The 2020 NFL Scouting Combine is officially in the books, and we’re already seeing draft stock moving in opposite directions for a long list of this year’s prospects.
As teams and prospects alike prepare for pro day workouts and the homestretch of this year’s predraft process, here’s an updated look at how the first round of the 2020 NFL draft could shake out, with a handful of trades that could provide a little chaos along the way.
*denotes projected trade
1. Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow | QB | LSU
Burrow’s reticence in recent weeks appears to be much more about him than the Bengals, as he made clear in multiple interviews at the combine. He doesn’t want to just assume he’ll be the top pick, but if he is, it looks like he’ll have no problems putting on tiger stripes. The Bengals desperately need a quarterback who can change their fortunes, and Burrow absolutely has what it takes to make it happen.
2. Washington Redskins
Chase Young | EDGE | Ohio State
Sure, there’s plenty of talk about Washington pulling a Kyler Murray here and taking Tua Tagovailoa, despite having taken Dwayne Haskins in the first round last year. I’m not buying it just yet, especially with a rare pass rusher like Young available. If Washington isn’t bowled over by a trade offer, standing pat and taking the best player in the entire draft is anything but a consolation prize.
3. Miami Dolphins (from DET)*
Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Alabama
Of all the things I think about this draft, I’m most certain about the Lions wanting to trade out of this pick. They can move down a couple of spots, get an extra pick or two, and still probably end up with the guy they would have originally taken here anyway. The Dolphins need to make sure they get the quarterback they want, and while there are rumors that’s Oregon’s Justin Herbert instead, I still think Tua is the better option if he’s fully healthy.
4. New York Giants
Mekhi Becton | OT | Louisville
Clemson defensive weapon Isaiah Simmons is tempting here, but I just don’t see Giants GM Dave Gettleman opting for a new-age hybrid defender over a trench player, particularly with the offensive tackles that are available to him this year. Gettleman could take any of the top four tackles here and they’d all be worthy, but I’m betting on the biggest one, with the most upside, and that’s Becton.
5. Detroit Lions (from MIA)*
Jeff Okudah | CB | Ohio State
As I said earlier, this is the ideal scenario for the Lions, who still get the guy they probably would have taken at No. 3 overall. No matter what happens with Darius Slay, Okudah is the best blend of need and value here, as easily the top corner in this year’s class. He has all the physical and mental tools to be an immediate impact player for a defense that desperately needs more of them.
6. Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert | QB | Oregon
The Bolts have to come out of this draft with a franchise quarterback, and preferably one that can start from Day 1. If this scenario plays out, and they don’t have to trade up to get that guy, it would be fantastic. Herbert went back for his senior season to polish his skill set, and that’s exactly what he did. After an MVP performance in the Rose Bowl and a strong week at the Senior Bowl, he’s ready to take control of an NFL franchise.
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. Indianapolis Colts (from ARI)*
Jordan Love | QB | Utah State
Jacoby Brissett did an admirable job of keeping the Indy offense afloat after Andrew Luck’s retirement, but I’m betting the Colts would like a better long-term solution at quarterback. If that’s their move, don’t count out a bold move to make sure they get their man. In this scenario, Love would likely be the target, despite the rough edges in his game. He’s got the potential to be a stellar pro if the Colts can give him time to develop.
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, Browns is a dominant force who can wreck opposing offenses all by himself.
10. Cleveland Browns
Jedrick Wills | OT | Alabama
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. He’s got all the physical tools to be a franchise left tackle sooner than later, something Baker Mayfield desperately needs.
11. New York Jets
Tristan Wirfs | OT | Iowa
Similar to the Browns, the Jets need to spend this pick on a franchise left tackle to allow Sam Darnold to reach his full potential. It’s a good year to need one and be picking in the top 15, as the Jets should be able to land one of this year’s top four players at the position, all of whom are worthy of top-10 consideration. Wirfs put his rare athleticism on full display at the NFL Combine, and he’d be a great fit here.
12. Las Vegas Raiders
Jerry Jeudy | WR | Alabama
What a fantastic situation for the Raiders, who desperately need a true No. 1 receiver after the Antonio Brown debacle blew up in their faces. With no receivers off the board so far, Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden get their pick of the litter. While strong cases can be made for Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb or Alabama’s Henry Ruggs III, Jeudy is the most polished and complete pass-catcher in this year’s loaded class, giving him the edge here.
13. Arizona Cardinals (from IND)*
CeeDee Lamb | WR | Oklahoma
This is a grand-slam scenario for the Cardinals, who trade back five spots, get additional draft resources (likely the No. 34 overall pick, and perhaps more), and still land the player they might have taken at their original slot. Lamb obviously made big things happen with Kyler Murray for the Sooners, and reuniting them would be a huge win for Kliff Kingsbury and his offense.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Andrew Thomas | OT | Georgia
As the run on receivers starts, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bucs got plenty of trade interest in this pick, as teams try to jump ahead of the Broncos for Ruggs. But unless they get a blockbuster offer, Tampa Bay would be better off taking the value on the board, and addressing their need for an upgrade at tackle with a prospect who could easily be a top-five pick. Thomas is a well-rounded blocker with few flaws, if any. He would be an immediate upgrade over aging veteran Demar Dotson, and could even push Donovan Smith for the starting left tackle spot.
15. Denver Broncos
Henry Ruggs III | WR | Alabama
This has to be the dream pick for Denver, and especially for Drew Lock. the Broncos already have a young receiver with size and physicality in Courtland Sutton, but they need a game-breaker with elite speed who can stretch opposing defenses and take advantage of Lock’s top-shelf arm strength. Ruggs is arguably the most dangerous playmaker in this entire draft, which makes him a steal halfway through the first round.
16. Atlanta Falcons
K’Lavon Chaisson | EDGE | LSU
This entire defensive front needs help in a bad way, outside of Grady Jarrett. This scenario gives the Falcons multiple options to address either the interior or the edge rush, and they really can’t go wrong either way. South Carolina’s Javon Kinlaw is a worthy candidate, but I’m guessing the Falcons would opt instead for a high-upside edge defender like Chaisson. He’s got size, length and athleticism, and can handle all three phases of playing on the edge.
17. Dallas Cowboys
Javon Kinlaw | DL | South Carolina
There’s no reason a guy this big, with this kind of athleticism and versatility, should still be on the board this late. Kinlaw not only has the physical tools to be a dominant defender at the next level, but he’s also got the killer instinct that the game’s greatest defensive players have always possessed. If he’s still available at this pick, the Cowboys should waste no time running the card up to the podium.
18. Miami Dolphins (from PIT)
Josh Jones | OT | Houston
After trading up to make sure they got their franchise quarterback of choice, the next order of business for the Dolphins is protecting their investment in that passer. With four offensive tackles already off the board, the Dolphins opt for the next best one, setting their sights on Jones. He backed up solid film with a strong week of practice at the Senior Bowl, holding his own against some of the nation’s top edge defenders.
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)
CJ Henderson | CB | Florida
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. Henderson 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
Kristian Fulton | CB | LSU
Count the Eagles among the teams that would likely be calling about a move up the board for Ruggs, but if that can’t happen, don’t be surprised if they prefer the value at corner here, hoping the depth of the receiver class rewards their patience on Day 2. Similar to Henderson, Fulton is a big, athletic corner who shut down tons of NFL talent in the SEC on a weekly basis, and has all the traits pro teams are looking for in a No. 1 cover man.
22. Buffalo Bills
Denzel Mims | WR | Baylor
Josh Allen has a handful of solid role players in his receiving corps, but nobody with the complete skill set to be relied on as a true No. 1 target. Enter Mims, one of the hottest names in this year’s class, especially after his fantastic showing at the NFL Combine. He checks every box in terms of size, speed, athleticism and ball skills, all of which would allow him to make an immediate impact and fill Buffalo’s biggest offensive need.
23. New England Patriots
Xavier McKinney | S | Alabama
Quarterback is obviously the big question mark for New England, but I doubt they’d spend this pick on a rookie passer they’d expect to be a Week 1 starter, no matter what happens in free agency. Instead, look for them to address their need for a youth movement in the secondary, particularly on the back end. McKinney is a smart, instinctive defender who loves to lay the hammer down on any ball-carrier, and has the range and athleticism to make plays all over the field.
24. New Orleans Saints
Patrick Queen | LB | LSU
Drew Brees is coming back for at least one more season, which means the Saints can wait until the later rounds (or next offseason) to find his eventual successor. That frees them up to find an impact player for the defense, and in this scenario, they don’t have to look far. Queen was a late-riser who made the most of his opportunities late in the 2019 season, and looks like a first-round lock.
25. Minnesota Vikings
Trevon Diggs | CB | Alabama
A family reunion in the Twin Cities? Stefon’s little brother is exactly the kind of big, athletic corner the Vikings need to help a secondary that was surprisingly bad in 2019. Injuries haven’t helped this unit, but adding another blue-chip cover man definitely wouldn’t hurt. Diggs has all the tools to challenge for a starting spot from Day 1, and could quickly develop into one of the league’s better young corners.
26. Detroit Lions (from MIA)*
Yetur Gross-Matos | EDGE | Penn State
If the Lions swap top-five spots with the Dolphins, expect them to at least get one of Miami’s additional first-rounders in this draft. After adding the top corner prospect they need with Okudah at No. 5, the Lions turn their attention to the defensive trenches, where they need help both along the interior and on the edge. The better value in this scenario is the latter, and Gross-Matos looks like the prototypical edge defender for today’s NFL.
27. Seattle Seahawks
Antoine Winfield, Jr. | S | Minnesota
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, Winfield is about as close as they can get. The son of a Pro Bowler by the same name, Winfield was a one-man wrecking crew for the Golden Gophers, and he could instantly bring the swagger back to what was once one of the NFL’s most feared defensive backfields.
28. Baltimore Ravens
Jonathan Taylor | RB | Wisconsin
Mark Ingram’s absence was painfully evident when injuries kept him out of the lineup in 2019, which means the Ravens need to find a succession plan for their veteran runner. They get their pick of some talented runners in this scenario, and Taylor’s performance at the NFL Combine proved he’s more than worthy of being the first running back off the board. He would make the NFL’s best rushing attack even better from Day 1.
29. Carolina Panthers (from TEN)*
Jacob Eason | QB | Washington
If Cam Newton returns at full strength, this move probably isn’t necessary just yet. But that’s a big “if” right now, and new head coach Matt Rhule might want to hand-pick his own passer in his first draft. Eason has the arm talent and decision-making ability to be worthy of a first-round pick, and if he’s still on the board here, a team like the Panthers would be wise to trade back into the first round to secure him on a five-year deal.
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. TCU’s Jalen Reagor, Clemson’s Tee Higgins and TCU’s Jalen Reagor would all 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
Grant Delpit | S | LSU
The defending NFC champs don’t have many picks in this draft, so trading out of this spot would be ideal. But without any worthy quarterback targets still available, they may not find a market for this spot. If left to make the selection, they could do much worse than filling a significant need on defense with one of the nation’s most versatile playmakers in Delpit. Injuries held him back for much of 2019, but at full strength, he’s a dominant defender.
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.
