Bryar's 2020 First Round Review
Well the first round of the draft has come and gone with the remaining rounds starting tonight. As far as how the actual draft was conducted, I was glad to see there was no serious technical issues, at least that were presented to the viewers. As with every first round, there were no duh picks, somewhat questionable picks, and picks that just make you go…huh (looking at you Saints). Without further ado, let’s get to my brief quick notes that I jotted down during the draft. I am sure Lance will have something with a lot more meat and potatoes too it with all sorts of stats and references. My post is merely just a quick take where I tried to see where the team was coming from. Here we go.
1. CIN: Joe Burrow QB LSU – I was not in the least bit surprised with this pick here, and no one else should’ve been either. After authoring thee greatest single season for a college QB and cementing himself as a number 1 pick it would have been criminal had the Bengals gone any other way. I’m talking gates being torn down and buildings being razed from the fans. Thankfully the Bengals did not screw this up and have secured their future franchise QB for many years to come.
2. WAS: Chase Young DE OSU – With Burrow as the consensus number 1 pick, Young was the number 2. The Redskins were in desperate need at pass rush last season, with none of their players even reaching double digit marks. Young changes all of that and the other QBs in the East should start working on their cardio, they are going to be running a lot.
3. DET: Jeff Okudah CB OSU – The Lions found themselves in a huge hole at CB after sending Darius Slay to the Eagles. Okudah should be able to step in from day 1 and lend a hand in fighting against the plethora of talent at WR in the North.
4. NYG: Andrew Thomas OT Georgia – The champagne bottles were popping in the homes of Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley as the Giants snagged them some blocking assistance. Thomas can play either the left or right side and that will depend on what the Giants do with Solder in the future.
5. MIA: Tua Tagovailoa QB Alabama – The Tank for Tua took a different path than everyone expected, what with the Dolphins actually winning games last year and with the sudden rise of Joe Burrow. At the end of the day, they still got the guy they wanted. With the bearded wonder still on the roster, this will afford Tua time to sit back for at least half the season to continue to get healthy while learning the game at the professional level.
6. LAC: Justin Herbert QB Oregon – Herbert finds himself in a very good situation, landing on a team that has a shot at making the playoffs and possibly making a push deep into the post-season. Tyrod Taylor is the current starter, but by end of training camp I can see Herbert being penned in as the QB1.
7. CAR: Derrick Brown DT Auburn – Last season the Panthers were top 10 in total yards given up and 4th worst in rush yards given up. With Gerald McCoy gone, they needed a new big body in the trenches and someone that could stop the rush while getting to the QB. Derrick Brown fills that void and will provide immediate help.
8. ARI: Isaiah Simmons OLB Clemson – With the needs of the teams ahead of them, this allowed a top 5 talent to fall to the Cardinals at 8. Simmons is a fun player that can play just about any spot on defense and should be deployed differently from week to week.
9. JAX: C.J. Henderson CB Florida – C.J. is a Florida native and is only having to move up the coast. Immediate starter and will be a good replacement for Ramsey who was shipped off last season. Has good instincts for the ball and can play both man to man and zone very well.
10. CLE: Jedrick Wills OT Alabama – Like the Giants, the tandem of Mayfield and Chubb were celebrating that the organization is finally working to keep them safe and productive. Wills was arguably the best OT in the draft.
11. NYJ: Mekhi Becton OT Louisville – This is a man’s man of a man. Bell is going to feel much safer bouncing to the outside knowing Becton is there to carve him a path. Think back to the scene from The Blindside, when Michael Oher pushes that douche of a DE all the way back to the buses.
12. LV: Henry Ruggs WR Alabama – This feels like a nod to Al Davis, picking the fastest player in the draft for the sake of wanting his speed. Ruggs wasn’t even the best WR on his team, but he should help the Raiders stretch the field.
13. SF -> TB: Tristan Wirfs OT Iowa – What do you do when you land Tom Brady? Secure the offensive line to make sure he stays upright. Wirfs will plug in right away and will find himself tested from week to week as the NFC South is loaded at talent for pass rushers. Wirfs should be more than up to the challenge.
14. TB -> SF: Javon Kinlaw DT South Carolina – The NFC West has all slippery, mobile QBs. The Niners landed a player that will be able to get after them and bring them down.
15. DEN: Jerry Jeudy WR Alabama – Drew Lock has himself a new weapon as the Broncos look to tool up to try and keep pace with the Chiefs.
16. ATL: AJ Terrell CB Clemson – Terrell was one of the best CBs in the country last season, and the Falcons are going to need all the help they can to try and defend against Brees, Brady and Bridgewater.
17. DAL: CeeDee Lamb WR OU – Lamb should find himself playing the majority of his snaps at slot with the roster already loaded at receiver with Cooper and Gallup on the outsides. Not only can Lamb play the slot but he can mix it up and play outside WR as well. The Cowboys offense has become very dangerous and loaded with talent.
18. MIA: Austin Jackson OT USC – The trend of teams working to secure their offensive lines after getting a new QB this offseason continues. With QB taken care of, the Fins were able to begin addressing their mess of a line and hopefully continue doing so this draft.
19. LV: Damon Arnette CB OSU – The Raiders again went with a position of need here, but not who everyone thought they would have given who was still available. Still a good CB, does have some questions with attitude towards the game but obviously he has something that Jon Gruden likes.
20. JAX: K’Lavon Chaisson OLB LSU – JAX is working to shore up their defense and landed a player who will make their earlier picks’ job much easier. Chaisson is very good at getting after the QB and generating pressure off the edge.
21. PHI: Jalen Reagor WR TCU – Reagor has been moving up draft boards the last few weeks, and after last season where the Eagles saw random people off the street catching passes for them, they could ill afford to let him go. There are still questions about this pick as players like Jefferson were still available.
22. MIN: Justin Jefferson WR LSU – With the pick the Vikings got for trading Stefon Diggs to the Buffalo Bills, they select his replacement from the Bayou. Jefferson had a very good season last year and should help to stretch the field for Kirk Cousins.
23. NE -> LAC: Kenneth Murray ILB OU – The Chargers traded back into the first to complement their first pick of the night by grabbing their field general on defense. Murray is a LB that can get up close and play run support, while also being able to get his hips turned and play pass coverage.
24. NO: Cesar Ruiz C Mich – After their first round bounce out of the playoffs last season that saw the Vikings just collapse the inside of the line, the Saints felt like they needed to get an upgrade here and they got it with Ruiz who was arguably the best inside linemen of the draft. There are a few thoughts here, one being that Warford at RG is on a contract year, and the Saints could be looking to let him go afterwards.
25. MIN -> SF: Brandon Aiyuk WR Arizona State – San Fran needed to grab a player to replace Sanders leaving for the Saints.
26. MIA -> GB: Jordan Love QB Utah State – This is déjà vu all over again, as the Packers appear to be getting ready the same way they did when it came to Favre and Rodgers. Love is going to benefit greatly from sitting behind Rodgers for at least a couple of seasons, but you have to question whether or not the Packers are thinking about now, or just looking ahead to life without Rodgers as they still need weapons on offense.
27. SEA: Jordyn Brooks LB Texas Tech – Brooks brings the ability to play sideline to sideline which will allow Wagner to prowl in the middle of the field.
28. BAL: Patrick Queen LB LSU – A huge upgrade at linebacker for the Ravens who were needing help at the second level.
29. TENN: Isaiah Wilson OT Georgia – They locked up Tannehill, so now the Titans want to keep him safe. He has technique issues but with the current roster for the Titans, Wilson has a chance at sitting a year to work on his game to make him better.
30. MIA: Noah Igbinoghene CB Auburn – After what the Fins did this offseason, it was a little confusing seeing them go Corner here, but they got a player that can play KR/PR and can plug in as a nickel corner.
31. MIN: Jeff Gladrey CB TCU – Was only a matter of time before the Vikings selected a corner after they shipped off most of their DBs from a season ago. Has a concern about his knee.
32. KC: Clyde Edwards-Helaire RB LSU – Andy Reid loves his multipurpose runningbacks and got another one with CEH. This offense just added a new dimension to their playbook, and we should see frequent HB screens mixed in.
That’s all I have for the first round. Again, these were just my quick thoughts jotted down, while consuming various amounts of alcohol and still reeling after what the Saints did... Look forward to seeing how the remaining rounds shake out!