2020 NFL Mock Draft: Quarterbacks go early, deep EDGE class, SEC shows out

17. Seahawks – Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama

Henry Ruggs is one of the fastest players in college football and would be a perfect replacement for the recently retired Doug Baldwin. He is a more complete receiver than 2018 second round pick, D.K. Metcalf, and an upgraded version of Tyler Lockett coming out of college. Would be a huge favorite of Russell Wilson.

18. 49ers – Shyheim Carter, CB, Alabama

The 49ers could go for a receiver, linebacker or address the offensive line, but they address the secondary with Shyheim Carter. With Richard Sherman past his prime and the rest of the secondary in need of a talent infusion, Carter can slide in as a cornerback, nickel corner or a free safety due to his versatility lining up all over the field for Alabama.

19. Vikings – Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah

Cornerbacks have been popular picks for the Vikings but with free agency looming for Trae Waynes and Xavier Rhodes, and 2018 first rounder, Mike Hughes returning from a torn ACL, it could be the pick again in 2020. Jaylon Johnson can slide in as a nickel corner before moving to the perimeter.

20. Falcons – Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin

Tevin Coleman left in free agency and Devonta Freeman is coming off a season lost to injury and will be entering his age-28 season in 2020. Jonathan Taylor has been a 2,000-yard back his first two seasons at Wisconsin and looks to be the latest ball-carrier out of Madison to crash the NFL.

21. Cowboys – Colby Parkinson, TE, Stanford

Tight end was such a glaring need for the Cowboys that Jason Witten came out of retirement and left the Monday Night Football booth to return to the team. He won’t be a long-term solution, obviously, so Stanford’s Colby Parkinson is the pick. At 6-7 and 240 pounds, he is the latest tight end to roll off the tight end assembly line in Palo Alto.

22. Steelers – Nick Coe, DE, Auburn

The Steelers could look for a receiver to pair next to Juju Smith-Schuster to fill the Antonio Brown void but the best value comes in the form of Nick Coe. The 6-5, 282-pound defensive line profiles as a nice fit in the Steelers front where he can line up as a 5-tech.

23. Packers – Trey Adams, OT, Washington

Trey Adams was once viewed as a Top-10 pick before injuries derailed his path to the NFL. With his return to Washington, Adams has a chance to rehab his draft stock and show teams he can be a top left tackle in the league. Provided he does, the Packers can take him and start him at right tackle with David Bakhtiari locking down the left side.

24. Raiders (from Bears) – Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama

The Raiders continue their makeover with the versatile Dylan Moses who can play the middle linebacker but also can line up on the outside as a weakside linebacker with his speed to play in space. With Brandon Marshall and Vontaze Burfict not exactly long-term solutions, Moses could be a future captain of the Raiders defense.

25. Chargers – Jacob Eason, QB, Washington

The Chargers could go with literally any other position besides quarterback as they try to load up for a run behind Philip Rivers. However, they get Jacob Eason who is entering his first year as the starter at Washington after sitting out last year after transferring from Georgia. The 6-5, 230-pounder is a former top quarterback recruit.

26. Browns – Raekwon Davis, DE/DT, Alabama

The Browns don’t have a lot of weaknesses which is weird to say but they are positioned for a few years of playoff contention. Adding more pass rush and beef to the middle of the defensive line is always needed for playoff success. Raekwon Davis is huge at 6-7, 300 pounds and could be a menace for AFC North offensive linemen to deal with.

27. Eagles – Tyler Biadasz, C, Wisconsin

Jason Kelce isn’t getting any younger and will be 32 in 2020 and won’t have any guaranteed money owed after 2021 so center could be an option for the Eagles. Tyler Biadasz is the best pivot in the class and well-coached at Wisconsin where offensive linemen are their specialty.

28. Colts – Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan

The Colts have a competent general manager making picks now with Chris Ballard picking a pair of All-Pros last year. Now, Chris Ballard needs to give Andrew Luck another weapon. Donovan Peoples-Jones had a breakout 2018 and should build on that in 2019 with another year working with Shea Patterson for the preseason Big Ten favorites.

29. Rams – Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, Missouri

Left tackle will be a big consideration but there isn’t a prospect at this point that makes perfect sense. Tight end, however, is the one area of the offense that can stand an upgrade. Albert Okwuegbunam is a difference-maker with 17 touchdowns his last two years at Missouri.

30. Saints – Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia

The Saints could go any other direction to load up for a run at a Super Bowl behind Drew Brees.  However, they also need to think about life beyond Brees. Jake Fromm would be a tremendous value at the bottom of the first. A three-year starter at Georgia, Fromm has all the intangibles and tools to be a long-time starter.

31. Chiefs – CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma

The Chiefs did a lot of work to upgrade their No. 31 defense this offseason. Tyreek Hill won’t be suspended this season but if the Chiefs back off extension talks with the best deep threat in the NFL, they could look for CeeDee Lamb who is a better prospect than Marquise Brown who went in the first round to the Ravens in 2018.

32. Patriots – K.J. Costello, QB, Stanford

Bill Belichick finds his successor to Tom Brady in K.J. Costello who came on strong in the back half of 2018 and is poised to contend with Herbert as the best quarterback in the Pac-12. Or, Belichick is drafting Costello to flip for picks in 2023 when Brady signs an extension to play until he’s 45.