Mock Draft 1.0: Burrow a no-brainer pick for the Bengals
Performances at the NFL combine could shake up first round.
The NFL combine is less than two weeks away, and te ams already are preparing for the
April draft.
All eyes are on the Cincinnati Bengals to start, as they hold the No. 1 overall pick after a 2-14 finish in coach Zac Taylor’s first season. LSU quarterback Joe Burrow and Ohio State defensive end Chase Young seem to be locks as the first two players taken off the board, but here’s a look at how the full first round could play out.
This mock draft will be updated after the combine and adjusted as team’s needs shift through free agency.
Below is Mock Draft 1.0:
1. Bengals — Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
At this point, Burrow has been
hyped up so much it seems fans might riot if the Bengals don’t take the record-setting Heisman Trophy winner as the successor to Andy Dalton.
2. Redskins: Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
The Redskins are in need of a defensive playmaker and Young, who hails from the area, should make an immediate impact.
3. Lions: Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Assuming Matthew Stafford doesn’t get traded as rumored, the Lions will be looking to address a horrendous defense first, and Okudah brings immense upside with his size, strength and speed.
4. Giants: Jedrick Willis, OT, Alabama
The Giants likely will be focusing on the edges, either offensively or defensively, but protecting 2019 first-round pick Daniel Jones should be the priority. Willis is a quick and athletic tackle.
5. Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
Miami might need to trade up to secure Tagvailoa, but they have two other firstround picks to barter with or to fill other needs.
6. Chargers: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Philip Rivers’ time with the Chargers has come to an end, and finding his longterm successor is the first priority. Herbert’s big arm and high football IQ make him a good fit for the job.
7. Panthers: Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
If Cam Newton gets traded, needs change, but Simmons is an athletic freak who could fill retired Luke Kuechly’s shoes.
8. Cardinals: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Kyler Murray had no chance against good pass rushers last year, but the offensive line has needed upgrades for a while. Thomas is a solid start.
9. Jaguars: Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
Jacksonville needs a frontseven playmaker, and Brown would be a steal here as the top interior lineman in the draft. He’s got great size (6-foot-5, 316 pounds) and a run-stopping prowess.
10. Browns: Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
Becton is the best option if the Browns want to give Baker Mayfield better protection. At 6-foot-7, 340 pounds, he’s massive, but still athletic and flexible enough to keep pass rushers off his quarterback.
11. Jets: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
The Jets might also go for a receiver here, but what good is that if they can’t keep Sam Darnold upright? Wirfs brings good athleticism for a 320-pound tackle.
12. Raiders: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Las Vegas’ new team needs a new No. 1 receiver, and Jeudy is a solid route runner with after-the-catch ability.
13. Colts: Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
If the Colts don’t get a quarterback through free agency or trade, Jordan Love might be an option here, but Kinlaw might be too tough to pass up at this spot.
14. Buccaneers: A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa
Tampa has pending free agent edge rushers Shaquil Barrett and Jason PierrePaul, but Epenesa was consistent against the run and pass and would be a solid replacement for either one.
15. Broncos: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
There could be big needs on defense, but John Elway also will be looking to get some help for second-year quarterback Drew Lock and Lamb would be a good No. 2 to Courtland Sutton.
16. Falcons: K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
A long, athletic edge player, Chaisson has potential to bolster a defense that has needed some help in the trenches through backto-back sub-.500 seasons.
17. Cowboys: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
Dallas might end up needing defensive linemen more, but after failing to land Earl Thomas last season, they still need an upgrade at safety and McKinney is the best on the board.
18. Dolphins (via Steelers): Josh Jones, OL, Houston
Miami is going to need some protection for its new quarterback, and Jones is a high-upside tackle who makes for a sensible pick.
19. Raiders (via Bears): Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
The Raiders acquired this pick in the Khalik Mack trade, and it’s a chance to secure the help they need at the cornerback spot. Diggs is a big corner with great ball skills.
20. Jaguars (via Rams): C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
Jacksonville collected this pick in the Jalen Ramsey trade and now they use it to get a new corner. Henderson (6-foot-1) has the best man coverage skillset of any corner in the class besides Okudah, according to PFF.com.
21. Eagles: Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
Philadelphia needs more speed in the receiving corps and Ruggs is the fastest one in the draft. He averaged 9.0 yards after the catch for his career.
22. Bills: Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
Josh Allen needs more receiving options, and he could benefit from a guy like Higgins — a big outside target who can come down with passes that aren’t necessarily right on the money.
23. Patriots: Grant Delpit, S, LSU
New England will need a replacement for Tom Brady at some point, but can fill another need at better value with Delpit. He struggled a bit in 2019 but still has exceptional talent.
24. Saints: Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
New Orleans needs a compliment Michael Thomas, and Shenault shows a ton of potential.
25. Vikings: Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
Minnesota will have some rebuilding to do in the secondary, and Fulton is smooth in coverage, displays good football IQ and doesn’t shy away from contact.
26. Dolphins (via Texans): D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
Considering Ryan Fitzpatrick
was the team’s leading rusher last year with just 243 yards, this explosive back looks like a solid choice late with a late-round pick.
27. Seahawks: Austin Jackson, OT, USC
Seattle could have a lot of holes to fill on the other side of the line, too, but perhaps this is the year the Seahawks work to give Russell Wilson better protection. Jackson has quick feet and terrific agility.
28. Ravens: Zack Baun, LB, Wisconsin
The Ravens blitzed more than any other team in the league last year, and according to PFF.com, there’s no better blitzing linebacker in this draft than Baun.
29. Titans: Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
Cameron Wake was signed as a short-term stop gap on the edge, but Gross-Matos could be a long-term solution. He’s a prototypical defensive end in size (6-5, 264 pounds) and length.
30. Packers: Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
Aaron Rodgers still needs more weapons to target, and Aiyuk is an intriguing downfield option. He was considered the “yards after catch king” of college football.
31. 49ers: Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn
The most obvious need for San Francisco is the secondary with several DBs at or nearing the end of their contracts. Igbinoghene offers outstanding athletic ability and physicality.
32. Chiefs: Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
The linebacker spot has been an area of weakness, and the Chiefs’ chances of repeating as Super Bowl champions could be helped by addressing that. Murray is an instinctive player who covers a lot of ground.