NFL Mock Draft: 1st Round
By: Wayne
#1: Cincinnati Bengals - Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Burrow is -10000 to be the number one overall pick, and this has been a lock for weeks. The Bengals will hope to have their new franchise QB and the question now becomes whether or not they can support him with their marginal offensive line talent and the weapons in place - A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd, John Ross, and C.J. Uzomah. Burrow has elite intangibles and special ball placement, anticipation, and accuracy. You can nitpick a little with his lack of downfield velocity and sometimes shoddy mechanics, but Burrow has all the other traits you could ever want from your franchise QB.
Pro comps: Tony Romo, Ben Roethlisberger, Alex Smith
#2: Washington Redskins - Chase Young, DE, Ohio State
I was tempted to put Tua here, as I think he’s possibly the most talented quarterback in the class and Dwayne Haskins had a pretty poor rookie season. Passing on Young would be a shocking move by the Redskins, though, and Ron Rivera seems to love his pro potential. There’s a reason he’s -2500 to go second overall on Bovada. Young had 49.5 tackles and 16.5 sacks in 2019 at Ohio State, and he has the ability to be a top-level edge rusher right away in the NFL. With the way the league is trending toward more spread offense principles, great edge rush ability is becoming all-the-more important and the Redskins will rely on Young to beat Carson Wentz, Dak Prescott, and Daniel Jones in their division next year.
Pro comps: Julius Peppers, Jevon Kearse, Brandon Graham
#3: Miami Dolphins - Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
Trade: Miami sends the #5, #56 (second round), and #70 (third round) overall picks to Detroit
The Dolphins have been losing games for eons with no end in sight, but Tua might be the guy who can change all of that. Dolphins fans certainly hope so, as they have dreamed of him becoming their franchise QB. Tua’s injury issues are certainly concerning, and with the current status of the world in shambles due to the pandemic, teams have been unable to meet with him and evaluate his health. He says he’s good to go for the start of the season, and if injuries weren’t a factor you could make the case he should be the number one overall player in this class. His arm talent is electrifying and he has the type of feel for the game and anticipation on throws that usually take years for guys to develop. If he can stay healthy, the sky is the limit for his career.
Pro comps: Russell Wilson, Drew Brees, Mark Brunnell, Baker Mayfield
#4 New York Giants - Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
The Giants could go a number of different directions with this pick. Dave Gettleman could opt to take one of the top-end offensive line talents in this class in order to protect Danny Dimes. The team could also grab Okudah who has special coverage capabilities at cornerback. Instead, I’m landing them Simmons here, who is a transcendent defensive prospect with his amazing versatility. He lined up at free safety, strong safety, outside linebacker, inside linebacker, and slot corner at various times for Clemson, and he will instantly become the focal point of the Giants’ defense.
Pro comps: Darius Leonard, Lavonte David, Derrick Johnson
#5: Detroit Lions - Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
The Lions have been pegged to draft Okudah by NFL pundits for months, and they will be thrilled to land him with the 5th pick after grabbing extra draft capital from the Dolphins. Okudah is a blue-chip prospect at corner and checks all the boxes - size, speed, strength, length, etc. He has the potential to become a top-five player at his position in the NFL and after losing Darius Slay this offseason, the Lions will be thrilled to potentially even make an upgrade on him at their corner position. If the Giants decide to take Okudah, Simmons or one of the top tackle prospects will be in play for Detroit, and they really can’t go wrong at this point in the draft.
Pro comps: Patrick Peterson, Jalen Ramsey, Aqib Talib
#6: Los Angeles Chargers - Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
With Tua and Burrow off the board, Herbert is now the consensus top quarterback prospect. Philip Rivers is off to Indianapolis after 16 years as the Chargers starting QB. While Tyrod Taylor is likely capable to handle to starting role for some time, the team needs a long-term prospect to groom and Herbert has incredibly enticing capability. His arm talent is perhaps the best in this draft, particularly on deep balls, and he also has mobility which will be an asset in the NFL. He needs to improve at making reads, working through progressions, and pre-snap audibles - the cerebral parts of the game - but in terms of tangible skills he has undeniable long-term potential.
Pro comps: Carson Wentz, Carson Palmer, Josh Allen
#7: Carolina Panthers - Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
The Panthers traded for Russell Okung this offseason and do have Taylor Moton as their incumbent starter at right tackle, but Wills is too good to pass up here. Wills is far too talented to pass up here, though. His height/weight profiles him a bit smaller than most starters, but he has incredible foot speed, powerful hands, and great flexibility and athleticism. Wills started 13 games at right tackle in 2019, as Tua is a left-handed QB. He earned 2nd-team AP All-American honors in 2019. Wills has elite football IQ and incredible balance, and should be a dominant pass-protector right away for new Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Wills’s floor in the NFL is likely as an above-average starter, with the potential to become a perennial All-Pro candidate.
Pro comps: Jason Peters, Trent Williams, Terron Armstead
#8: Arizona Cardinals - Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
The top of this draft class is littered with elite offensive line talent - Wills, Thomas, Wirfs, Becton, Jones - but Thomas is my favorite of all of them. He flies off the tape with his standing reach and incredible base of power, and he might be the toughest player to move in this entire class. He is a massive presence in both run-blocking and pass-blocking, and he is a violent finished play after play. The Cardinals will likely slide D.J. Humphries over to right tackle and start Thomas on the left side, giving them one of the best tackle duos in the NFL to support Kyler Murray, DeAndre Hopkins, Larry Fitz, Christian Kirk, and Kenyan Drake.
Pro comps: Cam Robinson, Ronnie Stanely, Ju’Wan James
#9: Jacksonville Jaguars - Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
Wirfs is probably the most mobile of all the top linemen prospects, and he combines that impressive mobility with body control and innate feel for the game to finish through defenders. His hand placement always seems to be perfect, and his athleticism allows him to play across the offensive line. He might be better suited as a guard right away, but he has elite potential to start at either tackle position as well. Wirfs is an explosive player, and with his athleticism he profiles as a potentially game-changing threat in any zone-blocking scheme. Wirfs likely has the most versatility and athleticism out of the top offensive line prospects in this draft class. Like Wills and Thomas, his baseline in the NFL is likely as a very good Day 1 starter.
Pro comps: Bryan Bulaga, Trent Williams, Cam Robinson
#10: Denver Broncos - Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Trade: Broncos send picks #83 and #95 (third-round) and #15 for Browns’ #10 pick
The Broncos seem to have finally found their franchise quarterback in Drew Lock. Now, it’s all about building talent around him. Courtland Sutton is quickly developing into a high end WR1 in the league, and the team now has a stable of effective running backs in Melvin Gordon, Philip Lindsay, and Royce Freeman. They could use another receiving threat, however, and Jeudy would completely transform this offense. Jeudy’s a transcendent route-running technician and his track-star like acceleration makes him a dominant yards-after-the-catch threat. His footwork is already excellent and he might be the most fluid player in this class with the ball in his hands. He has the potential to go for 1,000+ yards in his rookie season and immediately become one of the best players at his position in the league. He’s special, and it’s not shocking the Broncos seem determined to trade up and get him.
Pro comps: Chad Johnson, Antonio Brown, Odell Beckham Jr., Marvin Harrison
#11: New York Jets - Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
Out of the top tackle prospects in this draft class, Mekhi Becton seems most likely to slip down the board in a few days. He already had some question marks around him regarding his rawness in pass protection and lack of well-developed technique. Now, he has a reported failed drug test to contend with. There’s a chance he falls even further than this, but the Jets should jump at the chance to anchor their offensive line with a 6’7”, 370 lb. mauling tackle. Becton’s wingspan is massive and he moves surprisingly well for his size. There are certainly parts of his game which will need work to increase his consistency, but his raw physical skillset will make him a force right away. As he continues to develop in the NFL, he would provide Sam Darnold with a dominant presence at left tackle.
Pro comps: Orlando Brown, Bryant McKinnie, Trent Brown
#12: Las Vegas Raiders - CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
The Raiders kick off their first season in Las Vegas with a huge bang, bringing in CeeDee Lamb who has the ability to instantly transform their offense. The Raiders may not have a bigger need than a true number one wide receiver and there may not be a better one in this class than Lamb. His contested-catch ability is some of the best I’ve ever seen and his hands never let him down. 50-50 balls become 75-25 balls when you’re tossing them to Lamb. He looks like a running back with the ball in his hands, plowing through defenders and taking advantage of his elite physicality. He’s an incredibly smart player, making adjustments to his routes to work himself open downfield, and his football IQ combined with his contested-catch ability make him a quarterback’s best friend. He doesn’t have elite straight-line speed, and he could use some polish in his route-running, but there’s no doubt he’ll be an instant-impact receiver in Vegas.
Pro comps: DeAndre Hopkins, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Amari Cooper
#13: San Francisco 49ers - Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
The 49ers will be absolutely thrilled to land Derrick Brown here, who is arguably a top-five prospect in this class. San Fran sent DeForest Buckner to Indianapolis in exchange for this draft selection, and while I originally expected them to look at receivers here, Lamb and Jeudy are off the board and this draft class is deep enough that they can wait and take a wideout later on. Instead, Brown falls right into their laps, who might end up being the best defensive prospect in this class. The Auburn product has a massive 6’5”, 318 lb. frame and uses every bit of it to his advantage as he was rarely ever overpowered by opposing offensive linemen in the film I watched. He has surprising explosiveness for his size and has a relentless motor that allows him to be a dominant interior run defender. He will eat up double teams against NFL offensive linemen, allowing his teammates easier gaps to the quarterback/running back. His pass-rushing is still a work in progress, but his floor is a solidly above-average starter and he has the ceiling to become a perennial All-Pro guy. He’s a no-brainer at 13.
Pro comps: Linval Joseph, Kris Jenkins, Ndamukong Suh
#14 Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota
This is my first out-there pick of the draft, and you may have been expecting to see Grant Delpit or Xavier McKinney as the first safety off the board. While those guys have big-program notoriety, Winfield is actually my favorite safety in this class and I think he would be a locked-in first-round talent if he hadn’t missed extensive time with injuries in 2017 and 2018. I still have him pegged as the first Minnesota first-round pick since 2006, and I think he has a skillset that will immediately make the Bucs’ defense more dangerous. Delpit, who I originally had slated here, is more of a project at the position and the Bucs should be looking for instant-impact guys. Winfield profiles as an explosive in-the-box presence who has a tremendous ability to read opposing quarterbacks, watch plays develop, and find his way to the ball. The game comes naturally to him with his father being a former Pro Bowl corner and he should be a vicious tackler and turnover-forcing machine. The Bucs could benefit from Winfield’s presence on the field right away as teams will have to game-plan against his game-breaking tendencies and he could become a leader for the Bucs on the defensive side of the ball.
Pro comps: T.J. Ward, Jonathan Abram, Kurt Coleman
#15: Dallas Cowboys - Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Trade: Cowboys trade #17, #82 (3rd round), Browns trade #15, #115 (4th round)
The Cowboys jump up a couple spots to make sure they get Javon Kinlaw, who will provide a massive improvement to the team’s interior defensive line. Kinlaw has awesome physical traits with his long arms and muscular frame. He has an explosive first step and awesome foot speed overall, which combined with a nonstop motor makes him a factor on every snap. He should be able to play on a majority of snaps for the Cowboys, as deploys a lethal bull rush to make him a threat on passing downs. He and DeMarcus Lawrence would give Dallas an imposing front-seven presence. Kinlaw suffered from some inconsistency at time on tape, but he has all of the tangible qualities team search for in a modern interior defensive lineman. He should be a Day 1 producer in the NFL.
Pro comps: Michael Brockers, Star Loutoulelei, Arthur Jones
#16: Atlanta Falcons - C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
The Falcons will be thrilled to land Henderson without having to trade up, as he projects as the clear second-best cornerback behind Jeff Okudah. Henderson has super long limbs and athleticism for days which allows him to stay attached to receivers. His film shows a cerebral ability that most corners don’t totally grasp until after a couple of years in the NFL. Henderson is able to read the quarterback’s eyes and seems to have a really strong grasp of the game. He suffered from some tackling inconsistency at times and will need to develop into a more physical press corner, but he should be a Day 1 quality starter for a Falcons team that needs secondary help after cutting Desmond Trufant earlier this offseason.
Pro comps: Darius Slay, Eli Apple, Carlos Rogers
#17: Cleveland Browns (trade) - Josh Jones, OT, Houston
The Browns pull off a major coup with their two trades down, as they are still able to land a tackle prospect who is closer to the top names in this class than most realize. Jones showed improvement throughout his time at Houston, and as he continues to iron out his footwork and ability to read defensive schemes he should be able to utilize his length and athleticism as a starting left tackle for Cleveland. The holes in Jones’s game appear to be very coachable, and if he is committed to honing his craft he should have long-term starting potential.
Pro comps: Bobby Massie, Erik Winston
#18: Miami Dolphins - Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
After landing Tua Tagovailoa earlier in the first round, the Dolphins look to support him with more offensive weapons here. Ruggs scored a touchdown on 25% of his college plays, the best mark in the country, and played the majority of his snaps with Tua under center. Ruggs is the fastest receiver in this draft class, and he proved his transcendent athleticism at the combine where he ranked in the 99th percentile in seemingly every drill. DeVante Parker had a breakthrough season in 2019, setting career-highs across the board with 72 receptions for 1,202 yards and 9 touchdowns. He and Ruggs would complement each other very nicely and provide Tua with a lethal outside receiver tandem. Ruggs has huge hands which make him a natural receiver in traffic and his ridiculous acceleration allows him to separate from even the quickest of defenders. At just 5’11”, he’s not going to box defenders out, and he may require creative play-calling to make the most of his abilities, but Ruggs is the perfect prototype for the direction the modern NFL is heading. Tua would certainly love to continue passing to him at the pro level.
Pro comps: Tyreek Hill, Santana Moss, DeSean Jackson
#19: Las Vegas Raiders - Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State
The Raiders managed the 8th-fewest sacks in 2019, and after adding a star talent on offense early in this draft, they should look to fill in the trenches on defense. Max Crosby and Clelin Ferrell flashed talent in their respective rookie seasons, but you can never have too much edge depth in this league and Gross-Matos produced 17.5 sacks in his two years as the starter at Penn State. Gross-Matos has a history of family tragedy - his dad drowned saving him as a young kid and his brother was later killed by lightning strike. He has a tremendous work ethic and while he needs to add some more tools to the toolbox to consistently compete against NFL offensive linemen, he should at least be a valuable pass-rush specialist right away. He could use some refinement in his run-defense capabilities, but there’s no reason why he shouldn’t turn into a very productive defensive end with a couple of years of work at the NFL level.
Pro comps: Carlos Dunlap, Jason Pierre-Paul, Aaron Schobel
#20: Minnesota Vikings - Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
Trade: Vikings send pick #105 (3rd round), #22 for pick #20
After trading away disgruntled wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Bills last month, the Vikings are in clear need of another outside receiving presence to take some pressure off Adam Thielen. Higgins jumped out to me in my scouting research as a guy who has a prototypical X-receiver frame (6’4”, 216 lbs) and already has the ball skills and body control to match. He has really long legs which allow him to utilize change-of-direction moves and long strides to get away from defenders. His jump-ball ability should immediately translate, as well. Higgins didn’t run an expansive route tree and he may not be the most versatile receiving weapon right away, but the Vikings profile as an awesome landing spot for him with a run-first approach and Thielen already in place to take on the opposing defense’s top defender. Higgins has the ceiling to become a 10-touchdown type of player with his instincts and contested-catch ability as well. He brings a different dynamic to the game than Diggs did, and the Vikings will be thrilled to add him as a weapon for Kirk Cousins in the passing game.
Pro comps: A.J. Green, DeVante Parker, Tyrell Williams, Marques Colston
#21: Philadelphia Eagles - Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
The Eagles are another team that could use a receiver, but I have them holding off for now in favor of Kenneth Murray who would become a Day 1 starter at linebacker. Murray flies to the ball and has tremendous live play speed. He’s got the type of range that will make him a tackle machine in the NFL as well. Ideally, Murray won’t be asked to handle too much of the play recognition and alignment responsibilities, but he could certainly develop in that regard. He has an underrated pass-rush ability, and his sideline-to-sideline capability will make him an early contributor for the Eagles in 2020, a team that has desperately needed a guy like him at linebacker.
Pro comps: Kwon Alexander, Demario Davis, Haason Redick
#22: Jacksonville Jaguars - Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
The Jaguars have needs all over their roster, and there are a number of players still available who could start for them next season. There’s a good chance McKinney, who’s the top overall safety prospect for a lot of teams, could be the best overall player remaining on the Jaguars’ big board and that’s who I have them going with here. McKinney isn’t quite the downfield force that Winfield is, but he’s a much more versatile weapon as he can be deployed at both safety positions. His coverage skills could actually allow him to play some sub-corner as well, particularly in zone packages. McKinney is a tough competitor who reads the game very well and should be able to handle all of the free safety coverage duties. He showed some inconsistency in tackling and some impatience in letting plays develop, but those are things that can easily be ironed out at the pro level. His instincts in coverage and versatility to rush the passer as well could end up making this pick a steal for Jacksonville.
Pro comps: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Tavon Wilson, Jaquiski Tartt
#23: New England Patriots - K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
New England’s biggest need is easily at quarterback after Tom Brady left for the Buccaneers in free agency, but I don’t see any of the signal-callers still available as being worthy of a first-round pick. Instead, the Pats pick up one of the best pure pass rushers in this class in Chaisson. He’s a Belichick type of guy as he was given the number 18 jersey at LSU to recognize his high character. Chaisson should be an impact pass rush specialist right away with his combination of length, fluidity, and athleticism, and he has an impressive toolbox of rush moves for his age. He could use some work in run defense, and he does have a history of lower body injuries, but Belichick will fall in love with his football IQ and he could develop into a dominant edge presence for a team that could use some front-seven help.
Pro comps: Aldon Smith, Ryan Kerrigan, Andre Carter
#24: New Orleans Saints - Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
The Saints have a deep and talented roster from top to bottom, which gives them the luxury of going best player available here. Why not Queen, who comes from LSU’s linebacker factory? He’s an open-field tackling machine who quickly diagnoses plays and came up with huge production down the stretch last season against Georgia, Oklahoma, and Clemson. Queen was just a one-year starter at LSU which could hurt his draft stock, but in a talented defense like the one the Saints employ, he would be free to run cleanup duty for the rest of the roster. Queen showcased strong pass coverage capabilities as well as play recognition and a cerebral ability which could make him a “quarterback of the defense” type. He has sky-high potential that figures to be unlocked working with Sean Payton and Dennis Allen.
Pro comps: Thomas Davis, Lavonte David, Nigel Bradham
#25: Minnesota Vikings - Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
The Vikings have a huge need at cornerback after watching Trae Waynes, Mackensie Alexander, and Xavier Rhodes leave in free agency, and would likely jump at the chance to make Diggs a starter on the outside here. Diggs has an awesome physical skillset - size, strength, and athleticism - which he combines with an instinctive feel for the game. His long-field speed could use some work, as he is unlikely to be able to handle the faster downfield receivers, but his physicality and short-area quickness should help him be an effective press-man corner right away. Diggs is a former wide receiver and has tremendous ball skills which allow him to generate lots of takeaways. He should also be an effective man-to-man defender on jump-ball type plays against bigger wide receivers. The Vikings lost a Diggs this offseason but they gain one back here with Stefon’s younger brother.
Pro comps: Aqib Talib, Antonio Cromartie, Rasual Douglas
#26: Miami Dolphins - Austin Jackson, OT, USC
The Dolphins have their quarterback in Tua and a speedy downfield threat in Ruggs. Now they need an offensive tackle who can protect Tua in the passing game. Jackson is certainly a raw prospect, which is why he isn’t discussed with the other top names in this class. He will need to improve his consistency with his mechanics, particularly in footwork and hand placement. However, Jackson has a ton of upside as a tackle who showcases outstanding athleticism and range. As he continues to fill out his frame with more muscle and works on the technique of his game, Jackson could develop into a well-above-average starter at either tackle position or at guard. He’s a real boom-or-bust prospect that will require a roll of the dice but has plenty of long-term upside.
Pro comps: D.J. Humphries, Le’Raven Clark, Greg Little
#27: Indianapolis Colts (trade) - Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Trade: Colts trade #75 (3rd round), #34; Seahawks trade #101 (3rd round), #27
Justin Jefferson is beloved in some NFL circles, and some have him penciled in as a top-15 pick. I’m not quite as bullish on him as a prospect, but I certainly think he deserves to go in the first round. He profiles as a bigger slot receiver who has a tremendous catch radius and solid route-running ability. Jefferson is willing to use his physicality to box out defenders, and he has really impressive contested catch ability. He certainly benefited from LSU’s scheme this past season, but he is pretty versatile as a receiving weapon and could contribute to Indy’s offense in a variety of ways. With the Colts looking to provide Philip Rivers with plenty of supporting talent this season, a trade-up makes sense to get their guy at receiver.
Pro comps: Tyler Boyd, Marvin Jones, D.J. Chark
#28: Baltimore Ravens - Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
The Ravens need a physical guy to play X receiver in their offense and compliment Marquise “Hollywood” Brown who was their first-round pick last year. This team is pretty close to Super Bowl contention, but it’s clear their offense needs another downfield passing element which Shenault can provide. He is a physically dominant player, utilizing his huge frame to box out defenders for contested catches and break tackles after the catch. Shenault looks like a running back in the open field, using power and balance to pick up extra yards. His route-running isn’t polished, but it’s better than some would have you believe - he is good at using head and leg fakes to gain separation from defenders. Shenault has the upside to be the best receiver in this class with his physical tools, but his injury history and lack of polish could cause him to fall to the back of the first round. This is a boom or bust pick, but it could end up being a steal for the Ravens.
Pro comps: Sammy Watkins, Greg Little, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Julio Jones
#29: Tennessee Titans - A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa State
Epenesa didn’t test particularly well at the combine, which could cause him to fall to the back of the first round. After losing Jurrell Casey this offseason, though, the Titans would be wise to pounce on Epenesa here. The Iowa product has excellent size (6’5”, 275 lbs) and showcased high-end bull rushing capabilities on his way to 11.5 and 10.5 sacks the past two seasons. He’s the type of player who can set a strong edge on one half of the field and bully his way through opposing tackles on his way to the quarterback. Teams will be concerned about his ability to track down receivers and running backs in space, but he already has an advanced skillset at the line of scrimmage. Epenesa has the versatility to operate out of a 3-4 or 4-3 front, and as he continues to build on his technique and play speed he could turn into a future Pro-Bowl caliber player.
Pro comps: Carlos Dunlap, Kerry Wynn, Trey Flowers
#30: Green Bay Packers - Zack Baun, LB, Wisconsin
Baun came to Wisconsin as a former dual-threat quarterback and transitioned to defense. As a senior in 2019, he became a superstar defender with 63 tackles, 7.5 for a loss, and 2.5 sacks. Baun is first and foremost and athlete, something he showed as he lined up across the formation for Wisconsin. He has the ability to rush the quarterback off the edge on one play and drop into coverage comfortably on the next. Baun also showcased sideline-to-sideline range, and with his play speed his best position may end up being middle linebacker especially as he doesn’t quite have the size of a full-time edge rusher. Baun has all kinds of long-term potential, and defensive coordinator Mike Pettine would be thrilled to work with the Wisconsin kid in Green Bay.
Pro comps: Lorenzo Alexander, Kyle Van Noy, Reggie Ragland
#31: San Francisco 49ers - Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
The 49ers could grab wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk here, but I think the potential in pairing Jaylon Johnson with Richard Sherman in their secondary is too good to pass up. Johnson is an incredibly physical player, with size, length, and athleticism that were built for press coverage. The 49ers run more of a zone in their base defense, which should be fine for Johnson as well as he showcased impressive ball skills and anticipation in reading the game. Defensive coordinator will love working with Johnson, as he has the versatility to be matched up with the opposing team’s number one wideout or be put in an island in zone. Having to go up against Johnson and Sherman would be a nightmare for opposing play callers and quarterbacks, and the Niners’ secondary is going to be tested in 2020 with DeAndre Hopkins, DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Robert Woods, and Cooper Kupp all playing in the NFC West.
Pro comps: Shaquill Griffin, Marcus Peters, Kendall Fuller
#32: Kansas City Chiefs - D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
The Chiefs wrap up the first round with the first running back off the board. KC definitely has some needs on defense, but this is a team that lives and dies by their offensive production first and foremost. Swift is the latest in a rapid influx of Georgia running backs, and his skill set should translate to the NFL immediately. He reads the game very well and is able to make reads in a zone-rushing scheme. He’s also versatile as a receiving weapon, showing an ability to run a full route tree and separate from defenders using a variety of moves. Swift lacks true home-run speed, but he has solid short-area burst and his balance and toughness allow him to gain yards after contact. He also shows a good ability to contribute in pass protection, which is important for an Andy Reid offense. Swift isn’t Saquon Barkley or Christian McCaffrey as a prospect, but he has the potential to rush for 1,000 yards in Year 1 and could serve a valuable role in the Chiefs’ offense which is already one of the best in the league.
Pro comps: Frank Gore, Miles Sanders, Lamar Miller
