With the NFL draft less than a week away, reporters who cover the teams on a daily basis take a crack at predicting how the first round will unfold in The All 32: The Times’ unique NFL mock draft experience. Each reporter makes a pick and gives a rationale for that selection.
This year’s live mock draft is completed. The Cincinnati Bengals have the first pick of 2020 draft, and Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer made his selection. Be sure to check out the entire first-round rundown below.
1. Cincinnati Bengals | QB Joe Burrow, Louisiana State
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“This is a perfect match, and when the Bengals met with him at the combine, it pretty much reaffirmed everything they thought about him.” Tyler Dragon, Cincinnati Enquirer
2. Washington Redskins | DE Chase Young, Ohio State
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“Chase Young just fits what Ron Rivera and Jack Del Rio want to do with this defense. They could have a great pass rusher for years to come.” Les Carpenter, Washington Post
“The Lions would love to trade down, or to get a shot at Chase Young. But after trading Darius Slay, they could really use a player like Okudah in their secondary.” — Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press
“The Giants have a lot of holes to fill. They would love to get Chase Young, but Simmons can get to the quarterback. He can not only make plays from sideline to sideline, but from goal line to goal line.” Tom Rock, Newsday
“The Dolphins are committed to selecting a quarterback in the first round. I don’t know that they have an absolute conviction about which quarterback that’s going to be, Tua, Justin Herbert, or Jordan Love.” Omar Kelly, South Florida Sun Sentinel
6. Los Angeles Chargers | QB Justin Herbert, Oregon
“The Chargers like Jordan Love, too, but I think they would take Justin Herbert over him. The turnovers Love had at Utah State would be concerning.” Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times
“The head coach compared playmakers to chocolate chip cookies — you can never have enough of them. The Jaguars have a lot of holes to fill, and Jeudy fits what they want to do.” John Reid, Florida Times-Union
“The Browns are set at right tackle, having signed Jack Conklin in free agency. But they need a left tackle, and Thomas has experience on the left side.” Mary Kay Cabot, Cleveland Plain Dealer
“The Jets desperately need to address the offensive line. They made a few bargain-basement deals in free agency, but they need to protect Sam Darnold.” Brian Costello, New York Post
“If the Jets don’t select Lamb, the Raiders will race to grab him. Antonio Brown left a gaping hole the Raiders haven’t been able to fill.” Vincent Bonsignore, Las Vegas Review Journal
13. San Francisco 49ers | DT Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina
“The 49ers would love one of the top receivers, but instead they go with a defensive tackle who could step in and replace DeForest Buckner.” Matt Barrows, The Athletic
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | OT Jedrick Wills Jr., Alabama
“It’s about protecting Tom Brady, and Wills fits the mold at right tackle, a position he’s played since his sophomore year. There’s about five tackles in this draft that the Bucs would be happy with.” Rick Stroud, Tampa Bay Times
“Atlanta’s biggest needs are on all three levels of the defense. The Vic Beasley experiment is over, and the Falcons still don’t know what they have in Takk McKinley.” Jeff Schultz, The Athletic
“The Cowboys lost Byron Jones to the Dolphins and haven’t replaced him. Henderson is the second-best corner in this class.” Clarence Hill, Fort Worth Star Telegram
“Most of the coveted offensive tackles are gone, so the Dolphins look to solidify the interior of their offensive line.” Omar Kelly, South Florida Sun Sentinel
“I could see the Raiders trading down to the mid-20s to get a second-round pick. But they love Clemson players, and Terrell fills a pressing need.” Vincent Bonsignore, Las Vegas Review Journal
21. Philadelphia Eagles | WR Justin Jefferson, LSU
“Most people consider Jefferson the fourth-best receiver in this draft. There’s some concern he’s more of a slot guy than the outside player the Eagles need.” Les Bowen, Philadelphia Inquirer
“Tackle makes a lot of sense for the Vikings. He’s raw, but he wouldn’t have to start right away if Minnesota keeps Riley Reiff on the roster.” Ben Goessling, Minnesota Star Tribune
23. New England Patriots | LB Kenneth Murray Jr., Oklahoma
“The Patriots might try to trade up for Tua. But if they stay here, Murray is a tackling machine, good blitzer, can play on the outside and inside. He’s similar to Kyle Van Noy.” Ben Volin, Boston Globe
“Having picked up Emmanuel Sanders in free agency, the Saints are in position to take a linebacker. They have never taken an LSU Tiger in the first round.” Amie Just, NOLA.com
“Gladney makes a lot of sense. He can cover outside and inside, and has been a man corner, and that fits with the Vikings like to play some man within zone schemes.” Ben Goessling, Minneapolis Star Tribune
“With the top five tackles off the board, the Dolphins go with an elite athlete with great speed. Even though he’s not a striker, he can play that center field position for the Dolphins.” Omar Kelly, South Florida Sun Sentinel
“If the Seahawks keep their pick — and they always seem to trade their first-rounder — I think they’ll focus on their defensive line. That was the huge weakness for this team last year, and at the moment it doesn’t look better.” Bob Condotta, Seattle Times
“Baltimore’s best-case scenario is either Queen or Murray to be there, so they can address their glamour position of inside linebacker. At this point, McKinney is the best player available.” Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic
“With Logan Ryan unsigned, the Titans need a slot corner. Those are hard to find in the college ranks, but Diggs has some experience there.” Paul Kuharsky, 104.5 The Zone/Paulkuharsky.com
30. Green Bay Packers | WR Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
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“Jordan Love would be tempting if no one has taken him. Aiyuk looks to be just the kind of explosive receiver the Packers want.” Pete Dougherty, Green Bay Press-Gazette
“A tall, long-armed receiver who runs like a track star, Mims is really good with the ball in the air. He has a big body, yet is as elusive as a much smaller player.” Matt Barrows, The Athletic
“Cornerback and linebacker are Kansas City’s two biggest needs. Baun would fit their system as a three-down linebacker. Sort of thumper, but someone who has the athleticism and ball skills, too.” Nate Taylor, The Athletic
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his “long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football,” Sam Farmer has covered the NFL for 25 seasons. A graduate of Occidental College, he’s a two-time winner of California Sportswriter of the Year and first place for beat writing by Associated Press Sports Editors.