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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COLUMBUS, OH – AUGUST 31: Jeff Okudah #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes defends against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Ohio Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

3. player. 50. . Cornerback. Detroit Lions. Jeffrey Okudah

The Detroit Lions stand firm with the No. 3 overall pick in this mock draft, although there are some rumors circulating that the team may be in the market to trade down for more picks. If they do stay here, they have to address a position group that will need revamping, especially is Darius Slay is traded this offseason.

Looking at this draft class, there is only one player who deserves to be selected in the first five picks, and that is Jeffrey Okudah from Ohio State. Okudah is a guy who could step right in and help this secondary in Year 1, and if Slay is out of the picture, the Lions have to do something to improve the position group immediately.

Detroit will go into next season with head coach Matt Patricia on the hot seat, so you can expect them to be aggressive in free agency. They have already added Jamie Collins and Nick Williams to this defense, and with this selection, they address the third line.

Quarterback. Miami Dolphins. Tua Tagovailoa. 4. player. 59.

In the first big move of this draft, the Miami Dolphins trade up one spot to ensure they get their next franchise quarterback. With the No. 4 overall selection, the Dolphins roll the dice on the health of Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who by all measures should heal completely from his hip injury.

After being one of the worst teams in football in 2019, the Dolphins are in full rebuild mode, and they are doing one heck of a job in free agency. They have added significantly talented players to both sides of the ball already, and with so much draft capital over the next two year, they are poised to be a player in the AFC East sooner than later.

Of course, Tua could be gone by the time the No. 4 pick is up, as there are plenty of teams who need a new quarterback, and he is a special talent. The Dolphins could go into next season with Ryan Fitzpatrick mentoring Tua, which for Tua and the organization, could be a best case scenario.

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