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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FAYETTEVILLE, AR – NOVEMBER 9: Henry Ruggs III #11 of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks to block during a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Starkville, Mississippi. The Crimson Tide defeated the Bulldogs 38-7. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Henry Ruggs III. 15. player. 45. . Wide Receiver. Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos went into the 2019 NFL season expecting Joe Flacco to return to the form that made him a Super Bowl MVP years ago. Instead, he battled through his first season with the Broncos, finishing the year on injured reserve, and handing the ball over to rookie Drew Lock.

All Lock did was win games when taking over for Flacco, and now, heading into 2020, you have to think that John Elway figures he has his long term solution at the quarterback position. In order for Lock to continue to grow in his development, the team needs to bring in more weapons for him in the passing game, and they do so here at pick No. 15.

Henry Ruggs III is the fastest wide receiver in this draft class, and would be a perfect compliment to Courtland Sutton at the wide receiver position. Imagine a world where Lock has those two young wideouts to throw to for the foreseeable future. That would be a scary world for the rest of the AFC West.

44. . Edge. Atlanta Falcons. A.J. Epenesa. 16. player

The Atlanta Falcons went on a solid winning streak to end the 2019 NFL season, securing Dan Quinn’s job for the 2020 campaign. For the Falcons, another slow start is not going to keep Quinn employed, and if they can add the pieces they need this offseason on the defensive side of the ball, they should be a playoff contender this season.

Matt Ryan is a solid quarterback, and he still has arguably the best wideout in football in Julio Jones at his disposal. The offense is going to have no problem scoring points, but if the defense continues to play at the level they did in 2019, there is no way the Falcons can come out of a very stacked NFC South.

The edge rusher spot is an issue, and the team has already stated that they will not be bringing back Vic Beasley Jr. That means drafting a player like Iowa’s A.J. Epenesa is a must, and with him on the edge, the Falcons could go back to being one of the better teams in the league at getting after the quarterback.

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