By: Nick Radivoj, TGIS Contributor
Round 1
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.
2. Washington Redskins
Pick: Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
Chase Young is the best defensive if not overall prospect in this entire draft. Coming out of Ohio State, Young is as clean as a prospect as you can get – he can rush the passer, hold the edge against the run, and make plays trailing on the weak side. One of the Redskins stronger positions groups improves with this addition.
3. Detroit Lions
Pick: Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
No more excuses for Matt Patricia as this is a make or break year. Although the Lions lost Darius Slay, they bring in Okudah who brings tremendous ability to play press man. Many say the draft starts with this pick as it is up for sale to the highest bidder between the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers.
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.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars
Pick: Derrick Brown, IDL, Auburn
Jaguars are slowly running out of good players as they said goodbye to 4 key players this season with Ngakoue heading out the door soon. Derrick Brown alleviates that a bit as he is a force up the middle, living in the backfield with tackles for loss.
10. Cleveland Browns
Pick: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
I want to start this off by saying the Browns are a prime trade down candidate in this spot. Coach Kevin Stefanski fills not one, but two offensive tackle spots this offseason as he pairs free agent signing Jack Conklin with Tristan Wirfs. Both tackles are athletic and can climb to the second level which will work wonders as Stefanski tries to implement his outside zone scheme. The additions the Browns have made this offseason look to make for a fun season in Cleveland.
11. New York Jets
Pick: Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
The Jets walk away with this pick with a full smile on their face as they fill the biggest need they have in protecting Sam Darnold. Becton has the highest ceiling out of the OT prospects in this draft but should still make for a good rookie year as his size alone will make it nearly impossible for rushers to get around the edge. Sam Darnold can finally take a deep breath.
12. Las Vegas Raiders
Pick: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Lamb brings his dog mentality as well as his insane YAC and contested catch ability to Las Vegas. Gruden finally gets the number one wide receiver he has been looking for. This addition makes it easier to move Williams back to a more natural Z spot. Suddenly the Raiders offense looks very potent with Lamb tagging along with Hunter Renfrow in the slot, second year running back Josh Jacobs, and break out gadget tight end Darren Waller.
13. San Fransisco 49ers
Pick: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Jerry Jeudy is the most polished route runner in this draft and pairing him with an offensive mind like Kyle Shanahan should make for a fun year. Trading Buckner to acquire the 13th pick gives the 49ers the luxury to be able to add a talent like Jeudy. Jeudy will bring an infusion of talent to a relatively unknown wide receiver room besides Deebo Samuel.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pick: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
The addition of Tom Brady changes everything for the Bucs as they are in win now mode. Andrew Thomas has the capability to play both sides of the line as he was a 3-year starter at Georgia in the SEC playing both right tackle and left tackle. As long as Tom Brady stays away from the proverbial cliff then the Bucs will be a force in the NFC.
15. Denver Broncos
Pick: Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
John Elway finally believes he has answered the QB question with Drew Lock. The addition of Ruggs will help space the field for Sutton and Fant underneath as he brings his 4.27 speed to the Mile-High City. Ruggs is blazing fast, but brings he can also run the full route tree. Drew Lock will have playmakers around him to help him succeed.
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.
19. Las Vegas Raiders
Pick: AJ Terrell, CB, Clemson
Mike Mayock loves shopping at the Clemson store of football players. Terrell brings good press man skills, but more importantly a championship pedigree to Las Vegas. The linebacker need was addressed during free agency leaving secondary as the Raider’s biggest need. Terrell and Mullens are paired up again a few years removed from being teammates in the Clemson secondary.
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.
28. Baltimore Ravens
Pick: Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
Kenneth Murray is not the cleanest linebacker prospect all around as he still has plenty to learn and grow in his coverage skills. He is a sideline to sideline athlete who can make plays all over the field. Defensive Coordinator Wink Martindale will love Murray’s pass rushing skills from the linebacker position as he prefers an aggressive blitzing philosophy.
29. Tennessee Titans
Pick: Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia
Titans need to stick to their identity and what helped them go on their run towards the end of last season. Adding Wilson will help ease the loss of Jack Conklin this offseason in free agency as the Titans look to continue to run behind their offensive line with Derrick Henry. Wilson needs a lot of development, but can mow people over in the run game when asked to do so.
30. Green Bay Packers
Pick: Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
The jump in quarterback play can’t get much better for Reagor as he goes from a stable of quarterbacks at TCU to one of the game’s best throwers. Packers need to provide Aaron Rodgers with some weapons as the game plan isn’t hard to figure out when Devante Adams is his only target. Reagor brings shiftiness and explosion to Green Bay as they go away from their mold of bigger bodied and stiffer wide receivers.
31. San Fransisco 49ers
Pick: Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
49ers fill the question mark of who will play opposite of Richard Sherman. Gladney is not the youngest of prospects as he will be 24 during this upcoming season, but provides coverage ability and willingness to tackle in the run game. 49ers should be high on the fact Sherman can take Gladney under his wing and help him prosper into his eventual heir in San Francisco.
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
Thank God It's Saturday 