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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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 09: Javon Kinlaw #3 of the South Carolina Gamecocks before their game against the Appalachian State Mountaineers at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

13. player. 46. . Defensive Tackle. Indianapolis Colts. Javon Kinlaw

The Indianapolis Colts hold the No. 13 overall pick in the first round, and there are many ways they could go with the pick. Of course, the issue at quarterback still remains, but many believe they will address that via free agency, where guys like Philip Rivers, Tom Brady, and Jameis Winston will be in play if they move on from Jacoby Brissett.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Colts biggest area of need is up front along the defensive line, and they get a tremendous talent here in Javon Kinlaw. This is one of the more versatile defensive players in this entire draft class, and would be an immediate impact player along this defense.

Indianapolis has a stud linebacker in Darius Leonard, and a fantastic safety in Malik Hooker, so bringing in Kinlaw would give them three very good, and very young players to be cornerstones on this defense for years to come. This is a team that will fight for a playoff spot in 2020, and it will be interesting to see who is under center for them in Week 1.

. Offensive Tackle. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mekhi Becton. 14. player. 48

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are another team that will be in play for a new quarterback this offseason, although there have been some rumors that they will roll the dice with Jameis Winston in 2020. He put up video game numbers in terms of passing yards in 2019, leading the league in that category, but he also had 30 interceptions, something head coach Bruce Arians is not going to put up with.

Arians has already said that if they can win with Winston, they can win with another quarterback, so that is not a very big vote of confidence. No matter who is under center for the Bucs this season, they need help along the offensive line, and they get some in the person of Mekhi Becton at pick No. 14.

Becton is a mountain of a man, and at the NFL level, he has the size, and strength to play on the left side as a rookie in 2020. The Buccaneers have elite wide receiver talent, and a solid running game, and if they can eliminate the turnovers, and get their quarterback some protection, they could be players in a deep NFC South this season.

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