A sense of normalcy might be available amid the COVID-19 Pandemic next week when the 2020 NFL Draft kicks off April 23.-
The league will virtually draft college eligible players as the next wave of talent helps shape NFL rosters.
This could be a historic year for LSU in the draft as the Tigers are coming off an unbeaten national championship season.
Here is how I think the draft will unfold.
1. Cincinnati Bengals: LSU QB Joe Burrow
This time last year Burrow was considered a mid-round pick. But after turning in one of the best seasons in college football history, the Bayou Bengal will remain a Bengal. Even Cincinnati won't mess this one up.
2. Washington Redskins: Ohio State edge rusher Chase Young
You could argue that Young should be the top pick in the draft. Pass rushers are coveted in the NFL, and hard to find. Young is a game changing pass rusher. Can he do it at the NFL level? Only time will tell.
3. Detroit Lions: Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa
Tua's hip injury probably kept him from perhaps being picked No. 1 overall. The Lions already have Mathew Stafford. But he is going to be the fall guy for why the Lions haven't won anything with him at QB. It's a mistake to blame the lack of success on Stafford alone, but the Lions will. What a shame.
4. New York Giants: Louisville OT Mekhi Becton
The Giants have their QB of the future and a running back in Saquon Barkley. The Pro Bowler just needs some help. The Giants add that help with this pick. Becton is a big boy that will open running lanes for Barkley and protect quarterback Daniel Jones.
5. Miami Dolphins: Oregon QB Justin Herbert
The Dolphins were hoping Tagovailoa would fall to them, but settled for the best QB available in Herbert. Scouts and analysts are all over the board on Herbert. Some think he's got a chance to be a super star others think he will be an average quarterback in the NFL.
6. Los Angeles Chargers: Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs
After saying goodbye to Phillip Rivers this offseason.The Bolts are in need of a quarterback. I would expect the Chargers to try and move up for a chance to draft Tua Tagovailoa but if they can't, Wirfs is their guy.
7. Carolina Panthers: Ohio State CB Jeff Okudah
The Panthers have turned the page from Cam Newton this off-season and it looks like a complete roster overhaul in Charlotte. New head coach Matt Rhule knows who's king in the division. Okudah will be called upon to slow down the explosive Saints passing game.
8. Arizona Cardinals: Alabama WR Henry Ruggs III
Quarterback Kyler Murray gets even more help. The Cardinals need to focus on building around Murray. He can get it done if you give him the weapons to operate.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars: South Carolina DT Javon Kinlaw
The Jags beef up on big guys this offseason as the look to fortify a run defense that was near the bottom of the league last year.
10. Cleveland Browns: Georgia OT Andrew Thomas
The Browns bring in another talented offensive lineman after signing Jack Conklin in free agency to anchor the right tackle position. Thomas is a cornerstone left tackle, and the Browns clearly understand that protecting quarterback Baker Mayfield is paramount.
11. ***TRADE***Atlanta Falcons: Oklahoma WR CeeDee Lamb
The Falcons need help on defense, but they also love playmakers for quarterback Matt Ryan, plus Julio Jones is oft-injured. The Falcons move up and send the Jets a third-rounder and swap first round picks.
12. Las Vegas Raiders: Clemson S/LB Isaiah Simmons
The Raiders add a very disruptive and unique talent in Simmons. The trend in the NFL is finding linebackers that can run like a safeties. Simmons is just that.
13. San Francisco 49ers: Alabama WR Jerry Jeudy
The defending NFC Champ adds more firepower to an offense that is already extremely explosive and fast.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Auburn DT Derrick Brown
Whoa! This is a large man and he's hard to move. Tampa was very good last year against the run and the addition of Brown will only strengthen their run defense.
15. Denver Broncos: Alabama OT Jedrick Willis
Not the flashiest pick for the Broncos, but still a good one.
16. ****Trade**** New Orleans Saints: LSU edge rusher K'Lavon Chaisson
Who said the Saints don't like LSU players. They move up in the draft again for an edge rusher. Doesn't mean they are giving up on Marcus Davenport simply adding more firepower off the edge. The Saints send the Jets a 2nd round pick this year and swap first round picks with the Jets.
17. Dallas Cowboys: Florida CB C.J Henderson
Dallas needs to retool their secondary. Plus Jerry Jones is making the decisions in Dallas.
18. Miami Dolphins: USC OT Austin Jackson
After taking Herbert earlier in this round, the dolphins draft someone to protect him.
19. Las Vegas Raiders: Oklahoma LB Kenneth Murray
The Raiders are loading up on defense.
20. ***TRADE***Baltimore Ravens: LSU WR Justin Jefferson
Get MVP La'Mar Jackson as many weapons as possible. The Ravens find a trade partner with the Jaguars and give up a third rounder this year and swap picks with the Jags.
21. Philadelphia Eagles: Baylor WR Denzel Mims
The Eagles need more playmakers for Carson Wentz.
22. Minnesota Vikings: LSU LB Patrick Queen
The Vikings were hoping to land a deep threat WR after trading Stefon Diggs to the Bills this offseason. But head coach Mike Zimmer will know exactly how to use the foot speed of Queen.
23. New England Patriots: Utah State QB Jordan Love
Tom Brady is in Tampa, and the Patriots start over at quarterback. Strange to think about.
24. New York Jets: Baylor DE James Lynch
The Jets collected a couple of picks in trades with the Saints and Falcons and still get a player at a position of need.
25. Minnesota Vikings: Clemson WR Tee Higgins
Things work out for the Vikings after missing on Denzel Mims earlier. The Vikings hope Higgins is the replacement for Stefon Diggs.
26. Miami Dolphins: Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor
The retooling of the Dolphins offense is well underway after this selection.
27. Seattle Seahawks: Houston OT Joshua Jones
A much needed upgrade for an offensive line that had Russell Wilson running for his life at times last season.
28. Jacksonville Jaguars: Penn State edge rusher Yetur Gross-Matos
The need is at tight end but the Jags recognize good value with this pick.
29. Tennessee Titans: TCU DT Ross Blacklock
The Titans were one of the surprise teams in the AFC last year. This is a smart and safe pick.
30. Green Bay Packers: Notre Dame TE Cole Kmet
The Packers need to help Aaron Rodgers. Kmet is a solid fit for Green Bay.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Utah CB Terrell Burgess
Richard Sherman is getting up their in age. This might be the pick that will eventually replace Sherman.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Clemson CB A.J Terrell
The Super Bowl Champs don't need more offense, and this pick improves a defense that was just good enough at times and really good in the playoffs.
