Justin Rogers' 2020 NFL mock draft 1.0

1. Cincinnati Bengals — Joe Burrow, QB, LSU: It’s been a few years since we’ve had an obvious No. 1 pick this early in the process, but Burrow is a no-brainer for the Bengals. Going first overall is a fitting capper following one of the greatest college football seasons of all time – 60 touchdown passes, Heisman trophy and a national championship.

2. Washington — Chase Young, DE, Ohio State: The bigger need is probably offensive tackle, but you don’t pass up an edge-rushing talent of Young’s caliber to chase a roster hole, especially when Washington is still pretty far away from being competitive.

3. Detroit Lions — Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn: Ideally, the Lions are able to trade down from this spot, pick up some extra draft equity and still get one of the top defenders on their board. Staying put, the polished and productive interior lineman fills one of Detroit’s biggest needs, which only becomes more glaring if “Snacks” Harrison retires.

4. New York Giants — Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama: The Giants have established an offensive foundation with Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley. They could add another weapon, in a top wide receiver, but it’s better to start worrying about protecting Jones, who was sacked far too much last season. Wills has proven to be an exceptional pass protector.

5. Miami Dolphins — Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama: When the Dolphins were unloading pieces last year, the joke was they were tanking for Tua. Guess what, the tank didn’t go to plan, but that doesn’t stop the franchise from scoring the Alabama quarterback.

6. Los Angeles Chargers — Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon: There are conflicting reports out about the future of Philip Rivers with the franchise. Regardless, he’s 38 and showed declining arm strength last season. The Chargers can’t put off addressing the quarterback position any longer and Herbert, even as the third option in this class, is a solid get.

7. Carolina Panthers — Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State: With the bold strokes the Panthers have made this offseason, there’s no discounting the possibility of them trading up for a new franchise quarterback to pair with new coach Matt Rhule. But without a trade, Okudah is the best talent available. Some analysts see the Ohio State cornerback as the position’s best prospect since Jalen Ramsey.

8. Arizona Cardinals — Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia: Similar to the Giants, the Cardinals are in a position where they need to better protect their investment at quarterback. Even with his exceptional mobility, Kyler Murray was sacked 48 times as a rookie. Thomas has the highest ceiling among right tackles in this draft.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars — Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama: Not bad to have a potential All-Pro talent fall in your lap at No. 9, but that’s exactly what the Jaguars get in Jeudy, who has drawn comparisons to another former Alabama wideout with the same initials, Julio Jones. Added with breakout star D.J. Chark and Dede Westbrook, and you have the makings of a potent young receiving corps.

10. Cleveland Browns — Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson: Assuming Odell Beckham Jr. sticks in Cleveland, and there’s still good reason to lean that way, the Browns can address the team’s middling defense with Simmons, a hybrid linebacker/safety who can be deployed a number of ways by new defensive coordinator Steve Wilks.

11. New York Jets — Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville: Becton’s massive frame (listed at 369 pounds) should play better with a balanced offense built around a pocket passer. The Jets desperately need offensive line help after allowing 52 sacks and averaging 3.3 yards per carry last year.

12. Oakland Raiders — CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma: The Raiders took a big swing on Antonio Brown last season and whiffed. Lamb might not be Brown, but he has a similar profile as a dynamic playmaker, which is something the Raiders sorely need to add to their passing attack.

13. Indianapolis Colts — Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina: Is defensive tackle the Colts’ biggest need? Probably not. But Kinlaw is a special talent with a skill set built on disruption. The defense ranked in the bottom half in pressure rate last season and the explosive interior lineman should provide an immediate boost.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Jordan Love, QB, Utah State: Jameis Winston has a big arm and is prone to big mistakes. The same could be said about Jordan Love. But a rookie quarterback, who can be groomed by Bruce Arians, will cost significantly less than maintaining the status quo with Winston.

15. Denver Broncos — Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama: Once you’ve found your quarterback, as the Broncos appear to have done with Drew Lock, it’s a franchise’s responsibility to put him in the best position to succeed. That means surrounding him with talented weapons. Courtland Sutton is a solid No. 1 receiver and Ruggs would complement him nicely as a speed option.

16. Atlanta Falcons — A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa: The Falcons’ pass rush continues to be dismal, ranking in the bottom five in sacks and pressure rate. Epenesa isn’t a speed-rush guy; a bigger-bodied rusher with heavy hands should be a nice change of pace from Atlanta’s current speed-rush setup.

17. Dallas Cowboys — Grant Delpit, DB, LSU: The last time Dallas took a defensive back out of LSU in the first round, it didn’t work out, but that shouldn’t prevent them from trying it again. Delpit didn’t have the season many expected, but you can still see why most view him as the best safety in this draft.

18. Miami Dolphins — Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa: With their second of three first-round picks, the Dolphins go the value route, taking the Iowa offensive tackle. Wirfs might not protect the blindside, but whether it’s as a right tackle or a guard, he’s an upgrade up front.

19. Oakland Raiders — Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU: Fulton comes with some red flags, but since when have the Raiders shied away from risks? He has the size, skill and production to be a solid NFL player, breaking up 14 passes for the Tigers during the team’s championship season.

20. Jacksonville Jaguars — C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida: Two consecutive cornerbacks doesn’t constitute a run, but the Jaguars would be happy to keep Henderson in the state, helping fill the void created when the franchise traded Jalen Ramsey last year.

21. Philadelphia Eagles — Justin Jefferson, WR , LSU: This probably will be higher than many slot Jefferson, but you don’t put up 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns in the SEC without having some serious skill. It’s time to bounce on Nelson Agholor after five disappointing seasons.

22. Buffalo Bills — K'Lavon Chaisson, DE, LSU: Chaisson (18) is undoubtably a projection, based on the physical gifts, including his long limbs. He maxed out at 6.5 sacks last season, but there’s some seriously coachable potential, which the Bills are in position to develop.

23. New England Patriots — Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame: I refuse to believe Tom Brady wears another NFL uniform, and if that’s the case, the Patriots need to give him some reliable weapons to work the ball to across the middle. Kmet is the best all-around tight end in this class. He’s not Rob Gronkowski, because no one is, but he’s better than what the team ran out on the field last season.

24. New Orleans Saints — Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado: Michael Thomas is one of the best chain-movers in NFL history, but the Saints’ offense could expand its potential with a speed-and-space complement like Shenault.

25. Minnesota Vikings — Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama: The Vikings need help in the secondary, and McKinney presents better value than the remaining cornerbacks on the board. With his slot experience, he can play a versatile role closer to the line, making for an excellent pairing with perennial Pro Bowler Harrison Smith.

26. Miami Dolphins — Curtis Weaver, DE, Boise State: The Dolphins had five fewer sacks than any team last season and are in desperate need for some juice off the edge. After missing out on A.J. Epenesa earlier in the round, they are able to grab Weaver, who has an NFL-ready build and averaged double-digit sacks his three seasons with the Broncos.

27. Seattle Seahawks — Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State: Seattle aggressively addressed its pass rush last offseason, signing Ziggy Ansah and trading for Jadeveon Clowney. For the investment, they got 28 sacks. Only Miami was worse. With both Ansah and Clowney headed for free agency, restocking the cupboards appears to be in the cards. Physically gifted and highly productive (15 tackles for loss in 2019), Gross-Matos would kickstart an overhaul.

28. Baltimore Ravens — Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma: The Ravens patchworked their inside linebacker situation with Josh Bynes and L.J. Fort, a pair of capable journeymen, in 2019. Murray is on a different level. Rangy, athletic, yet powerful, he has the potential to be the next in a long line of excellent Baltimore linebackers.

29. Tennessee Titans — Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah: The Titans have a lot to worry about in free agency, including quarterback Ryan Tannehill and running back Derrick Henry, the two key figures from the team’s 2019 run. They might not leave enough resources for Logan Ryan, a solid cornerback, but also one about to turn 29 years old. Johnson is a versatile defensive back who tallied six interceptions and 15 pass defenses the past two seasons.

30. Green Bay Packers — Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson: Davante Adams is one of the best in the business, but Green Bay has struggled to find a consistent complement. Allen Lazard had the second-most catches by a receiver last season, with 35. Higgins would strengthen the offense, giving Aaron Rodgers a big-bodied, smooth route runner opposite Adams.

31. Kansas City Chiefs — Patrick Queen, LB, LSU: The Chiefs offense wins with speed, so why not go that route on defense? Anthony Hitchens and Reggie Ragland aren’t cutting it, while Queen’s stock is surging with his sideline-to-sideline range and quick-read ability.