The 2020 NFL Draft is set to begin on Thursday, so it’s finally time to release my final mock draft before things get underway.

This year was far-and-away the most difficult group I’ve ever had to predict due to the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus, but it was also a lot of fun trying to gauge which teams interest in certain players was real.

In the end, 16 players, meaning exactly half of the 32 first-round picks, come from the SEC, including five different players from Alabama — which would be a new school record.

1. Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

Previous pick: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

Analysis: At this point, there’s really nothing left to say. The Bengals are going to draft LSU quarterback Joe Burrow No. 1 overall on Thursday night, as they should.

The question then becomes what does Cincinnati do with current starter Andy Dalton? Does a team like the Patriots make sense, or does he stick around to mentor Burrow for a season?

2. Washington Redskins – Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State

Previous pick: Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State

Analysis: The Redskins are in a position to land the top overall player in this year’s draft class, and there’s no way they’re going to pass that up.

Imaging a defensive front with Chase Young, Jonathan Allen, Da’Ron Payne and Montez Sweat is terrifying for opposing quarterbacks in the NFC East. There’s no way they’re trading down.

3. Detroit Lions – Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State

Previous pick: Jeff Okudah, Ohio State

Analysis: Former Atlanta Falcons castoff Desmond Trufant was brought in as a replacement for Darius Slay, who was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this offseason. The move was a good signing, but more is needed.

Enter Jeffrey Okudah, the draft’s best cornerback, who’s got everything you’d want in a perimeter cover man: size (6-foot-1, 205), speed (4.48 40-yard dash) and athleticism (41-inch vertical, 11’3 broad jump).