2020 NFL mock draft: A new quarterback suddenly emerges in the 1st round

There is only one game left in the NFL season, with the Kansas City Chiefs slated to play the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl. If that has you down, attention will soon shift to the 2020 NFL Draft.

This week’s mock draft goes back to Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa landing in the top five, and Joe Burrow and Chase Young going No. 1 and 2, respectively. But there are plenty of different possibilities projected. That includes a new quarterback landing in the first round.

There have been a couple developments with the first pick in the draft. The first being that, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bengals have no intention of trading the No. 1 selection. Of course, if the Bengals were truly trading open to trading it, letting it out this early would kill some of the return in value.

The second development was that Burrow doesn’t like Cincinnati’s famously disgusting Skyline chili. That take alone warrants the No. 1 pick.

To my knowledge, Young has not weighed in on Washington’s culinary scene. Getting jacked with Arnold Schwarzenegger is kinda fun, though.

Look, Washington is going to take Young second overall unless something insane happens. I have to find new ways to say why every week until the draft.

The Lions could go a number of ways with the third pick, and that could spark a trade-down scenario. That will be explored in a future mock draft — in two weeks actually, so mark your calendar. If the Lions can move around and still land Brown, they should do it. Head coach Matt Patricia stressed getting pressure up the middle, and Brown can destroy a pocket.

Simmons officially joined the draft pool on Saturday and is poised to be a high pick. He can dominate games from various parts of the field and was arguably the best player in the national title game last week after Burrow.

Last week’s mock draft explored the idea of what could happen if Tagovailoa falls because of injury concerns. Let’s check out some feedback:

My heart is just shattered. Anyway, as the draft process drags on, we’ll learn more about the truth of Tagovailoa’s health status. That will prove whether or not he slides, gets picked fifth overall, or goes even higher in a trade-up scenario.

Philip Rivers is moving his army of a family to Florida, so let the baseless speculation commence. Sure, you can argue that the Chargers should fix their woeful offensive line before gambling on a first-round quarterback. But if they fall in love with Herbert, this pick won’t be a shock.

With James Bradberry and Ross Cockrell both entering free agency, the Panthers have a large hole in the secondary. Drafting for need this high usually isn’t smart, but Okudah is one of the draft’s top players who can make an impact early in his career.

Arizona would be fortunate if it gets its choice of offensive tackles with the eighth pick. Obviously, the tackle they select will be based on grades first, but the Cardinals also have a decision to make on left tackle D.J. Humphries. While he hasn’t exactly played like a first-round pick, the Cardinals could still use the franchise tag on him. If they do, they could take a more natural right tackle like Tristan Wirfs of Iowa.

With two first-round picks this year thanks to the Jalen Ramsey trade, the Jaguars have the ammunition to move up if they love someone like Simmons or Brown. If they stay at No. 9, an offensive tackle might be the move. Wills was on the right of Alabama’s offensive line, but the Jaguars could use him at either spot.

The Browns need to hope Herbert goes in the first nine picks. If he does, Cleveland should get one of the coveted top three offensive tackles. Any of Thomas, Wills, or Wirfs is a smart pick for the Browns.

Of course the Jets would prefer one of the top tackles, but getting their choice of wide receivers has its advantages. Lamb is a more dynamic playmaker than Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy, so he could get the nod on draft night.

Jeudy is one of the most sure-thing prospects in this draft thanks to his elite route running and hands. Sure, the Raiders have struck out on can’t-miss first-rounders before, but screwing it up with Jeudy seems impossible.

Just about every mock draft has the Colts going with a wide receiver with the 13th pick. However, Indianapolis is pretty average on defense, and could use a player like Kinlaw to stop the run and get after the quarterback.

Shaquil Barrett, Carl Nassib, Jason Pierre-Paul and Ndamukong Suh are all free agents on Tampa Bay’s defensive line. After a successful season rushing the passer, the Buccaneers can’t let that area of their defense fall apart. Especially if someone like Barrett prices himself out of town. Epenesa can work on the inside and outside, and is a good all-around player.

Although Courtland Sutton blossomed into a legitimate No. 1 receiver with 1,112 receiving yards this season, the Broncos don’t have much after him. DaeSean Hamilton disappointed as the team’s secondary wide receiver, so a receiver like Ruggs would be a smart choice. That would surround quarterback Drew Lock with Sutton, Ruggs, and tight end Noah Fant.

The athletic Gross-Matos could be a draft riser considering he plays a premium position, has good size at 6’5 and 265 pounds, and is coming off a season of 9.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss. Pass rush has been an issue for the Falcons for a few years, and they could finally solve it this draft.

This should be the absolute floor of Delpit’s range in the first round. He’s a good all-around safety prospect who showed this season he’s capable of being a single-high coverage safety.

Miami has been in the bottom six of the NFL in sacks the last three seasons, and bottomed out as the worst in the league in 2019. That could force a move on a player like Weaver in the first round. He reminds me of Clelin Ferrell, whom the Raiders took fourth overall last year.

It will only take one team to fall in love with Eason’s massive 6’6 frame and even more massive potential. The Raiders have fallen in love with traits plenty of times in the past and could see a franchise player in Eason.

Other than D.J. Chark, the Jaguars lack difference-making wide receivers. Chris Conley and Dede Westbrook are solid, but not spectacular. Higgins, though, has star potential. Ideally there would be a defensive tackle or linebacker worth the 20th pick, but it’s hard to value one here. It could be more of a second-round consideration.

Speaking of receivers with star potential, the Eagles could get a steal with a receiver like Shenault. In most years Shenault would be a top-15 pick or higher. But with this draft being loaded at the position, teams will get lucky in the middle of the first round.

The Bills go into the offseason needing a hybrid rusher who can line up at multiple positions. In this range, Chaisson and Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray will be in consideration. Chaisson is the better pass rusher while Murray is the better true linebacker.

Love’s Senior Bowl is a must-watch storyline this week. With a good week, his draft stock could skyrocket into the top 15. The Patriots have taken a quarterback in three of the past four drafts, but none in the first or second round. This could be the year, whether it’s Love, Herbert, or even Eason.

New Orleans has several key free agents this offseason, including cornerbacks Eli Apple and P.J. Williams. The Saints should let both walk and target a corner like Diggs. He would finally give the Saints a quality cornerback opposite Marshon Lattimore and help take some pressure off.

The Vikings are another team that should look to upgrade from disappointing veterans at cornerback. In Minnesota’s case, it is Xavier Rhodes, whose play has regressed dramatically the past two seasons. Fulton is a man coverage specialist on the outside, and the Vikings’ Mike Zimmer should be able to coach up Fulton’s tackling deficiencies.

Becton bolted for the NFL after starting three seasons at Louisville, and should have a spot in the first round locked down. Now it’s just a matter of figuring out how high he could go. The Dolphins would be wise to pair Tagovailoa with a blocker on the edge, and Becton fits the bill.

Chances are the Seahawks won’t be picking here on draft weekend considering general manager John Schneider’s usual transactional gymnastics. If the Seahawks happen to stay at No. 27, they could target a pass rusher. Okwara should test off the charts with the analytics community, and good coaching will take advantage of his traits.

After LSU’s national title win, Jefferson jumped to the NFL and could land a spot in the top 32. He has impressive hands, and is coming off a season with 111 receptions for 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns. The Ravens may have taken Marquise Brown in the first round last year, but they need another pass catcher.

It was clear during the AFC Championship Game on Sunday that the Titans need to get a better pass rush. Harold Landry is a solid player, but Tennessee’s options after him are limited. Lewis is a good standup rusher who has the strength to set the edge against the run.

When the 49ers shut down Davante Adams for much of the NFC Championship Game, it was apparent that the Packers badly need a quality No. 2 wide receiver. Even if Hamler is not the biggest at 5’9 and 176 pounds, he can make a big play any time he touches the ball.

Getting to the Super Bowl and still finding a top-line linebacker in the draft is the dream for the Chiefs. Murray is an active linebacker who will rush the quarterback and track the ball against the run.

A starter for two-and-a-half seasons at Florida, Henderson would give the 49ers a defensive back who can work on the outside or be used in the slot. Don’t forget, Richard Sherman is a free agent after the 2020 season.