The NFL regular season is finally in the books, and most of the draft spots for the 2020 NFL draft are locked in. The Cincinnati Bengals are on the clock for the No. 1 overall pick. Here's a look at our 2020 NFL mock draft as of Dec. 30, 2019.
The NFL regular season is finally in the books, and most of the draft spots for the 2020 NFL draft are locked in with the Cincinnati Bengals on the clock for the No. 1 overall pick. Here's a look at our latest 2020 NFL mock draft as of Dec. 30, 2019.
2019 has been the year of Joe Burrow, who won the Heisman Trophy and is the overwhelming favorite to be Cincinnati's choice for the No. 1 overall pick. He's shown drastic improvement in his senior season at LSU, completing nearly 78 percent of his passes and also showing above-average scrambling ability. The only major knock on Burrow is that he's old for a first-round prospect, set to turn 24 in December 2020. That said, 2019 fourth-round pick Ryan Finley hasn't shown anything that should make the Bengals bypass this opportunity.
Young is the best defensive lineman of his generation, which is saying a lot given rookie Nick Bosa's success in San Francisco this season. Incredibly, Young recorded 16.5 sacks through his first 11 games this season and has a chance to make a huge impact on a Washington defensive line that already has a lot of talent.
Cornerback is already one of Detroit's strengths, but the addition of Okudah could potentially allow the Lions to shop star Darius Slay after the cornerback seemed disgruntled earlier this season. Okudah is working himself up to being the top corner in the 2020 class. He is a shutdown corner with three picks in his first 12 games this season.
The Giants need a playmaker at wideout after trading Odell Beckham Jr. last offseason. Jeudy has 959 yards and nine scores so far this season and ranks right alongside Julio Jones and Amari Cooper as one of the most talented wideouts to come out of Alabama in recent memory.
Miami played itself out of the first overall pick but has potentially lucked out behind a few teams with established quarterback situations. With Josh Rosen clearly not the future in Miami, the choice could come down to Herbert or Tua Tagovailoa. It's clear a quarterback is in the Dolphins' draft future despite Ryan Fitzpatrick's success, and Herbert looks like the second "safest" on the board following Tagovailoa's injuries. Herbert has optimal NFL size and completed nearly 70 percent of his passes this season.
Tagovailoa was the consensus No. 1 overall draft choice entering the year, but ankle and hip injuries have given him the "injury-prone" label. Before his season-ending injury earlier this season, Tagovailoa completed more than 71 percent of his passes with 33 touchdowns in nine games, albeit with elite receiving weapons in Alabama. Philip Rivers might return next season, but the Chargers clearly need to start thinking about the future.
Carolina has questions at quarterback this offseason, but protecting either Cam Newton or a new signal-caller will be just as important in 2020. Thomas is the best offensive lineman on the board, standing at 6-foot-5, 320 pounds as an immediate solution at left tackle.
Arizona went heavy at wideout in this year's draft, but the opportunity to add Lamb, a former teammate of Kyler Murray at Oklahoma, could be too attractive to pass up. Lamb has been nothing but productive in college and is having his best season, with 62 receptions for 1,327 yards and 14 touchdowns through 13 games.
Jacksonville's defense has seen a steep and surprising regression this season. Simmons is an extremely versatile defender who has potential at either linebacker or safety. The 6-foot-4 senior has 97 tackles and seven sacks through 14 games.
Safety is a need for Cleveland entering the offseason. Delpit is the clear top safety in the draft, with 59 tackles and two picks through 13 games this season.
New York traded Leonard Williams earlier this season, creating a hole on the defensive line. Brown has moved into top 10 draft consideration again with a great year, recording 49 tackles and four sacks during the regular season.
Oakland has desperately needed a top wide receiver weapon all year after the Antonio Brown saga. Shenault is excellent with the ball in his hands, though his production has fallen off from last season. He had 764 receiving yards and six total touchdowns in 11 games this year.
Indy has been impressed with rookie Rock Ya-Sin, but another young corner wouldn't hurt. Henderson hasn't been challenged much in the Florida secondary this year, but he has 33 tackles and 11 passes defensed through nine games.
Shaquil Barrett has been a surprise contributor for Tampa Bay this season, but he's a free agent. Gross-Matos has excellent size and speed and has been productive for the Nittany Lions over the last two seasons, recording eight sacks in 2018 and nine sacks through 11 games this year.
With Chris Harris headed toward free agency, cornerback will be high on Denver's list. Adebo is a willing tackler with good ball skills, recording four picks and 33 tackles in nine games this season.
With Vic Beasley's future in Atlanta up in the air, the Falcons could be in the market for a pass rusher. Epenesa has been highly productive again this year, with 49 tackles and 11.5 sacks through 13 games in his junior season.
Dallas can use some help on the defensive interior, and Kinlaw has the skill set to be a multi-dimensional disruptor. Kinlaw has increased his stock with 35 tackles and six sacks through 12 games this season.
Tackle has been a need for Miami since it traded Laremy Tunsil prior to Week 1. Jackson could fill in as a starter immediately, as the team protects what's likely to be a young quarterback next year.
Richie Incognito has been a revelation at left guard for the Raiders this season, but it remains to be seen if they will retain the veteran. They have made the offensive line a priority over the last year, and Leatherwood shows the potential versatility to help immediately.
The Jaguars have invested huge resources in the defensive line, but Yannick Ngakoue could walk in free agency this offseason and Calais Campbell is one of the older defensive players in the league. Weaver has put together a tremendous career at Boise State, capped off with 13.5 sacks in 14 games this year.
The secondary has been a problem for the Eagles again this season and an area that Fulton could help fix immediately. Fulton has been a shutdown corner lately at LSU.
Linebacker has been a shaky spot for Tennessee this season. Murray is a tackling machine with 155 tackles last year and 102 tackles through 14 games this year.
John Brown and Cole Beasley have been excellent additions for Buffalo this year, but the team is lacking a big red-zone threat. The 6-foot-4 Higgins has averaged 20 yards per reception for the second time in three years, and he has 25 touchdowns in his last two years.
The brother of Vikings wideout Stefon Diggs, Trevon remains a solid first-round prospect. Minnesota's secondary has crashed suddenly this season, and the organization is already familiar with the Diggs family.
Wideout has been one of the more productive areas for Miami, but it's also the strength of the 2020 draft. Ruggs hasn't been as productive as teammate Jerry Jeudy, but he still has superstar potential. He has 719 yards and seven scores through 11 games played.
Seattle has Jarran Reed on the interior of the defensive line but could use help alongside him. Davis had 8.5 sacks in 2017, and while he's struggled to repeat that production, the 6-foot-7 lineman can plug up the middle and be a major factor in the pass rush.
New England has one of the oldest secondaries in the league and needs to start thinking about the future soon. McKinney has 85 tackles and three picks through 12 games as a true playmaker for the Crimson Tide.
Michael Thomas is arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL, but the Saints haven't had much production at wideout elsewhere. Aiyuk is on the first-round radar after a huge regular season, with 65 catches for 1,192 yards and eight touchdowns.
K.C.'s running game has struggled this season, and issues on the interior of the offensive line are a big reason. Biadasz can step in on the interior immediately, either at guard or center.
Green Bay went heavy adding receivers last year, but the results of that effort haven't been great. Marquez Valdes-Scantling hasn't been much more than a deep threat this year, and tight end Jimmy Graham's best days are clearly behind him. Jefferson has earned first-round consideration with his great year, putting up 102 catches for 1,434 yards and 18 scores through 14 games.
Left tackle Joe Staley's future could be up in the air given his age and injuries this season. Wirfs can step in immediately at tackle for the 49ers.
Would the Ravens go wideout in the first round of two consecutive drafts? Given the talent at the position in 2020, we can't rule it out. Smith is having a great junior season, with 65 catches for 1,200 yards and 13 touchdowns for Alabama and would given Lamar Jackson yet another nice weapon.
Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.
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