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2020 NFL Mock Draft: First round projections after Week 1

By Tanner Nestle

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 07: Jerry Jeudy #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates his 62 yard touchdown reception thrown by Tua Tagovailoa #13 against the Clemson Tigers during the first quarter in the College Football Playoff National Championship at Levi's Stadium on January 07, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 07: Jerry Jeudy #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates his 62 yard touchdown reception thrown by Tua Tagovailoa #13 against the Clemson Tigers during the first quarter in the College Football Playoff National Championship at Levi's Stadium on January 07, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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Wisconsin Badgers Running Back Jonathan Taylor
MADISON, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 24: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs with the ball while being chased by Blake Cashman #36 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the first quarter at Camp Randall Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. RB. Jonathan Taylor. player. Wisconsin. 26. 13

What a story this would be. I still think Melvin Gordon will play this year, but with each passing day, I grow less confident. So why not go back to the well and grab the best Wisconsin running back since Gordon?

Taylor is a workhorse back that would have the running ability to take over the feature back role for Gordon immediately. He’s big, strong, fast, and has all the intangible attributes you look for in a running back. He has a track background and can get up to a surprisingly high speed to run away from defenders on big plays. And the patience and vision needed to let those kinds of plays develop is something he’s showcased for two years already.

He’s not a receiver out of the backfield yet, but neither was Gordon in his first two years at Wisconsin. Gordon only had three receptions to his name until getting 19 his final year in college. Being a receiver out of the backfield is a skill that can be developed for Taylor.

The Chargers haven’t shown any signs of wanting to find a replacement for Philip Rivers so I’m going to ignore that need for them. Plus, it’s just not as fun as picking a Wisconsin running back to replace another Wisconsin running back. I loved Gordon’s fit out of college with the Chargers and I would love this fit for Taylor if the team decided to move on from Gordon.

But seriously, the Chargers really do need a quarterback for the future.

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