April is officially upon us, and that means we’re just a few weeks away from the 2020 NFL draft.
This year’s event will obviously look much different than we’re used to, thanks to league and government restrictions and regulations put in place to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The league is still moving forward with the event on the scheduled dates (April 23rd-25th), but fan events in Las Vegas have been cancelled, and the entire draft will take place virtually.
As we head into the home stretch, here’s an updated look at how the first three rounds of this year’s draft could shake out.
Positional Rankings | Top 200 Big Board
1. Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow | QB | LSU
Despite rumors to the contrary, this has been set in stone for quite a while. Burrow won’t make trouble about playing in Cincy, and the Bengals finally get the franchise quarterback they so desperately need.
2. Washington Redskins
Chase Young | EDGE | Ohio State
This is another no-brainer pick. Unless Washington gets a huge offer from a QB-needy team trying to jump ahead of everyone else on the board, this has to be the selection. Young is the best overall prospect in this year’s class, which makes him a steal anywhere else but No. 1 overall.
3. Detroit Lions
Jeff Okudah | CB | Ohio State
I’m betting the Lions would love to move down from this spot, and they’re sure to have plenty of willing trade partners with some talented QB prospects on the board. If not, though, expect them to replace the recently traded Darius Slay with Okuda, this year’s best corner prospect by far.
4. New York Giants
Tristan Wirfs | OT | Iowa
Any of this year’s top four offensive tackle prospects could make a strong case to go here, which is good news for the Giants, who need a franchise player at the position. Wirfs is a rare athlete for his size, and has as much upside as any other tackle in the class. He’s ready to protect Daniel Jones from Day 1.
5. Miami Dolphins
Justin Herbert | QB | Oregon
I’ve resisted the urge to jump on this bandwagon, but I think there might be some fire to this smoke. There’s no denying Tua Tagovailoa’s incredible upside, but there’s also no arguing the long-term durability concerns, considering his injury history. If the Dolphins want a safer bet, don’t be surprised if they prefer Herbert here.
6. Los Angeles Chargers
Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Alabama
Even with his injury concerns, Tagovailoa is a no-brainer pick for the Bolts here. Tyrod Taylor is the perfect bridge quarterback for now, which would give Tagovailoa plenty of time to make sure he’s at 100 percent and ready for the NFL game. If he delivers on his lofty potential, this could be a huge steal for a team replacing a future Hall of Famer in Philip Rivers.
7. Carolina Panthers
Isaiah Simmons | LB | Clemson
The retirement of Luke Kuechly took the NFL world by surprise, and left the Panthers with a gaping hole in their defense that they weren’t planning on having to address this offseason. While a presence like Kuechly is not easily replaced, landing a rare athlete and playmaker like Simmons to help fill the void is far from the worst possible outcome. No matter where Simmons lines up at the next level, he’s going to be a game-wrecker.
8. Arizona Cardinals
Jedrick Wills | OT | Alabama
After trading for DeAndre Hopkins, the Cards aren’t likely to spend a top-10 pick on another pass-catcher, no matter how much Kyler Murray might like to throw to CeeDee Lamb again. Instead, the Cards opt to improve the protection for their young quarterback. With D.J. Humphries back, Wills slides in as the immediate starter at right tackle.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars
Derrick Brown | DL | Auburn
I’m sure Jags fans are sick of their team spending first-round picks on defensive linemen, but considering they can’t seem to retain their best veterans, they have to keep reloading. Yannick Ngakoue seems to be headed elsewhere, so it’s a good thing they took Josh Allen last year. Marcell Dareus won’t be back to help a dismal rush defense, so that’s where Brown comes in. A rare athlete for his size, Brown is a dominant force who can wreck opposing offenses all by himself.
10. Cleveland Browns
Mekhi Becton | OT | Louisville
The Browns are in a perfect spot to address their biggest need and get ideal value at this spot. Any of the top four offensive tackle prospects would be a fantastic pick for Cleveland, and it’s Wills in this scenario, a player who could easily be a top-five pick. Becton’s arrival would allow the newly signed Jack Conklin to stay at his comfortable right tackle spot.
11. New York Jets
Andrew Thomas | OT | Georgia
Taking a top receiver here is tempting, especially after the departure of Robby Anderson in free agency, but Thomas is the more sensible pick. This year’s receiver class is extremely deep, which should give the Jets plenty of strong options on Day 2, and finding a franchise left tackle is a more premium need.
12. Las Vegas Raiders
Jerry Jeudy | WR | Alabama
Derek Carr and the Raiders desperately need a true No. 1 receiver after the Antonio Brown debacle blew up in their faces. While a strong case could be made for Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb or Jeudy’s Alabama teammate in Henry Ruggs III, the Raiders opt for the more complete prospect here. Jeudy will make an immediate impact for an offense that needs more big plays.
13. San Francisco 49ers (from IND)
CeeDee Lamb | WR | Oklahoma
George Kittle is Jimmy Garoppolo’s No. 1 target, but the 49ers need to give him an elite wide receiver prospect to balance out the target share. Ruggs is tempting here, but San Francisco might prefer bigger, more physical pass-catcher who can still make big plays down the field and after the catch. The 49ers made a big trade for this pick, and they need someone who can make an immediate impact.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Henry Ruggs III | WR | Alabama
Just hear me out on this. Yes, the Bucs already have two Pro Bowl wide receivers in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. But this draft is all about helping Tom Brady win immediately, and there’s not an offensive lineman or running back worth taking at this pick, especially over an explosive playmaker like Ruggs. He immediately gives Brady the NFL’s most dangerous trio of wide receivers, bringing elite speed Evans and Godwin simply don’t have.
15. Denver Broncos
Javon Kinlaw | DL | South Carolina
The early run on the top receivers hurts the Broncos, who would have to move up if they want to land an explosive pass-catcher to pair with Courtland Sutton. Instead, they switch gears and go defense, taking one of this year’s most dominant and versatile interior linemen. Kinlaw backed up strong film with a dominant performance in Senior Bowl practices.
16. Atlanta Falcons
K’Lavon Chaisson | EDGE | LSU
This entire defensive front needs help in a bad way, outside of Grady Jarrett. In this scenario, the value is better on the edge than along the interior, and Chaisson is the best fit. He’s got size, length and athleticism, and can handle all three phases of playing on the edge.
17. Dallas Cowboys
CJ Henderson | CB | Florida
After letting Byron Jones walk in free agency, the Cowboys need to find themselves a corner who can fill his shoes. While that’s a tall task, Henderson has all the physical tools to quickly develop into that kind of player. His experience going up against top talent in the SEC on a weekly basis has Henderson ready to make an immediate impact.
18. Miami Dolphins (from PIT)
Josh Jones | OT | Houston
After getting their franchise quarterback earlier, the Dolphins now turn their attention to protecting their investment. There are already four offensive tackles off the board, but while this may seem like a reach, Jones has loads of potential. His impressive week at the Senior Bowl against top competition is proof of his limitless upside.
19. Las Vegas Raiders (from CHI)
Kenneth Murray | LB | Oklahoma
The Raiders got the perfect pick for their offense at No. 12 overall, and here, they get the exact same thing for their defense. This unit desperately needs a difference-maker at the heart of the action, and Murray has both the physical traits to be that three-down playmaker, and the leadership ability to transform the identity of the entire defense. He’ll make an instant impact, and the Raiders leave the first round with a cornerstone player on each side of the ball.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (from LAR)
Kristian Fulton | CB | LSU
In just a couple of years, the Jags have gone from having one of the league’s most promising corner tandems to trading away both Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye. With two first-round picks in this year’s draft, they absolutely have to use one of them to find a starting-caliber corner. Fulton has the height, length and cover skills to shoulder that responsibility from Day 1, and he’s been tested by some of the most talented pass-catchers in the country.
21. Philadelphia Eagles
Denzel Mims | WR | Baylor
After filling their biggest need on defense by trading for Darius Slay, the Eagles free themselves up to do the same for their offense with this pick. Mims backed up his strong film by blowing up the NFL Scouting Combine, showing off the size and athleticism it takes to be a top target at the next level.
22. Minnesota Vikings (from BUF)
Jalen Reagor | WR | TCU
In trading away Stefon Diggs, the Vikings lost a polished route-runner and explosive playmaker from their passing game. It only makes sense for them to use one of their first-round picks to fill that void with a similar player, and Reagor has the skill set to be the perfect fit.
23. New England Patriots
Jordan Love | QB | Utah State
As hard as it may be to believe, the Tom Brady era if officially over in New England. The Pats are still high on Jarrett Stidham, but his upside is nowhere near what Love brings to the table. He’s still plenty raw, but Love has all the physical and mental tools to quickly rise to the top of this depth chart and take command of the next generation for the Pats.
24. New Orleans Saints
Jonathan Taylor | RB | Wisconsin
Sure, there may be bigger needs elsewhere, and running backs in the first round aren’t exactly en vogue anymore. But the Saints need to make the most of whatever time Drew Brees has left, and Mark Ingram’s departure left a void in their ground game that left the offense unbalanced. Taylor’s skill set is the perfect replacement, and he’s the top back in the class.
25. Minnesota Vikings
Austin Jackson | OT | USC
There’s a big need at corner still, but I don’t see the Vikings taking Alabama’s Trevon Diggs here right after trading away his brother, Stefon. There’s a significant drop-off at corner after Diggs, so the Vikings opt for Jackson instead, giving them a long-term upgrade at a key position. Jackson isn’t the most polished offensive tackle in this class, but he’s got loads of potential.
26. Miami Dolphins (from HOU)
Cesar Ruiz | OL | Michigan
Let’s keep with the “protect our rookie QB at all costs” mentality here. Yes, it would be tempting to take a running back off the board here, but the depth of this year’s class should give Miami better value on Day 2. Instead, they grab this year’s best interior blocker in Ruiz, who is just 20 years old and already as athletic and physical as they come.
27. Seattle Seahawks
Xavier McKinney | S | Alabama
Gone are the days of Earl Thomas roaming the Seattle secondary, but if the Seahawks want to try and recreate that kind of presence for the future, McKinney has all the mental and physical tools to make it happen. He’s athletic, physical and versatile, three things every NFL team wants in their back-end playmakers.
28. Baltimore Ravens
Antoine Winfield, Jr. | S | Minnesota
Speaking of Earl Thomas, he’s now patrolling the secondary in Baltimore, but he can’t do it forever. There are few glaring holes on this roster, but following Tony Jefferson’s departure, the Ravens could use a running mate for Thomas on the back end. Winfield, the son of a Pro Bowler, has all of the tools to become an NFL star in his own right, and learning from Thomas would only get him to his lofty ceiling faster.
29. Tennessee Titans
Yetur Gross-Matos | EDGE | Penn State
The Titans are built for sustained success, which should allow them to play the “best player available” game here. Thankfully for them, this scenario gives them a fantastic balance of value and need. Gross-Matos is the prototype for today’s NFL edge defender, and his strong finish to the 2019 season proved he’s still worthy of first-round consideration.
30. Green Bay Packers
Justin Jefferson | WR | LSU
This pick simply has to be another weapon for Aaron Rodgers, and the Packers have some fantastic options in this scenario. Clemson’s Tee Higgins and Colorado’s Laviska Shenault, Jr. would be solid picks, but after Jefferson’s combine performance, he may have just leapfrogged those names on some draft boards. He’s a polished, complete player who would pair extremely well with Devante Adams.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Trevon Diggs | CB | Alabama
Defensive tackle is tempting here after trading away DeForest Buckner, but there’s quality depth already on the roster. That’s not necessarily the case at corner, where the defending NFC champs could use an understudy for veteran Richard Sherman. Diggs’ combination of size, length, athleticism and physicality would be the perfect fit.
32. Kansas City Chiefs
A.J. Epenesa | EDGE/DL | Iowa
Another team that probably wouldn’t mind trading back, the Chiefs can also just wait for the value to fall to them. That lines up with their biggest needs in this situation, as a versatile defensive linemen like Epenesa would be a huge boost to a front that needs to reload with some youth. Despite disappointing at the combine, Epenesa’s film should still prove him to be a first-round pick.
SECOND ROUND
33. Cincinnati Bengals | Patrick Queen | LB | LSU
34. Indianapolis Colts (from WAS) | Jacob Eason | QB | Washington
35. Detroit Lions | Ross Blacklock | DL | TCU
36. New York Giants | Terrell Lewis | EDGE | Alabama
37. Los Angeles Chargers | Ezra Cleveland | OT | Boise State
38. Carolina Panthers | A.J. Terrell | CB | Clemson
39. Miami Dolphins | D’Andre Swift | RB | Georgia
40. Houston Texans (from ARI) | Jeff Gladney | CB | TCU
41. Cleveland Browns | Grant Delpit | S | LSU
42. Jacksonville Jaguars | Prince Tega Wanogho | OT | Auburn
43. Chicago Bears (from LV) | Cole Kmet | TE | Notre Dame
44. Indianapolis Colts | Laviska Shenault, Jr. | WR | Colorado
45. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Isaiah Wilson | OT | Georgia
46. Denver Broncos | K.J. Hamler | WR | Penn State
47. Atlanta Falcons | Justin Madubuike | DL | Texas A&M
48. New York Jets | Tee Higgins | WR | Clemson
49. Pittsburgh Steelers | Rashard Lawrence | DL | LSU
50. Chicago Bears | Damon Arnette | CB | Ohio State
51. Dallas Cowboys | Kyle Dugger | S | Lenoir-Rhyne
52. Los Angeles Rams | Neville Gallimore | DL | Oklahoma
53. Philadelphia Eagles | Jeremy Chinn | S | Southern Illinois
54. Buffalo Bills | Curtis Weaver | EDGE | Boise State
55. Baltimore Ravens (from NE) | Brandon Aiyuk | WR | Arizona State
56. Miami Dolphins (from NO) | Zach Baun | EDGE | Wisconsin
57. Houston Texans | Lloyd Cushenberry III | OL | LSU
58. Minnesota Vikings | Jaylon Johnson | CB | Utah
59. Seattle Seahawks | Raekwon Davis | DL | Alabama
60. Baltimore Ravens | Solomon Kindley | OL | Georgia
61. Tennessee Titans | J.K. Dobbins | RB | Ohio State
62. Green Bay Packers | Malik Harrison | LB | Ohio State
63. Kansas City Chiefs (from SF) | Cam Akers | RB | Florida State
64. Seattle Seahawks (from KC) | Julian Okwara | EDGE | Notre Dame
THIRD ROUND
65. Cincinnati Bengals | Lucas Niang | OT | TCU
66. Washington Redskins | Bryce Hall | CB | Virginia
67. Detroit Lions | Josh Uche | EDGE | Michigan
68. New York Jets (from NYG) | Noah Igbenoghene | CB | Auburn
69. Carolina Panthers | Damien Lewis | OL | LSU
70. Miami Dolphins | Ashtyn Davis | S | California
71. Los Angeles Chargers | Jordyn Brooks | LB | Texas Tech
72. Arizona Cardinals | Cameron Dantzler | CB | Mississippi State
73. Jacksonville Jaguars | Bryan Edwards | WR | South Carolina
74. Cleveland Browns | Logan Stenberg | OL | Kentucky
75. Indianapolis Colts | Bradlee Anae | EDGE | Utah
76. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Clyde Edwards-Helaire | RB | LSU
77. Denver Broncos | Ben Bartch | OL | St. John’s
78. Atlanta Falcons | Tyler Biadasz | OL | Wisconsin
79. New York Jets | Jonathan Greenard | EDGE | Florida
80. Las Vegas Raiders | Brandon Jones | S | Texas
81. Las Vegas Raiders (from CHI) | Ben Bredeson | OL | Michigan
82. Dallas Cowboys | Chase Claypool | WR/TE | Notre Dame
83. Denver Broncos (from PIT) | Troy Dye | LB | Oregon
84. Los Angeles Rams | Hakeem Adeniji | OL | Kansas
85. Detroit Lions (from PHI) | Donovan Peoples-Jones | WR | Michigan
86. Buffalo Bills | Zach Moss | RB | Utah
87. New England Patriots | Hunter Bryant | TE | Washington
88. New Orleans Saints | Albert Okwuegbunam | TE | Missouri
89. Minnesota Vikings | Terrell Burgess | S | Utah
90. Houston Texans | Michael Pittman, Jr. | WR | USC
91. Las Vegas Raiders (from SEA) | Darnay Holmes | CB | UCLA
92. Baltimore Ravens | Marlon Davidson | DL | Auburn
93. Tennessee Titans | Shane Lemieux | OL | Oregon
94. Green Bay Packers | Yasir Durant | OT | Missouri
95. Denver Broncos (from SF) | Amik Robertson | CB | Louisiana Tech
96. Kansas City Chiefs | Michael Ojemudia | CB | Iowa
97. Cleveland Browns (from HOU) | Akeem Davis-Gaither | LB | Appalachian State
98. New England Patriots | Van Jefferson | WR | Florida
99. New York Giants | Troy Pride, Jr. | CB | Notre Dame
100. New England Patriots | Robert Hunt | OL | Louisiana
101. Seattle Seahawks | Matt Peart | OT | UConn
102. Pittsburgh Steelers | Jonah Jackson | OL | Ohio State
103. Philadelphia Eagles | Nick Harris | OL | Washington
104. Los Angeles Rams | Jordan Elliott | DL | Missouri
105. Minnesota Vikings | James Lynch | DL | Baylor
106. Baltimore Ravens | Jabari Zuniga | EDGE | Florida
