NFL mock drafts 2020: Compare Mel Kiper, Todd McShay, Peter King, Daniel Jeremiah & other experts

Joe Rivera

NFL mock drafts 2020: Compare Mel Kiper, Todd McShay, Peter King, Daniel Jeremiah & other experts image

In the words of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell: "Ain't nothin' like the real thing, baby."

NFL Draft analysts can be stubborn fellows, after all. But even through that, the endless mock drafts this time of year get a little tiresome as we get ready for the real thing on April 23. 

We've seen all kinds of mocks: with trades, without trades, the non-obvious ones and even the click-bait ones. That's just the nature of this time of year, after all. And there's no certainty when it comes to the NFL Draft, after all.

With the 2020 NFL Draft going down on Thursday, a lot of these mocks are about to be finalized. So here's what you need to know about the draft's power brokers and how they think it's going to shake out from Roger Goodell's basement, with a few notes on each:

MORE 2020 NFL DRAFT:
Live grades | Pick tracker | Top 100 big board

Vinnie Iyer's mock draft (Sporting News)

Sporting News' latest mock draft, a three-round edition, was unveiled on April 20. Here's how the first round breaks down:

Pick No.TeamPlayerPositionSchool
1Cincinnati BengalsJoe BurrowQBLSU
2Washington RedskinsChase YoungDEOhio State
3Detroit LionsJeff OkudahCBOhio State
4New York GiantsTristan WirfsOTIowa
5Miami DolphinsJustin HerbertQBOregon
6Los Angeles ChargersTua TagovailoaQBAlabama
7Carolina PanthersIsaiah SimmonsS/LBClemson
8Arizona CardinalsJedrick WillsOTAlabama
9Jacksonville JaguarsCJ HendersonCBFlorida
10Cleveland BrownsAndrew ThomasOTGeorgia
11New York JetsMekhi BectonOTLouisville
12Las Vegas RaidersCeeDee LambWROklahoma
13San Francisco 49ers (from Colts)Derrick Brown DTAuburn
14Tampa Bay BuccaneersJerry JeudyWRAlabama
15Denver BroncosHenry Ruggs IIIWRAlabama
16Atlanta FalconsJavon KinlawDTSouth Carolina
17Dallas CowboysK'Lavon ChaissonEDGELSU
18Miami Dolphins (from Steelers)Xavier McKinneySAlabama
19Las Vegas Raiders (from Bears)AJ TerrellCBClemson
20Jacksonville Jaguars (from Rams)AJ EpenesaEDGEIowa
21Philadelphia EaglesKenneth MurrayLBOklahoma
22Minnesota Vikings (from Bills)Justin JeffersonWRLSU
23New England PatriotsTee HigginsWRClemson
24New Orleans SaintsJordan LoveQBUtah State
25Minnesota VikingsJeff GladneyCBTCU
26Miami Dolphins (from Texans)D’Andre SwiftRBGeorgia
27Seattle SeahawksYetur Gross-MatosEDGEPenn State
28Baltimore RavensPatrick QueenLBLSU
29Tennessee TitansZach BaunEDGE/OLBWisconsin
30Green Bay PackersRoss BlacklockDTTCU
31San Francisco 49ersTrevon DiggsCBAlabama
32Kansas City ChiefsCesar RuizOLMichigan

Noteworthy:

— The Saints find their QB of the future in Jordan Love with their first-round pick. With Drew Brees' future uncertain past the 2020 season, Love gives head coach Sean Payton a passer to mold while Brees finishes out his Hall of Fame career. His athletic traits, too, are going to give Payton something fun to play with.

— The Jaguars passing on wide receivers not once, but twice, seems like a curious move. Especially for a team with limited offensive weaponry and who is currently shopping Leonard Fournette.

— The Packer opt not to help the offensive side of the ball and instead take Ross Blacklock from TCU with the No. 30 pick. The Packers aren't imperfect, but they could certainly give Aaron Rodgers some more help.

MORE: SportsInsider.com's NFL Draft betting preview and prop bets 

Mel Kiper's mock draft (ESPN)

Kiper's latest mock draft was released on April 14.

Pick No.TeamPlayerPositionSchool
1Cincinnati BengalsJoe BurrowQBLSU
2Washington RedskinsChase YoungDEOhio State
3Detroit LionsDerrick BrownDTAuburn
4New York GiantsTristan WirfsOTIowa
5Miami DolphinsTua TagovailoaQBAlabama
6Los Angeles ChargersJustin HerbertQBOregon
7Carolina PanthersIsaiah SimmonsS/LBClemson
8Arizona CardinalsJedrick WillsOTAlabama
9Jacksonville JaguarsJeff OkudahCBOhio State
10Cleveland BrownsAndrew ThomasOTGeorgia
11New York JetsMekhi BectonOTLouisville
12Las Vegas RaidersCJ HendersonCBFlorida
13San Francisco 49ers (from Colts)Jerry JeudyWRAlabama
14Tampa Bay BuccaneersJustin JeffersonWRLSU
15Denver BroncosCeeDee LambWROklahoma
16Atlanta FalconsK'Lavon ChaissonOLBLSU
17Dallas CowboysXavier McKinneySAlabama
18Miami Dolphins (from Steelers)Javon KinlawDTSouth Carolina
19Las Vegas Raiders (from Bears)Jordan LoveQBUtah State
20Jacksonville Jaguars (from Rams)Austin JacksonOTUSC
21Philadelphia EaglesKenneth MurrayLBOklaho,a
22Minnesota Vikings (from Bills)Henry Ruggs IIIWRAlabama
23New England PatriotsCesar RuizOLMichigan
24New Orleans SaintsBrandon AiyukWRArizona State
25Minnesota VikingsJaylon JohnsonCBUtah
26Miami Dolphins (from Texans)Josh JonesOTHouston
27Seattle SeahawksTee HigginsWRClemson
28Baltimore RavensPatrick QueenLBLSU
29Tennessee TitansYetur Gross-MatosDEPenn State
30Green Bay PackersCole KmetTENotre Dame
31San Francisco 49ersAntoine Winfield Jr.CB/SMinnesota
32Kansas City ChiefsJonathan TaylorRBWisconsin

Noteworthy:

— The Packers opt to get Aaron Rodgers a franchise tight end here with Cole Kmet, with all of the big wide receivers already off the board.

— The Jaguars get their Jalen Ramsey replacement with Jeff Okudah, who falls all the way to No. 9.

— Drew Brees gets more offensive help in this draft, with Brandon Aiyuk going to the Saints at No. 24.

MOCK DRAFT: What would happen if 'Madden' made every 2020 draft pick?

Todd McShay's mock draft (ESPN)

McShay's most recent mock draft released in late March.

Pick No.TeamPlayerPositionSchool
1Cincinnati BengalsJoe BurrowQBLSU
2Washington RedskinsChase YoungDEOhio State
3Detroit LionsJeff OkudahCBOhio State
4New York GiantsIsaiah SimmonsLB/SClemson
5Miami DolphinsTua TagovailoaQBAlabama
6Los Angeles ChargersJordan LoveQBUtah State
7Carolina PanthersDerrick BrownDTAuburn
8Arizona CardinalsTristan WirfsOTIowa
9Jacksonville JaguarsJustin HerbertQBOregon
10Cleveland BrownsJedrick WillsOTAlabama
11New York JetsJerry JeudyWRAlabama
12Las Vegas RaidersCeeDee LambWROklahoma
13San Francisco 49ers (from Colts)Henry Ruggs IIIWRAlabama
14Tampa Bay BuccaneersMekhi BectonOTLouisville
15Denver BroncosAndrew ThomasOTGeorgia
16Atlanta FalconsJavon KinlawDTSouth Carolina
17Dallas CowboysCJ HendersonCBFlorida
18Miami Dolphins (from Steelers)Xavier McKinneySAlabama
19Las Vegas Raiders (from Bears)Antoine Winfield Jr.SMinnesota
20Jacksonville Jaguars (from Rams)Brandon AiyukWRArizona State
21Philadelphia EaglesPatrick QueenLBLSU
22Minnesota Vikings (from Bills)Justin JeffersonWRLSU
23New England PatriotsAJ EpenesaDEIowa
24New Orleans SaintsKenneth MurrayLBOklahoma
25Minnesota VikingsTrevon DiggsCBAlabama
26Miami Dolphins (from Texans)Joshua JonesOTHouston
27Seattle SeahawksK'Lavon ChaissonEDGELSU
28Baltimore RavensRoss BlacklockDTTCU
29Tennessee TitansYetur Gross-MatosEDGEPenn State
30Green Bay PackersTee HigginsWRClemson
31San Francisco 49ersAJ TerrellCBClemson
32Kansas City ChiefsD'Andre SwiftRBGeorgia

Noteworthy:

— Jordan Love gets the most respect yet, going No. 6 overall to the Chargers, and is taken before Oregon's Justin Herbert. Herbert lands with the Jaguars at No. 9 overall to compete with Gardner Minshew. 

— The Eagles opt for D before help on offense, with Justin Jefferson and Tee Higgins both on the board. Interestingly enough, Brandon Aiyuk is off the board before both of those guys, going No. 20 to the Jaguars. (Hope you're ready for the Herbert to Aiyuk connection in Jacksonville.)

— Despite whispers that Denver wants to move up, they stand pat and take big tackle Andrew Thomas at 15, giving Drew Lock some much-needed protection.

Daniel Jeremiah's mock draft (NFL Network)

Daniel Jeremiah released his final mock draft on Wednesday, April 22. Here's the most recent from DJ:

Pick No.TeamPlayerPositionSchool
1Cincinnati BengalsJoe BurrowQBLSU
2Washington RedskinsChase YoungDEOhio State
3Detroit LionsJeff OkudahCBOhio State
4New York GiantsTristan WirfsOTIowa
5Miami DolphinsJustin HerbertQBOregon
6Los Angeles ChargersTua TagovailoaQBAlabama
7Carolina PanthersIsaiah SimmonsS/LBClemson
8Arizona CardinalsJedrick WillsOTAlabama
9Atlanta Falcons (from Jaguars)Derrick BrownDTAuburn
10Cleveland BrownsAndrew ThomasOTGeorgia
11New York JetsMekhi BectonOTLouisville
12Las Vegas RaidersCeeDee LambWROklahoma
13San Francisco 49ers (from Colts)Justin JeffersonWRLSU
14Tampa Bay BuccaneersJerry JeudyWRAlabama
15Denver BroncosHenry Ruggs IIIWRAlabama
16Jacksonville Jaguars (from Falcons)Javon KinlawDTSouth Carolina
17Dallas CowboysCJ HendersonCBFlorida
18Miami Dolphins (from Steelers)Austin JacksonOTUSC
19Las Vegas Raiders (from Bears)AJ TerrellCBClemson
20Jacksonville Jaguars (from Rams)K'Lavon ChaissonEDGELSU
21Philadelphia EaglesKenneth MurrayLBOklahoma
22Minnesota Vikings (from Bills)Jaylon JohnsonCBUtah
23New England PatriotsCole KmetTENotre Dame
24New Orleans SaintsJalen ReagorWRTCU
25Minnesota VikingsYetur Gross-MatosEDGEPenn State
26Miami Dolphins (from Texans)Cesar RuizOLMichigan
27Seattle SeahawksTrevon DiggsCBAlabama
28Baltimore RavensPatrick QueenLBLSU
29Tennessee TitansIsaiah WilsonOTGeorgia
30Green Bay PackersBrandon AiyukWRArizona State
31San Francisco 49ersJeff GladneyCBTCU
32Kansas City ChiefsRoss BlacklockDTTCU

Noteworthy: 

— Could we see six offensive tackles head in the first round? Outside of the group of four, Jeremiah believes that both Georgia's Isaiah Wilson and USC product Austin Jackson will make the first round. Some predict Jackson to fall into the top of the second.

— Jerry Jeudy falls in DJ's last mock draft, landing at the Buccaneers, pairing with Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Chris Godwin, Mike Evans and more. Not only does he fall, but he's the third WR taken.

— In a projected trade, the Falcons jump up to No. 9 to take Derrick Brown. Most mock drafts have Brown and the Panthers as a lock-fit at No. 7.

Peter King's mock draft (NBC Sports)

Pick No.TeamPlayerPositionSchool
1Cincinnati BengalsJoe BurrowQBLSU
2Washington RedskinsChase YoungDEOhio State
3Miami Dolphins (from Lions)Justin HerbertQBOregon
4New York GiantsTristan WirfsOTIowa
5Detroit Lions (from Dolphins)Jeff OkudahCBOhio State
6Los Angeles ChargersAndrew ThomasOTGeorgia
7Carolina PanthersDerrick BrownDTAuburn
8Arizona CardinalsIsaiah SimmonsS/LBClemson
9Jacksonville JaguarsCJ HendersonCBFlorida
10Cleveland BrownsJedrick WillsOTAlabama
11New York JetsMekhi BectonOTLouisville
12Las Vegas RaidersCeeDee LambWROklahoma
13New England Patriots (from 49ers)Tua TagovailoaQBAlabama
14Tampa Bay BuccaneersJavon KinlawDTSouth Carolina
15Denver BroncosJerry JeudyWRAlabama
16Atlanta FalconsK'Lavon ChaissonOLBLSU
17Dallas CowboysXavier McKinneySAlabama
18Miami Dolphins (from Steelers)AJ EpenesaEDGEIowa
19Las Vegas Raiders (from Bears)Kristian FultonCBLSU
20Jacksonville Jaguars (from Rams)Justin JeffersonWRLSU
21Philadelphia EaglesHenry Ruggs IIIWRAlabama
22Minnesota Vikings (from Bills)Trevon DiggsCBAlabama
23San Francisco 49ers (from Patriots)Joshua JonesOTHouston
24New Orleans SaintsAJ TerrellCBClemson
25Minnesota VikingsTee HigginsWRClemson
26Miami Dolphins (from Texans)Austin JacksonOTUSC
27Seattle SeahawksYetur Gross-MatosEDGEPenn State
28Baltimore RavensKenneth MurrayLBOklahoma
29Tennessee TitansIsaiah WilsonOTGeorgia
30Green Bay PackersMichael Pittmann Jr.WRUSC
31Dallas Cowboys (from 49ers)Cesar RuizOLMichigan
32Kansas City ChiefsJeff GladneyCBTCU

Noteworthy:

— King's mock draft features a few trades — the Lions and Dolphins swapping the No. 3 and No. 5 picks — but none quite as interesting as the Patriots trading up to No. 13 to take Tua Tagovailoa. It's not a move that says "desperation" but trading up doesn't seem like it would be the MO of Bill Belichick and the rest of New England's braintrust. Still, the idea of Belichick pairing Tagovailoa with Josh McDaniels and opening up New England's offense is a thought-provoking concept. 

— The Cowboys and 49ers get together on a trade that ends up with Cesar Ruiz as a Dallas o-lineman. After the unexpected retirement of Travis Frederick, this could be the heir apparent.

— The Eagles get their future playmaking deep threat to pair with Carson Wentz in Henry Ruggs III. With the Eagles in the market for a speedy receiver in recent years (bringing back DeSean Jackson; reportedly in the market for Robby Anderson), this pick falls in line with what Philly wants.

Joe Rivera