With the NFL draft just a little over a week away, final mock drafts are coming in and beginning to provide some clarity before the big day. As usual, almost every single mock draft since day one has had LSU quarterback Joe Burrow pegged as the top pick by the Cincinnati Bengals.
Burrow is just one of several high-profile college quarterbacks expected to go early in round one, along with Justin Herbert of Oregon and Tua Tagovailoa of Alabama. (Even Jordan Love of Utah State could find himself going high in round one.)
Tagovailoa is one of the more interesting cases. Despite having a decorated career at Alabama, a hip injury last November has left some NFL teams questioning his long-term durability. While many mocks still have Tua going in the top five to the Miami Dolphins, Bucky Brooks over at NFL.com made a bold prediction today in his latest mock draft.
Brooks has Tagovailoa falling all the way to No. 9 to the Jacksonville Jaguars, after the Dolphins go with Herbert at the five spot and the QB-needy Los Angeles Chargers opt for Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons.
Per Brooks:
“This should be a no-brainer for the Jaguars if Tagovailoa slides to this point. The Alabama standout is a significant upgrade over Gardner Minshew and gives the team a long-term option at QB1.”
It’s hard to imagine Tua falling that far, but stranger things have happened.
As for who Brooks thinks the Bucs will select at the 14th spot, well, there’s no surprise there (thankfully). He, like many draft experts, like Georgia OT Andrew Thomas. “Adding protection around Tom Brady is priority No.1 for the Buccaneers,” Brooks said.
Thomas would be a great selection by the Bucs. SI even said in their recent mock draft that Thomas may very well be the most pro-ready offensive tackle in this year’s class.
Still, when it comes to offensive tackles and the NFL draft, nothing is guaranteed.
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