1st Overall Pick: Cincinnati Bengals select- Joe Burrow, Quarterback, LSU
The first overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft is not complicated and should be no surprise to anyone. With the Bengals seemingly done with Andy Dalton, they will go ahead and draft their quarterback of the future in Joe Burrow who has a very bright future ahead of him.
2nd Overall Pick: Washington Redskins select- Chase Young, Defensive End, Ohio St
Just like the first overall selection, the second pick from the Washington Redskins is also a no brainer. Even with their defensive line is already loaded with guys like Jonathan Allen, Montez Sweat, Ryan Kerrigan and Daron Payne, a generational player like Chase Young is simply to good to pass up in this spot. I think Washinton could get a few calls from teams looking to jump up and grab Tua but I think Young will be to good to trade away from when they are on the clock.
3rd Overall Pick: Miami Dolphins select- Tua Tagovailoa, Quarterback, Alabama
The Dolphins will obviously be moving on from former top 10 pick Josh Rosen and seasoned vet Ryan Fitzpatrick going forward. I think it’s ultimately a coin flip between the Chargers and Dolphins to trade up with the Lions come draft night, and I think ultimately the Dolphins strike a deal with the Lions simply because of the volume of picks that they have to work with. Some teams might be scared off from Tua’s injury history and the fact that they can’t physically get their hands on him to due to the national quarantine due to the corona virus pandemic. I think Tua is a star player and a franchise QB, and i most certainly think he’s worth the risk at number pick three.
4th Overall Pick: New York Giants select- Isaiah Simmons, Linebacker, Clemson
I think when the Giants are on the clock it will ultimately come down to Isaiah Simmons and Mekhi Becton from Louisville. Both Simmons and Becton are physical freaks athletically and Gettleman does have a history or prioritizing linemen over skill position players but when they turn the card in I think it’s Simmons. I think the Giants take Simmons at 4 and come back in round two and take Josh Jones from Houston or Austin Jackson from USC.
5th Overall Pick: Detroit Lions select- Jeff Okudah, Cornerback, Ohio St
This would be an absolute perfect scenario for the Detroit Lions to nab cornerback Jeff Okudah at five. The Lions have a glaring need at corner after the trade of Darius Slay a few weeks ago, and if the Lions can trade back a few spots and acquire more picks and still get the franchise corner they would take at 3, I think that’s an A+ day one for them.
6th Overall Pick: Los Angeles Chargers select- Justin Herbert, Quarterback, Oregon
I think the Chargers favor Tua more than Herbert but I think they’re content with sitting back at six and taking Herbert. With the Chargers only having 7 picks in the draft I think they want to hold on to as many as possible and with them having a veteran quarterback like Taylor, I think they ultimately stay out a six and take Justin Herbert.
7th Overall Pick: Carolina Panthers select- Derrick Brown, Defensive Tackle, Auburn
In a perfect world for the panthers, three quarterbacks or tackles would go in the top six and either Jeff Okudah or Isaiah Simmons would fall into their laps, but i don’t see that happening. If the board shakes out that way I think the Panthers select Derrick Brown. Derrick Brown is a freak athletically for his size and played up and down the line at Auburn. His wide frame takes up two blockers in the run game and he has the quickness to be a factor rusher the passer. This would be a solid, safe pick for the Panthers.
8th Overall Pick: Arizona Cardinals select- Mekhi Becton, Offensive Tackle, Louisville
Before they traded for Deandre Hopkins a few weeks ago, I thought it was pretty much a lock the Cardinals would take a wide receiver and reunite Murray with CeeDee Lamb. With DHop a cardinal now, I think the Cardinals prioritize protecting Murray and take Mekhi Becton from Louisville. With Jedrick Willis being my top rated tackle in this draft, I think he could be in play her for the Cardinals, but with an athletic quarterback in Kyler Murray in a fast pace system like Kingbury’s, I think they look to take the most athletic tackle with the biggest upside in Mekhi Becton.
9th Overall Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars select- Tristan Wirfs, Offensive Tackle, Iowa
I think tackle is the play for the Jaguars here. The Jags could certainly go wide receiver here and take Jerry Juedy at this spot but I think they like both DJ Chark and Dede Westbrook and I think they will look to an offensive tackle at number nine come draft night.
10th Overall Pick: San Francisco 49ers select: Jerry Jeudy, Wide Receiver, Alabama
I think this could be a very intriguing spot for a trade up come draft night. With the Browns at 10 I think this could be a spot where they look to trade down. They could take Andrew Thomas here as he’s the only tackle left of the top four, but I’m really high on Josh Jones from Houston and if they do miss out on Thomas I think Jones could be a solid pick later on. I think the 49ers jump ahead of the Raiders and grab their number one receiver on their board. I could see the 49ers given Cleveland their 13th overall pick and a third or fourth.
11th Overall Pick: New York Jets select- Jedrick Willis, Offensive Tackle, Alabama
CeeDee Lamb or Jedrick Willis? If the board does indeed unfold like this and both Willis and Lamb are on the board, Jets fans will probably be split in their outcries on who they should take. With the Jets both hurting with weapons for Sam Darnold to throw to and lacking a left tackle to cover his blind side both players would be great additions. In this case with Willis, who is my top rated tackle, I thin they take him and look toward Michael Pittman Jr or Brandon Aiyuk in the second round.
12th Overall Pick: Las Vegas Raiders select- CeeDee Lamb, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma
I think pick for the Raiders is pretty predictable, with Ceedee Lamb still on the board and a huge need at receiver for them, this would be a slam dunk pick for Grueden and Mayock. With Tyrell Williams pretty much being a bust signing based on his performance last season, their best receiver being a slot guy in Hunter Renfroe and question marks completely surrounding Derek Carr from the organization, landing Lamb will give Carr the weapon to prove whether he is a franchise quarterback or not.
13th Overall Pick: Cleveland Browns select- Andrew Thomas, Offensive Tackler, Georgia
This would be a great scenario for the Cleveland Browns. If they board fall this way and the Browns come away with Andrew Thomas, who’s my second rated offensive tackle, that is a big win for the Browns. Even with the signing of Conklin, they Browns do need another tackle, and with Conklin slated to play right tackle, Thomas could slide right in and start day one at left tackle for the Browns.
14th Overall Pick: Tampa Bay Bucs select- Javon Kinlaw, Defensive Tackle, South Carolina
I think this would be a great pick for the Bucs. With the Bucs resigning both Shaq Barrett and Suh, adding another talented, athletic defensive linemen like Kinlaw would be a solid pick. Kinlaw had a very good 2019 season with South Carolina and was turning heads at the senior bowl and was set to dominate during the game until and injury forced him out. I think adding a talented prospect like Kinlaw would be a great addition for Todd Bowles and his defense.
15th Overall Pick: Denver Broncos select- Henry Ruggs, Wide Receiver, Alabama
Reports are that the Broncos are very high on Henry Ruggs from Alabama, and if he is available when they’re on the clock I think they run the card in. Since the departure of Emmanuel Sanders last year via trade, the Broncos have had a whole at receiver across from Cortland Sutton. With Desean Hamilton producing little to non the broncos have a need at receiver and Henry Ruggs would be a slam dunk at 15 for them.
16th Overall Pick: Atlanta Falcon select- K’Lavon Chasion, Defensive End, LSU
With the Falcons moving on form former first round pick Vic Beasly this off-season, they essentially go into the 2020 draft starving for a edge rusher. I think this pick comes down to either Chassion or AJ Epenesa from Iowa. I personally like Epenesa better as a prospect but Chassion is that lengthy, athletic edge rusher that teams love and I think the Falcons go that route and select Chassion.
17th Overall Pick: Dallas Cowboys select- Xavier McKinney, Safety, Alabama
I’m not particularly high on this years safety class, but I think the biggest need for the Cowboys going into the 2020 draft is safety. There are reports that the Cowboys are looking to trade up to draft a receiver but with Cooper and Gallup leading the way I don’t think that’s likely. If Ruggs were to fall to them I think they would wind up taking him but since he’s gone I think they take a need at saftey.
18th Overall Pick: Miami Dolphins select- Josh Jones, Offensive Tackle, Houston
I would absolutely love this pick for the Dolphins. The Dolphins knew Laremy Tunsil’s contract was coming up and he would demand around 20 million annually, so they smartly proceeded to trade him last year knowing they were in full rebuild mode. I personally love Josh Jones out of Houston, he’s a fantastic athlete with quick feet and I think he can be a really solid tackle in the league, if the Dolphins end up taking him I think it would be a great pick.
19th Overall Pick: Las Vegas Raiders select- Patrick Queen, Linebacker, LSU
Ever since the National Championship kicked off Patrick Queens draft stock has risen. I think this would be a typical Mike Mayock pick, Patrick Queen is an athletic freak who has done nothing but rise since the draft process began, the Raiders have longed lacked youth and talent at the linebacker position and I think Mayock runs this card in if he is still there when then are on the clock at nineteen.
20th Overall Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars select- Jeff Gladney, Cornerback, TCU
It wasn’t long ago the Jags were in the AFC Championship game and one or two big plays away from the Super Bowl. Now they are pretty much in full rebuild mode and after trading away both Jalen Ramsey and AJ Bouye they are in desperate need of help in the secondary. I think Kristian Fulton and CJ Henderson are better options at corner, Gladney showed inconsistent mechanics in 2019 and he will need to clean them up, but he’s a lengthy physical corner and I think the Jags lean toward him with this pick.
21st Overall Pick: Philadelphia Eagles select- Justin Jefferson, Wide Receiver, LSU
A wide receiver is a no brainer for the Eagles in the first round. I love Denzel Mims as the best receiver on the board at this pick but I think they go with Justin Jefferson. Justin Jefferson is an overall solid prospect and is very reliable and put up a ton of production for LSU in 2019. Whether it’s Mims or Jefferson with this pick, I think it would be a big win for the Eagles who desperately need target for Carson Wentz.
22nd Overall Pick: Minnesota Vikings select- CJ Henderson, Cornerback, Florida
The Vikings could go receiver here with the trade of Diggs a few weeks ago, but after the release of longtime viking Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes signing with the Bengals, the Vikings desperately need cornerback help. I think selecting Henderson here is a very good pick, Henderson is a pretty polished corner, he has good technique and fluid hips, I have him as my third ranked corner in this class. I think they would have a very good combo with Mike Hughes and Henderson.
23rd Overall Pick: New England Patriots select- Jordan Love, Quarterback, Utah State
This would be every non-patriots fans nightmare to have Jordan Love fall to the Patriots at 23. Love provides very good upside, some comparing him to Patrick Mahomes, but has a fair share of development needed. In 2019 Love threw 17 interceptions with a handful of them being just terrible decisions due to poor field vision. In my opinion love needs to sit for multiple years to really learn the speed of the game and reading pro defenses. If Love is still there when the Patriots get on the clock I think they take Love, sit him behind Hoyer/Stidham for a few years and have him take over from there.
24th Overall Pick: New Orleans Saints select- Kenneth Murray, Linebacker, Oklahoma
Ravens fans would be absolutely sick but this would be a great pick if Kenneth Murray falls to the Saints. Murray is a very explosive linebacker with insane closing and sideline to sideline speed. Murray would be a great addition and would add even more speed to that tough Saints defense, would be an immediate A+ pick.
25 Overall Pick: Minnesota Vikings select- AJ Epenesa, Defensive End, Iowa
This would be a great value pick for the Vikings at 25. A lot of people a low on Epenesa because he doesn’t have great speed or bend around the edge, but he has enough to get by in my opinion and he wins with his elite hand usage and will be plenty productive because of that. With Emerson Griffen no longer a Viking, the Vikings could use another pass rusher alongside Hunter and Epenesa would be a great pick up.
26th Overall Pick: Miami Dolphins select- Deandre Swift, Running Back, Georgia
Man landing Tua, Josh Jones and Deandre Swift would be a great first round for the Dolphins and would set their offense up very well for the future. Swift isn’t my top rated back in this class mainly because of his struggles in pass protection, he will really need to improve in that area if he wants to see significant playing time. Swifts great speed and elusiveness in open field are what have people raving about him and I think this would be a great pick for the Dolphins to end their night.
27th Overall Pick: Seattle Seahawks select- Antoine Winfield, Safety, Minnesota
Man, I remember when Earl Thomas and Cam Chancellor has the back end of the Seahawks secondary on lock, but now safety is the biggest need for them. I think Antoine Winfield would be a very solid pick for the Seahwaks, Winfield is my second rated safety in this class behind McKinney. Grant Delpit has a number of holes in his game and I think he falls into the second round when the draft comes.
28th Overall Pick: Baltimore Ravens select- Akeem-Davis Gaither, Linebacker, Appalachian St
The Ravens are really thin at linebacker coming into the 2020 draft. I think both Gaither and Logan Wilson from Wyoming would both be in play here with Kenneth Murray already gone. I think Gaither would be the typical Ravens pick here, the Ravens love athletic linebackers that can get after the quarterback and I think Gaither is a perfect fit for the Ravens culture. Gaither is ultra versitile, he can play in space and get after the quarterback, would be a solid pickup the Ravens.
29th Overall Pick: Tennessee Titans select- Ross Blacklock, Defensive Tackle, TCU
With the addition of Vic Beasley, the Titans now have two young ends with good upside in Beasley and Harold Landry. I think Ross Blacklock would be a solid addition to that Titans front seven. Blacklock is a twitchy athlete for his size, and uses his quickness to shoot gaps and be disruptive in the backfield which is something Mike Vrabel would love.
30th Overall Pick: Green Bay Packer select: Denzel Mims, Wide Receiver, Baylor
Man oh man would this be a great pick for the Packers. My love for Denzel Mims is no secret, this kid is a very good prospect. Mims plays with great physicality in coverage and will toss you off of him if you try getting your hands on him. Mims is also lethal with back shoulder throws, he adjust well to the ball and has very strong hands to be able to make contested catches. If Mims gets paired up with Rodgers and Adams, the Packers offense will be elite.
31st Overall Pick: San Francisco 49ers select- Kristian Fulton, Cornerback, LSU
With Richard Sherman getting older and declining physically, as apparent when he got toasted by Sammy Watkins in the super bowl, and Akhello Witherspoon under-performing, the 49ers could really use help in the secondary. Picking up Kristian Fulton at the back end of the first would be a really solid pickup. Fulton is my cornerback two in this class, he has great technique and very fluid hips, I think he has the ability to be one of the better corners in the league in a few years.
32nd Overall Pick: Kansas City Chiefs select: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Runningback, LSU
I know the Chiefs picked up Damien Williams’s option earlier this off-season, but i love the idea of Edwards-Helaire in this offense. Edwards-Helaire is a versatile back who can run with great balance and vision between the tackles while also catching 70+ balls a year. He is an every down back who is also solid in pass protection so he can step in right away and take that offense to another level. This would be a great pick for the Chiefs.
Philadelphia Sports Chronicle 