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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
ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 07: Kenneth Murray #9 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates after stopping the Baylor Bears offense in the first quarter of the Big 12 Football Championship at AT&T Stadium on December 7, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

28th overall: Baltimore Ravens – Kenneth Murray (LB – Oklahoma)

Team Needs
Wide Receiver, Defensive End, Defensive Tackle, Linebacker, Guard, Safety

Picks: 28 (1st), 60 (2nd), 92 (3rd), 99 (3rd), 129 (4th), 134 (4th), 144 (4th), 171 (5th), 226 (7th)

Most mocks will have the Ravens addressing the wide receiver or edge rusher positions here, but Kenneth Murray is simply too good of a value to pass up at 28th overall for a team that lost star linebacker C.J. Mosley to free agency last offseason. He does not have the same coverage skills as Mosley, but is a fantastic talent who can rush the passer, stop the run, and soak up second level tackles. He has enough coverage skills to deal with most running backs, but is not someone you want covering the premier tight ends in the league. With that being said, he will have two good tight ends to practice against daily, and should quickly improve in this department.

Team Impact

With three day two picks, and three fourth rounders, the Baltimore Ravens will have ample opportunity to address wide receiver, edge rusher, and the interior of their offensive line. While Murray is an off ball linebacker, his pass rushing skill is on par with names like Darius Leonard and Devin White. He also possesses their great motor and sideline to sideline ability. Murray has top 10 talent, but this draft class was simply too deep for him to be selected there, especially with Isaiah Simmons holding the title as the top middle linebacker in this draft class. Murray represents a great fit for a team that lacks a true long term answer at the position.

Fantasy Impact

Kenneth Murray will be an immediate LB2 in redraft leagues. He has the talent and skill to quickly ascend to the LB1 conversation if he plays a near every down role as a rookie. In dynasty leagues, he is a high upside LB1. He should be able to rack up the counting stats for the Ravens for the next five years, and should be in the redraft LB1 discussion as soon as his sophomore season. He should be targeted as soon as the late second in IDP heavy leagues.

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