Free agency is largely over, not that there are no players available who will make an impact in 2020, but teams are unlikely to alter draft plans for the vets still looking for a team. With that said we are updating our mock draft and extending it to three rounds. Let us know what you think in the comments or on Twitter @lbhtshow.
Joe Burrow QB LSU- The Bengals pass on the trading down and select their franchise QB. A good athlete with a high football IQ, Burrow is coming off a Heisman winning, national championship season and will next look to turn around a Cincinnati team that has not won a playoff game in nearly 30 years.
Chase Young EDGE Ohio St.- The 6’5 265-pound edge rusher was dominant in 2019 with 16.5 sacks, 21 TFLs. Young is a gifted athlete who Washington will pair with last year’s first round pick, Montez Sweat, in hopes of terrorizing NFC East QBs for years to come.
Jeff Okudah CB OSU- Okudah possesses the size (6’1 205) and athleticism (4.48 40, 41 in. vert, 135’ broad jump) to handle any assignment. The Lions are well into a defensive rebuild and would do well to pair newly signed Desmond Trufant with the best corner in this year’s draft.
Isaiah Simmons LB Clemson- The former Tiger played snaps at LB, S, Edge and both outside and slot CB. Simmons can do any and everything on a football field as evidenced by his 102 tackles 16 TFLs 8 sacks 3 INTs and 9 PDs. The Giants get an uber athlete to be the centerpiece of their developing defense.
Tua Tagovailoa QB Alabama- Despite rumors that some in the front office prefer Oregon QB Justin Herbert, we believe they stick with the former Tide star. The future begins now in Miami The Dolphins will use their plethora of picks to quickly rebuild around Tua and hope to compete immediately.
Justin Herbert, QB Oregon - The Chargers are a QB away from relevancy and being a factor come playoff time. Is Herbert that QB? We’ll see, the Oregon product has all the physical tools but was frustratingly inconsistent throughout his college career.
Tristan Wirfs OT Iowa- Teddy Bridgewater is the new QB in Carolina and the #1 priority should be protecting him. The Panthers have moved on from both starting guards and LT Russell Okung has one year left on his deal. Enter Tristan Wirfs, with the versatility to play G or T Wirfs should provide an immediate upgrade to the offensive line, which has been a chronic issue in Charlotte.
Mekhi Becton OT Louisville- Things keep looking up for second year QB Kyler Murray. First the Cardinals acquire a top WR in Deandre Hopkins and now with their first pick they select a massive blindside protector in Becton. He has the size, athleticism and strength to develop into an edge eraser and Cardinals fans should rest easy with LT set for the foreseeable future.
Derrick Brown DL Auburn- Brown posted an awful 3-cone time at the combine and refused to do the drill at his pro day. Brown later quieted some of those concerns when he posted a video online of him completing the drill with what appeared to be a much faster time. Regardless, the Jaguars run defense was terrible, and they need any help they can get along their defensive front. Brown will put them on the road to recovery.
Andrew Thomas OT UGA- The Browns are ready to win. What they need is better play from QB Baker Mayfield, and one way to get that is better protection. Thomas will step in on day one and excel in pass protection and the run game.
Jedrick Wills OT Alabama- The Jets failed to land Jack Conklin in free agency and despite adding several other linemen could still use some help up front. Wills would be a plug and play option at RT and would allow the Jets to focus camp competitions on the interior.
Henry Ruggs III WR Alabama- 4.28 40. It’s an eye popping number and Ruggs was every bit as fast on the field, constantly running away from defenders. Tyrell Williams, Hunter Renfrow and Nelson Agholor are not exactly names that strike fear in defenses. Ruggs brings a much needed, explosive element to the Raiders offense
Cedee Lamb WR OU- Lamb is a good all-around athlete with overwhelming college production. The Niners traded DeForest Buckner to upgrade the talent on offense and do just that at #13. Lamb is elite with the ball in his hands and with Kyle Shanahan working to get him open, Lamb should have an instant impact on the NFC champions’ offense.
Cesar Ruiz OL Michigan- The name of the game in Tampa is protect Tom Brady. They signed the 42 year old for two seasons and while Alex Kappa has been decent, they have a chance to add the top interior linemen in this class and should not pass it up.
CJ Henderson CB Florida- Size, speed and ball skills make Henderson a top flight prospect and a great fit in a Broncos secondary that just lost Chris Harris. Despite some issues with tackling, Henderson should step in and be not only a starter, but the top corner in Denver very early on.
K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE LSU - The Falcons needed to improve their pass rush this offseason. They signed Dante Fowler away from the Rams and now they add the ascending Chaisson to a front 7 that already features Grady Jarrett. The Falcons have more work to do on defense but this is a great start.
Kristian Fulton CB LSU- The Cowboys have a big hole to fill in their secondary with the departure of Byron Jones. Fulton won’t be able to match Jones’ play day one but he’s an athletic cover corner with tons of potential who can take the field early and ease the blow.
Grant Delpit S LSU- An absolute star in 2018, Delpit took a step back this past year as he played through an ankle injury. With that behind him, he figures to find the field early and bring a strong physical presence in the run and pass game while replacing tank casualty Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Jeff Gladney CB TCU- A versatile corner with good enough athleticism and a demeanor that will bring a spark to any defense. He’s aggressive going after the ball and will fit right in with previous draft choice Johnathan Abram.
Jerry Jeudy WR Alabama- After a somewhat surprising fall, Baltimore gives up their 1st, a 3rd and a 4th to move up and grab Jeudy. Arguably the best receiver in this class, Jeudy would pair with the electric Hollywood Brown to give the reigning MVP great outside targets to keep the offense rolling.
Denzel Mims WR Baylor- Mims continues his offseason rise and lands with the Eagles. Alshon, Desean, Agholor, JJ etc. proved to be an unreliable group and the WR corps is in need of a shake up. They add youth and injury insurance with the explosive playmaker from Baylor.
Justin Jefferson WR LSU- Jefferson will have the nearly impossible task of replacing Stefon Diggs, who the Vikings traded to Buffalo. Jefferson was a very productive college player and has the hands, catch radius and speed to be an impact player for the Vikings early on.
Jordan Love QB Utah State- Love’s erratic college career ended on a down note as he led the FBS with 17 INTs in 2019. With Tom Brady moving on the Patriots will hope they get the 2018 version of Love, or at the very least they get a pass for a year as they try to get him back on the right track.
Patrick Queen LB LSU- Kiko Alonso suffered his third ACL tear earlier this year and Queen has the makings of a future NFL star. He can cover, rush the QB and is a sure tackler. He’s relatively inexperienced but the upside is too good to pass up for New Orleans.
Xavier McKinney- The Vikings lost Everson Griffen, Trae Waynes, Mackensie Alexander and Xavier Rhodes in free agency, they need help in the secondary. Even though they franchised Anthony Harris and are reportedly looking to sign him to a long term deal, Xavier McKinney still makes sense in this spot. He’s a smart, athletic, ball hawking safety who also spent time in the slot and has shown skill against the run and blitzing and will give the Vikings options on the back end.
Josh Jones OT Houston- Athletic 4-year starter with minor injury concerns, Jones will need time to develop before taking over the LT spot full time. A bit of a reach here but potential and position premium land Jones in the 1st round.
Austin Jackson OT USC- Big time high school prospect who went on to star at LT for the Trojans. Jackson will need technique and strength development early on but should ultimately be a long term answer on the blindside when Duane Brown moves on.
Yetur Gross-Matos EDGE Penn St.- 6’5 266 with a ton of untapped potential. Gross-Matos lands here with the assumption that the Jaguars trade Yannick Ngakoue at some point. Gross-Matos would start opposite second year EDGE Josh Allen, and would form an imposing duo for the Jag’s defense.
Javon Kinlaw DT South Carolina- A huge draft day slide for Kinlaw finally ends, leaving him lighter in the pockets but in a great on field situation. The departure of Jurrell Casey will allow the explosive interior linemen to come in and make a name for himself in year one.
Laviska Shenault Jr. WR Col- Shenault is a WR who can line up and make plays anywhere on the field. His production was hampered by a less than ideal QB situation but now he gets to play with one of the greatest of all time. Shenault should seize the #2 spot the second the Packers turn in their draft card and GB fans will quickly forget the days of hyping up Jake Kumerow and Jeff Janis.
Noah Igbinoghene CB Auburn- A former WR who has been playing CB for the last two seasons, Igbinoghene represents a possible steal for the Niners. a great athlete and physical player, he will have the luxury of sitting and learning behind a veteran group and should be ready to hit the ground running by the time San Fran is looking to move on from their current starters.
Kenneth Murray LB Okla- Murray is a difference-making 3 down linebacker who is too good of a player to be falling into the laps of the defending champions. With Clark and Jones up front and Mathieu and Thornhill behind him, Murray will be free to roam around wreaking havoc for opposing offenses.
