NFL Mock Draft 2020: Jordan Love overtakes Justin Herbert; Isaiah Simmons soars aboard

Joe Burrow made it clear in the combination that he would play for the Bengals. This should end speculation … even if we imagine it will not.

Unless the Redskins are carried away by a commercial offer, they take on Chase Young, who will have a Nick Bosa-like impact as a rookie.

Isaiah Simmons told the combine that her versatility is what makes her so special, and it’s hard to argue. He models his game after Tyrann Mathieu and Von Miller, although he also reminds us of Derwin James. Regardless of the composition of the player you use, Lions’ defense is greatly improved with him.

It turns out that Tristan Wirfs is somehow more athletic than we thought; on the combine, he ran a 4.85, had a vertical of 36.5 inches, and oh by the way, he’s one of the best players in this draft class. As an O lineman, he can play either tackle position and even kick inside to keep.

Will Tua be healthy enough before the draft to prove he can hold on to the next level? This is the biggest question of the NFL 2020 draft. If the answer is yes, the dolphins will have to trade to get it back. If the answer is no, Tua could fall and Miami would need a plan B for his QB situation.

Jordan Love had a good draft season, which is exactly what he needed after a forgettable 2019 campaign for the Aggies. Love’s measurables are off the charts and it’s no exaggeration to think that some teams will love him more than Justin Herbert.

Okudah was perhaps Indy’s most confident person last week – and he has the tape to back it up. It is a talent among the top 5 who is pushed to the bottom of the table by a race on QB, and the Panthers win one of the best players in this class.

The Cards need to reinforce the O line, but it’s hard to let Brown pass through here, even if he hasn’t been particularly successful with the combine. He’s still the best defensive tackle in this draft class – and one of the best players overall – and he would improve a unit that wasn’t even at replacement level a season ago. In addition, 31-year-old Corey Peters, who led the unit with 805 photos, has only one year left on his contract.

Kinlaw dominated the Senior Bowl in January and his athleticism, power and speed make him the best indoor lineman in the draft.

Baker Mayfield cannot spend Sunday running for his life; the Browns’ O line is an obvious need area and Jedrick Willis is an obvious solution to this problem. He hoped to run a sub-5.0 on the combine (Willis finished with a still impressive 5.05) although he admitted to us that running this time was mainly for bragging rights. Man is a terror in the racing game and will only improve in pass protection.

Typically, when you talk about weird athletes at the top of the repechage, you’re referring to corner corners, edge accelerators, and fainting. We are 11 caps and arguably the most athletic group to date is the three offensive liners. Mekhi Becton is a mammoth of a man – 6 feet 7 inches, 364 pounds – who also ran a mind-blowing 5.1 40 times. He’s as light on his feet as someone 150 pounds lighter, and he told Indy that he could reverse dunk with both hands without a problem. Watching him move in space, we have no trouble believing it.

K’Lavon Chaisson may only weigh 254 pounds, but he plays with such force and leverage that he frequently throws tackles that outweigh 50 pounds on the lap of the quarterback. He needs to play with more consistency, but it will come with experience.

Herbert, like Love, helped himself during the Senior Bowl and the combine, but if a team considers Love to have more advantages, Herbert could still be on the board here. Jacoby Brissett has a year left and even if the Colts are chasing Philip Rivers, sitting for a year might be the best scenario for Herbert.

Thomas is the fourth offensive lineman in the table, and he is the fourth offensive lineman to help himself with a solid combine performance. In Tampa Bay, he consolidates an offensive line that ranks in the bottom third in terms of pass protection and pass blocking, according to Football Outsiders.

It sounds crazy – the first widener leaves the table only in the middle of the first round – but this WR draft class is so incredibly deep that the teams meet other needs early. Either way, this is great news for Drew Lock and the Broncos, which wins the best road racer in this category.

The Falcons’ high school is young, but they need to improve to compete in the NFC South; the unit was 25th against the pass, according to Football Outsiders. CJ Henderson is a long indoor corner that scored a 4.39 on the combine, and it has the ability to lock down the opponent’s best receiver.

The Cowboys could be looking for safety here – and Xavier McKinney makes a lot of sense – but if Lamb is on the set, even if Amari Cooper returns, Jerry Jones will think deeply and seriously about catching him.

Jones had an exceptional season for the Cougars, an even better week for the Senior Bowl and only helped himself in the combination. And he has the type of strength and athleticism that translates well into the NFL. In Miami, he would be part of a reconstruction effort that would begin by protecting the new face of the franchise, Tua Tagovailoa.

Yes, we know, Henry Ruggs is still on the board. But GM Mike Mayock spoke to the combine about the difficulty of predicting how WRs will translate to the next level. Meanwhile, the Raiders very quietly had one of the best rookie classes last season and will be looking to build on this spring. Queen flashed early and often during the national championship game and those 60 minutes of football served as a microcosm of her 2019 season.

D.J. Hayden was the Jags’ most consistent cornerback and the only one above the substitution level, according to PFF. Jacksonville will not replace Jalen Ramsey with a single player, but Diggs would be a step in the right direction. Brother of Stefon and former wide catcher, Trevon is a great physical player who can take on the best runners in the NFL. It would fit perfectly into Jacksonville high school.

Ruggs * only * had a 4.27 40 time on the combine. This is not why he “fell” to 21st place here, but again, he is the victim of a race on other players and positions with little depth. But that’s great news for the Eagles, who need defense help but will find it difficult to get Ruggs here.

Gross-Matos is a high-board rusher who has not yet scratched the surface of his potential. The Bills also have needs in WR, and they just missed Ruggs, but the class is so deep that they can find weapons later in the project. Also: Jerry Hughes is 31, Shaq Lawson’s contract is in place and Trent Murphy’s contract will expire after next season.

Devin McCourty had five interceptions last season, but is also expected to become a free agent in a few weeks. Even if the Pats bring back the 32-year-old, McKinney would be completely natural to eventually become the first player. A versatile playmaker in Alabama, McKinney can line up just about anywhere.

Jefferson told the combine he would surprise a lot of people with his speed and he went out and ran 4.43. At 6-1, 200 pounds, he dominated the slot machine last season for the Tigers, but he can also play outside. Wherever he lines up, Jefferson would make the attack on New Orleans even more powerful.

Linval Joseph was the Vikings’ best defensive lineman, but the unit finished 30th against the run, according to Football Outsiders. Blacklock, meanwhile, is an explosive player with an excellent blend of power, speed and strength. It requires – and regularly beats – double teams and is extremely disruptive along the line of scrimmage.

Raekwon McMillan and Sam Eguavoen both have one year for their current contracts and Jerome Baker’s contract expires in two years. No better than average, according to Pro Football Focus notes, and Murray, who has touch speed and can handle midfield games, would give the Dolphins a much-needed playmaker in defense.

Gallimore is a firebreak with a non-stop motor that excels both against running and passing. The Seahawks, who have a history of bypass convention in Round 1, also have needs along the defensive line after the unit finished 21st against the run and 30th in rushing assists last season, according to statistics from Football Outsiders.

The Ravens have onboard and linebacker needs and Baun meets both needs (even if Matt Judon returns – and we expect him to be a franchisee). Baun weighed 238 pounds on the combine, which means he might be better suited for the weak side linebacker to the next level. Wherever he lines up, Baun is a playmaker; he had 11.5 bags and 55 QB presses in 2019. It sounds like someone Wink Martindale can work with.

No one was talking about Igbinoghene in December, but he landed on radars during Shrine Bowl week and he continues his ascent to the top of the drawing boards. He may not reach this peak in late April, but he is a proven cover corner playing in the country’s toughest conference, which is also unwavering support.

Aiyuk did not play in the Senior Bowl due to an injury, and his time of 4.5 to 40 in Indy does not change the fact that he plays much faster. Aiyuk has only one year of productivity, but he threatens to take it home every time he hits the ball – and it will only get better. Additional bonus: it is also dangerous in the return game.

Jackson is more of an athlete than a polite left tackle at this point in his career, but this athleticism will be very useful to him in the San Francisco offensive. In addition, he can spend a year behind Joe Staley, 35, whose contract expires after the 2021 season.

The defense of the Chiefs has improved steadily this season, throughout the Super Bowl victory. And while high school was sometimes pleasantly surprising, Kendall Fuller and Bashaud Breeland will be free agents in the spring. Fulton had a top-down campaign in 2019, but is undoubtedly a first-round talent – which was also the case a year ago when he considered leaving school early.