We are entering 2020 NFL Draft day with two expectations: Joe Burrow going No. 1 overall to the Cincinnati Bengals, and a stronger likelihood than normal that we could get mass chaos after that selection.
With this draft cycle -- without any pro days for the most part as leaks about prospects run rampant -- we really have no clue what is going to happen Thursday night and beyond. So, below you will find 32 surprising picks that could shake things up.
It's the final Mock Draft Monday before the real draft, and our draft experts simulated all 32 first-round picks (complete with trades!); check it out by listening to the Pick Six Podcast below and be sure to subscribe for daily NFL goodness.
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(Note: These 32 picks correspond with each pick in the first round, which means that the Bills, Bears, Rams, Texans, and Colts aren't included. And this isn't a mock draft, therefore players can be used more than once.)
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
Oregon
• 5
• 6'6"
/ 236 lbs
Sure, Chase Young would represent a reasonable surprise here. But let's be real. The Bengals want and need a quarterback. Given Tua Tagovailoa's injuries, it's reasonable to assume Cincinnati would actually go with Herbert if the team didn't pick Burrow.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
Jeff Okudah
CB
Ohio State
• 5
• 6'1"
/ 202 lbs
The Redskins have mammoth holes in their secondary -- not along their defensive line -- and Ron Rivera loves long outside cornerbacks with playmaking prowess. That's what Washington would get with Okudah.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
Alabama
• 5
• 6'1"
/ 227 lbs
Matthew Stafford will be the Lions starter in 2020. After that, we can't be so sure. Right now, he'd represent a $19 million dead cap hit if cut in 2021, but there's a $10 million roster bonus due next March. Detroit could move on before then to save more money. With the quarterback room set this way, Tagovailoa would be under no major pressure to play as a rookie but could assume the starting gig in his second season.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
Clemson
• 5
• 6'4"
/ 238 lbs
The Giants realistically could go in this direction on Thursday, but even with Blake Martinez signed in free agency, it'd be viewed as a surprise given the need at offensive tackle in New York.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
Mekhi Becton
OL
Louisville
• 5
• 6'7"
/ 363 lbs
There's tiny speculation that, armed with three first-round picks, the Dolphins could go offensive tackle first, then move up to get their quarterback later. Both are gigantic needs in Miami.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
Jordan Love
QB
Utah State
• 5
• 6'4"
/ 219 lbs
Playing in a division with the Chiefs, the Chargers have seen first hand how much of a nightmare it is to play against Patrick Mahomes. While not as talented, Love has Mahomes-type style to his game.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
Javon Kinlaw
DL
South Carolina
• 5
• 6'5"
/ 319 lbs
The Panthers' run defense was brutal a season ago, and they need to address the defensive line early. Going Kinlaw over Derrick Brown would constitute a surprise.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
K'Lavon Chaisson
EDGE
LSU
• 5
• 6'3"
/ 245 lbs
The Cardinals finished right in the middle of the NFL with 40 sacks last season, 19 of which came from Chandler Jones. And he's 30. Chaisson would give Arizona a young, springy No. 2 on the edge.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
Georgia
• 5
• 6'5"
/ 315 lbs
The Jaguars probably realize the Cam Robinson experiment is over. Even with needs elsewhere, offensive tackle is a premium position, and Thomas is a stud run blocker with much-improved pass-protecting skills
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Round 1 - Pick 10
Clemson
• 5
• 6'4"
/ 238 lbs
The Browns have a clear-cut need at left tackle yet even with two second-year players at linebacker, Cleveland could use a true defensive difference-maker at the linebacker or safety spot. Simmons does everything.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
Jeff Okudah
CB
Ohio State
• 5
• 6'1"
/ 202 lbs
The Jets seemingly need to go offensive tackle or wide receiver. But they have a gigantic need at cornerback, and if he falls, it might be a value over need proposition for GM Joe Douglas.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
Jordan Love
QB
Utah State
• 5
• 6'4"
/ 219 lbs
Would this drop jaws on draft night? No. But Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock could look quarterback in this first round, and Love is the biggest enigma with the most boom-or-bust qualities.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
Auburn
• 5
• 6'5"
/ 320 lbs
The 49ers just traded away their best interior disruptor, but few really expect them to go defensive tackle here to immediately replace DeForest Buckner. Brown would instantly fill the void.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
K'Lavon Chaisson
EDGE
LSU
• 5
• 6'3"
/ 245 lbs
Yes, Shaq Barrett is in Tampa, but he's playing on the franchise tag. Given Chaisson's age (still 20), he'd represent the future at a key position for the Buccaneers.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
LSU
• 5
• 6'1"
/ 195 lbs
On draft night, if the top three receivers are gone, the Broncos would have to turn their direction to someone other than Henry Ruggs, Jerry Jeudy, or CeeDee Lamb.
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Round 1 - Pick 16
Yetur Gross-Matos
EDGE
Penn State
• 5
• 6'5"
/ 265 lbs
Even after signing Dante Fowler in free agency, the Falcons could use more outside rushing talent. This would probably represent the ceiling pick-wise for Gross-Matos. But he has the physical profile to be a mid first-round pick.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
A.J. Terrell
CB
Clemson
• 5
• 6'1"
/ 195 lbs
The positional need is obvious after the Cowboys let Byron Jones walk in free agency. The prospect would be the surprise in Round 1, although there's some building buzz for Terrell going decently early on Thursday.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
Alabama
• 5
• 6'1"
/ 227 lbs
It very well could be a massive smokescreen, but there is momentum building for a Tagovailoa fall on draft night. This represents his absolute floor.
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From
Chicago Bears
Round 1 - Pick 19
Denzel Mims
WR
Baylor
• Sr
• 6'3"
/ 207 lbs
We assume the Raiders will go receiver at some point early, and while they've been tied to the big names at the top of this class, Mims has aced his pre-draft process and has the speed Las Vegas likely covets at the receiver spot.
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Round 1 - Pick 20
A.J. Epenesa
EDGE
Iowa
• 5
• 6'6"
/ 260 lbs
It seems like Epenesa has dropped out of the first round, but it wouldn't be nuts to assume a few teams have a first-round grade on him. With this pick, the Jaguars would get help on the edge for Josh Allen and someone who can comfortably kick inside.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
A.J. Terrell
CB
Clemson
• 5
• 6'1"
/ 195 lbs
The Eagles going anything other than receiver would shock just about all of us, but let's not forget how badly Philadelphia's secondary was torched at times last year.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
Josh Jones
OL
Houston
• 5
• 6'5"
/ 319 lbs
Everyone expects the top four offensive tackles to go off the board by No. 11 overall, and Jones is seemingly the consensus OT5. The Vikings have more glaring needs at receiver and corner, but the offensive line could use an upgrade on the edge.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
Jordan Love
QB
Utah State
• 5
• 6'4"
/ 219 lbs
Love would be surprising for a Bill Belichick-led Patriots team because of his tendency to turn over the football.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
Javon Kinlaw
DL
South Carolina
• 5
• 6'5"
/ 319 lbs
The Saints have arguably the best roster in the NFL, yet with Sheldon Rankins playing on his fifth-year option and adequate albeit unspectacular depth at defensive tackle behind him, the Saints could be into a disruptor like Kinlaw if he slips.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
Oklahoma
• 5
• 6'2"
/ 302 lbs
The Vikings have beef on the interior of their defensive line, yet not much pass-rushing talent. Gallimore wins with first-step quickness and good hand work.
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From
Houston Texans
Round 1 - Pick 26
Georgia
• 5
• 5'9"
/ 215 lbs
Heading into draft day, Swift has the most first-round buzz of any running back. However, there's not much tying him to the Dolphins, but Miami clearly needs a bell-cow back.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
TCU
• Sr
• 6'5"
/ 307 lbs
Poona Ford flashed in 2019, and Jarran Reed is a sturdy player. But Seattle could use more juice at defensive tackle, and Blacklock has first-round burst off the snap.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
Jalen Reagor
WR
TCU
• Sr
• 5'11"
/ 197 lbs
The Ravens are very much in the receiver market early in this draft, yet after going Marquise Brown in Round 1 a season ago, it seems as though most believe they'd like more size at the position, so Reagor would be surprising.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
Georgia
• Soph
• 6'6"
/ 350 lbs
Wilson has mounting buzz about sneaking into the first round. He's a big, overwhelming, run-blocking specialist at right tackle, and Tennessee lost Jack Conklin in free agency.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
USC
• 5
• 6'5"
/ 320 lbs
Ricky Wagner is penciled in as the starting right tackle, so Green Bay doesn't have a glaring need for 2020 at that position. But Jackson isn't ready yet, so need in the future would be sensible for both parties here.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
Boise State
• 5
• 6'6"
/ 311 lbs
The 49ers have gotten unbelievable return on investment from Joe Staley after picking him in the first round of 2007. And Mike McGlinchey has been rock solid across from him at right tackle. Cleveland is a freaky athlete with clean tape. He just needs to get stronger. This would be a pick mostly with 2021 and beyond in mind.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
Wisconsin
• 5
• 5'10"
/ 226 lbs
This would provide a nice surprise at the end of Round 1, because Andy Reid has shown he can scheme running back production, and everyone assumes the Chiefs would only pick a running back here with receiving prowess. That's not a strength of Taylor's.
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