How has the free agency frenzy -- with its accompanying raft of trades -- impacted the 2020 ? That's the task I was presented with in my second mock of this year.
Everyone knows wide receiver is one of this class' biggest areas of strength. And per usual, quarterbacks are driving plenty of draft discussion. But one position that really has my attention? Offensive tackle. This is a very talented group, as you can see below: I have four OTs coming off the board within the first 14 picks and six total in the first round. The big question is: In what order will these hulking edge blockers come off the board? Check out my forecast at this moment, less than a month away from draft weekend.
School: LSU | Year: Senior (RS)
罢丑别听, going all the way back to the Paul Brown days, have always believed in the need for a franchise quarterback. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner becomes the centerpiece in Cincinnati.
School: Ohio State | Year: Junior
The best player in the draft is the perfect pick for the聽, who are transitioning to a 4-3 defense under Ron Rivera. With longtime stalwart聽聽set to hit free agency after the 2020 season, Young joins聽聽to give Washington a potent pair of pass-rushing bookends for years to come.
School: Ohio State | Year: Junior
In the wake of聽, the聽聽pounce on the best cornerback in this class, slotting him across from聽.
School: Louisville | Year: Junior
The G-Men need to protect second-year signal-caller聽, though I won't be surprised if Alabama OT聽聽is the pick instead.
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
With a clean bill of health, Tua would be a top-five pick in聽any聽draft. That said, he continues to聽, so it's no guarantee he even makes it to this slot. Do the Fins have to trade up to make sure they get him, or would they also be content with聽?
School: Oregon | Year: Senior
罢丑别听聽era is over, with聽聽topping the QB depth chart at the moment. Could Taylor be a bridge to Herbert? Would Tom Telesco, Anthony Lynn and Co. try to trade up for Tagovailoa? Might they instead snag an offensive tackle to place opposite free-agent acquisition聽?
**School: Auburn | Year: Senior
**This defense has been ravaged by free agency and the retirement of five-time first-team All-Pro Luke Kuechly. Brown gives Carolina a stout building block up front.
School: South Carolina | Year: Senior
The need for a stud defensive lineman overrides the O-line issue, partially because聽聽allows Arizona's offense to function without top-tier protection.
School: Clemson | Year: Junior (RS)
He starts at safety and can play multiple positions on passing downs, including nickel linebacker and possibly even nickel corner. Yep, Simmons is a rare athlete, to say the least.
School: Georgia | Year: Junior
With big-ticket free-agent signee聽聽at right tackle and Thomas manning the blind side, the聽聽would have a pair of bookends to protect 2018's No. 1 overall pick,听Baker Mayfield, in the quarterback's pivotal third year.
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
罢丑别听听蝉颈驳苍别诲听聽to play left tackle. Wills solidifies the right side.
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
罢丑别听聽need a WR1 who can run. Jeudy is a top-10 value who could fall a bit due to various team needs above.
School: Oklahoma | Year: Junior
San Francisco acquired this pick from Indianapolis in聽. In related news, defensive tackle has become a need for the Niners. Cornerback could use a fresh influx of talent, too. But John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan can't pass up an explosive offensive weapon like Lamb. In fact, would they consider leapfrogging the聽聽to score Jeudy?
School: Iowa | Year: Junior
笔谤辞迟别肠迟颈苍驳听聽has to be a high priority. Wirfs fills the bookend hole opposite LT聽.
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
罢丑别听聽need speed at receiver, and that's certainly something Ruggs supplies. He's just as good as -- if not better than -- D.K. Metcalf, a speed merchant who made waves as a rookie in 2019.
School: Florida | Year: Junior
Atlanta must bolster its CB position after聽.
School: Iowa | Year: Junior
奥颈迟丑听聽in free agency, the 'Boys need an edge-rushing partner for聽. But will Epenesa's 5.04 40-yard dash scare Dallas away?
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
罢丑别听聽have filled most of their biggest defensive holes in recent days, but safety remains a glaring need. And McKinney is the best safety in this draft class.
School: LSU | Year: Junior
罢丑别听聽have done a nice job of addressing needs in free agency, but I'd take Delpit over recent signee聽聽at safety.
School: LSU | Year: Senior
罢丑别听聽need to get better in the back seven -- especially at the cornerback position, with聽and聽departing over the past six months.
School: LSU | Year: Junior
Philly needs juice at wide receiver. Jefferson provides that, having pleasantly surprised many with a 4.43 40-yard dash at the NFL聽.
School: Alabama | Year: Senior
Minnesota's top three cornerbacks from last season --聽,听听补苍诲听聽-- are all gone.
School: LSU | Year: Sophomore (RS)
I doubt New England will spend a second straight first-round pick on a wide receiver. And I don't see a prospect worth taking here at tight end or center (which remains a potential need because聽聽is still on the mend after missing all of last season with a blood clots in his lungs). The Pats could use a pass rusher.
School: Clemson | Year: Junior
They need to replace聽聽and get a quality CB opposite聽.
School: Penn State | Year: Junior
聽last week, so Minnesota has to find a new pass rusher to complement聽.
School: USC | Year: Junior
The O-line rebuild continues in Miami.
School: Boise State | Year: Junior (RS)
聽remains a free agent at publishing, but even if the聽聽end up re-signing him, they could use another DE. Seattle's defensive scheme truly relies on having a good pass rush, first and foremost.
School: Oklahoma | Year: Junior
You know Baltimore will take the best player available or trade back. 罢丑别听聽need a true WR1 and help in the front seven. Murray fills a need at ILB that has not been addressed in free agency.
School: Houston | Year: Senior (RS)
The offensive line is the heart of this team. Losing聽聽in free agency left a void at right tackle.
School: Clemson | Year: Junior
Given the immense talent at receiver in this draft class, Green Bay gets to pick from a bunch of enticing options.
School: Alabama | Year: Senior
As mentioned above, the聽聽could use another defensive tackle after聽. Davis can play nose tackle and stop the run.
School: Ohio State | Year: Senior (RS)
The defending champs could go OL, DE or WR (especially if they part ways with Sammy Watkins), but CB is a聽definite听苍别别诲.
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