1. Cincinnati Bengals

Pick: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

The Andy Dalton days are over and a new era in Cincinnati begins. Joe Burrow brings his elite mental processing and competitiveness to the Bengals. Pairing Burrow with playmakers already in Cincinnati should give Coach Zac Taylor everything he needs to get this offense on track as long as they address OL throughout the rest of the weekend.

4. New York Giants

Pick: Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama

Hopefully, Dave Gettleman breaks his trend of not drafting offensive tackles in round 1 as he needs to protect his franchise quarterback. Daniel Jones was often under duress in his rookie campaign but with the selection of Jedrick Wills his life may get a little easier. Wills brings the best pass sets from any prospect and has the versatility to play both the left and right side of the line since he played right tackle to protect Tua’s blind side at Alabama.

5. Miami Dolphins

Pick: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

The Dolphins have done a tremendous job in not showing their hand in which QB they want to come away with in this draft. I believe they are currently building this offense for Tua with Chan Gailey’s horizontal spread that can resemble action Tua saw at Alabama. Ryan Fitzpatrick can still lead this team in 2020 as Tua can take a redshirt year and build up some muscle, recover, and learn the offense.

6. Los Angeles Chargers

Pick: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon

Herbert brings his prototypical size and big arm out to LA. Since the organization is comfortable moving forward in 2020 with Tyrod Taylor as the starting quarterback, Herbert can come along slowly and develop. Herbert’s biggest strength is throwing down the field which will play well with Mike Williams, but he needs to work on pocket presence and short to intermediate accuracy.

7. Carolina Panthers

Pick: Javon Kinlaw, IDL, South Carolina

If I were predicting trades in this draft this would be one of the easiest trade back candidates as the new regime under Rhule wants to pick up more draft capital for 2020 and 2021. Kinlaw brings raw untapped potential that Rhule will want to coach up to its ceiling. The Panthers fill one of their biggest needs in the middle of their defense as Kinlaw can create havoc up the middle and be a force in the run game.

8. Arizona Cardinals

Pick: Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson

Often an offensive tackle is slated in here for this pick but too good of a player is sitting here for the Cardinals tacking. Simmons is an athletic freak that weights in at nearly 240 pounds and ran a 4.39 at the NFL Combine. Simmons has the ability to help in all 3 levels of the defense as he can rush the passer, play in coverage with tight ends, and even played single high occasionally at Clemson. With nearly the worst defense in the league this helps the Cardinals defense.

16. Atlanta Falcons

Pick: CJ Henderson, CB, Florida

CJ Henderson contains the most potential and highest ceiling of any corner in this cycle. He’s a sticky defender but finds himself unwilling to provide support in the run game often. Dan Quinn needs to revamp this defense and with no current answer for corner on the roster, plugging in Henderson to the room will work out nicely.

17. Dallas Cowboys

Pick: K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU

The loss of Robert Quinn this offseason will be felt if not for this pick. Chaisson can play opposite of D-Law and can play the run, rush the passer, and drop in coverage. Both Aldon Smith and Randy Gregory are applying for reinstatement, but shouldn’t be relied on as future starters. If Smith and Gregory do end up panning out, then Cowboys have exciting depth at the edge position.

18. Miami Dolphins

Pick: Josh Jones, OT, Houston

New coaching staff in Miami prides themselves on the ability to teach and develop players. With Jones, the Dolphins are getting a raw offensive tackle with plenty of upside. Consider this first round a success for the Dolphins walking out with their quarterback of the future and a bookend tackle. I consider drafting Jones this early a little bit of a reach, but must be done with the uncertainty he would be available when the Dolphins use their third first round pick at 26.

20. Jacksonville Jaguars

Pick: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama

Xavier McKinney stepped up to the challenge of being the leader and field general of the Alabama defense after 2021 NFL Draft prospect Dylan Moses tore his ACL prior to the 2019 season. McKinney does not fit the Earl Thomas mold of playing single high safety, but is versatile to move in other defensive positions while bringing sure tackling. The Jaguars can revamp their defense and team with the capital they have in 2020 and 2021.

21. Philadelphia Eagles

Pick: Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor

Carson Wentz finally gets an athletic and talented wide receiver to play with him. From the looks of it Alshon may not be on the Eagles in 2020 plus has his chemistry issues with Wentz. Mims brings deep speed ability demonstrated by running sub 4.4 at the NFL Combine. He has the ability to slide into a primary wide receiver role as Wentz has a nice wide receiver option to go with his two tight ends.

22. Minnesota Vikings

Pick: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU

Vikings lost Stefon Diggs this offseason, but received a pretty nice haul in return from the Buffalo Bills. In doing so they opened up a need at the wide receiver position and to fill that need we add Justin Jefferson. Jefferson put worries to rest about his long speed, as he ran in the 4.4’s at the NFL Combine. He is a great route runner similar to Diggs and will do great on timing routes with Kirk Cousins.

23. New England Patriots

Pick: Cesar Ruiz, C, Michigan

Instead of losing Joe Thuney in free agency, the Patriots applied the Franchise Tag in order to have the opportunity to either negotiate a long term agreement or sell him to the highest bidder. Nevertheless, the Patriots go into 2020 with 3 question marks in the middle of their offensive line as Joe Thuney could be a trade piece, David Andrews has health concerns, and Shaq Mason had a down season. Cesar Ruiz can bolster the unit up front and play any of the 3 interior offensive line positions.

24. New Orleans Saints

Pick: Patrick Queen, LB, LSU

The Saints have the luxury with coming into the draft with no glaring needs at any position on their roster. With no major needs, they have the luxury to add and keep LSU standout linebacker in the state of Louisiana. They can worry about replacing Drew Brees later as the Saints are in win now mode.

25. Minnesota Vikings

Pick: Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU

Vikings go to Baton Rouge for both of their first round picks. Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, and Mackensie Alexander are all gone after leaving the team in free agency. Currently the Vikings have Mike Hughes and a whole lot of question marks for their corners. Fulton is a bit of a different mold than most Mike Zimmer corners but perhaps a change of philosophy is in order. Fulton brings more fluidity and looser hips and can man one of the boundary corner spots as he excels in press man but can also play off man and zone.

26. Miami Dolphins

Pick: Grant Delpit, S, LSU

If Flores buys into the fact the tackling issues were created by injuries Delpit was suffering from in the 2019 season, then this can turn out to be a homerun pick as the last missing piece for the Dolphins secondary. Delpit brings range and the ability to play single high safety allowing Flores the ability to manufacture pressure by blitzing. Bobby McCain can slide back into a more natural position as the nickel corner and line Byron Jones and Xavien Howard on the outside. This secondary could end up haunting opposing quarterbacks.

27. Seattle Seahawks

Pick: Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State

This pick comes contingent with the looming loss of Jadeveon Clowney on the team. Gross-Matos flashed special plays all throughout his junior season at Penn State and brings a nice mold into Seattle. He looks to play well versus the run as he has vines for arms and will continue to grow and develop his pass rushing prowess.

32. Kansas City Chiefs

Pick: Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State

Arnette provides the Chiefs with a cornerback that is a day one starter. While Arnette is an immediate starter, there are questions how high his ceiling is. Regardless, the Chiefs are in win-now mode for more championships and aren’t looking for a prospect to nurture.

Round 2