2020 NFL mock draft: Free agency changes team needs

By Brad Weiss | Mar 18, 2020

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 13: Joe Burrow #9 of the LSU Tigers rolls out of the pocket during the second quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Clemson Tigers at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The LSU Tigers topped the Clemson Tigers, 42-25. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /

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A.J. Epenesa, Iowa Hawkeyes. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Edge. Seattle Seahawks. A.J. Epenesa. 27. player. 36.

The Seattle Seahawks made a move prior to the 2019 NFL season for edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney, hoping he would have a good season for them, and then be a part of their long-term solution on defense. Well, Clowney is certainly going to leave via free agency, and that will leave the Seahawks with a hole at the edge rusher spot.

Enter A.J. Epenesa, who many believe is one of the top-3 pure edge rushers in this draft class, and who could come in and start right away. The Seahawks are a team that has always had a solid defense, and in Epenesa, they would be able to get a solid, young pass rusher that can be a foundation for this defense up front.

The Seahawks have already made a strong investment in their defensive line, bringing back Jarran Reed on a two-year contract for over $20 million. Seattle put together a solid season in 2019, and as they enter 2020, there is going to be some change along the roster, but Russell Wilson remains one of the best quarterbacks in football.

player. 26. . Linebacker. Baltimore Ravens. Patrick Queen. 28

The Baltimore Ravens ran through the AFC this past season, as Lamar Jackson led them to the best record in the conference, and then went on to win the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award. As they look ahead, they have already started building for the future, trading for Calais Campbell, and signing Michael Brockers to bolster the defensive line.

At the second level of the defense, Baltimore still needs some help at the linebacker spot, and they get some here in the player of Patrick Queen from LSU. This is a linebacker that can play sideline to sideline, and Baltimore is still trying to fill the void left by C.J. Mosley, who left for the New York Jets in last year’s free agency period.

The Ravens have the talent to get back to the top of the AFC once again this upcoming season, as Jackson is only going to get better moving forward. The AFC North is theirs for the taking once again, but the defense will have to be better with Ben Roethlisberger returning for Pittsburgh, and that seems to be a priority already this offseason.

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