With the 2020 NFL Combine set to begin Thursday February 27th until March 1st, I thought it’d take a stab at my own mock draft. These decisions are all based on team needs, potential holes created due to free agency and how the draft can help. Free Agency doesn’t start until March 18th so this will most likely change but until then the clock has struck 0:00 and the 2020 NFL Mock Draft has begun! The Cincinnati Bengals are on the clock.

1. Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrows – QB

Here is the kicker, they keep Andy Dalton and Burrows’ sit for a year to learn the system. Takes starting position in 2021.

2. Washington Redskins: Chase Young – Edge

The pairing of Young and Ryan Kerrigan can give the Redskins a fighting chance in the winnable NFC East

3. Detroit Lions: Jeff Okudah – CB

Even if the lions trade down with one of the QB needy teams (looking at you Miami), they will still land with Okudah as they need to prepare for life post Darrius Slay, or they can pair the two together and give HC Matt Patricia a CB duo similar to what he had in New England.

4. New York Giants: Jedrick Wills – OT

Giants have their QB of the future in Daniel Jones and need an upgrade from Nate Solder.

5. Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa – QB

QB of the future and can sit behind Ryan Fitzpatrick until 2021. Josh Rosen will be traded before draft day.

6.    LA Chargers: Isaiah Simmons – S / LB

I believe the Chargers are going to pull off a trade with the Carolina Panthers and get QB Cam Newton so they could swap spots. Simmons and a fresh Derwin James could be what the Chargers need to get over the hump.

7. Carolina Panthers: Justin Herbert – QB

Herbert has a strong arm like Newton. He might not be as mobile or have his speed but give him reps under center and new HC Matt Rhule has a building block for a blended offense of pro and spread.

8. Arizona Cardinals: Andrew Thomas – OT

Protecting franchise QB Kyler Murray should be the top priority heading into the 2020 season. Defense is also an option but I anticipate them making a run at one of the top defenders in free agency.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars: Tristan Wirfs – OT

Can fill in for either Cam Robinson or Jawaan Taylor if one struggles. He can also play Guard if needed.

10. Cleveland Browns: Mekhi Becton – OT

The run at Tackles continues as the Browns try to give Baker Mayfield an anchor at either right or left tackle.

11. New York Jets: K’Lavon Chaisson – Edge

Continue to build the defense around 2019’s first round pick Quinnen Williams. Could have a bounce back year with a running partner.

12. Las Vegas Raiders: Jerry Jeudy – WR

Best receiver in the draft and gives the Raiders a star in their inaugural season in Las Vegas. He will be able to put people in seats.

13. Indianapolis Colts: Jordan Love – QB

His mobility and arm strength at different angles can give the Colts a spark at the QB position that Jacoby Brissett is struggling to do. Worst case scenario is that Love takes over midway in the season.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Javon Kinlaw – DT

Kinlaw is bigger (Kinlaw is 6’6 310lbs and Suh is 6’4 313lbs ) and younger version of free agent Ndamukong Suh.

15. Denver Broncos: CeeDee Lamb – WR

The Broncos have their QB of the future with Drew Lock. They have their #1 receiver in Courtland Sutton. Adding Lamb of his speed and hands can put the Broncos in a spot to compete with the Chiefs this season.

16. Atlanta Falcons: AJ Epenesa – Edge

The Falcons find their pass rusher to replace Vic Beasley. Bringing in Epenesa might be able to give Takkarist McKinley a chance to live up to the first round selection from the 2017 Draft with 2020 being a contract year.

17. Dallas Cowboys: Tee Higgins – WR

I predict the Cowboys will sign Dak Prescott to a long term deal and tag WR Amari Cooper. Having Higgins in the fold will make the transition from Cooper (if they can’t sign him to a long term deal at the end of the 2020 season) easier.

18. Miami Dolphins: Xavier McKinney – S

The Dolphins spend their second first round pick to improve on their defense and continue to rebuild that defensive backfield after acquiring Aqib Talib back in October. With two shutdown corners and now McKinney at the safety position, the Dolphins will be stronger contenders in the AFC East.

19. Las Vegas Raiders: Patrick Queen – LB

With the defensive front getting attention in last year’s draft, the middle should be the focus for second year GM Mike Mayock. Queen can be the enforcer in the middle that Vontaze Burfict was but without the penalties.

20. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ross Blacklock – DT

Can bring size and speed to the Jaguars defensive front. Pair him with Calais Campbell for his potential last year in Jacksonville and it could start trending back towards Sacksonville.

21. Philadelphia Eagles: Justin Jefferson – WR

If the tail end of the 2019 season taught the Eagles anything, it is that they need depth at the wide receiver position. At 6’3, his height and ability to catch the ball at its highest point over defenders can give the Eagles the deep threat they are seeking.

22. Buffalo Bills: C.J. Henderson – CB

Put him on the opposite side of star CB Tre’Davious White and the already strong Bills defense gets stronger.

23. New England Patriots: Jacob Eason – QB

Whether Tom Brady is back for the 2020 season or not, the Patriots will need talent at the QB position and Eason provides the arm strength and smarts to make it. Granted they have Jarrett Stidham but the jury is still out if he has the ability to be a consistent starter.

24. New Orleans Saints: Kristen Fulton – CB

With only having three corners under contract for the 2020 season, this is obviously a higher need. They can address the QB position in the later rounds.

25. Minnesota Vikings: Neville Gallimore – DT

With Everson Griffen voiding out of his final three years of his contract, the Vikings will need Gallimore to help Danielle Hunter maintain his pro bowl play.

26. Miami Dolphins: D’Andre Swift – RB

Kalen Ballage did all he could with the starting job but he is no D’Andre Swift. His ability to shift at a seconds notice and cut through defenders can bring the offense to a new level.

27. Seattle Seahawks: Trevon Diggs – CB

The Seahawks get a strong rotational player to help sure up that backfield. Last year they hit it big with their 4th round pick Ugo Amadi but getting a taller and lengthy corner in Diggs can help revive the legion of boom days.

28. Baltimore Ravens: Yetur Gross-Matos – Edge

With Matthew Judon set to hit free agency, bringing in a younger, bigger, heavier player in Gross-Matos and set the Ravens up for another super bowl run.

29. Tennessee Titans: Bryce Hall – CB

Tennessee is set to lose two corners via free agency which makes this a high area of need. Bryce Hall possesses the size (6’1) and the ball instincts to be a force for Mike Vrabel’s defense.

30. Green Bay Packers: Laviska Shenault Jr. – WR

Adding in another tall receiver (6’1) with the physical gifts Shenault Jr. possesses can be beneficial to not only Davante Adams, but to 6’5 WR Allen Lazard. This will give Aaron Rodgers 4 weapons over 6’0 and hopefully position the Packers for a run at the Lombardi.

31. San Francisco 49ers: Grant Delpit – S

The 49ers had a historic season as they turned a 4-12 season (2018) into 13-3 and a Super Bowl appearance. Enter in Grant Delpit to replace Jimmie Ward and start to rebuild that secondary around him should be the next step.

32. Kansas City Chiefs: J.K. Dobbins – RB

Damien Williams did extraordinary stepping into the starter positions following the release of Kareem Hunt but with LeSean McCoy being a healthy scratch for the Super Bowl and his reduced usage in the playoffs,the writing is on the wall for the Chiefs to replace him in the draft.