2020 NFL mock draft: Ron Rivera gets his defensive cornerstone

By Brad Weiss | Feb 26, 2020

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Chase Young (2) looks on during the 2019 PlayStation Fiesta Bowl college football playoff semifinal game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Clemson Tigers on December 28, 2019 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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NORMAN, OK – NOVEMBER 23: Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kenneth Murray (#9) celebrates a defensive stop during the Big 12 college football game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the TCU Horned Frogs on November 23, 2019, at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, OK. (Photo by Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images). /

. Linebacker. Las Vegas Raiders. Kenneth Murray. 19. player. 28

The Las Vegas Raiders are still reaping the benefits of their trade of star edge rusher Khalil Mack prior to the 2018 NFL season. In the 2020 NFL Draft, they will hold the Chicago Bears first round pick, one that they should use on the defensive side of the ball after getting their WR1 earlier in round one.

Throughout the past few years, and really the past decade, the Raiders have struggled to find any kind of consistency at the linebacker position. Last season, more than 20 different players were signed to play linebacker for the Silver and Black, and with pick No. 19 overall in 2020, they get some stability on the inside of the group.

Kenneth Murray from Oklahoma is the best middle linebacker prospect in this draft class, and would be a perfect fit in Paul Guenther’s 4-3 scheme. With this pick, the Raiders address their two biggest needs with their two first round picks, and then can turn their attention to the third round, where they hold three selections.

52. . Cornerback. Jacksonville Jaguars. Kristian Fulton. 20. player

Thanks to a trade they made with the Los Angeles Rams during the 2019 NFL season, the Jacksonville Jaguars will hold two first round picks this April. After getting some help at safety and linebacker by selecting Isaiah Simmons early in round one, they stay on the defensive side of the ball at pick No. 20, bringing in one of the better cornerbacks in this draft class.

The Jaguars have a ton of decisions to make on the defense this offseason, including whether or not they will bring back cornerback A.J. Bouye. If not, they will be in the market for a corner in the first round, and in Kristian Fulton, they get arguably the best cover corner this draft class has to offer.

Fulton was a big reason why the LSU Tigers won the national title this past season, and during his career at the school, he got better and better every year. The Jaguars are going to make wholesale changes on this defense this offseason, and with Simmons and Fulton going to Jacksonville in the first round, they start rebuilding that side of the ball.

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