AROUND THE NFL

Daily Briefing

The NFL is counting on victory in the war against CoVID19/Wuhan Virus.  Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com seems less convinced:

At a time when the entire American sports industry is shut down (with very limited exceptions) due to the coronavirus pandemic, the NFL intends to not lose 2020 regular-season games to the crisis.

During a conference call with reporters held on Tuesday, NFL general counsel Jeff Pash said the league is planning for a full season.

“That’s my expectation,” Pash said. “Am I certain? I’m not certain I will be here tomorrow. But I’m planning on it, and I’m planning on a full season.”

Pash separately said that the season would begin on time, and that the games would be played before fans in full stadiums (or, in some cities, stadiums that would not be full unrelated to the virus). He nevertheless acknowledged that much will depend on the public-health situation. But he mentioned that the modeling the league has received suggests that “we may not have to get very far down that road.”

It’s hard to imagine the NFL playing a full season that would begin as scheduled on Thursday, September 10, with the Chiefs hanging a banner to kick off the campaign. The league is nevertheless optimistic, at least for now, that circumstances will allow that game and the next 255 — followed by 13 postseason games — to happen.

And then the news that Wimbledon had been flat out cancelled.  Florio again:

Wimbledon has been canceled.

Not postponed. Canceled.

Arguably the most famous and prestigious tennis tournament in the world won’t happen in 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic. It’s the first outright cancellation of the tournament since World War II.

The news comes a day after the NFL expressed with nonchalance bordering on naivete that the full 2020 season will happen as scheduled, in full stadiums. The same conference call with league executives included an expression of confidence that the league’s five international games in London and Mexico will be played as scheduled.

The Jaguars are scheduled to host two games in London. The Dolphins and Falcons are supposed to host one each. The Cardinals are due to host the Mexico game.

Maybe the NFL knows something the rest of us don’t. Maybe the NFL has decided to project confidence to the point of stridence in the face of an unprecedented public-health crisis. Maybe the NFL simply doesn’t know what’s really going on.

Regardless, few outside the league share the muted, Twilight Zone-ish defiance that was expressed by Jeff Pash and others during Tuesday’s conference call. And it’s hard not to think that, like plenty of politicians are doing based on their comments from a month or so ago, the league eventually will be saying something dramatically different than what it said on Tuesday.

Rich McKay of the Falcons expresses the team perspective.  Darin Gantt of ProFootballTalk.com:

The NFL did everything possible yesterday to project normal, by saying the plan was to still play a full season, in front of full stadiums, on time.

The reality of life in the time of coronavirus is that any plan beyond the immediate is really just a wish.

Falcons team president and Competition Committee chairman Rich McKay told Jeff Schultz of TheAthletic.com that his focus was only on preparing for the 2020 NFL Draft, because that’s the thing that’s on the schedule next.

“We’ve talked about it internally, and what we’ve said is we should focus on the draft because we know that’s what’s on the schedule coming up,” McKay said. “Beyond that, let’s wait and see what changes. In the first week, when we closed the offices, people were saying, ‘I can’t believe you closed your offices,’ and three days later everybody’s office was closed. For me to get into the discussion of ‘What will this mean for the offseason; what will this mean for training camp; what does it mean potentially for the season?’ — we haven’t spent any time on it.

“We’ve spent time on the draft. Today, one of our meetings was just spent with the IT people to understand how we would be connected during the draft and communicate. I’m not going to get caught up in the speculation about what happens after the draft.”

That might seem like a lot of words to say “we don’t know yet,” but that’s the reality the NFL is faced with at the moment. With projections changing on an hourly basis, NFL teams are left to focus on what’s right in front of them.

Which is far different from normal.

And when the season is played, there will be 14 teams in the playoffs.  Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com with the basics:

It’s official: The 2020 season will conclude with a 14-team playoff.

The NFL owners voted via conference call to expand the playoffs, adding an additional wild card team in each conference.

The playoffs will now feature the four division winners in each conference as well as three wild card teams in each conference. The team with the No. 1 seed will earn not only home-field advantage throughout the playoffs but also the only bye week.

The first weekend of the playoffs will include six games, with six division winners hosting six wild card teams. There will be three games on Saturday, January 9, 2021 and three on Sunday, January 10, 2021. CBS and NBC will each broadcast one of the additional games.

Although some have criticized the expanded playoffs as potentially watering down the regular season, it was an easy call for owners, as the two additional playoff games will bring in significant television revenue.

Plus, we should get more meaningful late season games, especially in Week 17.

Some numbers from Mike Florio:

According to the NFL, a 14-team format since the playoffs expanded to 12 teams in 1990 would have resulted in 60 more playoff teams. Of those, 44 would have had a winning record. That’s 73.3 percent.

Another 15 would have qualified with a .500 record. That’s 25 percent.

Only one team of 60 — 1.6 percent of all extra playoff teams — would have made it with a losing record.

Expansion to 14 teams also will keep the NFL at No. 3 among all major American sports when it comes to the percentage of teams to qualify for the postseason. In the NBA, 16 of 30 teams (53.3 percent) make it to the playoffs. In the NHL, 16 of 31 teams (51.6 percent) qualify for the playoffs.

In the NFL, 14 of 32 teams (43.7 percent) will make it, under the expanded format. Only Major League Baseball, with 10 of 30 teams (30 percent) qualifying, has a lower percentage.

Few from within the league are complaining about expanded playoffs. At the Scouting Combine last month, the coaches and General Managers who were asked about the issue during interviews on PFT Live unanimously supported it.

And for good reason. For many coaches and General Managers who are on the hot seat, the job-saving mandate is to make the playoffs. If/when the playoffs expand, each embattled coach or G.M. will have one more seat at the postseason table to try to grab.

Last year, the 9-7 Rams would have won the extra NFC berth with their 31-24 Week 17 victory over the Cardinals.  If Arizona prevailed, there would have been a three-way 8-8 tiebreaker with the Cowboys and Bears.  All for the right to go to Green Bay in the expanded Wild Card round.  That we would think would have been a somewhat competitive game.

In the AFC, the 8-8 Steelers would have made the playoffs despite a Week 17 loss to Baltimore (which was playing for nothing).  The Pittsburgh and Duck Hodges would have gone to the slaughter at second-seed Kansas City.  So, in the AFC in 2019, the extra playoff game really wouldn’t have added anything to the playoff stew.

NFC EAST

WASHINGTON

G BRANDON SCHERFF is signing his franchise tender offer.

Three-time Pro Bowl guard Brandon Scherff of the Washington Redskins is signing his franchise tender, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Scherff will be paid $15.03 million this season, all guaranteed, after signing the tender. The Redskins had placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Scherff on May 14.

The Redskins’ previous regime had negotiated with Scherff during the season, but he rejected their offer. New coach Ron Rivera has said he views Scherff as one of the team’s core players and that he wants to build a strong offensive line. Washington likely will make one or two more offers to Scherff before the July 15 deadline to see if they can work out a long-term extension.

Rivera, in his first offseason, has been reluctant to offer extensions to current players, notably tackle Trent Williams and linebacker Ryan Kerrigan. Williams has asked to be traded or released. Kerrigan has one more year left on his contract. Corner Quinton Dunbar wanted more money on the final year of his contract, but Rivera declined and they traded him to Seattle for a fifth-round pick. Rivera has told players he wants to get to know them better before making a long-term financial decision.

There is no doubting Scherff’s talent, but he has struggled to stay healthy the past two seasons, missing a combined 13 games. Scherff suffered a torn pectoral muscle and missed eight games in 2018, ending on injured reserve. This past season, he missed five games because of elbow and shoulder issues, again landing on injured reserve.

Scherff, who turned 28 in December, earned praise not only for his blocking at the line, but with his ability to block well in space on screens or on runs where he had to pull.

The Redskins drafted him fifth overall in 2015, initially considering him a right tackle. But they switched him to right guard early in his first training camp and he flourished. Scherff did not miss a game in his first two seasons.

NFC SOUTH

TAMPA BAY

It’s official – thanks to the generosity of WR CHRIS GODWIN, you can order your #12 TOM BRADY jerseys.  Godwin takes the #14 of Vinny Testaverde.  Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com:

Earlier this month, after two decades with the New England Patriots, Tom Brady changed teams for the first time in his storied NFL career. He won’t be changing jersey numbers.

Brady’s colors are now pewter and red, but he’ll continue to wear jersey number 12 as he begins his next NFL chapter with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And that means one of the players to whom Brady will be throwing passes will have a new number in 2020. Wide receiver Chris Godwin, who has worn number 12 since joining the Buccaneers in 2017, offered it to Brady, who gratefully accepted. Godwin, who is coming off his first Pro Bowl campaign, will switch to jersey number 14.

Brady, of course, made the number 12 famous in New England, where he played 20 seasons and won an NFL-record six Super Bowl championships. Brady ranks as one of the most famous “Number 12s” in sports history.

Godwin spoke with Brady on the phone shortly after the signing became official. Godwin later discussed the possibility of giving up number 12 in a Skype interview with Buccaneers Team Reporter Casey Phillips.

“Obviously, if he doesn’t want it or isn’t making a big deal about it, I’m definitely going to keep it,” said Godwin. “But we’ll see how that goes. I think just out of respect for what he’s done, what he’s accomplished, just kind of the career he’s built for himself…you’ve got to kind of lean into that respect, you know?”

In the end, that’s exactly what Godwin did. He later told Phillips that there was no transaction between him and Brady as part of the switch; he simply leaned into his respect for the future first-ballot Hall-of-Famer.

The Buccaneers did already have a player listed as 14 on the 2020 roster, but first-year man John Franklin only wore that number for the 2019 season finale because the team planned to use him on offense. As a cornerback on the practice squad for the previous six weeks, he had worn number 43.

Even though he only had it for three seasons, Godwin is one of the most accomplished players in franchise history to wear number 12. In those three years after being drafted in the third round in 2017, he caught 179 passes for 2,700 yards and 17 touchdowns, including a 1,333-yard campaign this past fall. The majority of those who came before Godwin as number 12 were quarterbacks, including Trent Dilfer and both McCown brothers, Luke and Josh. The most famous number 12 in Buccaneers history is currently quarterback Doug Williams, a member of the team’s Ring of Honor at Raymond James Stadium, though Brady’s arrival obviously changes that.

Now Godwin takes on a jersey number that, until Franklin’s one-game cameo last year, had only been worn by quarterbacks in team annals. Vinny Testaverde is probably still the player most closely linked to that number in Bucs history, though Brad Johnson had the most success in it as the team’s quarterback in the seasons surrounding its Super Bowl XXXVII victory. Most recently, other than Franklin, Ryan Fitzpatrick had some prolific games as number 14 for the Buccaneers.

It didn’t take long for Tom Brady and Chris Godwin to figure out the jersey number situation in Tampa. Now they can start putting up big numbers together on the football field.

Something to look forward to – the Buccaneers retrograde, illegible uniform numbers will be replaced next Tuesday.  The spotter’s union spokesperson says, “They can’t be worse can they?”  Rick Stroud of ProFootballTalk.com:

The long wait is nearly over. Tom Brady has his No. 12. Will it be in red, pewter or creamsicle? How about all three?

Nothing is left now except to unveil the Bucs’ new uniforms, which will happen April 7, the team announced on social media Tuesday.

It is the first uniform redesign since 2014, which didn’t go over too well with Bucs fans. The biggest problem was the number font that resembled an old digital alarm clock.

The .354 winning percentage since those threads debuted six seasons ago will make any fan dislike them.

“We have heard the feedback from our fans loud and clear, and have been working with the NFL and our league partners at Nike to usher in a new look as we enter the next decade of Buccaneers football,” co-chairman Ed Glazer said in a statement confirming the change in Feb. “We look forward to revealing more details in the near future about our official unveiling event, which will take place later this spring.”

Well, that day is next Tuesday.

It’s the third major change in uniform design for the Bucs since their inception in 1976, when they debuted an orange and red scheme with a stiletto-chewing pirate logo on the helmet.

The Bucs’ first major change came in 1997, two years after the Glazer family purchased the team. The Bucs drastically changed the entire color scheme. They introduced pewter to the NFL and changed to a darker red as the primary color and a new logo featuring a skull and crossed swords over a wind-swept red battle flag. An alternate logo of a ship was adorned to the uniform sleeves.

The Bucs broke a streak of 14 seasons without a playoff appearance when they changed uniforms.

They can only hope history repeats itself and that Brady plays well in any color.

AFC NORTH

CINCINNATI

It seems like just yesterday that the Bengals drafted CB DRE KIRKPATRICK with a first round pick.  Now, he’s gone after nine seasons.  Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com:

Starting cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick became the third first-rounder to leave the Bengals in less than two weeks Tuesday when they released him as head coach Zac Taylor continues to flip the roster.

After reports of agreements surfaced in the first days of free agency two weeks ago, it was no surprise the Bengals moved on from Kirkpatrick to make room for their massive renovation on the defensive side of the ball fueled by a more than $150 million commitment during the new league year.

Tight end Tyler Eifert, the 2013 first-rounder, and cornerback Darqueze Dennard, who followed him the next season in the first round, both agreed to deals with Jacksonville earlier this month, although Dennard’s deal didn’t go through.

Kirkpatrick, 30, the 17th pick in the 2012 draft out of Alabama who arrived here via the Carson Palmer trade to Oakland, always brought a high level of passion and energy to the job. During the eight seasons he played in 99 games and started 67 of them (three in the playoffs), he became a media favorite for his intense, thoughtful and time-consuming introspection.

His 2019 season was cut short in the sixth game with a knee injury and marked the first year since 2014 he didn’t play at least 774 snaps.

Despite playing just 243 downs that season when Leon Hall, Adam Jones and Terence Newman played the bulk of snaps on the corner, Kirkpatrick came up with one of the year’s biggest plays in a Monday night game.

With 2:50 left in the final Paul Brown Stadium game of the season and snow swirling, the Bengals were hanging on to a 30-28 lead against Denver and quarterback Peyton Manning. They needed a win to clinch a Wild Card berth before heading to Pittsburgh for the season finale the next week and Kirkpatrick secured it when he stepped in front of wide receiver Demaryius Thomas for a 30-yard pick-six. The picture of him showing the ball in the end zone is the cover picture of his Twitter feed.

Kirkpatrick then ended Manning’s last shot on another interception with 67 seconds left. Those were two of his 10 career interceptions.

When Hall and Newman moved on, Kirkpatrick emerged and three years ago he signed a five-year extension for about $50 million. It was an unwieldy deal when the Bengals decided to go younger on the corner in free agency, headlined by the three-year, $42 million blockbuster for 27-year-old Vikings cornerback Trae Waynes and a one-year $4 million contract for Vikings slot corner Mackensie Alexander, 26, as well as a deal for back-up Titans cornerback LeShaun Sims. Before free agency the Bengals signed two pro corners in CFL interception leader Winston Rose and former Packer Tony Brown.

 Kirkpatrick’s release cleared about $8.2 million of salary cap room after the $2.8 million charges for this season (according to overthecap.com) and a pocketful of irony.

Mike Zimmer, the Vikings head coach, was the Bengals defensive coordinator when Cincinnati drafted Kirkpatrick. He brought Kirkpatrick along slowly behind a trio of veteran first-rounders, Newman, Hall and Adam Jones. Waynes, who now replaces Kirkpatrick, was drafted by Zimmer in Minnesota and was mentored and coached by Newman.

CLEVELAND

Well-traveled DE ADRIAN CLAYBORN hooks up with Cleveland.  Jake Trotter of ESPN.com:

The Cleveland Browns have signed veteran defensive end Adrian Clayborn to a two-year deal, his agency announced Tuesday.

A source said Clayborn will make $5.75 million over the two years, with a max of $6.75 million in incentives.

Clayborn, 31, who played in 15 games with the Atlanta Falcons last year, will be entering his 10th season in the NFL.

The Browns have been on the hunt for an experienced pass-rusher to help flank All-Pro Myles Garrett along their defensive line.

Clayborn is a former first-round draft pick who spent his first four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has 36.5 career sacks.

Clayborn rejoined the Falcons for a second stint last season after playing with the New England Patriots in 2018. He worked primarily as a situational pass-rusher and finished last season with four sacks and two forced fumbles while starting just one game.

Regarded as a popular locker room presence, Clayborn recorded a career-best 9.5 sacks with the Falcons in 2017. That same season, he revealed that he seriously considered retirement, but his wife talked him out of it.

AFC SOUTH

INDIANAPOLIS

PK ADAM VINATIERI’s future remains unclear.  Jim Ayello of the Indianapolis Star:

Adam Vinatieri’s future remains an unknown. Indianapolis Colts coach Frank Reich said Tuesday during a digital news conference that the kicking legend has not made a decision about whether he’d like to return for a 25th NFL season.

Reich hasn’t spoken with the future hall-of-famer in the past couple of weeks, but before the Colts facility was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he saw the 47-year-old there rehabbing his knee following season-ending surgery.

The team, Reich said, is waiting for him to get further along in the rehabilitation process before making a decision about his future.

“(We plan) to have a sitdown with Adam and see where he’s at once he’s a little further along in that process,” Reich said.

If the NFL’s all-time leading scorer wants to return, the Colts could have a tough decision to make. Vinatieri is a free agent, and the Colts already have a promising young kicker under contract in 23-year-old Chase McLaughlin.

The Texas native connected on 5-of-6 field goals while drilling all 11 of his extra points over a span of four games with Indianapolis. Added to his totals from brief stints with the Chargers and 49ers last season, McLaughlin finished the year 18-of-23 on field goals (83.3%) and 26-of-26 on extra points.

Vinatieri, meanwhile would be returning from the worst year of his professional career in 2019, missing 14 kicks — eight field goals and six extra points — before hitting injured reserve in Week 13 with an ailing knee.

“I know he’s rehabbing that knee and it’s something that Chris (Ballard) and Frank will talk about and give their opinions to me,” Irsay said in late February. “As an as owner I occasionally step in, but I like to give my people room to make mistakes. Often times that’s how you learn. The best way to learn. It hurts, but you learn that way.

“But Adam knows how much I think of him. He’s unbelievable. … We’ll see. He’s in rehab mode now, and we’re in the middle of trying to put the team together.”

Vinatieri missed 14 kicks in 2019 – after missing 25 in the five previous years combined.

AFC EAST

BUFFALO

The Bills starting QB is in lockdown with the Jets starting quarterback.  John Keim of ESPN.com:

They went to California trying to prepare for the season, as they did last year. Now, like the rest of America, these young NFL quarterbacks are just trying to get through each day.

The glamorous lives of the New York Jets’ Sam Darnold, the Washington Redskins’ Kyle Allen and the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen include workouts that end around 1 p.m., followed by card games, video games and movies.

And lots of yawns.

“It’s pretty boring, I’ll be honest with you,” Kyle Allen told reporters on a conference call. “We play a ton of Gin, Call of Duty, and we get super bored. That’s about it.”

Allen said the group got together Feb. 1 in Orange County to prepare for the season with workouts, including weight training and throwing passes on the beach. They did this last year as well.

Kyle Allen told SI.com that he is living with Josh Allen — with both of their girlfriends — and Darnold lives about 15 minutes away. All three quarterbacks are training with former NFL quarterback Jordan Palmer.

The three quarterbacks lift together in a friend’s 40-square-foot garage. Allen said they make sure to practice social distancing as much as possible.

“Not much has changed. It’s just been a little harder to find a place to throw or find a place to work out,” Kyle Allen said. “We’re getting good work in and trying to adapt to all of this, like everyone else is.”

The Allen combination might have to move in with Darnold, as their lease expires this week. They did not plan to stay longer than April, as teams — in a normal year — would have resumed workouts by then. Kyle Allen told SI.com that he doesn’t want to return home to Arizona because one of his mother’s coworkers tested positive for COVID-19, and his mother is now in the midst of a 14-day quarantine.

However, Allen said the quarterbacks can benefit from this time together, though of course, they didn’t need a quarantine for that to happen.

“That’s why we like to train with each other,” Allen said on the conference call. “We talk to each other about our experiences. We have film nights at our houses and are breaking down film and talking through different things. We’re having really good conversations.”

Kyle Allen learned of his trade to Washington from Carolina while holed up in California — and about a week after, he briefly returned to Carolina to sign a one-year extension. For Allen, the trade means a reunion with coach Ron Rivera and offensive coordinator Scott Turner. Allen started 12 games for the Panthers last season.

He gives the Redskins another young quarterback to pair with second-year player Dwayne Haskins, whom Rivera said would enter camp as the starter. The two quarterbacks have exchanged texts since the trade.

Allen said that after talking to Rivera, the “expectation is to come in and compete for the job. That’s an awesome opportunity.”

Allen gives the Redskins a safety net from someone who knows the offense. Haskins must learn Turner’s system without the benefit of a regular offseason. Allen said it took him a good month and a half to learn the offense in Carolina to the point that he felt comfortable running it in practice.

“The continuity with the system is huge for me, and I think it’s going to be big for the team, too,” Allen said. “If we don’t have a lot of OTAs or don’t have OTAs at all, it gives at least someone on the team a chance with experience in the system to be able to teach it to the other guys.”

MIAMI

Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald hears that the Dolphins want to trade up to draft JOE BURROW.  Shea Dixon of CBSSports.com:

One of the foregone conclusions of the 2020 NFL Draft seems to be that the Cincinnati Bengals will select LSU quarterback Joe Burrow with the No. 1 overall pick.

But is there any scenario where that isn’t the case?

On Tuesday, Miami Herald reporter Armando Salguero followed up on a recent report by adding that a source said the Dolphins are still trying to trade up to get the No. 1 overall selection in this year’s draft, with the goal to be landing Burrow.

The Dolphins currently have the No. 5 pick in the draft, but with the hopes of landing a quarterback, are they too far back to make the splash they are hoping for?

The latest CBSSports Mock Draft, which was released over the weekend, had Burrow going at No. 1 to the Bengals, then Tua Tagovailoa going to the Washington Redskins at No. 3 and Justin Herbert going to the Los Angeles Chargers at No. 4.

By the time the Dolphins picked at No. 5, three quarterback could already be off the board.

“If the Dolphins had the first overall selection in the NFL draft, they would pick the Heisman Trophy-and national championship-winning quarterback with that pick, according to a person familiar with the team’s thinking,” Salguero said.

Now, the Dolphins brass are working behind the scenes to explore all options, including whether or not it’s worth trading away picks and/or players to take the No. 1 pick away from the Bengals.

“NFL people are saying this to me privately — from their homes, of course. Sure, they think Burrow’s going to be better than the other guys. But they also admit they don’t know,” Salguero said.

While the Dolphins might be interested in moving up to select Burrow, it doesn’t mean the Bengals will budge.

The DB thinks the Dolphins are going to have to trade up, at least with Detroit at #3, to get Tua anyway, might as well think big.

NEW YORK JETS

QB DAVID FALES will be back with the Jets.  Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News:

Adam Gase brought back a familiar face in the quarterback room.

The Jets agreed to a one-year deal with veteran David Fales on Tuesday, according to a source. Fales’ familiarity with Gase’s system will be important given the restrictions this offseason due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Fales, who served as Sam Darnold’s backup for the final 12 games of last season, didn’t attempt a pass in eight snaps last year. He spent a week with Gang Green last September before getting cut. He was re-signed a couple weeks later after Trevor Siemian suffered a season-ending injury and moved up the depth chart after Luke Falk was released.

Fales, 29, has been with Gase in Chicago and Miami, too.

The Jets, who also have Mike White on the roster, went 0-3 without Darnold last season. Although veteran Matt Moore, who started a playoff game for Gase in Miami, appeared to be a natural choice to bring in, the Jets haven’t shown interest to this point.

THIS AND THAT

2020 DRAFT

Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com on some mechanics of the draft:

The NFL is moving forward with this month’s draft and that has teams working to come up with the best way to operate amid the regulations enacted in many places to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The war rooms usually in use won’t be open, but the league announced Tuesday that teams will be able to have a group of less than 10 people gathered in a room during the draft as long as they maintain social distancing. They also said they’re discussing another change that reflects possible difficulties in completing trades during the draft.

NFL vice president of football operations Troy Vincent said the league is considering allowing teams more time to complete a deal while they are on the clock. Vincent suggested it would be a one-time exemption available to each team.

There are going to be a lot of other deviations from the normal draft procedures and there will likely be plenty of people watching when they start to unfold on April 23.

– – – z

A Mock Draft from Todd McShay of ESPN.com, with two rounds but no trades, to brighten your day.

As of now, the show will go on. The 2020 NFL draft is just a few weeks away.

It certainly has been a different kind of pre-draft process this year, with many pro days and private team visits canceled. But we still have plenty of college tape, combine workouts, early interviews and some pro days to evaluate, as well as a nearly complete NFL free agency to help clarify remaining team needs. Each team’s personal rankings and preferences aren’t quite finalized yet, and we will see more movement on the board leading into April 23-25, but we are getting closer and closer.

But now it’s time for another mock draft. And with everyone practicing social distancing at the moment, let’s go ahead and take this one two rounds deep for all of you. Here are my predictions for all 64 first- and second-round picks of the 2020 draft.

ROUND 1

1. Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

No surprise here. Burrow has incredible accuracy, maneuvers in the pocket with skill and battles all game long. The Bengals need a franchise quarterback to truly fire up their rebuild, and Burrow has all the makings of a future star in the NFL.

2. Washington Redskins

Chase Young, DE, Ohio State

I expect Washington to at least listen to some trade offers. But at the end of the day, it’d be really tough for the Redskins to pass on the most talented player in the draft class and one of the best pass-rushing prospects I’ve ever seen. Young posted a nation-leading 16.5 sacks, and he missed two games.

3. Detroit Lions

Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State

A glaring need became blinding when the Lions traded Darius Slay to the Eagles (though Detroit did sign Desmond Trufant). Okudah would bring ball skills, size and versatility to a defense that was exploited last season to the tune of 284.4 passing yards allowed per game. His athleticism is elite, and I’d expect him to excel in man coverage at the next level.

4. New York Giants

Isaiah Simmons, OLB, Clemson

New York has three options in my mind here at No. 4: The Giants can trade out of it, they can look at one of the excellent offensive tackles on the board or they can draft Simmons as a do-it-all linebacker. General manager Dave Gettleman will hear some interesting offers, but because I’m not doing the same with this mock, I’m going with Simmons. Remember, the Giants allowed 28.2 points per game last season, third worst in the NFL.

5. Miami Dolphins

Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

I’m sticking with Tagovailoa here, but where he goes really comes down to the medical evaluation and how comfortable Miami — or any other team — is with it. When he is healthy, he’s special. In a best-case scenario, the Dolphins get their franchise quarterback without having to move up and then build out the rest of their roster with a boatload of picks. But that added layer of risk with Tagovailoa and all that draft capital also could lead to some creativity and maybe a trade up to get Burrow, if Cincinnati happens to be open to it.

6. Los Angeles Chargers

Jordan Love, QB, Utah State

Yes, this is a bit of a reach, but the Chargers struck out in the Tom Brady sweepstakes, and they are looking for long-term answers under center. (They can live in the short term with Tyrod Taylor.) Could free agents Cam Newton or Jameis Winston be in play? Maybe. I’m told Los Angeles likes all four of the top quarterbacks in the draft class — and this pick could end up being Oregon’s Justin Herbert, too — but Love has the arm to make NFL-caliber throws and should be available here at No. 6.

7. Carolina Panthers

Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn

Not only is Brown the best player on the board, he also fills a real hole in this Panthers front seven. Carolina lost Gerald McCoy, Mario Addison and Vernon Butler to free agency, and it was fourth worst in the NFL in rushing defense in 2019. Defensive coordinator Phil Snow would love Brown’s versatility and ability to disrupt from the inside in that Tampa 2-based scheme.

8. Arizona Cardinals

Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa

Wide receiver had long been discussed here, but the addition of DeAndre Hopkins makes protecting quarterback Kyler Murray the key priority for this pick. The Cardinals just can’t allow Murray to be sacked as much as he was last season (50), and Wirfs is an extremely athletic big man with great potential.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars

Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon

The Jags could go a couple of directions in this spot, and I originally was thinking wide receiver. And while I really wouldn’t be surprised to see them take a different route, I just don’t see how the Jaguars could go into the 2020 season with Gardner Minshew II — who I do like! — as their only option at quarterback. Especially with all their picks. Draft Herbert and let the big-armed mobile QB compete with Minshew in camp, address other needs later in the draft and go from there.

10. Cleveland Browns

Jedrick Wills Jr., OT, Alabama

The Browns brought in Jack Conklin in free agency, but they still need a left tackle opposite the former Titan. Wills played the right side at Alabama, but he is versatile enough to make the transition and continue Cleveland’s process in getting Baker Mayfield more protection. Louisville’s Mekhi Becton is another tackle to watch here.

11. New York Jets

Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama

Becton also would make sense here, as that offensive line still needs work, but Jeudy is the class’ best route runner and top wideout available. How can the Jets, who would be entering the season with Jamison Crowder and Breshad Perriman as their top two wide receivers, pass on this type of playmaker? The Jets were one of four NFL teams to average fewer than 200 passing yards and score fewer than 20 passing touchdowns last season, and that was with Robby Anderson still in green.

12. Las Vegas Raiders

CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma

The Raiders were pretty active on the defensive side of the ball in free agency, so we’re looking at offense here. Lamb is incredible after the catch and could be Vegas’ No. 1 receiver. Tyrell Williams isn’t the answer, and with both Lamb and Alabama burner Henry Ruggs III still on the board, the Raiders have to get quarterback Derek Carr a weapon.

13. San Francisco 49ers (from IND)

Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama

The 49ers dealt DeForest Buckner to land this pick, and they could immediately replace him with South Carolina’s Javon Kinlaw. But San Francisco is searching for a wide receiver, a concern that grew more pressing when Emmanuel Sanders signed in New Orleans. Coach Kyle Shanahan likes speedy guys who can tack on yards after the catch, and that’s what Ruggs does. Suddenly, that arsenal doesn’t look too bad with the likes of Deebo Samuel and George Kittle also running routes for Jimmy Garoppolo.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville

I had Georgia running back D’Andre Swift going to Tampa Bay in my last mock, and it’s still a possibility. But after going all-in on Tom Brady, the Bucs really need to focus on protecting him. And right tackle is a priority with Demar Dotson not likely to return. The 6-foot-7, 364-pound Becton carries his frame incredibly well and would help reduce Tampa Bay’s 2019 tally of 47 sacks allowed.

15. Denver Broncos

Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

Wide receiver depth remains a problem behind Courtland Sutton, but the offensive line also deserves a little attention. Thomas has room to improve some of his technique, but he has the tools to be a starting offensive tackle. Selecting him would go a long way toward building around Drew Lock, the Broncos’ QB of the future.

16. Atlanta Falcons

Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina

The Falcons will be looking all over on defense; they need replenishments at cornerback, linebacker and edge rushing. But this is pure value. Kinlaw is a physical freak who can rush inside or outside and create havoc beside Grady Jarrett. Taking a player this talented at this spot in the draft is just good business.

17. Dallas Cowboys

CJ Henderson, CB, Florida

Byron Jones is officially headed elsewhere, and that Dallas secondary managed just seven interceptions in 2019 (tied with Arizona and Detroit for fewest in the NFL). Enter Henderson, who is an athletic playmaker in coverage with smooth, 4.39 speed.

18. Miami Dolphins (from PIT)

Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama

The Dolphins opened their checkbook in free agency on defense, but safety wasn’t part of the spending spree. McKinney’s versatility, instincts and burst would be great over the top behind Byron Jones and Xavien Howard.

19. Las Vegas Raiders (from CHI)

Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota

Earlier in Round 1, we slotted Vegas with a top-tier wide receiver to help the offensive passing game. Now, we’re diving in on a defensive passing game that is in need of a punch. Corner is definitely a bigger issue than safety, but Winfield has tremendous versatility. He is undersized, but he is a hard-hitting tackler with ball skills. Coach Jon Gruden would love bringing in this kid.

20. Jacksonville Jaguars (from LAR)

Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State

DJ Chark Jr. had a huge season in 2019, and Dede Westbrook is more than capable, but the Jags could use a wideout like Aiyuk. He tracks the ball vertically very well, has the wheels to get open, displays the hands to pluck on the run and shows lots of ability to create once the ball is in his hands. Herbert’s arm strength and Aiyuk’s vertical talent would be fun to watch.

21. Philadelphia Eagles

Patrick Queen, ILB, LSU

The void at wide receiver hasn’t gone away, and the Eagles will have to think long and hard about whether they are ready to enter the 2020 season with the oft-injured Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson, along with J.J. Arcega-Whiteside off a disappointing rookie campaign, as their wideouts again. Justin Jefferson out of LSU is for sure in play at No. 21. But Philadelphia also could really use a spark in the middle of the defense. Queen is a rangy, off-ball linebacker with burst and great tackling ability.

22. Minnesota Vikings (from BUF)

Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU

The Vikings are in the hunt for receivers and cornerbacks. And with two first-round picks — spoiler ahead — we’re going to get them one of each. Jefferson is my best available player at this point in the mock, and he knows how to generate separation and find holes in the defense.

23. New England Patriots

A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa

These aren’t the Patriots we are accustomed to seeing. They could use upgrades in a bunch of areas, including quarterback, wide receiver and a handful of spots on defense. I don’t expect coach Bill Belichick to reach for a QB here, and while wide receiver is in play, it seems unlikely two years in a row on Day 1. So how about an edge rusher? LSU’s K’Lavon Chaisson is the better player, but Belichick has a strong relationship with Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz, and Epenesa fits nicely with the Patriots’ 3-4 system as a 5-technique.

24. New Orleans Saints

Kenneth Murray, ILB, Oklahoma

Murray plays fast and could be the future quarterback of the New Orleans defense. He is one of the best available prospects on the board, and the Saints would jump at a chance to plop the rangy Murray in the middle of the field.

25. Minnesota Vikings

Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama

The Vikings replaced Stefon Diggs at wide receiver with one of their first-round picks, and now they’re drafting his brother with the other. Minnesota loves taking corners on Day 1, especially longer guys with speed and ball skills. A.J. Terrell out of Clemson fits the bill, too, but Diggs is the better talent. A former wideout like his brother, Diggs will go up and make plays on the ball.

26. Miami Dolphins (from HOU)

Josh Jones, OT, Houston

If you are drafting a quarterback with the injury history of Tagovailoa, and your offensive line tied for the league’s high mark in sacks allowed last season (58), you better direct some attention toward protection. Tackle, in particular, is a big hole. Jones has versatility, shows an ability to drive defenders off the ball and flashes as a nasty finisher.

27. Seattle Seahawks

K’Lavon Chaisson, DE, LSU

Value, value, value. In my eyes, Chaisson is the second-best edge rusher in the draft class behind Young, and he really popped at the end of the 2019 season, so getting him here is a terrific return. With Jadeveon Clowney’s future still up in the air, Seattle’s edge is a dearth of playmakers. In fact, the Seahawks only got home on the quarterback 28 times last season, tied for No. 29 in the NFL, with Clowney. Chaisson has good bend and burst off the edge.

28. Baltimore Ravens

Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU

We’ve all been handing either Queen or Murray to Baltimore in this spot, and if either were available, one would still be the pick. But with no inside linebackers on the board within range, I’m instead turning my attention to the defensive front. Trading for Calais Campbell and bringing Matthew Judon back on the franchise tag do wonders for the edge rush, and new signee Derek Wolfe helps the interior a bit, but Blacklock’s quick hands and burst fit what the Ravens want up the middle.

29. Tennessee Titans

Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State

Vic Beasley Jr. still has upside — he does have a 15.5-sack season — but regardless, the Titans will be seeking edge rushing in the draft. Gross-Matos is the top pass-rusher still on the board, and while he might need time to develop, he possesses above-average pass-rush talent, the ability to set the edge against the run and the speed to chase players down in pursuit.

30. Green Bay Packers

Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson

Logic points toward the Packers finally getting Aaron Rodgers a playmaker on the outside opposite Davante Adams this year. The class is deep in wide receiver talent, and the Packers’ depth chart is screaming out for some help. Higgins makes tough, contested catches and then can make defenders miss with his strength.

31. San Francisco 49ers

A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson

Ruggs at No. 13 took care of the wide receiver void, and while someone like Texas A&M’s Justin Madubuike could be fun in the middle of the defensive front as a replacement for DeForest Buckner, cornerback is the larger issue at hand. LSU’s Kristian Fulton and Ohio State’s Damon Arnette shouldn’t be ruled out, but Terrell is long and plays fast — as he ran a 4.42 at the combine. He has the talent to be a difference-maker opposite Richard Sherman.

32. Kansas City Chiefs

D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia

Swift is the No. 13 prospect on my board, but there just weren’t many spots in Round 1 to slot him, so the Chiefs are able to add him all the way back at No. 32. While the defensive back woes for the Super Bowl champions are overwhelming — I pondered LSU’s Grant Delpit or one of the corners still out there — this pick becomes too easy. Damien Williams was effective in 2019, but he is due to be a free agent next spring, and the explosive Swift paired with Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman and Travis Kelce is terrifying for opponents.

ROUND 2

33. Cincinnati Bengals

Austin Jackson, OT, USC

Last year’s first-rounder Jonah Williams will be back after missing his rookie year, but that won’t entirely fix the Bengals’ O-line. Jackson can handle speed off the edge, which will help Burrow settle in with his new offense.

34. Indianapolis Colts (from WSH)

Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC

After trading out of Round 1, this pick is pretty important for the Colts. And with quarterback Philip Rivers on a one-year, go-for-it deal, GM Chris Ballard has to find the veteran a reliable pass-catcher. Pittman can flash in the vertical game, find pockets in coverage and adjust his body in motion to make the catch.

35. Detroit Lions

Cesar Ruiz, C, Michigan

The Lions lost Graham Glasgow in free agency, and they could find a replacement early on Day 2. Ruiz is my top-ranked center, and the Lions were middle of the pack in 2019 in both rushing offense and pass protection.

36. New York Giants

Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor

I really want to give the Giants an offensive lineman, but there just isn’t any form of value here. And with other needs, I won’t force it. Instead, let’s hand them Mims to join Sterling Shepard, Golden Tate and Darius Slayton. He has great size and speed, allowing him to challenge defenses both over the top and in the red zone.

37. Los Angeles Chargers

Zack Baun, OLB, Wisconsin

Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram III are both set for free agency in 2021 (though Bosa isn’t likely to reach it), so edge could be a problem in the not-so-distant future. The Chargers’ 30 sacks ranked in the bottom five in 2019, and Baun had 12.5 at Wisconsin.

38. Carolina Panthers

Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU

James Bradberry was signed by the Giants, and there isn’t too much else that excites in Carolina’s cornerback room. Fulton brings speed and an ability to make “splash” plays.

39. Miami Dolphins

J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State

Jordan Howard and Kalen Ballage aren’t the answers for Miami’s run game. And Dobbins is a big-time playmaker who bursts through the hole, makes defenders miss and can make catches out of the backfield. He broke 2,000 rushing yards with Ohio State last season.

40. Houston Texans (from ARI)

Justin Madubuike, DT, Texas A&M

Maybe coach Bill O’Brien just really wanted Madubuike and his athleticism when he confusingly agreed to trade DeAndre Hopkins for this pick. The defensive tackle did run a 4.83 at the combine at 293 pounds, and D.J. Reader is gone to free agency …

41. Cleveland Browns

Grant Delpit, S, LSU

It doesn’t seem like free agent Damarious Randall will be back, and that Cleveland safety group is lacking. Delpit slid a bit throughout the year, and though he misses his share of tackles, he is a rangy defender over the top with good instincts.

42. Jacksonville Jaguars

Neville Gallimore, DT, Oklahoma

Two first-round picks went to the offense. But the Jacksonville defense isn’t what it was when it carried the Jaguars to the AFC Championship Game back in the 2017 season. Calais Campbell was dealt away, and Yannick Ngakoue could still be traded on the franchise tag, too. Gallimore has athleticism on the interior and fills a need on the front. I mean, did you see him run a 4.79 at 300-plus pounds in Indianapolis?

43. Chicago Bears (from LV)

Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State

The Bears didn’t yield much in the passing game last season, but they also didn’t do much in forcing turnovers. Plus, free agency cleaned out the secondary a bit. Arnette has smooth hips and some twitch to his game.

44. Indianapolis Colts

Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame

Finally, a tight end comes off the board. The Colts already have Jack Doyle in the locker room, but they also lost Eric Ebron, and Philip Rivers loves finding his tight ends. Kmet can make the tough, contested catches.

45. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois

Only two teams gave up more passing yards than the Bucs’ 270.1 per game in 2019, and Chinn comes with versatility to move around in the secondary.

46. Denver Broncos

Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado

Denver still needs a wide receiver opposite Courtland Sutton, and Shenault would be making a short drive from Boulder, where he played college ball, to do a little bit of everything in this Broncos offense.

47. Atlanta Falcons

Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin

Yes, I know they signed Todd Gurley II. But what does Gurley really have left in those knees? If he returns to dominant form, the Falcons suddenly have a dynamic duo in the backfield. If not, Taylor can carry the load as he did at Wisconsin — as long as he gets his fumbling issues under control. Either way, it’s a win-win for Atlanta.

48. New York Jets

Marlon Davidson, DE, Auburn

It’s not easy to skip out on the offensive tackle position — or cornerback — but there just isn’t a player worth reaching down the board for at No. 48. So instead, the Jets tack on an edge rusher in Davidson, who has power, explosiveness and versatility.

49. Pittsburgh Steelers

Jacob Eason, QB, Washington

Ben Roethlisberger isn’t getting any younger, and last season showed us that the other quarterbacks in Pittsburgh’s system aren’t the future. Eason has some developing to do, but there’s no denying his raw arm strength and terrific measurables. Learning behind Roethlisberger for a season could help him find success at the next level.

50. Chicago Bears

Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU

We gave the Bears a corner earlier on Day 2, and they still need a safety. But with no value there, it’s a good place to bring in another receiver for Nick Foles and/or Mitchell Trubisky. Reagor has wheels.

51. Dallas Cowboys

Josh Uche, DE, Michigan

Robert Quinn’s absence leaves a hole opposite DeMarcus Lawrence. Uche had 8.5 sacks last season at Michigan.

52. Los Angeles Rams

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU

The Rams are late to the party and arrive empty-handed. This defense quietly has a lot of weaknesses all of a sudden. But value is again in play, and with Todd Gurley II’s departure, the Rams could land a replacement in the hard-to-bring-down Edwards-Helaire (though they do already have Darrell Henderson Jr., too).

53. Philadelphia Eagles

Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah

It’s another spot to maybe make a play for a wide receiver, but even with the addition of Darius Slay, the Eagles will be seeking cornerback depth in April. Johnson is strong in press coverage and flashes the ability to make plays on the ball. Philly has four picks in Rounds 3 and 4 to find a talented wideout, perhaps someone such as KJ Hamler, Donovan Peoples-Jones or Van Jefferson.

54. Buffalo Bills

Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame

Claypool brings size to a wide receiver group already flush with downfield threats in Stefon Diggs and John Brown. Now Josh Allen has a tall target to find in the red zone, too. Claypool has the hands and strength to make contested catches look easy.

55. Baltimore Ravens (from NE/ATL)

Netane Muti, G, Fresno State

The Ravens need to make sure 2019 MVP Lamar Jackson is well-protected. The Ravens still have to fill Marshal Yanda’s spot at guard, and Muti is my top-ranked one in the class.

56. Miami Dolphins (from NO)

Jordan Elliott, DT, Missouri

Miami’s brass won’t get a rest on Day 2 of the draft after a busy opening night. With their fifth pick in the first 56 — they’ve already taken Tagovailoa, McKinney, Jones and Dobbins — the Dolphins get Elliott to place next to 2019 first-rounder Christian Wilkins in the middle of the defensive line. Elliott has a quick first step and flashes the ability to get off blocks.

57. Houston Texans

Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU

Houston’s defense surrendered the fourth-most passing yards in 2019 and collected just 12 interceptions. Gladney is tough in man coverage and does a good job timing his breaks on the ball.

58. Minnesota Vikings

Terrell Lewis, OLB, Alabama

Everson Griffen is headed out of Minneapolis, and Lewis brings explosiveness off the edge and aggressiveness against the run.

59. Seattle Seahawks

Tyler Biadasz, C, Wisconsin

Simply put, Seattle has to protect Russell Wilson a little better, especially if he is going to hang onto the ball for longer than usual. Biadasz has plenty of size and experience, and he is difficult to get around in pass protection.

60. Baltimore Ravens

Devin Duvernay, WR, Texas

Marquise Brown broke big plays for Baltimore last season, and Mark Andrews is a reliable target, but the Ravens could use another possession receiver for Lamar Jackson. Duvernay caught 106 passes last season for Texas.

61. Tennessee Titans

Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia

The top-end tackle resources have dried up by this point, but Wilson would lessen the loss of Jack Conklin a bit. He has a massive 6-foot-7, 350-pound frame.

62. Green Bay Packers

Cam Akers, RB, Florida State

OK, before you all shout at me that the Packers have Aaron Jones, let’s remember he is due to be a free agent next spring. Akers is the most underrated running back in the class. Paired with Jones, he could do some damage in the backfield and potentially become the guy if Green Bay moves on from Jones after the season.

63. Kansas City Chiefs (from SF)

Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn

The Chiefs are down Kendall Fuller, Morris Claiborne and Bashaud Breeland (though Claiborne and Breeland are still unsigned and might return). Igbinoghene is a solid press corner and an effective tackler, and he comes at a pretty good value here.

64. Seattle Seahawks (from KC)

Jason Strowbridge, DT, North Carolina

Closing out Round 2, the Seahawks can pop Strowbridge in next to Jarran Reed on the interior. They had the 11th-worst run defense last season, and Strowbridge can be disruptive.

A couple of quibbles from the DB –

SHELTON DIGGS pouted his way out of Minnesota.  We would not see the Vikings drafting his brother unless he was head and shoulders above the rest.

And it is hard to see the Buccaneers drafting a Southern Illinois safety in the second round when both RBs JONATHAN TAYLOR and/or CLYDE EDWARDS-HELLAIRE are still available.