Bengals select Joe Burrow with the first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft

By: CNN

Posted: Apr 23, 2020 9:11 PM EDT

By Allen Kim, CNN

(CNN) -- The 2020 NFL Draft -- held virtually for the first time ever -- is underway and, as expected, the Cincinnati Bengals selected former Louisiana State University quarterback Joe Burrow with the first overall pick.

The Bengals' front office didn't need to overthink this one, as Burrow's spectacular final season at LSU positioned him as an easy top choice.

Burrow's pinpoint accuracy was on display all season as he finished the year with a 76.3 completion percentage while throwing for 5,671 yards and 60 touchdowns against only six interceptions.

He did this all while proving that he can remain poised on the big stage. In three College Football Playoff games, Burrow threw for an absurd 1,305 yards, 16 touchdowns and zero interceptions while leading the Tigers to a National Championship over Clemson in the title game.

This marks the first time in the common draft era that a Heisman Trophy winner was selected No. 1 overall in three consecutive drafts.

The virtual draft replaced what was supposed to be an extravagant event planned along the Las Vegas strip, with thousands in attendance. The league was going to ferry players via boat to a stage on the Bellagio fountain.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, however, plans changed.

Players, coaches, general managers, analysts and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell instead broadcast live from their homes. All 32 teams are also participating remotely.

With live sports canceled across the US, the virtual draft is as close to a live sporting event that sports-starved fans are able to watch.

"We're obviously staging this event in a much different way than we anticipated when we started," Goodell, who announced picks from his basement, said in an interview with ESPN before the draft. "We're not in Las Vegas, unfortunately, but we're all in our homes and we're doing this remotely and we're doing it within regulations without any exceptions.

While Burrow was unable to shake Goodell's hand and walk across what was supposed to be an extravagant stage in Las Vegas, the quarterback still gets to fulfill his dream of making it to the NFL.

No. 2 pick

Chase Young is widely viewed as a "can't-miss prospect." The edge rusher from Ohio State is explosive, powerful, and the type of talent that offensive coordinators will have nightmares trying to game plan against.

He also has a wide range of pass-rush moves that will leave offensive lineman grasping at air.

Young won the Bednarik Trophy in 2019, which is awarded to the best defensive player in college football. He was a dominant force in 2019 despite being suspended for two games.

In his final two seasons with the Buckeyes, he racked up 27 sacks, 35.5 tackles for a loss and eight forced fumbles. He also set Ohio State's single-season record for sacks with 16.5 in his final year with the team despite only playing in 12 games.

New York Giants play it safe

New York Giants General Manager Dave Gettleman's tenure has been riddled with questionable moves, and the team has holes to fill all over the roster.

Many experts expected the Giants to trade down and acquire more draft capital, but with no offers or deals, Gettleman selected offensive tackle Andrew Thomas out of Georgia.

This pick is a clear investment into protecting the team's last two top draft picks: running back Saquon Barkley and quarterback Daniel Jones.

Thomas is a powerful lineman and safe pick that should start from day one.

Tua Tagovailoa

The Miami Dolphins selected Tua Tagovailoa with the No. 5 overall pick.

There were a lot of questions over Tagovailoa's health after he sat out most of his final season at Alabama with a hip injury.

Tagovailoa proved to be a dynamic playmaker in college and has the makings of a star in the NFL. His accuracy, decision-making and pocket presence makes him one of the most exciting players in this year's draft.

As a true freshman, Tagovailoa replaced quarterback Jalen Hurts in the second half of the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship and led Alabama to victory with a game-winning touchdown pass in overtime.

He followed up his MVP performance with a stellar sophomore season where he threw for 3,966 yards, 43 touchdowns and six interceptions. He led Alabama to another National Championship game appearance, where the team lost to Clemson.

Justin Herbert

Six picks in and three quarterbacks are already off the board. The Los Angeles Chargers selected Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert with its first-round pick.

Herbert has the arm, size and athleticism to excel at the next level. Playing the game's most important position, it's no surprise that Herbert was selected in the top 10.

After quarterback Philip Rivers left the team in the offseason, it was clear that the team needed to draft its quarterback of the future. While the team signed quarterback Tyrod Taylor in the offseason, he was likely just a stop-gap until they found someone to lead the Chargers into the next decade.

There's no need to rush Herbert, as they can sit him and let him develop behind Taylor until he proves ready to take over.