NFL mock draft: ‘Tiger King’ to Cincy, 49ers roll out red carpet for Ruggs

Once Joe Burrow goes No. 1 in the NFL draft, look for the 49ers to eventually address needs and pick wide receiver Henry Ruggs III and cornerback Jeff Gladney.

It’s never been easier to mimic NFL executives. They’re just like us now, making draft picks from their homes and basements. While their picks actually count Thursday through Saturday, here is my mock version:

1. Cincinnati Bengals

QB Joe Burrow (LSU)

Say hello to the new Tiger King, entering Cincy’s Jungle from the LSU Tigers. He’s no ordinary Joe, nor an especially exotic one, but still a Heisman winner and national champ.

2. Washington

DE Chase Young (Ohio State)

Two straight years an Ohio State defensive end goes No. 2 overall. But can he follow Nick Bosa’s lead and win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors?

3. Detroit Lions

LB Isaiah Simmons (Clemson)

Rather than trade out or pick Matthew Stafford’s successor, Matt Patricia’s defense adds a quick, versatile defensive weapon.

4. New York Giants

OT Tristan Wirfs (Iowa)

New coach Joe Judge gets the top tackle to block for quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley, their previous top draft picks.

5. Miami Dolphins

QB Justin Herbert (Oregon)

No need to trade up for their next Marino. And so much for last season’s ‘Tank For Tua’ campaign.

6. Los Angeles Chargers

QB Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama)

May as well gamble on an injury-riddled, 6-foot southpaw. It could generate needed excitement when bunking with the more revered Rams.

7. Carolina Panthers

DT Derrick Brown (Auburn)

Christian McCaffrey won’t have as easy a time running up the middle in practice anymore.

8. Arizona Cardinals

OT Jedrick Wills (Alabama)

True, they could go cornerback, but it’s better to gain more protection for 2019 No. 1 pick Kyler Murray so he can target DeAndre Hopkins.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars

CB Jeff Okudah (Ohio State)

Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye are out, so in with the Buckeyes’ latest first-round cornerback rather than Florida’s own C.J. Henderson.

10. Cleveland Browns

OT Mekhi Becton (Louisville)

Baker Mayfield needs help. Or did you not see what Nick Bosa did to him last season?

11. New York Jets

WR Jerry Jeudy (Alabama)

Sam Darnold gets the first receiver off the board, even though Wednesday’s reports of a knee issue could prompt Jeudy’s slide.

12. Las Vegas Raiders

WR CeeDee Lamb (Oklahoma)

Jon Gruden orders Derek Carr then Marcus Mariota then (next-QB-up) to find Lamb.

13. 49ers

WR Henry Ruggs III (Alabama)

Jimmy Garoppolo surely won’t overthrow this draft’s fastest receiver if, say, a Super Bowl is on the line. Tough call over cornerback C.J. Henderson.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

OT Andrew Thomas (Georgia)

Welcome to the NFL, now go protect Tom Brady and party with Rob Gronkowski.

15. Denver Broncos

LB Kenneth Murray (Oklahoma)

Vic Fangio knows the benefits of having a stud linebacker or two (see: Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman).

16. Atlanta Falcons

CB C.J. Henderson (Florida)

A trade up might be needed so they can nab Henderson and replace Desmond Trufant.

17. Dallas Cowboys

OLB K’Lavon Chaisson (LSU)

Another edge rusher is smart rather than rely too much on Aldon Smith’s comeback.

18. Miami Dolphins

OT Austin Jackson (USC)

This makes five offensive tackles in 18 picks, and the Dolphins have a new QB to protect.

19. Raiders

CB Trevon Diggs (Alabama)

Unable to earlier trade for older brother Stefon at wide receiver, the Raiders further bolster their defense.

20. Jacksonville Jaguars

RB D’Andre Swift (Georgia)

So long Leonard Fournette,  the No. 4 pick just three years ago behind the 49ers’ Solomon Thomas.

21. Philadelphia Eagles

WR Justin Jefferson (LSU)

An intriguing option earlier for the 49ers, Jefferson gives Carson Wentz a reliable option other than Zach Ertz.

22. Minnesota Vikings

DT Javon Kinlaw (South Carolina)

Another potential 49ers target, Kinlaw aids a Vikings’ defense that the 49ers ran through in the playoffs.

23. New England Patriots

DE A.J. Epenesa (Iowa)

The post-Brady era begins not with a first-round quarterback but a Hawkeye.

24. New Orleans Saints

LB Patrick Queen (LSU)

First LSU product ever taken by the Saints in Round 1. If not Queen, then perhaps cornerback Kristian Fulton or safety Grant Delpit.

25. Minnesota Vikings

WR Tee Higgins (Clemson)

They grab Kirk Cousins another target after trading Stefon Diggs to Buffalo.

26. Miami Dolphins

S Xavier McKinney (Alabama)

The Dolphins’ third pick of Round 1 (a la 2019 Raiders) is on a safety, to replace ex-Alabama safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.

27. Seattle Seahawks

DE Yetur Gross-Matos (Penn State)

The Seahawks produced only two sacks in a crucial, regular-season finale loss to the 49ers.

28. Baltimore Ravens

C Cesar Ruiz (Michigan)

The league’s No. 1-rushing attack needs interior-line security, especially with Matt Skura coming off a knee injury.

29. Tennessee Titans

CB A.J. Terrell (Clemson)

If only the Titans’ defense had him in the AFC Championship Game to thwart the Chiefs’ comeback.

30. Green Bay Packers

WR Denzel Mims (Baylor)

Rather than take Aaron Rodgers’ successor, they give him a new weapon (alternate choice: tight end Cole Kmet).

31. 49ers

CB Jeff Gladney (TCU)

His 5-foot-10 frame is not as tall as the 49ers may like but he’s a self-described “physical speed demon.”

32. Kansas City Chiefs

WR Jalen Reagor (TCU)

Patrick Mahomes and the defending Super Bowl champs gets another home-run hitter.