In an ideal world, the Cincinnati Bengals will find a nice marriage of value and need at each spot in the 2020 NFL draft.
Joe Burrow is a good example. He’s arguably the best player available at No. 1 and happens to play a major position of need.
But what if every pick strictly adhered to a best-player available requirement? Let’s tackle such an exercise, grabbing only the top players available as a live draft unfolds via The Draft Network’s mock draft simulator and predictive board.
1. Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Is Joe Burrow the best player in the draft outright? Weighing positional importance, yes.
While some might pound the table for Chase Young as the best player, the difference between an elite edge rusher and a bonafide stud quarterback on Super Bowl chances isn’t even a conversation.
Burrow is the best passer to enter the draft since Andrew Luck and the hometown kid who revives fan engagement for a struggling franchise is one of the best possible bonuses.
33. Grant Delpit, S, LSU
It’s a little odd to see Delpit fall to No. 33 but it’s also pretty hard to complain about.
Delpit is a high-upside safety prospect who joins Jessie Bates to form a dynamic one-two punch and gives the defense another playmaker who can come in all over the place.
There were some interesting edge rushers (Zack Baun) and offensive tackles (Ezra Cleveland) still on the board but nobody came close on the ranking board to Delpit, who is widely considered a first-round defender.
65. Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado
At No. 65 we had to pass on two safeties as the best players available (Kyle Dugger, Ashtyn Davis) and grab Laviska Shenault Jr. out of Colorado.
Call it an incredible value, as Shenault probably isn’t falling this far on draft day unless teams are really worried about his injuries. He’s a big-bodied (6’2″, 220 pounds) playmaker who can win plenty of contested catches and give Burrow a reliable target.
What’s really nice about Shenault is he rewards creative coaching and can be used all over the field.
107. Saahdiq Charles, OT, LSU
Ignoring the presence of Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm at the top of the board for obvious reasons, it’s offensive tackle time with Saahdiq Charles.
Burrow’s former teammate is a quicker tackle prospect who has big upside if the Bengals spread it out and let him go to work in space. There’s a chance he doesn’t win a job as a rookie but it might not be long before he locks down a tackle spot once pro training staffs get their hands on him.
147. Jonathan Garvin, EDGE, Miami
Skipping a pair of wideouts to get to best player available at a new position lands us on Miami’s Jonathan Garvin.
Garvin has good size and length but generally grades as a player who is more trait-based with questions about effort. But it’s one of those cases where a potential Day 2 guy falls to Day 3, lands with the right coaching staff and just erupts.
180. Lamical Perine, RB, Florida
We’re in the range where teams are just happy to find a guy who can even make the roster.
Tough situation for Lamical Perine, who lands on a pretty good depth chart as it is, especially after the Bengals just added Jacques Patrick.
Still, Perine is a fun one-cut sort of player who could probably give some serious competition, if not steal a spot.
215. John Hightower, WR, Boise State
Rebuilding wideout is quietly a long-term need with not many guys under contract after next season, so we’re not too miffed about adding another here.
Hightower is a taller deep threat with bonus skills as a kick returner, which gives him a fighting chance.
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