I’ve watched the Super Bowl from many different places, but this was the first year in which I took in the big game while flying over the Atlantic.
On our way to attend my wife’s graduation in England, my nine-year-old daughter and I huddled around the screen in our seats and watched the NFL season come to an entertaining and dramatic end. It was a worthy ending to the league’s 100th season.
You know it’s always draft season around here, but now it’s official, as all 32 teams now enter the offseason with their sights set on getting to where Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs just went.
To that end, here’s an updated look at how the first round of the 2020 NFL draft could shake out, with a few trade scenarios that could spice things up:
*denotes projected trade
1. Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow | QB | LSU
This has seemed like a foregone conclusion for so long, that we’re starting to get to the point in the process where rumors and speculation start to swirl to the contrary. Don’t buy into the boredom; Burrow has always been the guy for the Bengals, and that’s not going to change between now and draft day.
2. Washington Redskins
Chase Young | EDGE | Ohio State
This is an absolute no-brainer for Washington, unless they’re bowled over by a trade offer from another team. They have bigger needs at other positions, but there’s no way they should pass up a rare talent like Young at such a premium spot. He’s the best overall prospect in this entire class.
3. Miami Dolphins (from DET)*
Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Alabama
This move just makes too much sense. Tagovailoa seems destined for Miami, as long as his recovery is in a good place. If the medicals are in order, though, the Dolphins will likely have to make a small jump up the board to make sure another team doesn’t leapfrog them. The position is too important, and Tua is too good a player, to risk losing out.
4. Carolina Panthers (from NYG)*
Justin Herbert | QB | Oregon
While the Dolphins moving up for Tagovailoa wouldn’t be a surprise, this move might be a bit more of a shock. New head coach Matt Rhule will be overseeing a huge rebuild, though, and will likely want to hand-pick his quarterback. Herbert followed up a solid career at Oregon with a Rose Bowl MVP and a strong week at the Senior Bowl, making him worthy of top-five consideration.
5. Detroit Lions (from MIA)*
Jeff Okudah | CB | Ohio State
This is a fantastic scenario for the Lions, who trade back a couple of spots, get an extra first-round pick, and still land the player they likely would have taken at their original spot. Okudah is by far this year’s top corner prospect, and would team up with Darius Slay to give Detroit one of the league’s best tandems at a premium position. Don’t rule out Auburn defensive lineman Derrick Brown here, either.
6. Los Angeles Chargers
Isaiah Simmons | LB | Clemson
With the top three quarterbacks already off the board, the Bolts switch gears here and opt for the best available player over their biggest position of need. Simmons is a rare defender who can line up anywhere on the field and make a huge impact, and the Chargers would do well to maximize his versatility instead of trying to pigeonhole him into one specific position.
7. New York Giants (from CAR)*
Andrew Thomas | OT | Georgia
Another dream scenario for a team trading down, as the Giants get additional picks to move down three spots and still have their pick of this year’s top offensive tackle prospects. Other names have been challenging Thomas in recent weeks, but at the end of the process, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s still the first tackle off the board.
8. Arizona Cardinals
CeeDee Lamb | WR | Oklahoma
This may surprise some, seeing Lamb come off the board before Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see some teams have them graded in that order. One such team could absolutely be the Cards, who would love to pair Lamb with his college quarterback, Kyler Murray. This tandem could make the same kind of magic they did in Norman.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars
Derrick Brown | DL | Auburn
Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy is tempting here, but the Jags desperately need to improve their rush defense, and the receiver class is extremely deep this year. That makes them opt for Brown, a monstrous force who is a huge bargain at this pick. His rare combination of size, athleticism and power would be the perfect blend of need and value here.
10. Cleveland Browns
Jedrick Wills | OT | Alabama
There’s no denying the amount of talent this offense has at the skill positions, but it’ll be all for naught if the Browns don’t improve their offensive line in a big way this offseason. Wills has been a fast riser throughout this season, and could easily be off the board by this pick. If he’s not, he’d be the perfect blend of need and value for Cleveland.
11. Indianapolis Colts (from NYJ)*
Jordan Love | QB | Utah State
This may seem early for Love, but after a solid week at the Senior Bowl, he just might be the clear-cut QB4 in this year’s class. That being the case, don’t be surprised if a team like the Colts make a small move up the board to make sure they land him. Jacoby Brissett would be a solid bridge option while Love smooths out the rough edges in his game.
12. Las Vegas Raiders
Jerry Jeudy | WR | Alabama
The Antonio Brown experiment was a colossal failure, and now the Raiders find themselves still in need of a true No. 1 receiver. That makes this a perfect situation for Jon Gruden and company, who land arguably the best pass-catcher in this year’s deep class outside the top 10. Jeudy is as polished and pro-ready as I’ve seen any receiver prospect in recent years.
13. New York Jets (from IND)*
Tristan Wirfs | OT | Iowa
If Sam Darnold is going to live up to his full potential, the Jets need to find him a true franchise left tackle to keep him upright. Wirfs is a complete prospect who excels as both a pass protector and a run blocker, and would be an immediate upgrade for the Jets on either side.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Javon Kinlaw | DL | South Carolina
Tampa Bay’s defensive front was dominant in 2020, leading the NFL in rush defense and boasting the NFL’s sack leader. Still, the unit has a ton of expiring contracts, and veteran Ndamukong Suh’s spot could be most in need of filling. Kinlaw’s dominant tape was followed up by a fantastic performance in Senior Bowl practices, making him an ideal pick here.
15. Denver Broncos
Henry Ruggs III | WR | Alabama
Drew Lock already has his big, physical pass-catcher in Courtland Sutton, but he needs a big-play target with the speed to challenge defenses over the top and after the catch. Ruggs is a burner who can score every time he touches the ball, and would be a steal here after he runs as fast as we expect at the NFL Scouting Combine.
16. Atlanta Falcons
K’Lavon Chaisson | EDGE | LSU
This entire defensive front needs help in a bad way, as the Falcons have failed to generate any sort of formidable pass rush. This pick is about finding the best value, whether it’s along the interior or on the edge. Chaisson is an explosive rusher with great technique, and would be a perfect pick to either push or supplant Vic Beasley or Takk McKinley.
17. Dallas Cowboys
Xavier McKinney | S | Alabama
Another defense with multiple holes to fill this offseason, the Cowboys need help up front and in the secondary at all levels. While some might project LSU’s Grant Delpit here, don’t be surprised if McKinney is the first safety off the board instead. His combination of athleticism, physicality, intelligence and versatility would make him the ideal pick here.
18. Miami Dolphins (from PIT)
Mekhi Becton | OT | Louisville
If you’re going to hand your franchise to a young quarterback with injury concerns, you’d better do everything in your power to protect him. To that end, the Dolphins spend their second first-round pick on this massive mauler. Becton is a rare athlete for his size, and will likely end up coming off the board much earlier once draft weekend rolls around.
19. Las Vegas Raiders (from CHI)
Kenneth Murray | LB | Oklahoma
After filling their biggest offensive need earlier in the first round, the Raiders turn their attention to the same task on defense. Murray is a three-down playmaker who excels in every area of the game, making him exactly what the Raiders need at the heart of their defense. His vocal leadership and nose for the big play will make him an instant fan favorite.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (from LAR)
Kristian Fulton | CB | LSU
The Jags got this pick as part of the Jalen Ramsey trade, so why not use it to draft his replacement? While LSU freshman standout Derek Stingley, Jr. got plenty of press this season (and with good reason), Fulton’s play should not be overlooked. He’s big, physical, and has been tested by some of the nation’s elite pass-catchers, making him well worth the investment at this spot.
21. Philadelphia Eagles
Tee Higgins | WR | Clemson
Injuries ravaged Philly’s receiving corps this season, and exposed a sever lack of depth. That should be easily remedied this offseason, thanks in large part to an extremely deep class of pass-catchers. Higgins has a rare combination of size, length, ball skills and body control, and would give Carson Wentz a true No. 1 target.
22. Buffalo Bills
Laviska Shenault, Jr. | WR | Colorado
The Eagles passing on a receiver here is a big win for the Bills, who are also in desperate need of a true No. 1 target for Josh Allen. Shenault is a physical player with a well-built frame who puts it to good use, both at the catch point and after the catch. He’s the complete player this offense needs to take their game to the next level in 2020 and beyond.
23. New England Patriots
Grant Delpit | S | LSU
Tom Brady’s future is obviously the big question mark, and finding him another pass-catcher could be a priority here if he returns. That said, the Pats would have a tough time passing on Delpit, a versatile playmaker who could give New England much needed youth and promise on the back end of their defense.
24. New Orleans Saints
Cole Kmet | TE | Notre Dame
There are bigger needs on defense, but the Saints may need to spend this pick on helping whoever is throwing passes for them next year and beyond. Jared Cook was a valuable weapon for this offense in 2019, but he turns 33 this offseason. Kmet was a surprising addition to this year’s draft class, and his complete skill set immediately put him at the top of the the tight end group.
25. Minnesota Vikings
Josh Jones | OT | Houston
The Vikings have a strong core at the skill positions, but the offensive line continues to be inconsistent at best. After spending last year’s first-rounder on an interior blocker, the Vikings use this one to upgrade at tackle, where Riley Reiff hasn’t lived up to expectations. After a strong week at the Senior Bowl, Jones has planted himself firmly in the first-round conversation.
26. Detroit Lions (from HOU via MIA)*
Yetur Gross-Matos | EDGE | Penn State
After moving down and getting a blue-chip corner in the top five, the Lions can now use the first-round pick they received in our projected trade to address their desperate need for front-seven help. Gross-Matos is a well-rounded prospect who may not be as flashy as some other defenders in this class, but he’s a pro-ready player who will make an immediate impact.
27. Seattle Seahawks
Raekwon Davis | DL | Alabama
Free agency could end up gutting Seattle’s defensive front, so don’t be surprised if that’s where they decide to go with this pick. They love versatility up front, which could make Davis an ideal target thanks to his massive frame and ability to line up anywhere on the defensive line. If he reaches his full potential, he’ll look like a huge steal this late.
28. Baltimore Ravens
Jonathan Taylor | RB | Wisconsin
Mark Ingram’s absence was painfully obvious in Baltimore’s playoff meltdown, and the Ravens would do well to seek a young back who can do all things he brings to the table. Taylor is a complete runner who has the vision, patience, power and explosiveness to be a dangerous weapon in the league’s top rushing attack.
29. Los Angeles Chargers (from TEN)*
Jacob Eason | QB | Washington
After getting sniped in the top 10 in terms of getting a top quarterback prospect, the Bolts make a bold move of their own here, trading back into the bottom of the first round to land Philip Rivers’ replacement. Eason still needs plenty of polish, but he’s got all the physical tools to develop into a franchise passer.
30. Green Bay Packers
Patrick Queen | LB | LSU
This defense was much improved in 2019, but there’s still a huge need for a three-down difference-maker at the second level. Queen is athletic and physical, with all the physical and mental tools to make an immediate impact in Green Bay. After a stellar performance in the College Football Playoff, Queen was a surprise addition to this year’s list of underclassmen, and would be a strong pick here.
31. San Francisco 49ers
CJ Henderson | CB | Florida
Richard Sherman is still proving himself as one of the league’s most dominant corners, but finding a young cover man to groom behind him should be a priority. Henderson has all the tools to quickly develop into a quality starter, something the 49ers could use across the field from Sherman sooner than later.
32. Kansas City Chiefs
Trevon Diggs | CB | Alabama
This defense was much improved in 2019, but they could still use another top talent to boost their corner lineup. Diggs is a big, athletic cover man with fantastic ball skills, with the frame and skill set Kansas City loves in their corners. Getting Diggs this late would be a huge win for the defending champs.
