Two-round 2020 NFL mock draft: Where will the top players land?

This is the biggest no brainer in the history of professional sports. Even the Cincinnati Bengals can not mess this selection up. The Bengals are in desperate need of a franchise quarterback and Joe Burrow put up the best performance I have ever seen from a collegiate quarterback.

There will be talk of trading out of this pick to rack up some more draft capital since this is a team with a talent deficiency at nearly every position. In theory, it makes some sense of trading back and taking Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, but his injury history is a big concern.

By no means is Burrow considered a safe pick, though. The polarizing quarterback transferred from Ohio State after the 2018 season. He realized early on that he would not be able to beat out Dwayne Haskins for the Buckeyes starting job. Since Burrow graduated from Ohio State in three years he was able to retain eligibility for the 2018 season instead of sitting out a year.

Burrow went from throwing 16 touchdowns in his first year at LSU to throwing for 60 touchdowns his second and last season. He threw for nearly 3,000 more yards and his completion percentage went up by 20 points. The biggest question is if his 2019 season was just an aberration. Who is the real Joe Burrow? The Cincinnati Bengals will hope that it’s the quarterback that led his team to a National Championship.

He does possess all the tools to be a franchise quarterback and he always did. Maybe it was just about putting it all together. He’s made some pinpoint accurate throws that will leave you speechless. His deep ball accuracy is as impressive as anyone I’ve ever seen at a collegiate level. He oozes confidence but isn’t arrogant. He trusts his teammates and wide receivers and that they’ll be in a position to make a play.

At first glance, you don’t see an athletic player, but Burrow has shown the ability and willingness to extend plays with his legs. You see this kind of play from guys like Deshaun Watson and Pat Mahomes. Quarterbacks that understand when to tuck the ball and run are usually very successful at their jobs. This shows the awareness and pocket presence needed at their position. Burrow ill stick in the pocket to deliver a strong throw despite knowing he’s about to get smacked by a rusher.

Toughness is the biggest attribute for me when watching a quarterback. If he’s afraid to get hit then he’s not cut out to play this game. Cincinnati should already have their minds made up before their first workout and interview with Burrow. He’s their guy and will be the first overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft.