Raiders do the logical thing in 1st round NFL Mock

The 2020 NFL Draft will feature many surprises, broken hearts, disappointment and questionable developments. This mock predicts the Las Vegas Raiders will take an unexpected route and do what is expected from them.

Editor’s note: This draft was done before some of the players mentioned announced they would return to school.

1st Round

1. Cincinnati Bengals- QB Joe Burrow, LSU. No way the Bengals draft anyone else unless someone like Miami, who currently owns three first-round picks, offers a ridiculous package.
2. Washington Redskins- DE/OLB Chase Young, Ohio State. Yes, this is another easy pick that will remind many of a young Von Miller.
3. Detroit Lions- CB Jeff Okudah, Ohio State. This is a spot some teams may be looking into in order to get in front of the Dolphins to take quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. If not, expect some secondary help for the league’s worst passing defense.
4. New York Giants- OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia. The Giants took Daniel Jones last with the 6th pick in the draft. Protecting him and opening more holes for RB Saquan Barkley has to be a priority.
5. Miami Dolphins- QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama. With Ryan Fitzpatrick still under contract in 2020, Tagovailoa can let his body heal and “redshirt” in hi rookie year.
6. Los Angeles Chargers- QB Justin Herbert, Oregon. Time for the Chargers to push the reset button. Herbert doesn’t have to rush to start either as Los Angeles has Tyrod Taylor on the roster next season.
7. Carolina Panthers- WR Jerry Jeudy, Alabama. If Cam Newton stays, he can have Christian McCaffrey at running back while Curtis Samuel, D.J. Moore and Jeudy catch passes. Sounds like fun doesn’t it?
8. Arizona Cardinals- OT Tristan Wirfs, Iowa. With D.J. Humphries and Marcus Gilbert (Torn ACL in 2019) scheduled to hit free agency, drafting the second best offensive tackle is a must.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars- DE A.J. Epenesa, Iowa. The Jags may cut Calais Campbell, Marcell Dareus and/or A.J. Bouye. Epenesa would replace Campbell and/or possibly, the departing Yannick Ngakoue.
10. Cleveland Browns- OT Jedrick Wills, Alabama. Greg Robinson at left tackle is not the answer. This may be a little early to pick this lineman but every team’s success on offense depends on that line. See the Rams and Cowboys.
11. New York Jets- WR CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma. With all the top tackles gone and Robby Anderson potentially becoming a free agent, the Jets decide to get Sam Darnold a true No. 1 wide out.
12. Las Vegas Raiders- LB/S Isaiah Simmons, Clemson. The Raiders took some positive steps in the right direction in 2019. Simmons’ versatility here makes sense for a team searching for playmakers at linebacker.
13. Indianapolis Colts- WR Tee Higgins, Clemson. With the top quarterbacks already taken, the Colts give Jacoby Brissett another wide receiver to pair with T.J. Hilton.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Safety Grant Delpit, LSU. The Bucs had the best rush defense in the NFL in 2019. The problem? They ranked 30th in pass defense as well. Delpit should help the secondary change that immediately.
15. Denver Broncos- CB Paulson Adebo, Stanford. With Chris Harris hitting free agency, general manager John Elway goes back to his Cardinals roots and takes this ballhawk.
16. Atlanta Falcons- DT Derrick Brown, Auburn. The Falcons get a first-round steal. Finally, Brown helps take some heat off of Grady Jarrett.
17. Dallas Cowboys- DT Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina. Even with all the big pending free agents the Cowboys have, defensive tackle is one of their biggest needs. Kinlaw is a big man who can move and create havoc on the inside.
18. Miami Dolphins- DE Curtis Weaver, Boise State. The all-time sack leader in Broncos history brings immediate pass rush help to a team in dire need of it. This pick was acquired through the Minkah Fitzpatrick trade to Pittsburgh.
19. Las Vegas Raiders- WR Henry Ruggs, Alabama. The Raiders gambled on Antonio Brown being their guy at wide receiver and rolled snake eyes. Ruggs has that game breaking speed that reminds you of AB and Tyreek Hill.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars- CB CJ Henderson, Florida. The Jags use the pick they acquired for Jalen Ramsey to select another cornerback. Henderson may not be as talented as Ramsey but he can be a solid corner with some ball skills.
21. Philadelphia Eagles- WR Laviska Shenault, Colorado. The Eagles address a weakness. DeSean Jackson isn’t getting any younger and Ashlon Jeffrey is always hurt.
22. Tennessee Titans- RB D’Andre Swift, Georgia. Derrick Henry is a free agent but I highly doubt the Titans let him walk. Swift would be a perfect complementary back.
23. Buffalo Bills- WR DeVonta Smith, Alabama. John Brown was their go-to receiver in 2019 and Cole Beasley is a nice complementary option at wide out. Smith brings a little bit of everything to the table.
24. Minnesota Vikings- DE Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State. Everson Griffen may be a salary cap casualty and Gross-Matos can help the Vikings get younger on the edge.
25. Miami Dolphins, RB JK Dobbins, Ohio State. In 2019, the Dolphins leading rusher was Ryan Fitzpatrick with 243 yards. That in itself, says it all.
26. Seattle Seahawks- CB Kristian Fulton, LSU. Fulton is an adept corner that has had drug issues in the past. Still, talent trumps those issues and Fulton is a steal here.
27. New England Patriots- OT Alex Leatherwood, Alabama. The Patriots need to get better in the trenches. Belichick has to have Nick Saban on speed dial, right?
28. Green Bay Packers- LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma. With Dylan Moses headed back to Alabama, Murray becomes the top inside linebacker in the Draft.
29. Kansas City Chiefs- RB Travis Etienne, Clemson. Etienne is a home-run threat every time he touches the ball. Adding him to this explosive offense just wouldn’t be fair.
30. New Orleans Saints- WR Justin Jefferson, LSU. Michael Thomas set an NFL record for the most receptions in a season with 149. The next leading wide receiver was Ted Ginn J.R. with 30.
31. San Francisco- CB Bryce Hall, Virginia. Richard Sherman is not getting any younger. The 49ers can draft Hall and have him learn from the future Hall of Famer.
32. Baltimore Ravens- DE/OLB Terrell Lewis, Alabama. Matt Judon is a free agent and the Ravens ought to find another guy that can generate a pass rush.

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