As the most consequential Cincinnati Bengals offseason since 2003 continues apace, our understanding of the Bengals’ top needs heading into the 2020 NFL draft has further crystallized. Through multiple signings, the Bengals have reduced the primacy of their needs at interior defensive line and cornerback, but obvious needs remain. Using The Draft Networks predictive board and mock draft simulator, I set out to add to the Bengals young core and to address some of the remaining needs.
ROUND 1
Joseph Lee Burrow
Many pundits and outlets have described Burrow as the leader in the clubhouse for the first overall selection and I’m here to explain why they should stop doing that. Burrow should not be viewed as the presumptive number one overall pick as there’s nothing presumptive about this pick, this thing is immutable. This pick is about as presumptive as the laws of Thermodynamics. Bengals fans have endured an offseason of media opprobrium surrounding the state of the franchise and whether or not Burrow should power move his way out of this selection, but those criticisms will be resigned to the dustbin of history come April 23rd at approximately 8:13 pm EST.
In Burrow, the Bengals are getting the best QB prospect in this draft and one of the best QB prospects in the organization’s history. Burrow lacks the elite physical talent that Carson Palmer had coming out of USC in 2003, but Burrow outstrips Palmer in myriad ways that are fundamental to a qbs success in the NFL. Burrow as a prospect has far fewer questions regarding his pre and post-snap processing than Palmer did coming out, Burrow appears to be the more gifted out of structure quarterback, and no more an authority than Carson’s brother, Jordan Palmer has described Burrow as the most mature and confident quarterback he’s trained since the inception of his pre-draft training program (and yeah, he’s had DESHAUN FREAKING WATSON cycle through that program).
To narrow in on Burrow’s individual talent apart from any player-to-player comparison, Burrow has elite accuracy, touch and ball placement to most parts of the field (intermediate passes to the boundary stress him more than your typical 1-1 QB prospect, but those issues can be designed around by a competent play-caller ie the Saints and New England’s offensive systems), tremendous pocket awareness and maneuverability, demonstrated physical and mental toughness and some playmaking flair. In short, he’s a franchise quarterback prospect.
Other Options at #1: Patrick Mahomes. That’s not a realistic trade option you say? Then move along.