For fans of struggling NFL teams and coaches of injury-riddled fantasy teams, there is nothing more worth looking forward to than the NFL Draft. I figured rather than making you all wait until the off-season, I could shoot a little hope in your direction now. I didn’t build the draft order on the current standings, but rather on how I forecast the rest of the season playing out. So yes, I’ve got the Steelers’ ridiculous defense carrying them to the AFC Wild Card and Aaron Rodgers holding up the Lombardi Trophy again. This draft will go two rounds deep, and as you’ll notice, we’ve got a remarkably talented and deep crop of both wide receivers and quarterbacks. So if it isn’t too late in your dynasty leagues, try to make a few moves for those 2020 first-round picks.

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#1 – Cincinnati Bengals – Tua Tagovalioa (QB, Alabama)

Many are clamoring for Joe Burrow to be the first player off the board as he is clearly the top quarterback in college right now, but being the top player and being the top prospect isn’t the same thing. Rather, Tua is a year and a half younger and when Burrow was his age, he was considered unlikely to even be drafted. A lot of development can happen in 16 months which is why I’m expecting most NFL teams to still regard Tua as the best combination of floor and upside.

#2 – Miami Dolphins – Chase Young (Edge, Ohio St.)

It is going to be extremely interesting if a team like Washington or the Jets lands the first overall pick because they’ve already invested in a first-round quarterback and here sits a potential Hall of Fame edge rusher. Much like Nick Bosa last year, Young is a transcendent talent who can be one of the top 10 defensive players in football right away. Miami needs a quarterback for sure, but if given the opportunity, don’t expect them to pass on Young considering they are the front runners for Trevor Lawrence in 2021.

#3 – New York Jets – Jerry Jeudy (WR, Alabama)

This wide receiver class is so phenomenal that even if you remove Jeudy, it is one of the best two or three we’ve ever seen. For Jeudy to be unquestionably ahead of them all tells you everything you need to know about his ability. His route-running is so impressive that he’d be a WR1 even with a mediocre build and athletic profile, but neither of those describes Jeudy. Rather, he is the complete package and a real threat to be the perennial receptions leader in the NFL before long.

#4 – Washington – Ceedee Lamb (WR, Oklahoma)

If not for Jeudy, we’d be talking about Lamb as the best receiver to come out of college since Michael Thomas. Much like T.Y. Hilton, he gets open with ease and can take any reception to the house. Surprisingly, that isn’t where it ends. Lamb is on the same level as Hines Ward and Anquan Boldin in terms of run-blocking. He is an absolute monster who very much deserves to go in the top-five picks of even a stacked draft class.

#5 – New York Giants – Jeff Okudah (CB, Ohio St.)

We’ve already talked about some incredible prospects but even among them, Okudah is number two on my draft board behind just Chase Young. He is quite possibly the best cornerback prospect I’ve ever seen including even Jalen Ramsey. Okudah is an A+ athlete, has excellent size, is the top playmaking cornerback in the class and is as mentally polished as you’ll ever find in a college cornerback. Much like Saquon Barkley two years ago, it seems hard to imagine New York passing on such a sure thing.

#6 – Denver Broncos – Tee Higgins (WR, Clemson)

Yes, I’ve got three wide receivers in the top six of the draft. When you see Higgins play, you’ll be wondering how anyone, let alone two wideouts could be rated ahead of him. Higgins moves extremely well for a big man and has no real weaknesses in his game. Denver would do well to upgrade their passing game by lining up Higgins on the opposite side of Courtland Sutton for years to come.

#7 – Arizona Cardinals – AJ Epenesa (Edge, Iowa)

Kyler Murray has been exceptional as a rookie for Arizona, but looking back, it is difficult to say they didn’t make a mistake by passing on Nick Bosa with the first overall pick. Epenesa isn’t quite on that level, but he would be a lock for the top-five most years. Arizona could turn to the offensive line with this pick, but a talent like Epenesa is hard to pass up.

#8 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Justin Herbert (QB, Oregon)

Jameis Winston‘s contract is due to expire and you can bet your bottom dollar Tampa Bay will be moving on. They could turn to an NFL-ready arm like Burrow but Herbert has all-world upside. There are major question marks without a doubt, but just like we saw with Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen and Jared Goff, someone will almost certainly fall in love with Herbert’s potential and make him a top 10 pick.

#9 – Atlanta Falcons – Isaiah Simmons (LB, Clemson)

Much like Mark Barron in the past, Simmons is a hybrid player who could potentially be an all-pro linebacker or safety depending on what the team needs. Most likely, he’ll end up being an elite weak side linebacker who dominates in coverage and helps shut down the run.

#10 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Andrew Thomas (OT, Cleveland)

The fact that a talent like Thomas has a chance to drop out of the top-five, let alone fall to the 10th pick, is outrageous, but this is the most impressive draft class we’ve seen since at least 2011. The Jags need to replace Cam Robinson and they’d be ecstatic to trade up for Thomas if he was still available at #6 or #7.

#11 – Cleveland Browns – Tristan Wirfs (OT, Iowa)

As we’ve seen, Baker Mayfield can’t do as much when he is hounded by the pass rush. Wirfs would help that situation quite a bit.

#12 – Tennessee Titans – Joe Burrow (QB, LSU)

The Titans grab the most polished quarterback in the draft class to fill the only weak spot on its team.

#13 – Las Vegas Raiders (via CHI) – Laviska Shenault Jr. (WR, Colorado)

Tyrell Williams is by no means a #1 receiver. With Antonio Brown gone, they’ll look to add one of the dynamic playmakers from this loaded class.

#14 – Detroit Lions – Javon Kinlaw (DL, South Carolina)

The defensive line has been a major problem spot for the Lions this season. Kinlaw can plug the middle and enhance their pass rush.

#15 – Carolina Panthers – Grant Delpit (S, LSU)

Tre Boston will presumably be out of the way and Carolina would sprint to the podium if this total-package was there for them at #15.

#16 – Las Vegas Raiders – Paulson Adebo (CB, Stanford)

After dealing Gareon Conley from an already struggling secondary, the Raiders will be forced to make corner a priority.

#17 – Los Angeles Chargers – Jacob Eason (QB, Washington)

Phillip Rivers may have already hit the wall. Either way, the Chargers need a signal-caller for the future and Eason is oozing with talent.

#18 – Jacksonville Jaguars (via LAR) – Trevon Diggs (CB, Alabama)

You can bet the Jags will be considering another big corner with the first of two #1 picks they received for Jalen Ramsey.

#19 – Dallas Cowboys – Albert Okwuegbunam (TE – Missouri)

Jason Witten is nothing more than a stop-gap. Okwuegbunam can be the longterm three-down solution for both receiving and blocking.

#20 – Buffalo Bills – Derrick Brown (DT, Auburn)

Besides wide receiver, the Bills don’t have many holes. They’ll take the best player available here with Brown still on the board.

#21 – Philadelphia Eagles – Henry Ruggs III (WR, Alabama)

With DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery in their 30s next year, the Eagles would be wise to add what may be the fastest weapon in draft history.

#22 – Indianapolis Colts – Austin Jackson (OT, USC)

The Colts are not guaranteed to re-sign Anthony Castonzo so it is entirely possible they are shopping for a new tackle like Jackson on draft day.

#23 – Miami Dolphins (via HOU) – Kylin Hill (RB, Mississippi St.)

Much like Rashaad Penny two years ago, if Hill was on Clemson, Ohio State, Georgia or Alabama, he’d be everyone’s #1 back. Think DeMarco Murray 2.0.

#24 – Seattle Seahawks – Dylan Moses (LB, Alabama)

Pete Carroll never conforms to expectations with his picks. Don’t be surprised if he takes a shot on an elite talent like Moses even with questions about his knee.

#25 – Miami Dolphins (via PIT) – Alex Leatherwood (OT – Alabama)

Miami starts to beef up its dreadful offensive line in anticipation to protect Trevor Lawrence in 2021.

#26 – Baltimore Ravens – Curtis Weaver (LB, Boise St.)

Losing Za’Darius Smith has been the lone glaring hole on the Ravens this year. Expect them to attack that spot come draft day.

#27 – New Orleans Saints – Jalen Hurts (QB, Oklahoma)

With Drew Brees nearing the end of his career, New Orleans nabs another extraordinarily accurate passer who happens to be dangerous on the ground too

#28 – San Francisco 49ers – Tyler Johnson (WR – Minnesota)

Emmanuel Sanders will be a 33-year-old free agent and Dante Pettis isn’t the longterm answer opposite of Deebo Samuel. Shanahan may be looking for that X receiver.

#29 – Minnesota Vikings – CJ Henderson (CB – Florida)

The Vikings can save 10.5 million by cutting ties with Xavier Rhodes so it would only make sense that they replace him with a high-upside rookie.

#30 – Kansas City Chiefs – Kenneth Murray (LB – Oklahoma)

The Chiefs can’t stop the run so upgrading from Damien Wilson at SLB would be the ideal first-round move if a dominant left tackle isn’t available.

#31 – New England Patriots – Raekwon Davis (DL, Alabama)

Belichick has his molds and Davis just so happens to perfectly fit the definition of a New England defensive lineman.

#32 – Green Bay Packers – Donovan Peoples-Jones (WR – Michigan)

Don’t sleep on the former 5-star recruit. He is a phenomenal athlete who has no weaknesses and is a special teams touchdown waiting to happen.

Second Round

#33 – Cincinnati Bengals – Walker Little (OT, Stanford)

#34 – Miami Dolphins – Trey Adams (OT, Washington)

#35 – New York Jets – Tyler Biadasz (C, Wisconsin)

#36 – Indianapolis Colts (via WAS) – K’Lavon Chaisson (Edge, LSU)

#37 – New York Giants – Jedrick Willis Jr. (OT – Alabama)

#38 – Denver Broncos – Ashtyn Davis (S, California)

#39 – Arizona Cardinals – Kristian Fulton (CB, LSU)

#40 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Yetur Gross-Matos (Edge, Penn St.)

#41 – Atlanta Falcons – Cameron Dantzler (CB, Mississippi St.)

#42 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Jalen Reagor (WR – TCU)

#43 – Cleveland Browns – Creed Humphrey (OG, Oklahoma)

#44 – Tennessee Titans – Solomon Kindley (OG, Georgia)

#45 – Chicago Bears – Jake Fromm (QB, Georgia)

#46 – Detroit Lions – Tommy Kraemer (OG, Notre Dame)

#47 – Carolina Panthers – Jordan Love (QB, Utah St.)

#48 – Chicago Bears (via LV) – Tylan Wallace (WR, Oklahoma St.)

#49 – Los Angeles Chargers – Prince Tega Wanogho (OT, Auburn)

#50 – Los Angeles Rams – Bryce Hall (CB, Virginia)

#51 – Dallas Cowboys – Julian Okwara (DT, Notre Dame)

#52 – Buffalo Bills – Collin Johnson (WR, Texas)

#53 – Philadelphia Eagles – Xavier McKinney (CB, Alabama)

#54 – Indianapolis Colts – Justin Jefferson (WR, LSU)

#55 – Houston Texans – Jonathan Taylor (RB, Wisconsin)

#56 – Seattle Seahawks – Terrell Lewis (Edge, Alabama)

#57 – Pittsburgh Steelers – D’Andre Swift (RB, Georgia)

#58 – Baltimore Ravens – Neville Gallimore (DL, Oklahoma)

#59 – Miami Dolphins (via NO) – Troy Dye (LB, Oregon)

#60 – Kansas City Chiefs (via SF) – Zach Moss (RB, Utah)

#61 – Minnesota Vikings – Michael Pittman Jr. (WR, USC)

#62 – Seattle Seahawks (via KC) – Mekhi Becton (OT, Louisville)

#63 – Atlanta Falcons (via NE) – Najee Harris (RB, Alabama)

#64 – Green Bay Packers – Lucas Niang (OT, TCU)

Notable exclusions: Jon Greenard (Edge, Florida), J.K. Dobbins (RB, Ohio St.), Nick Coe (DL, Auburn), DeVonta Smith (WR, Alabama), Marvin Wilson (DL, Florida St.), Jared Pinkney (TE, Vanderbilt), Khalid Kareem (Edge, Norte Dame), Antonio Gandy-Golden (WR, Liberty), Shane Lemieux (OG, Oregon), Gabriel Davis (WR, Central Florida), Chuba Hubbard (RB, Oklahoma St.), David Woodward (LB, Utah St.), Tamorrion Terry (WR, Florida St.), Sam Cosmi (OT, Texas), Tedarrell Slaton (DT, Florida), Mustafa Johnson (DT, Colorado), Anfernee Jennings (LB, Alabama)

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