2020 NFL mock draft: Detroit Lions replace Darius Slay
By Brad Weiss
15. player. 45. . Wide Receiver. Denver Broncos. Tee Higgins
The Denver Broncos selected Missouri quarterback Drew Lock in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and he proved he can win games at the NFL level as a rookie. Lock led the Broncos to wins in four of their last five games, and heading into 2020, the team appears to be set at the most important position in sports.
Alongside Lock on the offensive side of the ball, the Broncos have some incredible weapons, including guys like tight end Noah Fant, running back Philip Lindsay, and wide receiver Courtland Sutton. While the Broncos could certainly go offensive line with this pick, bringing in a player like Clemson’s Tee Higgins to team with Sutton may be too hard to pass up.
Higgins is a big, physical wide receiver who can go up and make the tough catches. Playing at Clemson, he would come to the Broncos with a championship pedigree, and if Lock truly is the guy for this franchise moving forward at quarterback, why not bring in an elite wideout to help him in a crucial second season in the NFL.
. Edge. Atlanta Falcons. A.J. Epenesa. 16. player. 44
The Atlanta Falcons saved Dan Quinn’s job late in the 2019 NFL season, and in 2020, he is going to have to turn this thing around. Remember, this is a franchise that was in the Super Bowl not too long ago, and their roster has not had that much turnover in terms of the players who helped get them there.
This offseason, the Falcons have already stated that they will not be bringing back Vic Beasley Jr., who was once considered one of the premier young pass rushers in the game. At pick No. 16 in the 2020 NFL Draft, they should look to add someone to the edge who can get the job done at the next level, and A.J. Epenesa is a tremendous talent from Iowa.
Had it not been for Chase Young, Epenesa would likely be the top edge rusher in this draft class, so getting him in the middle of the first round would have to be considered a steal. The Falcons have to revamp this defense this offseason, and in Epenesa, they would be drafting a player who can make them better immediately.