.
No. 2 Washington: Chase Young, DE, Ohio State. In 2019, we projected another Ohio State defensive end, Nick Bosa, to go No. 2 overall to the San Francisco 49ers. He did, won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and helped lead the Niners to the Super Bowl. Young has a higher grade from scouts than Bosa did, although the Redskins will not be going to a Super Bowl this coming season. That Young is the second overall pick is a -325 favourite.
No. 3 Detroit Lions: Jeff Okudah, DB, Ohio State. Lions coach Matt Patricia has loaded up on defence this off-season, especially with ex-Patriots (he’s the former New England defensive coordinator), but the Lions still have a glaring need for a shutdown cornerback after trading Darius Slay to Philadelphia for draft picks. Okudah is far and away the best cornerback in this class. That he’s the third overall pick is +145.
No. 4 New York Giants: Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville. This could be a prime spot for a team to trade up ahead of the Miami Dolphins to snag quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, but we aren’t going to project trades here – tough enough simply getting half of the Top 10 right without involving trades. The Giants need an upgrade on the offensive line to protect Daniel Jones and open running lanes for Saquon Barkley. Becton is +170 to be the first offensive lineman taken in the draft.
NFL Predictions and Entry Draft Odds
No. 5 Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama. This is one of three first-round picks the Dolphins have, so they in theory could trade up as far as No. 2 if they absolutely felt they must in order to land Tua. If the Fins don’t have to move up and still get him here, they are huge Day 1 winners no matter whom else they pick. Tagovailoa has a higher upside than Burrow but major durability questions. Miami is the -120 favourite to be the team to draft Tua (although that prop doesn’t say at which spot). Check out a detailed look at Tagovailoa and where he might land here.
No. 6 Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon. The Chargers bid goodbye to long-time starting quarterback Philip Rivers this off-season and came in second place to Tampa Bay in the Tom Brady sweepstakes. As of now, the Bolts have shown no interest in free-agent QBs Cam Newton or Jameis Winston. They get their long-term answer here. L.A. can let Herbert sit and learn for a year behind Tyrod Taylor. Herbert has a draft position of over/under 6.0.
No. 7 Carolina Panthers: Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson. Carolina cut loose quarterback and former NFL MVP Cam Newton this week, but the Panthers have their immediate long-term answer there in Teddy Bridgewater. The team also added a good receiver in free agency in Robby Anderson, so it almost surely will focus on defence after some key losses on that side of the ball. Simmons, an incredible athlete, can help make up for the retirement of star linebacker Luke Kuechly. Simmons is given a draft position of over/under 6.5.
No. 8 Arizona Cardinals: Jedrick Willis, OT, Alabama. The Cardinals had a big need at receiver before they traded for Houston’s DeAndre Hopkins – sorry, not traded for but stole. Thus, it’s almost a lock that the Cardinals get help up front for Murray here, it’s just a matter of which tackle they prefer and which might be available. Perhaps the Giants prefer Willis at No. 4 and Becton is the choice here. Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs also is a possibility. Willis is the +145 favourite to be the first offensive lineman taken in this draft.
No. 9 Jacksonville Jaguars: Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn. The Jaguars hit a home run picking defence last year at No. 7 overall with Kentucky linebacker Josh Allen, and they would be thrilled if the top-rated defensive tackle was still on the board here. Jacksonville has lost two key defenders in Marcell Dareus and Calais Campbell, and still may trade end Yannick Ngakoue, who got the franchise tag. Ngakoue was not happy about that. Brown is given an over/under draft position of 8.5.
No. 10 Cleveland Browns: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa. Cleveland signed an excellent right tackle in free agency in Tennessee’s Jack Conklin, but the Browns need someone to protect Baker Mayfield’s blind side. Mayfield was sacked 40 times last season. It’s almost a sure thing the Browns take a tackle here, but, again, it will depend on who is left on the board. Georgia’s Andrew Thomas is also a possibility. Wirfs is given an over/under draft position of 8.5.