QBs on virtual center stage as Bengals land their champ
In this most unique of drafts, filled with technological concerns and even uncertainty when real football might return, there was one constant Thursday night: Joe Burrow.
For months, the national champion quarterback from LSU was linked with the Bengals. Cincinnati began the draft by sending the name of the Heisman Trophy winner to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in the basement of his home.
This digital/remote/virtual draft — take your choice — was up and running.
No fireworks on the Las Vegas Strip. No bear hug between Goodell and Burrow; the commissioner said he would miss those, even if his body wouldn’t. The most basic of selection meetings, organized in this manner duetothecoronaviruspandemic,has team personnel making picks from their homes. And players learning their future employers in their homes.
The NFL canceled all draft activities in Las Vegas when the national shutdown of large gatherings began.
“I do believe this draft is going to be the most memorable we have ever had,” said Goodell, noting that it is accompanied by a “Draft-A-Thon” to benefit six organizations on the front lines battling the pandemic.
“I just believe that our job is to continue on and operate within whatever guidelines are necessary to keep our personnel safe, whether it’s playersorcoachesortheirexecutives or league personnel. We need to make sure that we’re doing things safely and put public safety No. 1, but we also need to carry on. We need to move toward the future. We need to
make sure that we’re prepared when we come out of this to be in a position to start our season on time and play our season.”
First came Burrow: In his spectacular senior season, he threw for 60 touchdowns with only six interceptions. The Tigers beat six top-10 teams on their way to the national title.
“To jump up to No.1overall is crazy to me,” Burrow said. “But it’s a dream come true. I wasn’t very good my junior year. I worked really hard to get better, my guys worked really hard to get better, and we jelled as a team.”
Bengals coach Zac Taylor was confident Burrow could turn the franchise around after a 2-14 season.
“We will never pick at No. 1 again,” Taylor said. “We don’t want to pick in the top 10 again.”
The second overall selection, Ohio State All-America edge rusher Chase Young heading to the Redskins, also was predictable.
The No. 4 pick went to the New York Giants, who selected Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas. His high school head coach at Pace Academy in Atlanta was Chris Slade, a former Tabb High and Virginia linebacker who played in the NFL with New England and Carolina.
In the NFL’s obsession with finding the latest, greatest quarterback prospect, three passers were taken among the first six picks.
Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa went fifth to Miami, followed in the next spot by Oregon’s Justin Herbert at No. 6 to the Los Angeles Chargers. They were preceded by Ohio State’s Jeff Okudah, the highest-rated cornerback, at No. 3 to Detroit, and Thomas.
Tagovailoa’s health issues didn’t turn off the Dolphins.
The Alabama quarterback went to a team that was accused going into last season of “Tanking for Tua.” Tagovailoa comes off major hip surgery, which made his landing spot one of the first round’s biggest uncertainties.
Blessed with a quick release, excellent mid-range accuracy and nimble feet, Tagovailoa threw 76 touchdown passes in 24 starts the past two seasons. He helped the Crimson Tide to the 2017 national title.
Herbert had a strong postseason, including a terrific Senior Bowl week that raised his stock. At 6-foot-6, 236 pounds, he has the size the pros like, but he is not as accurate passing as he’ll need to be.
Herbert could compete with and/or learn from Hampton High and Virginia Tech product Tyrod Taylor, who will be entering his second year with the Chargers. In 2019, Taylor backed up long-time Chargers starter Philip Rivers, who signed with the Indianapolis Colts after the season.
The Arizona Cardinals chose Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons with the eighth overall pick, grabbing maybe the most versatile defensive player available.
Simmons was the Butkus Award winner as the nation’s top linebacker last year, but he was used in numerous positions for the Tigers. He lined up at safety, slot corner and edge rusher at times. He has defensive back speed at 6-foot-4, 238 pounds.
The Carolina Panthers selected Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown seventh overall. Brown returned for his senior year and was a finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award (top defensive player) and Outland Trophy (best lineman). He was considered the clear top interior defensive lineman available.
At No. 9, Florida cornerback C.J. Henderson went to Jacksonville. The Jaguars are seeking a solid coverage guy after trading Jalen Ramsey to the Rams last year. Henderson has good size at 6-foot-1, 204 pounds, and is quick.
After signing right tackle Jack Conklin as a free agent, the Cleveland Browns added a bookend in the draft with Alabama’s Jedrick Wills at No. 10. Wills allowed one sack in 39 college games, playing exclusively at right tackle.
At No. 11, the New York Jets picked Louisville tackle Mekhi Becton, a 6-7, 365pounder from Richmondarea Highland Springs High who ran the 40-yard dash at 5.1 seconds at the combine, a top-notch time for his size. He was chosen by a group including Jets general manager Joe Douglas, who graduated from Lee-Davis, one of Highland Springs’ top rivals.
Becton, who has a 7-foot wingspan, will be tasked with protecting third-year quarterback Sam Darnold.
The first pick in the history of the Las Vegas Raiders, at No. 12, was next and made plenty of sense. Coach Jon Gruden loves speed, and in
Henry Ruggs III of Alabama, he has a burner who finds the end zone.
Ruggs, who has run a 4.27second 40-yard dash, had 24 touchdown receptions among his 98 career catches for the Crimson Tide.
In a deal with San Francisco, Tampa Bay moved up to No. 13 to give new quarterback Tom Brady some protection. The Buccaneers selected Iowa tackle Tristan Wirfs.
At No. 14, the 49ers grabbed South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw. At No. 15, Denver chose Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy.