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2020 NFL mock draft: Detroit Lions replace Darius Slay

By Brad Weiss

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 09: Jeff Okudah #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in action on defense during a game against the Maryland Terrapins at Ohio Stadium on November 9, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Maryland 73-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 09: Jeff Okudah #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in action on defense during a game against the Maryland Terrapins at Ohio Stadium on November 9, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Maryland 73-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 13: Isaiah Simmons #11 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates a defensive stop against the LSU Tigers during the first quarter in the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 13: Isaiah Simmons #11 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates a defensive stop against the LSU Tigers during the first quarter in the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Carolina Panthers. Isaiah Simmons. 7. player. 87. . Linebacker/Safety

The Carolina Panthers lost the leader of their defense this offseason, as linebacker Luke Kuechly shocked the world and decide to retire. The potential future Hall of Famer leaves a gaping hole on the Panthers defense, and in the 2020 NFL Draft, they may be able to fill it with the most versatile defensive player in this draft class.

During his time at Clemson, Isaiah Simmons was quite the hybrid, playing all over the defense, and becoming one of the better players in the country. There is really no comparison for a guy like Simmons, who is talented enough to play the edge, outside linebacker, and even safety in the defensive backfield.

New head coach Matt Rhule is making changes in Carolina, and while he could certainly  trade up and get a quarterback this April, staying at No. 7 and getting a player like Simmons would be a tremendous first selection. Carolina plays in a very offensive-rich division in the NFC South, so stacking talent on the defensive side of the ball makes too much sense.

Jerry Jeudy. 8. player. 32. . Wide Receiver. Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals plan on locked up left tackle D.J. Humphries on Monday, as the two sides agreed to a new contract extension that will keep him with the team through the 2022 season. With Humphries back to protect Kyler Murray’s blindside, the team can use the No. 8 overall pick on bringing in a weapon for their young signal-caller.

Veteran wideout Larry Fitzgerald has already committed to playing in 2020, and Christian Kirk is a good young wide receiver as well. However, the thought of adding a player like Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy with this pick may be too much for head coach Kliff Kingsbury to pass up, as he continues to try and put Murray in the best possible situation to succeed.

While not the size of a typical NFL quarterback, Murray proved he can play at the NFL level, and is someone that this team actually will follow. The Cardinals have the talent to be a much-improved team in 2020, but it will really only be as good as Murray let’s them, and the sophomore year for NFL quarterbacks is a huge one.

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