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Tabeek's 2020 NFL Mock Draft 3.0: Falcons land star DE from Big Ten

Feb 19, 2020 at 11:00 AM
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Matthew Tabeek

Digital Managing Editor

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In my previous mock draft I played out a wild (and unlikely) draft-day scenario where things fell just right for the Atlanta Falcons to land Jeffrey Okudah, the top-rated cornerback from Ohio State.

While this week's mock draft may not have Okudah sliding all the way down to the No. 16 spot, there are 14 different picks (below) from a week ago and five quarterbacks going in the first 29 picks.

Another big change? One of the best edge rushers in this class is there for the taking when the Falcons are on the clock – and that's exactly what I think they'll do in this scenario.

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Atlanta currently has needs at edge rusher, cornerback and offensive line. Depending on what happens in free agency, the Falcons could have more holes to fill at linebacker, tight end and running back.

So, without further ado, here is mock draft 3.0. Let me know how you feel about the pick here. A new version will drop every Wednesday between now and the NFL Draft. Enjoy.

Bengals_M1
CIN
1
Bengals_table
QB Joe Burrow, LSU
No surprise here. Cincy needs a QB and the former LSU star is tops in this class.
WAS
2
Redskins_table
DE Chase Young, Ohio State
Young could easily be the first pick – he’s that good. Redskins will pounce on him.
DET
3
Lions_table
DT Derrick Brown, Auburn
The Lions’ D needs help everywhere. They take Brown, who can dominate inside.
M2_Giants-Wills
NYG
4
Giants_table
OL Jedrick Wills Jr., Alabama
The Giants must protect their young QB and take Wills, an immediate upgrade.
MIA
5
Dolphins_table
QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
The Fins land Tagovailoa, who (for now) appears to be on track for a healthy return.
LAC
6
Chargers_table
QB Justin Herbert, Oregon
Now that the Rivers era is over, the Chargers are thrilled to land the ex-Oregon star.
CAR
7
Panthers_table
LB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
With a major void to fill at linebacker, they take the ex-Clemson star with freakish skills.
Cardinals_M1
AZ
8
Cardinals_Table
OL Mekhi Becton, Louisville
Kyler Murray was sacked 48 times in ’19 and take Becton, a 6-foot-7, 360-pound stud.
JAX
9
Jaguars_table
CB Jeffrey Okudah, Ohio State
They could go O-line, but with Simmons off the board they take the top corner in this class.
CLE
10
Browns_table
OL Tristan Wirfs, Iowa
The Browns must address their line and they take Wirfs, who can play both tackle and guard.
NYJ
11
Jets_table
DE K'Lavon Chaisson, LSU
The Jets need a difference-maker coming off the edge and Chaisson provides immediate help.
Raiders_M1A
LV
12
Raiders_table
WR Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
The Raiders desperately need an elite playmaker on the outside and take the top receiver.
IND
13
Colts_table
WR CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
QB is an option, but need another weapon to pair with Hilton and the OU speedster fits the bill.
TB
14
Bucs_table
OL Andrew Thomas, Georgia
The Bucs jump on the ex-Georgia stud, a road-grader in the run game with quick feet.
DEN
15
Broncos_table
WR Henry Ruggs III, Alabama
The Broncos add some much-needed speed in Ruggs to team up with Courtland Sutton.
M3_Falcons-Epenesa
ATL
16
Falcons_Table
DE A.J. Epenesa, Iowa
The Falcons need pass rushers in a bad way and Epenesa knows how to wreak havoc on quarterbacks.
DAL
17
Cowboys_table
S Xavier McKinney, Alabama
Big D bolsters its secondary, snags who many think is the best safety in this class.
MIA
18
Dolphins_table
OL Josh Jones, Houston
Rebuilding the O-line is a priority and Jones is string and athletic.
LV
19
Raiders_table
QB Jordan Love, Utah State
There's a lot of talk about them moving on from Derek Carr and there's a lot to like about Love.
M3_Jaguars-Queen
JAX
20
Jaguars_table
LB Patrick Queen, LSU
They missed out on Simmons but they gladly pounce on Queen, an explosive, instinctive LB.
PHI
21
Eagles_table
CB C.J. Henderson, Florida
Philly must address its secondary and take the former Gator star, who is a true ballhawk.
BUF
22
Bills_table
WR Tee Higgins, Clemson
It was painfully clear in 2019 that the Bills need some outside weapons and add one in Higgins.
NE
23
Patriots_table
WR Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
Aiyuk is tall and possesses elite speed – something the Pats could use more of on offense.
M3_Saints_Shenault
NO
24
Saints_table
WR Laviska Shenault Jr., Colorado
Shenault is 6-foot-2, physical and fast – and should draw attention away from Michael Thomas.
MIN
25
Vikings_table
CB Trevon Diggs, Alabama
They could have some holes to fill in the secondary and snag the star from Alabama.
MIA
26
Dolphins_table
DE Terrell Lewis, Alabama
Miami goes defense and takes Lewis, a tall and physical game-wrecker on the edge.
SEA
27
Seahawks_table
DE Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State
Gross-Matos is a physical specimen with tons of upside – a nice fit for the Seahawks.
Ravens_M1
BAL
28
Ravens_table
LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
C.J. Mosely’s departure left a void in the D and they tab Murray as the guy to fill it.
TEN
29
Titans_table
QB Jacob Eason, Washington
The Titans go QB here and take Eason, who has a big arm and possesses tons of upside.
GB
30
Packers_table
TE Hunter Bryant, Washington
The Pack give Aaron Rodgers a weapon at tight end; Bryant is a matchup problem.
SF
31
49ers_table
OL Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin
The 49ers could go corner or safety, but Super Bowl showed help inside is needed.
M3_Chiefs_Fulton
KC
32
Chiefs_table
CB Kristian Fulton, LSU
K.C. could take some hits in the secondary in free agency and Fulton can step and start.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed here belong to Matthew Tabeek and and do not represent the opinions of the Atlanta Falcons' front office staff, coaches and executives unless noted otherwise.

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