2020 NFL Draft: Grading each draft pick made by the Cincinnati Bengals

Grade: A-

The Bengals land their franchise quarterback with the first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, selecting LSU star Joe Burrow. This pick came as no surprise for the Bengals as they are looking to move forward from veteran quarterback Andy Dalton.

Burrow lead a fantastic 2019 season for the LSU Tigers with 5,671 yards, 60 touchdowns, six interceptions and a completion percentage of 76.3%. Burrow was fantastic in 2019, but it is certainly fair to wonder why he was such a mediocre quarterback in the three years prior.

He has all the traits of a franchise quarterback that made him a number one selection like throw power, accuracy, and pocket presence. He is not the most mobile of the quarterbacks in the 2020 NFL Draft class but he does not have to be with all the other traits he possesses.

I believe he is an instant upgrade over veteran Dalton, who has failed to win a playoff game in nine seasons as the starting quarterback and has not even made the playoffs the last four seasons.

In fact, during the 2019 season, he was benched in favor of fourth-round rookie Ryan Finley who was not much better and the team turned back to Dalton. Dalton can still be a solid backup if they decide to keep him on the roster or they could look to trade him for a mid-round draft pick.

Drafting Burrow at No. 1 gives the team their only first-round quarterback since Carson Palmer. Burrow should be able to lead this team to the playoffs once again and give Bengals fans hope in 2020 and beyond.