The Cincinnati Bengals officially have the first pick in the 2020 NFL draft, which can only mean one thing:

It’s mock draft season.

While a bit early, a mock does a few things. One — it nets the Bengals a can’t-miss prospect at No. 1. Two — it gives a better idea of where the team might look at the top of the second rounds and beyond. Here’s a first pass.

 

Round 1 (1): Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

Some might clamor for Chase Young here but ask teams like Houston how elite defenders held up against Lamar Jackson this year (hint — a 41-7 loss). Defensive ends who can create pressure are important…but the Bengals have those. They also do business differently than most by largely ignoring free agency, something only an elite quarterback prospect can overcome. That’s Burrow, the Athens, Ohio native who just won the Heisman Trophy on the back of nearly 5,000 yards and 50 scores with single-digit picks. He’s one of the best passers to enter the draft in years and anything else is silly at this point.