-
NFL NationESPN
The 2020 NFL draft has officially started, and we’re providing live updates on the pros and cons for each first-round pick. The Cincinnati Bengals started off the draft by selecting LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, who won a national championship with the Tigers in January.
We’re also tracking all 255 picks for Rounds 1-7, and you also can see all of the best available draft prospects in the 2020 class. Check out ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr.’s final mock draft here.
The draft continues with Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday and Rounds 4 through 7 on Saturday. The draft will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN, the ESPN App and NFL Network.
How does your team’s first-round selection fit his team? Our NFL Nation reporters break it all down:
Joe Burrow, QB, LSU | Highlights
Why they picked him: The Bengals were in the market for their next cornerstone quarterback and have that in Burrow. His biggest attributes are ones the Bengals are seeking at the position: pre-snap decision-making, timing and accuracy (76.3%). He can extend plays and is effective outside of the pocket. Burrow also thrives when the protection collapses. His 82.6 QBR when pressured led all qualifying FBS quarterbacks in 2019 by a wide margin. Cincinnati has its successor to Andy Dalton after a nine-year run. In 2019, the Bengals were 28th in the league in yards per play and 29th in points per drive. Those numbers should improve under Burrow, who threw for 5,671 yards and 60 touchdowns last season, leading LSU to a 15-0 record.
Biggest question: Does Burrow have the arm strength to succeed in the NFL? The Bengals had some questions about that when watching the early part of Burrow’s 2019 tape. But Burrow completed 56.4% of his passes of 20 air yards or more, according to ESPN Stats & Information research, the second highest among qualifying FBS quarterbacks. — Ben Baby
Chase Young, DE, Ohio State | Highlights
Why they picked him: Young is considered a high-impact player who can affect all three levels of the defense. Young, who had 16.5 sacks in 2019 and 30.5 in his career at Ohio State, provides Washington with something it hasn’t had in a long time on defense: elite potential. Under coach Ron Rivera, Washington has a chance to build a strong defense. The Redskins already have four first-round picks up front (Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Montez Sweat, Ryan Kerrigan), and an edge rusher such as Young will provide tremendous luxury — especially on third downs. Last season, Washington ranked 21st in sacks per pass attempt on third down and was last in conversion percentage. The Redskins love Young’s pass-rush instincts and that he takes no false steps, allowing him to maximize his burst off the line. Their scouting report says he uses his hands and feet well, displaying efficient movement.
Biggest question: What jersey number will he wear? There aren’t many questions aside from whether he can live up to the pre-draft hype and become this year’s “generational player.” How long will it take to make an impact? While some fans wondered why he had no sacks in his final three games as a Buckeye, the Redskins were not worried. One member of the organization said he watched film of those games because of those questions, saw Young still making an impact and said of skeptics: “OK, cool.” The Redskins still have questions in the secondary, and it’s safe to wonder how much the front seven can clean up in one season. — John Keim
Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State | Highlights
Why they picked him: Cornerback is Detroit’s biggest need after the trade of Darius Slay to Philadelphia. While the Lions signed CB Desmond Trufant in free agency and feel good about the long-term prospects of Amani Oruwariye, Okudah has the potential to be a shutdown corner sooner than later. He can be a man-press corner, which fits coach Matt Patricia’s defense. He also has good speed (4.48 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the scouting combine, 12th among all corners) and closing ability to stay with almost any receiver. He’s as ready to play right away as any corner in the draft, and at a position where rookies usually struggle.
Biggest question: While he’s in a better position than most corners coming into the league, it will still be an adjustment. Without offseason workouts against wide receivers Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr., it could be a situation in which Okudah will be learning on the fly throughout portions of the season. Considering the receivers he might be asked to cover (Davante Adams in Green Bay and Adam Thielen in Minnesota) and the quarterbacks he will likely face (Tom Brady, Philip Rivers, Aaron Rodgers, Deshaun Watson and Drew Brees are all on the schedule), he could have some rough moments as he figures the pro game out. — Mike Rothstein
Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia | Highlights
Why they picked him: The Giants needed to protect their investments in quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley. As general manager Dave Gettleman said recently, “It’s very, very difficult for Saquon to run the ball if he doesn’t have holes. It’s going to be difficult for Daniel to throw the ball when he’s on his back.” It was imperative that Gettleman fix the offensive line this offseason. It was his top priority upon taking the job two years ago, and there still had not been much progress. The hope is that Thomas, considered a safe bet with upside, can protect Jones’ blind side for much of the next decade. He can start at right tackle if the Giants so desire and eventually move over to left tackle. Thomas is also an ideal fit in what offensive coordinator Jason Garrett wants to do with getting his linemen on the move and to the second level.
Biggest question: Was Thomas the best tackle available? Personnel evaluators were all over the board with the top four tackles, and the Giants had their pick at No. 4. They deemed Thomas to be the top overall option, despite a critique from one offensive line coach that he was “not an ass-kicker.” His 21 bench-press reps at the combine only solidified that assessment. It was a pedestrian number for a lineman. Still, the Giants had him as their top tackle, but he did finish last among the top four tackles (although not by much) in an ESPN poll of 11 evaluators. — Jordan Raanan
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama | Highlights
Why they picked him: The Dolphins haven’t had a Pro Bowl quarterback in 24 years (Dan Marino), and they desperately need Tagovailoa to lead their rebuild. With Burrow off the board at No. 1, the Dolphins took a swing at the most efficient quarterback in college football history in Tagovailoa. He has the accuracy, leadership qualities, anticipation and “it factor” — all things that Dolphins general manager Chris Grier and coach Brian Flores prioritized in their quarterback search. Tagovailoa has the charisma and talent to lead the Dolphins back to relevance in the AFC.
Biggest question: Will Tagovailoa stay healthy in the NFL after an injury-filled college career? Tagovailoa might have challenged for the No. 1 overall pick without the health issues and durability question marks. But Tagovailoa has suffered multiple injuries, including a dislocated right hip and posterior wall fracture in November that he has been rehabbing from throughout the winter and spring. Tagovailoa’s doctors say he will be 100% by the start of training camp, but the bigger question is how long he can last in the NFL. — Cameron Wolfe
Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon | Highlights
Why they picked him: The Chargers needed a quarterback after Philip Rivers departed in free agency after 16 seasons. After the Dolphins selected Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with the No. 5 pick, it became almost certain the Chargers would take Herbert at No. 6. A proven winner at Oregon, Herbert has great arm strength and is agile outside of the pocket. From the 2018 to 2019 season, Herbert had the sixth-highest increase in completion percentage, jumping from 59% to 67%. He joins an offense that has established weapons in receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, as well as tight end Hunter Henry.
Biggest question: Can Herbert start as a rookie? Herbert struggled in his final four regular-season games at Oregon, throwing four interceptions. It’s uncertain if he will be able to immediately adapt to the speed of the NFL, particularly when it comes to making fast decisions and getting rid of the football. The Chargers could start veteran Tyrod Taylor until Herbert is ready to take over. — Lindsey Thiry
Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn | Highlights
Why they picked him: Carolina has only two defensive tackles on its roster in Kawann Short and Woodrow Hamilton, so no position has a bigger need. Put Brown and his run-stopping ability next to Pro Bowler Short and his pass-rushing ability, and the middle of the defense will be as stout as any in the NFL. Opponents literally ran away from Brown’s side at Auburn.
Biggest question: Brown didn’t have a great showing at the combine and his inside push on the pass rush needs improving. He gets by on sheer power and size. This is nitpicking, though, because there is no better run-stopper in the draft. — David Newton
Isaiah Simmons, OLB, Clemson | Highlights
Why they picked him: This was about as much of a no-brainer as there’ll be in this year’s draft. Simmons is widely considered the best defensive prospect in the draft and he fell to the Cardinals for no other reason than other teams had needs elsewhere, most of which were on offense. He’s the ideal complement for pass-rusher Chandler Jones and helps the Cardinals take a major step in their defensive rebuild.
Biggest question: Whose spot is he going to take? The Cardinals spent free agency rebuilding the front seven of the defense. Simmons continues that, but whose snaps will he take? He can compete with Devon Kennard at outside linebacker or for one of the inside linebacker spots. — Josh Weinfuss
CJ Henderson, CB, Florida | Highlights
Why they picked him: Cornerback is arguably the Jaguars’ top need after trading away Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye in the past seven months. The Jaguars signed Rashaan Melvin in free agency after failing to land Darqueze Dennard but needed to get better opposite Tre Herndon, who stepped into the starting role when Ramsey was traded last October. Henderson is regarded by some analysts as a better cover man than Jeff Okudah, the third overall pick by the Detroit Lions. The Jaguars have to play Deshaun Watson and Philip Rivers twice, plus here’s a partial list of the other QBs they will face this season: Ben Roethlisberger, Joe Burrow, Kirk Cousins, Aaron Rodgers, Baker Mayfield and Matt Stafford. The Jaguars had to address this spot.
Biggest question: While Henderson has gotten rave reviews for his coverage ability, there are questions about his willingness to help in run support and his consistency. He’s still also learning the position because he didn’t start playing cornerback until his senior year of high school. Communication on the field was an issue at Florida, too, so that’s something defensive coordinator Todd Wash is going to have to get him to improve, especially with what looks to be an unusual offseason. — Michael DiRocco
Jedrick Wills Jr., OT, Alabama | Highlights
Why they picked him: The Browns had to address pass protection after quarterback Baker Mayfield was sacked more often than any AFC quarterback per passing attempt last season. In Wills, Cleveland presumably gets its left tackle of the future to pair with what they hope is still its franchise QB in Mayfield. Wills did play right tackle for Alabama, but that’s in part because he was protecting the blindside of lefty passer Tua Tagovailoa. The additions of Wills and free agent signee Jack Conklin have the potential to turn offensive tackle in Cleveland from a weakness to a strength.
Biggest question: New general manager Andrew Berry has said he believes that in the modern game, there’s essentially no difference between playing right and left tackle. Still, with Conklin signed long term to man the right side, Wills faces the challenge of making the adjustment of going to the left side. — Jake Trotter
Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville | Highlights
Why they picked him: Somewhere in Southern California, quarterback Sam Darnold is smiling. Even though the Jets added four new linemen in free agency, they needed a long-term anchor to protect their most valuable investment. Becton is that guy. He is a monster size at 6-foot-7, 364 pounds, and he plays like a man who is 100 pounds lighter. His presence at left or right tackle will improve the running game. Running back Le’Veon Bell is happy, too.
Biggest question: Becton’s drug test at the scouting combine was flagged by the league. It won’t affect his playing status, assuming it doesn’t happen again, but it certainly raises questions about his decision-making. Was it a red flag or an isolated mistake? Some scouts also have expressed concern about his weight. — Rich Cimini
Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama | Highlights
Why they picked him: Speed. Pure, unadulterated speed. Because with all three of the consensus top three wideouts still on the board, the Raiders went with the fastest player at the scouting combine (a nod to the late owner Al Davis, perhaps?) as Ruggs ran a 4.27-second 40-yard dash. Coach Jon Gruden realizes that to battle the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West, he needs a similar team, a fast one. And in Ruggs, he has a complement to Kansas City’s Tyreek Hill. He hopes.
Biggest question: Ruggs might not be as a polished a pass-catcher as either teammate Jerry Jeudy or Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb, so there will be a learning curve, so to speak. And at 6 feet, 195 pounds, he will have to be more physical coming off press coverage at the line. Only five of 30 receivers taken in the first round over the previous 10 drafts had 1,000-yard receiving seasons as a rookie. Ruggs had a career-high 746 yards receiving last season, averaging 18.7 yards per catch. — Paul Gutierrez
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from the Indianapolis Colts via the San Francisco 49ers)
Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa | Highlights