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2020 NFL mock draft: Tua Tagovailoa goes to Dolphins

By Brad Weiss

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (13) looks to pass during the second half of the Alabama Crimson Tide's game versus the Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 7, 2019, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. (Photo by David Dennis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (13) looks to pass during the second half of the Alabama Crimson Tide's game versus the Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 7, 2019, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. (Photo by David Dennis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 23: Quarterback Adrian Martinez #2 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers scrambles in the first half in front of defensive end A.J. Epenesa #94 of the Iowa Hawkeyes, on November 23, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 23: Quarterback Adrian Martinez #2 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers scrambles in the first half in front of defensive end A.J. Epenesa #94 of the Iowa Hawkeyes, on November 23, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

50. . Edge. Iowa. A.J. Epenesa. 7. player

The expectation heading into the 2019 NFL Draft was that the Detroit Lions were going to add an edge rusher with their first round pick. The team lost Ezekiel Ansah via free agency this offseason, and while they did add an elite edge rusher in Trey Flowers, there is not too much depth at the position heading into the 2019 season.

However, Detroit instead decided to fill another big hole on their roster, albeit on the other side of the ball, adding Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson. That was a solid get for the team in the top-10 in the draft, and his addition will only help quarterback Matthew Stafford, who needs to start leading this team to big wins.

In the 2020 NFL Draft, there are a handful of elite edge rushers available, and the Lions could end up getting one this early in round one. A.J. Epenesa from Iowa is a guy who could end up being a double-digit sack master at the next level, and he would be a perfect bookend with Flowers along this defensive line.

The NFC North is going to be tough to navigate this upcoming season, and it could be another year out of the playoffs for the Lions. Head coach Matt Patricia is building this team the right way, and while 2019 might be a challenge, there are better times ahead for this franchise.

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