Most NFL Draft analysts and pundits believe it is a formality the Cincinnati Bengals will select LSU quarterback Joe Burrow with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
But former Bengals quarterback and 2003 top pick Carson Palmer does not believe thinks are so cut and dry for Cincy.
Palmer stated his belief in longtime Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (who is still under contract with the team) while also suggesting Ohio State EDGE rusher Chase Young might be the best player in the draft.
On The Dan Patrick Show, he also seemed to question Burrow's readiness for the NFL (via Dave Clark of the Cincinnati Enquirer):
“There is a ton of unknowns on Joe [Burrow] … He played one year of college football. It is extremely risky, right? But you’ve got to have a quarterback. And that position is — as we know — it’s the position you have to have. Every team that is a Super Bowl contender has a quarterback. So until you have that guy, you’re always looking for him. Now, Andy Dalton still is under contract. Chase Young, as you’re saying, could be the best player in the draft — probably is the best player in the draft. I think it’s a really difficult decision that they have to make. They have to either pass up on a guy that’s a 14-sack guy or go after a guy that could be the future of your franchise and handle the quarterback position for the future of your franchise for the next 10 to 15 years. It’s obviously a big decision and a difficult decision.”
Young might indeed be the best player in the draft. He was the best defensive player in college football last year, and most executives have been salivating at his athleticism and skill set.
However, the Bengals have not once seemed to stray from the idea they would take Burrow with the top pick. Plus, Burrow actually played two full seasons at LSU, not one as Palmer indicated.
In any case, Burrow and Young will almost assuredly be the first two players off the board.
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