The Cincinnati Bengals own the most valuable selection of the 2020 NFL Draft. Is Joe Burrow the one to finally restore hope for the future of the franchise?
With the NFL season in the books, we can now officially say that the Cincinnati Bengals are on the clock with the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Unlike the last few years, what the Bengals will do with that pick seems to be as close to a foregone conclusion as you can get during draft season.
It’s no secret that the team is need of a franchise quarterback and there so happens to be a prospect who completed a video game-like season at the quarterback position. Is it too good of a fit to be true? Let the debate begin as we dive right into this pre-Combine seven-round Bengals mock.
Joe Burrow
QB, Tigers
A non-shocker at the top of the draft!
If you built a resume for a quarterback that included a Heisman Trophy, national championship, and 76 percent completion rate, it’d be safe to assume that player would be a heavy favorite for the first overall pick. Such is the case with LSU’s Joe Burrow.
Chase Young is an amazing prospect, but it would be a monumental surprise if the Bengals don’t take a quarterback with this pick. Assuming it isn’t suddenly overwhelmed with a trade offer, Cincinnati will be able to decide which quarterback prospect it trusts most to move its franchise in the right direction.
Burrow is the obvious favorite, but it also isn’t entirely fair to count out Alabama’s Tua Tagavailoa or Oregon’s Justin Herbert. There’s a chance we’d be having a much different debate had Tagavailoa remained healthy, and don’t forget head coach Zac Taylor was able to get an up-close look at coaching Herbert during his impressive week at the Senior Bowl.
Still, plenty of signs point to Burrow being the man the Bengals’ front office feel can lead them out of the dark ages. His absolute clinic of a performance in the College Football Playoff was the culmination of a remarkable season. Even though he doesn’t necessarily wow in the “tools” category, there’s no denying that Burrow is the most complete, well-rounded quarterback prospect in the class.
Taylor’s connection with Burrow’s family (Burrow’s dad is a fellow Nebraska alum), and a glaring need to hit the franchise’s reset button, make him the most sensible choice with the No. 1 overall pick.