2020 NFL Mock Draft: Tua declares, then heads to South Beach
By Brad Weiss
A.J. Epenesa. 11. player. 30. . Edge. New York Jets
The New York Jets spent a lot of money on their roster this past offseason, bringing in big-name free agents like running back Le’Veon Bell, and linebacker C.J. Mosley. Unfortunately for fans of Gang Green, Bell had a pedestrian year, his first after sitting out 2018, and Mosley was injured in Week 1 and returned for only one game in Week 7.
In 2020, expectations are this Jets team will be much better, as they also had to deal with starting quarterback Sam Darnold getting mono, and the injury bug really hurting them overall. With their No. 11 pick in 2020, they should look to bring in some talent off the edge, and A.J. Epenesa from Iowa would be a nice get here.
Epenesa is the second-best edge rusher in this draft class, and in many years, would be the top guy coming out. The Jets defense played very well down the stretch, led by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, and with that side of the ball at full strength in 2020, and the addition of Epenesa, they could be downright dominant.
28. . Linebacker/Safety. Las Vegas Raiders. Isaiah Simmons. 12. player
The Las Vegas Raiders will hold two first round picks in the 2020 NFL Draft, which they will play host to this April. Coming off only 11 wins in the past two seasons, including seven last year, there is still a lot of work to do in terms of this roster, but they have these two first round picks, and five of the first 100 selections overall.
First-year general manager Mike Mayock did a wonderful job with his first draft in 2019, and the expectation is that he will be ready to roll again this April. The Raiders need talent on both sides of the ball, and at pick No. 12, I like them to make Isaiah Simmons from Clemson the first man ever selected by the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Raiders hit the lotto with their Clemson selections last season, adding Hunter Renfrow, Trayvon Mullen, and Clelin Ferrell. Simmons is a special talent, being able to play linebacker, edge, or safety, and on a Raiders defense that was terrible at times this past season, he would be the kind of versatile weapon they need.