It’s Draft Day! The 2020 NFL Draft gets underway this afternoon at 1:00:p.m., and ESPN Honolulu will bring you live, pick-by-pick coverage and analysis! Rounds 2 and 3 will take place tomorrow (noon), and Rounds 4-7 will happen on Saturday (6:00 a.m.). Again, ESPN Honolulu will bring you all seven rounds of the Draft.
We asked our on-air personalities to predict how today’s Round 1 might go. Here’s their forecast.
Mahalo to Honolulu Burger Co. for sponsoring ESPN Honolulu’s NFL Draft Week!
JOSH PACHECO:
1st Pick – Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow [QB – LSU] – I don’t think I need to explain that one.
2nd Pick – Washington Redskins – Chase Young [DE – Ohio State] – Washington would be dumb to trade out of this spot. I see Young as someone who will be a franchise player beyond his rookie contract. He’s an incredible playmaker that will instantly boost the Redskins’ defense.
3rd Pick – Miami Dolphins (MOCK TRADE from Detroit) – Tristan Wirfs [OT – Iowa] – There are a lot of good offensive linemen to choose from. At the end of the day, Miami’s biggest need is on the offensive line, and Wirfs could instantly be a mainstay protecting the quarterback, whoever it is, in Miami.
4th Pick – New York Giants – Jedrick Wills [OT – Alabama] – I know Isaiah Simmons seems like the likely pick here, but the Giants have a bigger need at offensive line, and Wills seems to be the right person to take here.
5th Pick – Detroit Lions [MOCK TRADE – from Miami] – Jeff Okudah [CB – Ohio State] – Detroit could get Okudah at three if they wanted to, but they could get them anywhere else in the Top 6 or 7, so trading down to get the likely fit makes the most sense.
6th Pick – Los Angeles Chargers – Justin Herbert [QB – Oregon] – Will Tyrod Taylor last the season as LA’s starting quarterback? Chances are about 50-50. If he struggles, can you guarantee that you can turn to a rookie backup quarterback right away? Tua isn’t a guarantee to some, and Herbert seems like the surefire play if the future needs to happen sooner rather than later, similar to Dwayne Haskins this past season in Washington.
7th Pick – Carolina Panthers – Derrick Brown [DT – Auburn] – Carolina has the best playmaking running back in the NFL, but could use a little relief on defense to make sure that Christian McCaffery and new starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater are given some support.
8th Pick – Arizona Cardinals – Jerry Jeudy [WR – Alabama] – Do the Cardinals need another wide receiver? No. But could Kyler Murray use the receiving weapon of the future once Larry Fitzgerald retires? Absolutely. The Cardinals are going to need to score points aplenty to keep up in the demanding NFC West.
9th Pick – Atlanta Falcons (MOCK TRADE from the Jacksonville Jaguars) – Mekhi Becton [OT – Louisville] – We know that the Falcons have been looking to trade into the top 10 for days now. With the amount of quality offensive linemen available and the need for solidity there, Atlanta will be aggressive in getting the lineman it needs.
10th Pick – Oakland Raiders (MOCK TRADE from the Cleveland Browns) – Tua Tagovailoa [QB – Alabama] – The STEAL of the draft. Jon Gruden needs a quarterback he loves, and he’ll get it here. Plus, there are no early expectations. If Derek Carr struggles, it will be Marcus Mariota, NOT Tua, that will step in immediately. But Gruden knows that neither veteran quarterback will take the Raiders where he wants the team to go.
BOBBY CURRAN:
15. Denver Justin Jefferson WR LSU
CHRIS HART:
- Joe Burrow Bengals
- Chase Young Redskins
- Derek Brown – Auburn DT Lions
- Jedrick Wills OT Alabama Giants
- Justin Herbert Dolphins
- Tua Tagovailoa Chargers
- Isaiah Simmons LB/S Clemson Panthers
- Jeff Okudah Cardinals
- Jerry Juedy Jags
- Tristin Wirfs Browns
- Mecki Becton OT Louisville Jets
- CeeDee Lamb Raiders
- Henry Ruggs 49ers
- Andrew Thomas OT Geogia Bucs
- Justin Jefferson WR LSU Broncos
- CJ Henderson CB Florida Falcons
- K’Lavon Chaison Edge LSU Cowboys
- Javon Kinlaw Dolphins
- Jordon Love Raiders
- Kenneth Murray ILB Okl. Jags
- Tee Higgins WR Clemson Eagles
- Brandon Aiyuk Vikings
- Chase Claypool WR/TE ND Patriots
- Trevon Diggs CB Alabama Saints
- AJ Terrell CB Clemson Vikings
- Patrick Queen ILB LSU Dolphins
- Yetur Gross-Matos DE Penn St Seahawks
- Antoine Winfield S Minnesota Ravens
- Zack Baun Edge Wis. Titans
- Chase Claypool WR ND Packers
- Jeremy Chinn Southern Ill Safety 49ers
- Deandre Swift RB Chiefs
GARY DICKMAN: