2020 NFL Draft Takes, Part 1 of 2

Despite the Y2K like hysteria that the COVID-19 pandemic brought to The NFL 2020 draft, pro football survived it in early 70s like fashion. Forced into their homes, shot callers and all the participants, the draft seemed to lose lots of the Hollywood production like fluff and get right to what we were there for, the picks. The teams got right to the nitty-gritty. I think they all benefited from the minimal slight of hand the restrictions dictated. They focused more on filling their needs, and that's what most teams did. 

Joe Burrow has high expectations in Cincinnati. Will we see the guy who, brought the national title to LSU or the guy who couldn’t win the job at Ohio State. He won’t have the weapons he had in the Bayou, but the cupboard isn’t completely bare in Cincy.  2nd Rd pick, Tee Higgins and a healthy A.J. Green, will make the transition to the bigs a lot easier. Ohio State wrecking ball DE Chase Young, should make new Washington Redskins new coach, Ron Rivera, very happy. He also nabbed do-it-all Memphis RB Antonio Gibson, in the 3rd round. A Christian McCaffery type player.  The Lions improved their secondary with Ohio State corner Jeff Okudah. The New York Giants get much needed offensive line help in Georgia tackle Andrew Thomas. 

The Miami Dolphins got Tua Tagovailoa without having to tank. I think Tua has the most upside of all the QBs in the draft, provided his body can hold up to the pounding. The Dolphins could very well have engineered the most well rounded draft this year. They also grabbing USC OT Austin Jackson, Auburn CB Noah Igbinoghene in the 1st Round, and Louisiana G, Robert Hunt and Alabama DT Raekwon Davis in the 2nd. 

The Chargers hope they’ve found Philip Rivers replacement with the number 6 pick Justin Herbert from Oregon. Later in the round they tabbed Oklahoma run stuffing LB Kenneth Murray. filling the void left by Thomas Davis departure. Davis still hasn’t been replaced by his old team, the Carolina Panthers, so the speculation was they might look to draft Clemson, play anywhere defender Isaiah Simmons, but they instead chose to shore up their defensive line and called on Derrick Brown from Auburn. Carolina made no secret of their intent to "Keep Pounding" by using everyone of its 2020 draft picks on defensive players. 

That left the door wide open for the Arizona Cardinals to draft Simmons. Cornerback, Safety, Linebacker, Edge Rusher, you name it Simmons played it at Clemson. For years we’ve heard NFL talking heads comments on what a match up nightmare it was to defend big Gronkowski type tight ends. So every team had to have one. Simmons could be the prototype to match up with those tight ends. He could bring exciting nuances to defensive football.  In Round 3 they grabbed Houston T Josh Jones, Then after that, they chose back to back defensive lineman. 

The Jacksonville Jaguars picked next and grabbed the Florida’s C.J. Henderson, arguably the best cover in the draft, filling the hole left when they jettisoned perennial pro-bowler Jalen Ramsey. Their next pick was LB K’Lavon Chaisson, is a steal if he can stay healthy. Colorado WR Laviska Shenault Jr. could also be a great pick for the boys from Duval. Great athlete, track speed strong hands, loves to battle. The Cleveland Browns priority is protection for Baker Mayfield, so they went after Alabama tackle, Jedrick Wills Jr. After that they took safety Grant Delpit, LSU. Delpit will be looking to prove that he can play more like he did in his junior year. He should work out fine, fully healed from nagging injuries. The Jets bring massive Louisville T Mekhi Becton to the Big Apple, great on his feet, he need to learn the ins and outs of playing the position in the big leagues and work harder to maintain his weight. 

The Las Vegas Raiders were first team to take advantage of this receiver heavy draft and of course they went after of of the speediest Henry Ruggs III, Alabama. This draft would have made the late Al Davis proud. They chose aggressive Ohio State corner Damon Arnette with the next pick. Then WR/RB/QB Lynn Bowden Jr., Kentucky and big body South Carolina WR Bryan Edwards. They also picked up sleeper Corner Amik Robertson in round 4. 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are starting to look like the champions of the off season (That and $5 will get you a cup of coffee), pick up Iowa T Tristan Wirfs. A multi sport athlete, Wirfs combination of athleticism, size, and speed make him a good bet to being a successful body guard for Tom Brady. 

Part 2, Thursday