This NFL Draft, from its start to its conclusion, will be solely, and exclusively, based upon the evaluations of every team's scouting department. It will truly illustrate how every team evaluated prospects, which is why projecting the first round is going to be so challenging. Rumors are abundant that teams are going to be willing to trade up, or down, and should make the first round very difficult to project.
My good friend Tim Tallaksen asked me to write up how the top ten will go. I feel good about the first two. After that - let's see how I do...
1. Cincinnati - Joe Burrow, QB, LSU: Has been basically a done deal since the end of the season.
2. Washington - Chase Young, DE, Ohio State: Yes, Washington will take calls, but Young is the best player in this draft, and could make an immediate impact.
3. Miami (Projected trade with Detroit) - Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia: Rumor has it that Miami wants to get ahead of the Giants to take their preferred offensive tackle. While nobody knows if this is how it will play out, and if Miami truly wants an offensive tackle, I am guessing Thomas is the offensive tackle on top of their board.
4. NY Giants - Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa: Maybe the Giants will move down, but if the offensive tackles are in such high demand as rumored, taking Wirfs here at 4 will be okay.
5. Detroit - Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State: The Lions move down a few spots, get additional picks, and still get a player who can make an immediate impact within their secondary.
6. LA Chargers - Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama: The Chargers are in need of a young QB after the PRivers era. Tagovailoa has a LOT of injury risk, but a great deal of upside.
7. Carolina - Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson: Versatile defender who can line up at linebacker and in the secondary.
8. Arizona - Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama: Protecting Kyler Murray is paramount. Better suited on the right side versus left.
9. Jacksonville - Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn: Powerful interior defensive lineman can help a rebuilding Jaguars squad. Oregon's Justin Herbert is another possibility here, with QB a major need.
10. Denver - Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama (Projected trade with Cleveland): If all of the offensive tackles the Browns want are gone, and I believe they will be, I can see Andrew Berry moving down to acquire some more draft choices for days 2 and 3.
My pick for the Browns? Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State.
