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This article originally appeared on NFL.com
Here's a look at my first mock of the 2020 NFL Draft, which will take place April 23-25 in Las Vegas. Remember, this mock is a projection of where I believe players will go -- not necessarily a reflection of my opinion as to where the players should go.
NOTE: The final draft order may change depending on the outcome of Super Bowl LIV.
PICK
1. Bengals
Joe Burrow - QB
School: LSU | Year: Senior (RS)
Burrow will need the scheme fit to be right, but his pinpoint accuracy and elite intangibles are hard to resist.
PICK
2. Redskins
Chase Young - Edge
School: Ohio State | Year: Junior
It's just a no-brainer here. Based upon pure talent and upside, Young is the clear front-runner in my book.
PICK
3. Lions
Jeff Okudah - CB
School: Ohio State | Year: Junior
Easy slot to fill with the Lions needing help opposite Darius Slay and Okudah possessing all the traits Matt Patricia could want.
PICK
4. Giants
Isaiah Simmons - LB
School: Clemson | Year: Junior (RS)
Rare height, weight, speed and versatility to be deployed in a variety of positions. He's only scratching the surface of his upside.
PICK
5. Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa - QB
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
Obviously the medicals need to check out, but if they do -- race the card up to the podium.
PICK
6. Chargers
Justin Herbert - QB
School: Oregon | Year: Senior
Herbert certainly helped himself during Senior Bowl week, and the Chargers are in desperate need of finding their next QB1.
PICK
7. Panthers
Derrick Brown - DT
School: Auburn | Year: Senior
Brown is one of the draft's most talented players and is a need fit as well in Matt Rhule's first season as head coach.
PICK
8. Cardinals
Jedrick Wills - OT
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
Tackle depth in this draft allows the Cardinals an opportunity to let their free agents at the position walk and feel safe about landing a quality OT here.
PICK
9. Jaguars
Javon Kinlaw - DT
School: South Carolina | Year: Senior
Defense must be addressed. While CB and LB make sense, Kinlaw's freakish size, strength and Chris Jones-like upside is appealing.
PICK
10. Browns
Tristan Wirfs - OT
School: Iowa | Year: Junior
It might be tempting to take a receiver here and prepare to move on from Odell Beckham Jr., but receivers can be found outside the top 10 and Wirfs helps protect Baker Mayfield.
PICK
11. Jets
Mekhi Becton - OT
School: Louisville | Year: Junior
Built like a barn and possessing jarring power, Becton needs to keep his weight in check but has the feet to stay at left tackle.
PICK
12. Raiders
Jerry Jeudy - WR
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
The Raiders have a couple of selections in the first round and one of them has to be spent on a receiver. Why not take your pick of WR1s in this spot?
PICK
13. Colts
K'Lavon Chaisson - Edge
School: LSU | Year: Sophomore (RS)
If Indy loves Jordan Love, he could be the guy here, but Chaisson fits the rush profile the Colts covet. The redshirt sophomore has exciting potential.
PICK
14. Buccaneers
Jacob Eason - QB
School: Washington | Year: Junior (RS)
Tampa might trade back, but Eason could still be the target. While I expect him to be taken later than this pick, his stature and arm strength will give Bruce Arians some Carson Palmer vibes.
PICK
15. Broncos
Andrew Thomas - OT
School: Georgia | Year: Junior
Thomas doesn't always look pretty doing it, but guys get blocked. He's an instant upgrade over Garett Bolles and is a tough competitor.
PICK
16. Falcons
Zack Baun - Edge
School: Wisconsin | Year: Senior (RS)
Baun has rare athletic skills to play 4-3 outside linebacker on early downs and rush from the edge on passing downs.
PICK
17. Cowboys
Xavier McKinney - S
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
Assuming Dallas locks up pending free agent Byron Jones, McKinney would give the 'Boys a versatile, interchangeable safety who can also line up over the slot.
PICK
18. Dolphins
D'Andre Swift - RB
School: Georgia | Year: Junior
Tagovailoa might need a redshirt in Year 1, but Swift could give the Dolphins' offense an instant boost similar to what we saw with Josh Jacobs and the Raiders.
PICK
19. Raiders
Patrick Queen - LB
School: LSU | Year: Junior
The latest in a recent string of speedy linebackers from LSU, Queen helps fill a gaping hole in the Raiders' defense.
PICK
20. Jaguars
C.J. Henderson - CB
School: Florida | Year: Junior
Smooth cover corner with good size and speed to help fortify a secondary in need of another CB after Jalen Ramsey's departure.
PICK
21. Eagles
CeeDee Lamb - WR
School: Oklahoma | Year: Junior
Lamb has the ability to play inside or outside and is an instant playmaking option who should help alleviate pressure on Carson Wentz.
PICK
22. Bills
Tee Higgins - WR
School: Clemson | Year: Junior
What do you give a big-armed quarterback with spotty accuracy? I suggest a big, downfield wideout with good ball skills and an incredible catch radius.
PICK
23. Patriots
Cesar Ruiz - C
School: Michigan | Year: Junior
Intelligent and athletic with center/guard flexibility, Ruiz could take over pending free agent Joe Thuney's guard spot right away and stabilize New England's interior pass protection.
PICK
24. Saints
Henry Ruggs III - WR
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
Ruggs will come into the NFL as one of the fastest players in the game. He can take the top off defenses or hurt them on catch-and-runs.
PICK
25. Vikings
Jaylon Johnson- CB
School: Utah | Year: Junior
Johnson is a long, man-cover cornerback who could make both Xavier Rhodes (due to count $12.9 million against the cap in 2020) and Trae Waynes (pending free agent) expendable.
PICK
26. Dolphins
Josh Jones - OT
School: Houston | Year: Senior (RS)
How's this for a twist? The Dolphins draft a tackle from the University of Houston using the first-round pick they received from the Houston Texans for Laremy Tunsil.
PICK
27. Seahawks
A.J. Epenesa - Edge
School: Iowa | Year: Junior
The Seahawks must decide whether they want to be in the Jadeveon Clowney business. If not, Epenesa is way less explosive, but more skilled as a big rush end.
PICK
28. Ravens
Kenneth Murray - LB
School: Oklahoma | Year: Junior
Speedy linebacker with sideline-to-sideline range and third-down coverage ability who could challenge for a starter's role immediately.
PICK
29. Titans
Cam Dantzler - CB
School: Mississippi State | Year: Junior (RS)
Tall, thin cornerback who plays with an abundance of toughness and confidence. He allowed three catches for 21 yards vs. LSU and Alabama combined.
PICK
30. Packers
Justin Jefferson - WR
School: LSU | Year: Junior
The Packers' Aaron Rodgers window won't be open forever, so adding a talented inside/outside target with excellent ball skills makes sense.
PICK
31. Chiefs
Jonathan Taylor - RB
School: Wisconsin | Year: Junior
It almost doesn't seem fair to give the Chiefs another talented player at a skill position, but that's the way it goes in this mock.
PICK
32. 49ers
Trevon Diggs - CB
School: Alabama | Year: Senior
Diggs is a big, physical corner with outstanding ball skills who might be able to slide to free safety. Checks needed boxes for the 49ers.
Follow Lance Zierlein on Twitter @LanceZierlein.
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Sunday night matchups don't get much exciting than this, as the Houston Texans host the Detroit Lions in prime-time at NRG.
The Lions come into this game on a six-game winning streak looking every bit of the best team in football. Houston on the other hand has lost two of their last three games with a struggling offense unable to protect their quarterback.
CJ Stroud has only one passing touchdown over this span, and is clearly having trouble adjusting to life without Stefon Diggs and Nico Collins.
If Houston is going to come away with an upset victory, they will need big performances from Tank Dell and Joe Mixon. After catching 4 passes against the Colts two weeks ago, Mixon not only failed to catch a single pass against the Jets, but he wasn't even targeted.
Considering the Texans' offensive line issues, choosing not to use Mixon as a pass catcher is hard to fathom. Especially since he and Dell are the team's top 2 playmakers.
What's working in the Texans' favor?
They play this game at home, where they are undefeated this season. A lot of the team's protection issues have popped up on the road, so communication should be easier for the offense on their home turf.
Bulls on Parade
We have good news and bad news about the defense this week. On the positive side, Azeez Al-Shaair and Jimmy Ward have returned to practice. If they're able to contribute on Sunday night, that would give the defense a lift.
And now for the bad news. Will Anderson has yet to practice this week after rolling his ankle in the Jets game. If he is unable to practice on Friday, it's hard to imagine he'll be active against Detroit.
X-factors
The Texans have to show some improvement on the offensive line this week.
Houston must lean on Joe Mixon again, as Nico Collins isn't expected to play.
Lions' Amon-Ra St. Brown is one of the best receivers in the league, and he does most of his damage from the slot. If the Texans continue to deploy Jalen Pitre against premier receivers in man coverage, St. Brown is going to light up the scoreboard.
What would a win over the Lions mean to Houston?
The Texans are no longer considered a true championship contender because of their losses to the Packers, Vikings, and Jets. In fact, the Bills are the only team with a winning record that the Texans have beaten.
An upset win over the streaking Lions would change that narrative.
What does Vegas think?
The Lions are currently favored by 3.5 and the total is set at 49 points.
Don't miss the full preview of Texans-Lions in the video above!
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