1.Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow, quarterback (LSU):
Unless an Eli Manning-esque situation materializes out of nowhere, this pick is essentially a lock at this point. Andy Dalton has finally reached the end of his rope in Cincinnati and despite his limited starting experience in college, Burrow is one of the most intriguing QB prospects to emerge in recent years.
2.Washington Redskins: Chase Young, edge rusher (Ohio State):
While cornerback is arguably a bigger need for the 'Skins at this point after they cut Josh Norman and traded Quinton Dunbar to Seattle this offseason, new HC Ron Rivera came up as a defensive line/linebackers coach and he's not likely to pass up the chance to work with a guy that's being nearly universally touted as a potential generational pass-rusher.
3.Detroit Lions: Jeffrey Okudah, cornerback (Ohio State):
No team picking in the top 10 is more desperate to win now than the Lions as Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn are strong contenders to get axed if they put together another sorry campaign. Word is they've been looking to trade down so they can stockpile picks and "increase" their odds of getting a good haul in a draft that's considered to be deep at many key positions (wide receiver, tackle, running back, cornerback, safety). Regardless of where they select, Okudah seems like their top target in the 1st round. Longtime top dog Darius Slay just got shipped off to the Eagles last month and Okudah has the type of well-rounded skill set (ball skills, discipline, fluid footwork, ability to shadow receivers, sure tackling) to come in and fill that currently vacant #1 corner role right away.
4.New York Giants: Mekhi Becton, tackle (Louisville):
This year's logjam at the top of the tackle class is difficult to figure out. Seemingly every mock has Becton, Andrew Thomas, Jedrick Wills Jr and Tristian Wirfs going in a different order and there's no indication from league sources as to who the needy teams are favoring. To try and crack this code I asked myself a simple question: Which one of these guys is the most likely to wow the singularly brilliant football mind of Dave Gettleman? Becton is the easy answer. The thought of bringing in a tackle with imposing size (6'7, 364 lbs), dazzling athleticism (he ran an absurd 5.1 40 at the Combine) and absolutely no polish to speak of has to be what's getting Gettleman through these trying times.
5.Miami Dolphins: Justin Herbert, quarterback (Oregon):
The Herbert to the Dolphins talk that has heated up significantly in the past 10 days could very well be an elaborate, alarmist smokescreen designed to drum up manufactured panic over Tua Tagovaiola's health-related red flags. That being sad, it's not even remotely inconceivable that Herbert's clean medical record could give him the edge over Tua in a year where teams weren't able to conduct their traditional pre-draft check-ups. Since this move could have a monumental impact on the trajectory of this rebuilding franchise, the Dolphins better hope that offensive coordinator Chan Gailey can clean up Herbert's mechanics and generally erratic level of play.
6.Los Angeles Chargers: Tua Tagovaiola, quarterback (Alabama):
No amount of question marks over Tua's health should force him to slide significantly down the board. His skill set is too refined (his combo of accuracy, arm strength, decisionmaking and mobility is reminiscent of last year's top overall pick Kyler Murray) and the big game experience he picked up at 'Bama is too valuable for some team to not justify taking a swing on him in the top 10. Plus the Chargers have the luxury of having a veteran QB with ample starting experience (46 games) in Tyrod Taylor on their roster that would allow them to ease Tua into the system if they feel his hip isn't 100% by the start of the season (if there is one).
7.Carolina Panthers: Isaiah Simmons, inside linebacker (Clemson):
Stepping into a role vacated by a future Hall of Famer in Luke Kuechly is a mighty imposing task for a young player, but Simmons is as qualified as anyone to do it. If the blistering field-covering speed, sharp instincts and willingness to handle any assignment he's asked to take on over the course of a game he displayed at Clemson translates to the NFL, Simmons could very well end up joining Kuechly in Canton someday.
8.Arizona Cardinals: Jedrick Wills Jr., tackle (Alabama):
Bringing in shiny toys like Kyler Murray, DeAndre Hopkins and Kenyan Drake for perceived offensive guru Kliff Kingsbury to play with doesn't make any sense if you don't do anything to protect your investment. A nasty, technically-sound tackle like Wills Jr. could be the first step in a long-needed overhaul for a putrid Cardinals o-line that's going need to dramatically improve if the Cardinals want to blossom into an elite offense.
9.Jacksonville Jaguars: Derrick Brown, defensive tackle (Auburn):
While he definitely needs to work on his technique before he can consistently contribute as a pass-rusher, Brown is a powerful, space-eating interior defensive lineman that should immediately improve a group that finished 28th against the run in 2019.
10.Cleveland Browns: Tristian Wirfs, tackle (Iowa):
Even after inking Jack Conklin to a huge deal in free agency, the Browns still need to do more to ensure Baker Mayfield doesn't get murdered like he did a year ago. Wirfs may be the most pro-ready tackle in this class-registering numerous starts on both sides of the line over his 3 years at Iowa and should serve as an immediate upgrade from human turnstile /marijuana transportation enthusiast Greg Robinson at left tackle.
11.New York Jets: CeeDee Lamb, wide receiver (Oklahoma):
The direction of this pick really comes down to whether or not the Jets front office believe their mostly economical free agent additions (Connor McGovern, Greg Van Roten, George Fant) will be enough to patch up an offensive line that has been absolutely wretched over the past 2 seasons. Evaluating Sam Darnold's ability to be a franchise quarterback is impossible when he's frequently put in a position where it's impossible to make plays. Right now, I'm leaning towards the belief that they're confident enough in the group they've assembled upfront to focus on their second most pressing need with this pick: weapons for Darnold to throw to. Lamb has the separation/YAC ability that pass-happy NFL offenses covet and has a track record of making plays all over the field, which would make him an ideal complement on paper to slot possession receiver Jamison Crowder and newly-signed deep threat Breshad Perriman.
12.Las Vegas Raiders: Jerry Jeudy, wide receiver (Alabama):
Jon Gruden ran a mighty conservative offense last year in part due to a complete lack of receivers who could take the top off of a defense. Adding Jeudy to the mix could allow him to open things up more. Jeudy is quick enough to embarrass defenders downfield yet slippery and polished enough as a route-runner to also make plays in the short-to-intermediate game.
13.San Francisco 49ers: Javon Kinlaw, defensive tackle (South Carolina):
The Broncos are reportedly hot to trade up for a receiver and with 2 picks in the 1st round and a pretty talented roster overall, the 49ers would be a very logical trade partner. If they do move down, Kinlaw should still be available and would make for a very intriguing replacement for DeForest Buckner. A freakishly strong defensive lineman with a relentless motor that's known for his ability to get after the quarterback could be downright horrifying playing next to Nick Bosa, Dee Ford and Arik Armstead.
14.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Andrew Thomas, tackle (Georgia):
Trotting out 43-year old Tom Brady under center without even attempting to improve your sorry offensive line would be flat-out negligent on the Bucs part. Fortunately for Tom ("Insert whatever bad Tampa-related pun nickname that he gets a copyright for") Brady, Bruce Arians and Jason Licht invested too much to piss him off right away. Thomas may not have the athleticism of the tackles taken before him, but his versatility, pass protection prowess and strong track record against top SEC competition makes him arguably the highest floor option in this class.
15.Denver Broncos: Henry Ruggs III, wide receiver (Alabama):
There's a desperate need for the Broncos to go out and add another receiver to put alongside Courtland Sutton, who is coming off an excellent sophomore campaign, ahead of Drew Lock's inaugural season as a full-time starter. As a downfield burner with surprisingly sure hands and a wide enough route tree to be deployed in other passing situations, Ruggs III would fit that role perfectly. Pairing Sutton with another scary vertical threat in an offense run by a gunslinger QB could make the Broncos passing attack an absolute nightmare to contain.
16.Atlanta Falcons: C.J. Henderson, cornerback (Florida):
A drastic, sudden defensive improvement is really the only chance Dan Quinn has of surviving another season in Atlanta. Considering their dire situation at corner (lone returning starter Isaiah Oliver struggled mightily in 2019) and his strong man-to-man cover skills, Henderson could be a nice addition that aides in these last ditch efforts to save Quinn's job.
17.Dallas Cowboys: Xavier McKinney, safety (Alabama):
Edge rusher is a popular projection here, but with the losses of Byron Jones and Jeff Heath in free agency, secondary help seems like a more pressing need. McKinney is a fearless, aggressive safety with a nose for sniffing out the ball that could be the heat seeking-missile style of player that the Cowboys need to get their edge back defensively after a middling 2019.
18.Miami Dolphins: Josh Jones, tackle (Houston):
As comical as it would be to wait until #26 to draft a tackle with the pick they got in exchange for Laremy Tunsil last fall, the chance to dunk on Bill O'Brien yet again isn't worth losing out on a chance to draft the last "safe" option to protect the blindside of your newest potential franchise quarterback. If you take the word of the analytics people over at Pro Football Focus seriously, Jones is a disciplined, well-rounded powerhouse whose ceiling is pretty comparable to the more celebrated prospects from bigger D1 schools that went in the top 10. If that assessment ends up being accurate, Jones would be in prime position to be the steal of the 1st round.
19.Las Vegas Raiders: Jaylon Johnson, cornerback (Utah):
Nearly every move Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock have made over the past 2 seasons indicates their intention to turn the Raiders into the type of throwback hard-nosed football team that seldom exists in the modern NFL. With his length, speed and fearless, physical style of play, Jaylon Johnson is the poster child for the type of player they want on their roster while also filling a huge need for a team that was abysmal against the pass last season (31st in the league).
20.Jacksonville Jaguars: Kristian Fulton, cornerback (LSU):
A longtime strength for the Jags has completely disappeared with both Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye being traded in the last six months. Boasting a winning combination of ball skills (20 passes defensed and a staggering 30.5% forced incompletion rate in his final 22 games at LSU), instincts and ability to firmly stick to his man in coverage, Fulton's resume is arguably stronger than any corner in this class outside of Jeffrey Okudah. If the Jags are willing to look past the failed drug test (for weed) that kept him off the field for a year and a half, he'd be a high-upside addition to this rebuilding defense.
21.Philadelphia Eagles: Justin Jefferson, wide receiver (LSU):
If you watched an Eagles game at just about any juncture last season, it was abundantly obvious that their wide receivers were a major liability. It got to the point where they were failing to get open or dropping passes so regularly that a single catch felt like a triumph. Even if top returning receivers Alshon Jeffrey and Desean Jackson-who appeared in a combined total of 13 games in 2019-come back fully healthy (which isn't likely), this is a position they desperately need to upgrade in the draft. With his willingness to line up anywhere he's asked and level of leaping ability/body control that allows him to bring down 50/50 balls, Jefferson is a seemingly ideal schematic fit for Doug Pederson's intricate, inventive offense.
22.Minnesota Vikings: Tee Higgins, wide receiver (Clemson):
Receiver depth was an issue for the Vikings even before Stefon Diggs finally had his longtime trade wish fulfilled last month. Olabisi Johnson and Laquon Treadwell-who is also no longer with the team- didn't exactly light things up when they were forced into more significant roles during Adam Thielen's absence last season. The 6'3 Higgins would allow Thielen to continue operate in his comfort zone in the slot and potentially give Kirk Cousins another imposing, sure-handed player that can cause serious matchup problems.
23.New England Patriots: A.J. Epenesa, edge rusher (Iowa):
Zack Baun remains a distinct possibility here if the Patriots actually stick and pick since he has the versatility to lineup at every linebacker spot, which could make him very appealing for a team that could have up to 3 new starters on the back end of their front 7 after losing Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins and Elandon Roberts in free agency. However, Epenesa is such a Belichick guy that I don't think he'll be able to pass him up. Epenesa is a completely unflashy, throwback edge player that wouldn't have looked out of place on the '80s Giants defenses Belichick coordinated that beats you with pure power and hand fighting prowess opposed to explosiveness. He was incredibly productive under Belichick protégé Kirk Ferentz at Iowa (22 sacks during his 2 seasons as a starter), so there's no reason to believe he couldn't eat in New England too.
24.New Orleans Saints: Patrick Queen, inside linebacker (LSU):
Not only would Saints fans rejoice if a prominent LSU product joined the team, adding another sure-tackling, field-spanning presence to the middle of their steadily improving defense would be a very wise move for Mickey Loomis and co. to make.
25.Minnesota Vikings: A.J. Terrell, cornerback (Clemson):
The Vikings wisely decided to overhaul their poor corner group by cutting ex-lockdown threat Xavier Rhodes and letting the erratic Trae Waynes walk in free agency. While they're likely to struggle at corner again in 2020, adding a corner with Terrell's nimble footwork and experience in handling a variety of different coverages could get them a step closer to regaining respectability.
26.Miami Dolphins: D'Andre Swift, running back (Georgia):
The carousel of clowns the Dolphins trotted out at running back after dealing Kenyan Drake to the Cardinals in late October was honestly staggering. Sure the poor offensive line didn't help matters, but the comical lack of production Kalen Ballage, Mark Walton and Patrick Laird posted can equally be attributed to their alarming lack of vision, patience, elusiveness, etc. Pairing a slippery dual-threat speedster in Swift with veteran power back Jordan Howard could give the Dolphins a sneaky deadly 1-2 backfield punch that would be capable of erasing the painful memories of last season's anemic rushing attack.
27.Seattle Seahawks: K'Lavon Chaisson, edge rusher (LSU):
John Schneider is one for taking big swings in the draft and with his intriguing raw physical tools (speed, strength, agility, an impressive spin move) and middling production at LSU (9.5 sacks in a little over 2 seasons worth of playing time), Chaisson certainly falls into that camp.
28.Baltimore Ravens: Kenneth Murray, inside linebacker (Oklahoma)
This seems like a no-brainer if Murray is available when the Ravens go on the clock. A stupid fast field general who plays with an inhuman level of ferocity should have ample opportunity to feast in Wink Martindale's blitz-heavy scheme and with Josh Bynes leaving for the Bengals in free agency, the Ravens have a starting inside linebacker spot that's ripe for the taking.
29.Tennessee Titans: Trevon Diggs, cornerback (Alabama)
Having their below average pass defense get exposed by the Chiefs played a key part in the tragic ending of the Titans Cinderella playoff run last season. With Logan Ryan seemingly out of the picture, there's an opening at a corner spot that Diggs seems qualified to fill. Although his aggressive mindset can get him into trouble with blown coverages and PI calls from time to time, his solid ball skills and abundant scrappiness would likely endear him to Mike Vrabel.
30.Green Bay Packers: Laviska Shenault Jr., wide receiver (Colorado)
This would be a ballsy pick since Shenault Jr. has a checkered injury history (he's had labrum, toe and core muscle surgeries over the last 2 years), but boy oh boy does he have a chance to be an electric nightmare of a wideout if he can stay healthy. Aaron Rodgers needs more weapons at his disposal if the Packers want to capitalize on the limited championship window they have remaining with the 2x MVP under center and a shifty, bruising YAC wonder that can be deployed in a number of creative ways (everywhere from the outside receiver spot to the backfield) would be an ideal complement to Davante Adams' elite redzone/contested catch skills.
31.San Francisco 49ers: Jeff Gladney, cornerback (TCU)
The corner play outside of Richard Sherman was one of the few blemishes on last year's terrific 49ers squad. Bringing in a tough, battle-tested corner in Gladney who admirably handled the certified burners that dominate the receiver position in the Big 12 could very well prove to be the remedy for that crippling problem.
32.Kansas City Chiefs: Cesar Ruiz, center/guard (Michigan)
Considering the cap problems they're about to run into once they give Patrick Mahomes his record-breaking extension in the (possibly very) near future, the Chiefs REALLY need to nail this draft to ensure that their roster doesn't fall apart once their franchise QB gets his well-deserved bag. While an interior offensive lineman may not be the sexiest 1st round pick in the world, Ruiz is a sound, high floor player who plays with a palpable edge that should be able to come in and improve an understated weakness for the defending Super Bowl champs right away.
2nd Round:
33.Cincinnati Bengals: Zack Baun, inside/outside linebacker (Wisconsin)
34.Indianapolis Colts: Grant Delpit, safety (LSU)
35.Detroit Lions: Marlon Davidson, edge rusher (Auburn)
36.New York Giants: Jordyn Brooks, inside linebacker (Texas Tech)
37.Los Angeles Chargers: Austin Jackson, tackle (USC)
38.Carolina Panthers: Ashytn Davis, safety (California)
39.Miami Dolphins: Yetur Gross-Matos, edge rusher (Penn State)
40.Houston Texans: Denzel Mims, wide receiver (Baylor)
41.Cleveland Browns: Brandon Aiyuk, wide receiver (Arizona State)
42.Jacksonville Jaguars: Julian Okwara, edge rusher (Notre Dame)
43.Chicago Bears: Antoine Winfield Jr., safety (Minnesota)
44.Indianapolis Colts: Jalen Reagor, wide receiver (TCU)
45.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: J.K. Dobbins, running back (Ohio State)
46.Denver Broncos: Noah Igbinoghene, cornerback (Auburn)
47.Atlanta Falcons: Ross Blacklock, defensive tackle (TCU)
48.New York Jets: Ezra Cleveland, tackle (Boise State)
49.Pittsburgh Steelers: Jordan Love, quarterback (Utah State)
50.Chicago Bears: Netane Muti, guard (Fresno State)
51.Dallas Cowboys: Terrell Lewis, edge rusher (Alabama)
52.Los Angeles Rams: Jonathan Taylor, running back (Wisconsin)
53.Philadelphia Eagles: Kyle Dugger, safety (Lenoir-Rhyne)
54.Buffalo Bills: Isaiah Wilson, tackle (Georgia)
55.Baltimore Ravens: Curtis Weaver, edge rusher (Boise State)
56.Miami Dolphins: Michael Pittman Jr., wide receiver (USC)
57.Los Angeles Rams: Willie Gay Jr., inside linebacker (Mississippi State)
58.Minnesota Vikings: Justin Madubuike, defensive tackle (Texas A&M)
59.Seattle Seahawks: Jeremy Chinn, safety (Southern Illinois)
60.Baltimore Ravens: Jonah Jackson, guard (Ohio State)
61.Tennessee Titans: Neville Gallimore, defensive tackle (Oklahoma)
62.Green Bay Packers: Adam Trautman, tight end (Dayton)
63.Kansas City Chiefs: Bryce Hall, cornerback (Virginia)
64.Seattle Seahawks: Lloyd Cushenberry III, center/guard (LSU)
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