INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 25: Director of Player Personnel Duke Tobin of the Cincinnati Bengals speaks to the media at the Indiana Convention Center on February 25, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) *** Local Capture *** Duke Tobin
All eyes are on the Cincinnati Bengals and the number one overall pick as we inch closer to the 2020 NFL Draft. Can a former Tiger be the franchise savior?
The Cincinnati Bengals are on the clock with the first pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.
And while the draft could look much different from a fan’s perspective than in recent years (namely with attendance) due to COVID-19, teams may also alter their plans as a result of Pro Day’s across the country being skipped altogether.
Regardless, the Bengals have spent a full year diving deep into the scouting of the players in this class and have some franchise-altering decisions to make when the draft officially opens next month. Will LSU quarterback Joe Burrow be the one to put Cincinnati back in the playoff hunt? Let’s dive into this seven-round mock to find out.
Oh, and don’t forget…wash your damn hands.
1st round
Joe Burrow
QB, Tigers
There are plenty of scenarios that could play out in the lead up to draft day but if the Bengals keep this pick, I find it difficult to believe they will take someone other than Joe Burrow.
Burrow possesses everything you look for in a franchise quarterback and is coming off one of the greatest single-season performances in NCAA history. His decision-making and ball placement make him a rookie who can be a star from day one and won’t face nearly as steep of a learning curve as some of the other quarterbacks in the class.
Rumors persist that the Bengals have zeroed in on Burrow as their choice, but I think there is still plenty of intrigue and mystery surrounding this pick. If Tobin were to get overwhelmed with a trade offer, perhaps they’d be willing to move down a few spots for extra draft capital if another team becomes enamored with Tua Tagavailoa.
The team has also yet to move on officially from Andy Dalton, with reports indicating that his upcoming $17 million salary in 2020 is significantly impacting the team’s attempts to trade him.
Whichever way you look at it, the Bengals will be taking a quarterback with their first pick and all signs point to Burrow as being their guy. It would be a no-brainer decision for the Cincy brass to tab Burrow as their franchise quarterback of the future.