BC’s 2020 Mock NFL Draft – Version 2

Despite the coronavirus crisis, the NFL’s still making waves in their free agency period. Topped with the obvious eye-opener in Tom Brady ending his 20-year historic run with the New England Patriots to seek another title with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there’s been a lot of key moves that have altered draft plans (as if they aren’t altered already). But, yes, Joe Burrow and Chase Young remain at the top, but the Los Angeles Chargers have to make a Plan B move after not landing Brady (Cam Newton?), while uncertainty is abound after the Arizona Cardinals got a steal via trade in DeAndre Hopkins.

The San Francisco 49ers have added another first-round pick via a huge trade with the Indianapolis Colts (sending DeForest Buckner in the deal), while the Minnesota Vikings sent away disgruntled star receiver Stefon Diggs to acquire another first-round pick. And many more moves have been made to further the jumbling effect of this draft.

Below is the second version of my mock NFL Draft:

1. Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow, QB, LSU.
   No change here. Burrow to Bengals equals a true beginning.
2. Washington Redskins – Chase Young, DE, Ohio State.
   Ron Rivera cashes in big after landing in Maryland. Young is a long-term difference maker off the edge.
3. Detroit Lions – Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn.
   Matt Patricia will continue to be a Bill Belichick disciple and work this defense from the front to back. Brown, a can’t-miss threat on the line, will complete a formidable front along with Trey Flowers and newly signed Danny Shelton.
4. New York Giants – Isaiah Simmons, OLB, Clemson.
   The Giants aren’t accustomed to drafting linebackers in the first round, but Simmons can’t be passed up here. He’s a swiss army knife ready to wreak havoc for a Giants defense that doesn’t display anything close to havoc.
5. Miami Dolphins – Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama.
   Tanking for Tua, period. Tagovailoa (if healthy) is the answer to Miami’s problems since Dan Marino.
6. Los Angeles Chargers – Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa.
   Whomever the Chargers start at quarterback (Tyrod Taylor, first-round draft pick, Cam Newton???), the offensive line needs to be fortified. Wirfs fills the right tackle spot and completes a line ready to protect the next franchise passer.
7. Carolina Panthers – Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State.
   After losing James Bradberry, the Panthers need a replacement starting cornerback. Okudah does that and much more, and he will become a franchise player for this defense.
8. Arizona Cardinals – CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma.
   Despite stealing DeAndre Hopkins from the Houston Texans, the Cardinals will still get greedy for CeeDee, and they will complete one of the most dangerous wide receiver trios in the league (add future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald) after Kyler Murray struggled for his life last year to get anything out of his receivers. CeeDee and Kyler rekindle that Oklahoma magic.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars – Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina.
   The 28th-ranked rush defense traded Calais Campbell to the Ravens. Rodney Gunter is a replacement up front, but the rising Kinlaw is the replacement for the Jags.
10. Cleveland Browns – K’Lavon Chaisson, OLB, LSU.
    Myles Garrett is a head-scratcher at this point, while Olivier Vernon is gone. Chaisson slides right in to bolster the pass rush.
11. New York Jets – Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama.
    Anything outside receiver or offensive tackle at 11 should result in the Jets front office being drug tested. Jeudy is just what Sam Darnold’s been craving for.
12. Las Vegas Raiders – C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida.
    Eli Apple won’t be enough to secure the secondary. Henderson has shutdown corner potential and will be a ball hawk in Sin City.
13. San Francisco 49ers (via Indianapolis Colts) – Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville.
    Joe Staley, at age 36, is nearing retirement. The massive Becton is the heir apparent on the blind side.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia.
    The Bucs need to bring in Tom Brady comfortably. Targeting the offensive line is a great start.
15. Denver Broncos – Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama.
    Drew Lock is now locked in with an arsenal (along with Courtland Sutton and Noah Fant). Ruggs can be anywhere between big play and pay dirt when he touches the ball.
16. Atlanta Falcons – Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama.
    Dan Quinn can’t depend on a safety unit that resides on the injury list. McKinney is a playmaker on all three levels.
17. Dallas Cowboys – Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama.
    Jerry Jones is all about box office. Diggs, a former receiver who excelled at corner and returner in college, can be a hidden gem for a defense that needs spark.
18. Miami Dolphins (via Pittsburgh Steelers) – Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson.
    Allen Hurns and Albert Wilson aren’t dependable options down the road. Tua will get a 1A alongside rising DeVante Parker for quite a pass attack in South Beach.
19. Las Vegas Raiders (via Chicago Bears) – Netane Muti, OG, Fresno State.
    Richie Incognito, despite being re-signed, doesn’t have much left at 36. Muti, despite injury concerns, is versatile across the line and should fill in quickly.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (via Los Angeles Rams) – Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon.
    Out with the Foles, in with the new. Gardner Minshew isn’t a sure bet as starting quarterback; Herbert provides competition, and possibly a franchise signal caller.
21. Philadelphia Eagles – Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State.
    This could easily be a trade-up for top receiver or trade-down for more assets situation. But, in a mock style (and receiver is deep in this draft), one must look hard at Derek Barnett, who’s had season-ending injuries for two straight years and is nearing the end of his deal (his fifth-year option wasn’t picked up), prompting a need for lengthy home-state prospect Gross-Matos to enter the fray.
22. Minnesota Vikings (via Buffalo Bills) – Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama.
    With two first-round picks in tow after trading Stefon Diggs, the Vikes still need to address the offensive line. Riley Reiff isn’t cutting it at left tackle, and Wills is there to fill that void.
23. New England Patriots – Kenneth Murray, ILB, Oklahoma.
    Bill Belichick – before, during and after Tom Brady – is about his defense. There’s some question marks at linebacker after several key departures, and the tackling machine that Murray is can answer some of those questions.
24. New Orleans Saints – A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa.
    Still going with this high-upside pick for the Saints front four for pass rush depth. Epenesa is also a very capable run run stopper.
25. Minnesota Vikings – Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota.
    The Vikings are considering trading franchise-tagged Anthony Harris. Their answer to that quandry is home, with the son of former Pro Bowler Antoine Winfield.
26. Miami Dolphins (via Houston Texans) – Cesar Ruiz, C, Michigan.
    The Dolphins could trade out of this pick to continue adding talent. This is an understudy pick which could involve Ruiz playing guard and eventually succeeding free-agent signee Ted Karras at center, while still strengthening the line.
27. Seattle Seahawks – Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU.
    Another repeat pick. Shaquil Griffin’s future in Seattle is up in the air, so Fulton could slide in for the long term.
28. Baltimore Ravens – Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU.
    Absolute Lamar Jackson-centered pick. Jefferson is a great route runner who will find his way open to Jackson far more than naught.
29. Tennessee Titans – Josh Jones, OT, Houston.
    Re-signing RT Dennis Kelly doesn’t replace Pro Bowler Jack Conklin’s departure. The offensive line is everything to this Titans offense, and Jones provides depth and competition.
30. Green Bay Packers – Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado.
    Aaron Rodgers is going to need more than Davante Adams to keep the Packers in Super Bowl contention. Shenault is battling injuries but, when healthy, is a multifaceted threat who can lineup at all receiver spots, in the backfield and even at Wildcat.
31. San Francisco 49ers – Patrick Queen, OLB, LSU.
    Kwon Alexander, as good as he is, hasn’t been healthy enough to warrant his big contract. Outside linebacker is a need for this squad, and Queen has starter written all over him.
32. Kansas City Chiefs – Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU.
    Chris Jones may have been franchise-tagged, but a contract dispute could hinder his availability on the line. Blacklock doesn’t land here as a band-aid pick; he’s a disruptive, pass-rushing tackle with plenty of upside.

BC’s 2020 Mock NFL Draft – Version 1

The NFL Draft hits Las Vegas for the first time (well, maybe), and while there’s no gamble with the first pick, the others can surely be a crapshoot. Heisman-winning QB Joe Burrow (LSU) is almost certainly coming home to his native Ohio to play for the Cincinnati Bengals, who desperately need a franchise star. Edge-rushing dynamo Chase Young (Ohio State) appears destined to join new head coach Ron Rivera in Washington as the second overall pick, but with heralded Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa’s health apparently checking out well, the second overall pick could be a bargaining chip for several QB-hungry teams that are vying for his services. The NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis also did its job in heightening the market for some prospects, and bringing down the value of others. And yes, running backs are still around, too.

With that in mind, here’s my first mock draft, with some surprises along the way:

1. Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU.
   Let’s be truthful here: The Bengals should want Chase Young. However, the Bengals should need Joe Burrow. 5,000-plus passing yards, 55 pass touchdowns to just six interceptions – topped with a Heisman Trophy and National Championship to boot – are numbers no team with the top pick should look past. Andy Dalton’s on his way out and Ryan Findley was never in. The Bengals are staring at 10-plus years of a franchise star.
2. Washington Redskins: Chase Young, DE, Ohio State.
   Defense-minded Ron Rivera’s only been in Washington for a cup of coffee and already has Christmas coming to him sooner than later. While the Redskins have other needs for the team, this is a desire for a franchise mired in dysfunction and lack of star power for years. Young is far and away the best prospect in this draft, and he’ll be wreaking havoc off the edge for years to come. With 30.5 sacks in three seasons with the Buckeyes, and Ryan Kerrigan entering the final year of his contract, the Redskins will land as one of the most fortunate No. 2 spots in NFL Draft history. The ‘Skins will be seduced to trade down for a team that craves Tua Tagovailoa at No. 2, but Young is can’t-miss and possibly Rivera’s next Julius Peppers.
3. Detroit Lions: Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn.
   This could be another pick that’s trade-worthy, but for the sake of my mock draft, I’ll go with the best player for this team. Damon Harrison’s out the door, and the Lions’ bottom-tier defense needs some aggression up front, something that A’Shawn Robinson’s not providing on a consistent basis. Brown’s a massive disruptor who can have a Ndamukong Suh-level presence on this defense, minus the dirty play. With shutdown corner Darius Slay likely hitting the road via trade, the Lions need someone new to build from defensively.
4. New York Giants: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa.
   While general manager Dave Gettleman has hinted at trading this pick, the G-Men could land a major addition by staying pat. Wirfs ascended the draft with a stellar Combine outing (4.85 40-yard dash time was best among linemen over 320 pounds, 36.5-inch vertical a Combine record for linemen), and he’s just what Daniel Jones needs to develop in the pocket after 38 sacks in 13 games last season. Wirfs is a mauler at right tackle who will add toughness and stability to a line that likely loses Mike Remmers to free agency. Along with Nate Solder, the tackle position is locked and ready for Jones and superstar running back Saquon Barkley to work.
5. Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama.
   After … five seconds of deliberation, “Tanking for Tua” has finally led to a cash-in for the Dolphins. These faithful fans have waited long enough for a quarterback to save them long-term. Tagovailoa, without injury, is arguably the No. 1 pick in this draft (87 pass TD, 11 INT in career). He could very well be the signal caller that can bring Miami back to real contention since the Dan Marino days.
6. Los Angeles Chargers: Isaiah Simmons, OLB, Clemson.
   Surprise! Philip Rivers is out and … Isaiah Simmons is in. In the name of Tom Brady (likely courting LAC in free agency), the Chargers have other concerns. Simmons, who’s an immediate playmaker and much-needed addition to the linebacking core and secondary, was one of the brightest stars at the Combine with an eye-popping 4.38 40-yard time. He’s a jack-up-the-offense-of-all-trades player with 100-plus tackles, seven sacks and three interceptions last season. Aligning him with Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram (if he re-signs) and Derwin James is a combination for major damage for the Bolts.
7. Carolina Panthers: Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State.
   Lucky number seven for new owner David Tepper and head coach Matt Rhule. Okudah is among the best prospects in this draft, period, showing shutdown corner ability with excellence in man coverage. James Bradberry is hitting free agency; Okudah can replace him and exceed his production. Yes, the Panthers do have serious issues against the run that need addressing, but Okudah’s too good to pass up here, as he’s far and away the best at his position in this draft class.
8. Arizona Cardinals: Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina.
   Just when you thought it was okay to go CeeDee Lamb for Kyler Murray, here’s a can’t-miss curveball for one of the league’s worst defenses. Chandler Jones and Patrick Peterson need someone up front to make their jobs much easier, and Kinlaw will there for them to help make life on offense frustrating. He’s a very physical, strong pass-rushing tackle who will start Day 1. The receiver pool in this draft is very deep; the Cardinals won’t find another Kinlaw in later rounds.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma.
   The shock in your system ends quickly, as Lamb is off the board after the dream scenario with the Cardinals falls through. With Nick Foles being dangled around in trade rumors, Gardner Minshew appears to have the lead on the starting quarterback quandary in Jacksonville. If Minshew’s going to develop, he’ll need an arsenal to work with. DJ Chark emerged as a quality receiver, but he needs a dance partner. Lamb, a big-play receiver who averaged at least 17 yards per catch at Oklahoma, enters as the 1A wideout who could find his way into the No. 1 position in due time.
10. Cleveland Browns: Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville.
    If Baker Mayfield’s going to bounce back from a dismal sophomore season, he needs to do so standing upright in the pocket. Sacked 40 times last season, Mayfield’s no good for stud receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry if he’s scrambling for his life. And to top that off, the best option, Nick Chubb, needs an offensive line that will bring out the best in him. Becton, a huge, powerful anchor who can start on either side, will pave the way for more yards and future success for Chubb and Mayfield. Besides, running a 5.10 in the 40-yard dash at over 350 pounds screams top-10 pick.
11. New York Jets: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama.
    Could anyone remember the last time the Jets drafted a bonafide No. 1 wide receiver? If you have to think for a bit, then it must be a faster thought on who the Jets should take. Jeudy could arguably be the best receiver in this class. He has the speed and talent to be better than the last first-round pick at receiver for the Jets, Santana Moss. Heck, he could be the best thing for Sam Darnold at this point, as Robby Anderson walks out the door, and a more dynamic, sure-fire star receiver comes in.
12. Las Vegas Raiders: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon.
    And business has just picked up. Faith in Derek Carr has diminished a bit from the front office and Jon Gruden, prompting a need for his replacement. Herbert had a great showing at the Senior Bowl and has the size, definite arm strength and mobility to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. While Carr’s been accurate (at least 68 percent completion percentage in last two seasons), he hasn’t been a deep-ball dynamo. Herbert may be able to provide that deep ball with the same level of accuracy. He wasn’t a dominant player at Oregon, but he thrived in a run-first attack. Josh Jacobs will make Herbert’s development a lot smoother, and Gruden will finally have his future signal caller to move forward with, while moving Carr will get the Raiders more assets to build upon.
13. Indianapolis Colts: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State.
    Indy ran out of (Andrew) Luck right before the 2019 season, but this pick will get this franchise back in Love, and back into the mix in the AFC. Garnering Patrick Mahomes comparisons, Love can make any throw from any place, and he skyrocketed up the draft boards because of it. Despite a rough 2019 season which saw a new coaching regime and several key position players gone, Love’s talent and confidence for big plays is first-round worthy. He has his flaws, but Frank Reich is the coach to get rid of them. The Colts may have better “Luck” with this franchise quarterback.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: K’Lavon Chaisson, OLB, LSU.
    Going off of head coach Bruce Arians assessment, defense is the bigger need for the Bucs, despite uncertainty at quarterback. And Arians is on point with this one. There’s going to be holes on an already-shaky defense entering next season, with Jason Pierre-Paul in a contract year, Carl Nassib maybe not being on the team due to free agency and last season’s sack leader Shaq Barrett facing a franchise tag. Enter Chaisson, a versatile edge rusher whose best are ahead of him. With double-digit sacks in each of his last three seasons, Chaisson could be a huge factor alongside Barrett, if the Bucs are smart to pay him.
15. Denver Broncos: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia.
    Rumblings are abound for John Elway to draft a speedy receiver to pair with Courtland Sutton and Noah Fant, but new starter Drew Lock needs to stay comfy in the pocket first. Garett Bolles hasn’t panned out after three seasons, and he’s facing a club option after next season. Thomas is an experience left tackle who’s strong in the run game, two things that catch the eye of Elway. Thomas will be Lock’s anchor for a long time, making life for Sutton, Fant and another likely wideout out of a deep receiver draft class much easier.
16. Atlanta Falcons: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama.
    Safety hasn’t been a safe position for the Falcons for the past few years, as Keanu Neal has struggled to stay on the field and Ricardo Allen, despite playing all 16 games in 2019, is expected to be out several months recovering from shoulder surgery. Dan Quinn has to find stability at the position to strengthen a secondary that only has Desmond Trufant to lean on. McKinney is an all-around safety who can be used up front and in the back end. Consider him an upgrade over Allen.
17. Dallas Cowboys: C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida.
    While the Cowboys spend the offseason figuring out all of their offensive issues (to tag or not to tag Dak Prescott, Amari Cooper), there’s some immediate attention that needs to be paid to their underwhelming defense. The secondary lacks efficiency (only 7 INT last season), and a playmaker is sorely required. Henderson, a quick ball hawk (4.39 40-yard dash time) who needs to work on tackling, is the answer. He has No. 1 corner potential and will make an immediate impact on a secondary that’ll likely lose Byron Jones to free agency.
18. Miami Dolphins (via Pittsburgh Steelers): Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama.
    Tua gets a fellow ‘Bama star in the first round, but on the defensive end. Diggs, brother of Vikings star receiver Stefon Diggs and a former receiver himself, is a multifaceted threat who has good ball skills at corner and can return kicks. He’ll be a surefire starter for a defense that allowed a league-high 39 touchdown passes last season, and he could be a possible wild card type of talent contributing on special teams and maybe even offense.
19. Las Vegas Raiders (via Chicago Bears): Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama.
    New franchise quarterback Justin Herbert needs his go-to guy, and Ruggs is his man, as he has the ability to take the top off a defense. Averaging 18.6 yards per reception at Alabama, Ruggs is a big-play dynamo fit for the Vegas crowd, something Tyrell Williams and Hunter Renfrow have failed to do during their tenure. “Antonio who?” signs will fill the new Vegas stadium as Ruggs will show Jon Gruden and company what a franchise wideout is made of. Sin City will roar with this pick.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (via Los Angeles Rams): Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State.
    Breakout pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue, despite receiving the franchise tag, is reportedly not interested in signing long-term, and the Jags are looking at a tag-and-trade. With Calais Campbell on the final year of his deal, a new rush specialist is needed to pair with up-and-coming Josh Allen. Gross-Matos, with 17.5 sacks in the past two seasons at Penn State, is long and developing, but he’ll have a cushion playing alongside a future Pro Bowler in Allen. Sacksonville lives on.
21. Philadelphia Eagles – Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson.
    The Eagles receiving corps was the General Hospital of the NFL last season, as Carson Wentz was throwing to guys off the street and Craigslist ads down the stretch. Philly’s likely given up on Alshon Jeffery, can’t trust DeSean Jackson to be a No. 1 and can’t rely on TE Zach Ertz as the top wideout every game. Higgins is a perfect fit for this group, as he’s a touchdown waiting to happen with 25 receiving scores in the past two seasons. Twelve of Wentz’s 27 touchdown passes went to receivers in 2019. Higgins will have something to say about that next season.
22. Buffalo Bills – Netane Muti, OG, Fresno State.
    Becoming a contender requires an identity that can win over. Staying a contender requires an identity that can continue to win over. The Bills are powered by their run-first attack (8th in the NFL last season), whether it’s in the backfield or by the legs of franchise star QB Josh Allen. Muti is injury-prone, but he has the athleticism to fit this scheme. Quinton Spain is entering free agency; for the sake of Allen and the rush attack, Muti is needed to keep things rolling for the Bills’ run-heavy offense, which was their tool for a playoff appearance last season.
23. New England Patriots – Kenneth Murray, ILB, Oklahoma.
    Tom Brady or not, Bill Belichick is about his defense, and his continuous desire to strengthen it. Elandon Roberts is entering free agency and doesn’t warrant please-come-back value. Murray’s a tackle machine with 100-plus takedowns in each of his last two seasons. He still needs some tooling in the pass coverage aspect, but his ceiling is high for this squad.
24. New Orleans Saints – A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa.
    While this looks like a strange pick on paper, bear with me here. I’m certain that the Saints will back the Brinks truck up on Cameron Jordan before he hits free agency (2021), but 2018 first-round pick Marcus Davenport has been hamstrung with injuries in each of his two seasons and backup Trey Hendrickson is entering the final year of his rookie deal. They need insurance on a line that powered this overall defense. Epenesa, with 22 sacks in the past two years, will cover that ground with his knack for finding the quarterback.
25. Minnesota Vikings – Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama.
    Something just wasn’t right with the Vikings pass attack last season. Ranked 23rd last season, they were banged up at receiver with Adam Thielen playing just 10 games, but looking further, the offensive line was messier than imagined. Yes, Kirk Cousins was only sacked 28 times, but LT Riley Reiff was the culprit on many of them. He’s reportedly a candidate to be cut. Wills, a steal this late in the draft, is at home at right tackle, and Brian O’Neill has that spot covered, but Wills’ talent to too much to pass up here. Wills is balanced in the pass and run and can be a nasty blocker. Vikings should try their hand and give Wills the chance to show his stuff on the left side, especially considering how much a void Reiff creates at the position.
26. Miami Dolphins (via Houston Texans) – Patrick Queen, OLB, LSU.
    The Dolphins used the No. 5 overall pick to select their leader on offensive in Tagovailoa, but they now must find their leader on defense. Queen, coming off an efficient championship season (85 tackles, 12 for loss, 3 sacks) and solid Combine (4.5 40-yard dash time), has the leadership instincts to help elevate a defense that needs massive retooling. While lacking extensive starting experience, he makes up with a three-down ability to make plays and open field tackling. Queen’s an immediate starter in this group.
27. Seattle Seahawks – Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU.
    While Shaquil Griffin could see a new deal with the Seahawks after a contract year next season, the secondary needs to return to Legion of Boom-like status to get Seattle over the hump. Fulton, having allowed an eye-opening combined six first downs and touchdowns last season, can provide that. The defense ranked 27th against the pass last season with LB K.J. Wright leading the way with three picks. Fulton has shutdown corner potential and should revitalize this once-proud secondary.
28. Baltimore Ravens – Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU.
    Trading down for linebacking help and more picks could be had for Baltimore, but Blacklock fills an immediate need. Michael Pierce and Domata Peko are facing free agency, prompting Blacklock’s presence up front. Blacklock is a gap filler with underrated pass rushing technique. Coming off a missed 2018 season due to a torn Achilles, Blacklock bounced back strong and powered his way into first-round discussion. The Ravens will have a gem to develop with this pick.
29. Tennessee Titans – Josh Jones, OT, Houston.
    Jack Conklin will command major money when he becomes a free agent, maybe too much for the Titans to afford with Derrick Henry awaiting a new deal. Jones is that insurance policy, and at a cheaper rate. While raw, his athleticism, size (6’7″, 311 lbs) and strong Senior Bowl could propel him to starting right tackle status quite soon. The Titans’ commitment to the offensive line is the selling point for their mountain of a running back, who will be commanding a new, extremely rich contract this offseason.
30. Green Bay Packers – Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU.
    If anyone watched an inkling of Packers football last season, it was clear as day that Aaron Rodgers’s offense was a bit receiver-challenged. Outside of franchise star Davante Adams, no other wideout topped 500 receiving yards in 2019. Rodgers needs another receiver who can separate, and Jefferson is the answer. The LSU standout tied the nation with 111 receptions and added 1,500-plus receiving yards and 18 touchdowns in 2019. That resume will lead to a starting job next season.
31. San Francisco 49ers – Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota.
    Yes, the Super Bowl was lost for the 49ers on Kyle Shanahan’s apprehension to go for broke (again) and Jimmy Garoppolo’s lack of big throws down the stretch, but there was a breakdown defensively that couldn’t be ignored, especially when the heralded unit allowed 21 unanswered points in the 4th quarter, including a demoralizing third-and-long completion from the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes to Tyreek Hill. Son of top-notch cornerback Antoine Winfield, the younger Winfield can be the tool to fix that leak in the defense. He’s a solid plug-and-play at either safety spot and is good at defending tight ends, traits that teams are scouting harder for nowadays with Travis Kelce and the 49ers’ own George Kittle terrorizing secondaries. Also, Jimmie Ward has been an injury risk for most of his career, and his run could be up in San Francisco.
32. Kansas City Chiefs – Cesar Ruiz, C, Michigan.
    While much could be said for the Chiefs defense, preserving Mahomes is always the top priority. There’s potential holes in the interior, as OG Stefen Wisniewski is entering free agency and C Austin Reiter is in the final year of his deal. Ruiz has versatility at both positions and can be ready to assume either roles down the road. He’s an excellent downfield blocker who should fit Andy Reid’s scheme smoothly.