The Cincinnati Bengals have opened the 2020 NFL Virtual Draft by selecting LSU quarterback Joe Burrow.
The presumptive No. 1 pick, Burrow heads back to the state where he began his collegiate career. Heading into last season, Burrow was a 50/50 shot to be drafted at all. But after a Heisman-winning season that saw LSU crowned national champions, Burrow’s draft stock rose all the way to the top as the best player at the premier position.
Burrow threw for over 5,600 yards his senior season in the Bayou, with a 76.3 percent completion percentage and an NCAA-record 60 touchdowns. Burrow was the driving force behind LSU’s unstoppable offense, which led LSU to its first undefeated season in school history since 1933 and its best record ever.
On the flip side, Cincinnati is in desperate need of a talent influx. Under first-year head coach Zac Taylor, the Bengals started 0-11. An ankle injury to star wideout A.J. Green sidelined him for the entire season, and the Bengals tanked enough to capture the No. 1 pick. For a quarterback and star-needy team, Burrow and the Bengals are a perfect fit.
Cincinnati spent big in free agency in order to prepare the team for Burrow, signing former Minnesota Vikings defensive backs Mackensie Alexander and Trae Waynes and former Houston Texans nose tackle D.J. Reader and ex-New Orleans Saint Vonn Bell. They also placed the franchise tag on Green.
Burrow looks to bring hope back to Cincinnati and prove he is worth the No. 1 overall pick, but only time will tell if he is the missing piece Cincinnati needs to start turning around their win total.
