By  Sean Gannon                

February 22, 2020

1. Cincinnati Bengals (2-14): Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

Reports are coming out that Andy Dalton will be traded during the offseason, which means that Zac Taylor and the Bengals are getting their quarterback of the future. After arguably the greatest season in college football history and Tua coming off of a hip fracture, it’s going to take a lot for the Bengals to not get the pro-ready national champion Burrow. He’s also from Ohio!

2. Washington Redskins (3-13): Chase Young, DE, Ohio State

I’m torn here, I don’t feel as though the Redskins need another defensive lineman, but in fact need a wide receiver for the young Haskins to take a big step in year two. However, with the number two pick you don’t want to reach and barring any crazy combine days from a wideout there going to stick with talent you just can’t pass on it or you’ll kick yourself the rest of your life that you didn’t draft Chase Young.

3. Detroit Lions (4-12-1): Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State

The Lions weakest part of their defense last year was the secondary. They traded Quandre Diggs midseason and were relying solely on Darius Slay to hold it on the backend. They are going to give him some help and get and immediate impact player in Okudah to help him out in this pass happy league.

4. New York Giants (4-12): Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson

I will take the attacks from Giants fans who say they want protection for their young quarterback. HOWEVER, Simmons is a 230 pound supposedly sub 4:45 linebacker. He was a do-it-all linebacker for Clemson even lining up at the safety position at times. The Giants have a solid run defense and getting a linebacker that can drop back into coverage as well as rush the pass makes this defense more formidable. Coming from the Bill Belichick branch I also expect new head coach Joe Judge (with a special team’s background of utilizing athleticism) to go after a defensive play maker and find maximum production from them.

5. Miami Dolphins (5-11): Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

Fitzmagic will most likely be playing in South Beach for one more year and will help be the teacher for the incoming franchise quarterback. Tua’s scan has come back positive that the bone has healed he should be resuming his throwing soon. Last year’s interest in Tua alludes that Miami are still willing to risk it on the young stud who was tearing it up in college football before his injury. If he’s not able to throw by the combine however there is a high chance, I believe, they pass on him and go Herbert here or loop back around and get Tua later.

6. Los Angeles Chargers (5-11): Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon

The Chargers released Phillip Rivers after sixteen seasons which means this is the draft where they get their guy. Herbert had a lot of success at Oregon as well as a great Senior Bowl. His high football IQ, solid offensive line of the Chargers and the overall playmakers on both offense and defense should aid his transition to the NFL much smoother, without asking him to do it all. I expect Herbert to be a week one starter.

7. Carolina Panthers (5-11): Jedrick Wills Jr, OT, Alabama

With quarterback uncertainty looming in Carolina whether its trading Cam Newton or starting him. Starting Kyle Allen or Will Greir, the safest bet for the Panthers would be to get protection for whomever the quarterback is going to be. Wills Jr. was an all-around offensive tackle for Alabama and can help give the quarterback time to pass and open up more running lanes for CMC to continue his domination. The retirement of Kuechly is a huge blow for this team that just a few years ago was in the playoffs and now finds itself in the midst of a big rebuilding mode.

8. Arizona Cardinals (5-10-1): CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma

You want them to go offensive lineman to protect Kyle Murray and I totally understand that, however with the air-raid offense that Kinsbury runs in Arizona, and the relationship that CeeDee Lamb had for a full year at Oklahoma with Murray, he’s perfect for everything Arizona wants to do and has the relationship with their quarterback, and is by far one of the best wideouts in this draft.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-10): Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn

They may go Juedy to pair DJ Chark with someone and give Nick Foles another play maker, but there is a chance that they lose Yannick Ngakoue in free agency. The safest thing is to get the game wrecking defensive tackle who could be one of the best interior defensive lineman in the entire league in just a few years. The AFC south is a tough division and it feels like the Jaguars are outside looking in, they need a good defensive front to penetrate the Colts offensive front and make Watson nervous if they want a chance reclaim the south.

10. Cleveland Browns (6-10): Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

The Browns had one of the worst offensive lines in football last year, and with arguably the best wide receiver duo on paper it effected the entire offense. They need a lineman that’s going to protect Mayfield and give him time to throw the ball. Chubb was the only bright spot in a rather bleak Cleveland offense and what better way to keep him rolling then by getting him a former teammate? If this team wants to compete in a division with the defenses of the Ravens and Steelers it needs to get its passing offense together.

11. New York Jets (7-9): Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa

It wouldn’t surprise me if the Jets mix it up and grab Jeudy here, however I think that they need to build that offensive line to assist the run game and help develop Darnold. Sadly, Bell had a subpar year, adding Wirfs out of a run heavy Iowa team adds a much-needed boost in toughness in an otherwise stagnant offensive line. Darnold showed vast improvements towards the end of the season, a good run game spear headed with Bell will only allow Darnold to be the franchise quarterback many Jets fans are hoping he will be.

12. Oakland Raiders (7-9): Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama

Tyrel Williams is a great wideout but when he was injured and off the field the offense struggled to find a passing rhythm. Adding a stud wideout that can run all the routes and make all the catches will help take this offense to the next level. It also provides depth in an area that they are very thin in.

13. Indianapolis Colts (7-9): Jordan Love, QB, Utah State

Luck retired last year and with Brissett in the last year of his deal and not looking like ‘the guy’ it’s time for the Colts to get their quarterback of the future. Love’s stat sheet in his final year doesn’t pop out at you but the majority of his weapons left the year before forcing him to work with less experienced younger players. A solid Colts offensive line that rarely gives up a sack and a mobile quarterback in Love who has a drive to learn could make this a playoff team within a year or two.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9): Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina, DT

With Suh, Pierre-Paul, and Barrett all impending free agents and what appears to be another year of Winston as the quarterback in Tampa Bay, knowing Arians the defense will be the focal point. They won’t be able to get all three of the defensive guys back so they will use the draft to get a game wrecking defensive tackle who Arians can maximize in his defensive scheme.

15. Denver Broncos (7-9): Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama

I’m tempted to go offensive line, as they want to see Drew Lock really grow in year two and they didn’t have the best line last year however I think they are going to pair their big bodied wideout in Cortland Sutton, with a speedy guy in Ruggs. He can do more than just run straight fast my friends do not get that mixed up. His cuts on intermediate routes as well as his quickness at the line of scrimmage will make it very difficult for even the best cornerbacks to keep up and his ability to take a slant route to the house make him a home run hitter.

16. Atlanta Falcons (7-9): K’Lavon Chaisson, Edge, LSU

His stats may not pop but his impact does. A Falcons team that is moving on from former first round edge rusher Vic Beasley is now in need of another edge rusher. Chaisson is a fast-paced rusher that will slide in perfectly to head coach Dan Quinns defensive play style. Atlanta is slim on edge rushers and adding in one that was second in the SEC for tackles for loss will be a huge boost to a defense that took tremendous strides in the last five weeks of the season dominating offenses.

17. Dallas Cowboys (7-9): Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama

The Cowboys could resign Byron Jones and they may end up going pass catcher instead, but I believe with Dak in line for a new contract and the need to bring back Cooper, Jones looks like the man most likely on the way out. In which case they are going to need someone to pick up that spot. Diggs is a solid zone coverage cornerback that’s not afraid to use his physicality with receivers giving them a lot of trouble. He will fill replace Jones well and be able to lock up the wide receivers in the NFC East and the rest of the NFL.

18. Miami Dolphins (Via Pittsburg (8-8)): Xavier Mckinney, S, Alabama

After trading Fitzpatrick to the Steelers early on in the season the Dolphins are in the market for someone in the secondary again. McKinney differs from Fitzpatrick in that he has experience being moved everywhere like Flores wanted to do with Fitzpatrick, but it didn’t fit his skill set. In comes Mckinney, whose career at Alabama entailed him being placed all over the field. He will fit in nicely for what Flores wants to get done in Miami.

19. Oakland Raiders (Via Chicago (8-8)): Patrick Queen, LB, LSU

Queen is an immediate upgrade for a weak Oakland defense. His football IQ is off the charts and has incredible play recognition which is going to make Jon Gruden gush over. He only had one year starting at LSU but his limited tape speaks for itself. He could easily be the leader of Oaklands defense for years to come and can play in both pass coverage (look at his pick against Bama) and stop the run.

20. Jacksonville Jaguars (Via Los Angeles Rams (9-7)): Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson

Now is where the Jaguars go and pair DJ Chark with another play maker for Foles. Higgins did not disappoint for Clemson. His ability to high point the ball and win against physical defenders makes him a fun wide receiver to watch. One of the things that I was most impressed by was his body control when receiving a pass it really was Hopkin-esk. I expect Higgins to make a big impact on an offense that can do so much more then we’ve seen.

21. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7): Laviska Shenault Jr, WR, Colorado

The Eagles weakest part of their offense last year was there receiving core. Between injuries and just not great play by the young wideouts, this is a position group that the Eagles desperately need to add depth. Assuming they don’t trade up Shenault should be the guy they go with. He should fit nicely into the Eagles offense taking up most of the medium and short routes down the middle with his ability to catch the ball in traffic and allow a healthy Jeffry and Jackson to stretch the field vertically.

22. Buffalo Bills (10-6): Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU

The Bills drafted Josh Allen because of the massive cannon that he poses however we have seen little use of it to this point on. It’s time the Bills go out and get him a play maker so he can unleash this cannon on a consistent basis like Mahomes. John Brown can stretch the field and you pair that Jefferson’s big size and lack of fear to cross the middle to make a play should pair nicely with the arm of Allen. This Bills team can wreck havok on defenses if we are able to see more of Allens arm, you put that together with this defense, the Bills will take the AFC East out from underneath the Patriots (they almost did it last year).

23. New England Patriots (12-4): Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma

 Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins are both set to be free agents needing a possible position need on the outside for the Pats. With that in mind if they are able to bring one of them back, Murray’s athletic ability allows him to play inside as well. Billechick loves a player who is going to come in and work hard that’s exactly what you are going to get when you draft Murray. A high-motor, athletic, sideline to sideline linebacker with a willingness to learn should mesh nicely with the Patriots way.

24. New Orleans Saints (13-3): Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State

I am tempted to go cornerback here because the Saints secondary didn’t seem to be what it was two seasons ago, you cant have Thomas be the only guy catching the ball on offense. Aiyuk has incredible speed and great hands, he should be able to run by a lot of cornerbacks for the deep throws that he was so well known for in college. What I found most impressive was his ability to find a small crease on a screen and take it another 10-15 yards, I think under Sean Payton he will thrive in an offense that constantly mixes up packages throughout the game (look at the NFC playoff game against the Vikings).

25. Minnesota Vikings (10-6): CJ Henderson, CB, Florida

The Vikings secondary was bad all of year last year. With Rhodes poor play and cap hit, Mackensie Alexanders tweets, and Wayne’s looking to get paid the Vikings become dangerously slim at the cornerback position. Zimmer will be looking to add depth and they will get a physical corner with Henderson who should fit Zimmers defensive zone scheme better then Rhodes.

26. Miami Dolphins (Via Houston Texans (10-6)): DeAndre Swift, RB, Georgia

Last year the Dolphins moved on from Drake and decided that Ballage was there guy going forward, that didn’t pan out as planned. After getting their quarterback of the future earlier in the draft they will need a complete running back to help assist his growth in this league. In comes Swift who had a great career in Georgia, his ability to run the ball and be a receiving threat out of the backfield is exactly the type of back you need in the NFL now and he will allow the Dolphins to open up their offense more.

27. Seattle Seahawks (11-5): Mekhi Benton, OT, Louisville

Benton has fallen very far in my draft and that’s mainly because in my opinion the skills players entering this year are incredible, but he drops no further. Many will say Seattle needs a pass rusher and they very well could go after Espensa here if contract conversations are going sour with Clowney. However, I think that Benton is a fantastic tackle that will not only help Carson and Penny in the run game but give Wilson a rock on the line that will help in the pass and allow him time to make throws in the pocket without needing to escape the pocket and use his heroics to make a play all the time. A better passing line for Wilson to throw dimes to Lockett and Metcalf, this Seattle team becomes poised for a deep playoff run.

28. Baltimore Ravens (14-2): AJ Espenesa, Edge, Iowa

I could see the Ravens going linebacker here (maybe Baun from Wisconsin) however as of today there is no guarantee that Matt Judon is going to stay in Baltimore and could look to take his talents to a place that can pay him top money. If that’s the case Espenesa will be there guy to replace Judon’s pass rushing ability. He’s not the fastest guy off the line but has great strength, athleticism and uses his hands to get away from offensive linemen not just his strength. Espenesa has proven he can play multiple techniques, and shown whether coming off the ben (2018) or starting (2019) he can produce.

29. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Neville Gallimore, DT, Oklahoma

Tennessee has been going edge defense the last few years as well as a defensive tackle last year. Not getting the same production from Jurrell Casey (now 30 years old) they may want to go defensive tackle and what better than a dominate pass rushing defensive tackle in Gallimore? The Titans (assuming they bring back Tannehill and Henry) are sitting in a good position for another playoff run. They have signed/drafted key guys in there secondary who have played very well under Vrabel. Adding in another young defensive tackle with a high motor, and a lot of power who excels in the pass rush and is quick enough to wrap up guys like Watson or push through big offensive guards, is exactly what the Titans need to make their team dangerous in all levels on the defensive side.

30. Green Bay Packers (13-3): Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama

Yes, back-to-back defensive linemen as we get into the end of the draft. The Packers edge rushers did a great job at attacking the passer, but their rush defensive was horrendous (NFC championship game) and needs improvement. Adding Davis is adding an old school run-stopping defensive lineman who forces offensive play schemes to double him due to his size and athletic ability. In an NFC conference with a plethora of running back talent, the Packers need help at that position to fend off teams if they want to take this team to the Superbowl.

31. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Grant Delpit, S, LSU

San Francisco needs help in the safety position, it was a weakness in the Superbowl and at other times throughout the season. Jimmie Ward is also set to become a free agent and there is no guarantee that he will be back. I think they draft a guy who going to make an immediate impact in the NFL because of his ability to not only cover the pass but also his ability to rush the quarterback and stop the run. Delpit is a do-it-all safety and with a defense led by Salah and anchored by a terrifying front seven it will allow this young player thrive wherever they decide to utilize him, and give Sherman help on the backend.

32. Kansas City Chiefs (13-3): J.K Dobbins, RB, OSU

The Chiefs one “weakness” if you want to call it that is really at running back and it’s not because Williams is not a good back (I thought he should have been SB MVP over Mahomes) but because they lack depth. Dobbins is a downfield one cut runner, who can run between the tackles on a short yard possession, and I think pair really nicely with Williams catching ability. I want to say this now I could see Jonathen Taylor (Wisconsin) also taken here because when the Chiefs have big leads then can lean on him similar to how Wisconsin did. But I am worried with the amount of workload he’s already seen (926 carries in college) will limit his longevity in the NFL especially for a first-round pick.