It’s finally here. All the speculation, all the what-ifs, all the hypotheticals, all the combine grades and mock draft madness and virtual interviews… it all becomes real Thursday night when the 2020 NFL Draft kicks off in home offices and man caves and living rooms all over the country. From the teams doing deals on their sofas to the commissioner announcing the selections from his house to the prospects camped out around their kitchen tables, this year’s first round promises to be like nothing else the league or its fans have ever seen.

What remains exactly like drafts past, though, is the scramble for inside information in the hours leading up to the picks. From veteran reporters to network analysts to armchair GM wannabes on Twitter, everyone has a hot “I’m hearing” take or a fresh “sources say” scoop to share. Some of them will bear out to be true; many won’t.

Latest Rumors and Announcements

Here’s where we’ll plug in all of the latest rumors and rumblings to keep you as up-to-date as possible. Jump to the bottom of the article for the full first-round draft order.

Miami Dolphins’ thirsty for Burrow?

The Miami Dolphins have three first-round selections, and a ton of needs, so how they will spend those picks is a source of major guesswork.

What I hear on Dolphins QB situation, FWIW:
They think Burrow is Joe Montana. Have offered a ton. Bengals virtually certain to keep pick
They like Tua a lot but medical is a concern.
They aren't big on Herbert
They are super intrigued by Love's upside.5 is high but have 18 & 26

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) April 23, 2020

Is Miami’s worry over Tua Tagovailoa’s health genuine and compounded by the fact that they were unable to meet with him in person before coronavirus travel restrictions set in? Or is some of this leaked concern a ploy to scare other teams off the Alabama passer? The Dolphins would presumably love to take an elite offensive lineman with the fifth pick and still land Tagovailoa.

Jerry Jeudy’s knee concerns

Medical concerns have also surrounded Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, to the point that Jeudy’s doctor wrote a note to all 32 teams explaining the wideout’s previous knee surgery.

Every team has their own medical views, and I’ve talked to many of them. While it’s possible some have issues with Jerry Jeudy’s knee, I have not spoken with a team yet that believes it will hinder his NFL career. https://t.co/nG6COK5kJe

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 22, 2020

Despite persistent whispers that Jeudy has some mysterious knee ailment that is worse than has been revealed, teams say that they have no doubts about Jeudy’s ability. But when it’s time to actually call a name, will those lingering stories be enough to sway a GM to look elsewhere?

Giants willing to dump Daniel Jones?

One of the more curious rumors floating around is the Giants’ apparent interest in Oregon quarterback Justin Hebert. The Giants just anointed Daniel Jones their signal-caller of the future after taking him sixth overall last year and benching Eli Manning in favor of him.

But Big Blue, with the No. 4 pick this year, has reportedly spent an incredible amount of time this offseason on Herbert.

Adding to this: I am absolutely certain Herbert is the No. 1 QB on #Giants board. I'm also completely certain they aren't drafting him. This is a staple #Patriots culture move. Getting some additional "just in case" evaluation for down the road. Herbert could flame out elsewhere. https://t.co/7tirCz4OM3

— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) April 20, 2020

What New York chooses to do with the fourth pick Thursday night will be fascinating to watch.

Lions want to get more picks and move down

Many teams will eagerly give up a selection that high for more draft capital in later rounds, knowing that a desperate team might overpay to get the player they covet. Expect lots of wheeling and dealing with so many teams seemingly unsure about prospects they were unable to spend time with in person.

Team I will be paying closest attention to on Day 1: Detroit

Lions are in a spot they'd like to get out of, have no real need of drafting a QB, teams with a need there want to get to that spot.

— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) April 22, 2020

Cowboys looking at a Center with No. 17?

Even the Cowboys- with the 17th pick- have been targeted as a team that could trade back. There is sure to be a player Dallas loves who’s available once they’re on the clock, but the lure of instead getting multiple prospects that they simply like a whole lot may be just too much for Jerry and Stephen Jones to pass up.

That may be a plausible scenario, but ESPN’s Todd Archer considers it doubtful. He also nixes the talk of the team taking Michigan center Cesar Ruiz with the 17th pick.

Here's a scenario I'm positive won't happen tonight: the Cowboys taking Cesar Ruiz either at No. 17 or a trade back. They believe in Joe Looney, Connor McGovern, Connor Williams as the Travis Frederick replacements. /1

— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) April 23, 2020

Falcons want to trade into Top 10

Of course, for teams to move down, there have to be teams who want to trade up. Atlanta seems to fall into that camp this year.

From @NFLTotalAccess Draft Preview: The #Falcons have talked to several teams in the Top 10 about moving up, and everyone assumes that's for a corner. But Atlanta has also FaceTimed with multiple top tackles who will be long gone by 16. 🤔🤔🤔 pic.twitter.com/j1Qp0u8day

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 22, 2020

Yannick Ngakoue may get his wish to be traded

But it’s not just 2020 picks that can be used as collateral in a trade. It’s entirely possible that some clubs are burning up the phone lines prior to the draft trying to unload a current player from their roster.

The clock is running out on a deal for #Jaguars franchised pass-rusher Yannick Ngakoue and there hasn’t been much traction to date. These deals are complicated and difficult — both in settling on compensation and doing an extension with his agent. At this point, unlikely.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 23, 2020

And what about Jamal Adams?

That doesn’t bode well for Cowboys fans still clamoring for a deal that brings New York Jets safety Jamal Adams to Dallas, even though Jerry Jones has already tried to squash that rumor.

Jerry Jones seemed to downplay any interest the Cowboys would have in trading for a superstar player, like Jets safety Jamal Adams, calling such a move, “highly unlikely.” "At this time of the year, draft pick values are heightened because all the teams… https://t.co/SPfujl3m5w

— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) April 21, 2020

At least that’s what Jones said publicly. Part of a smokescreen? No one knows. And that’s what makes the draft such an endless source of intrigue for fans. It’s all possible. No conspiracy theory is too nuts, no potential deal is off the table, nothing is set in stone.

Until Thursday night rolls around, and then things suddenly are set in stone.

First Round Draft Order… For Now.

Here’s what we know for sure headed into the first round: the order of the 32 picks taking place Thursday night. In addition to Miami’s three Thursday-night picks, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Minnesota, and San Francisco each have two as well. Buffalo, Chicago, Houston, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, and the Los Angeles Rams will wait until later rounds to make selections.

The first round breaks down as follows.

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