2020 NFL mock draft: Detroit Lions replace Darius Slay
By Brad Weiss
47. . Quarterback. New England Patriots. Jordan Love. 23. player
The New England Patriots have decided to let Tom Brady test the free agency waters, and that could end up being the biggest domino in the entire 2020 free agent market. If Brady does decide to move on from New England, they have a young backup in Jarrett Stidham, who will be only 24 when the new season starts.
Still, it would not shock anybody if the Patriots decided to roll the dice on a first round quarterback this April, and they could get a very intriguing prospect late in round one in Jordan Love. Once the NFL Combine begins, we are going to hear a lot about Love, as he has some of the better physical gifts of any quarterback in this draft class.
The Patriots are the front-runners to have Brady’s services, even though there must be a host of teams ready to throw money at him. Even if Brady returns, the end is near for him with the Patriots, and in Love, they could get the successor they thought Jimmy Garoppolo was going to be a few years back.
Cornerback. New Orleans Saints. Kristian Fulton. 24. player. 15.
The New Orleans Saints were shocked in the Divisional Round at home by the Minnesota Vikings, as their secondary had no answer for Kirk Cousins and company late in the game. Heading into the 2020 NFL season, they have to continue to add young talent to the defensive backfield, especially with Eli Apple hitting free agency.
On Tuesday, news came down that Drew Brees would be back with the team in 2020, so while the Saints could draft his eventual replacement here, I like them to add a premier cornerback. Kristian Fulton is a big reason why the LSU Tigers won it all this past season, and he would be an excellent addition to a cornerback room that already includes Marshon Lattimore.
New Orleans is going to put up points, and most likely, they will be back playing meaningful games when the calendar turns to January in 2021. Brees has a lot left in the tank, and if they can get better on defense, the Saints could be the team to beat in the NFC next season.