1. Cincinnati Bengals- Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
I have Tua ranked ahead of Burrow, but make no mistake, these are two elite QB prospects and there is a massive gap after them in this class. You really can’t argue with the season Burrow had in 2019, it was the best a college QB has ever had. The Bengals will be getting first round pick Jonah Williams back on the offensive line, and have a sneaky good supporting cast for Burrow who should be ready to start day one…he is 24 years old after all.
2. Washington Redskins- Chase Young, Edge, Ohio State
The Redskins have been open about their plan to draft Young, who will instantly become one of the most intimidating pass rushers in the entire NFL. Young is probably the best overall player in this draft right now.
3. TRADE! Miami Dolphins (via Detroit Lions)- Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
This is where things get fun, and I actually had this move set up last night — I feel much better about it now that there have been reports today that the Dolphins have been looking to move up for a tackle. Most people read that and wonder why they would be jumping two spots for a tackle when there are four really good ones in this class…and that’s what makes this so interesting. I think they are looking to jump up from 18 to pair one of these tackles with their franchise QB (more on that later) and I think Thomas is the number one on most boards.
4. New York Giants- Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
The Dolphins know that the Giants will likely be selecting a tackle at 4 to aid Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley, their top-ten picks from the last two drafts. They move up and secure their favorite in Thomas, leaving Wirfs for Dave Gettleman who the Giants have been in contact with a ton leading up to Thursday.
5. Miami Dolphins- Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
After making a power play to jump all the way up to three, the Dolphins stay put at five and take their franchise QB…Tua Tagovailoa. Tony Pauline reported over the weekend that Stephen Ross, the Dolphins owner, is not expecting to draft Justin Herbert. Miami was frantically trying to get Tagovailoa to Miami before the NFL cut-off face-to-face meetings, and it’s clear when watching the two players that Tua is the better prospect and has one of the highest ceilings we’ve seen in recent years.
6. Los Angeles Chargers- Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
I’m not a fan of Herbert at all, I don’t think he’s good, but I do think that the Chargers are bluffing about being comfortable with Tyrod Taylor atop their Quarterback room. We’ve seen these big arm, tall QB’s fly up draft boards in recent years (Josh Allen, Ryan Tannehill), and I won’t be shocked to see Herbert headed to LA. The plan would be to have him sit behind Taylor this season, though I do think the Chargers could pivot and go tackle here.
7. Carolina Panthers- Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
I’m really excited about this Panthers offense for fantasy football, but in real-life, their defense is bottom-three on paper right now. They have holes everywhere after losing guys like Luke Kuechly and James Bradberry this offseason, making Simmons the easy pick for them at seven should he still be there.
8. Arizona Cardinals- Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
The Cards have already paid D.J. Humphries to play left tackle for them for years to come, but their line still needs work. Wills has never played left tackle at any level, making the Cardinals a natural fit allowing them to protect Kyler Murray and not ask too much of Wills in his first NFL season.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars- Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
I do believe that the Lions will select Brown third-overall should they stay there, but in my world, they have already moved down. The Panthers could certainly give Brown a long look at seven, but ultimately Simmons will be too good to pass on leaving him for the Jags at nine.
10. TRADE! Atlanta Falcons (via Cleveland Browns)- Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
The Falcons have made it publicly known they covet Okudah as a Desmond Trufant replacement, which is exactly why they’re looking to trade up. The Browns and Falcons have made draft day trades in recent years, and with Thomas/Wirfs off the board I think the Browns would be open to moving down.
11. New York Jets- Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
The Jets can go a lot of ways here, they can move down, take a receiver or a tackle. Becton is the most raw of the big-four tackle prospects but his ceiling is as high as anyone — Daniel Jeremiah has Becton as the highest rated tackle in the draft.
12. Las Vegas Raiders- C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
With no WR’s off the board at this time, the Raiders grab C.J. Henderson who has been skyrocketing up boards over the last week and a half, it’s actually been rumored that 40% of teams have him higher on their board than Okudah.
13. San Francisco 49ers- Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
I do believe the 49ers would like to move down, but with every WR and Kinlaw still on the board I think they stay put and draft the highest guy on their board. Kinlaw will right in as DeForest Buckner’s replacement.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Austin Jackson, OT, USC
Jackson is another playing seeing a meteoric rise up boards leading up to Thursday. The Bucs are clearly going all-in for the next two seasons and protecting their 42 year old Quarterback should be their first priority.
15. Denver Broncos- Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
There’s been a ton of rumors about Jeudy’s knee being a concern for teams, and there’s also been a lot of talk about the Broncos trading UP to get him, which makes no sense. I have him ranked second on this class behind Lamb, but the Broncos have been a team to telegraph what they’re going to do under John Elway when it comes to the draft. I believe the Jeudy interest to be legitimate.
16. TRADE! Cleveland Browns (via Atlanta Falcons)- Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State
As you read earlier, the Browns traded with the Falcons which has them dropping down six picks to 16. It seems that they would be fine moving down if both Andrew Thomas and Tristan Wirfs are gone and they also believe that Cleveland would fit well into the zone blocking scheme they’re going to run under new HC Kevin Stefanski.
17. Dallas Cowboys- Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
I don’t have a strong read on the Cowboys, but I also don’t see them trading for Jamal Adams…and they can get the best Safety in the draft at 17 in McKinney.
18. TRADE! Detroit Lions (via Miami Dolphins)- K’Lavon Chaisson, Edge, LSU
This is one of the picks the Lions acquire from their trade with the Dolphins, and it’s no secret they need defensive help. They ranked fourth-worst in QB pressure percentage in 2019 and Chaisson will definitely aid in getting to the QB.
19. Las Vegas Raiders- CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Lamb is my favorite WR in this draft and I would LOVE for him to end up in Vegas. I think his YAC ability would play perfectly in Jon Gruden’s West Coast offense, and I would have to imagine Raiders fans would be ecstatic about landing both Henderson and Lamb in round one.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars- Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
I could see the Jaguars moving down here, but with them letting go of Marqise Lee and Dede Westbrook on a one year deal…there’s a lot of uncertainty outside of DJ Chark.
21. Philadelphia Eagles- Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
We include out mini-run of WR’s with the Eagles landing DeSean Jackson’s replacement in Henry Ruggs. They have one of the bleakest WR rooms in the NFL right now and I’m extremely confident they select a WR in the first two rounds of this draft.
22. Minnesota Vikings- A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
The once-dominant Vikings secondary has fell off hard over the last two seasons.
23. New England Patriots- A.J. Epenesa, Edge, Iowa
I’m not sure if any other team would take Epenesa in the first round, but he just feels like a Pats guy when I watch him play. Don’t forget they are losing both Jamie Collins and Kyle Van Noy.
24. New Orleans Saints- Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
The Saints have no hole on their roster, so they can truly take the best player available here. They have been linked to Jalen Reagor who I personally love, but Gil Brandt has Queen as the 18th overall prospect in this draft and he would have an opportunity to immediately contribute on a playoff team.
25. Minnesota Vikings- Josh Jones, OT, Houston
I think it’s more than likely the Vikings trade down from this spot, but if they stay they could use more offensive line help. I also wouldn’t rule out a WR here with Stefon Diggs now in Buffalo.
26. TRADE! Detroit Lions (via Miami Dolphins)- Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
The Vikings pass on Stefon Diggs little brother (LOL) to take Jones allowing him to fall into the Lions lap, who we know need corner help.
27. Seattle Seahawks- Yetur Gross-Matos, Edge, Penn State
The Seahawks seem intent on not taking a lineman here, and I also think they are strong candidates to trade down.
28. Baltimore Ravens- Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
If a RB goes in round one this would be one of the places it can happen, but I think Murray at 28 will be too good to pass up on.
29. Tennessee Titans- Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia
I’m not an offensive line scout by any means, but it seems like Wilson is a year away from contributing. He can be looked at as Jack Conklin’s replacement.
30. Green Bay Packers- Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma
The Packers are in play for WR here as well, but…we’ve seen them do this before. A lot of people would have Jordan Love here but the Packers brass seems to value Hurts more — I personally have Hurts as the QB3 in this class and I would love to see him sneak into the first round.
31. San Francisco 49ers- Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
I’m pretty sure that they will trade down from this spot, especially if they stay at 13.
32. Kansas City Chiefs- Cesar Ruiz, C, Michigan
I could see someone moving up here too, the Cowboys maybe? But for now, more protection for Mahomes in the future is always good.
Written by Ben Hossler (Follow @BenHossler on Twitter)
