2020 NFL Draft: 25-pick mock, Cleveland Browns get their guy

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 13: Quarterback Joe Burrow #9 of the LSU Tigers on a pass play during the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Clemson Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. LSU defeated Clemson 42 to 25. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 13: Quarterback Joe Burrow #9 of the LSU Tigers on a pass play during the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Clemson Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. LSU defeated Clemson 42 to 25. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 25: Quarterback Jordan Love #5 from Utah State of the North Team warms up before the 2020 Resse’s Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 25, 2020, in Mobile, Alabama. The Noth Team defeated the South Team 34 to 17. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 25: Quarterback Jordan Love #5 from Utah State of the North Team warms up before the 2020 Resse’s Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 25, 2020, in Mobile, Alabama. The Noth Team defeated the South Team 34 to 17. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

Jacksonville Jaguars. Jordan Love. 9. player. 52. . Quarterback

The Jags will be in a bit of re-build mode after the Nick Foles project quickly crashed and burned in 2019. It is wild to think the Jaguars played in the AFC Championship game just three years ago. It could be tempting for the Jaguars to trade back and collect picks, but I suspect after sending Foles to the Chicago Bears they could be in the quarterback market.

Jordan Love from Utah State would certainly be a reach at pick number 9, but after Love, the quarterback talent falls off quickly. Remember, the Jaguars have Gardner Minshew who did show some promise in 2019. If drafted, Love would not be forced on the field game one unless the spot was earned.

Because of the rebuild, I think the Jags go QB here. They won’t risk not landing one of the top four quarterbacks and will bring the total to four quarterbacks taken in the top nine of the 2020 draft, which would be a huge benefit to the Cleveland Browns.

53. . Offensive Tackle. Cleveland Browns. Andrew Thomas. 10. player

Will the Browns be tempted to trade up for Isaiah Simmons? Likely, but it would not be a good idea because of the cost and gaping hole the Browns have at left tackle currently. Yes, there are options like Jason Peters or trading for Trent Williams, but both of those come with huge risks. The Browns need a left tackle, and there is a potential All-Pro caliber player available for them to take…take HIM.

If Andrew Thomas is around at 10, the Browns are likely to get the best pure left tackle in the draft. Thomas was a three-year starter for Georgia and was going against top-end talent each week in the SEC.  While Thomas didn’t shine as much as Becton or Wirfs at the combine, he is also athletic and would work well in Kevin Stefanski’s zone scheme. Thomas would come in as the day-one starter at tackle.

In this scenario both Mekhi Becton and Jedrick Wills Jr. are available, but I see the Browns going Thomas. Wills Jr is a risk as he has always bee right tackle. I’m sure he could make the switch, but why take that risk. Becton is a mammoth human being, and scouts seem to have drawn to that and his athleticism.  Let’s not forget the Becton has not played against top-end talent at Louisville, and for that reason, I would pass.