Sam’s 2020 NFL mock draft 5.0 – Trades shake the first-round

With the 2020 NFL Draft only a few days away, it’s time for my final mock of the year. This time, I’ve included some trades that shake up the first-round.

1. Cincinnati Bengals- Joe Burrow, QB LSU

This is the only guaranteed pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Cincinnati needs Burrow to breathe some life into the Bengals.

2. Washington Redskins- Chase Young, EDGE Ohio St.

By far the best player available, Young heads to Washington as the Redskins begin the Ron Rivera era.

3. Detroit Lions- Jeffrey Okudah, CB Ohio St.

After trading away Darius Slay, the Lions need a new shutdown cornerback.

TRADE: Chargers trade 6th pick with the Giants for 4th pick

4. Los Angeles Chargers (*Via Giants)- Tua Tagovailoa, QB Alabama

Fearing what the Dolphins could do, the Chargers trade up for the second-best quarterback in the draft.

5. Miami Dolphins- Isaiah Simmons, LB Clemson

While linebacker is hardly a primary need for Miami, the Dolphins can’t pass on Simmons’ talent.

TRADE: Browns trade 10th pick with the Giants for 6th pick

6. Cleveland Browns (*Via Giants)- Mekhi Becton, OT Louisville

The Browns leapfrog several teams to draft a massive but raw tackle prospect.

7. Carolina Panthers- Derrick Brown, DT Auburn

The Panthers renew their defensive front by selecting the fourth-best defensive prospect available.

8. Arizona Cardinals- Tristan Wirfs, OL Iowa

After beefing up their offensive weapons this spring, the Cardinals focus on protecting Kyler Murray.

TRADE: Falcons trade 16th pick with the Jaguars for 9th pick

9. Atlanta Falcons (*Via Jaguars)- C.J. Henderson, CB Florida

News that the Falcons plan to trade up recently surfaced. Atlanta claims the second-best cornerback in the draft.

10. New York Giants (*Via Chargers/Browns)- Jedrick Wills Jr., OT Alabama

After trading down twice and accumulating picks, the Giants still end up with arguably the best offensive tackle in the draft.

11. New York Jets- Henry Ruggs III, WR Alabama

Ruggs is the third receiver on my board, but his sub-4.3 forty-yard dash speed elevates him to the top position for a team in desperate need of pass-catchers.

12. Las Vegas Raiders- CeeDee Lamb, WR Oklahoma

The Raiders played last season without a true number one receiver. Lamb automatically fixes that problem.

13. San Francisco 49ers (Via Colts)- Xavier McKinney, S Alabama

Per Michael Lombardi, the 49ers put safety Jaquiski Tartt on the trade block recently. McKinney replaces Tartt immediately.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Andrew Thomas, OT Georgia

Tom Brady needs protection. Tampa Bay also needs defensive backs, but Brady’s health comes first.

15. Denver Broncos- Jerry Jeudy, WR Alabama

Courtland Sutton came into his own last year. He and Jeudy give Denver its best wide receiver pairing since Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars (*Via Falcons)- Javon Kinlaw, DT South Carolina

The Jaguars trade down and still ended up with one of the best prospects in the draft.

17. Dallas Cowboys- K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE LSU

With Henderson off of the board, Dallas forgoes finding a cornerback in favor of replacing Robert Quinn.

18. Miami Dolphins (Via Steelers)- Justin Herbert, QB Oregon

With no guarantees of a top pick in 2021, the Dolphins take their potential quarterback of the future.

TRADE: Ravens trade 28th pick with the Raiders for 19th pick

19. Baltimore Ravens (*Via Raiders)- Patrick Queen, LB LSU

Fearing New Orleans and Philadelphia, Baltimore jumps up several spots to grab their replacement for C.J. Mosley.

20. Jacksonville Jaguars (Via Rams)- D’Andre Swift, RB Georgia

With the team preparing to trade Leonard Fournette, Jacksonville takes another shot at a top-rated running back.

21. Philadelphia Eagles- Justin Jefferson, WR LSU

After the 2019 season devastated Philadelphia’s wide receiver room, the Eagles add a new top pass-catcher.

22. Minnesota Vikings (Via Bills)- Kristian Fulton, CB LSU

After losing their three top cornerbacks during the offseason, the Vikings quickly begin rebuilding their depth chart.

TRADE: Colts trade into first-round with Patriots

23. Indianapolis Colts (*Via Patriots)- Jordan Love, QB Utah St.

The Patriots didn’t love any of the remaining players, so New England let Indianapolis chase its quarterback dreams.

24. New Orleans Saints- Kenneth Murray, LB Oklahoma

After missing out on Queen, the Saints take the last remaining first-round-caliber linebacker.

25. Minnesota Vikings- Tee Higgins, WR Clemson

With Stefon Diggs in Buffalo, the Vikings find a new partner for Adam Thielen.

26. Miami Dolphins (Via Texans)- Grant Delpit, S LSU

Miami parted ways with Minkah Fitzpatrick and Reshad Jones over the past year. The team needs new safeties.

TRADE: Bears trade into first-round with Seahawks

27. Chicago Bears (*Via Seahawks)- A.J. Terrell, CB Clemson

After screwing up their last two first-round selections, the Seahawks decide to trade back. Chicago pairs Terrell with Kyle Fuller, bumping Artie Burns down the depth chart.

28. Las Vegas Raiders (*Via Bears/Ravens)- Jeff Gladney, CB TCU

The Raiders missed out on Fulton and Terrell because they traded back. However, Las Vegas still takes a cornerback.

29. Tennessee Titans- A.J. Epenesa, EDGE Iowa

Tennessee adds another big body to their retooling defensive front.

30. Green Bay Packers- Laviska Shenault Jr., WR Colorado

Aaron Rodgers cannot survive another season with Davante Adams as his only proven receiver.

31. San Francisco 49ers- Denzel Mims, WR Baylor

With their second pick in the first-round, the 49ers indulge themselves with a boom or bust prospect.

32. Kansas City Chiefs- J.K. Dobbins, RB. Ohio St.

The Super Bowl champions remain dedicated to their offense by adding a productive running back.

Best Remaining

Brandon Aiyuk, WR Arizona St.

Zack Baun, EDGE Wisconsin

Ross Blacklock, DT TCU

Trevon Diggs, CB Alabama

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB LSU

Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE Penn St.

Austin Jackson, OT USC

Jaylon Johnson, CB Utah

Josh Jones, OT Houston

Cole Kmet, TE Notre Dame

Jonathan Taylor, RB Wisconsin

For comparison, check out my previous mock draft.