NFL Mock Draft 2020: 1st-Round Projections for Most Coveted Prospects

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow is the most coveted prospect in the 2020 NFL draft, and it's not hard to see why after he won both the Heisman Trophy and the College Football Playoff National Championship this past season.

He is getting drafted first overall, so the real drama will begin with the Washington Redskins at No. 2, who could take Ohio State pass-rusher Chase Young or trade the pick.

Mock Draft

1. Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

2. Washington Redskins: Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State

3. Detroit Lions: Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State

4. New York Giants: Jedrick Wills Jr., OT, Alabama 

5. Miami Dolphins: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon

6. Los Angeles Chargers: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

7. Carolina Panthers: Isaiah Simmons, OLB, Clemson

8. Arizona Cardinals: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma

9. Jacksonville Jaguars: Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn

10. Cleveland Browns: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

11. New York Jets: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama

12. Las Vegas Raiders: Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson

13. Indianapolis Colts: Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa

15. Denver Broncos: Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville 

16. Atlanta Falcons: K'Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU

17. Dallas Cowboys: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama

18. Miami Dolphins (from Pittsburgh): Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa

19. Las Vegas Raiders (from Chicago): Julian Okwara, DE, Notre Dame

20. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Rams): Patrick Queen, LB, LSU

21. Philadelphia Eagles: CJ Henderson, CB, Florida

22. Buffalo Bills: Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama

23. New England Patriots: Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado

24. New Orleans Saints: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State

25. Minnesota Vikings: Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia

26. Miami Dolphins (from Houston): D'Andre Swift, RB, Georgia

27. Seattle Seahawks: Curtis Weaver, DE, Boise State

28. Baltimore Ravens: Zack Baun, EDGE, Wisconsin

29. Tennessee Titans: Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma

30. Green Bay Packers: Tyler Biadasz, C, Wisconsin

31. San Francisco 49ers: Grant Delpit, S, LSU

32. Kansas City Chiefs: Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU

Would Washington Trade the No. 2 Pick?

Young is widely considered a can't-miss prospect in the mold of 2019 Defensive Rookie of the Year Nick Bosa. Why, then, would Washington consider trading away a shot at drafting him?

First off, Washington already has a quality defensive front. Defensive linemen Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen, along with edge-rusher Montez Sweat, are first-round selections.

The San Francisco 49ers had a defensive front filled with first-round picks as well and still took Bosa. However, it was a luxury pick, and Young would be the same for Washington.

Secondly, trading the pick would bring in a treasure trove of assets.

"I will tell you right now, I have somebody who is at the Senior Bowl who told me, flat out: the Washington Redskins could remake their franchise, this year, by dealing the second pick in the draft," NBC Sports' Peter King said last month on the Redskins Talk podcast.

Do Dolphins Love Herbert, or Are They Blowing Smoke?

Butch Dill/Associated Press

The Miami Dolphins are one reason why a team may trade up to No. 2, or at least ahead of the Dolphins at five. They covet a quarterback, and it's not a secret.

What is more unclear is which quarterback the Dolphins are hoping to land. They've been linked to Alabama signal-caller Tua Tagovailoa, who is arguably on par with Burrow in pro potential. However, Tagovailoa is recovering from a dislocated hip, and that could be a sticking point for Miami.

"One source said the Dolphins are not just concerned about Tagovailoa's return to full health from the fractured and dislocated hip he suffered last November but also about his durability in the long term beyond the current injury," Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald wrote.

Salguero mentioned the Dolphins also have an "increasingly positive" view of Oregon QB Justin Herbert.

While it's possible Miami is smitten with Herbert and concerned with Tagovailoa's health, everything must be taken with a handful of salt this time of year. The Dolphins could also hope to prevent a team from jumping them for Tagovailoa by giving the impression they wouldn't take him at five.

Are Lions Locking in on a Cornerback?

If Washington stays put, the Detroit Lions will be the next team getting calls about trading down.

Depending on how far the Lions go, such a move could work out perfectly. If, for example, the Los Angeles Chargers or Carolina Panthers move up to get ahead of Miami, Detroit may still have a shot at getting its preferred prospect.

Given the team's needs and the recent trade chatter, that guy might be Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah.

The Lions finished 2019 ranked dead last in pass defense. They're also shopping No. 1 cornerback Darius Slay, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter:

Trading Slay could lead to Detroit coveting Okudah above every other player.

"He has a rigid adherence to technique, but squeezing coverage even tighter and trusting his traits, talent and recovery speed could make him one of the top shutdown corners in the game," NFL Media's Lance Zierlein wrote.

Getting the best cornerback in the draft and extra draft capital would be a huge win for the Lions.