This draft was done with Coach Tim Taggart, who is the QB coach and Co-Offensive coordinator at Pennridge high school in Pennsylvania.
Coach Taggart took the even numbered picks and I took the odd numbered.
1) Cincinnati Bengals: QB Joe Burrow, LSU
Burrow at this point is a no brainer to be the number one pick. Joe Burrow gives Cincinnati a day one starter, a perfect fit for Zac Taylor’s offense, and a franchise QB.
2) Washington Redskins: DE Chase Young, Ohio State
This pick is as much a lock as the 1st pick in the draft. Young can line up anywhere along the LOS and can also provides the versatility to stand up as an OLB in certain packages. He’s the total package and I’m sure him and his family will welcome them return to the DMV area where he shined as a top High school prospect at St. Vincent and DeMatha Catholic.
3) Detroit Lions: CB Jeff Okudah, Ohio State
The Detroit Lions ranked 32nd against the pass this past season. After trading Darius Slay to the Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit gets a number one corner in Okudah who hasn’t allowed over 50 yards in one game in over two years. He has elite speed, coverage skills and athleticism and will help sure up a Detroit defense that desperately needs him.
4) New York Giants: OT Tristen Wirfs, Iowa
The Giants spent a top pick last year on their franchise QB and the year prior they invested another top pick in a franchise RB. It’s time to invest their top pick this season in a position to protect and allow those two to flourish. Wirfs was the anchor of a very tough and stout Iowa Offensive line in 2019. He is a plug and play from day 1 when he walks in the building.
5) Miami Dolphins: QB Justin Herbert, Oregon
Many expect Miami to take Tua Tagovailoa with this pick however, I think due to Tagovailoa’s hip injury and the lack of pre-draft work Miami’s team doctors haven’t been able to do with him, it’ll be Justin Herbert. Herbert has been linked to Miami, who are said to have been doing extensive work on Herbert for the last two years. Herbert has a lot of potential and can give the Dolphins a franchise QB with a huge arm, an NFL ready skill-set and an upside that may be the highest in this draft.
6) Los Angeles Chargers: S/LB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
Man would this be fun to watch! You get to pair arguably the most versatile young Safety in the league with THE most versatile player in this entire draft. Adding Simmons to this defense allows LA to matchup with the speed and athletes in their own division. Head coach Anthony Lynn has also been reported saying he is extremely comfortable with Tyrod Taylor at QB as well heading into the 2020 season and with the lack of protection on the offensive line, I don’t believe it would be smart to take a young QB in Tua who has a track record of injuries.
7) Carolina Panthers: DT Derrick Brown, Auburn
The Panthers ranked 29th against the run in 2019 and considering they currently have next to nothing at the defensive tackle position, Derrick Brown who is one of the best defensive tackles in the draft would solve this issue. Derrick Brown would step in and start for Carolina and sure up the middle of their defensive line.
8) Arizona Cardinals: RT Jedrick Wills, Alabama
Easy selection here. You drafted you franchise QB #1 overall last season, Traded for Hopkins to give him a true #1 WR in his prime and resigned your LT D.J. Humphries. Wills like Wirfs is a plug and play from day 1.
9) Jacksonville Jaguars: EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson, LSU
After trading Calais Campbell and with Yannick Ngakoue presumably on the move, the Jaguars take a high quality defensive end with pro bowl potential in K’Lavon Chaisson. A high character prospect who earned first team All SEC honors, Chaisson can step in and start opposite last year’s first round pick, Josh Allen.
10) Cleveland Browns: OT Mekhi Becton, Louisville
Massive, Athletic and strong. That is the only way to describe Becton as a prospect. Cleveland needs to protect Baker Mayfield to allow him to get the ball to all those expensive weapons the Browns have acquired over the last 2 seasons. Becton is raw, but has plenty of room to grow into a top end tackle in the league. I do not believe his failed drug test at the combine will impact him like most do.
11) New York Jets: WR CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
The New York Jets are desperately in need of a playmaker at the wide receiver position after losing Robby Anderson to the Carolina Panthers. CeeDee Lamb gives the Jets just that. An electrifying athlete after the catch, Lamb gives the Jets a sure fire number one wide-out to grow with the already stacked core of Sam Darnold and Le’Veon Bell.
12) Las Vegas Raiders: WR Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
I have not seen a better route runner coming out of college than Jerry Jeudy. His play speed and quickness is something that cant be measured by any combine tests. Jon Gruden is desperately looking for a true #1 WR since the departure of both Cooper and Brown the last two seasons. He gets one of the best in this class at #12.
13) San Francisco 49ers: WR Henry Ruggs III, Alabama
This would be an exciting addition to the Niners offense. Ruggs III and Deebo Samuel would be fun to watch. Ruggs III in Kyle Shanahan’s offense with Samuel and George Kittle would be a pain for defensive coordinators. Ruggs III is the top deep threat in the draft and he would give the Niners the deep threat option that they’ve missed the past couple years.
14) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia
Bringing in Tom Brady solidified their QB situation for the short term and with arguably the best group of WRs on their team the main focus turns to the Protection of TB12. Thomas will be able to battle it out for the one of the tackle spots and should sure up the protection a bit more for Brady and the offense to excel.
15) Denver Broncos: CB CJ Henderson, Florida
Simply put, Bryce Callahan is not a number two corner. Many would go wide receiver here however considering the depth of the class and the talent the Broncos currently have at the position, they choose to wait to address WR in the 2nd round. The Broncos traded for AJ Bouye and are hoping he can return to his former pro bowl status. As mentioned, Bryce Callahan is best suited in the nickel and he is coming off a foot injury. With this, the Denver Broncos select CJ Henderson to start opposite AJ Bouye and eventually become their number one corner. Henderson, who is the number two corner in this draft will be a nice get for Denver on the defensive side of the ball.
16) Atlanta Falcons: DT Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina
Atlanta’s defense played much better towards the end of the season in 2019, with the release of former cornerback Desmond Trufant the Falcons will look to upgrade their coverage on defense. Since CJ Henderson was snagged by Denver 1 spot before and no corner on the board that is this high on their board, they turn to the defensive line to help take pressure off the back end. Kinlaw is a freak up front and can move all along the defensive line. He will fit in very well with the hybrid style defense Atlanta likes to run.
17) Dallas Cowboys: CB Kristian Fulton, LSU
After losing Byron Jones the Cowboys need a number one corner. Kristian Fulton has that potential. An elite man coverage corner, Fulton, according to PFF, had a 29% forced incompletion rate. Fulton can immediately slide in and replace Byron Jones as the Cowboys number one corner.
18) Miami Dolphins: DE Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State
With Miami selecting Herbert earlier it allows them to focus on the defensive side of the ball with their next pick. Gross-Matos will provide head coach Brian Flores with a weak side end opposite Wilkins to apply pressure on opposing QBs. With this addition, Miami’s front 7 looks to be one of the more talented in the AFC.
19) Las Vegas Raiders: S Xavier McKinney, Alabama
The Las Vegas Raiders get another Alabama product in Xavier McKinney. Their secondary gets some reassurance in drafting McKinney, the best safety in the draft. After signing Jeff Heath to contribute on special teams and provide depth, the organization brings in McKinney and pairs him with Jonathan Abram to put together a young, athletic, and hard hitting safety group.
20) Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
BOOM!!! Yes, Jacksonville gets their franchise QB. Tagovailoa slid all the way down to pick 20, as there were no pro days and he didn’t participate in the combine, his health is a major concern. For those of you who believe in Minshaw and would rather have a safety here, Stop. IF Tua falls to the Jags at 20 he will be the pick. If he can stay healthy, he provides Jacksonville with something they have never had, a franchise QB that can elevate their offense.
21) Philadelphia Eagles: WR Justin Jefferson, LSU
The Eagles need talent and youth and the wide receiver position. If they are unable to trade up into the top 12-15 top get one of the top three receivers in this draft and Justin Jefferson is there, he is gonna be the pick. Jefferson brings a hard working attitude and versatility to Philadelphia. Jefferson can play inside and outside and produce out of both. He gives Carson Wentz one of the more reliable and versatile weapons in this draft.
22) Minnesota Vikings: CB Jeff Gladney, TCU
Mike Zimmer loves drafting corners. Gladney fits the mold of a Mike Zimmer corner, Able to play any coverage, anticipates well, physical and is a very willing tackler. With the departures of Mackensie Alexander, Trae Waynes and 3x pro bowler Xavier Rhodes the addition of Gladney will provide an upgrade on the outside for Minnesota.
23) New England Patriots: QB Jordan Love, Utah State
The Patriots were hoping Tua fell to them but with the Jags taking him a couple picks earlier, Jordan Love is the pick. With Tom Brady gone to Tampa Bay, the Patriots draft one of the players with the most potential, in Jordan Love. He needs time to improve but the talent is definitely there. There is no better teacher than Bill Belichick to mentor and grow this young man, who’s skillset has drawn him comparisons to MVP Patrick Mahomes. Love has a cannon arm, the ability to extend plays with his legs and an attitude of a franchise QB, he just has to be molded. The Patriots get their QB of the future in Jordan Love.
24) New Orleans Saints: LB Patrick Queen, LSU
Not too many holes on New Orleans roster outside of LB. The state of Louisiana and the Saints organization will rejoice when the home grown LB Queen is there at 24 for them to select.
25) Minnesota Vikings: WR Jalen Reagor, TCU
The Vikings get another TCU product after drafting corner Jeff Gladney earlier. The Vikings get their Stephon Diggs replacement in Jalen Reagor, who brings his electric playmaking ability to Minnesota. Reagor can step in immediately as a returner and can eventually develop into a starting wide-out opposite Adam Thielin in 1-2 seasons.
26) Miami Dolphins: OT Josh Jones, Houston
Miami took care of their QB need, they addressed the defensive side of the ball and now the address the protection of their new franchise QB. Jones is still a bit raw, but the LT showed great improvement throughout the 2019 season and possesses high end athletic ability that is much needed in today’s NFL.
27) Seattle Seahawks: EDGE AJ Espensa, Iowa
With the unknown of Jadeveon Clowney, the Seahawks take a DE, who they are said to “covet” at 27. Espensa can immediately make an impact with the Seahawks as he fits well into their defense and has the track record (26.5 sacks in 3 years at Iowa) that proves backs up the hype around him. As Seattle ranked 24th in sacks last season, Espensa can be the piece that solves that puzzle for them.
28) Baltimore Ravens: LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
Similar to New Orleans, the biggest hole on the Ravens roster is LB after the loss of CJ Mosley to the Jets last offseason. Murray is athletic and is extremely instinctive. Sideline to sideline, Murray is a very solid coverage backer and at 6’2” 240 lbs. He can also spill blocks in the run game. All-around a great fit and pick for the Ravens.
29) Tennessee Titans: CB Jaylon Johnson, Utah
With Logan Ryan currently a free agent, the Titans get their number 2 corner opposite Adoree Jackson, as Malcolm Butler is primarily a nickel corner. Johnson brings his long frame and his 31 and 3/8 “ arms to Tennessee.
30) Green Bay Packers: WR Laviska Shenault Jr, Colorado
Green Bay is in desperate need of an impact WR opposite Adams. The Packers had a solid meeting with Shenault at the combine and he would bring versatility to the Green Bay offense they badly need. Another interesting look at this pick is the relationship between Packers head coach Matt LeFleur and Kyle Shanahan. The 49ers selected Deebo Samuel last season and the impact he had on their offense was well noted especially by LeFleur who is close friends with Shanahan and runs a similar style of offense. Shenault is a player who can impact 3 different areas of a team, Passing game obviously, Run game and is a terrific return man. Love this fit for Green Bay.
31) San Francisco 49ers: CB AJ Terrell, Clemson
After getting their deep threat wideout, here the 49ers sure up their back end with the selection of AJ Terrell. Richard Sherman isn’t getting any younger and he’s entering the final year of his contract. San Francisco gets their number 2 and eventual number 1 corner in Terrell who’ll spend the year studying under one of the best corners in the league and eventually take over as San Fran’s number one.
32) Kansas City Chiefs: RB D’Andre Swift, Georgia
This may be my favorite fit in the first round. What more does arguably the most explosive offense in the league need coming off a Super Bowl victory? A versatile RB who is patient and explosive in the run game and is also elite as a pass catching back out of the backfield. The addition of Swift is a scary site for defenses in the AFC.
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