With the 2020 NFL Draft fast approaching, four Belly Up Fantasy Sports contributing writers sat down to mock their picks for the first round. An order was randomly determined, with Nate Herman picking first, Kye Potter second, Christopher Pinto third, and Craig Talley fourth, and continuing in that order. The goal was to realistically pick for team needs and look at the fantasy impact incoming rookies may have this upcoming season. This edition contains picks 32-21. Check back tomorrow and Sunday at 9 AM eastern for the rest of the first round!
2020 First Round Mock – Picks 32-21
21. Philadelphia Eagles – WR Jalen Reagor, TCU
Nate: As Desean Jackson ages and gets injured, the Eagles need a new receiver with deep threat capabilities. Reagor provides as much if not more speed on the outside. Reagor can create separation very early in the route, making him an explosive player. With the ball in his hands, Reagor can also turn a five-yard gain into a 25 yard gain, making him an elite playmaker. The Eagles are drafting a Desean Jackson 2.0 in Jalen Reagor, which I think most Eagles fans will be very satisfied with. Great start for our 2020 first-round mock.
22. Minnesota Vikings – CB Kristian Fulton, LSU
Kye: As I covered in my review of the wide receiver situation in Minnesota, the Vikings lost a lot of talent in the secondary and the defensive line in the offseason. Gross-Matos, McKinney, and Davidson would all fill needs here, but I think Fulton is the best value. Dropping into the NFC North might not be the easiest for a rookie in the secondary, but who knows, maybe he gets two games against Mitch Trubisky.
Kye Potter Covers what the Vikings should do about #2 at WR
Vikings Wide Receivers: Who is Number Two in Minnesota? (@KyeP_Sports) #NFL #SKOL https://t.co/otba4jk1ue
— Belly Up Sports (@BellyUpSports) April 13, 2020
23. New England Patriots – TE Cole Kmet, Notre Dame
Chris: This is wishful thinking that the Patriots will somehow get Trevor Lawrence next season and no one really knows what they will actually do, so taking the undisputed number one tight end seems like a great fit. Kmet is a huge target and has first-class hands. He is an explosive player that can catch and also block. The Pats have been without a star tight end and Kmet looks to carry that torch.
Let’s be honest with ourselves right now, no one knows what the Patriots are going to do in the draft. So, I made a move that would shock and awe people. Draft the number one tight end. The tight end landscape outside of the top 5 is so bad it’s laughable. Kmet will be a quarterbacks best friend and will have a game plan day one. I would be surprised if Kmet was still on the board come the fourth round of rookie drafts. Expect Kmet to be this years’, Darren Waller.
24. New Orleans Saints – WR Laviska Shenault, Jr., Colorado
Craig: The Saints have a wealth of talent, which will allow them to go with what they believe is truly the best available player at this position. They could easily pick Jordan Love here and he’d be a great fit, but I think they just won’t pass up wide receiver talent. Shenault led the nation in receptions per game and was fourth in yards per game.
Just the kind of guy Sean Payton loves for his offensive scheme. Scary to think a defense playing the Saints will need to account for Michael Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Jared Cook, Alvin Kamara, and now Laviska? Wow.
25. Minnesota Vikings – OT Josh Jones, Houston
Nate: The Minnesota Vikings offensive line could certainly use some upgrades. Josh Jones may not be the strongest or fastest offensive lineman in the draft, but he gets the job done. Josh Jones effectively protects his quarterback, which is all you can ask out of an offensive lineman. With the selection of Josh Jones, the Vikings are adding a key piece to their offensive line.
26. Miami Dolphins – S Xavier McKinney, Alabama
Kye: The value here is incredible. McKinney is regarded by most as a safety in a class of his own in this draft and is a steal at 26. Darnold, Allen, and Stidham (that’s not going to stop feeling weird for a while) don’t like this pick one bit. With Xavien Howard signed long term, the Dolphins (hopefully) find a Mikah Fitzpatrick replacement for the middle of the secondary.
27. Seattle Seahawks – EDGE Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State
Chris: This high octane downfield player looks like he should already be on a roster. The Seahawks are in need on the edge as Jadeveon Clowney still has not agreed to terms and Gross-Matos can do it all. With this young rusher, it may make the organizations’ decision easy. Gross-Matos is the pass rusher defensive coordinators dream of, he plays with an efficiency like no other. Chasing after Jared Goff, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Kyler Murray will be fun to watch. Downgrade these QBs immediately.
28. Baltimore Ravens – RB Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
Craig: The Ravens could go with a linebacker here and arguably could covet a wide receiver, but with the depth of those positions in this draft and with the talent of Taylor sitting there and the Ravens known for acquiring value, I think they’ll jump on him. Having that one-two punch out of the backfield of Lamar Jackson throwing and creating along with the punishing running capability of Taylor will make the Ravens offense even harder to contain.
I’m also not convinced they believe Justice Hill is the guy, but he can be a fantastic alternative to JT in our 2020 first round mock.
29. Tennessee Titans – EDGE Marlon Davidson, Auburn
Nate: Marlon Davidson gives the Titans flexibility on defense. Davidson can play in many defensive schemes and uses his speed to create pressure in the backfield. Davidson also provides a hard-working, hungry, and dedicated attitude, which fits right in with the Titans’ mindset and mentality. In college, Davidson showed great hands, and pass-rushing moves, which makes him a very solid selection for the Tennessee Titans.
30. Green Bay Packers – WR Tee Higgins, Clemson
Kye: If I need to justify this pick, you need to have your head checked. You don’t need a cheese wedge pulled down on it to be excited about the idea of Higgins joining the Packers offense. With Davante Adams absolutely demanding several defenders’ attention on most plays, Higgins would have all the opportunity in the world to fly deep and make acrobatic catches. I wanted to see him with Drew Brees and Michael Thomas in New Orleans, but sign me up for this all day, too.
31. San Fransisco 49ers – CB Trevon Diggs, Alabama
Chris: Everyone has seen the old school, hard-nosed defense the 49ers have and Diggs brings that same swagger with him. He has the build and speed to keep up with number one wideouts and can make the spark plays a stagnant defense may need. Not to mention seeing him line up across from his brother Stefon will be fun to watch. A natural leader and captain, Trevon will be a great fit for the 49ers.
The total package plus pedigree gives Diggs the chance to be a standout corner this season. In a division with stars Tyler Lockett, Cooper Kupp, and DeAndre Hopkins, Diggs will need to step up and be a lockdown corner to decrease the value of those wideouts.
32. Kansas City Chiefs – RB D’Andre Swift, Georgia
Craig: Do I really need to write anything here? I mean, Andy Reid couldn’t fill the card out fast enough for this pick. Winning the Super Bowl and adding one of the top two running backs in the draft with the last pick of the first round? Are you kidding? #Easy
The Top 12 Fantasy RBs according to Chris Pinto
Get your Early Top 12 RB Rankings for Redraft leagues as our own Christopher Pinto @AggieKappaSig makes his @BellyUpSports debut with this article! #FantasyFootball #NFL #NFLTwitter https://t.co/tWZEs3BReK
— Belly Up Fantasy 🏆 (@BellyUpFantasy) April 14, 2020
Stay plugged in to NFL Draft news at Belly Up Sports.