CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE ZONE COVERAGE DRAFT GUIDE:
TOP 100 PLAYER PROFILES
RANKING THE VIKINGS NEEDS
EXPLORING VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
A HISTORY OF RICK SPIELMAN’S DRAFT TRADES
LUKE INMAN’S MOCK DRAFTS
VIKINGS TARGETS
SENIOR BOWL CENTRAL
FEATURES FROM OUR STAFF
Check out the previous versions of Luke’s mock drafts.
Version 1.0
Version 2.0
Version 3.0
Version 4.0
1) Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Burrow just put up one of the best and most efficient collegiate seasons from a signal-caller we’ve ever seen. He possesses all the tools either you have or you don’t, including elite pocket presence and natural feel.
Finally, Taylor and the Bengals can officially start their rebuild.
2) Washington Redskins: Chase Young, DE, Ohio State
If the Redskins want to get nuts they could swindle their way to an “RG3” type of package through a trade, recouping a bundle of extra picks. After all, as good as Young is, is this roster one edge rusher away from being a Super Bowl contender?
3) Detroit Lions: Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State
This is the sweet spot where the draft really starts. I’m fully expecting a quarterback-needy team to leapfrog the Dolphins and go get their guy (GGYGs!). Look for the Lions to target Okudah after moving on from Darius Slay — regardless of their selection slot.
This is the pure best cornerback in the draft, hands down. Okudah has a chance to replicate Marshon Lattimore’s rookie season as a shut-down cover man from Week 1.
4) New York Giants: Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
Dave Gettleman is going to pick in the trenches. However, it’s not the side of the ball many experts are guessing.
Why? Because Brown is a game-changing lineman in the middle of your defense who can single-handedly destroy any offensive game plan. Pure and simple, he is the best lineman available and a better value than any offensive tackle at this juncture.
Teaming the SEC Defensive Player of the Year up with last year’s first-round stud Dexter Lawrence wins back the trenches for Gettleman and builds a new hard-nosed identity for his franchise again.
5) Miami Dolphins: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
It’s tough to draw them up any better than Herbert at 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds with the best arm of the class. Not to mention, Herbert is mobile and smooth in the pocket, creating plays on the run when things break down — a necessity by today’s NFL measures.
I don’t care what the “experts” are saying about Tua’s hip. Unlike an ACL tear or other injuries, there are just too many question marks and unknowns for my money to take him in the top five. If I’m a GM I’m not sold Tua will ever be the same player again. I hope I’m wrong.
6) Los Angeles Chargers: Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
Holy ****! The Chargers defense is a Simmons pick away from becoming a real-life Madden video game.
When you’re drafting this high, you must be sure to come away with a special talent at premier positions. And in a pass-happy league, you just can’t have enough playmakers who can cover and play all three downs. Adding Simmons to talents like Joey Bosa, Derwin James, Nasir Adderley and Melvin Ingram makes this defense one of the best on paper at all three levels when healthy.
7) Carolina Panthers: Tristan Wirfs, OL, Iowa
Panthers get the pick of the litter of any offensive lineman of their choosing. Between the Hawkeye tape and his freaky combine, Wirfs is the highest-rated blocker of the bunch with the ability to help protect Teddy Bridgewater and pave holes for Christian McCaffrey. Wirfs is a great starting spot for Matt Rhule’s rebuild in Carolina as one of the surest picks in the entire class.
8) Arizona Cardinals: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
“You wanna get nuts!? LET’S GET NUTS!”
Even with the addition of DeAndre Hopkins, if you want to see a true Air-Raid offense then let Kliff Kingsbury do his thang. Adding one of the most explosive wide receivers you’ll find into Kingsbury’s arsenal is an exclamation mark finish to the building process.
Lamb has dominated defenses from the outside against top tier press defenders while showing off an absurd broken tackle rate (26 broken tackles on 51 catches) that makes him truly special.
Kingsbury and Kyler Murray can live out of the shotgun set where they’ll deploy the best four wideout grouping the NFL has ever seen. If this league has actually transformed into the pass-happy league we say it has then the Cardinals are ahead of the curve and on the brink of something special offensively. Plus, let’s be real, at 37 years old Larry Fitzgerald isn’t playing the same as we’re used to.
9) Jacksonville Jaguars: A.J. Epenesa, DL, Iowa
A true three-down lineman, Epenesa brings a sledgehammer mentality with his heavy and powerful hands against opposing offensive linemen.
With the eventual loss of Yannick Ngakoue the Jaguars defensive line is looking for a smooth transition. I absolutely love Epenesa’s ability to move inside on pass-rushing downs to help keep their other pieces like Taven Bryan fresh.
10) Cleveland Browns: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
New head coach Kevin Stefanski has the luxury of taking over an already talented roster with a still young and budding quarterback. While Baker Mayfield took a step back during a sophomore slump it was clear he was never offered the proper protection for him to take that next step.
Thomas has been one of the most consistent blockers in the country, lulling people to sleep, and has proved he is one of the most pro-ready amongst his peers. With loads of talented playmakers across their offense, shoring up their trenches with Jack Conklin and adding Thomas turns their biggest glaring weakness into a legitimate strength for Stefanski’s offensive plans.
11) New York Jets: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
The former Biletnikoff Award winner, Jeudy is, in my opinion, a generational talent with the best route running and separation skills I’ve scouted since Amari Cooper.
Jeudy gives Sam Darnold the best legitimate No. 1 wide receiver he’s ever had, even going back to his college days at USC. Bottom line, with a roster this bad, just add the best football players available. Jeudy has Julio Jones-type of potential.
12) Las Vegas Raiders: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
While it wasn’t quite what Aaron Rodgers had to endure in the green room on draft day, Tagovailoa slipping out of the top 10 will come as a shock to many. While his dislocated hip may mean he never plays football the same again, the risk is worth the reward as Tua was one of the best quarterback prospects since Andrew Luck pre-injury.
Jon Gruden is bro hugging Mike Mayock all offseason while their newly relocated franchise has a quarterback to match the bright lights of the Las Vegas strip.
Allowing Derek Carr to prove his worth in 2020 with a chip on his shoulder while Tua takes his time rehabbing from the gruesome injury. This is the dream scenario for all parties involved.
13) San Francisco 49ers: Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
People aren’t talking enough about the fact this front office has two first-round picks just months after reaching the Super Bowl.
Pro Football Focus had Kinlaw as the highest pass-rushing grade in 2018 of any returning defensive player (88.7). What did he do in 2019? He somehow got better, posting a 90 grade with 40 pressures. At 6-foot-6, 310 with biceps as big as an 18-wheeler, Kinlaw’s first step jumps off the tape for such a big man and helps him be disruptive from the interior and get after the passer. He is without a doubt the best pass-rushing defensive tackle in this class for my money.
Kinlaw helps replenish yet again one of the scariest defensive lines in the entire NFL despite just losing DeForest Buckner.
14) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
I get it, don’t get cute and just grab the best offensive lineman for old man Brady. But, in a league that craves home-run speed, no way Bruce Arians passes on this stick of dynamite after seeing 24 of his 98 catches resulted in touchdowns.
Imagine a quartet of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, O.J. Howard and a Tyreek Hill-type of playmaker. Brady is sleeping well at night while defenders lay awake with insomnia.
15) Denver Broncos: Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
All signs point to John Elway landing his quarterback of the future in Drew Lock after a rock-solid last month of the season. With the top tier of receivers gone, the front office can bolster its defense back into a powerhouse.
Nowadays you just can’t have enough good cover cornerbacks. Fulton was one of the highest-rated cornerbacks in the SEC for not one, but two full seasons, and helps take the pressure off newly acquired A.J. Bouye from Jacksonville.
16): Atlanta Falcons: K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
When you watch Chaisson explode off the edge with a burst and Gumby-like bend, he feels like the perfect Dan Quinn defender. Still highly untapped, Chaisson has the raw attributes to be a double-digit sack monster as Quinn maximizes his versatility with both his hand in the dirt and standing up.
His position says defensive end, but don’t be fooled, I think he can do a little bit of everything from dropping back in coverage to moving up and down the defensive line. Think Tre Flowers.
17) Dallas Cowboys: Grant Delpit, S, LSU
The Cowboys desperately need help on the back end of their defense to help close out games. Delpit offers the range and playmaking instincts worthy of a top-20 pick.
Media wants to talk plenty about his mistakes, but remember this, in his last three games, Delpit missed zero tackles on the biggest stage of his career, quieting his doubters heading into the draft. You don’t win the Jim Thorpe award as the nation’s best defensive back by accident.
18) Miami Dolphins (via Steelers): Jedrick Wills Jr., OT, Alabama
Wills is one of the best pass blockers of the class, and the Dolphins should feel lucky he’s still available this late. Wills immediately helps aid the development of newly drafted Herbert in an all of a sudden the wide-open AFC East for the first time in two decades.
We see it every year as one “sure thing” slips further than they should into the late teens.
19) Las Vegas Raiders (via Bears): Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
With just Tyrell Williams and Zay Jones, the Raiders’ passing attack needs to be replenished. Jefferson is another LSU wideout who comes into the league with sharp route running and explosion in and out of his cuts, meaning he’s ready for the NFL right out the gate.
Don’t count out the Raiders double-dipping at the position later on in a draft class of wideouts we haven’t seen this stacked in years.
20) Jacksonville Jaguars (via Rams): C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
Henderson excels in man coverage with good size and sticky technique to instantly improve the secondary for the Jaguars. After moving on from both Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye this secondary needs help in a bad way.
21) Philadelphia Eagles: Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
The Eagles continue to pump draft picks into the cornerback position with little results. Whether it’s fluky injuries or just bad development the Eagles will be forced to continue to try their luck at the position. The addition of Slay was good, but this defense needs more. With Slay and Gladney, Eagles fans can finally feel good about their pass defense heading into 2020.
22) Minnesota Vikings (via Buffalo): Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
Too many people are penciling Becton as a top-10 pick. However, with his massive size comes massive concerns about the quick sets and light feet needed to fend off a league full of speedy and explosive pass rushers.
At over 6-foot-7, nearly 370 pounds, Becton has too much upside to pass up for Mike Zimmer who can finally win on both sides of his trenches with a young and talented offensive line for Gary Kubiak’s run-first scheme.
If the Vikings can hit on Becton you’ll see the offensive line shift to a strength for the first time in the Zimmer era. Garrett Bradbury, Brian O’Neill, Dru Samia and now Becton. You can’t say Rick Spielman hasn’t been trying.
23) New England Patriots: Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
Has anyone actually sat down and watched this guy play? Gross-Matos is an absolute animal off the edge and could turn into a new front-seven toy under the guru Bill Belichick.
Gross-Matos and his ridiculous 20 tackles for loss give this defense another high-upside weapon on a cheap rookie deal.
24) New Orleans Saints: Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
He may be raw after converting from wideout his freshman year, but Trevon Diggs — younger brother to Stefon) carries that same receiver mentality, running routes better than his opponents at times. You just don’t find 6-foot-2, 200 pound cover corners that can fly around like Diggs, offering one of the biggest ceilings of any player in the entire class.
25) Minnesota Vikings: Xavier McKinney, S/CB, Alabama
Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, Mackensie Alexander, Jayron Kearse, Andrew Sendejo and potential trade candidate Anthony Harris. That’s a nearly impossible transition no matter how you spin it. Even with the loss of Stefon Diggs adding fresh new blood into the secondary can’t be emphasized enough. In a pass driven league, you just can’t line up on Sundays without a full handful of talent in the back end. Wide receiver remains a need; however this scouting staff can find more talent later on in a rich class.
You won’t find another McKinney, however, who is too good to pass up here. With a strong in-the-box presence and great man coverage skills, you’ll see him used in a variety of ways. His one weakness is as a deep cover safety right now but people forget just how good of a center fielder Harrison Smith is when asked to drop back deep. Mike Zimmer doesn’t care what position he lines up inside the secondary, just bring him tough football players and he’ll do the rest.
26) Miami Dolphins: Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
You’ve got your new franchise signal-caller. Now it’s time to maximize his skill set and surround him with the protection and talent to let him flourish.
With a boatload of ammo including five picks in the top 60, the Dolphins are ready to prove a quick turnaround is possible in today’s NFL. With all the speed and athleticism you covet at the position, Reagor is a big play machine who produced at a high level — over 1,000 yards in 2018 — despite being surrounded by inconsistent quarterback play throughout his career.
27) Seattle Seahawks: Josh Jones, OT, Houston
Jones was a monster all week at the Senior Bowl with his massive frame and surprisingly smooth feet. His athletic skill set is a match made in heaven for Russell Wilson and his improvisational athleticism outside the pocket.
After testing his market, I still bet Jadeveon Clowney ends back up in a Seahawks uniform taking edge defender off their list of needs.
28) Baltimore Ravens: Kenneth Murray, ILB, Oklahoma
The Big 12 defensive freshman of the year, Murray has been a man amongst boys his entire collegiate career. He’s got that nastiness and competitive toughness you crave on your defense that will set the tone inside your front-seven. Almost like he was born to wear a Ravens uniform.
Despite the lessening value the league has put on the linebacker position high in the draft, Murray is far too talented with great football speed to pass up here. He set the NCAA record for most tackles in a game with 28. Twenty. Eight!
29) Tennessee Titans: Julian Okwara, EDGE, Notre Dame
Put me in the minority but I’m a fan of what Mike Vrabel has done to the culture of this team. Turning around the defensive identity while patiently waiting for the development of his quarterback play to peak has been fun to watch. Although the production hasn’t always been there, Okwara’s athletic traits are really impressive for his size.
Okwara will form a highly dangerous duo next to last year’s first-rounder Jeffery Simmons. Sprinkle in Rashaan Evans, Harold Landry and Cameron Wake and Vrabel has all the toys he needs to unleash his aggressive style of defense to the top of the division.
30) Green Bay Packers: Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
It’s no secret the Packers have to add multiple playmakers in the passing game throughout draft weekend with no real threat behind Davante Adams.
Aiyuk was the best among his peers for the past two years in the Pac-12, including his former teammate N’Keal Harry. With freaky long arms (80” wingspan) and explosive short-area quickness, Aiyuk helps alleviate some pressure off Aaron Rodgers for his final stretch as a major weapon with the ball in his hands.
31) San Francisco 49ers: Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State
As the leader of the hottest young team in the league, John Lynch’s bold moves are making himself and Kyle Shanahan look like a couple of geniuses after representing the NFC in the Super Bowl.
Arnette is small but feisty with a pit bull mentality. He helps furnish the secondary that was exposed in the playoffs as one of their very few weak spots.
32) Kansas City Chiefs: Cesar Ruiz, IOL, Michigan
The youngest offensive lineman in the class, Ruiz offers more interior upside than any other of the group. We already know Andy Reid’s sick obsession with offensive linemen and what Patrick Mahomes is capable of with that extra second of time inside the pocket.
Round 2
33. Cincinnati Bengals — Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
34. Indianapolis Colts — Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado
35. Detroit Lions — Zack Baun, EDGE, Wisconsin
36. New York Giants — Austin Jackson, OT, USC
37. Los Angeles Chargers — Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
38. Carolina Panthers — Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
39. Miami Dolphins — J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
40. Houston Texans — Neville Gallimore, DT, Oklahoma
41. Cleveland Browns — Ashtyn Davis, FS, California
42. Jacksonville Jaguars — D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
43. Chicago Bears (via LVR) — Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
44. Indianapolis Colts — Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
45. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn
46. Denver Broncos — KJ Hamler, WR, Penn State
47. Atlanta Falcons — Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn
48. New York Jets — Lucas Niang, OT, TCU
49. Pittsburgh Steelers — Justin Madubuike, DT, Texas A&M
50. Chicago Bears — Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota
51. Dallas Cowboys — A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
52. Los Angeles Rams — Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
53. Philadelphia Eagles — Tyler Johnson, WR, Minnesota
54. Buffalo Bills — Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
55. Baltimore Ravens (via NE) — Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State
56. Miami Dolphins (via NO) — Lloyd Cushenberry, IOL, LSU
57. Houston Texans — Van Jefferson, WR, Florida
58. Minnesota Vikings — Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Arizona State
59. Seattle Seahawks — Tyler Biadasz, IOL, Wisconsin
60. Baltimore Ravens — Netane Muti, OG, Fresno State
61. Tennessee Titans — Jacob Eason, QB, Washington
62. Green Bay Packers — Hunter Bryant, TE, Washington
63. Kansas City Chiefs (via SF) — Cam Akers, RB, FSU
64. Seattle Seahawks (via KC) — Jonathan Greenard, EDGE, Florida
Round 3
65. Cincinnati Bengals — Marlon Davidson, EDGE, Auburn
66. Washington Redskins — Jonah Jackson, OG, Ohio State
67. Detroit Lions — Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU
68. New York Jets (via Giants) — Jason Strowbridge, DL, North Carolina
69. Carolina Panthers — Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama
70. Miami Dolphins — Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne
71. Los Angeles Chargers — Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia
72. Arizona Cardinals — Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State
73. Jacksonville Jaguars — Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan
74. Cleveland Browns — Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Appalachian State
75. Indianapolis Colts — Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia
76. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Zack Moss, RB, Utah
77. Denver Broncos — Matthew Peart, OT, UConn
78. Atlanta Falcons — Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State
79. New York Jets — Ben Bartch, OT, St. John’s
80. Las Vegas Raiders — Darnay Holmes, CB, UCLA
81. Las Vegas Raiders (via Bears) — Quartney Davis, WR, Texas A&M
82. Dallas Cowboys — Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama
83. Denver Broncos (via Steelers) — Robert Hunt, Interior OL, Louisiana
84. Los Angeles Rams — Bradlee Anae, EDGE, Utah
85. Detroit Lions (via PHI) — Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois
86. Buffalo Bills — Josh Uche, EDGE, Michigan
87. New England Patriots — Matt Hennessy, IOL, Temple
88. New Orleans Saints — Devin Duvernay, WR, Texas
89. Minnesota Vikings — Bryan Edwards, WR, South Carolina
90. Cleveland Browns (via Texans) — Jordan Elliott, DT, Missouri
91. Las Vegas Raiders (via Seahawks) — K’Von Wallace S, Clemson
92. Baltimore Ravens — Davon Hamilton, DT, Ohio State
93. Tennessee Titans — Saahdiq Charles, OT, LSU
94. Green Bay Packers — Jauan Jennings, WR, Tennessee
95. Denver Broncos (Via SF) — Willie Gay Jr., LB, Mississippi State
96. Kansas City Chiefs — Malik Harrison, LB, Ohio State
97. Cleveland Browns (Via HOU) — Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame
98. New England Patriots — Adam Trautman, TE, Dayton
99. New York Giants — Darrell Taylor, EDGE, Tennessee
100. New England Patriots — Trey Adams, OT, Washington
101. Seattle Seahawks — Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU
102. Pittsburgh Steelers — Shane Lemieux, OG, Oregon
103. Philadelphia Eagles — Logan Wilson, LB, Wyoming
104. Los Angeles Rams — Nick Harris, IOL, Washington
105. Minnesota Vikings — Michael Ojemudia, CB, Iowa
106. Baltimore Ravens — John Hightower, WR, Boise State
CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE ZONE COVERAGE DRAFT GUIDE:
TOP 100 PLAYER PROFILES
RANKING THE VIKINGS NEEDS
EXPLORING VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
A HISTORY OF RICK SPIELMAN’S DRAFT TRADES
LUKE INMAN’S MOCK DRAFTS
VIKINGS TARGETS
SENIOR BOWL CENTRAL
FEATURES FROM OUR STAFF