Anybody need a refresher in the lead-up to the 2020 NFL draft? I have you covered with the latest on quarterbacks Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert, along with my thoughts on this historically deep wide receiver class, what the Patriots and Bucs might do, and more.
For the first time in a long, long time, I won't be at the draft. I'm going virtual, along with the rest of the NFL. But you can still catch me for all seven rounds Thursday night through Saturday.
Let's go 30 questions to reset this class, answering all of the biggest final questions before the Bengals are on the clock for Round 1 (8 p.m. ET on ABC, ESPN and the ESPN App).
More NFL draft coverage:
Mock Draft | Final rankings
Favorites at every position
Full draft order | Podcast
Joe Burrow is going No. 1, right? Is there any chance the Bengals trade the pick?
After 42 years studying the NFL draft, I'll never say never, but it's close -- I'd put the chances of Burrow going to Cincinnati at 99%. He's the best quarterback in this class, and it's not close. And he's a local kid who is going to energize a fan base that desperately needs some hope after a 2-14 season.
What makes Burrow so special?
For me, it's his intuitiveness in the pocket. Burrow is so good slipping and dipping and sliding by pass-rushers. He has outstanding awareness. And when he escapes the pocket, he is extremely accurate. That's why I have compared him to Tony Romo. The LSU signal-caller doesn't have many flaws, and coaches and teammates rave about his leadership and the way he played in the biggest moments. That's why he made my list of favorite prospects.
Are the Dolphins still the favorites to land Tua Tagovailoa?
No, that tide has turned. There is a lot of buzz around Miami preferring Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert, which means he could be the pick at No. 5. That leaves Tagovailoa for the Chargers at No. 6. Still, unless a team trades up, the Dolphins hold the cards here. I have Tagovailoa rated higher on my board, but there are several teams that prefer the 6-foot-6 Herbert. Stay tuned because this could be a smokescreen. (Update: I changed my mind again -- my 2020 NFL Mock Draft 5.0 has Tagovailoa to Miami.)
Which QB goes first, Justin Herbert or Jordan Love?
It's going to be Herbert, and my pal Todd McShay is going to have to pay up on his $5,000 bet to The V Foundation. Herbert has a chance to go in the top five -- keep an eye on Miami at No. 5, as I mentioned -- and Love, the raw 6-foot-4 quarterback from Utah State, is likely to be picked in the teens, though he could drop near the end of the first round. It's really tough to predict trades in this draft, even more so than in previous years.
Is there a dark horse team that could take a quarterback in Round 1?
It has to be the Raiders, right? On the outside, they appear set with Derek Carr and Marcus Mariota, who was signed this offseason. But Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock can easily move on from them in 2021. And with first-round picks at Nos. 12 and 19, Gruden can go and get his guy -- remember, he inherited Carr when he took over in 2018 -- and groom Love to be the future starter.
Who is the safest pick in this draft?
Clemson defender Isaiah Simmons. And I'll call him a "defender" because he could play multiple positions in the NFL. At 6-foot-3, 238 pounds, Simmons has rare athleticism, and he ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at the combine. He is my top-ranked outside linebacker, but he played some safety in college and some NFL teams have him ranked as the No. 1 safety in this class. Simmons also had eight sacks and 16 tackles for loss last season. He can really do it all, cover linebackers and tight ends and run sideline to sideline to chase down ball carriers. He's likely to go in the top 10, with the Giants (No. 4), Panthers (No. 7) and Jaguars (No. 9) as teams to watch.
Could Washington deal the No. 2 pick, or is it Chase Young all the way?
It's Young all the way. I'd be shocked if the Redskins traded that pick. They'd miss out on the best overall prospect in this class, an elite pass-rusher who's ready to get double-digit sacks as a rookie.
And is there a clear second-best edge rusher?
It's LSU's K'Lavon Chaisson, a tremendous athlete who might be best suited to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. Chaisson had just 9.5 sacks in his college career, but a team could bet on the tremendous upside that he flashed while picking up five sacks in his final four games. I don't think Chaisson will make it past Dallas at No. 17.
Who are the other defenders I need to know in Round 1?
The top two defensive tackles -- Auburn's Derrick Brown and South Carolina's Javon Kinlaw -- could each be picked in the top 10. Both are stellar athletes with potential to be solid interior pass-rushers.
There could be two middle linebackers in the first round, as LSU's Patrick Queen and Oklahoma's Kenneth Murray are neck and neck for the top ILB spot for teams. Murray is a better athlete, but Queen was tremendous down the stretch for the national champs.
At safety, Alabama's Xavier McKinney and Minnesota's Antoine Winfield Jr. are both likely to be Round 1 picks. McKinney is a complete safety, while Winfield is more of a versatile ball-hawking center fielder, and he also could play some slot corner.
Which team is most likely to trade up in this draft?
I've heard that Atlanta really wants to get one of the top cornerbacks. With Ohio State's Jeff Okudah likely off the board in the top five, that leaves Florida's CJ Henderson, who has been rising in recent weeks. He might not make it to the Falcons at No. 16. I could see general manager Thomas Dimitroff moving up a few spots to get Henderson, a true No. 1 corner.
Which team is most likely to trade down?
Jacksonville has 12 picks, including two in the first round (Nos. 9 and 20), but it also has several holes. I could see the Jaguars trading down in Round 1, particularly if Jordan Love is still on the board and a team wants to move up to get a quarterback. And keep an eye on the 49ers, who have been open about their need for more picks.
Over/under six wide receivers in Round 1?
This is a tough one. Can we push? Here are my six: Jerry Jeudy (Alabama), CeeDee Lamb (Oklahoma), Henry Ruggs III (Alabama), Justin Jefferson (LSU), Brandon Aiyuk (Arizona State) and Tee Higgins (Clemson). I wouldn't be shocked if TCU's Jalen Reagor, USC's Michael Pittman Jr. or Baylor's Denzel Mims sneaked in, either. But I'm going to hold to six for now.
Will there be a wide receiver drafted in the top 10?
I gave Jeudy to the Jaguars at No. 9 in my two-round mock draft, but there aren't many other teams in the top 10 that need a wideout. This could come down to a trade up, so I'll say yes.
Who is your favorite Day 3 receiver?
Remember this name: James Proche. He makes acrobatic catches look routine. And he was incredibly productive at SMU, with 301 catches and 39 touchdowns in his career, including 111 and 15 last season. Proche isn't a super athlete, and we weren't able to see him run the 40-yard dash at the combine, but I like him as a versatile, productive receiver who could be available in the fifth or sixth round.
Who are the hottest names in this draft?
I'll give you two wide receivers for the first round and a quarterback for the second round. There are a few teams that are high on Arizona State wideout Brandon Aiyuk, who is dynamic with the ball in his hands. He's only 5-foot-11, but he has a huge wingspan. Expect him to be picked in the 20s. LSU's Justin Jefferson, the best slot receiver in this class, could go as high as No. 13 to San Francisco. He's rising after running a 4.43 40-yard dash at the combine. And I don't think Oklahoma signal-caller Jalen Hurts makes it out of Round 2; he could be the fifth quarterback of the board. He has been moving up. I gave him to the Steelers at No. 49 in my two-round mock draft.
What should Tom Brady want to see the Bucs do in Round 1?
Upgrade at right tackle. At No. 14, Tampa Bay is in a great spot to get one of the top offensive linemen. Jedrick Wills Jr., who started the last two seasons at right tackle for Alabama, could be on the board. Georgia's Andrew Thomas, Iowa's Tristan Wirfs and Louisville's Mekhi Becton are also options. The Bucs should get Brady some O-line help in the first round and a running back on Day 2.
How many offensive linemen will we see in Round 1?
Vegas put the number at 6.5, and I'd take the under. The four tackles I just mentioned are locks, and Michigan center/guard Cesar Ruiz is also likely to be drafted in the 20s. That gets us to a solid five, but there aren't any locks after that. USC tackle Austin Jackson is a possibility, as is Boise State's Ezra Cleveland and Houston's Josh Jones, who might move to guard at the next level, but one of them going in the first round would only get us to six.
Which prospect will be drafted higher than most think?
There are a few cornerbacks who could get overdrafted because teams crave starting corners. I only gave first-round grades to Jeff Okudah and CJ Henderson, but teams could reach for others in the 20s. Keep an eye on Clemson's A.J. Terrell, who's physically gifted but inconsistent, Utah's Jaylon Johnson, a wild card after he played all of last season with a torn labrum, and Auburn's Noah Igbinoghene, a raw corner who is super athletic.
Could we see Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert and Jordan Love all drafted before pick No. 11 is even announced in the 2020 NFL draft?
Which prospect will go lower than he should?
One of my favorites is Texas Tech linebacker Jordyn Brooks, a tackling machine who got lost in the shuffle playing for a bad team. I loved his 2019 tape, and he showed great athletic ability at the combine. I have an early second-round grade on him, but he could last until the third round. Off-ball linebackers aren't always in demand, but I'd want him on my team.
Will the Patriots draft a quarterback?
Yes, but not in the first round. Bill Belichick loves to draft quarterbacks; since the Patriots picked Tom Brady at No. 199 overall in the 2000 draft, they have drafted 10 QBs, tied for second most of any team (Denver is No. 1 with 11). New England doesn't have a second-round pick, but it has three picks in the third round. Washington's Jacob Eason, a raw 6-foot-6 thrower, could make sense there if he's still available.
The Giants have a top-10 pick again. What is their best-case scenario at No. 4?
Best-case scenario would be to trade back with the Chargers and still get linebacker Isaiah Simmons or offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs with the No. 6 pick. In this scenario, the Giants would likely also get the Chargers' second-round pick and more capital to find starters. They have some holes to fill, and this would be a huge deal for general manager Dave Gettleman.
The Vikings now have two first-round picks. Whom should they target?
Minnesota traded away Stefon Diggs, and now it has a huge hole at wide receiver after Adam Thielen. The Vikings have to get another wide receiver with Nos. 22 or 25. Brandon Aiyuk would be a great fit. The other pick could be a cornerback or defensive end -- we know Mike Zimmer is always looking for new toys to upgrade his defense.
Outside of the Dolphins, who's the most interesting team in this draft?
The Baltimore Ravens. This is a team that will compete for the Super Bowl again in 2020, and it doesn't have many holes on the roster. Yet the Ravens have seven picks in the first four rounds, including two in Round 2, and they could upgrade at guard and wide receiver. Baltimore also could try to pick up extra picks in 2021 by trading back. I'm fascinated by how general manager Eric DeCosta will try to improve his team.
What's the deepest position in this draft outside of wide receiver?
Well, there's no position in this class quite like wide receiver, but teams will be able to find good running backs on Days 2 and 3. A guy like Vanderbilt's Ke'Shawn Vaughn could be a value pick in the fourth or fifth round and make an impact as a rookie. I'll also mention defensive tackle because there are some really good ones who have gone overlooked. Baylor's James Lynch and Arkansas' McTelvin Agim could be Day 3 steals.
Will there be a running back drafted in the first round?
Yes, but it will be late. There just aren't many teams that want to spend that kind of capital on a running back. Georgia's D'Andre Swift is the best back in this class, a weapon who will also help in the passing game. Keep an eye on a team trading up into the last few picks of Round 1.
Who's the top safety, and which team could target him?
I mentioned Xavier McKinney and Antoine Winfield Jr. earlier, and it's hard to separate them at the top because they're such different players. McKinney is the best pure, traditional safety, and he could go as high as the Cowboys at No. 17. The 5-foot-9 Winfield, on the other hand, is more versatile and more of a ball hawk; he had seven interceptions last season. I could see him fitting in Jacksonville at No. 20 or Miami at No. 26.
Give us the Day 2 pick who's most likely to make a Pro Bowl.
You want me to give you a quarterback or playmaker, but I'm going outside the box. Louisiana's Robert Hunt could be a big-time guard -- yes, a guard -- and instant starter in the second round. He's a 6-foot-5, 323-pound mauler in the running game. I'm a huge fan of his game.
You're in a draft room. Who's the guy you're pounding the table for when Day 2 begins?
I just mentioned Hunt, so give me Texas A&M defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, who has some untapped potential as an interior pass-rusher. He could play 3-technique in a 4-3 defense and pick up a handful of sacks a season. The 293-pound Madubuike is an underrated athlete -- his 7.37 3-cone time at the combine was the fastest by a defensive tackle over the past two years. I'd take him in the top 40.
Mel Kiper Jr. doesn't foresee Mekhi Becton's draft stock dropping too far despite his flagged drug test.
Who's your favorite midround sleeper?
I'll give you two. Antonio Gandy-Golden, a 6-foot-4 wide receiver from Liberty, isn't going to run by many cornerbacks on go routes, but he attacks the ball in the air. If he gets in the right system, he has the talent to be an NFL starter. And then there's 6-foot-6, 309-pound offensive tackle Ben Bartch out of D-III St. John's (Minnesota). The former tight end really impressed at Senior Bowl practices in January, and he could be a steal in Round 3.
Let's end with a prediction: Give us one word to describe how you see Round 1 playing out.
Chaotic. No one really knows how all of these general managers and coaches are going to handle doing everything at their own homes. Making picks, executing trades, even signing undrafted free agents -- it's going to be strange for everyone. And with no pro days for the majority of prospects, there are a lot of unknowns on draft boards. I can't wait.