2020 NFL Draft: Cincinnati Bengals mock draft building around Joe Burrow

I have had Justin Jefferson go in the first round of a recent mock draft, and it wasn’t just for show. I really think this guy brings a lot to the table as a receiver and we’ve seen what kind of playmaker he is with strong quarterback play from Joe Burrow this season.

Although I’m using a third-party board for this mock draft and Jefferson is available with this selection, it wouldn’t surprise me if he prices himself well out of this range by the time the 2020 NFL Draft actually rolls around.

I love Jefferson’s control over his 6-foot-3 frame and I think he does a good job of playing at a variety of speeds. Obviously, at 6-foot-3 he’s got a fantastic catch radius and he’s done a great job this season of making clutch plays for the Tigers.

He does a good job of sitting in zone coverages and making plays after the catch. Perhaps most importantly for the purposes of this exercise, he has a rapport already with Joe Burrow and has proven to be one of Burrow’s most trusted targets in 2019.

Jefferson can make plays after the catch, he’s big enough to be a red zone weapon, and he would give Burrow someone he’s familiar with as he transitions to the NFL game.