Two weeks of regular-season NFL action are officially in the books, and some teams already have their fan bases looking ahead to next offseason.
One such team is surely the Miami Dolphins, who have commenced a fire sale that includes shipping off young talent like Laremy Tunsil and Minkah Fitzpatrick, both recent first-round picks. On the positive side, these trades have loaded them up with premium picks, including three first-rounders.
As we head into the back half of September, here’s an updated look at how the first three rounds of the 2020 NFL draft could shake out.
*draft order determined by Super Bowl odds
1. Miami Dolphins | Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Alabama
The tank is on for the Dolphins, and Tagovailoa is the presumed prize. His combination of mental and physical tools is tantalizing, and he could take home a Heisman Trophy and a national title on his way to being next year’s top pick.
2. Washington Redskins | Chase Young | EDGE | Ohio State
There are bigger needs elsewhere on the roster, but picking this high is about getting elite talent, and that’s exactly what Young brings to the table. He’s a rare talent with exceptional athleticism and physicality who will make an immediate impact at the next level.
3. Arizona Cardinals | Grant Delpit | S | LSU
See above. The Cardinals have bigger needs than safety, but when a true game-changer like Delpit is on the board, you simply don’t pass him up. His versatility and playmaking ability make him absolutely worth a pick this high.
4. Oakland Raiders | Jerry Jeudy | WR | Alabama
The Antonio Brown era was short-lived for Raider Nation, but in this scenario, they still have a chance to add a game-breaking pass-catcher. Jeudy is one of the most explosive playmakers in all of college football, and would make the Raiders quickly forget about the AB debacle.
5. Cincinnati Bengals | Justin Herbert | QB | Oregon
The Andy Dalton era is coming to an end in Cincy, and it’s time for a new franchise quarterback to take a swing at returning the Bengals to postseason contention. Herbert could have been an early pick in last year’s draft, but he’ll be more polished a pro-ready after another year in school.
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Andrew Thomas | OT | Georgia
The Bucs have loaded up on defensive talent over the past few years, and now with the right scheme in town thanks to defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, they can focus on rebuilding their offensive line. Thomas is the top prospect in a deep class at offensive tackle.
7. New York Giants | Laviska Shenault | WR | Colorado
Odell Beckham, Jr. is gone, and the Giants have a serious lack of depth at receiver due to injuries. Sterling Shepard is a fantastic player, but Daniel Jones will need more help if he’s going to develop quickly. Shenault is a big, physical player who excels after the catch.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars | A.J. Epenesa | EDGE | Iowa
Much like last year, this pick is more about stealing talent than filling needs for the Jaguars. They have more pressing needs elsewhere on both side of the ball, but a disruptive force like Epenesa would be too much to pass up here.
9. Indianapolis Colts | Raekwon Davis | DL | Alabama
Quarterback could be a need depending on how Jacoby Brissett performs the rest of the way, but I’m not sold on any other passers as top-10 picks just yet. Instead, the Colts opt for a versatile, dominant defender in Davis, who looks much improved in the early going of this season.
10. New York Jets | Tristan Wirfs | OT | Iowa
This is a toss-up between corner and offensive tackle, but the nod goes to protecting the Jets’ investment in quarterback Sam Darnold. Wirfs is a mauler in the run game and a polished protector in the pass game, making him well worth a top-10 selection.
11. Detroit Lions | Trevon Diggs | CB | Alabama
Darius Slay is one of the league’s best corners, but he needs an improved running make across the field. Diggs could have been a fairly early selection last year, but he’s healthier and more polished this season, and it’s showing on tape.
12. Carolina Panthers | Javon Kinlaw | DL | South Carolina
For a struggling team, it’s hard to point out too many glaring flaws on this roster. The Panthers have been at their best when loading up on defensive talent in the trenches, and that’s what they do here with one of the nation’s fastest-rising prospects.
13. Buffalo Bills | CeeDee Lamb | WR | Oklahoma
Josh Allen is showing tons of promise, but he needs a true No. 1 receiver he can rely on for big plays and moving the chains. Lamb has a phenomenal combination of size, athleticism, explosiveness and body control that would immediately make him the most talented receiver on the roster.
14. Denver Broncos | Isaiah Simmons | LB | Clemson
Denver boasts arguably the best tandem of edge rushers in the entire NFL, but they could use a versatile playmaker in the back seven. Some will argue about where Simmons fits at the next level, whether at linebacker or safety, but I only care about the fact that he can fly to the ball and bring the hurt when he arrives.
15. Atlanta Falcons | Derrick Brown | DL | Auburn
There’s plenty of promise along this defensive line, but you can never have too much. Grady Jarrett could use an upgraded running mate in the interior, and Brown has all the tools to quickly develop into a disruptive force at the next level.
16. Tennessee Titans | Jalen Hurts | QB | Oklahoma
It’s still possible Marcus Mariota could get a long-term extension in Tennessee, but I’m not completely convinced at the moment. I am, however, convinced that Hurts has made incredible improvements as a passer from his starting days at Alabama, and could launch himself into the first-round conversation.
17. San Francisco 49ers | Kristian Fulton | CB | LSU
The 49ers have one of the league’s best veteran corners in Richard Sherman, but they need someone to groom behind him. Fulton has the size, athleticism and physicality to make the most of Sherman’s tutelage and eventually take over the starting job.
18. Miami Dolphins (from HOU) | Tyler Biadasz | OL | Wisconsin
The early focus for the Dolphins has to be surrounding their new quarterback with as much help as possible. That starts up front, and adding one of the most polished prospects in the entire draft would be a no-brainer. Biadasz is a Day 1 starter who could anchor that unit for the next decade.
19. Cleveland Browns | Walker Little | OT | Stanford
The Browns need an upgraded long-term solution at left tackle, and this scenario could play in their favor. Prior to a season-ending injury, Little was widely regarded as a potential top-10 selection. Should he opt to enter the draft rather than returning for the 2020 season, he could be a bargain here.
20. Miami Dolphins (from PIT) | Henry Ruggs III | WR | Alabama
If you’ve watched any Alabama football over the last two years, you’ve seen the Tagovailoa/Ruggs combo do some serious damage. Adding a pass-catcher with Ruggs’ rare speed and impressive chemistry with your quarterback would be huge for this rebuild.
21. Seattle Seahawks | Bryce Hall | CB | Virginia
The Seahawks have a type when it comes to corners, and Hall is the perfect fit with his combination of size and physicality. He could have been a high pick in last year’s draft, but the Seahawks steal him outside the top 20 here.
22. Baltimore Ravens | D’Andre Swift | RB | Georgia
The league’s most dynamic rushing attack has a veteran in Mark Ingram and a promising rookie in Justice Hill to go with Lamar Jackson, but that shouldn’t keep them from taking next year’s best back. It’s hard to find a flaw in Swift’s game at this point, and while many teams would shy away from spending an early pick on a running back, this offense would make it worth the investment.
23. Oakland Raiders (from CHI) | Dylan Moses | LB | Alabama
When you have an extra first-round pick, you can afford to take a little bit of a risk. Moses will miss the entire 2019 season due to a torn ACL, but if he opts to turn pro anyway rather than returning to school, he could still fetch a first-rounder. If he returns to his pre-injury form, that would make him a huge steal this late.
24. Los Angeles Chargers | Jake Fromm | QB | Georgia
Philip Rivers has to stop playing at some point, right? He’s still going strong for the moment, but the Bolts have to start thinking about his succession plan. Fromm doesn’t have the ceiling of some other top passers in this class, but he’s a well-rounded player who could be a quality starter.
25. Green Bay Packers | Jonathan Taylor | RB | Wisconsin
Sure, the Packers have bigger needs elsewhere, and running backs in the first round aren’t the popular picks they once were. But Taylor is the real deal, and worth consideration for a contender on the back end of the first round. His three-down skill set would be a huge help for Aaron Rodgers.
26. Minnesota Vikings | Brandon Jones | S | Texas
Mike Zimmer loves adding dynamic playmakers on defense, and he could use another one on the back end to pair with Harrison Smith. Jones is a missile of a defender who is just as comfortable breakup up passes as he is getting his hands dirty in the box.
27. Dallas Cowboys | Kenny Willekes | EDGE | Michigan State
Taco Charlton is looking like a bust, and might not even finish the season in Dallas if the Cowboys can find a trade partner for the recent first-rounder. That means they could be looking to swing away on another young edge rusher in next year’s draft, and Willekes has the nonstop motor coaches love.
28. Philadelphia Eagles | Yetur Gross-Matos | EDGE | Penn State
The Eagles have built a strong roster on both sides of the ball, giving them a chance to reload with some young depth at any given position with this pick. Pass rushers are premium for a reason, and adding another one like Gross-Matos to groom behind veteran Brandon Graham would be a wise use of this pick.
29. New Orleans Saints | CJ Henderson | CB | Florida
The Saints already have one of the league’s best corners in Marshon Lattimore, but they could use an upgrade on the other side of the field. Henderson still needs to improve his effort and effectiveness in run support, but his size and cover skills alone should make him a first-round selection.
30. Los Angeles Rams | Rashard Lawrence | DL | LSU
This roster is built to make another run at the Super Bowl, but if there’s a missing link, it’s the hole left behind by Ndamukong Suh at the heart of the defensive line. Lawrence has the massive frame, nasty playing style, and versatility to be the perfect fit here.
31. Kansas City Chiefs | Travis Etienne | RB | Clemson
The NFL’s best teams get (and stay) on top by prioritizing talent and value over pure need. The Chiefs get both here in Etienne, who is a mismatch machine on every snap, and a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Adding him to this offense would be just unfair.
32. New England Patriots | Albert Okwuegbunam | TE | Missouri
This offense is already humming again, but finding a long-term replacement for Rob Gronkowski should still be a priority next season. Okwuegbunam may not end up living up to Gronk’s shadow, but he’s still got a skill set worthy of first-round consideration.
SECOND ROUND
33. Miami Dolphins | Alex Leatherwood | OT | Alabama
34. Indianapolis Colts (from WAS) | Calvin Throckmorton | OT | Oregon
35. Arizona Cardinals | Trey Smith | OL | Tennessee
36. Chicago Bears (from OAK) | Paulson Adebo | CB | Stanford
37. Cincinnati Bengals | Shaquille Quarterman | LB | Miami (FL)
38. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Terrell Lewis | EDGE | Alabama
39. New York Giants | Jeffrey Okudah | CB | Ohio State
40. Jacksonville Jaguars | Tee Higgins | WR | Clemson
41. Indianapolis Colts | Jordan Love | QB | Utah State
42. New York Jets | Jaylon Johnson | CB | Utah
43. Detroit Lions | Jalen Reagor | WR | TCU
44. Carolina Panthers | Xavier McKinney | S | Alabama
45. Buffalo Bills | Jabari Zuniga | EDGE | Florida
46. Denver Broncos | Marvin Wilson | DL | Florida State
47. Atlanta Falcons | Michael Divinity, Jr. | LB | LSU
48. Tennessee Titans | Tommy Kraemer | OL | Notre Dame
49. Kansas City Chiefs (from SF) | A.J. Terrell | CB | Clemson
50. Houston Texans | J.K. Dobbins | RB | Ohio State
51. Cleveland Browns | Jacob Phillips | LB | LSU
52. Pittsburgh Steelers | Joe Burrow | QB | LSU
53. Seattle Seahawks | Trey Adams | OT | Washington
54. Baltimore Ravens | Shane Lemeiux | OL | Oregon
55. Chicago Bears | Alaric Jackson | OT | Iowa
56. Los Angeles Chargers | Lavert Hill | CB | Michigan
57. Green Bay Packers | Ben Bredeson | OL | Michigan
58. Minnesota Vikings | Nick Coe | DL | Auburn
59. Dallas Cowboys | Jared Pinkney | TE | Vanderbilt
60. Philadelphia Eagles | Paddy Fisher | LB | Northwestern
61. Miami Dolphins (from NO) | Curtis Weaver | EDGE | Boise State
62. Los Angeles Rams | Mike Hampton | CB | USF
63. Seattle Seahawks (from KC) | Grant Calcaterra | TE | Oklahoma
64. New England Patriots | Anfernee Jennings | EDGE | Alabama
THIRD ROUND
65. Miami Dolphins | J.R. Reed | S | Georgia
66. Washington Redskins | Tyler Johnson | WR | Minnesota
67. Arizona Cardinals | Alton Robinson | EDGE | Syracuse
68. Oakland Raiders | Lorenzo Neal | DL | Purdue
69. Cincinnati Bengals | Mekhi Becton | OT | Louisville
70. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Najee’ Harris | RB | Alabama
71. New York Giants | Julian Okwara | EDGE | Notre Dame
72. Jacksonville Jaguars | Darryl Williams | OL | Mississippi State
73. Indianapolis Colts | Collin Johnson | WR | Texas
74. New York Jets | Jonathan Garvin | EDGE | Miami (FL)
75. Detroit Lions | Jacob Eason | QB | Washington
76. Carolina Panthers | Bryan Edwards | WR | South Carolina
77. Buffalo Bills | Damon Arnette | CB | Ohio State
78. Denver Broncos | Jonah Jackson | OL | Ohio State
79. Atlanta Falcons | Alohi Gilman | S | Notre Dame
80. Tennessee Titans | Justin Madubuike | DL | Texas A&M
81. San Francisco 49ers | Antoine Winfield, Jr. | S | Minnesota
82. Houston Texans | Mitchell Wilcox | TE | USF
83. Cleveland Browns | Darnay Holmes | CB | UCLA
84. Denver Broncos (from PIT) | Tylan Wallace | WR | Oklahoma State
85. Houston Texans (from SEA) | Khalid Kareem | EDGE | Notre Dame
86. Baltimore Ravens | Jeff Gladney | CB | TCU
87. Oakland Raiders (from CHI) | Damien Lewis | OL | LSU
88. Los Angeles Chargers | A.J. Dillon | RB | Boston College
89. Green Bay Packers | Justin Jefferson | WR | LSU
90. Minnesota Vikings | Nick Harris | OL | Washington
91. Dallas Cowboys | Shyheim Carter | DB | Alabama
92. Philadelphia Eagles | Essang Bassey | CB | Wake Forest
93. New Orleans Saints | Colby Parkinson | TE | Stanford
94. Los Angeles Rams | Troy Dye | LB | Oregon
95. Kansas City Chiefs | Ben Cleveland | OL | Georgia
96. New England Patriots | Ashtyn Davis | S | California
