Cincinnati – Joe Burrow. Until we hear differently about Cincy’s interest in Tua, Burrow is the man here.
Washington – Chase Young. Young is the best player in the draft. I could also see the Chargers or Dolphins trading up here for Tua.
Detroit – Tua Tagovailoa. You don’t get to draft top three very often. Unless you’re the Browns. Stafford was shut down last season about week 9 for a back injury he suffered several weeks earlier. While Stafford is playing well, he’s 32, injury prone, and has an out in his contract after 2020. Stafford could start in ’20, and sign with a contender for ’21 and beyond. (This is not a popular pick. Most mocks have Okudah or Brown going here.)
NY Giants – Isaiah Simmons. Dave Gettleman looks like an idiot sometimes. He still understands the value of drafting the best player available. Simmons has amazing versatility as a linebacker/safety/hybrid/manbearpig. I wanted to pick a Tackle here, but this draft has lots of tackles, and few players like Simmons show up in any draft never mind in any one draft.
Miami – Justin Herbert. While I personally am not sold on Herbert, I believe Chris Grier could like him. Herbert has a lot of likeable qualities from the perspective of a GM. I believe the Dolphins will have to trade up to get Tua. Herbert fits the prototypical QB mold, 6 ft 6, strong arm, athletic. Herbert even played well in the Senior bowl.
LA Chargers – Jordan Love. The Chargers drafted gunslingers in Brees and Rivers. While the GMs who selected those players are no longer with the organization, the leadership may look to go that direction after seeing high level quarterback play from Brees and Rivers for so long. Love is a California kid (grew up 2 hours from LA.) who will have play-makers (Keenan Allen and Mike Williams) to catch the ball as soon as he’s ready. The Chargers (or any team that drafts Love) might try and extract Matt Wells from Texas Tech or a ‘passing game coordinator’ to get the 2018 version of Love instead of the Draft Bust version of Love.
Carolina – Jeffrey Okudah. I don’t actually believe Okudah becomes available here, but if he is somehow, Tepper would be a big dumb idiot to not take him. Okudah is a STUD corner in a time cornerbacks are more important than ever.
Arizona – Jerry Jeudy. The Cardinals could go with Jedrick Wills or Andrew Thomas here. Jeudy is an elite route-runner and can maybe, actually, finally take over for Fitzgerald whenever he does retire. Kliff will want elite receivers to bring his air raid vision to life.
Jacksonville – Derrick Brown. Brown would’ve been a first rounder in 2018, but he returned to school to finish his senior year. Brown is a force against the run and as a pass rusher. This is a ‘best player available’ pick here, Jacksonville can line him up next to Marcell Dareus and Josh Allen/Yannick Ngakoue. The Jaguars need corner help and could also take an offensive tackle.
Cleveland – Jedrick Wills. The Browns desperately need tackle help. Baker’s old teammate, CeeDee Lamb is going to be a tough prospect to turn down here. They can’t just keep adding skill weapons with no line to block for their quarterback though, especially after a nightmare that the 2019 season was. Wills blew up in 2019, and can start his natural position of right tackle or move to left immediately. The Browns need help in both spots.
NY Jets – Andrew Thomas. The Jets need help at wide receiver. They also have one of the worst offensive lines in football. Thomas has been a top pass/run blocker in college for 2 years. Jets GM Joe Douglas came from Philadelphia, which was known for dominant play around the line of scrimmage. I think they will prioritize offensive line here.
Las Vegas – CeeDee Lamb. I doubt Lamb is available here. Lamb brings badly needed skill at the Raiders weakest position group. Lamb can play outside and brings a missing dimension to the Raiders offense.
Indianapolis – Henry Ruggs III. The Colts need a Quarterback. And some help on defense. And receivers. Ruggs is a FAST receiver and will give the Colts QB1 a second option (besides T.Y. Hilton) to throw to. Jacob Eason is a possibility here, if Reich doesn’t mind a statue at QB.
Tampa Bay – Javon Kinlaw. Kinlaw had a strong senior bowl performance and a strong 2019 in general. Kinlaw is maybe the best player available at this slot. The Bucs could also go with Kristian Fulton or Jacob Eason here.
Denver – Kristian Fulton. The Broncos will almost certainly be without top DB Chris Harris for 2020. Fangio will want a corner to potentially keep up with Tyreek Hill and other WR1s. Fulton’s allowed a completion percentage of 40 percent since 2018.
Atlanta – Tristan Wirfs. The Falcons have long struggled at offensive line play. Wirfs is an ELITE guard prospect at Iowa with crazy strength and conditioning. Atlanta drafted McGary and Lindstrom in 2019 on OL, but still need help blocking for Ryan and their ground game. Wirfs is a highly respected athlete and may be too enticing to pass up at 16 if he falls to Atlanta.
Gridiron Seasonal 