Mel Kiper Jr., Football analyst 4y

2020 NFL Mock Draft 4.0: Mel Kiper's two-round predictions for Herbert, Tagovailoa, more

NFL, NFL Draft, College Football, Football Recruiting

Two rounds. Sixty-four picks. Let's jump into my NFL Mock Draft 4.0, projecting first- and second-round picks in the 2020 NFL draft.

We're closing in on Round 1 (Thursday, April 23, at 8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC/ESPN App), and I wanted to go a little deeper than in my Mock Draft 3.0. You'll notice a few changes in the first 32 picks based on what I have heard lately, and then I predicted picks 33-64, from Cincinnati to Seattle. I tried to fill post-free-agency needs and also follow my rankings to find value picks.

Jump to round: 1 | 2
More coverage: Superteams
Kiper's rankings | Mailbag
Full draft order | Podcast

ROUND 1

1. Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow, QB, LSU | Highlights

The Bengals are in a great position to reset their franchise and take the Heisman Trophy winner, who is the clear best quarterback in this class. Burrow should energize a franchise that hasn't won a playoff game since 1990. Now, can Cincinnati get anything in a trade for Andy Dalton, or will it cut him after the draft? 


2. Washington Redskins

Chase Young, DE, Ohio State | Highlights

Unless Washington trades back to try to add more picks -- and it would take a huge haul, as I mentioned in my mailbag last week -- I'm sticking with Young, a sensational edge rusher and one of the most NFL-ready defenders I have graded in the past few years. Ron Rivera's defense has some talent, and now all eyes are on quarterback Dwayne Haskins in Year 2.


3. Detroit Lions

Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State | Highlights

After trading away Darius Slay, the Lions brought in Desmond Trufant, but he's no longer a No. 1 corner. Okudah could be that guy, and he'd instantly help the league's last-ranked pass defense. Detroit could solicit trade offers to add valuable picks, but Matt Patricia is 9-22-1 in two seasons as coach, so he needs to win now to keep his job. His best bet might be taking the draft's best cornerback.


4. New York Giants

Isaiah Simmons, OLB, Clemson | Highlights

The Giants should take an offensive tackle with one of their first two picks, but I wouldn't pass on Simmons, who has rare athleticism and versatility. Stick him at outside linebacker and let him chase down ball carriers, rush the passer and cover tight ends. Simmons never has to leave the field. New coach Joe Judge will love him.

^ Back to Top ^