It’s here. The day the sports world has been waiting for. Round 1 of the 2020 NFL Draft. The event is going to be unlike anything else we’ve seen in the recent history of the league.
General managers picking from the leisure of their own homes. Multiple potential blockbuster trades. A couple big-name players who could fall down the draft board.
It’s in this that I look at six last-minute bold predictions for the 2020 NFL Draft.
Redskins trade down from the second pick
We have all read the reports from D.C. These Redskins are locked into Ohio State edge rusher Chase Young with the second overall pick. Despite this, there continues to be rumors of other teams potentially looking to trade up for Young.
Buy into these rumors. Young is seen as a better version of last year’s NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Nick Bosa. Look at how much Bosa changed the dynamic of the 49ers’ defense in 2019. Another team will pay the farm to move up for him. It will be akin to previous bounties we’ve seen teams move up to acquire potential franchise quarterbacks. My betting favorite right now would be the Jaguars paying that price.
Cowboys trade for Jamal Adams
Rumors have been hot and heavy since last season’s trade deadline that Dallas is eyeing this All-Pro safety from the New York Jets. They even picked up steam recently before suggestions from the Dallas brass threw cold water on said rumors.
We can’t take Cowboys owner Jerry Jones at his word. He’s always looking to make that bold move, one that could pay off immediately. With a clear need at safety, Dallas sends the 17th overall pick to New York for Adams. In turn, the Jets finally get a stud receiver (Justin Jefferson) for Sam Darnold with that selection.
Tua Tagovailoa falls to the 13th pick
I am not necessarily buying into the rumors that multiple teams have taken Tua off their draft boards due to the hip injury he suffered with Alabama last season. Though, there’s every reason to believe that he will fall much further than most anticipate once the draft comes calling.
With that said, Tagovailoa is too elite of a talent to fall outside of the early teens. It’s in this that I predict he comes off the board to the New England Patriots at 13. That’s not a typo. The Pats will move their first-round pick this year (23rd overall) and a 2021 first-round selection to the San Francisco 49ers to acquire Tom Brady’s successor. Evil genius Bill Belichick back at work in New England.
Five offensive tackles within the first-10 picks
It seems to be trending in this direction. Recent reports suggest that Andrew Thomas (Georgia), Tristan Wirfs (Iowa), Jedrick Wills (Alabama) and Mekhi Becton (Louisville) will all go within the top-10 picks.
In no way would this be out of the ordinary given just how stacked the draft is at tackle. An argument could be made that as many as eight teams within the top-10 picks have major needs at tackle. Enter into the equation either Josh Jones (Houston) or Austin Jackson (USC). It would not be a shock if one of them were to also land in the top 10 come Thursday evening, bringing the total number of offensive tackles in that range to five.
Odell Beckham Jr. is traded
Conflicting reports over the past several weeks have put a potential OBJ trade back on the front burner. While the Browns deny that something is going to happen on this front, NFL insiders firmly believe it’s just a matter of time before the Pro Bowler is traded.
I am here to boldly predict that it will happen some time late Thursday evening. A team selecting in the bottom of the first round will not like how how the board plays out at receiver and will make a late push for Beckham Jr. My money is on the Green Bay Packers offering up the 30th pick and more assets to land a true No. 1 receiver for Aaron Rodgers.
Seahawks make yet another surprise pick
Seattle general manager John Schneider is nothing if not unpredictable. He’s surprised the masses over the past several drafts, selecting players who were not seen as first-round picks. L.J. Collier (2019), Rashaad Penny (2018) and Germain Ifedi (2016) are all prime examples of this.
Here, I predict Seattle finally addresses that much-needed tackle position. The Seahawks do so by adding offensive tackle Ezra Cleveland from Boise State. Stranger things have indeed happened.