2020 NFL Draft takeaways: Who crushed it and who missed out?

April 26, 2020April 26, 2020 Chris McGlynn Draft, Football, NFL 2020 NFL Draft, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, NFL Draft, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington (Insert Name Here), Winners and Losers

Draft weekend has officially come to a close. It will go down as the most memorable in history for a laundry list of reasons, starting with Roger Goodell’s ever-changing wardrobe and incredibly comfy chair. 255 players heard their names called and 50 or more so players have signed on as undrafted free agents. I think it way too early to start handing out grades on draft classes. It takes about five years to be able to begin appropriately evaluating how teams did.

That being said, I think we can start handing out some winners and losers tags. Balancing filling team needs with taking the best player available. Some teams did that really well. Others, not so much. Here are the teams that crushed the draft and the teams that could have fared better.

Winners:

Dallas Cowboys
Biggest impact: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma (17th overall)
Best value: Bradlee Anae, EDGE, Utah (179th overall)
I think it would be hard to qualify the Cowboys as anything other than the winners of this draft. They landed a top-10 talent in CeeDee Lamb at 17, then filled a major need at great value with Trevon Diggs in the second round. Dallas filled another need with Neville Gallimore, who slid into the third. Reggie Robinson is an interesting smaller school prospect to develop with decent size and speed. Tyler Biadasz has the potential to be a starter this season, which is great to find at the end of the fourth round. Travis Fredrick retired this offseason, so that was a huge hole to fill. I had a second-round grade on Bradlee Anae as well, who fell into the fifth. Taking a flier on a developmental quarterback in the seventh is never a bad idea either. Everyone other than Ben DiNucci has the potential to contribute this year. I think the Cowboys scored a really good core to develop.

Arizona Cardinals
Biggest impact: Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson (8th overall)
Best value: Josh Jones, OT, Houston (72nd overall)
Arizona didn’t overthink things with Isaiah Simmons on the board. It definitely wasn’t their biggest need, but he is an incredible defensive playmaker. The Cardinals had no second-round pick because of the DeAndre Hopkins trade. However, all 32 teams would take Hopkins in the second round in a heartbeat. Josh Jones was one of the biggest steals of the draft. His drop to the third round was stunning. Leki Fotu and Rashad Lawrence help beef up the interior of the defensive line. Evan Weaver will contribute on special teams right away and provides solid depth at linebacker. Nabbing local kid Eno Benjamin in the seventh round was another impressive move to work into the backfield rotation. In two years, this roster has been thoroughly turned over.

Cincinnati Bengals
Biggest impact: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU (1st overall)
Best value: Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson (33rd overall)
Sure they had it easy picking up Joe Burrow, but the Bengals filled some big needs and found solid value down the line. Tee Higgins probably should have gone in the first round and gives Burrow a huge target to grow with. Logan Wilson is quick cover linebacker and no team in the league needed help at the position more than Cincinnati. Akeem Davis-Gaither is a similar player to Wilson, but that isn’t bad thing given how much talent the group lacked. Khalid Kareem should be a rotational player up front capable of eating up plenty of defensive snaps. Hakeem Adeniji is a developmental tackle to work with and Markus Bailey is worth a flier in the seventh. He has some major history, but when healthy, he could be a starting caliber NFL player. There will be a learning curve as the Bengals continue to rebuild, but they have some solid pieces in place now.

Minnesota Vikings
Biggest impact: Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU (31st overall)
Best value: Kenny Willekes, EDGE, Michigan State (255 overall)
Minnesota let the board come to them, traded back well and reloaded at some key positions. Having Justin Jefferson fall to them was a bit of luck, but trading back and still taking Jeff Gladney was a very skillful move. Ezra Cleveland is a tackle prospect worth developing. He might not be totally pro ready, but he is a future starter. Cameron Dantzler, D.J. Wonnum, James Lynch and Troy Dye are all high-upside players who can provide depth right away. Harrison Hand is an intriguing option on the back end as well. I thought K.J. Osborn was a reach, especially given the other receivers on the board. Kenny Willekes and Josh Metellus were very productive starters in college and well worth kicking the tires on in the later rounds. It wasn’t a very sexy draft for the Vikings, but this sets them up well for this season and beyond.

Baltimore Ravens
Biggest impact: Patrick Queen, LB, LSU (28th overall)
Best value: James Proche, WR, SMU (201st overall)
Very few teams draft as consistently well as the Ravens. Patrick Queen is a perfect fit in a massive position of need and J.K. Dobbins adds another dynamic player to potentially the scariest backfield in football. Devin Duvernay and James Proche are instant impact players at receivers that should work well with Lamar Jackson. Justin Mandubuike is a solid prospect to work with on the defensive line and could eventually take over for the 31-year-old Brandon Williams. Malik Harrison plays downhill and could become an extremely disruptive player in a few years. Tyree Phillips and Ben Bredeson offer offensive line depth too. Geno Stone isn’t a flashy player, but he was really good value in the seventh round. Give Eric DeCosta a lot of credit. This has the makings of a very good class that sets them up really well for the future.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Biggest impact: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa (13th overall)
Best value: Tyler Johnson, WR, Minnesota (161st overall)
When filling needs meets finding great value, you tend to have a solid draft. Tristan Wirfs is the perfect player to anchor the right side of the line for Tom Brady. Antoine Winfield Jr. is a ballhawking playmaker who should add some explosiveness to an underrated secondary. Ke’Shawn Vaughn provides another dimension to a Buccaneers backfield that has really struggled in recent years. Tyler Johnson provides great depth at receiver after a stellar career at Minnesota. This team got better at important positions and positioned themselves well to compete this year. I don’t need to explain how important that is with a 44-year-old quarterback.

Losers:

Philadelphia Eagles
Biggest surprise: Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma (53rd overall)
Biggest reach: Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU (21st overall)
Now some of this is personal preference, bordering on being a premature grade, but I was not a huge fan of the decisions the Eagles made in this draft. Jalen Reagor over Justin Jefferson drew a lot of scrutiny and rightfully so. That was one of the biggest surprises of the first round. Philadelphia then had the biggest surprise of round two by taking Jalen Hurts. Carson Wentz has an injury history, but this team was desperate for receivers, corners and linebackers. Finding a sub-package quarterback given the other holes on this roster is questionable at best. Davion Taylor and K’Von Wallace are solid mid-round picks. The Eagles did eventually find receiver depth in John Hightower and Quez Watkins in addition to trading for Marquise Goodwin. They might have also found a steal in Prince Tega Wanogho. Not taking a corner was a big miss though and waiting until the late third round to take a defensive player could cost Philly in the short term.

Green Bay Packers
Biggest surprise: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State (26th overall)
Biggest reach: A.J. Dillon, RB, Boston College (62nd overall)
No team’s draft confused me more than the Packers. Coming off an NFC championship appearance, it was clear Green Bay needed some more reliable receivers and an injection of talent at linebacker. Instead, the Packers traded up to take a project quarterback, despite having one of the best passers in the league. Then they drafted a running back in the second round despite having Aaron Jones and Jamal Williams already on the roster. Josiah Deguara and Kamal Martin finally hit on some needs and Green Bay built a lot of offensive line depth in the later rounds. The fact that the front office didn’t draft a single receiver is shocking. In what was the deepest receiver draft in at least a decade, not finding more options for Aaron Rodgers to work with borders on malpractice in football. This was a perplexing approaching by Brian Gutekunst.

Seattle Seahawks
Biggest surprise: Jordyn Brooks, LB, Texas Tech (27th overall)
Biggest reach: Damien Lewis, G, LSU (69th overall)
Seattle stayed true to form, reaching in the first round before taking some high-upside prospects to develop later in the draft. Jordyn Brooks is an enticing player, but I had an early third-round grade on him. I think Darrell Taylor could be a good get for the Seahawks, but they reached on Damien Lewis in the third in an attempt to find some more protection for Russell Wilson. I like Alton Robinson in the fifth round, but Freddie Swain came from off the radar with much better prospects on the board. At least Colby Parkinson and DeeJay Dallas should be solid roll players as rookies.

Chicago Bears
Biggest surprise: Darnell Mooney, WR, Tulane (173rd overall)
Biggest reach: Mooney
It is amazing how different the league feels about the Khalil Mack trade two years later. Given the amount of cap space he takes up and draft capital it took to acquire him, Chicago probably would’ve been better off without the pass rusher. Given that the Bears were already down a first round draft pick, the team decided to take their 10th tight end. Their second pick of the round was much better in Jaylon Johnson at a big position of need. Darnell Mooney was another example of a team passing on better prospects at the position. Kindle Vildor is a really solid add in the fifth, but I can’t get behind waiting to find offensive line help until the seventh round. Chicago just does not seem like it had a great plan in place entering the draft.

Washington
Biggest surprise: Antonio Gibson, RB, Memphis (66th overall)
Biggest reach: Gibson
It is hard to put Washington in this category after landing a star edge player in Chase Young. However, they didn’t have a great draft after that. With Adrian Peterson, Bryce Love, Derrius Guice and Peyton Barber on the roster, taking a third-down back is a questionable move alone. I didn’t think Antonio Gibson was worth going before the fifth round either. Josh Jones was on the board there, which would have been a great get after not getting a ton in return for Trent Williams. I don’t think Saadiq Charles will be able to fill that void in year one either. There took a couple of fliers on players from big-name programs that often got lost in the shuffle at their respective school. Ron Rivera is a great coach, but I don’t think this set him up super well for success in his first season.

New England Patriots
Biggest surprise: Dalton Keene, TE, Virginia Tech (101st overall)
Biggest impact: Justin Rohrwasser, K, Marshall (159th overall)
Dare I put them in this category??? New England is often playing chess while the rest of the league is playing checkers. This year, it felt like the Patriots were trying too hard to out think the rest of the league. Kyle Dugger is raw, but if anyone can get the most of out his skills, it will be Bill Belichick. Josh Uche should also be a solid situational rusher as well. The Pats overdrafted two tight ends and then spent a fifth-round pick on a kicker that it seemed like no one else was even thinking about drafting. Failing to select a quarterback to develop as part of this class is a little surprising as well. I never thought Belichick would be aggressive in finding a passer, but ignoring the position all together seems like a mistake. You know that Dustin Woodard will be a Pro Bowler within two years though undrafted free agent will turn into Jarrett Stidham’s equivalent of Julian Edelman making me look like a fool for ever suggesting they had a bad draft.

2020 NFL Draft: Day 2 surprises and best players available

April 25, 2020April 25, 2020 Chris McGlynn Draft, Football, NFL 2020 NFL Draft, A.J. Dillon, Antonio Gibson, Arizona Cardinals, Best Players Available, Cam Akers, D'Andre Swift, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, J.K. Dobbins, Jalen Hurts, Jonathan Taylor, Josh Jones, KJ Hamler, New England Patriots, New York Jets, NFL Draft, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington (Insert Name Here)

We are two days in, but still not even halfway through the NFL draft. This class is loaded with talented players that found their NFL homes on Friday. While the first round gets the biggest billing, this is where teams make their money. If you can find value in the middle rounds of the draft, you are going to be a very successful franchise. The teams that do this best (Seattle, New England, Baltimore) seem to always have players ready to step in when injuries strike or players leave in free agency. That’s because they find the diamonds in the rough.

I will talk about my favorite prospects still on the board, but first, let’s talk about some of the most shocking developments from rounds two and three. Check out day one’s biggest surprises here.

NCAA Football: Oklahoma vs UCLA, Sept 14, 2019, Pasadena, CA — Hurts was the runner-up for the Heisman in 2019. *(Wikimedia Commons)*

Eagles take Jalen Hurts
Wait … what??? Philadelphia signed Carson Wentz to a mega-extension worth north of $100 million prior to the 2019 season. So logically, at pick 53, the Eagles selected Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts. Sure, the team could use a reliable passer to backup Wentz, who has a history of injuries. However, drafting a quarterback in the second round feels like a very odd decision given the cirumstances. Philly needs help at corner, linebacker and wide receiver, even after taking Jalen Reagor in round one. Howie Roseman has often been one of the general managers capable of finding talent in the later rounds, but his draft plan in 2020 is a mysterious to most outsiders. On back-to-back days, the Eagles made headlines for who they decided to draft, but not for ideal reasons.

Josh Jones slides … again
Well I definitely overestimated how much the NFL would like Houston offensive tackle Josh Jones. I had him going 18th overall to the Dolphins. Instead, he stayed on the board all the way until pick 72 for the Cardinals (who have had a great draft so far if you ask me). He is definitely a little raw, but he is a solid offensive tackle and there are tons of teams who were rumored to be interested in help at the position. He was my fourth-ranked player at the position, but was the eighth selected. This is just one fan’s opinion, but I was shocked to see Jones fall so far. Maybe that’s less of a reflection on him as well. After six offensive tackles went in the first round, only Ezra Cleveland went in round two and Jones was the first one off the board in the third.

ga_vs_lsu_e101318_11 — Swift went 35th overall to the Lions on Friday night. *(Wikimedia Commons)*

Teams reaching on running back
After Clyde Edwards-Helaire went with the last pick of the first round, there was some buzz that we could see a run on running backs. Jonathan Taylor, D’Andre Swift and J.K. Dobbins all went as expected in round two, along with Cam Akers. What was surprising was to see A.J. Dillon and Antonio Gibson come off the board soon after. I like Dillon a lot, but I thought the Packers, once again, had bigger needs at receiver and linebacker. Dillon was still a bit of a ways down my board as well. Gibson was a stunner. I didn’t have him in my top 150 prospects and as my 12th running back overall. I wasn’t alone in the skepticism on Gibson either, Bleacher Report had him 164th overall, 98 spots later than he was selected by Washington. Green Bay’s decision is a bit more forgivable. Washington’s follow up to Chase Young was definitely a bit underwhelming.

Broncos double up on receivers
I applaud Denver for waiting and landing the best receiver in this draft. Getting Drew Lock a receiver to pair with Courtland Sutton made a ton of sense. I think Jerry Jeudy will have a great career in Denver. The surprise here was that then the Broncos dipped back into the position group to take Penn State’s KJ Hamler. Hamler is a speedster out of the slot with tons of big-play ability. I am not a huge fan of him as a prospect given his size and issues with drops. I was surprised to see the Broncos passing on either a corner or offensive lineman (although they did fill both positions later.) I didn’t think Denver really needed another receiver with Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton already in the fold prior to the draft, but they clearly want depth at the position.

16197763809_10b6f21e12_b — Prior to 2019, the Jets were the only team with which Bill Belichick had never traded. *(Wikimedia Commons)*

Jets and Patriots make a trade
This definitely caught me by surprise. Very rarely do these franchise negotiate trades, but maybe it really is the sign of a new era in New England. The Jets and Pats actually brokered a trade early in the 2019 season that sent Demaryius Thomas to New York in exchange for a 2021 6th round pick. This latest trade between the two teams that saw the Patriots acquire the 101st pick, which they spent on Virginia Tech tight end Dalton Keene. As part of the deal, the Jets landed two fourth rounders this year and New England’s 2021 sixth-round pick. Believe it or not, the two teams have now just swapped 2021 sixth rounders. If you are still reading at this point, know that I appreciate your love for football and quirky draft nuggets.

Through three rounds, there is a lot of talent still on the board. I actually see a ton of prospects in my top 100 available, 21 to be exact. Considering there have already been 106 selections, I am really positive about the players still on the board. Some quality defensive options, a bunch of lanky receivers and a pair of former Georgia quarterbacks highlight the group. Here are my favorite remaining prospects:

24. Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
52. Tyler Biadasz, C, Wisconsin
55. Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State
56. John Simpson, G, Clemson
59. Bradlee Anae, EDGE, Utah
62. Ben Bartch, OT, St. John (Minn.)
65. Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan
66. Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn
67. Troy Pride Jr., CB, Notre Dame
73. Amik Robertson, CB, Louisiana Tech
80. Troy Dye, LB, Oregon
81. Leki Fotu, DL, Utah
84. Larrell Murchison, DL, NC State
86. Jacob Eason, QB, Washington
87. Kenny Willekes, EDGE, Michigan State
88. K’Von Wallace, S, Clemson
89. Thaddeus Moss, TE, LSU
91. Eno Benjamin, RB, Arizona State
92. Ben Bredeson, G, Michigan
93. K.J. Hill, WR, Ohio State
100. Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia
101. Brycen Hopkins, TE, Purdue
102. Collin Johnson, WR, Texas
104. Tyler Johnson, WR, Minnesota
105. James Lynch, DL, Baylor
106. Logan Stenberg, G, Kentucky
109. Solomon Kindley, G, Georgia
110. Trevon Hill, EDGE, Miami
113. Evan Weaver, LB, California
114. Gabriel Davis, WR, UCF
116. Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Appalachian State
117. Jason Strowbridge, DL, UNC
123. Quintez Cephus, WR, Wisconsin
124. A.J. Green, CB, Oklahoma State
125. Francis Bernard, LB, Utah

2020 NFL Draft: First-Round Surprises and Best Players Available

April 24, 2020April 24, 2020 Chris McGlynn Draft, Football, NFL 2020 NFL Draft, A.J. Terrell, Atlanta Falcons, Best Players Available, CJ Henderson, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Damon Arnette, First Round Surprises, Green Bay Packers, Jalen Reagor, Jeff Gladney, Jeffrey Okudah, Jordan Love, Jordyn Brooks, Josh Jones, Justin Jefferson, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins, NFL Draft, Noah Igbinoghene, Seattle Seahawks

That was exactly what everyone in the sports world needed. A nice dose of excitement, chaos and entertainment. Cincinnati, Washington and Detroit kicked the draft off with some predictable picks. After that, nothing was guaranteed. Trades started coming fast and furious in the 20s. Miami and Los Angeles stayed put and took franchise quarterbacks. Tons of wide receivers and corners came off the board, maybe not in the order most expected.

I think it is way too early to start handing out grades for the first round. We can do that a few years from now. (I should really go back and regrade the 2015 draft class.) Instead, let’s discuss the biggest surprises of the first round. There are plenty to discuss, but I think the first one is pretty obvious.

446px-aaron_rodgers_2008 — Rodgers turned 36 in December. *(Wikimedia Commons)*

Packers trade up for Aaron Rodgers’ successor
Of all the teams to take a chance on Utah State quarterback Jordan Love, I did not have Green Bay anywhere in the conversation. Thinking about it though, this is exactly what the franchise did with Brett Favre towards the end of his career. They saw a talented quarterback sliding and pounced to find their next franchise passer. What makes this so shocking is that Aaron Rodgers has shown no signs of slowing down. This offense is in desperate need of more playmakers. In a draft stocked with them, it felt like a great chance for the Packers to find Rodgers more weapons. Instead, they found the man who will potentially replace him. After being just a game away from the Super Bowl last year, this feels like an odd move. Credit the Green Bay for being forward thinking, but I definitely did not expect this.

Josh Jones’ slide
I had Houston offensive tackle Josh Jones pegged to go at 18 to the Dolphins. He was my 21st overall prospect and my highest remaining offensive lineman. Miami decided to take USC product Austin Jackson. When the Chargers traded back into the first round, I assumed it was for Jones. They opted for Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray. Tennessee had a chance to take Jones as well, but chose a different tackle in Georgia’s Isaiah Wilson. I was just about convinced the Jones would find a home in the first round. He is a bit older at 23, but he is a physical player with solid technique. It would not be a shock to see the Bengals take Jones at 33, but it is unclear when his slide might end at this point.

800px-jeffrey_okudah_283219231387829 — Okudah was the highest drafted corner since 1997. *(Wikimedia Commons)*

Corner craze in round one
I did not think we were going to see six cornerbacks go in the first round. A.J. Terrell at 16 to the Falcons felt like a bit of a reach to me, but I had seen some first-round buzz around him. Damon Arnette to the Raiders 19th overall was truly a stunner. Then, Noah Igbinoghene went to Miami at pick 30. Teams felt like they were reaching a bit at the position, especially given some of the other players available. K’Lavon Chaisson felt like a great fit for Atlanta. Las Vegas passed on a lot of talented corners to take Arnette, who I had 11th at the position. Miami has spent tons of money locking up Xavien Howard and Byron Jones. Igbinoghene is definitely a luxury pick for the Dolphins, who have a ton of draft picks. Pass rusher felt like a bigger need though with some solid players available. I thought there was depth at the position in this draft, but the league went all in much early than expected. Three felt like a safe number to peg with Jeff Okudah, CJ Henderson and Jeff Gladney in the mix. I didn’t expect that number to double. I think there are some really good options still available too with Bryce Hall, Kristian Fulton and Jaylon Johnson still on the board, so this trend might continue.

Jalen Reagor over Justin Jefferson
I think TCU receiver Jalen Reagor will end up having a solid NFL career, but I think the Eagles missed big time on LSU’s Justin Jefferson, who went a pick later to the Vikings. Reagor plays a bit like former Philadelphia standout DeSean Jackson. He had an uneven 2019 season, but his game speed is impressive. Reagor is definitely a bit undersized, but he posted an outrageous 42-inch vertical at the combine. However, Jefferson is coming off a monster year and is a much better prospect in my opinion. He is really just a bigger, more physical version of Reagor. Jefferson ran a better 40 time, posted better stats and played against much better competition. I think Jefferson would have fit Philly’s system as well. This one left me scratching my head.

selu_lsu_9718_086 — Edwards-Helaire had over 1,800 total yards and 17 TD in 2019. (Wikimedia Commons)

Clyde Edwards-Helaire as RB1
Between D’Andre Swift, J.K. Dobbins and Jonathan Taylor, I thought Clyde Edwards-Helaire would be at least the second back drafted. I had him as my third running back behind Dobbins and Swift. CEH is a physical runner with the ability to be a receiver out of the backfield as well, even if he doesn’t have blazing speed. He reminds me a lot of Maurice Jones-Drew and feels like a good fit for the Kansas City offense, but I don’t think many people expected him to be the first running back off the board. There is also something to be said for Andy Reid drafting a running back for the first time in his 21-year career as a head coach. Very happy for him after he turned in a great season, but I definitely did not see this coming.

Not really enough to warrant it’s own subhead, but I was very confused by Seattle’s pick of Texas Tech linebacker Jordyn Brooks. He is a solid player, but I thought he would go middle of day two and that was definitely not the biggest need for this Seahawks defense.

Best Players Available

Those were the biggest talking points of the night for me. As teams turn their attention to rounds two and three tomorrow, here are my top remaining prospects:

18. Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
20. J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
21. Josh Jones, OT, Houston
23. A.J. Epenesa, DL, Iowa
24. Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
26. Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
28. D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
29. Zach Baun, LB, Wisconsin
30. Ross Blacklock, DL, TCU
31. Grant Delpit, S, LSU
33. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC
35. Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
38. Neville Gallimore, DL, Oklahoma
41. Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
42. Matt Hennessy, OL, Temple
43. Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
45. Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota
46. Lucas Niang, OT, TCU
47. Lloyd Cushenberry, OL, LSU
48. Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
49. Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir Rhyne
50. Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah

Final 2020 NFL Mock Draft: Three-round mock ahead of draft night!

April 23, 2020April 28, 2020 Chris McGlynn Draft, Football, NFL 2020 NFL Draft, 2020 NFL Mock Draft, Cincinnati Bengals, Joe Burrow, NFL Draft

Welcome to draft day 2020! I am beyond excited to watch the first round unfold tonight. To warp up our run of draft week content, which has included redrafting the first round of the 2015 draft, the whole Aftermath crew’s fifth annual roundtable mock draft, and my top 150 prospects and positional rankings, it is time for my final mock draft of the season.

While some might be determined to predict how the draft will actually happen, I know I am not going to come anywhere close to that. There are too many trades and personal preferences for teams for me to ever manage to accurately predict the draft. So instead, this is what I think SHOULD happen on Thursday and Friday. I poured hours into my final, three-round mock for the 2020 class. There are sure to be some surprises and I know some fans will be furious their favorite team opted to select one player when that other, clearly much better, prospect was still on the board. Much like NFL teams, I have my own preferences on the players in this draft class, which is what makes mock drafts so unique.

If you want to hear me rambling about all of this draft stuff on a podcast, check out For the Love of Sports with Michael Rasile. (Warning: it is really long!) I joined his show for a draft special, which was a ton of fun. I talked through each pick in the first round with him and discussed some larger themes of this draft as well. It’s a very deep dive into the draft, so if you want even more content than just this mock draft, check out that link.

With all of that being said, this is one of the most bizarre times in human history, not to mention the sports calendar. This is the closest thing we have to live sports right now, so just sit back and enjoy it for the next few days, because it might be a really long time before we see anything that resembles live sports for quite a while afterwards.

1. Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Seriously, do I really need to explain this one? I have actually stopped considering quarterback a need for the Bengals because I just assume this pick will be Joe Burrow.

2. Washington – Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
There is some late rumblings that Atlanta and a few other teams are interesting in trading up to grab Chase Young. Assuming Washington stays at number two, this should be the pick. Young has the ability to completely change a defense. Think Nick Bosa-type impact, but even better.

3. Detroit Lions – Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Even before Detroit traded away Darius Slay, corner was a need for them. It also helps that Jeff Okudah is the best player left on my board. He has the tools to be a true shutdown defender. Expect them to make this pick at five or six though after someone trades up for a quarterback.

4. New York Giants – Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
Isaiah Simmons is certainly a possibility here. However, after investing an early pick in a quarterback, the Giants have a duty to protect him. Tristan Wirfs is pro ready, can play anywhere but center and has great potential. He is powerful and moves well for a man his size.

5. Miami Dolphins – Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
Injuries are the main concern with Tua Tagovailoa, who has struggled to stay healthy in his two years as Alabama’s starter. All signs point to him checking out medically though and I think his potential is through the roof. He has incredible touch and gives Miami their franchise quarterback to build around.

6. Los Angeles Chargers – Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
I know there is a lot of hate directed toward Justin Herbert. He is my 16th ranked prospect in this draft. Physically, he checks every box. However, Herbert had some frustrating decision making and bad habits that he developed during his senior season. If Los Angeles passes, he could end up sliding for a bit. I think the Chargers need to figure out their future at quarterback though, and Herbert is by far the best option here.

7. Carolina Panthers – Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
Out goes Luke Keuchley and in comes Isaiah Simmons. It’s not a perfect swap in terms of play style, but from an impact point of view, this is a home run for Carolina. Simmons can step in as a leader of the defense right away and his ability to line up just about anywhere only increases his value.

8. Arizona Cardinals – Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina
Arizona could head in a lot of directions here. Adding DeAndre Hopkins and locking up D.J. Humphries I think lets the Cardinals focus on the defense. Javon Kinlaw has load of potential as an interior pass rusher. He would provide a massive injection of talent to that Arizona defensive line.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars – Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Jacksonville seems set to give the Gardner Minshew experience another year. To maximize the evaluation process, finding him an elite receiver to work with is going to be key. Jerry Jeudy is an incredible route runner with the athletic ability to be a top-end receiver in the NFL. Jacksonville can definitely go defense with its second pick of the first round. Don’t rule out a trade down here.

10. Cleveland Browns – Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Cleveland needs a pro-ready tackle who can start at left tackle. Enter Andrew Thomas. He is a great run blocker and fares well in pass protection as well. Having a more mobile quarterback than Jake Fromm should actually help him as well. He and Jack Conklin should completely reshape the Cleveland offensive line.

11. New York Jets – Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
Receiver would certainly be tempting here. Sam Darnold has not had the best supporting cast through his first two seasons. However, he spent a lot of time running for his life in 2019 and that has to stop in 2020. Jedrick Wills spent most of his time in college at right tackle, but he was blocking Tua Tagovailoa’s blindside. I believe he can slot in on either side and help bring some stability to this unit.

12. Las Vegas Raiders – CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Derek Carr has not had a true number one receiver since Amari Cooper left town. Tyrell Williams is injury prone and Hunter Renfrow is great in the slot, but they need an outside threat. CeeDee Lamb is a bit raw as a route runner, but he is physically dominant. He will make a lot of plays after the catch and add some playmaking as the franchise moves to Las Vegas.

13. San Francisco 49ers via Indianapolis Colts – Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
Emmanuel Sanders made a massive difference for this San Francisco offense upon arriving at the trade deadline. Now he is in New Orleans. Jimmy Garappolo needs someone other than Deebo Samuel to work with in this passing game. This run game is incredible as it is. Adding in a field stretching speed demon like Henry Ruggs would only open things up further. He is more complete than just being a deep threat. He would be fun to watch in Kyle Shanahan’s offense.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
Tom Brady, meet your new body guard. Mekhi Becton is about as imposing a figure as you could possibly find in this draft class. He has limitless potential given his blend of size and athleticism. However, he is a bit raw and will need some development before he is a reliable starting option. Starting him on the right side is an option as he learns the system and gets up to speed.

15. Denver Broncos – Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Drew Lock could have a really fun supporting cast following the draft. Courtland Sutton, Justin Jefferson and DaeSean Hamilton would make a promising young group. Add in Melvin Gordon, Phillip Lindsay and Noah Fant and this looks like a complete offense. Jefferson can play outside, but he was incredible in out of the slot last year.

16. Atlanta Falcons – Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
This is later than most expect Derrick Brown to go. I don’t think he has the pass rushing potential to justify going in the top 10. I think he fits well in this Falcons system as a run stuffer and space eater. He is not quite the size of a nose tackle, but he would pair really well with Grady Jarrett. Good luck running inside against that pair.

17. Dallas Cowboys – K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
Robert Quinn had fantastic production in 2019, but quickly left for Chicago. Dallas needs someone to play across from DeMarcus Lawrence. I think he has a lot of room for development as a run defender and tackler. He brings impressive physical traits though and really excels at creating pressure. That is worth the pick.

18. Miami Dolphins via Pittsburgh Steelers – Josh Jones, OT, Houston
If the Dolphins draft Tua Tagovailoa, they will need an offensive line to protect him. Josh Jones is a bit raw despite the fact that he is already 23, but he is powerful. He slides well in pass protection. He should be a massive upgrade on this line early on with room to improve.

19. Las Vegas Raiders via Chicago Bears – Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
With their second pick of the first round, Las Vegas continues to rebuild their secondary. Pairing Xavier McKinney with Jonathan Abram would give the Raiders a great tandem to anchor the backend of their defense. McKinney is a physical, sure tackler who can slide down into the slot on occasion. He should help a unit that really struggled against tight ends last season.

20. Jacksonville Jaguars via Los Angeles Rams – Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
There is a good chance that this will be local(ish) product CJ Henderson, but I am higher on Bryce Hall’s ability to develop into a starting corner. He missed the second half of the season with an ankle injury that kept him out for the predraft process as well. When he was healthy, he was the best corner in the ACC. He has the length and ball skills to play the position at a high level. This a massive need after the Jags shipped out Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye.

21. Philadelphia Eagles – Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
Before the city flips out, I know the Eagles need a receiver, but with the early run at the position, I just can’t see the organization picking Tee Higgins. He would bring a similar skill set to Alshon Jeffrey and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside. Given the depth at the position, and the need for a linebacker, Philly tabs Patrick Queen instead. He brings the speed and coverage skills defensive coordinators will love. He will help fill the void left by Nigel Bradham.

22. Minnesota Vikings via Buffalo Bills – Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
With the pick acquired for Stefon Diggs, Minnesota will attempt to find his replacement. Tee Higgins is nothing like Diggs. He is a jump ball receiver with an elite catch radius and great ball location skills. Diggs was a crafty and savvy route running who could get open with ease. Higgins should provide a different element for the offense and hopefully find ways to be productive while he improves at generating separation.

23. New England Patriots – Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
No quarterback here for the Patriots. There is some buzz that the organization really like Jarrett Stidham. Instead, New England should look to rebuild it’s depleted linebacking corp. Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins and Elandon Roberts all skipped town. Kenneth Murray is the type of downhill hammer that could excel in this defense. He has to work on reading his keys, but that is something I think Bill Belichick can definitely teach him. His speed and tackling will make him an option to see playing time right away.

24. New Orleans Saints – Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
What is the succession plan at quarterback in New Orleans? Putting a first-round tenure on Taysom Hill in restricted free agency would indicate that the Saints view him as a potential solution, but I am not buying it. This would be the perfect situation for Jordan Love, who would get a chance to learn from one of the great quarterbacks in league history in Drew Brees. He would also get to work with a brilliant offensive mind in Sean Payton. Give Love the year to learn and he could be ready to lead this offense in 2021.

25. Minnesota Vikings – CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
After Xavier Rhodes, and Trae Waynes, and MacKenzie Alexander all found new homes, there isn’t really anyone left to play cornerback in Minnesota. They do have 2018 first-round pick Mike Hughes, but that’s not nearly enough. The Vikings can find some to start opposite him in CJ Henderson. Henderson was not as prolific in 2019 as he had been the season before, but he has the requisite size and speed to project well on the outside. It could be a bumpy start, but I imagine he will improve the longer he is in Mike Zimmer’s system.

26. Miami Dolphins – Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
I really can’t imagine Miami will use all three of their first round selections. Whether they trade up or down remains to be seen. For now, let’s assume they hang onto these picks and look to find a pass rusher to add to the mix. Yetur Gross-Matos is high-motor player who leverages himself well in pass rushing situations. He is not a physical freak, but he has the tools to become a reliable edge rusher.

27. Seattle Seahawks – A.J. Epenesa, DL, Iowa
Whether Jadeveon Clowney comes back or not, Seattle needs help along the defensive line. Malik McDowell failed to have much of an impact as a rookie, but if he makes progress in year two, he and A.J. Epenesa could be a fun pairing. Epenesa became something of a sack artist at Iowa, but after testing poorly at the combine, seems more like an interior defensive lineman. He seems like the player you can slide up and down the defensive line to confuse offenses. That should be a boon for a Seahawks team that really struggled to generate pressure last season.

28. Baltimore Ravens – Zach Baun, LB, Wisconsin
C.J. Mosley, Terrell Suggs and Patrick Onwuasor have all left over the past two offseasons. Matt Judon could be next as he is playing on the franchise tag this year. Finding some new talent to build around at linebacker feels like a priority. Zach Baun spent most of his Wisconsin career as an edge rusher, but scouts wanted to move him to linebacker at the Senior Bowl and he excelled. That flexibility is a nice bonus for a player who is strong and gritty in the trenches.

29. Tennessee Titans – Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
It does not seem like the Titans have any interest in re-signing Logan Ryan, so it might be wise to draft his replacement. Jeff Gladney has a similar profile to Ryan. Both a bit undersized, but do a good job locating the ball in coverage and getting into the body of the receiver. I think Gladney has the chops to be a great number two option, but might struggle to become an elite shutdown corner. There is still a lot of value in finding a reliable cover man.

30. Green Bay Packers – Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC
With so many receivers being discussed as possibilities at the end of the first round, this is my pick of the group. Michael Pittman reminds me a lot of Jordy Nelson and I think he would be a great fit for this Packers offense. He has the body type to win downfield, but he is not afraid to grind underneath as a possession receiver. He lacks elite speed, but still manages to generate separation. I think he will be a steal in this draft given that his draft stock is lower on most other big boards.

31. San Francisco 49ers – Cesar Ruiz, OL, Michigan
Coming off an impressive run to the Super Bowl, the 49ers can continue to build up in the trenches. Cesar Ruiz would be the future at center for this team. San Francisco relied on Ben Garland down the stretch after Weston Richburg went down with an injury. Ruiz could spent a year at guard before taking over at center for the long term. He would help keep Jimmy Garoppolo clean and work well with this powerful run game.

32. Kansas City Chiefs – Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Even though they are the defending champs, the Chiefs have a few holes to fill. Trevon Diggs is an aggressive corner who could add some physicality to this secondary. Chavarius Ward and Diggs would form a fun young combo to develop over the next few years while Kansas City tries to capitalize on this title window.

Round 2

33. Cincinnati Bengals – Austin Jackson, OT, USC

34. Indianapolis Colts via Washington – Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor

35. Detroit Lions – Ross Blacklock, DL, TCU

36. New York Giants – Matt Hennessy, OL, Temple

37. Los Angeles Chargers – Lucas Niang, OT, TCU

38. Carolina Panthers – Neville Gallimore, DL, Oklahoma

39. Miami Dolphins – J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State

40. Houston Texans via Arizona Cardinals – Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn
41. Cleveland Browns – Grant Delpit, S, LSU

42. Jacksonville Jaguars – Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota

43. Chicago Bears via Las Vegas Raiders – Lloyd Cushenberry, OL, LSU

44. Indianapolis Colts – Josh Uche, EDGE, Michigan

45. Tampa Buccaneers – D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia

46. Denver Broncos – Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah

47. Atlanta Falcons – Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU

48. New York Jets – Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State

49. Pittsburgh Steelers – Tyler Biadasz, OL, Wisconsin

50. Chicago Bears – Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir Rhyne

51. Dallas Cowboys – Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois

52. Los Angeles Rams – Ben Bartch, OT, St. John (Minn.)

53. Philadelphia Eagles – Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame

54. Buffalo Bills – Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State

55. Baltimore Ravens via Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots – John Simpson, G, Clemson

56. Miami Dolphins via New Orleans Saints – Ashtyn Davis, S, California

57. Los Angeles Rams via Houston Texans – Bradlee Anae, EDGE, Utah

58. Minnesota Vikings – Marlon Davidson, DL, Auburn

59. Seattle Seahawks – Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn

60. Baltimore Ravens – Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado

61. Tennessee Titans – Julian Okwara, EDGE, Notre Dame

62. Green Bay Packers – Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame

63. Kansas City Chiefs via San Francisco 49ers – Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU

64. Seattle Seahawks via Kansas City Chiefs – Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU

Round 3

65. Cincinnati Bengals – Jordyn Brooks, LB, Texas Tech

66. Washington – Adam Trautman, TE, Dayton

67. Detroit Lions – Malik Harrison, LB, Ohio State

68. New York Jets via New York Giants – A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson

69. Carolina Panthers – Troy Pride, CB, Notre Dame

70. Miami Dolphins – Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan

71. Los Angeles Chargers – Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State

72. Arizona Cardinals – Robert Hunt, OL, Lousiana

73. Jacksonville Jaguars – Justin Mandubuike, DL, Texas A&M

74. Cleveland Browns – Troy Dye, LB, Oregon

75. Indianapolis Colts – Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma

76. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Devin Duvernay, WR, Texas

77. Denver Broncos – Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State

78. Atlanta Falcons – Darrell Taylor, EDGE, Tennessee

79. New York Jets – Kenny Willekes, EDGE, Michigan State

80. Las Vegas Raiders – Amik Robertson, CB, Lousiana Tech

81. Las Vegas Raiders via Chicago Bears – Leki Fotu, DL, Utah

82. Dallas Cowboys – Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State

83. Denver Broncos via Pittsburgh Steelers – Larrell Murchison, DL, North Carolina State

84. Los Angeles Rams – Logan Wilson, LB, Wyoming

85. Detroit Lions via Philadelphia Eagles – Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin

86. Buffalo Bills – Davon Hamilton, DL, Ohio State

87. New England Patriots – K.J. Hill, WR, Ohio State

88. New Orleans Saints – Van Jefferson, WR, Florida

89. Minnesota Vikings – Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama

90. Houston Texans – James Lynch, DL, Baylor

91. Las Vegas Raiders via Seattle Seahawks – Jacob Eason, QB, Washington

92. Baltimore Ravens – Terrell Burgess, S, Utah

93. Tennessee Titans – Matt Peart, OT, UConn

94. Green Bay Packers – Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia

95. Denver Broncos via San Francisco 49ers – Ben Bredeson, OL, Michigan

96. Kansas City Chiefs – Jonah Jackson, OL, Ohio State

97. Cleveland Browns – Thaddeus Moss, TE, LSU

98. New England Patriots – Cam Akers, RB, Florida State

99. New York Giants – Jonathan Greenard, EDGE, Florida

100. New England Patriots – Brycen Hopkins, TE, Purdue

101. Seattle Seahawks – Eno Benjamin, RB, Arizona State

102. Pittsburgh Steelers – Jordan Elliott, DL, Missouri

103. Philadelphia Eagles – K’Von Wallace, S, Clemson

104. Los Angeles Rams – Logan Stenberg, OL, Kentucky

105. Minnesota Vikings – Solomon Kindley, G, Georgia

106. Baltimore Ravens – Trevon Hill, EDGE, Miami

Final 2020 NFL Draft Big Board: Top 150 and Position Rankings

April 22, 2020April 24, 2020 Chris McGlynn Draft, Football, NFL 2020 NFL Draft, Big Board, Chase Young, Isaiah Simmons, Jeffrey Okudah, Jerry Jeudy, Joe Burrow, NFL Draft, Position Rankings

Draft day is practically here. I have thrown myself into draft prep in the midst of the coronavirus shutdown. This is a really amazing draft class to dive into as well. It might be the greatest receiver class in recent memory. There are some special playmakers on defense and a good crop of offensive tackles. It isn’t a bad year to need a quarterback either.

I will definitely have some surprises compared to the consensus here, but that’s what makes big boards worth reading. I know I am a bit higher on Michael Pittman, Bradlee Anae and Tyler Biadasz, whereas I am definitely a lot lower on K.J. Hamler, Raekwon Davis and CJ Henderson. With my final mock draft dropping tomorrow, I am just about ready to sit back and just watch the draft unfold! Here are my top 150 prospects for Thursday’s draft. I have noted along the way where I stopped giving out grades for each round. I am well aware that I have fewer first-round prospects than there are first round picks, but I also have way more second and third-round grades than there are picks.

Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina
Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
Josh Jones, OT, Houston
Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
A.J. Epenesa, DL, Iowa
Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
Zach Baun, LB, Wisconsin (End of round 1 grades)
This cut off feels right for me. After this point, I start to feel a bit less confident in any number of things that makes me feel like taking this player in the first round is not worth the pick. If I am on the clock at pick 30 and all 29 of these players are gone. I am looking to move down.
Ross Blacklock, DL, TCU
Grant Delpit, S, LSU
Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC
Cesar Ruiz, C, Michigan
Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Austin Jackson, OT, USC
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU
Neville Gallimore, DL, Oklahoma
Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn
Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
Matt Hennessy, OL, Temple
Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota
Lucas Niang, OT, TCU
Lloyd Cushenberry, OL, LSU
Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir Rhyne
Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
Josh Uche, EDGE, Michigan
Tyler Biadasz, C, Wisconsin
Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame
Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois
Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State
John Simpson, G, Clemson
Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame
Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
Bradlee Anae, EDGE, Utah
Marlon Davidson, DL, Auburn
Ashtyn Davis, S, Cal
Ben Bartch, OT, St. John (Minn.)
A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
Julian Okwara, EDGE, Notre Dame
Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan
Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn
Troy Pride, CB, Notre Dame
Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin (End of round 2 grades)
I think there are going to be a few players worth spending a second round pick on that slip into the third. This second round is loaded with corners and receivers and it would not be a surprise to me to see a run on one or both position groups to happen during the round.
Justin Mandubuike, DL, Texas A&M
Adam Trautman, TE, Dayton
Cam Akers, RB, Florida State
Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State
Amik Robertson, CB, Louisiana Tech
Jordyn Brooks, LB, Texas Tech
Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma
Malik Harrison, LB, Ohio State
Devin Duvernay, WR, Texas
Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State
Robert Hunt, OL, Louisiana
Troy Dye, LB, Oregon
Leki Fotu, DL, Utah
Darrell Taylor, EDGE, Tennessee
Terrell Burgess, S, Utah
Larrell Murchison, DL, North Carolina State
Van Jefferson, WR, Florida
Jacob Eason, QB, Washington
Kenny Willekes, EDGE, Michigan State
K’Von Wallace, S, Clemson
Thaddeus Moss, TE, LSU
Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama
Eno Benjamin, RB, Arizona State
Ben Bredeson, OL, Michigan
K.J. Hill, WR, Ohio State
Matt Peart, OT, UConn
Jonah Jackson, OL, Ohio State
Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia
Logan Wilson, LB, Wyoming,
Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State
Davon Hamilton, DL, Ohio State
Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia
Brycen Hopkins, TE, Purdue
Collin Johnson, WR, Texas
Jonathan Grennard, EDGE, Florida
Tyler Johnson, WR, Minnesota
James Lynch, DL, Baylor (End of round 3 grades)
There is a ton of third round talent available. 38 players by my estimation. This is definitely my cut off for players I would look to target on the first two days of the draft. I debated making the cut after Grennard, but Johnson and Lynch had such great years that it would be hard for me to pass on them if they were sitting there at the end of round three.
Logan Stenberg, OL, Kentucky
Jordan Elliott, DL, Missouri
Bryan Edwards, WR, South Carolina
Solomon Kindley, OL, Georgia
Trevon Hill, EDGE, Miami
K.J. Hamler, WR, Penn State
Raekwon Davis, DL, Alabama
Evan Weaver, LB, California
Gabriel Davis, WR, UCF
Darrynton Evans, RB, Appalachian State
Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Appalachian State
Jason Strowbridge, DL, UNC
Julian Blackmon, S, Utah
Willie Gay Jr., LB, Mississippi State
Lynn Bowden, WR, Kentucky
Ke’Shawn Vaughn, RB, Vanderbilt
Josiah Deguara, TE, Cincinnati
Quintez Cephus, WR, Wisconsin
A.J. Green, CB, Oklahoma State
Francis Bernard, LB, Utah
Tanner Muse, S, Clemson
David Woodward, LB, Utah State
Shadiq Charles, OT, LSU
Khalid Kareem, EDGE, Notre Dame
Darnay Holmes, CB, UCLA
Alohi Gilman, S, Notre Dame
Isaiah Hodgins, WR, Oregon State
Javelin Guidry, CB, Utah
Alex Highsmith, EDGE, Charlotte
Rashard Lawrence, DL, LSU
Damien Lewis, OL, LSU
Hunter Bryant, TE, Washington
Netane Muti, OL, Fresno State
Nick Harris, OL, Washington
Quartney Davis, WR, Texas A&M
Anthony Gordon, QB, Washington State
Alton Robinson, EDGE, Syracuse
Harrison Bryant, TE, FAU
Nick Coe, EDGE, Auburn
James Proche, WR, SMU
Zach Moss, RB, Utah
Brandon Jones, S, Texas
Dane Jackson, CB, Pittsburgh (End of round 4 grades)
This is where we start to get into players who can contribute on special teams or potentially have some red flags that pushed them down draft boards. The final three rounds are where we see teams start to take more risks on players from small schools or with unique physical traits they hope to develop.
A.J. Dillon, RB, Boston College
Antonio Ganady-Golden, WR, Liberty

So that’s my top 150 prospects! That should get you through at least the first two days of the draft. It is easy to get lost scrolling through that many names, so let’s break it down by position. There are even a couple of names on here that didn’t quite crack my top 150, but were my next favorite player in that position group.

Quarterback

Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma
Jacob Eason, QB, Washington
Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia
Anthony Gordan, QB, Washington State
James Morgan, QB, Florida International
Cole McDonald, QB, Hawaii

Running Back

J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU
Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
Cam Akers, RB, Florida State
Eno Benjamin, RB, Arizona State
Darrynton Evans, RB, Appalachian State
Ke’Shawn Vaughn, RB, Vanderbilt
Zach Moss, RB, Utah
A.J. Dillon, RB, Boston College
Anthony McFarland, RB, Maryland
Antonio Gibson, RB, Memphis
Lamical Perine, RB, Florida
James Robinson, RB, Southern Illinois
Joshua Kelley, RB, UCLA

Wide Receiver

Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
Michael Pittman, WR, USC
Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame
Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan
Devin Duvernay, WR, Texas
Van Jefferson, WR, Florida
K.J. Hill, WR, Ohio State
Collin Johnson, WR, Texas
Tyler Johnson, WR, Minnesota
Bryan Edwards, WR, South Carolina
K.J. Hamler, WR, Penn State
Gabriel Davis, WR, UCF
Lynn Bowden, WR, Kentucky
Quintez Cephus, WR, Wisconsin
Isaiah Hodgins, WR, Oregon State
Quartney Davis, WR, Texas A&M
James Proche, WR, SMU
Antonio Ganady-Golden, WR, Liberty

Offensive Tackle

Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
Josh Jones, OT, Houston
Austin Jackson, OT, USC
Lucas Niang, OT, TCU
Ben Bartch, OT, St. John (Minn.)
Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn
Matt Peart, OT, UConn
Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia
Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State
Shadiq Charles, OT, LSU
Jack Driscol, OT, Auburn
Hakeem Adeniji, OT, Kansas

Interior Offensive Lineman

Cesar Ruiz, OL, Michigan
Matt Hennessy, OL, Temple
Lloyd Cushenberry, OL, LSU
Tyler Biadasz, OL, Wisconsin
John Simpson, OL, Clemson
Robert Hunt, OL, Lousiana
Ben Bredeson, OL, Michigan
Jonah Jackson, OL, Ohio State
Logan Stenberg, OL, Kentucky
Solomon Kindley, OL, Georgia
Damien Lewis, OL, LSU
Netane Muti, OL, Fresno State
Nick Harris, OL, Washington
Shane Lemieux, OL, Oregon
Michael Onwenu, OL, Michigan

Tight End

Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame
Adam Trautman, TE, Dayton
Thaddeus Moss, TE, LSU
Brycen Hopkins, TE, Purdue
Josiah Deguara, TE, Cincinnati
Hunter Bryant, TE, Washington
Harrison Bryant, TE, Florida Atlantic
Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, Missouri
Colby Parkinson, TE, Stanford
Devin Asiasi, TE, UCLA

Edge Rusher

Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
Josh Uche, EDGE, Michigan
Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State
Bradlee Anae, EDGE, Utah
Julian Okwara, EDGE, Notre Dame
Darrell Taylor, EDGE, Tennessee
Kenny Willekes, EDGE, Michigan State
Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama
Jonathan Greenard, EDGE, Florida
Trevon Hill, EDGE, Miami
Khalid Kareem, EDGE, Notre Dame
Alex Highsmith, EDGE, Charlotte
Alton Robinson, EDGE, Syracuse
Nick Coe, EDGE, Auburn
Jabari Zuniga, EDGE, Florida
Anfernee Jennings, EDGE, Alabama
Kendall Coleman, EDGE, Syracuse
Jonathan Garvin, EDGE, Miami

Defensive Lineman

Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina
Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
A.J. Epenesa, DL, Iowa
Ross Blacklock, DL, TCU
Neville Gallimore, DL, Oklahoma
Marlon Davidson, DL, Auburn
Justin Madubuike, DL, Texas A&M
Leki Fotu, DL, Utah
Larrell Murchison, DL, North Carolina State
Davon Hamilton, DL, Ohio State
James Lynch, DL, Baylor
Jordan Elliott, DL, Missouri
Raekwon Davis, DL, Alabama
Jason Strowbridge, DL, UNC
Rashad Lawrence, DL, LSU

Linebacker

Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
Jordyn Brooks, LB, Texas Tech
Malik Harrison, LB, Ohio State
Tory Dye, LB, Oregon
Logan Wilson, LB, Wyoming
Evan Weaver, LB, California
Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Appalachian State
Willie Gay Jr., LB, Mississippi State
Francis Bernard, LB, Utah
David Woodward, LB, Utah State
Joe Bachie Jr., LB, Michigan State
Justin Strnad, LB, Wake Forest
Markus Bailey, LB, Purdue

Cornerback

Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn
Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
Troy Pride Jr., CB, Notre Dame
Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State
Amik Robertson, CB, Louisiana Tech
Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State
A.J. Green, CB, Oklahoma State
Darnay Holmes, CB, UCLA
Javelin Guidry, CB, Utah
Dane Jackson, CB, Pittsburgh
Michael Ojumedia, CB, Iowa
Harrison Hand, CB, Temple
Kindle Vildor, CB, Georgia Southern

Safety

Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
Grant Delpit, S, LSU
Antoine Winfield, S, Minnesota
Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir Rhyne
Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois
Ashtyn Davis, S, California
Terrell Burgess, S, Utah
K’Von Wallace, S, Clemson
Julian Blackmon, S, Utah
Tanner Muse, S, Clemson
Alohi Gilman, S, Notre Dame
Brandon Jones, S, Texas
J.R. Reed, S, Georgia
Geno Stone, S, Iowa
Antoine Brooks Jr., S, Maryland

And lastly, as a fun bonus, here is how I think each position group stacks up.

Wide Receiver
Incredible top-end talent, tons of depth. This is the best year to need a receiver in a long time. You can definitely find starting quality receivers in the third and fourth rounds in this draft. Devin Duvernay is my 12th ranked receiver, and I really like Duvernay!
Offensive Tackle
There has been a lot of talk about the top four tackles in this class. Honestly, I have a difficult time separating at least three of them. However, there are a couple of solid options beyond that quartet. The depth is not overwhelming, but there a number of interesting project players that should go in the middle rounds.
Quarterback
Joe Burrow stands head and shoulders above the rest. Tua Tagovailoa brings his injury concerns to the table, but comparison to Drew Brees feel apt. Justin Herbert checks all the boxes physically. If a coach can bring him up to speed on reading a defense and making the right decisions, he will thrive. In Jordan Love, some see Patrick Mahomes and others see JaMarcus Russell. He has tons of arm talent. I think comparing him to Josh Allen feels right.
Defensive Tackle
Javon Kinlaw and Derrick Brown headline this class, but there is a lot of depth. I have round three or better grades on 11 interior defensive linemen. Whether you need a nose tackle, a three-tech or a five-tech, just about every team can find the right fit for their system.
Edge Rusher
Chase Young is the cream of the crop, but there is a really wide gap between him and the rest of the class. The depth here is no inspiring. Most of this class comes with a lot of room to grow, or some major question marks about their ability to transition to the next level.
Running Back
At one point, this running back class looked like one of the best position groups of the 2020 draft. Then Travis Etienne, Najee Harris and Chuba Hubbard all returned to school, robbing this class of a lot of it’s depth. With no elite prospect to carry this group like an Ezekiel Elliott or Saquon Barkley, it’s solid, but unspectacular.
Cornerback
Much like the edge rushers, there is one great prospect at the top from Ohio State, and then a drop off. I’m not as high on CJ Henderson as most. The drop off from Okudah to Bryce Hall is steep. There a decent number of purely nickle corners, which I think hurts the overall depth of the group. There will be some solid starters to come out of the group, but the impact might take a few years to be felt.
Linebacker
Isaiah Simmons is an elite prospect, but does he really count as a linebacker. I think that is probably his best fit, so let’s say yes. Patrick Queen and Kenneth Murray earn first-round grades, but there is a massive drop from there. 49 spots to be exact. There are some interesting developmental options in the third and fourth rounds, but this group is lacking in proven talent.
Safety
This group is pretty thin even if you did include Isaiah Simmons as a safety. Xavier McKinney and Grant Delpit could end up in round one. There are a couple of small school studs in Kyle Dugger and Jeremy Chinn as well. Antoine Winfield Jr. is a wildcard as well given his size. Overall, I don’t think this is a great year to be looking for safety help.
Interior Offensive Lineman
This is a rough year for interior offensive line help. No one earned a first round grade from me and I don’t think I am alone in that conclusion. There is a run that should happen early in round two and some potential depth. It doesn’t help that the draft often doesn’t value the position, but I am unimpressed.
Tight End
I am not a fan of this tight end class. I don’t have a single one of them ranked in the top 50. There is some interesting depth down the line, but most of these guys are developmental prospects. I am not buying the ceiling on most of these players.

The Aftermath

When sporting news breaks, we cover the fallout.

NFL

2020 NFL Draft takeaways: Who crushed it and who missed out?

2020 NFL Draft: Day 2 surprises and best players available

2020 NFL Draft: First-Round Surprises and Best Players Available

Final 2020 NFL Mock Draft: Three-round mock ahead of draft night!

Final 2020 NFL Draft Big Board: Top 150 and Position Rankings

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