With Madden season in full swing, most enthusiasts will be looking to configure how they will edit player ratings to their liking and create the players they want to see in the game. As much as this game is updated every year, those of us who love college football want to see our favorite players in the game sooner rather than later. In Madden that is. Understanding the excitement and anxiousness of using the college stars of the NFL’s future now, I decided to make this fun and put together a 2020 NFL mock draft with every college football prospect available to be drafted. Why not see what it would look like if all college players were eligible now, Madden style? The draft order is based on Lasvegassportsbetting.com odds to win Super Bowl 54 as of July 17th, according to Bravado sportsbook.
1.01 Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson – Overall: 82
Do I believe Josh Rosen is a good quarterback? Yes, I do. Do I believe that the Dolphins would pass up Trevor Lawrence because they have Rosen on the roster, absolutely not? Lawrence is a generational talent and the second-round pick used to acquire Rosen won’t stop them from taking Lawrence here. Can you really pass up a quarterback who wins the national championship and has over 3,000 passing yards and 30 touchdowns to just four interceptions his freshman year? I think not. Lawrence comes in with an 82 overall to his name.
1.02 Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama – Overall: 80
Enough time has gone by to understand that Andy Dalton is not the answer at quarterback for the Bengals. For the first five years of Dalton’s career, he led the Bengals to winning records but failed each of those years to compete well enough to win the Wild Card games. The Bengals need a quarterback that can play at a high-level and has the upside as an athlete. Tua Tagovailoa can help take this team to the next level which is why they take him here with the second pick. Tua might not have the strongest arm but his above-average accuracy at all levels helps his overall rating climb to an 80.
1.03 Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama – Overall: 80
The Redskins need to finally solidify the receiver position to help their young quarterback in Dwayne Haskins be successful. NFL Draft Analyst Jordan Reid stated recently that the Redskins love Alabama guys. With that said, they have the opportunity to take the best receiver in the class in Jerry Jeudy, which they do. Jeudy has the athleticism, intelligence as a route runner and hands to make an immediate impact for Washington. All of these factors and his consistent collegiate production makes him worthy an 80 overall rating.
1.04 Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado – Overall: 78
Laviska Shenault is ranked from WR1 to WR5 based on most devy rankings I’ve seen. When looking at the Cardinals offensive needs, the most glaring need is at receiver regardless of the selections of Hakeem Butler, KeeSean Johnson and the speedy Andy Isabella. Fact is, they will need to replace the dominance of Larry Fitzgerald who is more than likely in his last year(s). Shenault will fit in Kliff Kingsbury’s system perfectly and his versatility to play all over the offense is just an added benefit. Shenault has he skillset, size, and athleticism to be considered a number one receiver at the next level. If he proves to remain healthy and improve his arsenal of release moves and route concepts, he will be rated higher than the 78 overall he’s been given.
1.05 D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia – Overall: 80
The Bills have been searching for a running back for what seems like a long time now. Their backfield consists of LeSean McCoy who is on his last leg, 36-year-old Frank Gore, TJ Yeldon, and newly drafted Devin Singletary. As much of a fan I am of Singletary, there’s no way you can pass up on an elite talent like D’Andre Swift. Swift has near elite athleticism and agility mixed with outstanding patience and mental processing. Quick footwork makes it easy for him to make defenders miss. Swift is an easy decision here for the Bills and is awarded with an 80 overall.
1.06 CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma – Overall: 79
Since the time of Calvin Johnson, the Lions seem to have lost their identity on offense. Kenny Golladay has taken over some of the big play duties, but a true number one is what the Lions need to get back to winning. Oklahoma receiver CeeDee Lamb brings physicality and tenacity to a Lions offense that needs an identity to fear. Imagine Golladay, Lamb and Hockenson with a sprinkle of Marvin Jones? That’s a nice group to help Stafford excel down the last stretch of his career. Lamb has little flaws to his game and is well deserving of the 79 rating.
1.07 Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson – Overall: 79
Oh how the days of Warrick Dunn and Mike Alstott seem to be so long ago. The Buccaneers have an offense that lacks a resemblance to the running game from the glory days. It’s growing more evident that Ronald Jones is not the answer and Peyton Barber is just a solid backup. The Bucs need a true RB1, the Bucs need Travis Etienne. I know, Etienne’s pass catching ability is suspect and his run blocking isn’t to standard yet. The special traits that Etienne does posses are traits that are rare. He possesses elite speed, athleticism, contact balance, and physicality. This combination of skills are so rare that the Bucs cannot pass on Etienne here. For an RB that has accumulated 39 total TDs in two years, he doesn’t get passed with this pick and finds himself with a 79 overall.
1.08 Justyn Ross, WR, Clemson – Overall: 78
The Giants have needs, so many needs, but they are set at RB with Barkley. Daniel Jones deserves a shot and Evan Engram is an excellent tight end when healthy. The glaring need is at receiver from what is left behind after Odell Beckham Jr. was traded to the Browns. The Giants select one of the best up-and-coming receivers in Clemson’s Justyn Ross. Ross is a big, lengthy receiver with an excellent catch radius and strong hands. He displays very good body control to adjust to any inaccurate pass that Manning or Jones decides to deliver. He possesses deceptive speed and understands how to use his body to get separation. The Giants immediately improve their offense with Ross and his 78 overall rating.
1.09 Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin – Overall: 79
When looking at the Jets’ roster, it’s easy to think that receiver is the need here. When looking at the talent available on the board, the Jets just can’t pass up on one of the best running backs in college football. It’s fair to ask why draft an RB if the Jets just signed Le’Veon Bell to a four-year $52.5 million dollar contract? The rumor that Adam Gase didn’t want to sign Bell is a story that broke way to soon into the relationship. There’s the possibly that Bell doesn’t play as the Jets expect. They more than likely wouldn’t cut him year one but after 2020, there is no guaranteed money left on Bell’s contract and the Jets could cut him with only $4 million in dead cap space. Jonathan Taylor just isn’t any college running back and he’s not just another Wisconsin back. We are talking about an RB that has elite athletic ability and understands how to manipulate potential tacklers with juke moves and fluid change of direction. His contact balance is excellent and he possesses very good toughness. Ball security and pass catching need improvement, but Taylor just feels like a Jets running back and they will be happy they have him on the roster.
1.10 Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State – Overall: 76
In the real world, this is Marcus Mariota’s last chance to prove he can stay healthy and be a quarterback that elevates the talent around him. The former second overall pick out of Oregon has much to prove in 2019 if he wants to remain an NFL starter. The Titans are most likely becoming impatient and looking for Mariota’s successor. With Ohio State QB Justin Fields on the board, the Titans just can’t help themselves. Fields brings elite athleticism as a QB, offering a running dynamic that is becoming extremely valuable in today’s NFL. He possesses a strong arm and solid accuracy at all levels. Fields is still young and needs time to adapt as an NFL passer, which keeps his awareness rating lower in Madden. With that said, what a great position for the Titans to be in here. Fields has all the tools and intangibles to develop into a superstar at the NFL level.
1.11 Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC – Overall: 78
The Oakland Raiders went through an overhaul this off-season hiring head coach John Gruden and new general manager Mike Mayock. The Raiders traded for Antonio Brown and drafted Alabama running back Josh Jacobs to help the offense and provide Derek Carr with some stability. There are a few ways the Raiders could go here but my gut says that they would rather surround Derek Carr with talented weapons than draft or sign another QB. With the 11th pick overall, the Raiders select a talented young receiver in Amon-Ra St. Brown. The brother of Packers receiver Equanimeous St. Brown, Amon-Ra is a former 5-star recruit that burst onto the scene his freshman year at USC with 60 catches for 750 yards and 3 TDs. Brown is an outstanding route runner that really doesn’t have many negatives in his game. With Antonio Brown, St. Brown and Jacobs, the Raiders are looking like an offense that should be taken seriously.
1.12 Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon – Overall: 77
Right now, the Broncos are looking to Joe Flacco to lead the way with Drew Lock and Brett Rypien waiting in the shadows for an opportunity. I’m not a believer in Lock at all, and I believe Rypien could be a solid career backup. What the Broncos need is a quarterback that can ignite this offense. With the 12th pick, the Broncos select Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert. Herbert is a grown man standing at 6’6″ 237lbs . He has a cannon for an arm and is comfortable throwing from within structure and outside of structure. His ability to make something out of nothing makes him an interesting NFL QB and a fun Madden QB as well. With Herbert now in the hands of John Elway, the sky is the limit for Herbert’s NFL potential.
1.13 Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU – Overall: 78
Outside of D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel, the Carolina Panthers are lacking a receiver to complete the trio and help stretch the field. The Panthers are set with the elite Christian McCaffrey at running back and Cam Newton looks to still have something left in the tank. This could be Greg Olsen’s last season but it’s too early to take a tight end here. The Panthers choose to draft TCU WR Jalen Reagor. Too some, Reagor might be undersized but don’t mistake his lack of size for lack of strength. At 5’11” and 190lbs, Reagor squats 630 pounds, benches 380 and cleans 380. Oh and he possesses 4.29 speed with a 38.4” vertical. Yeah, these are “create a player” type numbers. The addition of Reagor would keep defenses honest and allow the run and pass game to evolve even further. Cam Newton to Reagor could draw some sick Madden stats.
1.14 Eno Benjamin, RB, Arizona State – Overall: 77
With Tevin Coleman now in San Francisco and Devonta Freeman coming back from injury, the Falcons are trusting that Freeman is durable enough to last the season and Ito Smith is ready to back him up. From 2015 to 2017, Freeman saw 153 receptions. The Falcons would love to get their hands on an explosive runner with pass catching ability. They are in luck, Eno Benjamin is on the board. Benjamin exploded last season for Arizona State, finishing the 2018 season with over 1600 rush yards and 16 rush TDs. He also collected 35 catches for 263 receiving yards and 2 TDs. Benjamin would fit like a glove in Dan Quinn’s offense. The high-powered Falcons’ offense would make Benjamin an RB1 if he was given the lead responsibility. He is still raw in some areas but has so much upside. He comes in with a 77 overall.
1.15 Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue – Overall: 78
The Jaguars could explore so many options here, but they will need to add a playmaker that can make a difference in the pass and run game. Purdue sophomore sensation Rondale Moore doesn’t get past the Jaguars at 15th overall. There is definitely room to grow within his 5’9” and 180lb frame but his talent exceeds any size concerns and he’s reportedly squating 600 pounds, alleviating any strength concerns. As a true freshman, Moore caught 114 passes for 1,258 yards and 12 TDs. He provides 4.33 speed in which he showcased as a receiver and runner, producing 213 rush yards and 2 rush TDs. He’s a versatile playmaker with near-elite kick return ability adding to his value. With the addition of Moore, the Jaguars receiving corp gets a nice boost and now provides Nick Foles with options in the pass game.
1.16 Cam Akers, RB, Florida State – Overall: 77
The Baltimore Ravens signed former Saints running back Mark Ingram in the off-season. Ingram turns 30 years old by the end of the 2019 season. Gus Edwards has been a nice story but is not the answer. Fourth round draft pick Justice Hill is an explosive player but lacks the size to be an every down back and Kenneth Dixon might not even make this roster. I have faith that Justice Hill will be an impact player for the Ravens but having a back with power and athleticism to complement Hill would be ideal. Florida State running back Cam Akers fits the profile. At 5‘11“ and 212 pounds, Akers possesses 4.4 speed with a 40 inch vertical and a 4.09 short shuttle according to his high school testing. Akers has played with an embarrassing offensive line and has still been able to be productive considering his environment. This is even more impressive considering he is a converted high school quarterback and still learning the RB position. I am convinced that Akers will be a better NFL RB than college RB due to FSU offense capping his potential. This type of size and speed combination is exactly what the Ravens are looking for and the type of RB that is fun to play with in Madden.
1.17 J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State – Overall: 77
The Houston Texans are pretty set at nearly every position except for running back. With Deshaun Watson at QB and DeAndre Hopkins arguably the best receiver in the NFL, the Texans are still relying on Lamar Miler, who has failed to reach 1,000 yards rushing the last two seasons and hasn’t scored over five rushing TDs in the last three. There is still hope that D’Onta Foreman can be effective but there is no sign that he is ready to be the lead back. With the 17th pick, the Texans select Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins. As a true freshman, Dobbins ran for 1,403 yards and seven touchdowns averaging 7.2 yards per carry. Last year he ran for just over 1,000 yards with 10 rushing TDs, but his average dropped to 4.6 yards per carry. Dobbins also showcased his ability as a receiver last year with 26 receptions for 263 passing yards and two receiving TDs. He had the highest rated SPARQ score in the 2017 RB recruiting class with a 146.76. Needless to say, he will blow up the combine. Dobbins would flourish in the Texans offense and help complete this team to become a contender.
1.18 AJ Dillon, RB, Boston College – Overall: 75
Since the time of Marshawn Lynch, the Seahawks have lost what made NFL teams fear them, the physical the run game. Chris Carson has been the best RB on the roster, despite the Seahawks taking Rashaad Penny in the first round. Penny still has the potential to prove himself worthy of a first round pick but since this is a hypothetical Madden mock, I’m going out on a limb that Penny turns out to be an average back. With Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf now solidified as the main receivers, it’s time for the Seahawks to add a running back that could force another magnitude 1 earthquake at CenturyLink Field. Boston College RB A.J. Dillon just looks like he should be a Seahawk. Dillon is a bruising runner that uses every bit of his 245lb frame to punish any pursuing defenders. The past two collegiate seasons, Dillon ran for 2,697 yards and 24 TDs. His size does not limit his athleticism either as he had a 135.39 SPARQ rating out of high school, running in the low 4.5s. The downfall with Dillon is he’s only caught eight passes in his two years in college. Boston College did not use him as a receiver so there is still a possibility that he could be an effective pass catcher at the next level.
1.19 Trey Sermon, RB, Oklahoma – Overall: 75
The 49ers are a team that have assembled a pretty substantial offense with the addition of Jimmy Garoppolo and two dynamic receivers in Dante Pettis and Deebo Samuel. George Kittle quickly became a tier one tight end last season and they signed former Atlanta Falcons RB Tevin Coleman this off-season. Coleman is an athletic back with hit-the-hole-and-go burst. What he lacks is something that Oklahoma running back Trey Sermon possesses, physicality. Sermon just has that aggression you want in a running back. He’s displays very good contract balance and competitive toughness. Kyle Shanahan has been waiting for an RB he can rely upon on the ground and through the air. Sermon is a solid pass catcher regardless of what the stats say. He doesn’t possesses elite long speed, but he can make defenders miss and gains yards after contact consistently. The 49ers select Sermon with the 19th pick and he comes in with a 74 overall.
1.20 Tyler Johnson, WR, Minnesota – Overall: 74
Adam Thielen has been dominant over the last two seasons for the Vikings. Stefon Diggs finally hit the 1,000-yard mark in receiving yards last season with Kirk Cousins under center. The Vikings could go a number of ways here, but having a dominant collegiate receiver that can create separation and consistently catch even the most inaccurate passes is extremely valuable. With the 20th pick, the Minnesota Vikings select Minnesota WR Tyler Johnson. Recent evaluations of Johnson put him anywhere from the first round to the fourth round. Johnson is a physical yet fluid receiver that consistently gets open and has a nice catch radius. He doesn’t have great long speed but he knows how to get open and make plays. Last season, he posted 78 receptions for over 1,100 yards and 12 TDs. He was also responsible for over 50% of Minnesota’s receiving offense. With Thielen turning 29 before the start of the 2019 NFL season, the Vikings will have a big time receiver prospect waiting to be unleashed.
1.21 Bryan Edwards, WR, South Carolina – Overall: 74
The Cowboys have a dilemma with their contracts. Ezekiel Elliot, Dak Prescott, and Amari Cooper all need contract extensions. For now, let’s say that they value Elliott and sign him. They also don’t want to go back to the well and explore QB options so they sign Prescott. Since we are unsure what they do with Cooper, let’s assume they want insurance in case Cooper can’t be signed. South Carolina receiver Bryan Edwards fills the void that has been missing since Dez Bryant’s release. Edwards has a solid frame and stands at 6’3” 215 pounds. He’s an outstanding athlete and possesses very good speed, recently logged at 22.3 mph. His high school testing has him at 4.53 speed. Edwards is a much better route runner than given credit for and his catch radius is massive. This is exactly what you want for your newly signed quarterback that needs a receiver that can make difficult contested catches. Edwards had some concentration issues last season but when you watched South Carolina, strangely enough the entire offense did, including Deebo Samuel. Edwards would be a fantastic addition to the Cowboys which is why they select him 21st overall.
1.22 Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama – Overall: 74
The trade of Antonio Brown and the decision to decline tagging Le’Veon Bell came as a slight shock, but for the Steelers, they had two elite prospects waiting for their opportunity. James Connor took hold of the reins in the backfield and never let go. Juju Smith Schuster quickly became one of the best receivers in the NFL, even while playing alongside Brown. Adding an explosive receiver that can be used as an elite returner would be a huge addition to this team. With the 22nd pick, the Steelers select Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle. This pick will be questioned as some prefer Henry Ruggs but I think Waddle is a rare talent with elite athleticism and plays outstanding in space or as a downfield threat. With Roethlisberger’s arm still slinging it downfield with ease, Waddle would be a huge threat for defenses to cover, leaving multiple opportunities for the offense to move the rock. Waddle is undersized but like we’ve seen, today’s NFL doesn’t care if the athleticism and speed are elite.
1.23 Kylin Hill, RB, Mississippi State – Overall: 74
Not since Eddie Lacy in 2014 have the Green Bay Packers produced a 1,000 rusher. Last season, Aaron Jones played in 12 games reaching 728 yards and 8 TDs while sharing the backfield with Jamaal Williams. Let’s look at the Packers backfield as a whole. Aaron Jones suffered a sprained MCL last season and unfortunately has had durability issues since college. Jamaal Williams is injured and quite frankly isn’t that good. Dexter Williams is a 6th round pick that is taking first-string snaps by default and recently signed Corey Grant is just a speedy, athletic runner with little nuance. The Packers need an every-down playmaker that has the upside to be a 1,000 yard rusher and help this team win while the Aaron Rodgers window is still open. Mississippi State RB Kylin Hill is that back and the Packers take him with the 23rd pick. Hill finally gets to be the lead dog this year for Mississippi State. He has ideal size at 5’11 215lbs and possesses a strong, muscular build. He’s very elusive, easily making defenders miss with fluid cuts and tempo changes. He’s also an underrated pass catcher, hauling in 22 catches for 176 yards and four receiving TDs last year. Hill’s addition to the Packers would be an ideal situation for both. With only 195 attempts in two seasons, Hill is still raw but 2019 should be his year to shine.
1.24 Chuba Hubbard, RB, OK State – Overall: 74
With the Melvin Gordon saga continuing in San Diego, the outcome is completely unknown. For all we know, the organization just doesn’t want to pay top dollar for the RB position as we have seen before. The Chargers now lay their trust in Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson to lead the way. If the Chargers decide not to sign Gordon, the running back position becomes an immediate priority. Last season at Oklahoma State, Chuba Hubbard ran for 740 yards and seven TDs, while also catching 22 balls for 229 yards and 2 receiving TDs while sharing the backfield with Justice Hill. Hubbard is a highly athletic RB out of Canada who was a national and international level track and field athlete. He has the size, speed combination that is highly coveted. With Justice Hill now in the NFL, Hubbard is no longer sharing the backfield and has a direct path to well over a 1,000-yard season. If Melvin Gordon doesn’t get signed, Hubbard becomes an immediate RB1 for the Chargers and a fun player to rack up stats with in Madden.
1.25 Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson – Overall: 74
Alshon Jeffery has been a nice addition to the Eagles offense but he hasn’t been able to stay healthy. Unfortunately, he also had a concentration drop at the worst possible moment. The team recently signed Desean Jackson to most likely end his career as an Eagle. They also drafted Stanford WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside in the second round of the draft. Arcega-Whiteside should be an excellent receiver in this offense. The team is set at every offensive position it seems so why not add a tall receiver with a large catch radius to be a potential replacement for Jeffrey if injuries continue to be an issue? Clemson WR Tee Higgins fits that mold nicely with a 6’4” 205lb frame and solid athleticism. His long strides help him cover a lot of real estate when getting downfield. He has strong hands and outstanding leaping ability to pluck the ball out of the sky. Higgins could carve a nice role for himself as an Eagle and be a big-time redzone threat for Carson Wentz.
1.26 Zamir White, RB, Georgia – Overall: 73
Marlon Mack is the luckiest player in the NFL. He gets to run behind an offensive line that consists of Quenton Nelson, Ryan Kelly and Anthony Castonzo. Nelson alone opens up run lanes that can make way for a dump truck. Fact is, Mack is an average NFL back who competes with speedy, depth rushers in Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins. Colts could go receiver here but they take one of the most gifted backs still on the board in Georgia RB Zamir White. White was ranked as the #1 RB in the nation coming out of high school. He suffered an ACL injury in high school and yet again while on special teams in Georgia’s camp. Fortunately, it wasn’t the same knee. White is now healthy and ready for the 2019 season. He is a special talent that is just too gifted to pass up. He plays physical but also intelligent, knowing when to drop his pads between the tackles or break outside to win the edge. He is also a solid pass catcher and very effective in pass pro. If White is healthy, he’ll be a huge asset to the Colts offense that is already on the rise.
1.27 Seth Williams, WR, Auburn – Overall: 73
The addition of Allen Robinson last off-season was a big-time move for the Bears offense. They also added the explosive Taylor Gabriel and drafted Anthony Miller. The offensive weapons for the Bears are fairly solid but when looking at needs. They are set at RB with the addition of David Montgomery through the draft and Trey Burton looks to have a larger role this season at tight end. The debate is still out on whether or not Mitchell Trubisky can be a franchise quarterback for the Bears. Looking at the Bears offense, they need a big physical receiver that can be a true red zone threat and challenge defensive backs at the catch point. Auburn WR Seth Williams is a thick framed receiver coming in at 6’3 225lbs and runs a 4.53. He ended his freshman season with 26 catches for 534 yards and 5 TDs. His 21.25% dominator rating qualifies him as a freshman breakout. Having a big bodied receiver with a large catch radius and excellent body adjustment would do wonders for Trubisky and the Bears’ offense. Williams’ limited experience and raw route running keeps his overall rating lower for now.
1.28 – Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama – Overall: 72
What do the Cleveland Browns actually need that they don’t already have on offense? The receiving corps is excellent. They are deep at running back with Nick Chubb leading the way. David Njoku looks to be one of the next great tight ends in the NFL and Baker Mayfield is the face of the franchise. Being that the Browns now have a quarterback that they can build a team around, it only makes sense to surround him with as many weapons as possible. With the 28th pick the Browns select the speedy Alabama receiver, Henry Ruggs III. Ruggs is an elite field stretcher, using his mid-4.2 speed to keep defenses from stacking the box and allowing the run game to be widely effective. Play action would become a nightmare for opposing defenses. Ruggs has a recorded speed of 23 mph. He can contort his body to nearly any pass to make difficult catches look easy. Route running and release versus press needs further development but the Browns add Ruggs as a potential starter, allowing him to develop behind OBJ and Landry. This offense could become one of the best offenses to play with in Madden in recent history.
1.29 Najee Harris, RB, Alabama – Overall: 72
Who really knows what’s going on with Todd Gurley? He looks good in camp but will he hold up during the regular season? Malcolm Brown is being underestimated. He’s a very talented back but hasn’t made much of his limited opportunity when he’s had the chance. Darrell Henderson was drafted in the third round in the 2019 draft. He’s currently the backup to Gurley but his upright running style and inability to break through solid contact might be an issue as a rookie. If Gurley’s knee does indeed limit his snap count, the Rams will be looking for a thunder to Henderson’s lightning. Alabama RB Najee Harris brings the thunder to the Rams offense at 29th overall. Harris is a beast of a running back coming in at 6’2” 230lbs. His play strength, contact balance and toughness are elite. His footwork and flexibility is very impressive for his size. He can carve his way through contact with physicality or finesse if he chooses to. The Rams would love to have Harris to compliment both Gurley and Henderson, allowing for multiple looks out of the backfield and really nice insurance in case Gurley’s knee doesn’t hold up.
1.30 Tylan Wallace, WR, OK State – Overall: 71
Ted Ginn Jr is currently the deep threat for Drew Brees and the Saints going intro the 2019 season. Michael Thomas recently signed a $100 million dollar, 5-year contract extension with the Saints. Second year receiver Tre’Quan Smith did a solid job his rookie season alongside Thomas. The Saints are a well oiled machine at RB with Alvin Kamara being the primary RB with Mark Ingram now with the Ravens. With Drew Brees coming to the end of his career, the Saints will look to surround him with weapons. Ginn Jr is 34 and the Saints will look for a new deep threat in the 2020 draft. With the 30th overall pick, the Saints select Oklahoma State receiver Tylan Wallace. Wallace is an excellent downfield receiver that tracks the ball very well, showing good extension to the ball with good hands to secure the catch. He’s exactly what the Saints need on offense and he’s another solid weapon added to Drew Brees’ arsenal of receivers to keep this high-powered offense clicking on all cylinders.
1.31 Keaontay Ingram, RB, Texas – Overall: 71
The Chiefs have gone through much adversity when it comes to character concerns of its players. The loss of Kareem Hunt seemed to be a big one at the time, but Damien Williams has proven that he can be the lead back for the Chiefs. When it comes to the Chiefs, they seem to be set everywhere. Understanding that Williams has been a career depth player to this point, there is the possibility that he doesn’t live up to expectations and the Carlos Hyde experiment never takes off. The Chiefs would be looking to an RB that displays intelligence as a runner and catches passes like a receiver. Texas RB Keaontay Ingram would be extremely effective in the Chiefs offense. Ingram has a solid 6’0” 220lb frame which he uses to gash his way between the tackles or bounce outside with use of good athletic ability. He’s an outstanding pass catcher, able to run receiver routes, impressing last year at Texas as a receiver with 27 receptions. Ingram causes opposing teams to be unprepared at the snap since he can run or play receiver. The Chiefs use their backs as receivers often and Ingram would help this offense regardless if Williams remains the starter.
1.32 Grant Calcaterra, TE, Oklahoma – Overall: 75
It’s time. Not only for the search for Gronk’s replacement to finally happen but for a tight end to be taken in this mock. The Patriots have tried to find talented tight ends that just had no luck on previous teams. Usually New England gets lucky by signing previous high draft picks and maximizing their talent but that mission has failed at tight end. The Patriots finally stop messing around and go with the most talented tight end in college football. With the last pick in this mock draft, the New England Patriots select Oklahoma tight end Grant Calcaterra. He isn’t your traditional tight end. His weight is that of a receiver at 221lbs and he played a lot out of the slot for Oklahoma. He is extremely athletic though, holding the highest SPARQ rating for the tight end position out of high school in 2017 with a 123.93. Where he fits with the Patriots is as a stalk blocker and a big slot receiver to compliment newly drafted receiver N’Keal Harry. Harry is able to play in the slot or on the outside. With more development, Harry can be a dominant outside receiver while Calcaterra takes the role of today’s NFL tight end and conquers the middle of he field and the seam. With the pick of Calcaterra, the Patriots bolster their offensive weapons and attempt another Super Bowl appearance while the Brady window is open.
