Off we go …
1. Cincinnati Bengals: QB Joe Burrow, LSU
Former Bengals offensive line coach Paul Alexander tweeted last week that Burrow-to-Bengals may not be the slam dunk it appears to be, but I expect that once the dust settles and the pre-draft process is complete, Burrow will be a Bengal unless he pulls a John Elway/Eli Manning move.
2. Washington Redskins: Edge rusher Chase Young, Ohio State
Dwayne Haskins, a favorite of Washington owner Daniel Snyder, will get at least one more year to prove he can be a viable long-term answer. Meanwhile, Washington gets perhaps the best edge-rushing prospect since Von Miller in 2011.
3. Detroit Lions: CB Jeff Okudah, Ohio State
A trade down could be in play, but if the Lions don’t find the value they want on the market, they’re more than happy to stay at No. 3 and shore up one of the weakest areas on their roster.
4. New York Giants: LB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
Giants general manager Dave Gettleman will always love his guys up front – “hog mollies,” in his parlance. And his fate is also tied to that of last year’s first-round pick, QB Daniel Jones, and getting him a plug-and-play WR1 could be Job No. 1. But Simmons has the potential to be a transformational player for the Giants. Gettleman did not draft Luke Kuechly in Carolina – Marty Hurney did in 2012, and then was fired a few months later, to be replaced by Gettleman (who later was replaced by Hurney in the Carolina circle of life). However, Gettleman understands the profound impact of a linebacker with the speed and awareness to drop into coverage and the power and instincts to attack the run and rush the passer.
5. Miami Dolphins: QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
As Tagovailoa made the media rounds in Miami and Miami Beach last week, he found himself face-to-face with Dolphins fans. These enthusiasts weren’t shy about telling Tagovailoa how much they wanted him in aqua.
6. Los Angeles Chargers: QB Justin Herbert, Oregon
The best quarterback in Chargers history, Dan Fouts, was an Oregon alumnus. They hope lightning strikes twice.
7. Carolina Panthers: OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia
Isaiah Simmons would be a possibility here in the wake of Luke Kuechly’s retirement. But the Panthers’ line is a mess, and they are going to play the long game in a process-oriented rebuild
8. Arizona Cardinals: DL Derrick Brown, Auburn
The Cardinals could pick almost any player on defense and fill a need.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars: WR Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
No matter who lines up at quarterback, the Jaguars need a prime target, and with coach Doug Marrone on a sizzling seat, he needs a pick who can help him win now.
10. Cleveland Browns: OT Jedrick Wills Jr., Alabama
Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs could be in play, but no matter who the Browns target, offensive line needs to be the play to keep Baker Mayfield from running for his life once again.
11. New York Jets: OT Mekhi Becton, Louisville
At 367 pounds, Becton blocking for Le’Veon Bell and Sam Darnold is an intimidating possibility for a line that needs some punch.
12. Las Vegas Raiders: WR Ceedee Lamb, Oklahoma
Perhaps the Raiders could think about quarterback if Derek Carr is not the long-term answer. But even with Jon Gruden under contract for eight more years, this franchise has pressure to make a splash right now in its first season in Las Vegas. Lamb or Alabama’s Henry Ruggs could do that.
13. Indianapolis Colts: Edge rusher A.J. Epenesa, Iowa
Epenesa and Darius Leonard have some havoc-wreaking potential working together. What the Colts do at quarterback in free agency – if they decide Jacoby Brissett is not enough – will also have an impact.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DL Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina
Every successful Bucs team has been propelled by its defense. After taking a profound leap forward in Todd Bowles’ first year as defensive coordinator, Kinlaw can provide some interior push that they’re missing and complement Shaquil Barrett on the edge.
15. Denver Broncos: OT Tristan Wirfs, Iowa
If this happens, the Broncos should be giddy. Wirfs is a perfect fit for the Broncos, in part because his versatility gives the Broncos the option of using him at guard for a year while assessing whether Ja’Wuan James or Garett Bolles is in their plans beyond 2020. Then, in 2021, the Broncos can easily shift Wirfs outside. Ruggs is tempting here, but there will be speed at wide receiver in Round 2, as well.
16. Atlanta Falcons: CB C.J. Henderson, Florida
They would love it if Epenesa were still on the board, but if this is how it falls, Henderson still fills a pressing need and provides an upgrade they need if they’re going to close the gap on the Saints or handle the Bucs’ explosive WRs.
17. Dallas Cowboys: S Xavier McKinney, Alabama
Henderson is probably a better fit if he’s available due to the expected free-agent departure of Byron Jones, but if he’s not, McKinney’s versatility should work well in the Dallas secondary.
18. Miami Dolphins: OT Josh Jones, Houston
A Tagovailoa-Ruggs reunion is tempting, but the last two years have shown that keeping the 2018 Heisman Trophy runner-up upright must be the priority.
19. Las Vegas Raiders: LB Patrick Queen, LSU
Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray is in play here, but Queen’s coverage ability separates him and fits where the NFL is going.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Kristian Fulton, LSU
This the pick the Jaguars received from the Rams in the Jalen Ramsey trade, so effectively one cornerback becomes another.
21. Philadelphia Eagles: WR Henry Ruggs III, Alabama
A perfect complement to tight ends Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert.
22. Buffalo Bills: K’Lavon Chaisson, LSU
Don’t be surprised if he goes earlier, however, the college production level and injury history (he tore an ACL in 2018) isn’t enough to justify a pick higher than this. Watch wide receiver here, in the form of either CU’s Laviska Shenault or Clemson’s Tee Higgins.
23. New England Patriots: WR Laviska Shenault Jr., Colorado
Sorry to break your heart, but the Patriots’ ability to maximize unique skill sets would make Foxborough an ideal landing spot for the versatile Shenault.
24. New Orleans Saints: C Lloyd Cushenberry, LSU
Tyler Biadasz could be in play here, as the Saints have enjoyed success with another Wisconsin lineman (Ryan Ramczyk), but I’ll go for the Saints keeping Cushenberry at home.
25. Minnesota Vikings: OT Austin Jackson, USC
The best fit for Jackson is a team that emphasizes athleticism in its line scheme, and with Gary Kubiak in full control of the Vikings offense, Jackson should make a lot of sense.
26. Miami Dolphins: WR Tee Higgins, Clemson
If the Dolphins don’t get a target for Tagovailoa at 18, they can easily find one here.
27. Seattle Seahawks: S Grant Delpit, LSU
If Delpit falls this far, he’s a good fit, but the Seahawks are one of the hardest teams to read. GM John Schneider and his staff do not adhere to conventional wisdom in drawing up their draft board. It has generally worked well – aside from the offensive line.
28. Baltimore Ravens: LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
Murray would be a snug fit in the Ravens’ storied linebacker tradition.
29. Tennessee Titans: Edge rusher Josh Uche, Michigan
The Titans expect to play from ahead quite often in 2020, and Uche, who had a dominant Senior Bowl, gives them the additional pass-rush punch they need.
30. Green Bay Packers: WR Justin Jefferson, LSU
Don’t get too caught up in the Packers’ two blowout losses to the 49ers. If the Niners have some regression – as teams that improve eight or more games in one season often do – then San Francisco might not be a roadblock for Green Bay. The Packers are close and need to give Aaron Rodgers one more top-level receiving target. Jefferson is a plug-and-play contributor who makes sense for a team that needs to value immediate production over projection.
31. San Francisco 49ers: CB Trevon Diggs, Alabama
A team without many glaring needs could look to its secondary.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: CB Damon Arnette, Ohio State
Running back could be in play here, and someone like Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor – who improved his pass-catching skills last season – could be a good fit. But Damian Williams has another year on his contract, and the Chiefs’ secondary is likely to take a hit in free agency.
