The first round of the 2020 NFL Draft took place across the country last night. Doing the event during these difficult times seemed to go well. It fell more streamlined. It even felt a little homey seeing all the players, team decision-makers, and Roger Goodell in their respective homes.
1. Cincinnati Bengals-Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
2. Washington Redskins-Chase Young, Edge, Ohio State
3. Detroit Lions-Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
4. New York Giants-Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
5. Miami Dolphins-Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
6. Los Angeles Chargers-Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
7. Carolina Panthers-Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
8. Arizona Cardinals-Isaiah Simmons, S, Clemson
9. Jacksonville Jaguars-C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
10. Cleveland Browns-Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
11. New York Jets-Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
12. Las Vegas Raiders-Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Tristan Wirfs, OG, Iowa
14. San Francisco 49ers-Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
15. Denver Broncos-Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
16. Atlanta Falcons-A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
17. Dallas Cowboys-CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
18. Miami Dolphins-Austin Jackson, OT, USC
19. Las Vegas Raiders-Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State
20. Jacksonville Jaguars-K'Lavon Chaisson, Edge, LSU
21. Philadelphia Eagles-Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
22. Minnesota Vikings-Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
23. Los Angeles Chargers-Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
24. New Orleans Saints-Ceasar Ruiz, C, Michigan
25. San Francisco 49ers-Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
26. Green Bay Packers-Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
27. Seattle Seahawks-Jordyn Brooks, LB, Texas Tech
28. Baltimore Ravens-Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
29. Tennessee Titans-Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia
30. Miami Dolphins-Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn
31. Minnesota Vikings-Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
32. Kansas City Chiefs-D'Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
Four Trades
1. Buccaneers trade with the 49ers to jump a single spot. #14 to #13. Buccaneers grab a Brady-protector in Tristan Wirfs.
2. Chargers trade back into the first round. Patriots trade out of the first round. Chargers pick Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray at #23.
3. 49ers trade up six spots with the Vikings to select Arizona State receiver Brandon Aiyuk at #25.
4. Packers trade up four spots with the Dolphins to select Utah State quarterback Jordan Love at #26. So, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers get no first round help this year. Interesting strategy.
New Minnesota Vikings
1 (22) Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
1 (31) Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
The Vikings entered the draft with the pick (#22) that they acquired in the sad trade of Stefon Diggs and their own pick (#25). Towards the end of the draft evaluation process I landed on offensive line and cornerback as my preferred positions for those picks. It's good to be flexible. Justin Jefferson was one of the receivers that could pull me from my pre-draft preferences. I didn't expect him to get past the Philadelphia Eagles at #21. We'll never know the draft plans of the Vikings but it's obvious that they preferred Jefferson over the cornerbacks and offensive linemen still on the board. During the post-first round press conference, I think that it was Mike Zimmer that said that they even looked into trading up a few spots in order to secure Jefferson. They didn't have to do that. The receiver that they liked fell to them. Jeff Gladney was the top cornerback that I liked at #22 or #25. They found a team that needed that pick more than they did and traded back six spots, picked up some extra draft picks and selected Gladney at #31. That's a nice win.
So, the Vikings added one of the top receivers in the draft, a receiver that most didn't expect to be available to them at #22. They added a cornerback at #31 that they probably would've selected at #25 and added a fourth- and fifth-round pick in the process.
There are two more days and six rounds of drafting. The Vikings still have many needs. Offensive line and defensive line top those needs. They probably aren't done at corner and receiver. The Vikings entered the draft with 12 picks. Thanks to the first round trade-back they still have 12 picks.
2. (58)
3. (89)
3. (105)-compensatory
4. (117)-from 49ers
4. (132)
5. (155)-from Buffalo
5. (176)-from 49ers
6. (201)-from Buffalo
6. (205)
7. (219)
7. (249)-compensatory
7. (253)-compensatory
That's a lot of draft cash. It's going to be a fun two days.
Here are a few first round thoughts.
Non-Vikings picks that I liked:
8. Arizona Cardinals-Isaiah Simmons, S, Clemson
I thought that Isaiah Simmons was one of the top three players in the draft. I wasn't surprised that he was still available at #8. Quarterbacks have a tendency to push the best players down the draft a bit.
10. Cleveland Browns-Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
I expected Jedrick Wills to be the first of the offensive tackles to be drafted. The Browns were smart/lucky to get him at #10.
17. Dallas Cowboys-CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
It was a much bigger surprise that CeeDee Lamb was available at #17 than Justin Jefferson being available at #22. Lamb is a Top 10 pick in most drafts.
23. Los Angeles Chargers-Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
Kenneth Murray is one of my favorite players in this draft. He's simply a great kid. The Chargers made a terrific move to trade up for him.
25. San Francisco 49ers-Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
It helps that the 49ers gave the Vikings a few picks to secure Brandon Aiyuk. The addition of Aiyuk gives the 49ers a really unique stable of receivers.
Deebo Samuel
Brandon Aiyuk
Jalen Hurd
I love receivers. I especially love technically sound, terrific route-running receivers with outstanding hands. Receivers like Justin Jefferson. I also love tough, physical receivers with special running skills. That love got a real boost when the Vikings had Percy Harvin. The 49ers now have three receivers like that. They're going to be fun to watch.
Quarterbacks
Quarterbacks get too damn much draft day attention. So, here's some more. With the influx of the new throwers I couldn't help but think of the near future of some of the AFC divisions.
AFC East
New England Patriots-?
Buffalo Bills-Josh Allen
New York Jets-Sam Darnold
Miami Dolphins-Tua Tagavailoa
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens-Lamar Jackson
Pittsburgh Steelers-Ben Roethlisberger
Cleveland Browns-Baker Mayfield
Cincinnati Bengals-Joe Burrow
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs-Patrick Mahomes
Denver Broncos-Drew Lock
Las Vegas Raiders-Derek Carr
Los Angeles Chargers-Justin Herbert
It's still strange to see the Patriots QB job as undecided. Joe Burrow, Tua Tagavailoa, and Justin Herbert still have to win the starting job for their respective teams. Burrow should start immediately. Tagavailoa probably sits behind Ryan Fitzpatrick while he heals completely. Herbert could sit and learn for a while behind Tyrod Taylor. But all three of the AFC Divisions look like they could be interesting real soon. The old-timer Ben Rosthlisberger sure sticks out
Round 2 is next!
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