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2020 NFL mock draft first round and fantasy impacts

By Raju Byfield

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Former NFL quarterback Chad Pennington stands alongside quarterbacks Justin Herbert of Oregon, Joe Burrow of LSU and Jacob Eason of Washington during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Former NFL quarterback Chad Pennington stands alongside quarterbacks Justin Herbert of Oregon, Joe Burrow of LSU and Jacob Eason of Washington during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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2020 NFL Mock Draft
SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 10: Julian Okwara #42 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in action against the Nevada Wolf Pack during the game at Notre Dame Stadium on September 10, 2016 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Nevada 39-10. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

13th Overall: Indianapolis Colts – Julian Okwara (DE – Notre Dame)

Team Needs
Edge Rusher, Quarterback, Wide Receiver, Offensive Tackle, Running Back, Cornerback

Picks: 13 (1st), 34 (2nd), 44 (2nd), 75 (3rd), 122 (4th), 161 (5th), 185, (6th), 193 (6th), 211 (6th)

The Indianapolis Colts are built to win now, and as such are more likely to address the quarterback position in free agency than via the NFL Draft. One of the three teams able to make best-player-available luxury picks, the Colts may very well go with the defensive end with the highest upside outside of Chase Young. Okwara is flying under the radar, and projects as an immediate impact player as a pass rusher and as a run stuffer. The buzz on Okwara is destined to grow louder as the NFL Draft draws closer. K’Lavon Chaisson may be the pick here if Okwara is still recovering, and cannot get any work in at Notre Dame’s pro day. Okwara has near limitless upside, and has the range and closing speed to be an every down disruptor once an NFL coach gets his hands on him and can clean up his technique.

Team Impact

The Indianapolis Colts have four picks in the top 75, and seem destined to walk away with an impressive haul. They could always use their draft capital to trade up, but there are more than enough holes on the roster to address/upgrade. Okwara will be a rotational rusher as a rookie, but should slide in as an every down player when Justin Houston’s contract expires after the 2020 NFL season. Javon Kinlaw would have been Indianapolis’ ideal pick here, but Okwara has the raw talent to be one of the top 10 players from this draft class when we look back at this draft in the next five to seven years.

Fantasy Impact

Julian Okwara is likely to be more of a situational pass rusher in year one before transitioning to a full time role in 2021. He has the talent to play the second most snaps of the edge rushers, but there is enough talented edge rushing depth on the team to keep the Colts rotating fresh bodies. He can still rack up six to eight sacks, but he may be inconsistent in the tackle department. For redraft leagues, he profiles as more of a deep IDP league bye week type who can blossom into a difference maker down the stretch. In dynasty settings Okwara projects as a DE2/DE3 with low end DE1 upside. He may never be a top five option, but he will be a IDP mainstay for those in leagues that have two start two or more defensive ends (DE), or three or more defensive linemen (DL).

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