DNVR NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Senior Bowl reactions and quarterbacks on the rise

After a week of draft prep in Mobile, Alabama at the annual Senior Bowl, here’s our first attempt at mocking the 2020 NFL Draft.

Mind you, this is a mock draft not how we rank the prospects in this year’s class (stay tuned for those). This is a prediction of how I see the draft unfolding given team needs and drafting tendencies.

It’s also early, there are lots of things that will inevitably change from now until April and that’s built into our mock as well. So with that, let’s have some fun and see who the Broncos will be looking at with the 15th pick and how the rest of the draft could unfold.

1) Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

Coming off a legendary season, Burrow is a perfect fit in Zac Taylor’s McVay-inspired attack.

2) Washington Redskins: Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State

An elite defensive talent, Young is the rare building block that could salvage the sinking ship that is the Redskins.

3) Miami Dolphins (from Lions): Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon

*Projected trade: Lions get picks 5 and 26*

With lots of QB needy teams in the 5-through-7 range, we’re projecting Miami to use one of their extra first-round picks to move up and get their man.

Herbert showed real polish at the Senior Bowl and has always had the highest ceiling of the class, as of now, he’s slightly favored to be the second quarterback taken.

4) New York Giants: Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson

Simmons has rare versatility allowing him to affect every facet of the game. He’ll be hard to pass up after the top-three picks.

5) Detroit Lions (from Dolphins): Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State

*Projected trade (see above)*

Okudah could open up the Lions defense and give Matt Patricia a shot at really implementing his defense.

6) Los Angeles Chargers: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

The Chargers are moving on from Philip Rivers and will have to draft a quarterback early. There’s talk that Jordan Love could be their guy but in this scenario, Tua is too tantalizing to pass up.

7) Carolina Panthers: Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn

The Panthers are playing the long game and can stay patient, snatching up the other truly elite defensive talent in the class.

8) Arizona Cardinals: Andrew Thomas, LT, Georgia

The Cards have an abundance of choice at their two biggest need areas; receiver and the offensive line. They go with the latter here in Thomas, a tone-setting tackle.

9) Jacksonville Jaguars: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma

The Jaguars need to give new OC Jay Gruden a chance and add a devastating force in Lamb, who has top-five talent.

10) Cleveland Browns: Jedrick Wills Jr., RT, Alabama

The Browns are desperate for help at tackle and go with Alabama’s imposing right tackle who has the potential to play on the blindside or be turned into an all-world guard.

11) New York Jets: Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville

The Jets are also needy at tackle and go after the mammoth pass protector from Louisville. Becton is the definition of a “dancing bear” with considerable upside and a combination of size, power and athleticism that can’t be taught.

12) Las Vegas Raiders: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama

This isn’t great news for the Broncos, as Jeudy would fit the Raiders’ quick passing offense to perfection, adding some needed juice as well.

13) Indianapolis Colts: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State

Frank Reich has adapted an offense to another raw, mobile quarterback in Carson Wentz and Love, at his best, has similar upside.

14) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina

Kinlaw fits Tampa’s defense and has unlimited potential. If the Bucs don’t reach on a quarterback, Kinlaw should be one of the front runners at this selection.

15) Denver Broncos: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa

Wirfs just turned 21 with the size and athleticism of a prototypical left tackle and has had elite flashes that match the best of them. He did a great job when moved to the left side earlier in this season and could even be an early contributor at guard in the pros.

Give someone with his talent and youth to Mike Munchak and the results could be special.

The board fell fairly nicely for the Broncos here, with both Wirfs and Ruggs still available. The depth at wide receiver and Wirfs’ potential made the Hawkeye the pick.

16) Atlanta Falcons: A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa

Epenesa could be turned into a Michael Bennett type of power-end, making him an ideal fit in Dan Quinn’s Seattle style defense.

17) Dallas Cowboys: Xavier McKinney, DB, Alabama

McKinney might not have elite size but he’s versatile in coverage and tough-nosed coming downhill to tackle. He’s in contention to be the second defensive back taken.

18) Miami Dolphins: K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU

Chaisson has tons of high-end tools and plenty of upside at a premium position. He could start a run on edge rushers in a fairly shallow class.

19) Las Vegas Raiders: Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma

The Raiders add one of the toughest and most athletic players in the draft. Murray is still raw, especially in coverage but he flies around with reckless abandon and makes plays all over the field.

20) Jacksonville Jaguars: Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn

The Jaguars replace Jalen Ramsey with the fast-rising Igbinoghene who has track speed and is physical in coverage.

21) Philadelphia Eagles: Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama

The Birds would be ecstatic with Ruggs, who could open up the field for Zach Ertz underneath as a vertical threat.

22) Buffalo Bills: Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson

Josh Allen is in need of a big receiver that can increase his margin of error. Higgins has size, hands and deceptive straight-line speed, with the production to boot.

23) New England Patriots: Marlon Davidson, DE, Auburn

The Patriots add a versatile rusher who could improve their run defense immediately. Davidson’s draft stock is rising rapidly and could be a Trey Flowers-like in Belichick’s defense.

24) New Orleans Saints: Patrick Queen, LB, LSU

The Saints would love to snatch up the local product who played his best football against the best competition as the year progressed. Queen flies all over and will be in the mix to go round one.

25) Minnesota Vikings: Lloyd Cushenberry III, OL, LSU

Cushenberry is coming off a great season and an impressive Senior Bowl. He’s now firmly in contention to be the top interior offensive lineman taken and could play guard in Minnesota, upgrading their line significantly.

26) Detroit Lions (from Dolphins): Laviska Sheanault, WR, Colorado

*Projected trade (see above)*

The Lions offense will get T.J. Hockenson back in 2020 and by adding Sheanault would have a formidable duo to target over the middle of the field and move around pre-snap.

27) Seattle Seahawks: Josh Uche, EDGE, Michigan

Always one of the hardest teams to predict, Seattle goes with Uche, the versatile pass-rushing menace who would fit nicely.

28) Baltimore Ravens: Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor

The Ravens need to keep adding talent on offense and the lanky, speedster from Baylor, who prides himself in his blocking, would be a great fit in Baltimore.

29) Tennessee Titans: Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU

The Titans could go in several directions but settle on the hard-nosed interior lineman who could give them a devastating front three.

30) Green Bay Packers: Josh Jones, OT, Houston

Jones is an impressive pass protector and could quickly upgrade the Packers line.

31) San Francisco 49ers: C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida

Henderson could be a steal at this point with the requisite length for Robert Saleh’s scheme and plenty of speed.

32) Kansas City Chiefs: Troy Pride Jr., CB, Notre Dame

Don’t look now but Pride’s name should start coming up in mocks as his competitiveness, speed and quickens give him all the makings of a stand out man corner.