2020 full 1st-round mock draft after the Scouting Combine
By Evan Groat
5. Miami Dolphins: QB, Justin Herbert, Oregon
With Tua off the board, the Dolphins go with their next highest-graded quarterback in Justin Herbert. Herbert has flown under the radar early in the draft process, but he had a really clean week at the Senior Bowl, and a really good combine, helping to boost his draft status.
Herbert continues to check off all the boxes, he has the size, and legs to win at the NFL level, and may be the most NFL-ready quarterback in this draft class. He returned to Oregon for a final season in 2019, and it will certainly pay off on draft night in April.
6. Los Angeles Chargers: OT, Mekhi Becton, Louisville
The Chargers opted not to bring back Phillip Rivers which leaves a big void at quarterback. Tyrod Taylor has experience as a starter in the league. With the top three signal callers off the board the Chargers decide not to reach on Jordan Love based on need. They will roll with Tyrod in 2020.
Instead they take a mountain of a man in Mekhi Becton. Becton is 6 foot 7 inches, 364 pounds and has good movement skills for a man his size. He has been compared to the Raiders right tackle, Trent Brown.
7. Carolina Panthers: DT, Derrick Brown, Auburn
It sounds as if the Panthers plan to stick with Cam Newton, which means they can now take the best player available in Derrick Brown. While Brown’s Combine was not spectacular, the tape does not lie, and he is going to be a special player at the next level.
Brown was named SEC defensive player of the year in 2019. Brown can be a disrupter in the middle on the Panthers defense for the next 10 years. Brian Burns and Derrick Brown give first year head coach Matt Rhule a great foundation along the defensive line.
8. Arizona Cardinals: OT, Tristan Wirfs, Iowa
Kyler Murray will push very hard for former teammate CeeDee Lamb, an explosive wide receiver, but Kliff Kingsbury resists the temptation on wide receiver in round one, and pegs Iowa offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs as the pick.
Murray was the top overall pick in 2019 and won Offensive Rookie of the Year, that’s an asset that needs to be protected. Wirfs dominated the combine, answering any questions that were had about his ability to play left tackle, and with Larry Fitzgerald returning, and Christian Kirk at WR2, they are good enough at wideout in 2020.