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When Scouting Academy Director Dan Hatman was on the ‘Valentine’s Views’ podcast recently, he proposed a scenario in which he would trade down not once BUT TWICE in Round 1 of the 2020 NFL Draft.
So, when I went to Fanspeak’s mock draft simulator to create this week’s scenario my original aim was to re-create a similar scenario and see how it would play out. If you have used it, though, you know ‘Fanspeak’ can be a temperamental beast and, as I have said before, there is really no arguing with what a computer algorhythm will and will not go along with.
Thus, I was not able to completely re-create Hatman’s scenario, getting down into the 20s in Round 1. What I did manage to do was swing a trade with the Indianapolis Colts for the 13th overall pick in Round 1. That deal also netted me additional selections in rounds two, three and four.
As I have been doing in recent weeks, I ran a free ageny scenario first. Some of the players I would like to target — like Kyle Van Noy and Cory Littleton — were not available in this simulation.
This scenario is going to end up including some different names we haven’t really discussed in previous mocks. Here’s how it all turned out.
Free agency
Cut
C Spencer Pulley ($2.75 million cap savings)
S Antoine Bethea ($2.75 million cap savings)
Transition tag
DL Leonard Williams
Re-signed
S Michael Thomas, two years, $6 million ($3 million guaranteed)
WR Cody Core, two years, $5.5 million ($2.75 million per year)
Signed
LB Joe Schobert, four years, $28 million ($7 million per year)
CB Darqueze Dennard, two years, $12 million ($6 million per year)
QB Chase Daniel, two years, $8 million ($4 million per year)
C Graham Glasgow, four years, $32 million ($8 million per year)
S Anthony Harris, four years, $56 million ($14 million per year)
Ed’s Mock Draft
Round 1 (No. 13) — Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
Because Fanspeak did some dumb stuff — like three wide receivers taken in the first 11 picks — there were a lot of players available here who shouldn’t be (like Derrick Brown, Jeffrey Okudah, Jedrick Wills).
I don’t know if Becton makes it this far, either. Becton and GM Dave Gettleman just seem like a couple made for each other, and I think there is a chance Gettleman goes for Becton as early as No. 4 if he stays there. So, I took him here.
Round 2 (No. 4/36) — Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne
I can’t help myself. I’m fascinated by Dugger, the small school safety. Every time he comes within range in these mocks I draft the guy. Can you say, ‘ManCrush?’
Round 2 (No. 12/44) — Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn
I debated between Igbinoghene and edge rushers like Josh Uche of Michigan and Terrell Lewis of Alabama along with wide receivers like Donovan People-Jones, Jalon Reagor and Chase Claypool for a looooooooong time.
In the end, I like young edge guys Lorenzo Carter and Oshane Ximines more than cornerbacks Sam Beal and Corey Ballentine. Dennard, signed in free agency, is a slot guy. I also figured I could get a wide receiver down the line a bit. So, I used my first extra pick to add a raw cornerback with a lot of upside.
Round 3 (No. 11/75) — Adam Trautman, TE, Dayton
Thought about Florida EDGE Jabari Zuniga here, but I know I have to address tight end at some point. I feel like this is a nice opportunity to do so. This is one of the picks from the trade with the Colts.
Round 3 (No. 35/99) — Van Jefferson, WR, Florida
I always pick a wide receiver at some point in these mocks. Generally, I have opted for more exciting, higher-upside choices than Jefferson. Here, he was at the top of the board and adding him seemed to make sense.
Round 4 (No. 4/110) — Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn
What? Tega Wanogho is still here? A guy you know from prior mock drafts I’d love to grab as a developmental tackle? I’m not letting him slide past me here.
Round 4 (No. 16/122) — Darrell Taylor, EDGE, Tennessee
I passed on Boston College running back A.J. Dillon here, and that was not easy for me to do. Edge is one of those spots where competition and depth are needed, and Taylor’s traits are tantalizing enough for me to take a chance here with one of my extra picks.
Round 5 (No. 4/150) — Lamical Perine, RB, Florida
My last pick in this iteration of the mock is a backup for Saquon Barkley. Perine could fit nicely as a rotational back.