NBC Sports Chicago's JJ Stankevitz, Adam Hoge, and Cam Ellis got together and mocked the first 50 picks of this year's NFL Draft. Here's how it played out:
1. Cincinnati: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
The Bengals make the obvious choice and go with Burrow, giving their rebuilding efforts a franchise quarterback to build around. This is as easy a pick as there is.
2. Washington: Chase Young, EDGE, OSU
Let’s not make this harder than it has to be. Young’s one of the best pass-rushing prospects in years, and Washinton's front seven looks even more formidable in 2020.
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3. Detroit Lions – Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
This is where the draft starts. The Lions should take Tua and trade Matthew Stafford, but even if they don’t, something crazy is likely to happen here, perhaps with another team trading up.
RELATED: Hoge's Top 10 QB Rankings
4. NY Giants: Jedrick Wills, OL, Alabama
Do-it-all Clemson defender Isaiah Simmons is still on the board, but the Giants go with some much-needed offensive line help as Dave Gettleman builds around Daniel Jones. It’s a good draft for top-end tackle talent, and the 6-foot-4, 312 pound Wills narrowly beats out Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs to be the first player at his position go off the board.
5. Miami: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
With three first round picks this year, the Dolphins are under a whole bunch of pressure to jumpstart the Brian Flores rebuild. Herbert’s got plenty of doubters, but all the physical tools are too much to pass up on.
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6. Los Angeles Chargers – Tristan Wirfs, OL, Iowa
With three quarterbacks off the board already, the Chargers can’t possibly reach for Jordan Love here. Instead, they address their need at offensive line, and Wirfs is the top tackle available.
7. Carolina: Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
The Panthers may have true needs elsewhere, but Simmons is the clearly the best player available — the kind of talent Matt Rhule will be ecstatic to land with the seventh overall pick. Simmons can cover, stop the run and blitz, and is the kind of guy who could change an entire defense.
8. Arizona: Jeff Okudah, CB, OSU
Given where he’s projected to go, the Cardinals would be thrilled if Okudah fell into their lap at No. 8. Okudah’s the real deal, and Patrick Peterson and Budda Baker finally get some help.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars – Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
The Jaguars lost Calais Campbell and Marcell Dareus this offseason so this is a no-brainer. Brown can play multiple techniques all over the defensive line. He’s huge and will command double-teams on the interior, freeing up pass rushers.
10. Cleveland: Mekhi Becton, OL, Louisville
A third tackle in the top 10! Becton reportedly had his drug test at the combine flagged, but that shouldn't stop the Browns from drafting a guy who can immediately help their offensive line in Year 1 of the Kevin Stefanski era.
11. NY Jets: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
The Jets will be all over this year’s WR group, and now Sam Darnold has his number one receiver. Jeudy’s technical skills are jaw-dropping, and the Jamison Crowder/Breshad Perriman duo isn’t cutting it.
12. Las Vegas Raiders – CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Jon Gruden and Derek Carr can race to their virtual podiums to see who can get the pick in first. This is exactly the type of playmaker the Raiders need at wide receiver.
13. San Francisco (Via Indianapolis): Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
Ruggs averaged 17.5 yards per catch and had 24 touchdowns in three seasons at Alabama, and his blazing speed — he ran a 4.27 40-yard dash — make him a mouthwatering option for the 49ers here. Adding a deep threat like Ruggs into a play action-heavy offense should only make the defending NFC champs even more dangerous.
RELATED: Ryan Pace's Best 10 Draft Picks
14. Tampa Bay: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
When you sign a 42-year-old QB, protecting him at all costs becomes priority #1. Thomas can already play at both tackle spots, and his comfortability in pass protection fits nicely with how often Bruce Arians is going to want to throw the ball around.
15. Denver Broncos – C.J.Henderson, CB, Florida
The run on Jeudy, Lamb and Ruggs means Vic Fangio gets to add to his defense. C.J. Henderson can’t be passed up at No. 15, although it wouldn’t surprise me if the Broncos trade down if all three of those receivers are gone.
16. Atlanta: K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
Atlanta stuck with Dan Quinn despite disappointing 2018 and 2019 seasons, and needs to get the defensive-minded coach more talent on that side of the ball. I liked C.J. Henderson here until he went off the board one pick prior. So they go with Chaisson, who had 6 1/2 sacks, 13 1/2 TFLs, 1 forced fumble and 2 pass break-ups last year for college football’s champs.
17. Dallas: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
Some may question McKinney’s ceiling, but few doubt his floor. McKinney’s a versatile player who can come up and play in the box, which compliments other safety Xavier (!!) Woods’ more free-roaming, centerfield-type role. Plus, two starting safeties named Xavier is too fun to pass down.
18. Miami Dolphins – Joshua Jones, OL, Houston
After landing their quarterback at No. 5, the Dolphins now need to protect Justin Herbert. There’s been a run on offensive tackles, and Jones is next up. While his run blocking needs work, he projects to be a very good pass-blocker at left tackle.
19. Las Vegas (via Chicago): Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Using the last first round pick the Bears shipped them for Khalil Mack on an interior defensive lineman isn’t sexy, but it’s sensible. Kinlaw has Chris Jones-like upside, and with the Raiders already taking a wide receiver seven picks prior, he makes the most sense here.
20. Jacksonville: Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
When in doubt, draft guys from LSU’s secondary. Fulton can play outside, and has plenty of experience lining up against NFL-caliber receivers. Without A.J. Bouye and Jalen Ramsey, that’s something that Jacksonville desperately needs.
21. Philadelphia Eagles – Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
The Eagles are desperate for a deep threat at wide receiver and Mims is a rare vertical threat who also has good size. With the wide receiver-needy Vikings picking next, the Eagles could be stealing Minnesota’s guy here.
22. Minnesota (Via Buffalo): Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Jefferson had a monster year as Joe Burrow’s favorite target in 2019, catching 111 passes for 1,540 yards with 18 touchdowns. He ran a 4.43 40-yard dash and possesses the route-running skills to be an instant threat as Stefon Diggs’ much cheaper, less ornery replacement in Minnesota’s offense.
23. New England: Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
Murray’s one of the most athletic linebackers in this year’s class. He also HITS dudes. Though Dont’a Hightower’s injury concerns are a bit overstated at this point – he’s played in 30 games over the last two regular seasons – he *did* just hit his 30’s. Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins and Elandon Roberts are all gone, so Murray fills in.
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24. New Orleans – Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
The Saints have a great roster, which is why it wouldn’t be surprising to see them try to grab Drew Brees’ successor here. But if there’s one need, it’s at inside linebacker. Queen is a perfect fit and gets to stay home in Louisiana.
25. Minnesota: Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
I like the idea of the Vikings going with an offensive lineman in the first round, but there isn’t really an interior guy worthy of a top-25 pick. Gladney, though, provides a steady presence at cornerback for Mike Zimmer’s defense, which is going through a major overhaul at that position.
26. Miami: Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
The Dolphins got their QB and left tackle of the future, so now it’s time to take a number one receiver. He doesn’t have blazing speed, but at 6’4 and 216 lbs, he’s going to be able to catch balls he has no business catching with his tremendous body control and vertical leap.
27. Seattle Seahawks – Jonathan Taylor, WR, Wisconsin
While the Seahawks definitely need to block better for Russell Wilson, it would also help to have an every-down featured back to take the pressure off. Taylor easily could have started in the NFL last year had he been eligible. He’d be a great fit in Seattle’s offense.
28. Baltimore: AJ Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa
I really wanted to take a receiver here, like Arizona State’s Brandon Aiyuk, to add to the NFL’s most fun offense. But the sensible thing to do would be to add a solid edge rusher in Epenesa, which could free up the Ravens to trade the franchise-tagged Matthew Judon for more draft capital.
29. Tennessee: Brandon Aiyuk, WR, ASU
The Titans could use a receiver, and Aiyuk’s the best of the bunch still on the board. He could develop into the type of volume guy that Ryan Tannehill is looking for, and his ability to gain yards after the catch – not to mention his value on special teams – makes him an intriguing pick for Tennessee.
30. Green Bay Packers – Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
It might be time to draft Aaron Rodgers’ successor. Love has similar physical gifts as Rodgers, but is extremely raw and needs time to develop. His best path to success is sitting for a couple years and learning behind a Hall of Fame quarterback. Sound familiar?
31. San Francisco: Austin Jackson, OL, USC
The 49ers don’t need a tackle right now, but Joe Staley turns 36 in August, and there have been some rumblings that he could retire before the season starts. Even if Staley doesn’t retire, the super-talented Jackson could take a year to develop before taking over in 2021. It’s a win-win either way.
32. Kansas City: JK Dobbins, RB, OSU
Hoooo boy. Dobbins in the Chiefs offense almost seems unfair. He’s probably not a three-down back, but who’s looking for those anymore anyways? He’s good in pass protection, and Andy Reid will have a dozen fun plays dialed up for him in the Chiefs’ high-octane offense.
33. Cincinnati Bengals – Ezra Cleveland, OL, Boise St.
The Bengals got their franchise quarterback in Joe Burrow, and now it’s time to protect him. Cleveland is the next-best offensive tackle available and while he might not be a superstar, he’s good enough to be a reliable NFL starter.
34. Indianapolis (via Washington): Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, PSU
If Hoge didn’t have the Packers taking Jordan Love, I’d have him going to the Colts here. Maybe Indianapolis tries to move back into the first round to grab Love or another quarterback they like, especially with Philip Rivers on only a one-year contract. But if not, a productive edge rusher like Gross-Matos makes a lot of sense here, especially with a bunch of good receivers already off the board.
35. Detroit: Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
It’s not Jeff Okudah, but Diggs very well may be the next best option. He can hold his own against NFL-sized WR’s – like his brother, Stefon – and has a knack for making plays on the ball. Especially if the Lions trade down from No. 3, grabbing Diggs early on Day 2 is a win.
36. New York Giants – Zach Baun, LB, Wisconsin
The addition of Kyler Fackrell on the edge was a good one, but the Giants need more pass rush help. Baun got caught with a diluted sample at the Combine, but under the new CBA, it hardly matters. He makes a lot of sense for the Giants here, especially with his versatility.
37. LA Chargers: Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia
The Chargers are backing Tyrod Taylor, but it’d feel odd if they didn’t draft a quarterback to at least push him. Flip a coin between Fromm and Jacob Eason here — I like Fromm’s football smarts more than Eason’s arm talent, so I’ll go with him here.
38. Carolina: AJ Terrell, CB, Clemson
LSU and Ohio State get a lot of the credit, but Terrell will be the ninth Clemson DB drafted since 2010. He doesn’t have any one exceptional trait that stands out, but he’s a good athlete that projects as a starter almost immediately. Teams can always benefit from that.
39. Miami Dolphins – Josh Uche, EDGE, Michigan
Surprisingly still available here, Uche has rare athletic traits and speed on the edge that the Dolphins can use. He’s not polished but lands in a good spot with Brian Flores.
40. Houston: Robert Hunt, OG, Louisiana
The Texans still need offensive line help after trading a zillion picks for Laremy Tunsil a year ago, and Hunt is the top guard on the board, making him a fit here. Though it sure would be funny if Bill O’Brien took a wide receiver!
41. Cleveland: Cesear Ruiz, C, Michigan
He’s a center by trade, but can move over to guard if the need calls for it. Size may be an issue, but he has plenty of experience and has been making All-Big 10 teams since his sophomore year. Cleveland needs to rework their line, and Ruiz is a big part of that.
42. Jacksonville Jaguars – D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
There’s been chatter about Leonard Fournette getting traded, and it is credible enough to think the Jaguars are looking for their next running back. Swift has some injury concerns, but he finished strong with a great 2019 season and is the best available option here.
43. Chicago Bears – Lloyd Cushenberry, OL, LSU
Hoge: Ryan Pace has had success with quiet, high-character interior linemen in the second round. Cushenberry could join Cody Whitehair and James Daniels on the Bears’ interior, giving them a boost in the running game they badly need. Cushenberry was primarily a center at LSU but has the capability of moving to guard, giving new offensive line coach Juan Castillo some options on how he wants to deploy the interior trio – all drafted in the second round.
43. Chicago: Grant Delpit, S, LSU
Ellis: Deon Bush is a playable safety, but that shouldn’t stop the Bears from wanting more. Delpit is one of the best safeties in this year’s class, winning the Jim Thorpe award in 2019 (though he was much better the year prior.) He’s a hard hitter who can play up in the box without sacrificing coverage responsibilities, freeing Eddie Jackson up to go back to his ideal positioning.
43. Bears: Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne
Stankevitz: The 6-foot, 217 pound Dugger feels like Ryan Pace’s kind of pick. He has tremendous upside as a versatile in-the-box safety who can do it all — the exact kind of player the Bears need to pair with Eddie Jackson, allowing Jackson to play more single high when Chuck Pagano calls for it. That Dugger is from Division II Lenoir-Rhyne (bonus points if you know what state it’s in)? That doesn’t matter much. I think the Bears use one of their two second round picks on a safety, and there are a ton of good players available here, like Grant Delpit (Cam’s pick!), Jeremy Chinn and Ashtyn Davis. But Dugger emerges as the guy.
44. Indianapolis: Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame
I was between two Irish guys here, with Kmet and Chase Claypool the ones I thought fit. Kmet becomes the first tight end off the board, though, to try to maximize Philip Rivers’ stint in Indianapolis given how effective he can be throwing to guys at that position.
45. Tampa: Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota
What he lacks in traditional size, he makes up for in pedigree and competitive spirit. He also happens to be really, really good. Injuries are a concern, but he’s a smart player who would fill a question mark for the Bucs.
46. Denver Broncos – Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
The early run on wide receivers prevented John Elway from getting his guy in the first round, but Reagor has the speed and suddenness the Broncos need at wide receiver.
47. Atlanta: Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
Johnson could be in play for the Bears if he slips to No. 50, but the Falcons go with a good corner here with some upside to add to their defense.
48. NY Jets: Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama
This Alabama draft class is absurd. Injuries are a question mark, but there are worse decisions on rolling the dice on blue chip-caliber pass rushing.
49. Pittsburgh Steelers – Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
Core muscle surgery and concerns about his maturity led to this fall, but Shenault is a playmaker with the ball in his hands. His versatility would give the Steelers a weapon they don’t currently possess, and he would complement JuJu Smith-Shuster and James Washington well.
50. Chicago Bears – Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma
Hoge: Hurts is a much better passer than he gets credit for. There are fair concerns about his ability to process and anticipate throws, but he plays with extreme confidence and elevates the players around him. Hurts can play quarterback at the next level and would be in a great spot learning from Nick Foles in Matt Nagy’s offense.
50. Chicago: Isaiah Wilson, OL, Georgia
Ellis: He’s 6’7 and 350 lbs. 6’7! 350! He’s probably not ready to start on Day 1, but the right side of the Bears’ line isn’t exactly overflowing with quality right now. If he wins a job in camp, so be it. If not, the Bears have someone getting ready to eventually take over for Rashaad Coward/Germain Ifedi/Bobby Massie.
50. Bears: Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame
Stankevitz: The sensible thing to do here might be to take an interior offensive lineman, but with Robert Hunt off the board, 50 might be high for any of the other guys (John Simpson, Damien Lewis). Trading back out of either or both second round picks would be a good idea and could still get the Bears the bruising interior run blocker they need. But if they’re staying at 50? Give me Claypool, whose combination of size (6-foot-4, 238 pounds) and speed (4.42 40-yard dash) makes him an ideal fit at the wide receiver spot vacated by Taylor Gabriel.