The NFL Draft is an iconic event in the sporting calendar. College football is huge over in the United States and its popularity is growing on this side of the Atlantic Ocean. One of the main reasons for that is because of the success of the National Football League.
American football fans from all over the world enjoy watching the best draft prospects over the course of the college season and the NFL Combine gives supporters one final chance to scout the talent.
A few weeks later, the best players in the business are drafted into the NFL. However, it is important to remember that even if you are the 199th player selected; it doesn’t mean you can’t go on to become the best quarterback in NFL history.
With the 2020 NFL Draft edging closer, the Cincinnati Bengals are officially on the clock. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out who the Bengals are going to select with the first pick but you never know – the NFL Draft often throws up the odd surprise.
Joe Burrow
This year, a shock first pick looks unlikely though. Burrow has been touted as Cincinnati’s future franchise quarterback for some time now and the Bengals themselves have heaped praise on the Louisiana State University Tigers star.
The 2019 Heisman Trophy winner led LSU to a dominant success over the Clemson Tigers in the National Championship game in January, with Burrow recording five touchdown passes on a defining night for the 23-year-old.
Looking at the latest NFL betting odds, Burrow is a shoo-in for the first overall pick. Can he live up to the hype on the biggest stage of all? Only time will tell. In terms of potential, the sky really is the limit.
Chase Young
The most explosive defensive player in this year’s draft class, Young has the potential to mature into a household name in the NFL. He was dominant during his time at the Ohio State Buckeyes, recording 16.5 sacks in his final college season.
Young himself has stated that he is the best player in the 2020 NFL Draft and he certainly ticks all the right boxes to succeed at the top level. Should Cincinnati take Burrow, you’d have to think that the Washington Redskins pick Young.
Without a doubt, Young is a real prospect and his versatility and ability to play anywhere along the front seven is a major positive in his favour. Scheme isn’t a problem, he can adapt and will wreak havoc wherever he ends up.
Jeff Okudah
An elite cornerback is worth his weight in gold and Okudah should thrive in the National Football League. Teammate to Young at Ohio State, he more than held his own in one of college football’s top defensive units for the best part of three years.
He is undoubtedly the best cornerback declared for the 2020 NFL Draft, with an immense physique and mental toughness required to succeed at the position. In addition, many college football scouts believe he is already ‘NFL ready’.
Okudah has been heavily linked with the Detroit Lions and it wouldn’t be a huge first round NFL Draft shock if he went at number three.
Tua Tagovailoa
The second quarterback on this list, Tua was once regarded as the clear favourite for the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. Unfortunately, the Alabama quarterback dislocated his hip midway through the 2019 season and that has hindered his draft stock.
Tua was unbelievable throughout his college football career, throwing 87 touchdown passes to just 11 interceptions in three years. An added bonus is his mobility – Lamar Jackson’s impact in the running game could sway NFL head coaches…
Most NFL mock drafts have Tua going in the first round but teams will be wary of his latest injury. You could argue that he is a risky selection but Tua’s upside is so great that he is surely worth a punt.
Jerry Jeudy
Quite possibly the best wide receiver in college football, Jeudy could find himself going in the middle of the first round. The Alabama star is reliable and his route-running puts him at an advantage over his rivals at the position.
In some ways, he boasts traits similar to that of Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Without getting too carried away, Jeudy looks destined to enjoy a prolific career in the NFL – provided he has a suitable quarterback throwing him the ball.
Alabama teammate Henry Ruggs III deserves a token mention here as he is also likely to go in the early stages of the draft but Jeudy looks better suited to the NFL. With 24 touchdowns in his final 28 college games, he is incredibly dangerous.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to David J. Phillip / AP Photo*
