2020 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 11-21
Apr 22, 2020, 10:05 AM | Updated: 10:05 am
(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
With the NFL Draft this week, April 23, 2020, KHTK staffers Charles T. Hamilton (even #’s)and Chris Watkins (odd #’s)alternate selections to form their official 2020 NFL Mock Draft. For Part 1 of this 3 part Mock Draft click here.
#11. New York – Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
Logic: The Jets could very well go with a WR here and get their pick of the litter from an incredibly talented group of wideouts, but it would be of no service to get Sam Darnold a shiny new target if you can’t give him any time to protect himself.
Fit: The Jets have already bolstered their offensive line this offseason with the addition of OT George Fant from Seattle and Wills would only have 2019 third-round selection Chuma Edoga to beat out for a starting position
Counter Analysis (CTH): Another team that could use Wide Receiver help. But with needs elsewhere, especially on the offensive line, the top Wide Receivers still remain on the board
#12. Las Vegas – Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Logic:The Raiders will be ecstatic that they have their pick of the litter when it comes to the Receivers. Jeudy is a plug and play day 1 starter. He has elite quickness to go with his 4.45 40 yard dash time, which all shows up on tape.
Fit: Jeudy has been called Antonio Brown without the baggage. Which would make him a perfect fit for most teams but especially the Raiders. When Antonio Brown went AWOL last season it left a glaring need at Receiver. The Raiders were able to solidify their Offensive Line, Tight End, and Running Back position last season leaving their biggest need at Receiver, during possibly the best receiver draft of all time. Pretty good timing.
Counter Analysis (CW): In the scenario we’ve created here, the Raiders have the entire receiving crop to pick from. While going with Jeudy is in no way a risky selection, the problem with being first is one of the other incredibly talented receivers in the bunch may make you forever regret the day you passed on them, so Mike Mayock and co. better make sure they get the guy.
#13. San Francisco – CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Logic: Not only is CeeDee Lamb the clear best player available here, he is a piece that can take could take the 49ers offense to another level.
Fit: Lamb is a big play machine. Pair that with Kyle Shanahan and Deebo Samuel, and Jimmy Garoppolo will have more than ample weapons to show all the doubter wrong about his ability to lead his team to a championship.
Counter Analysis (CTH): The 49ers acquired this pick in the Deforest Buckner trade with the Colts. Some believe they will look for another defensive tackle with this pick. But trading a lineman to draft another lineman doesn’t make sense. It comes down to their top receiver on the board or if they get a trade offer that they like. With no picks in the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th round they will look to trade down at some point.
#14. Tampa Bay – Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Logic:The Bucs will look to add more weapons for the newly signed Tom Brady, but by waiting to address the receiver position they allow themselves to get one of the two elite DT prospects in this draft.
Fit:Getting Kinlaw to play in a DT rotation with Vita Vea and Ndamukong Suh could be devastating for opposing teams. With Suh turning 34 before the season is over it would also allow Kinlaw to be the heir apparent to Suh.
Counter Analysis (CW): The Bucs should absolutely focus on strengthening the defensive side of the ball, I wonder if they may look to strengthen their secondary here with a few top corner and safety prospects still available
#15. Denver –CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
Logic: The Broncos very well might go with a receiver here, but I am a believer in Courtland Sutton as #1 WR and don’t believe getting a Henry Ruggs III (insert your favorite remaining WR prospect) does them much good and can find some value pick later.
Fit: Henderson is a high-level athlete and although his numbers were down in the 2019 season, he showed throughout his career at Florida to be a play maker in coverage.
Counter Analysis (CTH): After trading for CB AJ Bouye the Broncos could look at Linebacker as a bigger need, especially with both Patrick Queen and Kenneth Murray still on the board. They could also look to add a receiver for young QB Drew Lock.
#16. Atlanta – Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
Logic:The Falcons major need is at CB. Unlucky for them both top CBs are off the board. Lucky for them they need help everywhere on defense. Even though they missed on the CBs they end up with the top linebacker in the draft.
Fit:Queen will be the perfect fit alongside LB Deion Jones that De’vondre Campbell was never able to be. This will give the Falcons two of the best pass coverage LBs in a league that is all about passing.
Counter Analysis (CW): Henderson is probably the guy Atlanta is hoping will fall to them so if they are forced to have to audible to another pick they could look at some other secondary options or possibly bolstering their O-Line.
#17. Dallas – Cesar Ruiz, C, Michigan
Logic: With the retirement of Cowboys center Travis Frederick, this is one of the easier selections in the draft. The Cowboys’ bread and butter is the ability to run the ball with Ezekiel Elliott and the root of being able to do that has been Dallas’ stout offensive lines throughout the years.
Fit: Nobody else in this draft is as prepared to play line with Zach Martin, La’el Collins, and Tyron Smith as Cesar Ruiz. He is a bull dozer in the middle and could create some huge holes for Elliot to run through.
Counter Analysis (CTH): With the Aldon Smith experiment being far from a sure thing the Cowboys could look to add some pass rushing depth with this pick.
#18. Miami – Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Logic:After picking QB Tua Tagovailoa at #5, you have to get your young QB some weapons and some protection. With the top tackles already off the board the Dolphins take the best receiver from the National Champs LSU Tigers.
Fit:After gaining 1,540 yards and 18 TDs at LSU last season Jefferson comes in as the perfect compliment to Devante Parker. Something the Dolphins have been looking to find for years.
Counter Analysis (CW): If they go receiver here, I like Ruggs III as a better fit next to Devante Parker. I don’t disagree with the thinking of getting Tua some more targets, but I think Miami could more help in other areas.
#19. Las Vegas – Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
Logic: With the Raiders taking Jerry Juedy at #12, I think getting a physical presence in the middle of their defense could help establish an identity for this Las Vegas squad.
Fit: Murray’s biggest issue is that he is a bit of a loose dog, which can also be a good thing! On occasion he can be slow to recognize plays and can get lost, especially in coverage, however do to his superior athleticism he has the ability to recover and stretch from sideline to slideline.
Counter Analysis (CTH): Cornerback is a much bigger need for the Raiders. With the top two CBs off the board could we see the Raiders reach for one? With no picks in the 2nd, 6th, and 7th rounds they could also trade down to recoup some of those picks.
#20. Jacksonville – AJ Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa
Logic:You can never have enough pass rushers. With Yannick Ngakoue upset about being franchise tagged, and lashing out at ownership on social media, finding his potential replacement isn’t a bad idea.
Fit: Epenesa can fill multiple roles for the Jaguars. Specifically the ones that Calais Campbell used to fill for them. If they can work things out with Ngakoue the Jaguars will have a dominant D-Line of Ngakoue, Josh Allen, Derrick Brown, and Epenesa for the next decade.
Counter Analysis (CW): I think this is a wild card spot, after taking Brown with the #9 pick I think trying to bolster other areas of weakness would be a better move for the Jags.
#21. Philadelphia – Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
Logic: Ruggs is too talented to still be on the board here. Philly does have an aging Alshon Jeffrey and has struggled to find a reliable target for Carson Wentz apart from TE Zach Ertz.
Fit: Henry Ruggs III would give the Eagles the kind of explosive and dynamic athlete the likes of which they haven’t seen since DeSean Jackson and Michael Vick were running up scoreboards. With lighting quick speed and a surprising ability to go up and grab balls out of the air, Ruggs could give Carson Wentz a perfect target to show off his arm strength.
Counter Analysis (CTH): With bigger needs on defense the Eagles would most likely look to fill a need there. But if Ruggs does fall to them at 21 you can’t blame them for making that pick.
PICKS 22 – 32 COMING SOON….
