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Henry Ruggs would be the perfect deep threat
to complement Sutton and Lock’s elite arm strength.
1. Cincinnati Bengals - Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Joe Burrow’s historic season led to him likely becoming the first
overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He possesses exceptional football
IQ to go along with outstanding anticipation. He’s a quarterback
that can throw his receivers open, while working around pressure
in the pocket. Burrow can read the entire field, working through
each of his progressions. Arguably his best trait is his accuracy,
limiting mistakes while maximizing his opportunities.
Burrow doesn’t have any burning red flags to his game, but he
is already 24 years old. Still, his production against elite level
competition allows us to overlook his age. Burrow doesn’t possess
great arm strength, but his accuracy and anticipation will likely
make up for deficiencies at the NFL level.
The Bengals have holes along both sides of the ball. They benched
Andy Dalton
in 2019 for Ryan
Finley, who is clearly not their quarterback of the future.
Burrow is a player that has the upside to turn a franchise around,
even with glaring holes at multiple positions. He’s a franchise
quarterback, who can elevate the players around him and the Bengals
will finally have a player that they can build their team around.
Previous Pick: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
2. Washington Redskins - Chase Young, Edge, Ohio State
Chase Young is likely the safest and most complete player in this
draft. He’s an outstanding defender in the run game, setting
the edge without much give and is a game-changing pass rusher. He
boasts elite hands at the point of attack, while possessing more
than enough pass rush moves to keep offensive linemen guessing.
Young has a great first step, quickness to match, outstanding bend,
and elite speed to the quarterback. He doesn’t solely rely
on speed, possessing tremendous power when utilizing power techniques.
Young doesn’t truly have any flaws but he could get better
in coverage and space, but his athleticism will allow him to do
that as he matures that part of his game.
The Redskins drafted their franchise quarterback last year and have
plenty of holes to fill, but it’s clear that an elite pass rusher
in the NFL has the ability to change games. Young is arguably the
safest prospect with the highest ceiling in the draft. He boasts
Hall of Fame potential, and is the type of defensive game-changer
Washington is in need of.
Previous Pick: Chase Young, Edge, Ohio State
3. Detroit Lions - Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Okudah enjoyed one of the best collegiate careers for a cornerback
in recent memory. He’s an excellent man coverage corner,
featuring elite quickness, athleticism, and ball skills. He’s
a confident player that isn’t afraid to crowd receivers.
Okudah is aggressive, allowing him to jump routes and make plays
that others may not trust themselves enough to make. He also played
in a complex college system, making his transition to an NFL system
that much easier.
Okudah sometimes trusts his instincts a bit too much. His speed
allowed him to make up for this at the collegiate level, but that
may not be the case in the NFL. He also will need to find more success
as a zone coverage cornerback, although any team that drafts him
should switch to a man-based scheme.
The Lions saw their star cornerback, Darius
Slay, take a step back in 2019. He’s set to become a free agent
after this season, and has already stated he wants elite cornerback
money. Detroit could potentially pay him to pair him with Okaduh
for what could be one of the best cornerback duos in the NFL, or
they could use their rookie to take over as their shutdown option
once Slay’s contract is up.
Previous Pick: Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
4. New York Giants - Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
Becton has absurd size, resulting in tremendous power at the point
of attack. As is the case with bigger linemen, this size and strength
helps Becton’s power run blocking. He has the potential to
be one of the better run blockers in the NFL. Surprisingly, Becton
has the footspeed to reach the second level, as well. His size and
power allows him to anchor his body in pass protection, while also
possessing the speed to meet speed rushers before it’s too
late.
While Becton’s strength is such an advantage at the moment,
it could also be one of his biggest downfalls early on in his
career. With his ability to rely solely on his power at the collegiate
level, Becton lacks the technique and polish needed for the NFL
level. He has struggled with his initial punch at times, and his
strength won’t make up for that in the NFL the same way
it did in the ACC. Becton has also struggled with known weight
issues, although that shouldn’t be an overly large concern
for coaches if Becton is committed to success at the next level.
The Giants have plenty of holes that need to be filled on the
defensive side of the ball. Isaiah Simmons would make sense here,
but the team also needs to protect their first round franchise
quarterback. There are multiple offensive tackles that could come
off the board first in this draft. Becton improved his stock at
the combine, running a 5.11 40-yard dash at 364 lbs. He has the
most upside of any offensive tackle in this draft, and that’s
something the Giants could look to take advantage of.
Previous Pick: Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
5. Miami Dolphins - Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
Tua Tagovailoa comes with tremendous upside as a rhythm passer
in the NFL. He is an intelligent quarterback that reads defenses
before the snap, while making progressions after the play begins.
Tagovailoa possesses tremendous accuracy to go along with elite-level
touch. He also stays composed under pressure, making plenty of high-level
throws with defenders in his face. Tagovailoa doesn’t possess
elite speed, but he finds ways to work around pressure in the pocket,
while boasting enough mobility to extend plays.
Tagovailoa relies heavily on his accuracy and touch because he
doesn’t have elite arm strength. Still, his throwing power
will be more than serviceable in the NFL. He has durability concerns,
including a gruesome season-ending injury that has likely caused
him to fall a bit in this draft. Furthermore, there are questions
as to whether Alabama’s receiving group made the quarterback
or if the quarterback made the receiving group.
The Dolphins started their “Tank for Tua” campaign at the beginning
of the season. They didn’t stick with it, though, ending up with
the fifth overall pick. Still, they could get their quarterback
of the future because of injury, although they may have to trade
up, as his medicals have come back outstanding to this point.. Tagovailoa
possesses the character and leadership that a team like the Dolphins
could use.
Previous Pick: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
6. Los Angeles Chargers - Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Herbert has the prototypical size and arm strength for the NFL.
He possesses the ability to make any throw on the field, while flashing
elite potential at times. Herbert is an athletic player that has
the mobility to leave the pocket and pick up first downs with his
legs. He isn’t overly consistent, but when he gets into rhythm,
he finds plenty of success.
While Herbert has the upside of an NFL quarterback, he comes with
quite a bit of question marks. His accuracy is less than stellar,
struggling to consistently make high quality throws. Herbert struggles
to progress through his reads, as well. While he possesses the
arm strength to make elite throws, his inconsistencies could result
in plenty of missed opportunities.
Philip Rivers
is no longer the quarterback of the Los Angeles Chargers. They could
search for his replacement in free agency, or they could look in
the NFL Draft. Herbert was one of the top quarterback prospects
last season, and that’s the case once again this year but he’s somewhat
of a clear third option behind Burrow and Tagovailoa. Herbert isn’t
as safe as the other options, but he owns franchise-changing potential
if his skills are maximized at the next level.
Isaiah Simmons is a player that could fly up draft boards. He’s
as versatile of a defender as anyone in recent memory. At Clemson,
Simmons played 100+ snaps at five different positions. He could
find success in the NFL at linebacker, slot corner, safety, or as
an edge rusher. Simmons is an outstanding tackler, while boasting
elite sideline-to-sideline range. He can guard at a high level in
both zone or man coverage. His cardio is outstanding, and he possesses
the football IQ to seamlessly maneuver from position to position
depending on the team needs in each defensive package. Simmons pure
upside was on full display, as he posted one of the best combine
performances in recent history.
The Panthers have plenty of holes throughout their roster. They
lost Luke Keuchley to retirement, leaving a massive hole at linebacker.
They also need help at cornerback and potentially safety.
Simmons is a player that can fit nearly any role a defensive coordinator
needs, and he has game-changing potential on his side of the ball.
Simmons’ limitless versatility nearly guarantees he’ll find success
at the NFL level, and that’s something Carolina needs on defense.
Previous Pick: Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
8. Arizona Cardinals - Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
Tristan Wirfs is a gritty lineman from a school that consistently
produces that type of player. He possesses an impressive frame,
but that doesn’t limit his foot speed. He ran a ridiculous 4.85
40-yard dash, flashing his pure athleticism throughout his other
combine drills, as well. Wirfs comes with tremendous power, suggesting
he’ll find success against both speed and power rushers at the next
level. He isn’t an overly polished run blocker, but has flashed
once he gets to the second level of defenses. His initial contact
is generally successful, but he struggles to consistently finish
plays in the run game.
Wirfs would be an interesting addition to the Cardinals line. They
need help at tackle, which is where he projects by most scouts at
the NFL level. With that being said, some have suggested that Wirfs
will need to slide inside to guard. If that’s the case, Arizona
could go with another offensive tackle option here, but Wirfs is
the type of player that could protect Kyler
Murray’s blindside for years to come.
Derrick Brown is an NFL-ready player that is one of the best prospects
in this draft. He has an elite combination of power, speed, explosiveness,
and technique. Brown is a player that will be stout in the run game,
while possessing plenty of interior pass rush upside. He’ll
be a day one starter in the NFL, and has proven for years of experience
in the tough SEC. While Brown’s best attribute is his power,
his elite cardio/motor is one of the biggest reasons he’s
projected to find success at the next level.
The Jaguars could use help on the interior defensive line. Taven
Bryan seems primed to break out, but Brown would be a player that
can completely change their defense. He boasts an outstanding ceiling,
and he’s one of the safest players in the draft. Similarly to Simmons,
Brown could end up being a top-three pick in this draft, making
him a steal for a team like Jacksonville that needs help at his
position.
Previous Pick: Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
10. Cleveland Browns - Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Thomas was a three-year starter at left tackle in the SEC. He played
in a pro-style offense at Georgia, accumulating plenty of high-level
experience. He is already an outstanding run blocker, displaying
tremendous power. He has found success as a pass blocker, flashing
more than enough upside to find success on the left side of the
line in the NFL. He boasts great hands as well, possessing a tremendous
first punch that allows him to control defenders.
Thomas has struggled at times with his footwork. He has displayed
enough foot speed to fix these issues with more coaching, although
he tends to rely on his power.
The Browns offense took a massive step back in 2019. A large
part of that was the play of their offensive tackles. Greg Robinson
and Chris Hubbard both struggled, and it isn’t guaranteed
that either is back as a starter. Thomas has the experience to
immediately slide into the starting left tackle role for Cleveland.
He would be a massive upgrade for Baker Mayfield’s blindside,
and could anchor the left side of the line for years to come.
Previous Pick: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
11. New York Jets - Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Jerry Jeudy is an elite route runner, who possesses fluid hips.
He understands the nuances of his routes, setting up defenders,
while quickly getting in and out of his breaks. Jeudy has tremendous
body control, allowing him to track the deep ball at a high level.
He isn’t overly dominant after the catch, but has the ability
to make big plays on short routes. While it isn’t the most
important part of scouting reports, Jeudy is also a willing blocker,
making him one of the most complete receiving options in this draft.
Jeudy doesn’t have many flaws in his game, although he tends
to let the ball get to his body. He needs to work a bit on his
drops early in his career. Jeudy is often seen as the safe option
as opposed to other high upside players in this draft, but he
has all the makings of a WR1 at the NFL level.
The Jets have some talent in their receiving group, but they don’t
have a true number one for their franchise quarterback to rely on.
Adding Jeudy would allow them to open up their offense, while giving
Sam Darnold
the next step for his development.
Previous Pick: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
12. Las Vegas Raiders - CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Lamb is another outstanding receiving option in this draft, who
has flashed WR1 potential. He has the ability to help an offense
at every level, possessing tremendous ball skills. Lamb is also
an outstanding tracker once the ball is in the air. He has the potential
to run a full route tree, adding tremendous YAC potential on short
routes. Similarly to Jeudy, Lamb is a willing blocker, often helping
in the Oklahoma run game.
Lamb’s combine will likely determine his value. Some have
questioned his speed, and he could jump Jeudy as the top receiver
if he performs well in the 40-yard-dash. Lamb is also a wide receiver
that has to answer questions about the talent of his competition.
The Big 12 is known as an offensive conference with less than
stellar cornerbacks. Some may question whether Lamb can dominate
NFL cornerbacks the same way he did to the Big 12’s options.
The Raiders are in dire need of a game-changing playmaker on the
outside. After Antonio
Brown left the team, Las Vegas was left with Tyrell
Williams as their top option. Hunter
Renfrow was a pleasant surprise in the slot, but Las Vegas needs
a true number one option on the outside. Lamb has the potential
to become that, making him a great fit.
Previous Pick: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
13. San Francisco 49ers - Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Javon Kinlaw is an outstanding physical prospect. He has tremendous
size on the interior defensive line. Kinlaw is an explosive player
with incredible burst to go along with power and surprising lateral
quickness. He boasts quick hands, and has the potential to be a
player that can consistently disrupt plays in the backfield. Kinlaw
also looked like a new player from 2019 to 2020, adding plenty of
muscle to his frame. He has the potential to continue to add to
his frame at the next level.
Kinlaw is a typical prospect that has all the physical traits, but
needs to improve his technique. He struggles to efficiently use
his hands to peel off of blocks or set the edge when needed. He
keeps his pad level a bit high, allowing his opponents to control
his body. Kinlaw also needs to work on his reads early on plays.
San Francisco traded DeForest Buckner for this pick. The thought
is that they didn’t want to pay for his new $84 million
contract. That leaves a hole at defensive tackle, and they could
simply draft his replacement. It would give the 49ers another
dominant physical option on a rookie contract along the defensive
line. He would help make up arguably the best defensive front
in the NFL.
Previous Pick: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State (Indianapolis Colts)
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
Jedrick Wills is an outstanding prospect. He comes with tremendous
technique, winning at the line of scrimmage from his first punch
on. He also boasts tremendous power, allowing him success in both
run and pass blocking. Along with his great technique, Wills has
plus footwork. He is an outstanding pass blocker already in his
young career, and a solid run blocker. He possesses the ability
to get to the second level, as well. Overall, Wills is a smart player,
who wins with technique to go along with solid physical traits.
Wills strictly played right tackle for Alabama. Scouts have wondered
if he can make the transition to left tackle at the NFL level. One
of the biggest concerns is that Wills doesn’t possess great
foot speed. While he has outstanding technique, he won’t be
able to move to left tackle if he struggles against speed rushers.
The Buccaneers have more holes on defense, but they will be forced
to protect Tom Brady. Wills could start at right tackle or guard
early in his career. He will have the potential to turn into a blindside
protector, although that may be after Brady retires. Regardless,
the aging quarterback doesn’t possess much mobility, and adding
any type of protection to an average offensive line will be a plus.
Previous Pick: Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
15. Denver Broncos - Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
Henry Ruggs III possesses elite speed, and will be able to take
the top off of any defense in the NFL. That isn’t the only
good part about his game, though. Along with his speed, Ruggs is
outstanding at tracking the ball and continues to add routes to
his repertoire. His larger route tree is extremely important, as
Ruggs is outstanding after the catch, and will be more than simply
a deep threat at the next level.
Ruggs can make contested catches, but he too often allows balls
to get into his body. He also needs to continue to add to his
route tree, while working on his ability to get off the press.
Solid press corners will disrupt his routes, limiting his speed
and taking away the receivers best attribute.
The Broncos could add another cornerback in the draft or they
could continue the run on wide receivers. Denver looks to be all
in with Drew Lock,
giving him plenty of offensive weapons. They have their WR1 in
Courtland
Sutton, while Noah
Fant, Melvin
Gordon, and Phillip
Lindsay are complementary pieces. Ruggs would be the perfect
deep threat to complement Sutton and Lock’s elite arm strength.
He could take Denver’s offense to the next level.
Previous Pick: Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
16. Atlanta Falcons - C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
C.J. Henderson possesses the speed and traits to play man coverage,
while boasting the smarts to find plenty of success in zone, as
well. He’s a player that isn’t afraid to come off of
his receiver to make a play. He also owns tremendous recovery speed,
allowing him to jump routes and still find success, unlike slower
cornerbacks in the NFL. Henderson has also proven that he can find
success in press coverage, as he is a physical option at the line
of scrimmage. Overall, he possesses all the tools to become the
top coverage cornerback in this class.
There is one trait that the NFL will frown upon with Henderson
- tackling. He isn’t a willing tackler, and oftentimes looks
as if he’s trying to avoid the confrontation. Other cornerbacks
have fallen in the draft simply because of their unwillingness
to tackle, and that may be the case with Henderson.
The Falcons added Dante Fowler Jr., plugging their edge rusher
hole for the time being. They could add another pass rusher here,
but cornerback seems to be the more pressing issue. Atlanta has
plenty of options to choose from, but Henderson makes the most
sense. He’s seemingly moving up draft boards at the moment,
and has Pro Bowl potential with his coverage skills. The Falcons
have their offense figured out, and adding another defensive piece
with this selection is nearly a given.
Previous Pick: Yetur Gross-Matos, Edge, Penn State
17. Dallas Cowboys - Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
Kristian Fulton is an elite man coverage cornerback. He’s
at his best when he’s pressing, as he is outstanding at disrupting
his opponents’ routes. Fulton is extremely aggressive in his
coverage, jumping routes, attacking the ball, and making any reception
more difficult on receivers. He also trusts his instincts, while
possessing enough makeup speed to recover from any wrong reads.
Fulton has the ability to play in any coverage, but he could
improve in zone coverage. While it isn’t a major issue,
it’s a necessity for success in the NFL. Fulton also needs
to improve as a tackler. There are likely to be some concerns
throughout his interviews, as well, after Fulton missed the 2017
season due to suspension.
Dallas lost one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL in Byron Jones
to free agency. They added Ha Ha Clinton-Dix in free agency to
help on the back end, but still need to sure-up their cornerback
situation. Fulton comes with tremendous talent, and the Cowboys
have proven time and time again they’re willing to take
a chance on players with questionable pasts.
Previous Pick: Grant Delpit, S, LSU
18. Miami Dolphins - Austin Jackson, OT, USC
Austin Jackson is a bit of a polarizing prospect, who is seemingly
climbing up draft boards. He’s a bit of a project, but has
all of the physical tools to be a capable NFL player in the future.
Jackson possesses an outstanding frame to go along with solid lateral
movement and mobility. He has flashed with his hands in pass protection
throughout his career at USC, suggesting his ceiling could be at
left tackle in the NFL.
While Jackson features the frame of an NFL tackle, he will need
to fill it out for future success. He’s far too inconsistent
with his footwork at the moment, and doesn’t feature the
strength to make up for it. Jackson too often loses control of
his body, opening the door for pass rushers to find success. It’s
these inconsistencies that have some NFL teams and scouts worried
about his ability at the next level.
The Dolphins are in a complete rebuild, and they are in dire
need of offensive linemen. If they draft Tua Tagovailoa with their
first pick, they will need to keep him healthy, as he has struggled
with injuries. With the top four offensive linemen off the board,
Miami will have their pick of the second tier. Jackson isn’t
ready to be a day one starter, but he can develop into a solid
left tackle with the right coaching. He’s a bit of a risky
option, but it wouldn’t be surprising if he jumped Josh
Jones on draft day.
Previous Pick: Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
19. Las Vegas Raiders - Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Trevon Diggs is a cornerback that possesses tremendous size. He
also boasts length as a defender, and the athleticism to cover quite
a bit of ground in the secondary. This size will allow Diggs to
shadow WR1s throughout his career, as well. He’s already outstanding
in zone coverage, displaying tremendous knowledge early in his career.
He also uses his size when pressing his opponents, overwhelming
them at the line of scrimmage.
While Diggs has flashed in press coverage, he isn’t overly
consistent in man coverage at this point in his career. He is
also at his worst when playing off-man. The team that drafts him
will need a plan in place for their defense to set Diggs up for
success.
The Raiders are in dire need of consistency in their secondary.
They have been drafting defensive backs for years, but none have
turned into a shutdown cornerback. Diggs possesses the size to
follow opposing WR1s around the field. He has plenty of experience
in the SEC, and he’s an outstanding piece for Las Vegas.
Previous Pick: Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
20. Jacksonville Jaguars - Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
Jeff Gladney is an outstanding prospect, who could get lost in the
shuffle of a dominant cornerback draft. He’s a player that
possesses the footwork, speed, and physicality to find success in
man coverage. Gladney competes every play, performing well at the
point of attack. He could add to his frame a bit, but features the
upside as a player to shadow opposing WR1s for years to come.
Gladney is serviceable in zone coverage, but can look to improve
that aspect in the NFL. He needs to read offenses a bit better,
allowing him to faster process route combinations, resulting in
more potential turnovers.
The Jaguars have a few holes they need to fill, and one of them
is cornerback. They’re weak and aging at the position without
featuring anyone that has hopes of turning into a CB1 later in
their career. Gladney has the experience to start early in his
career, and he can turn into the dominant cornerback Jacksonville
has been seeking.
Previous Pick: Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
21. Philadelphia Eagles - Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
Tee Higgins is a massive receiver, who utilizes his body extremely
well. He boasts an elite catch radius with outstanding hands. Higgins
isn’t a player that often lets the ball get into his body
either. He possesses the ability to play through contact, and is
arguably the best receiver in the draft in contested situations.
He was known as a deep threat at Clemson, and his tracking ability
is outstanding at this point in his career.
While Higgins looked outstanding as a deep threat throughout
his collegiate career, some have questioned his long speed. That
is a question he can answer at the NFL Combine, although with
his size, he doesn’t need a blazing 40-yard dash to be able
to beat corners deep in the NFL. Higgins also needs to work on
his route tree. As primarily a deep threat at Clemson, he struggles
in the short and intermediate routes.
The Eagles are in dire need of a young, dominant receiver. Higgins
has the potential to become a top receiver for any team in the
NFL. He will be a massive red zone target, similarly to JJ Arcega-Whiteside.
Higgins can take over Alshon Jeffery whenever he leaves, and he
can help continue to develop with Carson Wentz.
Previous Pick: Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
22. Minnesota Vikings - A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
A.J. Terrell is another cornerback that has been at his best in
man coverage. He utilizes his length and quick feet to bait quarterbacks
into questionable throws. Terrell is aggressive at the catch point,
making every tight reception against him difficult. He has the potential
to turn into a dominant press corner in the NFL, but he has the
football IQ to play off and read the play, as well.
Terrell is a bit skinny, and will need to add to his frame at
the next level. Once he adds weight and muscle, Terrell will be
able to press any type of receiver in the NFL. At the moment,
he’ll struggle with bigger bodied receivers.
Minnesota allowed multiple cornerbacks - Xavier Rhodes, Trae
Waynes, and Mackensie Alexander - leaving a major void at the
position. Luckily, this is a deep draft for the position, allowing
them to fill the void with this pick. The Vikings clearly need
help at wide receiver, but their defense may be a bigger concern
early in the draft.
Previous Pick: Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson (Buffalo Bills)
23. New England Patriots - Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Love is an outstanding option from a physical standpoint. He has
tremendous size, strength, and mobility for a quarterback. Love
has a quick release with plenty of arm strength to make any throw
at the next level. He also isn’t afraid to extend plays with
his legs, improvising on the spot. Furthermore, Love is a passer
that is willing to attempt nearly any throw on the field, flashing
unwavering confidence in his arm throughout games.
While he has all the physical traits, Love has struggled with
his decision-making. He’s a player that trusts his physical
tools far too much, often times testing defenses with throws that
are easy turnovers. Love will need to greatly improve his pre-snaps
reads, along with his ability to diagnose coverage at the next
level.
Does anyone truly believe the Patriots are going to tank for
the first overall pick and Trevor Lawrence next year? Bill Belichick
is too good of a coach to have a true shot at the first overall
pick, even if he uses someone like Brian Hoyer at quarterback.
Instead, they can grab their future signal-caller in one of the
most physically dominant quarterbacks in this draft. Love has
all the tools to find success in the NFL, and pairing him with
someone like Belichick could solidify his future.
Previous Pick: K’Lavon Chaisson, OLB, LSU
24. New Orleans Saints - Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Jefferson is a fluid route runner, who thrives in reading coverages
for option routes. He boasts quick hands, not hinting at when the
ball is close to arriving. Jefferson also possesses a great catch
radius, consistently making plays away from his body. He has flashed
the ability to track deep balls, although he relies heavily on his
athletic ability to get them. Jefferson helped his case at the combine,
running a 4.43 40-yard dash with a 37.5 inch vertical and a 10’4”
broad jump. This athletic ability has allowed him to find success
both on the outside and in the slot.
While he’s a physical specimen, Jefferson could struggle
to release from press coverage early in his career. He also struggles
with his quickness in and out of his breaks. He'll need to work
heavily on his technique to be able to run a full route tree at
the next level. Some have suggested that Jefferson benefited greatly
from the LSU offense, and that he could’ve struggled in
a more pro-style offense with a less efficient quarterback.
The Saints desperately need someone to take the pressure off
of Michael Thomas. While he’s an elite receiver and can
do it all without help, adding a high upside second option to
the offense would make him that much better. Jefferson has the
potential to take the pressure off of Thomas, as he boasts WR1
upside, giving the Saints multiple elite receiving options for
the first time in years.
K’Lavon Chaisson is a player that could climb draft boards
as we head towards late April. He has outstanding pass rushing tools,
as he can win with both speed and power. He’s a player with
outstanding bend as well, giving him a variety of ways to beat opposing
linemen. Furthermore, Chaisson utilizes his power well when setting
the edge in run support. His first step is outstanding, allowing
him to get ahead of his opponents early in the play. Chaisson comes
with coverage ability, flashing the tools needed to play both zone
and man coverage at the next level. He’s a versatile option,
as some believe he’ll be able to play OLB or add weight and
play with his hand in the dirt.
Chaisson missed the majority of the 2018 season with an ACL tear.
While he proved that he was healthy during the 2019 season, this
is still a major concern for the physicality of his position.
Furthermore, Chaisson’s injury stunted his development on
and off the field a bit.
The Vikings traded away Stefon Diggs for this selection. It would
make sense that they want to replace him, but they also have to
replace Everson Griffin, who left in free agency. Minnesota needs
help in the secondary, but adding a pass rusher is another way
to help their secondary. Chaisson is one of the top edge rushers
in this draft, making him the best selection at this pick after
a run on cornerbacks and a deep receiver class.
Previous Pick: C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
26. Miami Dolphins - D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
D’Andre Swift is a stocky running back with a powerful lower
half and this allows him to finish runs with power, although he
has also flashed plenty of elusiveness throughout his career. Swift
has a quick burst and he can get upfield in a hurry. He’s
also a hands catcher, who will add more to his passing game in the
NFL. Most importantly, Swift is an outstanding pass blocker for
his position. If the Dolphins draft a quarterback that has struggled
with injuries, getting an elite pass blocking running back is a
must.
Swift often relies too heavily on his power. He boasts the elusiveness
to make defenders miss, but often times finishes the play with
power rather than speed/agility. Swift also struggled with injuries
throughout his career. Consistently suffering from small injuries
is could be problematic in the NFL.
Miami is a team that is in dire need of a rushing attack. Ryan
Fitzpatrick led the team with 243 rushing yards last season.
Kalen Ballage
has proven to be a bust, while Myles
Gaskin and Patrick
Laird aren’t the answer. Getting a versatile running back that
can help a rookie quarterback in multiple ways would be a great
way to end their trio of first round picks in this draft.
Previous Pick: D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
27. Seattle Seahawks - Josh Jones, OT, Houston
Josh Jones was a four year starter at Houston. He has all the
physical tools to find success in the NFL. He boasts an outstanding
build with the arm length to find success at tackle. He also flashes
the foot speed necessary to find success as a left tackle at the
professional level. Jones is at his best in pass protection, but
he also flashed as a run blocker later in his career. While he is
raw in some areas, he is experienced and has seen relatively consistent
growth throughout his career.
Jones has all the physical traits to find success in the NFL, but
he lacks nearly all of the technique. Surprisingly, he struggled
to develop this even as a four year starter at Houston. Jones also
lacks football IQ, and has struggled with his footwork in crucial
situations. He’s an experienced physical specimen that needs
to be molded into an NFL-caliber tackle at the next level.
The Seahawks have allowed Russell
Wilson to mask how bad their offensive line actually is. This
says quite a bit because they are still generally seen as one of
the worst offensive lines in the NFL. Jones comes with quite a bit
of risk if he can’t change his technique, but he also comes with
tremendous upside. He could be a consistent lineman for Seattle
if they are able to progress him early in his career.
Kenneth Murray is an aggressive linebacker with range and the athleticism
to play sideline-to-sideline. He makes tackles even when he seems
to be out of position. He plays fast from the start of the play,
allowing him to hit the hole with explosion, although this also
gets him into trouble at times.
Murray’s fast play is generally seen as a plus, but he misreads
plays at too high of a rate for the NFL. He wasn't asked to play
man coverage much at Oklahoma and while he is an athletic player,
suggesting he will be able to, it’s a bit of an unknown for
the NFL. Overall, Murray’s play recognition will be his biggest
concern for his future.
The best middle linebacker in the draft falls to one of the best
teams in the NFL. Murray is a sideline-to-sideline player that will
help the middle of the Baltimore defense. He can start from day
one, and will immediately help their run defense. This would be
a dream scenario for the Baltimore organization.
Previous Pick: A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa
29. Tennessee Titans - A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa
A.J. Epenesa was seen as an elite prospect prior to the season,
but he fell off a bit in 2019. He’s a lengthy player that
boasts tremendous power. He utilizes this power in his pass rush
moves, although he has gotten better with his hands throughout the
season, as well. Furthermore, Epenesa is outstanding at setting
the edge, as his size and power allows him to hold his ground, even
against bigger linemen. Similarly to many players from Iowa, Epenesa
is a player that is willing to do the dirty work in the trenches.
While he boasts tremendous power, Epenesa isn’t an elite athlete.
He doesn’t possess a great burst for a pass rusher either.
Essentially, Epenesa is seen as a solid prospect, who isn’t
capable of turning into an All Pro player.
The Titans added to their pass rush in free agency, but they could
still use help from someone like Epenesa. He’s a safe option
for a solid team, and would immediately help their defense. While
he isn’t likely to turn into a dominant pass rusher like Tennessee
could be looking for, he will help other pass rushers on the defense.
He makes a great option late in the draft.
Previous Pick:
Terrell Lewis, Edge, Alabama
30. Green Bay Packers - Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
Patrick Queen is a linebacker that can play sideline-to-sideline.
He’s an athletic player that sets the tone early in games.
He also boasts a great combination of strength and speed. Queen
is outstanding at navigating through traffic, as well. He can find
the ball carrier while shedding blocks. Queen also comes with the
upside to play both man and zone coverage at the next level and
possesses the upside to become a three-down linebacker.
Oddly enough, Queen had plenty of ups and downs throughout his
career at LSU. He wasn’t always seen as a starter, but ultimately
found plenty of success when gaining the job throughout the year.
Queen plays with a bit too much aggression at times and if his
first read isn’t correct, he could take himself out of plays.
The Packers have a major hole at middle linebacker. Blake
Martinez doesn’t look like the answer, and Green Bay will certainly
need to fill that hole if he leaves in free agency. Overall, they
need someone that can make plays against the run if they want to
make a run for the Super Bowl, and Queen could be that player.
Previous Pick: Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
31. San Francisco 49ers - Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
Brandon Aiyuk is likely a boom or bust option at the next level
possessing elite big play ability. He’s slippery after the
catch, elusive on returns, and possesses more than enough speed
to be a viable deep threat. He’s long for his height, which
could help increase his catch radius down the line.
College teams wanted to move Aiyuk from receiver to cornerback
after he transferred from JUCO college. He struggles with physicality
throughout his routes. He doesn’t naturally catch with his
hands, making contested catches difficult for him. He lets the
ball get into his body far too often and will need to work on
the nuances of playing the position.
The 49ers lost Emannuel Sanders to free agency, and it looks
as if Deebo Samuel will be their WR1 for the future. He was somewhat
expected to be used as a gadget player, and that slot is seemingly
open. San Francisco has taken plenty of chances on receivers before,
including Samuel and Jalen Hurd, who were seen as anything but
sure-fire receivers in the draft. Aiyuk will open the field for
Samuel, and his big play ability with manufactured touches could
be a difference-maker in this offense.
Previous Pick: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
32. Kansas City Chiefs - Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
Jonathan Taylor is an extremely complete running back. He has
burst, power, speed, and quickness. He also possesses solid vision.
Some have voiced concerns about his long speed, but that has never
seemed to be a problem for his size in the NCAA. Taylor has flashed
as a receiver, as well. He’s a safe option at running back,
who comes with quiet upside.
Taylor needs to work on his receiving skills. He doesn’t
have a variety to his route tree and needs more reps as a pass
blocker. With that being said, he should easily be able to improve
in both facets in the NFL. The major concern with Taylor is the
amount of touches he had at Wisconsin. He has been their workhorse
running back for years, and may struggle to keep his physical
traits late into his NFL career. Furthermore, Taylor struggled
with fumbles and will need to work on his ball security at the
next level.
The Chiefs are a complete team but could use some depth in the running
game. Prior to the 2019 season, Kansas City made it clear that Damien
Williams wasn’t a workhorse back, but he ended up in that role late
in the season. Taylor is a player that can be a workhorse, or they
can split his carries to limit the amount of damage he takes early
in his career.
Editor's note:
