Above all Joe Burrow is the prohibitive favorite with the NFL draft betting lines to be the first player taken. But there is also the wild card of a potential trade or cold feet. After all, Cincinnati does have a proven starting quarterback in veteran Andy Dalton. With that in mind, we can assess both who the top alternative could be as well as who goes second. Team needs can often offset player ability. Trades are another factor that makes for the ultimate wild card. Let’s assess the players that could go first and will definitely go early.
2020 NFL Draft: First Player Taken
| Date: | Thursday, April 23 through Saturday, April 25 |
|---|---|
| 2020 NFL Draft TV Coverage: | NFL Network, ESPN, ABC |
| 2020 NFL Draft First Pick Odds: | Joe Burrow -3000, Chase Young +700, Tua Tagovailoa +1300, Justin Herbert +1800, Field +2300 |
QB Joe Burrow – LSU
Burrow opens as the prohibitive offshore betting favorite following the ultimate dream season. To illustrate LSU won the national championship with Burrow as the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback. Burrow posted insane video game numbers in 2019. However, it was the only season of his college career in which he was a dominant factor. Burrow’s size and arm strength is purely average. Yet being from Ohio he makes for marketing as well as football opportunity at Cincinnati.
EDGE Chase Young – Ohio State
First ranked over any other prospect including Burrow is Young, the most dominant defender available. Young absolutely wreaked havoc in several games last year. He brings a terrifying combination of speed and power with moves. Accordingly, every team in the NFL wants a pass rusher that can change games. Young delivers that. On the negative, he was inconsistent and hard to find in some big games down the stretch. His play against the run needs improvement as well.
LB Isaiah Simmons – Clemson
Yet another potential top pick with the NFL draft betting lines is Simmons. A strong case could be built that Simmons brings more to the table than either Burrow or Young. Consider the fear that Burrow is a one-hit-wonder going to a terrible Bengals team. And that Young is too one dimensional as a pass rusher that can be neutralized with nothing else to fall back on.
Most of all Simmons brings tremendous versatility. Simmons can line up at linebacker, EDGE, and even safety. He can play every down effectively. Further, he brings a level of athleticism in which he can match up with tight ends, slot receivers, and running backs. And Simmons can go sideline to sideline like no other defender in the 2020 NFL Draft. Compared to Burrow or Young this is a player that can make a more complete impact on any team that takes him.
CB Jeff Okudah – Ohio State
On the whole, Okudah is the dream shut down corner that would be valued by any team in the NFL. No defensive back prospect in the 2020 NFL Draft can match Okudah for coverage ability.
QB Tua Tagovailoa – Alabama
A clear difference can be seen between Tua and any other player. That is because he could go anywhere depending on potential trades. Along the same lines he scouts must judge his ability vs. durability for potential value.