2020 NFL draft: Second-round mock draft after Day 1 selections

The first round of the 2020 NFL draft has come to a close, and it’s fair to say this year’s draft kicked off with a bang.

Even without fans being able to attend the event for this year’s draft, there was still plenty of excitement as Thursday night progressed. From unexpected falls for top wide receiver prospects to the Packers drafting their heir apparent for Aaron Rodgers, last night had its fair share of interesting moments.

As we head into the second night of the draft, there are still plenty of talented prospects available as the board currently stands. If past drafts have taught us anything, tonight will predictably be an unpredictable night of picks.

To prepare for tonight’s festivities, let’s take a guess at how the second round mind play out. Just for the sake of this exercise, no trades are being projected, so while the Bears are likely to move back with one, if not both of their two second-round selections, they will not do so in this mock.

Without further ado, let’s begin:

33. Cincinnati Bengals: Josh Jones, OT, Houston

Having just drafted their quarterback of the future in Joe Burrow, protecting him should be a priority. Jones is the best offensive lineman on the board, and him and Jonah Williams would be a great duo to lock in both tackle spots.

34. Indianapolis Colts: Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor

The Colts did just use a second-round pick on Parris Campbell last year, but one can never have too many weapons. Mims gives them a dynamic big-bodied wideout they currently lack, as well as a speedster that can stretch the field.

35. Detroit Lions: Neville Gallimore, DL, Oklahoma

As it currently stands, the Lions no longer have Damon Harrison, A’Shawn Robinson or Mike Daniels on their defensive line. Gallimore is an athletic interior defender who would fit their scheme well.

36. New York Giants: Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State

The Giants have a need at outside linebacker in their 3-4 scheme, and the value that the athletic Gross-Matos brings in the second round makes him a good target for New York here.

37. New England Patriots: A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa

It would be such a Patriots move if they traded out of the first round and managed to pick up Epenesa, a powerful and productive edge defender who has been linked to New England throughout the draft process.

38. Carolina Panthers: Lloyd Cushenberry III, OL, LSU

The Panthers used their first pick to beef up the trenches, and I can see them doing the same on the opposite side of the ball with their second-round pick, adding a Day 1 starter in Cushenberry who has experience working with new Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady.

39. Miami Dolphins: D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia

A safety could be an option here, but with the running back many deemed as the best back in the class available at No. 39, Miami might not want to pass on a playmaker who fits a major need for them.

40. Houston Texans: Zack Baun, EDGE, Wisconsin

Baun is an athletic and versatile chess piece on defense, and with a lack of firepower rushing the passer alongside J.J. Watt, he makes sense as the pick for the Texans.

41. Cleveland Browns: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama

After taking Jedrick Wills in the first round, the Browns double down on Alabama products, taking a safety in McKinney whom most pegged as a surefire first-round pick.

42. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ross Blacklock, DL, TCU

C.J. Henderson and K’Lavon Chaisson should be top-notch pieces to build around on defense, but the Jaguars still have a need at defensive tackle. Blacklock is good value at this stage of the second round, and he gives them an uber-athletic and disruptive interior defender.

43. Chicago Bears: Grant Delpit, S, LSU

Delpit’s free fall ends in Chicago, where the big, athletic and intelligent safety fits in well as a versatile defender to pair alongside Eddie Jackson to form a potentially elite duo at the position.

44. Indianapolis Colts: Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU

The Colts added Xavier Rhodes in free agency, but he isn’t what he used to be, and they still could use talent at cornerback. Fulton is a fluid and smart corner who can step in and start right away.

45. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin

Tampa Bay chooses to go all-in on offense after taking Tristan Wirfs in Round 1, adding an athletic and durable running back to an offense that already has an insane group of weapons.

46. Denver Broncos: Raekwon Davis, DL, Alabama

The Broncos double-dip on Alabama products with their first two picks, this time going after a defensive lineman in Davis who brings plenty of length, strength and athletic ability to serve as an end in their base 3-4 defense.

47. Atlanta Falcons: Justin Madubuike, DL, Texas A&M

Double-dipping on defense with their first two picks makes sense for the Falcons, who find a violent and quick interior defender in Madubuike to pair up with Grady Jarrett.

48. New York Jets: Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson

The Jets desperately need wide receiver talent, and with the speedsters they currently have, it makes sense to draft Higgins, a big-bodied target who can dominate at the catch point and has tremendous ball skills.

49. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State

The Steelers haven’t been afraid of betting on upside early in the draft in the past, and they do so again with Cleveland, a raw but traits-based offensive lineman who could develop into a standout if they play their cards right.

50. Chicago Bears: K.J. Hamler, WR, Penn State

The Bears will very likely trade back from this spot, but if they stay put at No. 50, a speedy and elusive receiver like Hamler would be a stellar addition to help give their struggling offense a much-needed boost.

51. Dallas Cowboys: Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama

With Byron Jones no longer on the team, the Cowboys need help at cornerback, and a high-ceiling ball hawk like Diggs could prove to be great value at this stage in the draft.

52. Los Angeles Rams: Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama

The Rams currently have Leonard Floyd as their top edge rusher, and as Bears fans know all too well, that’s not a good situation to be in. Lewis gives them a lengthy and explosive force off the edge who can be a dangerous starter if he can stay healthy.

53. Philadelphia Eagles: Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota

Jalen Reagor is a great fit for Philadelphia’s need for speed offense, so now they turn their attention to the defensive side of the ball, where they snag incredible value at No. 53 with the intelligent, athletic, pint-sized playmaker in Winfield.

54. Buffalo Bills: Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah

Though the Bills brought in Josh Norman to pair up with Tre’Davious White, the newly-added veteran isn’t quite what he used to be. Johnson would give Buffalo a lengthy and physical cornerback with some solid fluidity.

55. Baltimore Ravens: Matt Hennessy, OL, Temple

Though the Ravens have their two offensive tackle spots locked up, their interior is thin with the retirement of Marshal Yanda. Hennessy gives them an intelligent and pro-ready blocker who can slide into the starting lineup right away.

56. Miami Dolphins: Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois

After passing on a safety with the first of their second-round picks, they end up getting great value in the backend of the draft, adding a massive, athletic and hard-hitting defensive back in Chinn who could be a real playmaker if he translates well from the FCS level to the pros.

57. Los Angeles Rams: Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia

Jalen Ramsey is obviously a core piece for the Rams, but they don’t have much talent alongside him at cornerback. If not for his injury to end the 2019 season, the lengthy, fluid and physical Hall very well could have been a first-round selection.

58. Minnesota Vikings: Bradlee Anae, EDGE, Utah

With no Everson Griffen on the roster anymore, they could use another pass-rusher alongside Danielle Hunter, and Anae would give them a powerful technician with plenty of moves in his arsenal.

59. Seattle Seahawks: Marlon Davidson, DL, Auburn

As an athletic tweener without a true fit at either defensive tackle or edge rusher yet but upside to grow into either, Davidson is a prototypical Seahawks pick.

60. Baltimore Ravens: Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado

Why not give Lamar Jackson another weapon to throw to? Shenault’s drop down the board ends in Baltimore, where the athletic, powerful and elusive receiver will be able to make plays in space in one of the most exciting offenses in the league.

61. Tennessee Titans: Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State

Harold Landry quietly put together a very good year in 2019, and while Vic Beasley is a low-risk, high-reward signing, he shouldn’t be completely trusted with the Titans’ other starting edge rusher job without competition. Weaver gives them a powerful and flexible long-term option to rush the passer.

62. Green Bay Packers: Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame

After using their first pick on Aaron Rodgers’ replacement in Jordan Love, the Packers should look to give Rodgers a weapon here while they still can. Kmet is a well-rounded tight end with good ball skills who plays with some toughness as a blocker.

63. Kansas City Chiefs: Logan Wilson, LB, Wyoming

Wilson has been garnering some steam as a player who might go earlier than expected. His instincts and lateral quickness make him a good fit for a Chiefs defense that needs speed at linebacker.

64. Seattle Seahawks: Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame

The Seahawks have bigger needs than wide receiver, but the possibility of having physical specimens D.K. Metcalf and Chase Claypool on the outside with Tyler Lockett in the slot could be too much fun to pass up.