KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Admittedly, predicting any NFL Draft is a crapshoot, but it's fun.
LSU quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow to the Cincinnati Bengals with the first pick feels like a safe bet, and though I think things could go off the rails from there, Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is every bit as talented.
Durability is the main concern for Tagovailoa, who is still rehabbing from a broken hip, but the talent is undeniable. He's a franchise quarterback and, if you're Miami, it's a waste of that draft arsenal not to go up and get him.
That's why I have projected a trade with the No. 2 pick, which touches off a fun (and welcome) ride for the remaining three to four hours.
The beauty of this year's draft was that, while studying film and simulating mock drafts and writing up articles like this, there were brief moments when I wasn't keenly aware of COVID-19 and quarantines. It was a welcome respite, so enjoy this break from reality ahead of the real things, which begins Thursday night and continues through Saturday.
RELATED | 41 Action News Chiefs Draft Central
Chiefs mock draft: Predicting Kansas City’s 2020 NFL Draft picks
Without further ado, "4th & 1" podcast co-host Tod Palmer's 2020 mock first-round draft:
1. Cincinnati — QB Joe Burrow, LSU
The national champion quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner should be entrenched as the Bengals starter for the next decade or more.
2. Miami — QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
The Dolphins should use their draft capital — picks No. 5 and 18 — to move up three spots and make sure nobody else can steal away a potential franchise quarterback. If Tagovailoa was healthy, the debate about the top prospect in the 2020 draft would be fierce given the former Crimson Tide’s body of work and skillset.
3. Detroit — CB Jeff Okudah, Ohio State
Maybe the safest pick in the draft and the most complete corner available. Okudah is a stud and immediately make the Lions’ defense better.
4. New York Giants — OT Tristan Wirfs, Iowa
The Daniel Jones pick last year surprised some people — more so about going No. 6 overall than going to the Giants — but now there’s a duty to protect him.
5. Washington — DE Chase Young, Ohio State
Washington happily slides down, collects a few more picks and still lands one of the draft’s top players and a potential game-changer getting after the quarterback.
6. Los Angeles Chargers — QB Justin Herbert, Oregon
Herbert will get the first crack at taking the franchise’s reins in the post-Philip Rivers era.
7. Carolina — LB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
Simmons is arguably the most impactful defensive talent in the draft. The Olathe North graduate is position and scheme versatile with his exceptional coverage ability and instincts. Simmons represents the future of the outside linebacker position in the NFL.
8. Arizona — OT Mekhi Becton, Louisville
Much like the Giants, what good did it to select a franchise QB last year in Kyler Murray if you;re not going to protect him? Becton may be the best first-round tackles available, but a flagged drug test at the NFL Combine could give teams in the top 10 pause with other quality options available.
9. Jacksonville — DT Derrick Brown, Auburn
Calais Campbell and Marcell Dareus are gone, while Yannick Ngakoue desperately wants to be. If the Jags don’t trade down and continue rebuilding, Brown is exceptional value here as a top-five talent.
10. Denver — WR Henry Ruggs III, Alabama
With three third-round picks, the Broncos have the draft capital to maneuver. Young QB Drew Lock needs weapons and the speedy Ruggs is a perfect addition to go with the Lee’s Summit native’s Howitzer for taking the top off defenses. He won’t last to pick 15, so John Elway has to be aggressive here.
11. New York Jets — WR CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
The run on elite receivers has begun. New York could also use offensive line help, but Sam Darnold also needs someone to throw to with Robby Anderson’s departure.
12. Las Vegas — WR Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
An incredible route-runner whose only knock is a tendency to lose focus and rack up a few drops, Jeudy is a Jon Gruden/Brent Mayock type pick — excellent intangibles and excellent value for the pick.
13. San Francisco — WR Justin Jefferson, LSU
The 49ers also need help at receiver with Emmanuel Sanders’ departure, so the earlier run on quarterbacks works out well as one of the draft’s elite wideouts remains available for the taking.
14. Tampa Bay — OT Jedrick Wills, Alabama
A quality left-tackle prospect from a football factory to protect Tom Brady’s blind side.
15. Cleveland — OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia
Protecting former top pick Baker Mayfield needs to be a priority, even after signing Jack Conklin this offseason. Thomas provides a cheap complement and bookend, who also should help Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt find more space to run. Plus, the Browns get more picks from Denver to plug other holes.
16. Atlanta — CB C.J. Henderson, Florida
The Falcons may flirt with moving up for Derrick Brown, but staying put and landing the draft’s second-best corner and coverman isn't a bad option either.
17. Dallas — DT Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina
The Cowboys get good value in Kinlaw, who bolsters a defensive line that lost Robert Quinn this offseason.
18. Washington — OT Austin Jackson, USC
In year one under Ron Rivera, Washington is content to evaluate Dwayne Haskins, knowing that if he flops hard the prize on the other side may be Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence. Either way, addressing the tackle situation is a huge need.
19. Las Vegas — CB Kristian Fulton, LSU
Competitive and fast, Fulton fills a need for the Raiders in a division that includes Patrick Mahomes, Drew Lock and now Justin Herbert along with the AFC West’s insane arsenal receiving threats.
20. Jacksonville — DE K’Lavon Chaisson, LSU
Again, Calais Campbell and Marcell Dareus are gone, while Yannick Ngakoue desperately wants to be. Replenishing the defensive line is a must and Chaisson paired with Derrick Brown makes for a cheap and formidable foundation.
21. Philadelphia — LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
Linebacker may not be the Eagles’ biggest need, but Murray fits the new breed of linebacker required for NFL defenses and is a nice addition despite having missed out on the elite receivers, offensive tackles and corners.
22. Minnesota — CB A.J. Terrell, Clemson
The VIkings are desperate for help at cornerback after losing three corners this offseason.
23. New England — DE A.J. Epenesa, Iowa
The suburban St. Louis product has a lunch-pail mentality and a construction worker’s toughness.
24. New Orleans — LB Patrick Queen, LSU
It’s just too easy of a match. The former Tigers star is a great value at this spot and Saints fans will love filling a need with a Louisiana kid.
25. Minnesota — WR Jalen Reagor, TCU
After the Stefon Diggs trade, this fills a need for a team built to win sooner rather than later.
26. Miami — OT Ezra Cleveland, Boise State
The Dolphins landed Tagovailoa earlier, so it would be wise to protect him. Hosuton’s Josh Jones also could be a possibility here.
27. Seattle — DE Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State
The Seahawks’ pass rush was atrocious last season, but Gross-Matos should improve that.
28. Baltimore — C Cesar Ruiz, Michigan
He’s a long-term solution for shoring up the interior of the offensive line with the flexibility to play center or guard.
29. Tennessee — OT Josh Jones, Houston
Don’t be surprised if the Titans pick TCU cornerback Jeff Gladney here, but offensive line is a bigger need after losing Jack Conklin in free agency and banking a small fortune on the fact the Ryan Tannehill’s 2019 run to the AFC Championship Game — and a loss to the Chiefs — wasn’t a fluke.
30. Green Bay — WR Denzel Mims, Baylor
Aaron Rodgers needs weapons and Mims is a really good one. Arizona State’s Brandon Aiyuk is a popular choice here, but I prefer Mims.
31. Carolina — QB Jordan Love, Utah State
The 49ers are content to trade out of this pick, while the Panthers and new coach Matt Rhule make a bold move to come up and get a potential franchise QB to develop under Teddy Bridgewater. Picking him in the first round buys an extra year of team control, so it’s a savvy move.
32. Kansas City — CB Jeff Gladney, TCU
The Chiefs would probably love for Jordan Love to still be on the board, enticing a team to overpay for the final pick and that fifth-year option on a potential franchise QB. Barring that or a blue-chip prospects freefall, Gladney addresses the team’s biggest positional need and possesses the versatility, cover skills and instincts to thrive in Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme.
—
Are you a Chiefs fan? Subscribe to and rate the “4th & 1” podcast on iTunes, Stitcher or your preferred podcast platform for even more content from the Home of the Chiefs, 41 Action News.
You can also follow "4th & 1" co-hosts Nick Jacobs and Tod Palmer on Twitter along with the “4th & 1” podcast.
