IMH NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Post Free Agency Edition

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced this weekend that although COVID-19 has presented many challenges, the draft will still be held on April 23-25. The draft will look a little different this year, as it sounds like the NFL is weighing "virtual options" to allow fans to still see the reactions of NFL draftees and their families. Along with that, NFL clubs and scouts have had to experience unprecedently little access that is crucial to making the franchise-altering decisions they will have to make come later this month.

However, as the saying goes: "The show must go on". NFL GMs have begged league officials to move back the draft, but it seems to be to no avail. Nonetheless, after a wild offseason filled with big-name paydays and some superstar trades, an updated IMH Mock Draft is in order. I made my first mock draft back in February, and quite a few picks have changed since then.

IT MEANS HISTORY PRESENTS - OUR NFL MOCK DRAFT 2.0: POST FREE AGENCY EDITION

1st Overall Pick - Cincinnati Bengal select:

LSU QB Joe Burrow

Previous Pick: LSU QB Joe Burrow

Burrow's impressive senior campaign is still enough for Cincinnati to make the easy choice with the first overall pick. The veteran presence of recently-franchise tagged WR A.J. Green should help Burrow's transition to the next level.

2nd Overall Pick - Washington Redskins select:

Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa

Previous Pick: Ohio State DE Chase Young

Here's where the draft starts to get interesting. Washington hasn't given out many hints as to who they are leaning towards with the second overall pick, and it could be a toss-up between 'Bama's all-time leader in touchdown passes (Tagovailoa) and OSU's single-season sack leader (Chase Young). Tagovailoa not only has incredible on-field-play, but his off-the-field leadership has to look appealing to new HC Ron Rivera. Tua's hip injury was the scarce concern scouts had on Tagovailoa but he looks to be ready for training camp (whenever that is). Washington, coming off an underwhelming season from QB Dwayne Haskins, pulls a scenario similar to that in Arizona last season with New HC Kliff Kingsbury drafting QB (and eventual rookie of the year) Kyler Murray and shipping off QB Josh Rosen, who was picked a year prior. Except this time, the roles of Kingsbury, Murray, and Rosen and played by Rivera, Tagovailoa, and Haskins.

3rd Overall Pick - Detroit Lions select:

Ohio State DE Chase Young

Previous Pick: Ohio State CB Jeff Okudah

Detroit picks up a huge win, as the best player in the draft falls into their lap at the third overall pick. Although the trade offers will be hard to decline, the Lions draft a new toy for their defensive mastermind in HC Matt Patricia.

4th Overall Pick - TRADE

New York Giants Acquire:

2020 First Round Pick (No. 5)

2020 Second Round Pick (No. 39)

2021 Second Round Pick

Miami Dolphins Acquire:

2020 First Round Pick (No.4)

4th Overall Pick - Miami Dolphins (via trade with NYG) select:

Oregon QB Justin Herbert

Previous Pick: Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa

Miami, who loaded up on picks to afford this type of trade, moves up to the fourth pick in the draft to prevent QB-needy teams, such as the Chargers or Jaguars, to snatch their hopeful quarterback-of-the-future. Although they would've preferred Tagovalioa, Miami knows they need to come out of the draft with a signal-caller, so Herbert's headed to South Beach.

5th Overall Pick - New York Giants (via trade with MIA) select:

Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons

Previous Pick: Alabama OL Jedrick Wills Jr.

Simmons' draft stock has skyrocketed over the last couple of weeks, and the freakish athlete gets selected with the fifth overall pick. In a win-win selection, Simmons becomes the face of an improved, young Giants front seven, while GM Dave Gettleman is able to acquire draft capital (and save a few million on Simmons' signing bonus) by trading back.

6th Overall Pick - Los Angeles Charger select:

Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs

Previous Pick: Oregon QB Justin Herbert

After a good showing at the combine, Wirfs slides up a few selections to the Chargers with the sixth pick. Wirfs' athleticism and toughness stood out during his senior season as a Hawkeye, and with Rusell Okung being traded, Anthony Lynn's offense is in need of a starting LT.

7th Overall Pick - Carolina Panthers Select:

Ohio State CB Jeff Okudah

Previous Pick: Auburn DT Derrick Brown

Following some shakeups within the first few picks, Carolina picks the best CB/player available in Okudah. To new HC Matt Rhule's excitement, Okudah immediately slides into the Pathers' CB1 spot following James Bradberry's signing with the New York Giants.

8th Overall Pick - Arizona Cardinals Select:

Louisville OT Mechi Becton

Previous Pick: Oklahoma WR CeeDee Lamb

Cardinals' GM Steve Keim pulled off an absolute heist hours before the Legal Tampering Period started, trading away regressing RB David Johnson, a 2nd Round Pick, and a 2021 4th Round Pick for star WR DeAndre Hopkins and a 4th Round Pick. As evident, Arizona no longer has a need at the WR position and shifts their draft focus to protecting ROTY QB Kyler Murray with this selection of Becton.

9th Overall Pick - Jacksonville Jaguars Select:

Auburn DT Derrick Brown

Previous Pick: Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons

Jaguars GM David Caldwell has made it clear he's blowing it up this season, with hopes of picking first this time next year. The Jaguars, who look to have their eyes set on Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence in the 2021 Draft, have traded away CB A.J Bouye (DEN), QB Nick Foles (CHI) and DL Calais Campbell (BAL). Campbell's departure could have the biggest impact; Jacksonville fills that hole with Brown.

10th Overall Pick - Cleveland Browns Select:

Georgia OT Andrew Thomas

Previous Pick: Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs

Cleveland is coming off a very disappointing 6-10 season, which was in large part due to the poor play of their offensive line. The Browns already addressed that in FA by signing Tennessee's Jack Conklin to a 3 year/$42M deal. While Conklin will lock down RT, Thomas can slide in to protect Baker Mayfield's blindside.

11th Overall Pick - TRADE

New York Jets Acquire:

2020 First Round Pick (No.15)

2020 Fourth Round Pick (No. 118)

2020 Sixth Round Pick (No. 181)

Denver Broncos Acquire:

2020 First Round Pick (No.11)

11th Overall Pick - Denver Broncos (via trade with NYJ) Select:

Oklahoma WR CeeDee Lamb

The Broncos, stockpiled with compensatory picks from multiple players leaving, move above teams looking for WRs, such as the Raiders (No. 12) and 49ers (No.13) to select the best receiver available in a stacked class. Drew Lock gets a new favorite target and GM John Elway gets to hold onto four of his five draft picks in the first three rounds.

12th Overall Pick - Las Vegas Raiders Select:

Alabama WR Jerry Jeudy

The Raiders, in desperate need of a WR1, pick 'Bama's Jeudy with their first of two first-round selections. Jeudy, who would be the first receiver off the board in most draft classes, will catch passes from either QB Derek Carr or recently signed QB Marcus Mariota.

13th Overall Pick - San Fransisco 49ers (via IND) Select:

Alabama WR Henry Ruggs III

GM John Lynch added to the trade frenzy that took place at the start of the new league year by trading away defensive star DeForest Buckner for the 13th Overall Pick, in what looks to be a move to get QB Jimmy Garoppolo a new pass-catcher. Unfortunately for Lynch, Lamb and Ruggs' collegiate teammate Jeudy are unavailable. And although there is a little bit of a dropoff from Jeudy to Ruggs, San Fran makes Ruggs the third WR off the board.

14th Overall Pick - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Select:

Alabama OT Jedrick Wills

Tampa Bay appears to have won the offseason with the signing of QB Tom Brady. Although a situation where the Buccaneers address their defensive needs with South Carolina's Javon Kinlaw is imaginable, protecting Brady needs to be priority one. That priority is accomplished by drafting Wills, the plug-and-play RT, who is considered by some to be the best OT in this year's premier class.

15th Overall Pick - New York Jets (via DEN) Select:

LSU Edge K'Lavon Chaisson

After the Jets trade back with Denver, New York drafts much-needed pass rusher help in Chaisson. After signing Breshad Perriman in FA, the Jets can afford to hang back on the WR sweepstakes that happens a couple picks before theirs. And, with Wills going off the board just minutes before their selection, New York fills that pass rusher need and focuses on OT help in the later rounds.

16th Overall Pick - Atlanta Falcons Select:

South Carolina DT Javon Kinlaw

Following the departure of Vic Beasley, front seven help is the top priority for Atlanta. Remember, the Falcons' schedule now consists of playing Drew Brees and Tom Brady in 25% of their games. Kinlaw will be a nice addition alongside DT Grady Jarrett and recently signed DE Dante Fowler Jr.

17th Overall Pick - Dallas Cowboys Select:

Florida CB C.J. Henderson

The Cowboys have a glaring need at cornerback following Byron Jones' big payday in Miami. Dallas brings in Henderson to fill the need.

18th Overall Pick - Miami Dolphins (via PIT) Select:

Alabama S Xavier McKinney

On the defensive side of the ball, the Dolphins fixed their abysmal LB core by bringing in a couple of former Patriots, in Elandon Roberts and Kyle Van Noy. However, the safety position is still a major need. McKinney, the best safety in this year's draft, should pair nicely with Jones in the secondary.

19th Overall Pick - Las Vegas Raiders (via CHI) Select:

LSU S Grant Delpit

Like Miami, Raiders GM Mike Mayock has done a good job of finding needs and filling them through FA. After Mayock let Karl Joseph sign with Cleveland in free agency the Raiders are looking for a safety. Delpit, coming off a junior season in which he won the Jim Thrope Award (best DB in college football), will fit into HC Jon Gruden's defense just fine.

20th Overall Pick - TRADE

Jacksonville Jaguars (via LAR) Acquire:

2020 First Round Pick (No.24)

2020 Fourth Round Pick (No. 130)

2021 Fifth Round Pick

New Orleans Saints Acquire:

2020 First Round Pick (No. 20)

20th Overall Pick - New Orleans Saints (via JAX (via LAR)) Select:

Oklahoma LB Kenneth Murray

The Saints make the third trade of the night by moving up four spots to pick Murray. The Saints' linebacking core needs major help: Alex Anzalone is coming off of season-ending shoulder surgery, A.J. Klein has left in FA, and Kiko Alonso is coming off of an ACL Tear that occurred in the Minnesota playoff game. Coach Payton's system should work well with Murray's playing style.

21st Overall Pick - Philadelphia Eagles Select:

LSU WR Justin Jefferson

Aside from Zach Ertz, the Eagles receiving core has been underwhelming with a healthy Carson Wentz on the field. After great showings in the Peach Bowl (227 YDs, 4 TDs) and Indianapolis (4.43 40), Jefferson will give Wentz and the Eagles a much-needed boost in the passing game.

22nd Overall Pick - Minnesota Vikings (via BUF) Select:

Clemson CB A.J. Terrell

Clemson's Terrell goes off the board as the Vikings fill a major need: With the departures of Xavier Rhodes (IND), Trae Waynes (CIN), and Mackenzie Alexander (CIN), Minnesota is left without its top three corners from last season.

23rd Overall Pick - TRADE

New England Patriots Acquire:

2020 Second Round Pick (No. 37)

2021 Second Round Pick

Los Angeles Chargers Acquire:

2020 First Round Pick (No.23)

23rd Overall Pick - Los Angeles Chargers (via NE) Select:

Utah State QB Jordan Love

After much intrigue over who they were going to choose with this selection, Bill Belichick eventually decides to trade back fourteen picks to capitalize on LA's need for a rookie QB project. LA gets the quarterback they were thinking of drafting seventeen picks earlier and now also have a talented LT to block for him. Love and veteran Tyrod Taylor will add to the growing number of teams with a QB battle for the starting spot ahead of Week 1.

24th Overall Pick - Jacksonville Jaguars (via NO) Select:

Alabama CB Trevon Diggs

With their second first-round selection, Jacksonville selects the CB they would've likely selected with the twentieth pick. Diggs, who some consider better than Terrell, will slide right into DC Todd Walsh's CB1, a position that was held by stars A.J. Bouye and Jalen Ramsey not that long ago.

25th Overall Pick - Minnesota Vikings Select:

Penn State Edge Yetur Gross-Matos

The Vikings fill another need on HC Mike Zimmer's defense with the selection of Gross-Matos. Although Minnesota ranked in the top five last season in total sacks, they need a pass rusher. DE Everson Griffen, the heart of their defense for the last nine seasons, announced that he will not be returning to the organization. Gross-Matos fills Griffen's void and should fit in well opposite of Danielle Hunter.

26th Overall Pick - Miami Dolphins (via HOU) Select:

USC OT Austin Jackson

Miami drafts Herbert's immediate protection in Jackson. The Trojan product has been seen to specialize in pass blocking techniques.

27th Overall Pick - Seattle Seahawks Select:

Iowa DE A.J. Espenesa

With Jadeveon Clowney still remaining on the open market, it's looking more and more unlikely he will be changing addresses. Espenesa has the potential to be a top sixteen pick and showed great flashes at Iowa. But a poor combine, which included a 5.04 40 yard dash, has him slipping to the end of the first round.

28th Overall Pick - TRADE

Baltimore Ravens Acquire:

2020 Second Round Pick (No. 42)

2020 Fourth Round Pick (No. 127)

2021 Third Round Pick

Jacksonville Jaguars Acquire:

2020 First Round Pick (No. 28)

2020 Seventh Round Pick (No. 225)

28th Overall Pick - Jacksonville Jaguars (via BAL) Select:

Notre Dame TE Cole Kmet

As anticipated, Baltimore will look for trade suitors with this selection or simply take the best player available. They find a trade partner in Jacksonville who although signed veteran TE Tyler Eifert, is still looking for a big TE for QB Gardner Minshew to target. Kmet (6'6, 262 lbs.) is that big TE.

29th Overall Pick - Tennessee Titans Select:

Houston OT Josh Jones

As evident in the AFC Championship game, Tennessee's offensive line/running game is their heart and soul. RB Derrick Henry carried the team last postseason and deserves GM Jon Robinson to invest in retooling the O-Line. Jones will come in and fill the spot at RT left behind by Cleveland-bound Jack Conklin.

30th Overall Pick - Green Bay Packers Select:

Clemson WR Tee Higgins

Aaron Rodgers is still Aaron Rodgers, and the Packers need to capitalize on the late stages of his prime by surrounding him with adequate receivers. Like Espenesa, Higgins also had a performance at the Combine, which is how he falls into Green Bay's lap. Higgins joins a WR room with Davante Adams and recently signed Devin Funchess.

31st Overall Pick - San Francisco 49ers Select:

LSU CB Kristian Fulton

After drafting a WR earlier in the first round, Lynch shifts his focus to one of the scarce concerns in DC Robert Saleh's defense: Cornerbacks. Much of the Niners secondary have expiring contracts in 2021, making it that much more important to come out of the draft with a CB in the early rounds. Fulton is the pick.

32nd Overall Pick - Kansas City Chiefs Select:

Utah DB Terrell Burgess

The defending champions have a definite need in the secondary, both at the corner spots and safety, Burgess showed the versatility to play both of those positions at Utah, making him the perfect pick to wrap up Day 1.