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Each year, Acme Packing Company’s writers combine for a mock draft, pitting each of us against one another as we represent different teams. This year, eight APC contributors pitched in, representing four teams apiece — two NFC teams and two AFC teams, and all from different divisions.
This year’s mock stretches to the end of the second round of the draft, giving some possibilities for how the Green Bay Packers’ picks at 30 and 62 overall could go. Check out the mock as we reveal the first round over the course of the next few days, followed by round two later on this week.
Today we run through the teens to watch potential future Packers come off the board in the middle of round one. Stay tuned tomorrow as we conclude round one, followed by round two on Thursday.
1.11 NY Jets: Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville (Shawn)
If the board falls this way, this pick comes down to two offensive tackles - Jedrick Wills or Mekhi Becton. The Jets need someone to protect their Sam Darnold investment and Becton could be the blindside protector the Jets need. There are questions if Wills can play on the left side, so Becton is the pick.
1.12 Las Vegas: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama (Mike)
Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock need to make a splash with their first choice as the Las Vegas Raiders. They get that splash with Jerry Jeudy. Jeudy jumps into the number one receiver right away for David Carr. Jeudy is the top route runner in the draft and has the speed to separate from corners, everything the Raiders need. In my opinion, he has some of the same traits as Julio Jones. That’s a big comparison but Jeudy will need to be that type of player to meet the high expectations the Raiders will have their first season in Vegas.
1.13 San Francisco: Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina (Mike)
The 49ers traded DeForest Buckner to the Colts for this pick and Javon Kinlaw will be a great fit to replace him. He has great size and explosiveness off the ball. He can defend the run and, while he needs to develop some more moves, he can rush the passer from the interior. For the second year in a row the 49ers grab my favorite player in the draft, last year it was Deebo Samuel (we all went to South Carolina) and it’ll set up the 49ers defense to stay stout as they try to make another run at the Super Bowl.
1.14 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama (Kris)
You just signed Tom Brady so you’ve got to protect him. It’s not going to be the sexiest pick but with several offensive tackles off the board before the first round is even over, Tampa Bay will feel the pressure to pull the trigger on arguably the most athletic offensive linemen in the draft.
1.15 Denver Broncos: Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama (Tex)
Denver’s offense has plenty of talent at running back after signing Melvin Gordon and a strong-armed young quarterback in Drew Lock. Now let’s give Lock a true burner, a deep threat who can run down any ball he throws up. Ruggs will be a day-one starter and provides a nice difference in skillset to the likes of Courtland Suton and DaeSean Hamilton.
1.16 - Atlanta Falcons, CJ Henderson, CB, Florida (Paul)
Dan Quinn is supposed to be the kind of coach who elevates a defense. That hasn’t happened in Atlanta, and I expect this to be a defense-heavy draft as a result. Atlanta was 25th against the pass in DVOA and desperately needs help at EDGE and CB. Henderson will get them off to a nice start as the second best DB in this draft should be able to step in and start straight away.
1.17 Dallas Cowboys: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama (Kris)
Even though Mike McCarthy has old friend Ha Ha Clinton-Dix with him in Dallas, their secondary is in major need of an overhaul. Smart, fast and versatile, McKinney will give the veteran coach his best skillset at safety in a long, long time.
1.18 Miami Dolphins (from Pittsburgh Steelers): Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU (Tex)
Pairing a rookie quarterback with a rookie wide receiver — and one who has all the soft skills necessary to develop early chemistry with his quarterback — is my ideal setup here, even if the two come from rival SEC schools. Jefferson is a very good athlete, but it’s his ability to find open spaces in zone coverages and get open that makes him a special player. Devante Parker will still be the #1 option, but Jefferson provides a great option out of the slot as a rookie, and Miami’s offense should be much more dangerous in the coming year.
1.19 Las Vegas Raiders: Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama (Mike)
The Raiders have big holes to fill at wide receiver and cornerback. Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock got their receiver from Alabama with their first round pick and head back to Tuscaloosa to fill their void at cornerback with Trevon Diggs. Diggs has good size and strength to jam receivers at the line. He fits better as a cover corner as he has some trouble with the deep ball but the Raiders have good safeties to help him out over the top. Diggs will be a solid complement to Trayvon Mullen and will give the Raiders some help with the pass happy AFC West.
1.20 Jacksonville Jaguars: Patrick Queen, LB, LSU (Paul)
Jacksonville needs a little of everything after having lost a little bit of everything. Without a decent QB left and with Jefferson off the board at WR, Jacksonville opts for the best defensive player left. While Queen may not play a premium position, he’s not a bad fit in their scheme.
APC 2020 Mock Draft
Pick | Team | Player | Position | College | Author |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pick | Team | Player | Position | College | Author |
1 | CIN | Joe Burrow | QB | LSU | Kris |
2 | WAS | Chase Young | EDGE | Ohio State | Jordan |
3 | DET | Jeff Okudah | CB | Ohio State | Mike |
4 | NYG | Isaiah Simmons | LB | Clemson | Jon B |
5 | MIA | Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Alabama | Tex |
6 | LAC | Justin Herbert | QB | Oregon | Shawn |
7 | CAR | Derrick Brown | DT | Auburn | Jon B |
8 | ARI | Andrew Thomas | OT | Georgia | Peter |
9 | JAX | CeeDee Lamb | WR | Oklahoma | Paul |
10 | CLE | Tristan Wirfs | OT | Iowa | Jordan |
11 | NYJ | Mekhi Becton | OT | Louisville | Shawn |
12 | LV | Jerry Jeudy | WR | Alabama | Mike |
13 | SF (from IND) | Javon Kinlaw | DT | South Carolina | Mike |
14 | TB | Jedrick Wills | OT | Alabama | Kris |
15 | DEN | Henry Ruggs | WR | Alabama | Tex |
16 | ATL | CJ Henderson | CB | Florida | Paul |
17 | DAL | Xavier McKinney | S | Alabama | Kris |
18 | MIA (from PIT) | Justin Jefferson | WR | LSU | Tex |
19 | LV (from CHI) | Trevon Diggs | CB | Alabama | Mike |
20 | JAX (from LAR) | Patrick Queen | LB | LSU | Paul |
21 | PHI | Kenneth Murray | LB | Oklahoma | Tex |
22 | MIN (from BUF) | K'Lavon Chaisson | DE | LSU | Shawn |
23 | NE | Brandon Aiyuk | WR | Arizona State | Paul |
24 | NO | Jordan Love | QB | Utah State | Shawn |
25 | MIN | Denzel Mims | WR | Baylor | Shawn |
26 | MIA (from HOU) | Austin Jackson | OT | USC | Tex |
27 | SEA | Jeff Gladney | DB | TCU | Jordan |
28 | BAL | Chase Claypool | WR | Notre Dame | Jon B |
29 | TEN | Ross Blacklock | DT | TCU | Jon B |
30 | GB | Joshua Jones | OT | Houston | Peter |
31 | SF | Tee Higgins | WR | Clemson | Mike |
32 | KC | Zack Baun | LB | Wisconsin | Kris |