COVID-19 Final NFL Mock Draft
1 Bengals Joe Burrow QB
I mean is there any doubt Burrow was not the guy here?
2 Redskins Chase Young DE (Potential Trade Down Pick)
This pick was pretty much set. The Redskins get a generational pass rusher talent they have been looking for despite speculation of Tua Tagovalioa. Pairing up Chase Young with the likes of Montez Sweat, Jonathan Allen, Matt Ioannidis, and Ryan Kerrigan makes the Redskins front seven a scary bunch with Jack Del Rio now as defensive coordinator
3 Lions Jeff Okudah CB (potential trade down pick)
The NFL Draft has officially now begun. Rumors have speculated of teams trying to trade up to the third pick to either take a QB, offensive line, or even Isaiah Simmons or Okudah. However, I do expect the Lions who’s secondary was towards the bottom of the NFL last year and with the trade of Darius Slay. Okudah is a shutdown corner and can quickly rise to one of the best young corners this league has to offer. In a division with the likes of Davonte Adams, Adam Thelin, and even Allen Robinson you’re going to need talent like Okudah.
4 Giants Tristan Wirfs OT
David Gentlemen has never traded down ever in an NFL Draft. I do not expect him to trade down in the first round either. This is a safe pick that fills a position of need to help protect Daniel Jones
5 Dolphins Tua Tagovalioa QB
I’m not sold on the talks of the Dolphins trading up to take a tackle. Despite the injury concerns, Tua is the pick here as the Dolphins get a franchise quarterback to build around for the future.
6 Chargers Justin Hebert QB
Tyrod Taylor will be the starting quarterback during week 1 of the regular season. However, sitting a quarterback behind him in what I think will be a system fit is a good idea. Hebert got a big arm but is gun shy however with the weapons that the Chargers have it be a good fit to eventually replace Phillip Rivers.
7 Panthers Isaiah Simmons LB
Just like Josh Jones last year Simmons has fallen down boards within the past couple of days. With this pick, you get your field general linebacker to replace the now-retired Luke Kuechly in the start of a rebuild.
8 Cardinals Jedrick Wills Jr. OT
If you watched the Cardinals last year at all you know they had one of the worst offensive lines in the league. To protect Kyler Murray from the right side or maybe even the left side Wills Jr. is the pick here as his footwork in pass pro is arguably the best part of his game. Don’t be shocked if Wills goes as high as the fourth pick, however.
9 Jaguars Derrick Brown DT (potential trade down pick)
An outstanding player to put on the Jags team who’s the defense is rebuilding. Do not be shocked if the Falcons trade up here but Brown is the run-stuffing tone-setting defensive tackle teams are looking for but do not forget his pass-rushing moves either.
10 Browns Andrew Thomas OT (potential trade down pick)
It was just a couple months ago I had Thomas going top five in the draft. While he has fallen towards the top 10/top 15. I’m still a fan of what Andrew Thomas brings to the table as an anchor of the Browns offensive line or maybe the Washington Redskins in a trade up for Trent Williams? If the Browns keep this pick with Jack Conklin already signed to play right tackle they will fill the need of tackles to protect Baker Mayfield.
11 Jets Ceedee Lamb WR
The first wide receiver is off the board in Ceedee Lamb. I know the Jets offensive line is still a train wreck but you know Sam Darnold’s best weapon outside of running back is Jamison Crowder. They need weapons badly and Lamb is the perfect vertical physical wide receiver number one the Jets need badly.
12 Raiders Henry Ruggs III WR
The speedster with the 4.27 combine time can be the electric deep threat the Raiders are looking for. I’m not worried about him only being 188 pounds either. Remember the name Henry Ruggs III.
13 Niners Justin Jefferson WR
Personally I have Jefferson as my top wide receiver in this deep draft class. I have heard how he has raised up draft boards as of late and the 49ers need to add some more weapons to help out Jimmy Garoppolo. The pick makes perfect sense here unless a trade happens. Jefferson has all the tools to be a star in this league.
14 Bucs Mekhi Becton OT
Another tackle comes off the board and since the Bucs cannot afford Trent Williams. In order to protect new quarterback, Tom Brady Becton is the best tackle on the board and the selection here.
15 Broncos Javon Kinlaw DL potential (trade down pick)
One of the tougher picks to call in the first round because some of the better wide receivers are gone to pair with Drew Lock. So simply with some of the retooling going on with the Broncos defense, I believe this is a take the best player on the board situation. I would not be shocked if the Broncos traded down as well.
16 Falcons CJ Henderson CB
Falcons want to trade up for an impact player. However, I believe one of those impact players falls to them at 16 at a position of need at cornerback with Desmond Trufant’s departure. I have Henderson as the second-best corner in this draft.
17 Cowboys K’Lavon Chaisson DE
Cowboys brought him in for a virtual meeting and have two pass rushers with drug-related problems on their roster. I could see this pick being a safety but I believe another edge player is just what the Cowboys could use on their defense.
18 Dolphins Austin Jackson OT (potential trade pick up pick )
This pick is actually a mystery because of the rumor trade talks the Dolphins have had. I’m going to assume the Dolphins will take a tackle with the selection if they stay to protect their new quarterback.
19 Raiders Kristian Fulton CB (potential trade down pick )
There have been some talks that Yannick Ngakoue will be involved with a trade for this pick. If the Raiders picked here in the same division with the Chiefs. I believe they go with a physical press corner in Fulton out of LSU who knows a thing about producing great secondary players. This pick to me screams Mike Maycock and Jon Gruden.
20 Jaguars AJ Terrell CB (potential trade-up pick)
As I mentioned above the Jaguars are rebuilding their defense and could very well trade up in this draft. If they were to stay at this pick I see them filling a need and taking AJ Terrell who could very well be a fundamental piece of that defense going forward.
21 Eagles Jerry Jeudy WR
Well, every year it seems as if a player having a red flag medically causes a really great player to fall. This will be the case with Jerry Jeudy I do not agree with it but with COVID-19 and not getting an in-person visit. This hurts his draft stock and it’s unfortunate. So he falls right into the Eagles lap and solving their wide receiver issues and getting a top-five draft talent and potentially a top wide receiver in the coming years for Carson Wentz.
22 Vikings Antoine Winfield Jr S
With two picks in the first round, the Vikings have some needs to fill and are also in the market for Trent Williams. I think they will hold off on a wide receiver till day two. They also have 12 picks to work with. Anthony Harris future in Minnesota is unknown at this point. I do believe he will be traded and the perfect replacement to pair alongside Harrison Smith. If I were to make a big board of top 40 prospects Winfield Jr. would be in my top 10. This would be a home run pick for the Vikings.
23 Patriots Jordan Love QB
Here is another bold prediction with Tom Brady now gone it’s time to draft a quarterback and I believe Jordan Love may be the one for Bill Belichick who has drawn comparisons to Patrick Mahomes. He’s all over the map in making great plays then missing some easy ones and could use some grooming but sitting a year to learn how to play quarterback in the NFL can be beneficial to him.
24 Saints Patrick Queen MLB
Reports have been out there the Saints will not look at a quarterback or wide receiver in round one. Inside linebacker is a question mark with A.J. Klein signed with the Bills and a bunch of expiring contracts coming up. Patrick Queen would be the popular pick and become an anchor and the heart of the Saints defense.
25 Vikings Josh Jones T (potential trade down pick )
The offensive line is a need for the Vikings and Josh Jones can fit a need for at the tackle position especially if Riley Relief is released. This pick can also be a pick that can be traded away as well.
26 Dolphins Xavier Mckinney S
Well like I said the Dolphins are bound to start making some moves in the draft. However, with the 26th pick, the Dolphins take Minkah Fitzpatrick replacement in Xavier Mckinney.
27 Seahawks Yetur Gross-Matos DE (potential trade down pick)
The Seahawks love to trade down all the time from round one. With Jadevon Clowney asking price being too high and the Seahawks basically moving on. The replacement they’re looking for will be at this pick if they stay. Matos offers length and athleticism coming off the edge pass-rushing.
28 Ravens Kenneth Murray LB (trade up pick)
Murray could very well be a top 20 pick when this is all set and done but I’ll slot him in with the Ravens. Rumors are they have to trade up to select Murray. Murray is a perfect fit for the Ravens scheme being able to play inside and outside linebacker. Ravens want him big time and it could be a game-changing pick if they are able to land him.
29 Titans CB Trevon Diggs (trade down pick)
ESPN reports that the Titans are looking to trade down from the first round and it would not shock me if they do end up trading down. If they were to stick to this pick I believe they will try and find Logan Ryan replacement. Diggs can defend on the outside and guard vertical wide receivers and will be one of the top players on the board. It is a perfect pick for the Titans.
30 Packers WR Tee Higgins
Get Aaron Rodgers some more weapons plain and simple. The best wide receiver left on the board is Tee Higgins from Clemson. To me, he is one of the most underrated players in this draft. Since this is one of the deepest wide receiver classes Higgins won’t go as high as he should. A 50-50 ball wide receiver to make crucial catches as he did at Clemson is among the skill sets Higgins offers. With Rodger’s arm, they will be plenty of chances for this to happen. Speed-wise he isn’t the fastest but enough to be successful in the NFL. To me, his potential is AJ Green and at pick 30 to pair him up with Davonte Adams it is worth the risk for the Packers.
31 49ers Jeff Gladney CB (both a potential trade down or trade up pick )
When it comes to Super Bowl contenders sometimes they trade down out of the first round. The 49ers have two first-rounders to make a move. They could always use some extra secondary help and Gladney could be one of the sleepers picks in this draft
32 Chiefs AJ Eoenesa Edge (trade down pick)
Once again like I said above the Chiefs could very well trade down from this pick. However, Epenesa would be the best player available and it helps bring the Chiefs another pass rusher to help out their defense. I also believe they will go corner on day 2 as well.
By Ashkan Motamedi
