The 2020 NFL draft kicks off Thursday night and will bring months of talent evaluation, mock drafts, rumors and speculation to an end. The first overall pick is drama-free, with the Cincinnati Bengals expected to select LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, but this year’s virtual draft is certain to provide traditional shock value early in the first round.
Here are five potential first-round surprises that could shake top-32.
Chase Young won’t be the second player drafted
The Washington Redskins are more than likely to select Ohio State’s standout pass-rusher, Chase Young, with the second overall pick, but once the bell goes off in the first round, quarterback-needy teams will feel the pressure to get aggressive and move up for Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa or Oregon’s Justin Herbert.
The Redskins have the potential to receive a king’s ransom for the No. 2 pick, but it will come at the expense of passing on Young, who profiles as a double-digit sack artist from Day 1. Still, if Washington is offered multiple first-round picks to slide down a few slots in a supremely talented first round, it could make sense.
The Miami Dolphins certainly have the draft pick capital to make a jump from No. 5 to No. 2 and the Los Angeles Chargers could decide it’s worth mortgaging future picks to make the leap.
Remember: The Detroit Lions have been pegged as the likely trade partner for teams looking to land a quarterback, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility that the Lions are eying one of this year’s top passers as a potential replacement for Matthew Stafford in 2021. If a team wants to ensure they get the second-best quarterback, they may have to move into the second overall pick.
