21. Philadelphia Eagles: WR Tee Higgins
The Eagles badly need to add weapons to a quickly aging offense. Higgins posted 908 yards and six touchdowns while playing with Joe Burrow in Cincinnati. ‘Philly’ took fellow wideout Jalen Reagor here but his injury issues prevented that from being fully realized. Higgins becomes the number one wide receiver right away.
22. Minnesota Vikings: CB Jeff Gladney
The Vikings selected Jeff Gladney in real life at pick 31 but with all the receiver options still left, they go for a dwindling position group. The corner is going to be relied on heavily, along with Mike Hughes, to shore up Mike Zimmers defense.
23. Los Angeles Chargers: LB Isaiah Simmons
After originally drafting Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray here, they take a higher potential player here. Simmons, struggled mightily in his first season in the desert but possesses a skill set that not many ever have at his position. With the ability to play linebacker or safety, Simmons gives the Chargers another chess piece to play with on defense.
24. New Orleans Saints: WR Henry Ruggs
Although his rookie year in Las Vegas did not go as planned it seemed at times that it was a usage issue and not a talent issue. Sean Payton is sure to get the most out of Ruggs as a playmaker and gives the offense someone to take defenders off of star pass catcher Michael Thomas.
Henry Ruggs caught 98 passes at Alabama
24 of them went for touchdownspic.twitter.com/IENn0zsaLS
— PFF (@PFF) April 21, 2020
Related: Thoughts on Raiders HC Jon Gruden’s Potential Tampering Comments
25. San Francisco 49ers: S Julian Blackmon
With the expiring contract of Jaquiski Tartt, the 49ers defense will need someone new in the backend. Enter Julian Blackmon who was Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded overall rookie through the first 11 weeks of the season.
26. Green Bay Packers: WR Brandon Aiyuk
If the Packers selected a playmaker on offense to help Aaron Rodgers here there’s a real chance they’re playing for a Super Bowl. Rather than try to acquire Rodgers successor, they get help across from Davante Adams. Aiyuk would be able to feast on run after catch opportunities due to all the attention Adams demands. This could be a season changer for the “Pack”.
27. Seattle Seahawks: LB Jeremy Chinn
It is not secret that Seattle needs help defensively at many spots so getting a versatile defender in Chinn is a win-win. The Southern Illinois product played outside linebacker while in Carolina but came into the draft as a safety so this dynamic ability has the potential to really boost Seattle’s defense. Chinn next to Adams or Bobby Wagner in any set is an exciting proposition.
28. Baltimore Ravens: WR Denzel Mims
The Ravens badly need to surround Lamar Jackson with weapons and while ‘Hollywood’ Brown is developing, he alone is not enough. Mims’ 6-foot-3 frame gives the Ravens a bibber receiver they can depend on so long as he can stay healthy.
29. Tennessee Titans: RB Johnathan Taylor
Is this a luxury pick? Yes. Will it help the Titans? Also yes. Tennessee selected troubled offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson here and while the jury is still out on him, why not help Derrick Henry out a little bit? Taylor forms a formidable duo with Henry while giving the Titans a capable backup in case of emergency.
30. Miami Dolphins: OT Ezra Cleveland
Cleveland, the Vikings’ second-round pick, is still in the early stages of his development but looks as if he can become a quality starter along the offensive line. He played in 13 games, allowing just five sacks.
31. Minnesota Vikings: DE K’Lavon Chaisson
Even though K’Lavon Chaisson played in all 16 games, he started just three and finished 2020 with just one sack. Despite this, he still has many tools to become a top end pass rusher and Minnesota takes a shot at that potential here. They badly need help across from Danielle Hunter.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: RB Antonio Gibson
Honestly, this wouldn’t even be fair. The Chiefs took LSU’s CLyde Edwards-Helaire here and he has been fine but if they added Gibson? Oh boy. Gibson’s ability to catch passes, he has a wide receiver background, as well as run the ball consistently and often would put the already potent Chiefs offense on another level.
Memphis WR/RB Antonio Gibson is a fun eval. Blows by SMU with the out and up and tracks the ball to perfection. pic.twitter.com/wMzri5fFkd
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) December 16, 2019
While the NFL teams will never get this opportunity, that doesn’t make it any less fun to look back and see what could have been. It is also never wise to assume how a players career will end due to how good or poorly their respective rookie season went, there’s still a long way to go in determining the true grade of each teams picks and many of these will change by this time next year
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Top Photo: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
