1. Bengals: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
This is the obvious choice for the number one pick, despite a crazy trade-up or a draft-day shocker. The Heisman Trophy winner in 2019 set all sorts of Southeastern Conference (SEC) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) passing records. He is almost a lock for the number one pick.
2. Redskins: Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
After winning the Chase Young bowl by losing to the Giants in Week 16, Washington gets an edge rusher that’s been called better than both Bosa brothers.
3. Lions: Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State
The Lions defense was 31st in yards allowed, averaging 400.4 per game. After trading Darius Slay, the Lions stay put at three and draft the best corner in the draft.
4. Chargers (via trade with Giants): Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
The first trade! Head coach Anthony Lynn wants a mobile quarterback. With the fear of the Dolphins picking a quarterback, the Chargers move up two spots to get the choice of Justin Herbert or Tua. Despite the hip injury, the Alabama product could be the heir-apparent to Philip Rivers.
5. Dolphins: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Miami takes the remaining quarterback in Herbert. The Oregon signal-caller would’ve likely gone around this spot last year, but he did not hurt himself or his stock by going back for his senior year. His big arm and athleticism could make him the future franchise quarterback in Miami.
6. Giants (via trade with the Chargers): Jedrick Wills Jr., OT, Alabama
The first offensive lineman off the board. New York still has their choice of the big four between Wills Jr., Tristin Wirfs, Andrew Thomas and Mekhi Becton. They go with the tackle that blocked Tua’s blindside in 2019. Wills has great athleticism and technique and could be the left tackle for Daniel Jones for years to come.
7. Panthers: Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
Carolina stays put but is still able to get the Clemson defensive playmaker. Simmons is able to lineup just about anywhere: outside linebacker, middle/inside linebacker, slot corner, strong safety and free safety. Of the listed positions, he played at least 100 snaps, with the most coming at inside/middle linebacker (299), according to Pro Football Focus. He also rushed the quarterback 71 times and recorded seven sacks.
8. Cardinals: Tristin Wirfs, OT, Iowa
After ripping off the Texans for Deandre Hopkins, the red birds can focus on strengthening their offensive line. Wirfs had one of, if not the best combines of all offensive linemen. There is still some question about his technique, but his ceiling is one of the highest. He could protect Kyler Murray’s blindside for years.
9. Jaguars: Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
Some scouts consider Brown one of the best defensive players in the draft. The Jaguars need help revamping their defense after trading many pieces away. Brown is dominant against the runs and the pass.
10. Browns: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
The Browns signed Jack Conklin this offseason. They have a loaded receiving core with Odell Beckham Jr and Jarvis Landry at wide receiver and David Njoku and free-agent-signing Austin Hooper. Conklin is more of a run-blocking tackle. In Thomas, Cleveland gets someone who could protect Baker Mayfield for years.
11. Jets: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Finally, the first wide receiver taken off the board in this deep wide receiver class. Lamb is tall, has great hands and excels with 50/50 balls. Gang Green finally gives Sam Darnold a true number one receiver along with Le’Veon Bell and an improved offensive line.
12. Raiders: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Las Vegas (yes, it sounds weird still) gets their number one wide receiver after Antonio Brown did not appear once in a game for the Raiders. Jeudy and Darren Waller could be a scary wide receiver/tight end combination for whoever plays quarterback for Vegas.
13. 49ers (via Colts): Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
Kyle Shanahan gets a speed demon wide receiver for his already highly effective offense. After losing Emmanuel Sanders, Ruggs is a good replacement for San Francisco’s receiving core.
14. Buccaneers: Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
Becton weighs over 360 lbs. and is a freakish athlete. Tampa gets someone to protect Brady and whoever his successor is.
15. Patriots (trade with Broncos): Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
We will finally see someone in a Patriots jersey other than Tom Brady. It will be odd, but Love is a raw talent with a lot of upside. If he fixes his decision making, his big arm and dual-threat abilities could make him one of the special quarterbacks in the NFL. New England moves up eight spots to make sure their get their future franchise quarterback.
16. Falcons: Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina
The Falcons defense took a step back in 2019 and underperformed to many people’s standards, despite minimal injuries. Dan Quinn needs his team to have a strong season to save his job, and he adds a defensive tackle to pair with Grad
y Jarrett.
17. Cowboys: C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
Dallas couldn’t afford to keep everyone and stay under the salary cap. That led to Byron Jones signing with Miami. The Cowboys get the cornerback to replace him.
18. Dolphins (via Steelers): Austin Jackson, OT, USC
Miami doesn’t get one of the top four offensive linemen, but Jackson possesses great athleticism who can be a good player on the line with Ereck Flowers if h develops his technique a little bit.
19. Raiders (via Bears): Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
Queen was an essential part of LSU’s defense and should help the Raiders defense improve. He excels in coverage and has great speed. He doesn’t turn 21 until August, so he may have room to grow physically.
20. Jaguars (via Rams): Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
Jacksonville traded Jalen Ramsey in the middle of 2019 and A.J. Bouye this offseason. They replace him with the Louisiana State product.
21. Eagles: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Not one wide receiver had 500 yards for the Eagles. Miles Sanders did at running back and Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert eclipsed that mark at tight end. Jefferson has the upside of a number one receiver.
22. Vikings (via Bills): Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
Minnesota released Xavier Rhodes, and they use this pick acquired in the Stefon Diggs trade to draft the TCU corner. Gladney excels in man coverage but can also lineup in zone as well.
23. Broncos (trade with Patriots): Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
The Broncos trade down after missing out on the top three wide receivers, but Reagor still possess the speed and athleticism to be the number one receiver of the team that drafts him. He can also be the punt returner if needed, as he has experience at TCU.
24. Packers (trade with Saints): Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
Wide receivers are coming off the board now, so Green Bay doesn’t stay put. Mims ran a sub 4.4 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He has long arms and had a strong senior season at Baylor after taking a step back in his junior year. He pairs up nicely with Devin Funchess and Davante Adams.
25. Vikings: K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
Minnesota gets someone to pair up with Danielle Hunter on the defensive line after he falls this much. Chaisson possesses many raw tools to evolve into a successful pass rusher.
26. Dolphins (via Texans): Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
Miami got the quarterback and the offensive lineman. Safety is a big need for the Fins, and McKinney immediately upgrades Miami’s secondary.
27. Seahawks: Josh Jones, OT, Houston
Russell Wilson takes hit after hit every year. Jones has a lot of upside, but he needs to improve his footwork. He has the ability to be a key protector of Wilson for a while.
28. Lions (trade with Ravens): A.J Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa
After improving their secondary with Okudah, Detroit trades back into the first round to improve their pass rush. He had a mediocre combine, which led to his stock falling, but he still possesses the tools to improve the Lions defense
29. Titans: Zack Baun, LB Wisconsin
Tennessee acquires an edge rusher to go along with linebacker Harold Landry, who had nine sacks.
30. Saints (trade with Packers): Kenneth Murray, LB Oklahoma
This is a position of need for the Saints. After signing Emmanuel Sanders to pair with Michael Thomas, Murray fits in as a key piece for Dennis Allen’s defense.
31. 49ers: Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Despite the 49ers amazing pass rush, even without DeForest Buckner, is really strong, but their cornerback depth could use a bit of an upgrade. The Alabama product should fit right into Robert Saleh’s scheme.
32. Chiefs: D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
The Chiefs take the first running back off the board. They get one of the best in the draft and find their replacement to Kareem Hunt to make their offense even more lethal.
Photo Courtesy of Steve Helber
