When it comes to predicting the NFL draft…it doesn’t get much easier than this.
The Cincinnati Bengals will use the first pick in the 2020 NFL draft on Joe Burrow.
That’s seemed likely since late last season when new Bengals head coach Zac Taylor benched longtime starter Andy Dalton at the same time Burrow was running roughshod en route to one of the best seasons by a passer ever.
It was even more obvious by the combine, where the Bengals — and Mike Brown — had a good meet with Burrow. And it was cemented when word broke the Bengals maxed out their allotted pre-draft meeting time with him — while going over the offense.
Then the day before the draft hit. A report broke confirming the Bengals had told Burrow he’d be the pick and that they weren’t listening to trade offers.
That wraps it up, right? In an alternate timeline, maybe the Bengals play themselves out of the first pick and have to choose between Tua Tagovailoa or Justin Herbert. Maybe they weigh the value of a quarterback against a defense-altering prospect like Chase Young?
But at No. 1? Sitting there has removed all semblance of unpredictability. Besides Burrow simply being an amazing prospect, keep in mind he’s an Ohio kid who calls home about 2.5 hours away from Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals have a disconnect with the fanbase and an upcoming lease situation to consider.
It all plays into No. 1. Most years, No. 1 isn’t so cut and dry. But this year, the Bengals got their guy.
