2020 NFL mock draft: Cincinnati Bengals select QB Joe Burrow

The Pride of Detroit Community Mock Draft is underway! The Cincinnati Bengals are on the clock, and with new general manager Seabeeruss running the show, he has a critical choice to make right away. Go with the obvious pick that everyone is predicting, or buck the trend and find someone else to fix the woeful Bengals.

He’s coming to the virtual podium now. Let’s hear his pick:

With the 1st pick in the 2020 NFL draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select Joe Burrow, quarterback, LSU. After participating in the community draft for numerous years, this is the first time that a) I’ve drawn the Bengals, and b) I’ve gone offense in the first round. B makes me feel dirty, like two-showers-won’t-cleanse-me dirty.

Let’s be honest, this was a 2-14 team that suffered on both sides of the ball. It’s time to rebuild so Burrow was an easy choice considering Andy Dalton is aging and appears to be a serviceable backup at best. With so many other needs, if you don’t have a QB you don’t have a chance.

Let’s look at Burrow’s LSU career. In 2018, he threw for 2,894 yards, 16 TDs, and 5 INTs. In 2019, he blossomed: 5671 yards, 60 TDs, and 6 INTs. His second-year jump also resulted in a National Championship, the Heisman Trophy, the Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm, and Davey O’Brien Awards, as well as Associated Press All-American and SEC Offensive Player of the Year honors. And a t-shirt or two to prove it.

Being a glass half full guy, I can see Burrow have success in the NFL with time. He brings many attributes that you want in your franchise QB: an ability to read progressions on routes, anticipating his receiver’s openness, and an uncanny internal clock. He also moves well in the pocket and can scramble when necessary,

I have a few concerns that with coaching should be correctable. Many of the sacks he took were because he didn’t throw the ball away. Also, he needs to improve his ability to decipher defenses. Additionally, the huge differences between 2018 and 2019 make me wonder who is the real Joe Burrow?

Overall, I think this is the Bengals best choice.

Alright, Pride of Detroit crowd. Time to judge the pick.