2020 NFL Mock Draft: Ninth Edition

Here is the ninth edition of my 2020 NFL Mock Draft.

1. Cincinnati Bengals- Joe Burrow, Quarterback, LSU: After what was a breakout season which led to a Heisman Trophy, Burrow emerged as the favorite to go first overall in this upcoming draft. The Bengals want to move on from Andy Dalton and start fresh here with Burrow, who second year coach Zac Taylor could help develop into the franchise quarterback the team is looking for.

2. Washington Redskins- Chase Young, Defensive End, Ohio State: Young is the best player in this draft and he falls one spot due to the Bengals quarterback need. The Redskins need a lot of young talent on both ends of the ball and Young would have an immediate impact in the league chasing the likes of Dak Prescott, Carson Wentz, and Daniel Jones twice a season.

3. Detroit Lions- Jeff Okudah, Cornerback, Ohio State: This is an interesting spot because this is a spot where someone could trade up for a quarterback and the Lions could get a nice haul back. The Lions are a team that's in dire need of secondary help after the trading of Darius Slay and Okudah is the best defensive back in the draft, although you can argue they should take Derrick Brown of Auburn due to their need on the interior of their defensive line.

4. New York Giants- Tristian Wirfs, Offensive Tackle, Iowa: The Giants have some options here as they can stay at four and take a lineman or Isaiah Simmons or a possible trade down, which I think the Giants are trying to do. Wirfs is someone that has tremendous upside and is versatile and is perhaps the cleanest offensive tackle prospect in the draft. He would certainly help protect Daniel Jones and find holes for Saquon Barkley.

5. Miami Dolphins- Justin Herbert, Quarterback, Oregon: There's always a saying "when there's smoke, there's fire". That feels like the case here as the Dolphins pass on Tua Tagovailoa for Herbert due to the health concerns of Tua, who they loved a year ago. Herbert could have declared last season but stayed at school one more season to try to improve his stock, but I feel that he would have been a first round pick last season too.

6. Los Angeles Chargers- Tua Tagovailoa, Quarterback, Alabama: The Chargers take their chances and select Tagovailoa after the Dolphins select Herbert. Tua was the consensus number one overall pick and prospect in this draft before his hip fracture in November and if he proves to stay healthy and is the same guy he was before the injuries, the Chargers land themselves a franchise guy.

7. Carolina Panthers- Derrick Brown, Defensive Tackle, Auburn: The Panthers once had a great defense, but now it looks like a unit that needs reinforcements. Brown is somebody who's rare for his size, but always was a steady player in college and would be a nice building block in Matt Rhule's first draft.

8. Arizona Cardinals- Jedric Wills, Offensive Tackle, Alabama: The Cardinals could consider Derrick Brown if he's still on the board, but in this scenario he's gone and they take the talented lineman. Wills is someone that could go as high as fourth to the Giants due to his blocking ability and would help keep Kyler Murray upright.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars- Isaiah Simmons, Linebacker/Defensive Back, Clemson: With the Jaguars trading a bunch of veterans away over the last six months, they take a stud here in Simmons. Simmons can play literally every defensive position and can play multiple positions well. He would be a nice building block for them as they enter a rebuild.

10. Cleveland Browns- Mekhi Becton, Offensive Tackle, Louisville: The Browns biggest need is on the offensive line and they snag the talented tackle with Becton. Becton is someone that has tremendous upside, but does have technique flaws. A failed drug test could make him slide past this point, but I do think he'll be snagged within the first fourteen picks.

11. New York Jets- Cee Dee Lamb, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma: The Jets could go wide receiver to give Sam Darnold a much needed top receiver or take a lineman if one of the ones they like falls to them to protect Darnold. Lamb is someone that has high upside that has great hands, body control, and is a solid route runner.

12. Las Vegas Raiders- Jerry Jeudy, Wide Receiver, Alabama: Jon Gruden is doing back flips as Jeudy falls into his lap. He is a fantastic route runner and many folks have drawn comparisons to Calvin Johnson due to his tremendous upside. He'd certainly turn into Derek Carr's top option.

13. San Francisco 49ers (from Indianapolis Colts)- Henry Ruggs III, Wide Receiver, Alabama: The Niners have some options here and they take the talented receiver. Ruggs is someone that would be a nice fit in Kyle Shanahan's offense with his solid route running and the fact he is clean and does the little things.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Andrew Thomas, Offensive Tackle, Georgia: Thomas was someone I had going as high as fourth, but his stock has dropped a bit possibly due to a flaw he has of incorrect footwork. This would be a win for Tom Brady as the Bucs get him some much needed protection.

15. Denver Broncos- Javon Kinlaw, Defensive Lineman, South Carolina: With the top three receivers off the board, the Broncos look to the defensive side of the ball and snag the versatile Kinlaw. Kinlaw would be a great fit here playing next to the newly acquired Jurrell Casey.

16. Atlanta Falcons- CJ Henderson, Cornerback, Florida: The Falcons are doing jumping jacks as the talented corner drops to them here instead of them trying to trade up. Henderson could potentially go as high as ninth to Jacksonville as teams love his potential and he could come in and start right away replacing Desmond Trufant.

17. Dallas Cowboys- K'Lavon Chaisson, Defensive End, LSU: Edge rush and cornerback are two of the Cowboys biggest needs after Byron Jones and Robert Quinn bolted as free agents. They choose to go with Chaisson to pair along side DeMarcus Lawrence, who is raw but was a sack machine in college.

18. Miami Dolphins (from Pittsburgh Steelers)- Xavier McKinney, Safety, Alabama: The Dolphins got this pick from Pittsburgh in the Minkah Fitzpatrick trade and they essentially replace him with another Alabama product. McKinney is someone that can play all levels on the back end of a defense and has great range.

19. Las Vegas Raiders (from Chicago Bears)- Patrick Queen, Linebacker, LSU: Queen is someone that is a super fast riser as the draft comes this week. The Raiders have needs all over their defense and Queen, despite being undersized, he can play three downs and has great speed.

20. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Los Angeles Rams)- AJ Terrell, Cornerback, Clemson: With their second first rounder, the Jags look to address the secondary after the trading of Jalen Ramsey and AJ Boyue. They pick Terrell here who is talented and has good ball skills and length to succeed in the league.

21. Philadelphia Eagles- Kenneth Murray, Linebacker, Oklahoma: Philadelphia will go into a riot if the Eagles don't take a receiver here, but they can wait until day two as they address their linebacker situation here. Murray is someone that is a dynamic playmaker that would be a nice fit on that defense.

22. Minnesota Vikings (from Buffalo Bills)- Justin Jefferson, Wide Receiver, LSU: The Vikings snag Jefferson here with the first rounder they received in the Stefon Diggs trade to replace Diggs. Jefferson had a breakout season this past year catching so many passes from Joe Burrow and made big plays when it mattered the most.

23. New England Patriots- AJ Epenesa, Defensive End, Iowa: The Patriots are a bit of a wild card in this draft and could go in many different directions with this selection whether it's a quarterback, a defensive player, or a trade down. Epenesa has shown to be versatile and has great length and athleticism, similar to ex-Patriot and current Lion Tre Fowlers.

24. New Orleans Saints- Jordan Love, Quarterback, Utah State: The Saints have been rumored to first round quarterbacks the past few seasons and here I have them snagging Love to be the longterm replacement for Drew Brees, who a lot of people think is retiring after the 2020 season. Love is one of the biggest boom or bust prospects in the draft and is super raw.

25. Minnesota Vikings- Jaylon Johnson, Cornerback, Utah: Johnson is one of the fast rising corners as we head closer to the draft. With Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, and Mackensie Alexander all gone, the Vikings fill a major need with someone that with his tools would fit nicely in Mike Zimmer's scheme.

26. Miami Dolphins (from Houston Texans)- Josh Jones, Offensive Tackle, Houston: The Dolphins take the fast rising tackle to replace Laremy Tunsil, who was traded away for this draft pick before last season. He has great movement as well as the length and feet to succeed in the league after being a starter for four seasons in college.

27. Seattle Seahawks- Yetur Gross-Matos, Defensive End, Penn State: Gross-Matos's stock has dropped after being projected to be in the top 15. The Seahawks have a pass rush need assuming they don't bring back Jadeveon Clowney and Gross-Matos would help the cause with his good length and speed.

28. Baltimore Ravens- Zack Baun, Linebacker, Wisconsin: Baun is someone that admitted today that he tested positive for diluted sample, which could hurt his draft stock. The Ravens have a need at the linebacker position and Baun would be a nice fit with his athleticism to drop and cover.

29. Tennessee Titans- Kristan Fulton, Cornerback, LSU: This would be a steal for the Titans if Fulton makes it to this point. Fulton is someone that was always clean as a player in college and he would have been a first rounder had he declared last year. Two of the three best corners on the team will be free agents after the 2020 season so this pick would make sense as well.

30. Green Bay Packers- Jordan Brooks, Linebacker, Texas Tech: Brooks is one the fastest risers as the draft approaches this week. Brooks is someone that showed a ton of potential in college and scouts have compared him to Bobby Wagner. The Packers have a need at linebacker with the free agent departure of Blake Martinez so Brooks would be a great pick.

31. San Francisco 49ers- Ross Bladlock, Defensive Tackle, TCU: The Niners have options here with this selection and they take the talented interior defensive lineman here. Bladlock showed flashes of dominance while in college and is two years removed from an achilles injury. He probably won't be as good as a player as DeForrest Buckner, but they have to replace him somehow.

32. Kansas City Chiefs- Cesar Ruiz, Center, Michigan: The Chiefs have options with this pick as they can go anywhere on defense or even offensive line. Ruiz is the best interior offensive lineman in this draft and the reigning champions snag him here.