Bill Belichick isn't doing a bad job when it comes to selling his possible plans for the Patriots' quarterback position for the 2020 season. The future Hall of Fame coach recently alluded to Matt Cassel's 2008 success while explaining how the Patriots may look to continue their winning ways with second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham under center.
Stidham may indeed be New England's Week 1 starter, but that doesn't mean the Patriots won't bring in a touted rookie that will also compete for the job. To do that, however, the Patriots will likely have to trade up in the first-round, which is one of the three trades that was executed in my brand new mock draft.
Here's a look at each of my first-round picks in a mock draft that includes more than a few surprises.
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
The best player in the draft goes to the team that needs him most.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
Ron Rivera gets his defensive anchor in Young, who tallied 16.5 sacks in 12 games for the Buckeyes in 2019.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
Former (Burrow started there) Ohio State players go 1-2-3 in the 2020 draft. Okudah, the nation's best cornerback last season, will look to improve a Lions' defense that was 32nd against the pass in 2019.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
The draft's fastest linebacker, Simmons should fit like a glove in Patrick Graham's defensive scheme. Simmons ran the 40-yard-dash in a blazing 4.39 seconds at the combine.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
Don't let the outside noise fool you; the Dolphins are taking Tua with this pick.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
Herbert will get to play inside a Chargers' offense that already includes Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Hunter Henry. Herbert enjoyed a prolific career at Oregon, throwing 95 touchdowns against just 23 interceptions.
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Mock Trade from
Carolina Panthers
Round 1 - Pick 7
With Okudah off the board, the Panthers trade back and pick up the 14th and 45th overall picks. The Buccaneers, who also get the 152nd overall pick, get the draft's best lineman to help protect Tom Brady. A consensus All-American last season, Wirfs was the only true freshman to start at either offensive tackle position in the Kirk Ferentz era.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
The Cardinals fill a glaring need at right tackle while giving Kyle Murray some much-needed protection. Wills was a staple of stability at Alabama, allowing just one sack and 3.5 quarterback hurries last season.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
The draft's best defensive line prospect, Brown could eventually become the new face of Jacksonville's defense. A consensus All-American in 2019, Brown finished his career with 12.5 sacks, 170 tackles and 33.5 tackles for loss.
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Round 1 - Pick 10
The Browns will boast a formidable duo at offensive tackle in 2020, with Thomas on the right side and Jack Conklin on the left side. Thomas was the 2019 recipient of the SEC's Jacobs Blocking Trophy, the first Bulldog to win the award in 21 years.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
Sam Darnold gets the draft's most complete receiver in Jeudy, who caught 24 touchdowns during his last two seasons at Alabama. He finished second all-time in school history in touchdown receptions and fourth all-time in receiving yards.
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Mock Trade from
Las Vegas Raiders
Round 1 - Pick 12
The Patriots give up the 23rd and 87th picks and a 2021 third round pick to land Love, who will help usher in a new era in New England. Love left Utah State as the school's all-time leader with 9,003 all-purpose yards.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
The 49ers' get a dynamic receiver that can help replace Emmanuel Sanders while complementing Deebo Samuel and Kendrick Bourne. Lamb is Oklahoma's all-time leader with 24 career catches of at least 40 yards and with six career games of at least 160 receiving yards.
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Mock Trade from
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Round 1 - Pick 14
The Panthers trade out of the seventh pick and still manage to grab the second best cornerback in the draft. An athletic and intelligent player, Henderson quieted concerns about his speed by running the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds at the combine.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
Drew Lock gets an explosive weapon in Ruggs, the fastest player in the 2020 draft. A home run threat every time he touched the ball at Alabama, Ruggs had the Crimson Tide's longest touchdown last season (81 yards) and second longest touchdown reception (75 yards).
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Round 1 - Pick 16
The Falcons grab the draft's second best edge rusher before getting their coveted new cornerback in Round 2. Chaisson filled the stat sheet last season, with 92 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
The Cowboys wait another round to address their needs at cornerback while nabbing the second-best interior defensive line prospect in the draft. A consensus All-American last season, Kinlaw was also a special teams force, blocking three kicks for the Gamecocks.
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From
Pittsburgh Steelers
Round 1 - Pick 18
Miami gets incredibly lucky here, grabbing one of the draft's best lineman and 2020 combine standout. Becton's speed could be attributed to his success on the hardwood as a center at Highland Springs High School in Virginia.
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From
Chicago Bears
Round 1 - Pick 19
The Raiders land one of the draft's top cornerbacks in Fulton, who broke up a whopping 14 passes while helping the Tigers win the 2019 national title. Fulton allowed Tua Tagovailoa to complete just one pass against him during LSU's regular season win over the Crimson Tide.
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From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 20
After passing on a lineman with the ninth overall pick, the Jaguars are able to land Jones, who surprisingly slips to the back half of the first round. The Jaguars get an experienced lineman who was a four-year starter at Houston.
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Mock Trade from
Philadelphia Eagles
Round 1 - Pick 21
The Packers trade the 30th, 94th and 192nd overall picks to move up to select Jefferson, who caught 18 touchdowns during his final season at LSU. Jefferson ended his college career with a bang, with 21 receptions for 342 yards and five touchdowns in the Tigers' last two games.
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From
Buffalo Bills
Round 1 - Pick 22
With the Raiders expected to take a cornerback with the 23rd pick, the Vikings wait on selecting an edge rusher in order to take Diggs, who recorded three picks, eight passes defensed and two fumble recoveries during his final year at Alabama. He allowed a passer rating of just 44.5 when he was targeted in 2019.
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Mock Trade from
New England Patriots
Round 1 - Pick 23
The Raiders secure one of the draft's best cornerbacks in Gladney, a four-year starter who broke up 26 passes during his last two seasons at TCU.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
The Saints pass on Kenneth Murray in favor of Queen, a local LSU product who filled the stat sheet during his final year with the Tigers. Queen's second quarter interception off of Tua helped LSU build a commanding halftime lead en route to a 46-41 victory.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
Minnesota is able to land one of the draft's best pass rushers in Gross-Matos, who tallied 17 sacks and 34.5 tackles for loss during his final two years in Happy Valley.
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From
Houston Texans
Round 1 - Pick 26
The Dolphins find another former Alabama safety to replace Minkah Fitzpatrick. McKinney led Alabama in tackles (95) and forced fumbles (four) in 2019.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
Seattle gets their coveted edge rusher in Epenesa, who tallied 26.5 sacks and 36 tackles for loss in three years at Iowa.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
In Murray, Baltimore finally finds their replacement for C.J. Mosley while filling one of their biggest pre-draft needs. Murray, who started in each of his 42 games at Oklahoma, finished his Sooners career with 335 tackles and 37 tackles for loss.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
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Mock Trade from
Green Bay Packers
Round 1 - Pick 30
The Eagles get a big target for quarterback Carson Wentz in Higgins, who caught 27 touchdowns at Clemson while averaging 18.1 yards per catch. Higgins, whose 1,167 receiving yards last season was the fifth-highest total in school history, caught a touchdown in five straight games in 2019.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
The defending NFC champs grab one of the draft's top cornerbacks in Terrell, a First Team All-ACC selection last season. Terrell played well in last year's College Football Playoffs, with 13 tackles and three pass breakups against the Buckeyes and Tigers.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
The Super Bowl champs acquire a talented interior lineman in Ruiz, a two-time All-Big 10 performer who totaled 26 starts at center and another five starts at right guard.
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