Farnsworth’s NFL Mock Draft 3.0: Potential Trades Cause Trickle Down Effect In First Round

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Today is the NFL Draft, while it will look different due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is still one of the most exciting Drafts for Utah locals in a long time.

Here is a final first-round and locals landing spot prediction from KSL Sports anchor Sam Farnsworth. You can see the first two versions here:

• Farnsworth’s NFL Mock Draft 2.0: First Local Picked Is A Ute
• Farnsworth’s Mock NFL Draft: The First Round And Where Locals May Land In Later Rounds

This mock draft reflects changes in where Farnsworth believes several of our local players will get drafted. It also shows the trickle-down effect if a trade happens within the top 3 picks on draft day.

Information on how to watch, stream or listen to the NFL Draft can be found here.

The @NFLDraft starts tonight! Don't miss a single pick! 📺💻📻🎧⌚️ #NFLDraft #NFL
https://t.co/BSoZlbOGGp

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 23, 2020

1 – Bengals

QB Joe Burrow, LSU – Burrow. End of story.

2 – Redskins

EDGE Chase Young, Ohio St – Chase Young is the number one overall player in the draft. If the Redskins don’t take Young here it’s because an edge rusher is further down their list of needs and they would be trading back. Taking Young with the number two pick seems like a no-brainer. Jeffrey Okudah would be the only other player that I could see the Redskins taking if they have a brain fart and pass on Young.

3 – TRADE Lions to Chargers

3 – Chargers

QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama – The Chargers really want a franchise quarterback. Is Justin Herbert that guy? Maybe, but if they want a shot with Tua Tagovailoa they will need to trade ahead of the Dolphins. The Lions will still be able to get a blue chip NFL defender in Jeffrey Okudah or Isaiah Simmons with that sixth pick.

"Go back and watch the tape": Trent Dilfer calls Tua Tagovailoa "the single best prospect I have ever been around"https://t.co/P60iR3Gm7p pic.twitter.com/AuQHMYXTeB

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) April 17, 2020

4 – Giants

CB Jeffrey Okudah, Ohio St. – The Chargers decision to move up and get Tua will start the trickle-down effect in the first round. Instead of picking up a franchise tackle to protect Daniel Jones on offense, the Giants will take a franchise defensive back in Jeffrey Okudah who will start in week one and become a pro bowl corner within the first couple of seasons he’s in the NFL.

5 – Dolphins

LB/S Isaiah Simmons, Clemson – The Dolphins have three first-round draft picks but the next one doesn’t come until 18 overall. Is it risky to pass on quarterback Justin Herbert here? He would likely be gone by the 18th pick and certainly will be gone by the 26th picks. But Jordan Love will be there. Is that something Miami takes into consideration? So for the sake of REALLY shaking things up in this draft, I have the Phins taking one of the top three overall players in this draft, Isaiah Simmons with the fifth overall pick.

6 – Lions (from Chargers)

DL Derrick Brown, Auburn – Ouch! The Lions don’t get Okudah or Simmons but they did pick up some extra draft picks in the trade with the Chargers and still get the best defensive lineman in the draft with the sixth overall pick. He’s NFL ready and will start week one.

7 – Panthers

QB Jordan Love, Utah State – Days before the 2020 NFL Draft began multiple reports linked the Panthers to having serious interest in Jordan Love. Could they wait until the 2nd round to grab Love with the 38th pick? There’s a chance he will be there. The Panthers have been watching the early moving and shaking and the Dolphins still don’t have a QB. So the Panthers don’t want to risk losing their chance at a quarterback they have done extensive research on and is a first round caliber selection. They’re feeling the love in Carolina.

FILL IN THE BLANK!

With the ___ pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the __________ select Jordan Love. Quarterback. Utah State. https://t.co/iDSm2lUkbu#NFLDraft #AggiesAllTheWay

📷: Getty Images pic.twitter.com/ZVqeqvhEeh

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 23, 2020

8 – Cardinals

T Tristan Wirfs, Iowa – The Cardinals defense was the worst in the NFL in 2019. Javon Kinlaw is still on the board, an intimidating presence on the defensive line. But the Cardinals must do a better job at protecting Kyler Murray and with the top Tackle in the draft sliding to number eight, the Cardinals pick up Wirfs and look for some major defensive help through the rest of the draft.

9 – Jaguars

DL Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina – Kinlaw is a monster up front. He stops runners in their tracks, can push the line back and bat away passes, sack quarterbacks and even block kicks. He’s done all of that with the Gamecocks. He has the traits and physical ability to succeed in the NFL but still needs a bit of development to reach his full NFL potential.

10 – Browns

LT Mekhi Becton, Louisville – In each of my three mock drafts I have the Browns taking a tackle. I have them taking a different tackle in each one. This time, it’s Becton who I believe is the best true left tackle in the 2020 class. Mayfield needs a franchise guy on his blindside. Here he is.

11 – Jets

WR Jerry Jeudy, Alabama – Sam Darnold is throwing a party somewhere in New York after the Jets give him a new toy on offense. There are a lot of good receivers in this draft so if the Jets pass on one here for an offensive lineman they would certainly target a receiver with their next pick.

From @AlabamaFTBL to the NFL.
It’s all for his sister Aaliyah.

This is @jerryjeudy's story.

📺: 2020 NFL Draft, April 23-25 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/8MIK1GhMvr

— NFL (@NFL) April 17, 2020

12 – Raiders

WR Henry Ruggs III, Alabama – The run on receivers continues with the Las Vegas Raiders shiny new pick. The second straight Bama receiver comes off the board with the blazing speed of Ruggs. He’ll start right away as the Raiders begin a new chapter in Las Vegas.

13 – 49ers (from Colts)

WR CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma – The Niners don’t have many picks in this draft. They got this pick in a trade with the Colts and Kyle Shanahan won’t waste it on anything that doesn’t make his offense even more exciting. He grabs the wide receiver that had back to back seasons of 1,100 yards or more and 33 career touchdowns.

14 – Buccaneers

LT Andrew Thomas, Georgia – The Bucs could go either way with Thomas or Jedrick Wills. Andrew Thomas now earns the responsibility in his rookie season of protecting the GOAT’s blindside.

15 – Broncos

T Jedrick Wills, Alabama – I have heard rumblings that the Broncos are seriously considering a trade to move into the top 10 to make sure they can get the wide receiver that they are coveting in this draft, Henry Ruggs III. Let’s say that trade doesn’t happen. Let’s say the Jets, Raiders and 49ers take wide receivers like I have suggested above. If that happens, then let’s just say the Broncos look to replace Garett Bolles with the 15th overall pick.

After talking with John Elway last night, he and other WR-needy teams have interesting dilemma: Take best available WR with first pick, or because of great depth at position roll dice and pick one after addressing other priorities. All options on table for Elway. #9sports

— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) April 23, 2020

16 – Falcons

CB C.J. Henderson, Florida – The Falcons were hoping to use their first-round pick to upgrade the defensive secondary. Okudah is the by far the top corner in the draft. Henderson is next on that list. The falcons get a guy that is one of the best pure cover corners in the draft.

17 – Cowboys

EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson, LSU – Would the Cowboys think of using the 17th pick on one of the next best corners in the draft like LSU’s Kristian Fulton or Utah’s Jaylon Johnson? It’s possible, but Robert Quinn is gone and the Cowboys need to replace his presence in the pass rush. They’ll go with Fulton’s college teammate, K’Lavon Chaisson.

18 – Dolphins (from Steelers)

QB Justin Herbert, Oregon – The Dolphins passed on a QB and went with a can’t miss pick in Isaiah Simmons earlier in the round. Who would have thought they would still get one of the top QBs in the draft? It’s a win-win for the Phins.

19 – Raiders (from Bears)

CB Jaylon Johnson, Utah – The Raiders need d-line help and they need help in the secondary. Johnson, A.J. Terrell and Kristian Fulton are all kind of in the same ballpark as to which CB will be the third taken in the draft. Johnson’s stock has been rising ever since the draft combine and in my third mock draft, he’s at an all-time high. He takes I-15 south from Salt Lake City and doesn’t stop until he exits in Las Vegas.

Jaylon Johnson (@NBAxJay1) is "one of the hotter names at the cornerback position." 🔥 🙌 #GoUtes #NFLDraft https://t.co/3yid3paf8e

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 21, 2020

20 – Jaguars (from Rams)

CB Kristian Fulton, LSU – The Jags got the D-lineman they needed with the ninth pick. Now, with the pick they acquired when they traded away Jalen Ramsey they will find his replacement with LSU’s Kristian Fulton.

21 – Eagles

WR Tee Higgins, Clemson –Alshon Jeffery was the Eagles top wide receiver in 2019 and he recorded just 43 receptions for 490 yards. So Tee Higgins becomes the future in the Eagles passing game. He provides the Eagles with a versatile option that can lineup at any of the receiver spots at the line of scrimmage.

22 Vikings (from Bills)

EDGE Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn St. – With Fulton and Johnson off the board earlier than expected the Vikings hold off on grabbing the next available cornerback. They’ll be able to do that later in this round or in the next. Gross-Matos can get to the quarterback averaging 8.5 sacks over the last two seasons at Penn State.

23 – Patriots

LB Patrick Queen, LSU – What an offseason it has been for the Pats. Tom Brady goes to Tampa and Rob Gronkowski comes out of retirement only to follow him there. With the top four quarterbacks in the draft already off the board, the Pats won’t reach for one here. Tight end doesn’t make sense in the first round. The Pats could go with the national champ to help fill the middle of their defense.

24 – Saints

DL Neville Gallimore, Oklahoma – Back to back linebackers? Why not?! The Saints don’t have any pressing needs in this draft and will go with the best available player at this point. Gallimore, the third team AP All-American is that player.

25 – Vikings

WR Tee Higgins, Clemson – Higgins could easily be one of the top three receivers taken in the draft. When he’s still on the board for the Vikings at 25, they make the move to replace Steffon Diggs. Higgins brings size and speed and will be a nice fit opposite Adam Thielen.

26 – Dolphins (from Texans)

OT Austin Jackson, USC – The Dolphins had the worst offensive line in 2019.  With their third pick of the first round they grab one of the top tackles left in this draft before they’re all gone.

27 – Seahawks

EDGE A.J. Epenesa, Iowa – The Seahawks were second to last in the NFL in quarterback sacks. A.J. Epenesa made getting sacks a way of life on Saturdays in the fall. With 11.5 sacks last season and 10.5 the season before including four forced fumbles in each of those seasons the Seahawks are getting a guy that can help them get out of the pass-rushing cellar.

28 – Ravens

LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma – The Ravens are another one of those teams that don’t have any pressing needs going into the draft. They don’t have much inside at linebacker other than L.J. Fort so adding Murray here, the top player on the board, will add depth and competition at the position.

29 – Titans

RB Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin – I know, I know. The Titans have Derrick Henry. But what about the number two back to a one-two punch in Nashville? Taylor ran for over 6,100 yards in three seasons at Wisconsin and becomes an insurance policy if Henry decides he’s not staying with the Titans after playing on his $10.2M tender this season.

PFF's Final NFL Draft RB Rankings:

1. D'Andre Swift, Georgia
2. Zack Moss, Utah
3. Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
4. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU
5. J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State pic.twitter.com/Q0XEqc0ysE

— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 22, 2020

30 – Packers

WR Justin Jefferson, LSU – Aaron Rodgers will be smiling on draft night when he sees the Packers using a pick on a receiver that hauled in 111 catches (1st in FBS) for 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns for the national champion LSU Tigers in 2019.

31 – 49ers – TRADE OUT

The Niners need picks. The Broncos have them. Denver moves back into round one.

BRONCOS SELECT: S Xavier McKinney, Alabama – McKinney is a do-it-all safety. He can roam the backfield, play the nickel corner spot, go inside as a strong safety and rush the QB as an outside backer. The Broncos lose Will Parks in the offseason and could use McKinney to help fill the void left behind. Denver still needs a wide receiver which they will grab in the second round.

32 – Chiefs

CB A.J. Terrell, Clemson – The Super Bowl champs biggest need going into the 2020 draft would be at cornerback. After several departures the Chiefs are left thin at CB and will go with a CB from the school that has pumped out draft picks at that position every year since 2009. Jeff Gladney from TCU might also be of interest with this pick.

Utah Locals In the NFL Draft

S Terrell Burgess, Utah – 2nd-3rd Round

Burgess’ draft stock continues to climb as the first round gets closer. NFL teams love his versatility. He can play at either safety position, nickel corner and can be a big addition to special teams. The Cowboys are a team that have spoken highly of him and would show strong interest with the 51st pick in the draft in the second round.

Waited for this since I was a little boy! Thank you to the @NFL for the opportunity of a lifetime! Something I will never forget! #Allmoneyin pic.twitter.com/kJxxBiRxHI

— Terrell Burgess (@TiTaniumT98) March 2, 2020

EDGE Bradlee Anae, Utah – 3rd Round

The Utes all-time leader in sacks will have a bright NFL future as a defensive end or a pass-rushing linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. His speed is something that on paper might scare some GM’s away this soon in the draft but his speed on tape is a different story. He plays quick and is explosive off the line often times beating tackles out of their stance at the snap. Keep your eyes open for Anae’s name as soon as the 68th pick by the Jets.

RB Zack Moss, Utah – 3rd-4th Round

Moss is among the top five or six running backs in the draft. But we have also seen the overall value of RBs in the NFL dropping in the past few seasons. Best case scenario is a team like Rams taking Moss in the 2nd round with the 104th overall pick. But I think his landing spot is going to be somewhere in the fourth round between Atlanta’s pick at 119 and Buffalo’s pick at 128. (FYI… the Rams have a pick at 126).

S Julian Blackmon, Utah – 4th-5th Round

Julian Blackmon is so good. If he did not get hurt at the PAC-12 Championship game we would be talking about Blackmon as a day two selection. When the fourth round begins he will be a high value pick for any team needing a safety. The Cardinals at 114 and the Broncos at 118 might be among the first teams to show interest with the Browns and Bucs also keeping an eye on Blackmon.

DL Leki Fotu, Utah – 4th-5th Round

I originally had Fotu as a 6th-7th round pick but more and more NFL teams are showing interest in Fotu as a guy that brings intimidating size and quickness to the middle of the defensive line. He stops running backs in their tracks and he has the power to push offensive lineman back into the pocket. He also is quick enough to contain athletic quarterbacks that try to elude the pressure in the pocket. The Lions (109th), Texans (111th) and Panthers (113th) could be among the first teams to show draft interest in Fotu in the fourth round.

DB Javelin Guidry, Utah – 5th-7th Round

You can coach a lot of things but as the old sports cliché goes, you can’t coach speed. Guidry has a LOT of it. He clocked a 4.29 40 at the scouting combine which is enough for multiple teams needing speed on the defensive side of the ball and on special teams to take interest in Guidry beginning in the fifth round.

LB David Woodward, Utah State – 6th-Undrafted

The things that NFL team’s love about David Woodward are his football IQ and his toughness. He is all over the field because he quickly recognizes his assignments and where he needs to be and when he gets there he usually packs a punch. When the 6th round begins Woodward will be looked at as a good value pick.

LB Francis Bernard, Utah – 6th-Undrafted

Bernard is a very athletic middle linebacker that shows good route awareness and has a nose for the football. He was second on the Utes in tackles, second in interceptions and tied for the team lead in defensive touchdowns. What will also help Bernard is that he should be a good addition on special teams early in his career which can buy him more time to develop as a reliable middle linebacker in the NFL.

DL John Penisini, Utah – 6th-Undrafted

Penisini is a mass in the defensive middle that has slowly climbed into late-round consideration for the 2020 NFL Draft. If he is not selected he will undoubtedly be added as an undrafted free agent in the day or two following the draft.

Farnsworth’s Dark Horse Pick

K Dominik Eberle, Utah State – Late round

Eberle is one of two or three kickers worth using a draft pick on. He missed only three field goals on 24 tries in 2019 and was perfect (45-45) on extra points. His three misses were all from longer than 50 yards and he still made four 50+ yard kicks. Teams like the Rams, Dolphins, Jets and Cowboys may be in the market for a kicker late in the draft.