Justin Herbert, No. 6 to Los Angeles Chargers |
Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
People are going to find ways to nitpick Joe Burrow over the next couple months, but this is the best quarterback in this Draft. His arm talent doesn't necessarily wow you, but he makes up for it with his poise, pocket presence and astounding accuracy. He's the right answer at the top spot for a rebuilding Cincinnati team.
2. Washington Redskins
Chase Young, DE, Ohio State
Rumors out of the Combine this week are that Washington is considering drafting a quarterback at the No. 2 spot, but will they give up that quickly on Dwayne Haskins? If they want to make the correct decision they shouldn't think too hard about this one. Grab the best player in this Draft, a guy who can lead the defense for years to come.
3. Detroit Lions
Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State
I'd be shocked if Detroit doesn't end up trading this pick away to a team looking to land Tua Tagovailoa, but I never do trades in my mocks. In that case, I leave Detroit here and have them fixing one of their greatest concerns: cornerback. Jeffrey Okudah seems like the best defensive back in this Draft, and I thought he should've won the Jim Thorpe Award this season.
4. New York Giants
Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
Mekhi Becton was one of a number of offensive linemen that helped themselves at the Combine, posting impressive measurements and displaying elite athleticism. New York desperately needs to upgrade their O-Line, and I'd be surprised if they didn't use a high selection on the position group.
5. Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
We'll see if Tua lasts this long, as there is a great chance somebody trades up to land the Alabama signal-caller. Miami is infatuated with Tagovailoa, and even though he has serious health questions, you can appreciate his talent. The Dolphins began this "tanking" process with the sole reason of landing him, so we will see if it ends up working out in their favor.
6. Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Phillip Rivers' time with the Chargers has officially come to its conclusion, and it's time for a new quarterback to take control. Could Los Angeles trade up for Tua? It seems like a possibility, but if they hold firm at six, I think it is going to be Justin Herbert. He looked great at the Combine, and is a proven winner.
7. Carolina Panthers
Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
I think there is a case to be made that Isaiah Simmons is the best player in this Draft with his impressive versatility. He should have a chance to go in the Top 5, but team needs could force him farther down the board. Carolina seems like a good bet, they desperately want to replace Luke Kuechly after his surprise retirement.
8. Arizona Cardinals
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Kyler Murray might have won Offensive Rookie of the Year, but Arizona still needs to improve their weapons around him. CeeDee Lamb makes so much sense here; he was one of Murray's go-to guys at Oklahoma and is the deep threat this offense lacked at times this year. We will see if it is him or Jerry Jeudy becoming the top wide out off the board.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars
Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
Jacksonville's defense was a mess throughout 2019, and their pass rush was a major part of the problem. They really need to upgrade the interior of the defensive line, and Derrick Brown is the top option available at this spot. He seemed to help himself out at the Combine, likely cementing his status as a Top 10 selection.
10. Cleveland Browns
Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
This looks like a very strong offensive line class, and there are a few teams in the mid-first round looking to upgrade the O-Line. Cleveland is one of them, as they need to improve the tackle spots in order to keep Baker Mayfield upright. Wills could be the top O-Linemen off the board, as he was a monster in his time in Tuscaloosca.
11. New York Jets
Tristian Wirfs, OT, Iowa
Another guy that helped himself out at the Combine was Tristian Wirfs, who became the all-time leader for the vertical and broad jump. It could possibly vault him into the Top 10, but the Jets would love if he was still available at 11. He is the type of franchise tackle that is crucial to any offense, and he should give Sam Darnold some major help.
12. Las Vegas Raiders
Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
If he does indeed fall to the 12 spot, Jerry Jeudy would be an absolute steal for the new-look Las Vegas Raiders. Mike Mayock and the new front office loves Alabama guys, so it makes a lot of sense for them to roll with Jeudy here, or Henry Ruggs III, another high quality option.
13. Indianapolis Colts
Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina
Indianapolis could also be looking at adding a franchise quarterback with Andrew Luck's surprise retirement, although 13 is an awkward spot for them. I think the more likely scenario is they work on building a defensive line that could use some work. Javon Kinlaw is far from flashy, but he proved his worth in the SEC during his time at South Carolina.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa
It will be interesting to see what Tampa Bay and their front office chooses to do with their offense and quarterback Jameis Winston. No matter what, I think they could look to improve their pass rush, and A.J. Epenesa was a sack machine while at Iowa. He seems like a prospect with a very high floor, making this a value pick in the mid-first.
15. Denver Broncos
Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
Even with Courtland Sutton, it'd be hard to imagine Denver not taking advantage of what could be a historic wide receiver group. Henry Ruggs III got somewhat overshadowed at times by the other talent Alabama has at receiver, but this guy is the real deal. He kept getting better during his time with the Tide, and he is Top 15-worthy.
16. Atlanta Falcons
Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State
Defensive line has been a particular issue for Atlanta for a number of years, and it seems like they will continue to invest Draft picks in it. Yetur Gross-Matos is another guy that I think has a high floor as a prospect, particularly when you consider how productive he was at Penn State.
17. Dallas Cowboys
Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
The safety position has been a problem area for Dallas for some time, and it seems like a fair bet they'll address it this off-season. If they choose to select someone in the first round, it likely comes down to either Xavier McKinney or LSU's Grant Delpit. Delpit's injury concerns are a little bit of a red flag to me, and I think McKinney would have an easier adjustment to this Cowboy defense.
18. Miami Dolphins
Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
With the pick they got from Pittsburgh in the Minkah Fitzpatrick deal, Miami could go nearly anywhere. If Andrew Thomas or another offensive tackle slips, which seems likely, that should be the move. The 'Fins traded Laremy Tunsil for a bounty last year, leaving their O-Line pretty weak, a huge problem if they do indeed add a quarterback.
19. Las Vegas Raiders
Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
This could be a very interesting selection here, because I wouldn't be surprised if the Raiders go with a quarterback. However, the smarter move would be fixing a major hole in their linebacker corps by adding Murray. He was a tackling machine while at Oklahoma and seems to be a surefire first-rounder after the Combine.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Much like both Miami and Las Vegas, Jacksonville will be making their second selection of the first round here. I think they go defense with both picks, and cornerback is a concern for them moving forward. There are a plethora of options available if that is indeed the direction they go, but Trevon Diggs has been moving up draft boards and could be a big get at 20.
21. Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
Philadelphia's receiving group was decimated by injuries in 2019, exposing an obvious lack of depth at the position. With such a strong class of receivers, I think they go wide out in the first round, and they'd love if one of the Alabama guys slid to the later first round. If not, Jalen Reagor is a great consolation prize; he put up huge numbers at TCU despite not having much help at quarterback.
22. Buffalo Bills
Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
This is around the range where we could see a run on receivers. Buffalo needs to surround young QB Josh Allen with better talent, and Tee Higgins fits that mold. He was highly productive while at Clemson and seemed to help himself out at the Combine. If not receiver, O-Line seems like it would make the most sense for the Bills.
23. New England Patriots
Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
I have no clue what is going to happen at quarterback for New England going forward. Is Tom Brady really moving on? Either way, it seems about time the Patriots add a youngster at the position to develop, and Jordan Love should be a first-rounder. I'm hesitant on him after his rocky 2019 while at Utah State, but NFL guys love his mobility and upside.
24. New Orleans Saints
Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
While Michael Thomas is one of the best wide outs in the league, New Orleans sorely lacks much else at the position behind him. I'm not sure if they go with a receiver in the first round, but it would be hard to pass up on a talent like Laviska Shenault. He was tremendous while at Colorado and has the look of an NFL guy; he's well worth the value at 24.
25. Minnesota Vikings
Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
As I've mentioned previously, Xavier Rhodes' sudden decline has certainly changed Minnesota's outlook on defense. They need to add a corner early on in this Draft, and I think Kristian Fulton is a guy Mike Zimmer would work well with. He had a solid Combine and was a four-year contributor while in Baton Rouge.
26. Miami Dolphins
D'Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
Could Miami really go with three offensive players in the first round? I don't think it's unreasonable, especially because there are no clear answers here for the defense. D'Andre Swift looks like he could sneak into the first, and he's the type of explosive runner that could really open things up for this offense. We will see if he can lock down the No. 1 RB spot in what is a pretty strong class.
27. Seattle Seahawks
K'Lavon Chaisson, LB, LSU
Either offensive line or pass rusher is my prediction for Seattle with their first-round selection. K'Lavon Chaisson is a guy that should go much higher than 27, but there are health concerns there, after he missed all of 2018. He's a complete pass rusher off the edge who was a force for this LSU defense this fall.
28. Baltimore Ravens
Terrell Lewis, DE/LB, Alabama
Another team that could use an edge rusher is certainly Baltimore. They could lose a number of pieces on their D-Line this off-season and either way, the pass rush could use some extra help. There are several possible solutions, but I like the fit with Terrell Lewis. He was overshadowed at times by others while at Alabama, but he was crucial to that defense.
29. Tennessee Titans
Zack Baun, LB, Wisconsin
A former quarterback coming into college, Zack Baun became a star while at Wisconsin. He wrapped up 2019 with 19.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks, before further helping himself out with a solid Combine. He looks like a first-rounder to me, and 29 could actually be a little bit low, particularly considering how valuable of a position he plays.
30. Green Bay Packers
Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Green Bay needs another receiver for Aaron Rodgers to work with on the outside. They'd love if Shenault or another one of the top receivers in this class dropped, but Justin Jefferson is no slouch. He's also a great story, coming into college as an overlooked, former two-star recruit. His four touchdown performance against Oklahoma in the CFB Playoff semifinal says it all.
31. San Francisco 49ers
C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
Offensive line? Receiver? Defensive back? I think they're all in play for San Francisco with the second-to-last pick of the first. I think C.J. Henderson would make the most sense if he was still an option. He was a proven shutdown defender playing big-time SEC football, and has elite athleticism for his position.
32. Kansas City Chiefs
A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
Terrell had a nightmare National Championship, as he was decimated by the LSU passing attack and more specifically, Ja'Marr Chase. Don't let that fool you, he's still a fringe first-round prospect who was highly productive in college. The Chiefs seem like they'll be in play for a cornerback here, and this is the time to do so.
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