Post-Super Bowl 2020 NFL first round mock draft

The Kansas City Chiefs have officially won the Super Bowl after coming back to beat the 49ers 31-20, and while the fans in Missouri celebrate in an appropriately wild fashion, it also means that the 2020 draft order has been set and it is officially #DraftSZN. Not only that, but the Cowboys have a first-round pick this time around! So without further ado, here is the first BTB mock draft after the Super Bowl.

1. Cincinnati Bengals - QB Joe Burrow, LSU

This one seems obvious. Burrow is the best player at the most important position in football and Cincinnati needs a new quarterback. Unless another team offers a true king’s ransom to trade up, Burrow is heading to the Bengals.

2. Washington Redskins - EDGE Chase Young, Ohio State

Young might be the only prospect you can argue being better than Burrow right now. Since Washington has their QB of the future in Dwayne Haskins, they can pair Young with some other stout defenders under new head coach Ron Rivera to give them a fierce defense.

3. Detroit Lions - LB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson

The Lions might seek to trade down or take a defensive back, but Simmons is so versatile that he can play multiple linebacker spots and even both safety spots. In Matt Patricia’s defensive scheme, he’ll flourish as a Swiss army knife who can aid the league’s worst pass defense from 2019.

4. New York Giants - OT Jedrick Wills, Alabama

The Giants believe they have their new franchise quarterback in Daniel Jones, and he’s got some weapons in Darius Slayton, Evan Engram, and, of course, Saquon Barkley. Getting him protection should be the next step, and Wills is a massive left tackle who can quickly become one of the league’s best.

5. Miami Dolphins - QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama

Well, #TankForTua didn’t exactly happen the way everyone thought it would, but it still worked. Unless Tagovailoa’s medical evaluations suddenly become negative, it’s hard to imagine Miami passing on the guy they (allegedly) tanked their 2019 season for.

6. Los Angeles Chargers - QB Justin Herbert, Oregon

The Chargers are officially moving on from Philip Rivers, and naturally the draft becomes the best option to replace him. Herbert isn’t nearly as polished as Burrow or Tagovailoa, but he’s loaded with raw potential and athleticism that sometimes manifests itself into great quarterback play. It’s because of this that Herbert has drawn comparisons to Ryan Tannehill, so the Chargers will hope they’re getting 2019 Tannehill and not Miami Tannehill.

7. Carolina Panthers - DT Derrick Brown, Auburn

New head coach Matt Rhule is a mix of old school and new school, but he does favor stout defensive play. And while Carolina has questions at quarterback, there’s no argument to be made against taking Brown, who could very well become an elite interior defensive lineman in a year or two.

8. Arizona Cardinals - OT Mekhi Becton, Louisville

For the second year in a row, the Cardinals have a promising, if unaccomplished, young franchise quarterback. But this time Arizona is unlikely to trade Kyler Murray, so expect them to build around him. There’s temptation to get a receiver for him to throw to, but protecting Murray has to be the top priority. Becton slots in as an immediate starter at left tackle to keep Murray’s blindside clean.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars - WR Jerry Jeudy, Alabama

Are the Jaguars going to roll with Nick Foles as their starting QB or embrace Minshew Mania? Either way, they need to upgrade their receiving corps. Both DJ Chark and Dede Westbrook are solid, but Jeudy can become that number one receiver to make the whole offense click.

10. Cleveland Browns - OT Tristan Wirfs, Iowa

The Browns’ biggest weakness, at least early on in the 2019 season, was their offensive line play. Wirfs is probably best suited at right tackle, but even there he’s a significant upgrade. A physical freak of nature, Wirfs should make Baker Mayfield’s life much easier.

11. New York Jets - EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson, LSU

The Jets defense was surprisingly efficient in 2019 despite being somewhat talent deficient in key spots. Getting a versatile edge rusher would help significantly, and Chaisson is exactly that.

12. Las Vegas Raiders - CB Jeffrey Okudah, Ohio State

Okudah is the best cornerback prospect in the draft and realistically a top ten prospect, but he slides a bit due to teams’ needs at other positions. The Raiders take advantage and find themselves the true number one corner they’ve been lacking.

13. Indianapolis Colts - WR Henry Ruggs III, Alabama

The Colts have questions at the quarterback position but would also stand to benefit from upgrading their receiving corps. Ruggs is an athletically gifted receiver who could thrive as the number two receiver behind TY Hilton, and it would make things easier for whomever is taking snaps under center.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia

Thomas is very highly thought of by many, but might potentially fall in the eyes of NFL execs. Either way, I can’t see him getting past Tampa Bay, who desperately needs to upgrade their offensive line.

15. Denver Broncos - WR Ceedee Lamb, Oklahoma

The Broncos are going to be darkhorse contenders in 2020 between their stout defense and the expected development of Drew Lock, who looked great in limited time in 2019. Pairing Lamb with top receiver Courtland Sutton will help solidify the growth Denver expects to see from their quarterback.

16. Atlanta Falcons - EDGE AJ Espenesa, Iowa

Takk McKinley posted a career low in sacks in 2019, and Atlanta would really do well by finding an edge rusher to pair with him. Enter Espenesa, once thought to be in legitimate competition with Young for the top EDGE. His lack of elite athleticism makes him questionable, but could still function as a secondary pass rusher.

17. Dallas Cowboys - DT Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina

The Cowboys get on the clock and still have top prospects available at their three biggest needs: CB, DT, and S. They get their pick and there’s really no wrong answer. But between Mike Nolan and Jim Tomsula, both guys who really desire big defensive tackles, I expect Kinlaw to win out. He’s exactly what those two want in a tackle, and should become an impact player immediately.

18. Miami Dolphins - S Xavier McKinney, Alabama

Grant Delpit has gotten all the love in this safety class but McKinney is arguably the better prospect, and a much better fit in Miami. He’s capable of playing the hybrid role that head coach Brian Flores envisioned for Minkah Fitzpatrick, and would fill a big need in Miami.

19. Las Vegas Raiders - WR Tee Higgins, Clemson

The Raiders’ top two receivers in 2019 were tight end Darren Waller and rookie Hunter Renfrow. There’s no doubt that Jon Gruden would like to get a new receiving threat for his offense, and at 6’4” Higgins offers a big target to throw to alongside Waller and Renfrow.

20. Jacksonville Jaguars - LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma

The loss of linebacker Telvin Smith to pseudo-retirement really hurt the Jaguars defense in 2019, so after landing a receiver earlier in the first round, they get Murray, an athletic linebacker who can get all over the field and contribute as a blitzer. He’ll pair nicely with Myles Jack and help get this defense back on track.

21. Philadelphia Eagles - CB Kristian Fulton, Clemson

The Eagles have three big needs right now: cornerbacks who can hold up in coverage, receivers who can catch the ball, and linebackers who can play consistently. Much like their division rival Cowboys, they’ve got options at 21. But Fulton is too intriguing a prospect to pass up, especially with the possibility of pairing him with Ronald Darby.

22. Buffalo Bills - WR Laviska Shenault Jr., Colorado

The Bills made it back to the playoffs but it became clear that if they want to break their dry spell and win a playoff game, they need to get Josh Allen more help. Shenault is a big bodied receiver who can make contested catches with ease and then burn a defense after the catch. With John Brown and Cole Beasley already in the fold, Shenault can take the Bills offense to the next level.

23. New England Patriots - QB Jordan Love, Utah State

The Patriots should probably look to get a receiver or tight end, but with deep classes at both positions, Bill Belichick finds his successor to Tom Brady. Love has all the tools to become a franchise quarterback but needs to mature in his decision making and patience. Unless Brady shocks the world and goes elsewhere, Love will have time to grow in New England.

24. New Orleans Saints - LB Patrick Queen, LSU

The Saints would probably have liked to take Love, but instead they focus on more immediate needs. While not bad, their linebacking corps leaves a little to be desired; Demario Davis is 31 and AJ Klein’s contract is expiring. Queen would immediately upgrade that level of the defense.

25. Minnesota Vikings - CB CJ Henderson, Florida

Two of the Vikings’ frequent contributors at cornerback in 2019 are set to be free agents, so don’t be surprised to see them go after a corner early. Henderson offers some great skills in press man coverage and getting his hands on the ball, two traits Mike Zimmer demands of his corners.

26. Miami Dolphins - EDGE Curtis Weaver, Boise State

The Dolphins’ sack leader in 2019 was Taco Charlton, who only played in ten games. Not to knock the former Cowboy, but Miami needs more pass rush than that. Weaver can provide that, as he’s got incredibly refined pass rushing technique and good hands, something Brian Flores looks for most in his edge rushers. Weaver and Charlton can make a sneaky good pass rushing tandem.

27. Seattle Seahawks - WR Justin Jefferson, LSU

Russell Wilson cemented his status as a star in 2019 but outside of Tyler Lockett, he needs more weapons. DK Metcalf had a promising rookie year, but adding an all around receiver like Jefferson would give boosts to Metcalf and Lockett and make Wilson’s job a whole lot easier.

28. Baltimore Ravens - WR Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State

The Ravens’ plan for a Lamar Jackson offense is simple: surround him with speed. Aiyuk fits that profile to a tee. His freakishly long wingspan makes him even more intriguing, but Aiyuk is first and foremost a speedster who can either burn a defense vertically or make several defenders miss on shorter catches. Pairing Aiyuk with Marquise Goodwin could somehow make this Ravens offense even more dangerous.

29. Tennessee Titans - EDGE Terrell Lewis, Alabama

The Titans should probably aim for a receiver here to help out Ryan Tannehill going forward, but after watching Jefferson and Aiyuk come off the board right before them, there’s no options available without reaching. Instead they land Lewis, a massively explosive edge rusher who would be a perfect fit in their defense.

30. Green Bay Packers - OT Josh Jones, Houston

Much like the Titans, the Packers could use another receiver but are out of luck here. Instead, they help out Aaron Rodgers with some protection in the form of Jones, a rapid riser who could serve as a replacement for Bryan Bulaga going forward.

31. San Francisco 49ers - S Grant Delpit, LSU

The 49ers defense was one of the league’s very best this year, but a lot of it stemmed from their dominant defensive line. There are still questions in the secondary, so adding an all-around ballhawk like Delpit is an absolute steal.

32. Kansas City Chiefs - RB JK Dobbins, Ohio State

The Chiefs struck a solid balance between Damien Williams and LeSean McCoy at running back in 2019, but it wasn’t as effective a running game as Kansas City had with Kareem Hunt. As a result they ranked middle of the pack in rushing DVOA. Adding Dobbins would give just one more dimension to an unstoppable offense and make the Chiefs heavy frontrunners to repeat in the Super Bowl next year.