2020 NFL Draft: First-Round 2020 NFL mock draft pre-free agency
By Ian Higgins
Pick Analysis. QB. Joe Burrow. 1. 56. Scouting Report. LSU. player
2019 Starter: Andy Dalton
After winning a national championship at LSU and coming from the depths of college quarterbacks to become a Heisman winner, Joe Burrow is a lock for the number one overall selection. Cincinnati’s last number one overall selection was Carson Palmer in 2003, who put together a great career and did not disappoint during his time with his draft team.
Burrow has a chance to turn the franchise around within his rookie contract, utilizing running back Joe Mixon and franchise-tagged receiver A.J. Green. Coaching has been an issue in Cincinnatti for too long, but if Burrow can help implement a system that helps himself, Cincinnatti could be back to the postseason within the next three years.
Scouting Report. EDGE. Ohio St. 2. 58. Pick Analysis. Chase Young. player
2019 Starters: Ryan Kerrigan, Montez Sweat
The number one player in the draft on big boards across the internet, Chase Young has displayed a combination of size, speed, power and technique that should make him a perennial All-Pro. Plenty of rumors have been made about Washington searching for a new quarterback, but there is no reason to pass on a prospect like Young when former rookie Dwayne Haskins hasn’t been given the time to prove himself as a starting NFL quarterback.
Washington has been hungry for star-power in recent years and has continued to waste that talent with poor coaching and management. New head coach Ron Rivera should change that culture, and bringing in a defensive stud such as Young would make Rivera’s job much easier.
Clemson. Isaiah Simmons. 3. player. 50. LB. Pick Analysis. Scouting Report
2019 Starters: Devon Kennard, Jarrad Davis, Christian Jones
The most versatile player of the 2020 NFL Draft class, Isaiah Simmons soared up the draft board after his combine performance. Posting a 4.39 forty and 39-inch vertical at 6-foot 4, 238 pounds, Simmons is an athletic freak who can be a focal point of a defense. With the likely departure of star cornerback Darius Slay and a weak linebacking group, Simmons could slide into Detroit’s defense as a hybrid playmaker who changes the identity of Matt Patricia’s unit.
Louisville. Mekhi Becton. 4. player. OT. Pick Analysis. 31. Scouting Report
2019 Starters: Nate Solder, Mike Remmers
After spending an absurd amount of now wasted money on left tackle Nate Solder, New York needs to find a new piece on the edge to protect their future signal-caller in Daniel Jones. At 6-foot 7, 364 pounds, Becton had one of the best pound-for-pound combines of any player running a 5.1 forty and 23 reps on the bench press.
With this, Becton also showed agile feet and room for growth with his length and explosiveness. Dave Gettleman has been known for being attracted to the big-body prospects of the draft, and Becton fits well at the four-spot for New York.
Scouting Report. QB. Alabama. 5. 59. Pick Analysis. Tua Tagovailoa. player
2019 Starter: Ryan Fitzpatrick
Still holding injury concerns surrounding his hip and other issues posed during his collegiate career, Tua Tagovailoa is generally considered the number two quarterback of the 2020 NFL Draft behind LSU’s Joe Burrow.
Even though Justin Herbert (who I personally think is a better prospect) put up impressive numbers and tape at the combine, Tagovailoa is considered the safer pick for future value as long as his medicals hold up leading into the draft.