Â鶹¹ú²ú

Skip to main content
Advertising

Charley Casserly's 2020 NFL mock draft 2.0: 49ers nab WR Lamb

How has the free agency frenzy -- with its accompanying raft of trades -- impacted the 2020 ? That's the task I was presented with in my second mock of this year.

Everyone knows wide receiver is one of this class' biggest areas of strength. And per usual, quarterbacks are driving plenty of draft discussion. But one position that really has my attention? Offensive tackle. This is a very talented group, as you can see below: I have four OTs coming off the board within the first 14 picks and six total in the first round. The big question is: In what order will these hulking edge blockers come off the board? Check out my forecast at this moment, less than a month away from draft weekend.

Pick
1
Joe Burrow
LSU · QB

School: LSU | Year: Senior (RS)

°Õ³ó±ðÌý, going all the way back to the Paul Brown days, have always believed in the need for a franchise quarterback. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner becomes the centerpiece in Cincinnati.

Pick
2
Washington Redskins · DE

School: Ohio State | Year: Junior

The best player in the draft is the perfect pick for the , who are transitioning to a 4-3 defense under Ron Rivera. With longtime stalwart  set to hit free agency after the 2020 season, Young joins  to give Washington a potent pair of pass-rushing bookends for years to come.

Pick
3
Jeff Okudah
Ohio State · CB

School: Ohio State | Year: Junior

In the wake of , the  pounce on the best cornerback in this class, slotting him across from .

Pick
4
Mekhi Becton
Louisville · T

School: Louisville | Year: Junior

The G-Men need to protect second-year signal-caller , though I won't be surprised if Alabama OT  is the pick instead.

Pick
5
Tua Tagovailoa
Alabama · QB

School: Alabama | Year: Junior

With a clean bill of health, Tua would be a top-five pick in any draft. That said, he continues to , so it's no guarantee he even makes it to this slot. Do the Fins have to trade up to make sure they get him, or would they also be content with ?

Pick
6
Justin Herbert
Oregon · QB

School: Oregon | Year: Senior

°Õ³ó±ðÌý era is over, with  topping the QB depth chart at the moment. Could Taylor be a bridge to Herbert? Would Tom Telesco, Anthony Lynn and Co. try to trade up for Tagovailoa? Might they instead snag an offensive tackle to place opposite free-agent acquisition ?

Pick
7
Derrick Brown
Auburn · DT

**School: Auburn | Year: Senior

**This defense has been ravaged by free agency and the retirement of five-time first-team All-Pro Luke Kuechly. Brown gives Carolina a stout building block up front.

Pick
8
Javon Kinlaw
South Carolina · DT

School: South Carolina | Year: Senior

The need for a stud defensive lineman overrides the O-line issue, partially because  allows Arizona's offense to function without top-tier protection.

Pick
9
Isaiah Simmons
Clemson · LB

School: Clemson | Year: Junior (RS)

He starts at safety and can play multiple positions on passing downs, including nickel linebacker and possibly even nickel corner. Yep, Simmons is a rare athlete, to say the least.

Pick
10
Andrew Thomas
Georgia · T

School: Georgia | Year: Junior

With big-ticket free-agent signee  at right tackle and Thomas manning the blind side, the  would have a pair of bookends to protect 2018's No. 1 overall pick,ÌýBaker Mayfield, in the quarterback's pivotal third year.

Pick
11
Jedrick Wills
Alabama · T

School: Alabama | Year: Junior

°Õ³ó±ðÌýÌý²õ¾±²µ²Ô±ð»åÌý to play left tackle. Wills solidifies the right side.

Pick
12
Jerry Jeudy
Alabama · WR

School: Alabama | Year: Junior

°Õ³ó±ðÌý need a WR1 who can run. Jeudy is a top-10 value who could fall a bit due to various team needs above.

Pick
13
CeeDee Lamb
Oklahoma · WR

School: Oklahoma | Year: Junior

San Francisco acquired this pick from Indianapolis in . In related news, defensive tackle has become a need for the Niners. Cornerback could use a fresh influx of talent, too. But John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan can't pass up an explosive offensive weapon like Lamb. In fact, would they consider leapfrogging the  to score Jeudy?

Pick
14
Tristan Wirfs
Iowa · T

School: Iowa | Year: Junior

±Ê°ù´Ç³Ù±ð³¦³Ù¾±²Ô²µÌý has to be a high priority. Wirfs fills the bookend hole opposite LT .

Pick
15
Henry Ruggs III
Alabama · WR

School: Alabama | Year: Junior

°Õ³ó±ðÌý need speed at receiver, and that's certainly something Ruggs supplies. He's just as good as -- if not better than -- D.K. Metcalf, a speed merchant who made waves as a rookie in 2019.

Pick
16
C.J. Henderson
Florida · CB

School: Florida | Year: Junior

Atlanta must bolster its CB position after .

Pick
17
A.J. Epenesa
Iowa · DE

School: Iowa | Year: Junior

°Â¾±³Ù³óÌý in free agency, the 'Boys need an edge-rushing partner for . But will Epenesa's 5.04 40-yard dash scare Dallas away?

Pick
18
Xavier McKinney
Alabama · S

School: Alabama | Year: Junior

°Õ³ó±ðÌý have filled most of their biggest defensive holes in recent days, but safety remains a glaring need. And McKinney is the best safety in this draft class.

Pick
19
Grant Delpit
LSU · S

School: LSU | Year: Junior

°Õ³ó±ðÌý have done a nice job of addressing needs in free agency, but I'd take Delpit over recent signee  at safety.

Pick
20
Kristian Fulton
LSU · CB

School: LSU | Year: Senior

°Õ³ó±ðÌý need to get better in the back seven -- especially at the cornerback position, with and departing over the past six months.

Pick
22
Justin Jefferson
LSU · WR

School: LSU | Year: Junior

Philly needs juice at wide receiver. Jefferson provides that, having pleasantly surprised many with a 4.43 40-yard dash at the NFL .

Pick
22
Trevon Diggs
Alabama · CB

School: Alabama | Year: Senior

Minnesota's top three cornerbacks from last season -- ,ÌýÌý²¹²Ô»åÌý -- are all gone.

Pick
23
K'Lavon Chaisson
LSU · EDGE

School: LSU | Year: Sophomore (RS)

I doubt New England will spend a second straight first-round pick on a wide receiver. And I don't see a prospect worth taking here at tight end or center (which remains a potential need because  is still on the mend after missing all of last season with a blood clots in his lungs). The Pats could use a pass rusher.

Pick
24
A.J. Terrell
Clemson · CB

School: Clemson | Year: Junior

They need to replace  and get a quality CB opposite .

Pick
25
Yetur Gross-Matos
Penn State · EDGE

School: Penn State | Year: Junior

 last week, so Minnesota has to find a new pass rusher to complement .

Pick
26
Austin Jackson
USC · T

School: USC | Year: Junior

The O-line rebuild continues in Miami.

Pick
27
Curtis Weaver
Boise State · EDGE

School: Boise State | Year: Junior (RS)

 remains a free agent at publishing, but even if the  end up re-signing him, they could use another DE. Seattle's defensive scheme truly relies on having a good pass rush, first and foremost.

Pick
28
Kenneth Murray
Oklahoma · LB

School: Oklahoma | Year: Junior

You know Baltimore will take the best player available or trade back. °Õ³ó±ðÌý need a true WR1 and help in the front seven. Murray fills a need at ILB that has not been addressed in free agency.

Pick
29
Josh Jones
Houston · T

School: Houston | Year: Senior (RS)

The offensive line is the heart of this team. Losing  in free agency left a void at right tackle.

Pick
30
Tee Higgins
Clemson · WR

School: Clemson | Year: Junior

Given the immense talent at receiver in this draft class, Green Bay gets to pick from a bunch of enticing options.

Pick
31
Raekwon Davis
Alabama · DT

School: Alabama | Year: Senior

As mentioned above, the  could use another defensive tackle after . Davis can play nose tackle and stop the run.

Pick
32
Damon Arnette
Ohio State · CB

School: Ohio State | Year: Senior (RS)

The defending champs could go OL, DE or WR (especially if they part ways with Sammy Watkins), but CB is a definiteÌý²Ô±ð±ð»å.

Follow Charley Casserly on Twitter .

This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be missing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an issue.