2020 full 1st-round NFL mock draft heading into Divisional Round
By Sanjit T.
5. Miami Dolphins: QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
The Dolphins need their future quarterback, and this year is the year you pull the trigger. Unless a quarterback-needy team jumps in front of them, the pick here should be Tua Tagovailoa, who is declaring early after a record-breaking career at Alabama.
The hip injury is a concern, but it’s not as if the Dolphins need Tua to see the field day one, as they can see what they have with Josh Rosen, and possibly trade him, or stick with Ryan Fitzpatrick for another year while Tua gets back to 100% health. Fitzpatrick did a nice job leading this team down the stretch, so why not give him another season.
2800 yards, 33 touchdowns to three interceptions, and a 71.4 completion percentage in nine games is why he should be taken as the second overall quarterback. If he is able to get fully healthy, he will pay off huge to whichever team takes him.
6. Los Angeles Chargers: QB Justin Herbert, Oregon
The Phillip Rivers era is coming to an end in Los Angeles. If you watched him play last year, you saw what was seen in Peyton Manning prior to his last season. The end is coming, and unless the Chargers want to try to tank one more year for Trevor Lawrence, then they’d be wise to take Justin Herbert.
This pick might be a bit of a reach at this point, but a lot can happen prior to the draft. Herbert will also have to really sell himself in the draft process. The 6’6” 237-pound Quarterback has a huge arm, but since he plays in the Ducks quick passing offense, making his second read isn’t something that he has to do a lot. Some scouts have concerns about him not being able to consistently make his second or third read.
7. Carolina Panthers: DE/DT A.J. Epenesa, Iowa
The Panthers need help on offense but can wait to fill that side of the ball in the later rounds. With the 7th pick, the Panthers should focus on fixing that defense. Although taking Brian Burns with the 17th pick in last year’s draft was a great move, the Panthers still need help, and A.J. Epenesa would help them instantly.
Epenesa is a physical defensive end and could easily play on the inside, based on his size, where he comes in at 6’6” 280 pounds. Epenesa is a different type of player than Brian Burns, who uses speed and his quickness to win at the point of attack.