Mock draft v1.0: At Nos. 9 and 20 overall …

Jan 08, 2020 at 04:13 PM

John Oehser

Jaguars Senior Writer

JACKSONVILLE – This is only a mock. Repeat:

This is only a mock.

It's also ridiculously early – with a ridiculous amount of unknown – so to call this first jaguars.com 2020 mock draft "way too early" is an understatement. But the Jaguars' 2019 season is over, and they have two first-round selections in the 2020 NFL Draft, so it's never too early to start speculating.

So, what will the Jaguars do at No. 9 overall in Round 1? No. 20 overall?

There may be no bigger question facing the Jaguars this offseason, and that will be the focus for General Manager David Caldwell and Head Coach Doug Marrone as they begin formulating their offseason approach in the coming weeks.

The thought here is strengthening a struggling run defense will be a major offseason priority. Tight end, offensive line, cornerback and linebacker also seem like first-round possibilities.

For the purposes of this draft, we assumed Auburn defensive lineman Derrick Brown is available at No. 9. In that scenario, it would seem difficult for the Jaguars to pass. The team must improve against the run; adding Brown to the defensive interior would be a huge positive. The major question: Would Brown really be available at No. 9? Many mocks have him selected before then.

The Jaguars have that No. 9 selection by virtue of their 6-10 2019 finish. They also have the No. 20 overall selection from trading cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Los Angeles Rams. Many mock drafts have the Jaguars selecting a cornerback at No. 20 to replace Ramsey. Because that's a possibility, we opted here for Alabama cornerback Trevon Diggs.

Like Brown, Diggs is projected in many mocks before this selection. If he's there, the selection would make sense considering the cross of need and value.

Also possible at No. 20: offensive line. Could the Jaguars move left tackle Cam Robinson inside and start a young player such as Austin Jackson of Southern California on the left side opposite promising young right tackle Jawaan Taylor? Stay tuned, and remember:

This is only a mock. Repeat: This is only a mock.

Here's the first jaguars.com 2020 mock draft:

1.Cincinnati Bengals | Joe Burrow, QB, Louisiana State

2. Washington Redskins | Chase Young, DL, Ohio State

3. Detroit Lions | Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

4. New York Giants | Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa

5. Miami Dolphins | Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

6. Los Angeles Chargers | Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon

7. Carolina Panthers | Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State

8. Arizona Cardinals | Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson

9. Jacksonville Jaguars | Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn

10. Cleveland Browns | Jedrick Wills Jr., OT, Alabama