Written by Jake Schwanitz
1. Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Joe Burrow has been the clear consensus first overall pick for three months now. Reports of Burrow forcing his way out of Cincinnati have popped up here and there but chances are Burrow will be the Bengals new quarterback of the future.
2. Washington Redskins – Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
Chase Young is the best defensive prospect in this draft and would complete a front seven for Washington that could quickly become one of the best in the league. Dwayne Haskins flashed enough in 2019 to buy himself at least 2020 as the starting QB
3. Detroit Lions – Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
If Chase Young is the best defensive prospect in the draft, Isaiah Simmons is not that far behind. After a dominant combine performance, Detroit picks the best player on the board and fills a massive need giving Matt Patricia a game-changer on the defensive side of the ball.
4. New York Giants – Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
Tristan Wirfs had the most impressive workout at the 2020 Scouting Combine dominating in every drill. The Giants have the protect Daniel Jones better in 2020 and Wirfs combine performance separated himself from the rest of the tackles in this class.
5. Miami Dolphins – Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
The Dolphins remain the most likely destination for Tua, it’s just a matter of what pick they will select him at. Miami can afford to let Tua sit for as long as that hip needs.
6. Los Angeles Chargers – Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
The Chargers could look to free agency to find a starting quarterback for 2020 but the most likely scenario appears to be Tyrod Taylor and a rookie. In this case, Justin Herbert who has impressed at the Senior Bowl and Scouting Combine.
7. Carolina Panthers – Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Jeff Okudah falling to the Panthers would be a dream scenario for them. Signs point to Carolina moving towards a complete rebuild and Okudah would give them a defensive cornerstone to build around.
8. Arizona Cardinals – Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
It wasn’t the combine record but running a 4.27 40-yard dash is insanely impressive. The Cardinals could go tackle here but the speed is too tempting to pass up. Ruggs would be a dynamic weapon in Kliff Kingsbury’s air raid style offense.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars – Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
Another highly talented defensive prospect drops down the board. Derrick Brown’s combine performance wasn’t anything to write home about but the tape is too good for Brown’s stock to be damaged that much.
10. Cleveland Browns – Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
Mekhi Becton solidified his stock at the Scouting Combine with his impressive size and movement skills. The Browns finally get a replacement for Joe Thomas.
11. New York Jets – Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
The wide receiver prospects are going to be tempting at this spot but Joe Douglas will decide to surround Sam Darnold with better protection for 2020 and beyond. Wills’ nastiness and power will help the Jets offense in every aspect.
12. Las Vegas Raiders – CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
The Raiders have had a hole at wide receiver since trading Amari Cooper in 2018. CeeDee Lamb is one of the more impressive wide receiver prospects in the last few years with his dynamic after the catch ability and impressive body control.
13. Indianapolis Colts – Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Signs point to the Colts signing a starting quarterback in free agency but chances are that player will only act as a stop gap. Jordan Love would be a potentially long-term solution and would have the luxury of sitting and learning from a veteran for a year or two.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Tampa Bay is a quarterback away from being an NFC contender. Jason Licht’s job is on the line and could be desperate enough to make a splash in free agency at the quarterback position. Selecting Andrew Thomas would be a scenario of best player available.
15. Denver Broncos – Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Jerry Jeudy would fit right into Denver and would a perfect sidekick to Courtland Sutton. Pat Shurmur is going to be bringing more three wide receiver sets to Denver and Drew Lock is on a rookie deal. Adding offensive weapons is the priority.
16. Atlanta Falcons – C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
Dan Quinn saved his job for one more season but the Atlanta defense must improve if Quinn wants to stay put past 2020. C.J. Henderson doesn’t have to go far from home and could be an instant contributor.
17. Dallas Cowboys – Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
The Cowboys were linked to Earl Thomas for years but failed to secure him. Xavier McKinney is versatile, rangey and tough just like Thomas and would help sure up a secondary that will be losing Byron Jones to free agency.
18. Miami Dolphins – K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
K’Lavon Chaisson is one of the more versatile defenders in the draft and would help give the Dolphins a direction on the defensive side of the ball.
19. Las Vegas Raiders – Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina
The Raiders get insane value with Javon Kinlaw falling to 19 overall. Kinlaw is raw but shows some of the best traits of any defensive lineman in this year’s class.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars – Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
Jalen Ramsey was traded mid-season and now A.J. Bouye is out of town. Kristian Fulton would be able to step in and play right away for a defense that is now rebuilding.
21. Philadelphia Eagles – Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Justin Jefferson is one of the most compete wide receiver’s in this class with great hands, speed and route running ability. The Eagles would be able to utilize Jefferson in a variety of ways after he played all over the field for LSU in 2019.
22. Buffalo Bills – Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
Josh Allen is on a rookie contract and the defense is not losing any key pieces this spring. Buffalo needs to surround Allen with as many weapons as possible before they are forced to pay him.
23. New England Patriots – Ross Blacklock, DL, TCU
The Patriots lack a presence in the middle of their defense. Ross Blacklock was very disruptive for the Horned Frogs in 2019 and with Belichick’s coaching could evolve into a dominant player.
24. New Orleans Saints – Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
No player has increased their stock more throughout the process than Denzel Mims. After dominating the Senior Bowl and Scouting Combine, Mims is now in the first round conversation and would be a great fit in New Orleans.
25. Minnesota Vikings – Neville Gallimore, DL, Oklahoma
With rumors flying around the Linval Joseph could be cut, Neville Gallimore would be a great replacement for the Vikings. Gallimore has rare movement skills for his size and would bring some youth to the Vikings defense.
26. Miami Dolphins – Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
Laviska Shenault’s combine was less than ideal after he ran a slow 40-yard dash and then pulled out of the rest of the drills. His tape is electric though and Miami can afford to have Shenault sit and heal up before putting him on the field.
27. Seattle Seahawks – Grant Delpit, S, LSU
Grant Delpit is a rangy playmaking safety that could bring back some boom to the Seattle secondary. While there are concerns about his tackling, Pete Carroll has consistently had one of the better tackling teams in the league and can coach Delpit up.
28. Baltimore Ravens – Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
The Ravens have one of the fastest offenses in the NFL and must now turn their attention back to the defensive side of the ball. Murray would bring speed and playmaking ability to the Ravens defense.
29. Tennessee Titans – Josh Jones, OT, Houston
Chances are Jack Conklin will sign elsewhere in free agency this spring and if the Titans stand any chance of making another deep playoff run they must retain their dominance on the offensive line. Josh Jones fills a huge need and keeps the Derrick Henry machine rolling.
30. Green Bay Packers – Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
Tee Higgins is a big wide receiver that is at his best playing above the rim. Aaron Rodgers isn’t getting any younger and needs weapons. Higgins would give the Packers another great red zone target
31. San Francisco 49ers – Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
The San Francisco 49ers are one of the most complete teams in the NFL with the secondary being their weak point. While Trevon Diggs would be a nice pick at this position, expect the 49ers to trade back and restock their draft capital for 2020.
32. Kansas City Chiefs – Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
While the Chiefs were just fine with a running back by committee approach in 2020, Jonathan Taylor would make this offense even more explosive than it already is. A scary possibility for the rest of the NFL.