Josiah Ray's 2020 NFL Mock Draft: Debut

Round 1 Picks 1-16

The 2019 NFL Draft is going to be an interesting class. Right now my lock for the top pick is Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

Josiah Ray Last Updated: August 17, 2019.

1. Cincinnati Bengals: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
   
   
   
   Andy Dalton is serviceable, however hes never going to win you anything, also the Bengals can cut him saving $17.7-million with no penalties, if they have the #1 pick, I guarantee newcomer Zac Taylor is going to want his choice of QB to bring in a new era. Tua has all the tools and his IQ is off the charts. He can step in and bring more to this offense than Dalton day 1.
   
   
   
2. Detroit Lions: Andrew Thomas, LT, Georgia
   
   
   
   Detroit can never run, which always forces Stafford to take over. I could see them going qb here however that won't exactly address the issue, enter Andrew Thomas a mountain of a lineman, he can single handedly turn this OL around with his powerful run blocking similiar to what Quentin Nelson did with Indy. Taylor Decker is a good left tackle, but Thomas has a chance to be an elite talent if he continues to improve as a pass blocker. Also Thomas has way more upside coming out of Georgia than Decker did coming out of Ohio State. Also, cutting Decker saves $10.35-million in cap space and if Thomas has more potential than Decker you can upgrade at left tackle in the draft while using that money for something else in the offseason.
   
   
   
   
   
3. New York Giants: Chase Young, RE, Ohio State
   
   
   The Giants are in rebuild mode and already have a franchise qb drafted last year, that means your next step is probably either OL or a superstar defender you can build around. Right now giants have nobody on that D who really looks like a star, Young is a elite pass rusher who had 9.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for a loss last season. He's projected as the top pass rusher and top defender overall by most people. Young is definitely a star you build around so NY takes a step in the right direction.
   
   
   
4. Arizona Cardinals: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
   
   
   You drafted a franchise qb last year, now you give him a franchise wr, with Fitzgerald getting older and Kirk as the only other quality WR. The Cards bring in Jeudy, the top wr this year hoping he will allow Kingsbury's scheme to reach new levels, and help elevate Kyler Murray.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
   
   
   If Tampa is picking #5 it means Winston didn't reach the next level under Arians, The Bucs can use the cap space on other positions and target a qb in the draft. Herbert is a elite qb with a live arm, size, and a high IQ, he would have been a top 5 pick last year but now will have 1 more year experience as a starter before making the jump. Pairing Arians with Herbert is a nasty combo not to mention the weapons they have on that offense.
   
   
   
6. Miami Dolphins: Walker Little, RT, Stanford
   
   
   Miami has a lot of holes but decides to go for the top lineman left on the board, Little is a balanced lineman who can run block and pass block at a high level, hes versatile and has very few weaknesses, protecting Rosen will be the first problem they have to solve. Outside of Laremy Tunsil, at left tackle, this team has holes everywhere on their offensive line.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Oakland Raiders: A.J. Epenesa, LE, Iowa
   
   
   They drafted Ferrell last year. I think they double up back to back years with Epenesa, that gives them a great duo they can base the rest of the defense around and should help take some pressure off of Ferrell as he looks to be this defenses leader.
   
   
   
8. Tennessee Titans: Grant Delpit, SS, LSU
   
   
   Tennessee gets a versatile safety with elite instincts, last year Delpit tallied 74 tackles with 9.5 for a loss, along with 5 sacks, 5 interceptions, and 1 fumble forced and recovered, that type of playmaking is exactly what the Titans defense needs. Cutting strong safety Kenny Vaccarro saves Tennessee $1.75-million.
   
   
   
   
   
9. Buffalo Bills: Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado
   
   
   Josh allen is the future and the Bills spent loads of money and picks on retooling this OL, the defense looks solid meaning the biggest issue is WR, Shenault is a amazing deep threat and playmaker overall he had 1,011 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns in only 9 games, he also added 115 yards and 5 TDs on the ground. Laviska can be the bills true #1 WR, with reliable hands, elite speed, and great size at 6'2 220. I know the Bills' staff would be thrilled to be able to make this pick, the bigger question is will Shenault last this long? With a good season he could be pushing top 3-5 even, but for now 9 is solid.
   
   
   
10. New York Jets: Dylan Moses, 3-4 MLB, Alabama
    
    
    The Jets signed Mosley and tried to bring in barr who ended up not signing, clearly Jets are interested in adding another LB and right here they have Moses the top ILB on the board, Moses has great instincts and form paired with insane levels of athleticism, he will be leading Alabamas defense this year and looks like a slam dunk to succeed in the NFL. Moses can play outside linebacker off the edge as well as inside linebacker. New York needs upgrades in both areas with Avery Williamson hitting IR today.
    
    
    
    
    
11. Washington Redskins: Trey Smith, LT, Tennessee
    
    
    With Trent Williams holding out the skins have Geron Christian filling in, Redskins move for one of the best pass blockers in the draft and grab Smith to defend Haskins blind side.
    
    
    
12. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jacob Eason, QB, Washington
    
    
    Foles is a solid guy but hes already 30 and I don't know if he's the answer, I could see the Jags continue to build around Foles but they can also draft Eason to sit behind Foles for a year or 2.
    
    
    
    
    
13. Seattle Seahawks: Trey Adams, LT, Washington
    
    
    Seattle has had OL issues for years and while its definitely trending up, getting a chance to bring in a elite tackle and a hometown kid shouldn't be overlooked. Adams has injury concerns however if he stays healthy this next season I feel alot of teams will overlook that, although it will probably hold him back from being considered the best tackle in the draft which he definitely has the ability for.
    
    
    
14. San Francisco 49ers: Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
    
    
    Fulton graded out better than Greedy Williams last year in a lot of games and while Greedy fell due to tackling concerns, fulton is a great tackler who doesnt Shy away from big hits, his greatest attribute though is his man coverage, he will stick to a wr like they're glued together. The Niners have alot of talent on this defense and getting a 2nd elite cb next to Sherman could be the final piece in the jigsaw.
    
    
    
    
    
15. Houston Texans: C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
    
    
    Henderson is a elite CB that can do everything, right now houston has a band-aid signing of Bradley Roby as one of their starters and 35-year-old Jonathan Joseph as the other. Cornerback is a big problem for them with no real depth behind those 2, so bring in henderson and with a few FA signings they can turn this secondary around.
    
    
    
16. Carolina Panthers: Isaiah Simmons, SS, Clemson
    
    
    Simmons reminds me of Kam Chancellor, he'd be a improvement over Eric Reid, but they can also use him as a linebacker hybrid in multiple positions, this would give their defense lots of versatility and they can confuse alot of offenses with the different looks they can have.