The first wave of NFL free agency has passed, and along with some big names changing teams of their own will, we’ve also seen some blockbuster trades executed over the past week.
All of these moves could have a significant impact on the early rounds of the 2020 NFL draft, as could further deals that take place once the draft has begun.
With all that in mind, here’s an updated look at how the first three rounds of this year’s draft could turn out, including a handful of projected trades that could shake things up.
*denotes projected trade
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. Miami Dolphins (from DET)*
Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Alabama
It seems a foregone conclusion that the Lions will move out of this spot, selling the pick to the highest bidder that’s in search of a quarterback. If Miami ends up in a bidding war with the Chargers, don’t be surprised if they have to give up the higher of their two additional first-rounders to land their franchise quarterback.
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. Detroit Lions (from MIA)*
Jeff Okudah | CB | Ohio State
This is the ideal scenario for the Lions, who move back a couple of picks and pick up another first-rounder, still landing the player they likely would have taken anyway. After trading away Darius Slay to avoid paying him a huge extension, Detroit needs to replace him with a shutdown artist like Okudah, who is by far the top corner in this class.
6. Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert | QB | Oregon
Landing a franchise quarterback without having to trade up would be an ideal outcome for the Chargers, who let Philip Rivers walk and will be comfortable with Tyrod Taylor as their bridge. That said, Herbert is polished and experienced enough to take over sooner than later.
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
Mekhi Becton | OT | Louisville
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. Becton is a massive mountain of a man with ideal length and surprising athleticism for his size.
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. Even with the addition of Jack Conklin, adding another bookend like Wills is necessary to keep Baker Mayfield protected.
11. Denver Broncos (from NYJ)*
Henry Ruggs III | WR | Alabama
With no receivers off the board, but two receiver-needy teams coming up in the order, the Broncos pull the trigger and move up to get their man. While it may surprise some to see Ruggs come off the board before Lamb and Bama teammate Jerry Jeudy, his elite speed and explosiveness is worthy. In return for one of their three third-round picks, Denver gets a big-play machine for Drew Lock.
12. Las Vegas Raiders
Jerry Jeudy | WR | Alabama
Even with Ruggs off the board, this is still a great scenario for the Raiders, who 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 Lamb, Jeudy is the most polished and complete pass-catcher in this year’s loaded class, giving him the edge here.
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. Lamb is a complete player who excels after the catch, capable of turning every touch into a huge play. The 49ers made a big trade for this pick, and they need someone who can make an immediate impact.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Andrew Thomas | OT | Georgia
Tampa Bay desperately needs a starting-caliber tackle at this pick, which means they may get nervous and have to move up to make sure they land one of the top four. Thankfully in this scenario, that doesn’t prove necessary. Thomas is talented enough to not only start at right tackle immediately, but could even push longtime starter Donovan Smith at left tackle.
15. New York Jets (from DEN)*
CJ Henderson | CB | Florida
Moving back costs the Jets a top tackle prospect, but they still have a big need at a premium position on defense. Not only do they add an extra Day 2 pick, but they also land one of the best pure cover corners in this year’s class. Henderson needs to improve as a tackler, but he’s a ready-made No. 1 cover man.
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
Kristian Fulton | CB | LSU
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, Fulton has all the physical tools to quickly develop into that kind of player. His experience in press-man coverage and going up against top talent in the SEC on a weekly basis has Fulton ready to make an immediate impact.
18. Detroit Lions (from PIT via MIA)*
Javon Kinlaw | DL | South Carolina
Another big win for the Lions here, who fill another huge need on defense with a player who should have been long gone. This defensive front desperately needs a versatile, powerful defender who can wreck opposing offenses, and Kinlaw checks every box in those departments. He’s a huge bargain at this point in the first round.
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)
Trevon Diggs | CB | Alabama
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. Diggs 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. New Orleans Saints (from BUF via MIN)*
Jordan Love | QB | Utah State
Teddy Bridgewater is gone, Drew Brees can’t play forever, and Taysom Hill may never be a full-time starting quarterback. If Love is still on the board here, don’t be surprised if the Saints deal a fourth-round pick to the Vikings to jump ahead of the Patriots to land this high-upside passer. He’s still plenty raw, but learning behind Brees for a year or more would be an ideal situation.
23. New England Patriots
Xavier McKinney | S | Alabama
Quarterback is obviously the big question mark for New England, but with Love off the board, there’s no other passer worth taking here. 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. Minnesota Vikings (from NO)
Josh Jones | OT | Houston
After moving back a couple of spots and picking up an extra pick, the Vikings are still able to land a difference-maker at a premium position. The rebuild of this offensive line continues with Jones, a Senior Bowl standout who gives the Vikings a long-term solution at either tackle spot.
25. Minnesota Vikings
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.
26. Miami Dolphins (from HOU)
Austin Jackson | OT | USC
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 five offensive tackles already off the board, the Dolphins opt for the next best one, setting their sights on Jackson. He still needs some refinement, but he’s got limitless potential.
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. 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. Indianapolis Colts (from SF)*
Jacob Eason | QB | Washington
These two teams have already done business on a first-round trade this year, so why not make it happen again? The 49ers need more picks, and the Colts need a long-term solution at quarterback. For a fourth-round pick, the Colts move up three spots and get that fifth-year option on a quarterback prospect with impressive arm talent and tons of potential.
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. San Francisco 49ers (from WAS via IND)* | Grant Delpit | S | LSU
35. Detroit Lions | Terrell Lewis | EDGE | Alabama
36. New York Giants | Zach Baun | EDGE | Wisconsin
37. Los Angeles Chargers | Cesar Ruiz | OL | Michigan
38. Carolina Panthers | Noah Igbenoghene | CB | Auburn
39. Miami Dolphins | D’Andre Swift | RB | Georgia
40. Houston Texans (from ARI) | Jeff Gladney | CB | TCU
41. Cleveland Browns | Kyle Dugger | S | Lenoir-Rhyne
42. Jacksonville Jaguars | Laviska Shenault, Jr. | WR | Colorado
43. Chicago Bears (from LV) | Cole Kmet | TE | Notre Dame
44. Indianapolis Colts | Tee Higgins | WR | Clemson
45. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Ross Blacklock | DL | TCU
46. Denver Broncos | Ezra Cleveland | OT | Boise State
47. Atlanta Falcons | Neville Gallimore | DL | Oklahoma
48. New York Jets | Isaiah Wilson | OT | Georgia
49. Pittsburgh Steelers | Rashard Lawrence | DL | LSU
50. Chicago Bears | A.J. Terrell | CB | Clemson
51. Dallas Cowboys | Chase Claypool | WR/TE | Notre Dame
52. Los Angeles Rams | Justin Madubuike | DL | Texas A&M
53. Philadelphia Eagles | Ashtyn Davis | S | California
54. Buffalo Bills | Julian Okwara | EDGE | Notre Dame
55. Baltimore Ravens (from NE via ATL) | Solomon Kindley | OL | Georgia
56. Miami Dolphins (from NO) | Lloyd Cushenberry | OL | LSU
57. Houston Texans | Brandon Aiyuk | WR | Arizona State
58. Minnesota Vikings | Jaylon Johnson | CB | Utah
59. Seattle Seahawks | Raekwon Davis | DL | Alabama
60. Baltimore Ravens | K.J. Hamler | WR | Penn State
61. Tennessee Titans | Damien Lewis | OL | LSU
62. Green Bay Packers | Malik Harrison | LB | Ohio State
63. Kansas City Chiefs (from SF) | J.K. Dobbins | RB | Ohio State
64. Seattle Seahawks (from KC) | Curtis Weaver | EDGE | Boise State
THIRD ROUND
65. Cincinnati Bengals | Lucas Niang | OT | TCU
66. Washington Redskins | Bryce Hall | CB | Virginia
67. Detroit Lions | Jeremy Chinn | S | Southern Illinois
68. New York Jets (from NYG) | Bryan Edwards | WR | South Carolina
69. Carolina Panthers | Jonah Jackson | OL | Ohio State
70. Miami Dolphins | Tyler Biadasz | OL | Wisconsin
71. Los Angeles Chargers | Troy Dye | LB | Oregon
72. Arizona Cardinals | Jonathan Greenard | EDGE | Florida
73. Jacksonville Jaguars | Ben Bartch | OL | St. John’s
74. Cleveland Browns | Logan Stenberg | OL | Kentucky
75. Indianapolis Colts | Josh Uche | EDGE | Michigan
76. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Cam Akers | RB | Florida State
77. Denver Broncos | Amik Robertson | CB | Louisiana Tech
78. Atlanta Falcons | Shane Lemieux | OL | Oregon
79. New York Jets | Bradlee Anae | EDGE | Utah
80. Las Vegas Raiders | Cameron Dantzler | CB | Mississippi State
81. Las Vegas Raiders (from CHI) | Ben Bredeson | OL | Michigan
82. Dallas Cowboys | Brandon Jones | S | Texas
83. New York Jets (from PIT via DEN)* | Hunter Bryant | TE | Washington
84. Los Angeles Rams | Hakeem Adeniji | OL | Kansas
85. Detroit Lions (from PHI) | Donovan Peoples-Jones | WR | Michigan
86. Buffalo Bills | Shyheim Carter | DB | Alabama
87. New England Patriots | Jake Fromm | QB | Georgia
88. New Orleans Saints | Brycen Hopkins | TE | Purdue
89. Minnesota Vikings | Terrell Burgess | S | Utah
90. Houston Texans | Yasir Durant | OT | Missouri
91. Las Vegas Raiders (from SEA) | Michael Pittman, Jr. | WR | USC
92. Baltimore Ravens | Anfernee Jennings | EDGE | Alabama
93. Tennessee Titans | Clyde Edwards-Helaire | RB | LSU
94. Green Bay Packers | Jordan Elliott | DL | Missouri
95. Denver Broncos (from SF) | Jordyn Brooks | LB | Texas Tech
96. Kansas City Chiefs | Michael Ojemudia | CB | Iowa
97. Cleveland Browns (from HOU) | Marlon Davidson | DL | Auburn
98. New England Patriots | Adam Trautman | TE | Dayton
99. New York Giants | K’Von Wallace | S | Clemson
100. New England Patriots | K.J. Hill | WR | Ohio State
101. Seattle Seahawks | Robert Hunt | OL | Lafayette
102. Pittsburgh Steelers | Zack Moss | RB | Utah
103. Philadelphia Eagles | Davon Hamilton | DL | Ohio State
104. Los Angeles Rams | Jabari Zuniga | EDGE | Florida
105. Minnesota Vikings | James Lynch | DL | Baylor
106. Baltimore Ravens | Albert Okwuegbunam | TE | Missouri
