2020 NFL Draft: Complete first round mock delivers pass rusher to Chiefs

Our annual Arrowhead Addict mock draft delivers a deep look at every first round slot before finally delivering some pass rushing help for the Chiefs.

It’s that time of year again.

Of course, you’ve undoubtedly read several mock draft by this point in the pre-draft calendar, but for our purposes, we’ve reached the time of year when our list of contributors at Arrowhead Addict try our hand at playing general manager for each and every NFL team—not just the Kansas City Chiefs—in an attempt to get an accurate read (ha!) on the entire first round.

This entire NFL offseason has been an odd one and the overall level of accuracy for most media members is likely going to be way down given the nature of this year’s draft process in the face of coronavirus safety measures. That siad, it could make it all the more fun to have a measure of unpredictability along for the ride.

Let’s get this underway. We gathered many of our writers and together came up with a trade-free, top-to-bottom, in-depth look at how we believe the first round will go.

1. Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

Analysis by Arrowhead Addict contributor Lyle Graversen

This pick shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. The Bengals made it clear last season that long time starter Andy Dalton is not in the team’s long-term plans going forward, and the team now finds itself in need of a new starting quarterback.

LSU’s Joe Burrow is almost unanimously viewed as the top quarterback in this class. The hope of every organization that has the first pick in the NFL draft is that they don’t earn that top pick again any time soon. If you have a need at quarterback and the chance to draft a prospect at that position with star potential, you’d be crazy to pass it up.

Burrow is everything you could want in your field general. He’s incredibly smart and plays with outstanding confidence. His accuracy and ability to read coverages this past season were fantastic. He has a good presence in the pocket and can feel pressure coming, but doesn’t bail too soon or when it isn’t needed. He’s not an elite athlete at the position, but he’s certainly capable of extending plays and taking off when it’s called for.

Burrow’s list of negatives is relatively short. He doesn’t have a cannon of an arm, but while he may not be launching Patrick Mahomes-esque bombs 50+ yards down the field, he’s capable of making the necessary throws at the NFL level to keep defenses honest. Burrow also only has one year of elite play under his belt, but because that leap in production was predicated on his improved ability to read defenses and deliver the ball with accuracy, there is less of a concern about a “one year wonder” situation than with some other prospects.

Overall, Joe Burrow is a “no brainer” first pick for the quarterback needy Cincinnati Bengals. (Lyle Graversen)

Other Players Considered: Honestly? None. That’s the benefit of having the first pick in the draft.