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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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Cal Raleigh becomes the first catcher, switch-hitter to win the Home Run Derby. Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images.
Cal Raleigh approached the All-Star Home Run Derby like a day on the lawn. Dad was on the mound and baby brother was behind the plate.
Only this time, there were tens of thousands looking on at Truist Park and a $1 million prize.
“It goes all the way back to him coming home and me forcing him to throw me a ball and hit it in the backyard or in the house or something probably shouldn’t be doing,” a beaming Cal said, flanked by Todd and Todd Jr. after defeating Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero 18-15 in the final round Monday night.
Todd Raleigh, former coach of Tennessee and Western Carolina, threw the pitches and Cal’s 15-year-old brother, Todd Raleigh Jr., did the catching. A first-time All-Star at age 28, Cal became the first switch-hitter and first catcher to win the title. He’s the second Mariners player to take the title after three-time winner Ken Griffey Jr., who was on the field, snapping photos.
“Anybody that’s ever played baseball as a kid dreams of stuff like this,” Cal’s dad said. “I dreamed of it. He dreamed of it. When you’re a parent, you look at it differently because you want your kids to be happy.”
Leading the major leagues with 38 home runs at the All-Star break, Cal almost didn’t make it past the first round. The Mariners’ breakout slugger nicknamed Big Dumper and the Athletics’ Brent Rooker each hit 17 homers, and Raleigh advanced on a tiebreaker for longest long ball: 470.61 feet to 470.53 — or 0.96 inches. At first, Cal wasn’t aware whether there would be a swing-off.
“An inch off, and I’m not even in the final four, which is amazing,” Cal said. “So I guess I got lucky there. One extra biscuit.”
Raleigh totaled 54 homers. He won his semifinal 19-13 over Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz, whose 513-foot first-round drive over the right-center field seats was the longest of the night.
Cal Raleigh's #HRDerby by the numbers:
Total HR: 54
HR of 425+: 31
Top distance: 471 ft
Avg distance: 430 ft
Total distance: 23,212 ft
Top exit velo: 112 MPH
Avg exit velo: 102 MPH pic.twitter.com/0pV6nGWLsA
— MLB (@MLB) July 15, 2025
Cal’s brother, nicknamed T, kept yelling encouragement to the brother he so admires.
“His swag, the way he plays, the way he hustles,” T said.
Hitting second in the final round, the 22-year-old Caminero closed within three dingers — MLB counted one that a fan outfielder caught with an over-the-wall grab. Using a multicolored bat and down to his last out, Caminero took three pitches and hit a liner to left.
“I didn’t think I was going to hit as many home runs or make it to the finals,” Caminero said through a translator.
Cal was just the second Derby switch-hitter after Baltimore’s Adley Rutschman in 2023. His dad was a righty and wanted both his sons to hit from both sides.
“Did it from the first day, when he was in diapers, literally,” Todd Sr. said. “I would take that big ball and he had a big red bat. I’d throw it slow and he’d hit it. Then I’d say stay there, pick him up, turn him around, switch his hands and do it again. I was a catcher. I played a little bit, and I just knew what a premium it was. I didn’t want either one of my boys to ever say, am I right-handed or left-handed?”
There was a downside.
“I don’t recommend it if you have two kids, they’re both switch hitters, if you want to save your arm, because that’s a lot of throwing,” said dad, who had rotator cuff surgery.
Raleigh hit his first eight homers left-handed, took a timeout, then hit seven right-handed. Going back to lefty, he hit two more in the bonus round and stayed lefty for the rest of the night.
“Was grooving a little bit more lefty so we were like, since we have a chance to win, we might as well stick to the side that’s working a little better,” Cal said.
Caminero beat Minnesota’s Byron Buxton 8-7 in the other semifinal. Atlanta’s Matt Olson, Washington’s James Wood, the New York Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Rooker were eliminated in the first round of the annual power show.
Cruz’s long drive was the hardest-hit at 118 mph.
Wood hit 16 homers, including one that landed on the roof of the Chop House behind the right-field wall. Olson, disappointing his hometown fans, did not go deep on his first nine swings and finished with 15, Chisholm hit just three homers, the fewest since the timer format started in 2015.fter it was all over, the Raleighs headed out. Stephanie, the boys’ mom and Todd Sr.'s wife, is surrounded by baseball.
After it was all over, the Raleighs headed out. Stephanie, the boys’ mom and Todd Sr.'s wife, is surrounded by baseball.
“We kind of leave it in the cage. We’ve got a cage at home, a building,” Todd Sr. said. “Or we leave it in the car on the rides home. There’s probably been a few times where she says, yeah, that’s enough.”