2020 draft talk in December

Dane Brugler’s Top-10 positional rankings: 2020 offensive tackle class exactly what NFL needs

Dane Brugler

https://theathletic.com/1447281/2019/12/11/dane-bruglers-top-10-positional-rankings-2020-offensive-tackle-class-exactly-what-nfl-needs/?source=dailyemail

For NFL teams with “offensive tackle help wanted” signs in their stadiums, support is on the way.

Six offensive tackles appeared in my first mock draft of the year, including three in the top-10 picks. And that didn’t include several borderline players at the position who could end up as top-32 picks by the time draft weekend arrives.

While there are really talented offensive tackles in the NFL, the overall depth at the position is relatively weak across the league. Nearly all 32 teams are searching for more offensive tackle depth. And that makes this next sentence great news: the 2020 class of offensive tackles has the potential to be one of the most top-heavy groups in recent memory.

Between the all-star circuit, scouting combine and individual workouts, there is a lot of work left to do on these prospects the next four months and I expect these rankings to fluctuate throughout the draft process.

*Indicates draft-eligible underclassman who has yet to declare

Quarterbacks
1. Joe Burrow, LSU (6-3, 212, 4.84)
2. *Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama (6-0, 219, 4.78)
3. Jordan Love, Utah State (6-3, 224, 4.68)
With only 17 touchdowns compared to 16 interceptions, Love doesn’t have the production indicative of a first-round pick. But NFL teams draft traits, not stats, and the Utah State product has an intriguing skill set with his loose arm talent and downfield touch. Love will receive his undergraduate degree this month and a Senior Bowl invite will follow. His final draft grade will be heavily dependent on his draft process.

4. Justin Herbert, Oregon (6-6, 240, 4.68)
5. *Jacob Eason, Washington (6-6, 230, 5.06)
6. *Jake Fromm, Georgia (6-1, 221, 4.78)
7. Anthony Gordon, Washington State (6-2, 211, 4.81)
8. Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma (6-1, 223, 4.61)
9. *K.J. Costello, Stanford (6-5, 217, 4.94)
10. Nate Stanley, Iowa (6-4, 245, 4.89)

Running backs
1. *D’Andre Swift, Georgia (5-9, 215, 4.47)
2. *Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin (5-10, 218, 4.53)
3. *J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State (5-9, 219, 4.56)
4. *Travis Etienne, Clemson (5-9, 212, 4.52)
5. Zack Moss, Utah (5-9, 218, 4.52)
6. *Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State (6-1, 211, 4.49)
7. *Najee Harris, Alabama (6-1, 232, 4.57)
8. *Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU (5-8, 211, 4.58)
Burrow is the undisputed lead singer, but Edwards-Helaire has been a vital cog in LSU’s offensive machine and continues to ascend in the minds of NFL evaluators. He leads the SEC in rushing touchdowns (16), averages 6.5 yards per carry and is up to 50 receptions – several talented wideout prospects (like Jalen Reagor and Henry Ruggs) have yet to reach 50 catches in 2019.

9. *Cam Akers, Florida State (5-11, 214, 4.47)
10. *Eno Benjamin, Arizona State (5-9, 205, 4.48)

Wide receivers
1. *CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma (6-1, 192, 4.48)
2. *Henry Ruggs, Alabama (5-11, 192, 4.32)
3. *Jerry Jeudy, Alabama (6-1, 195, 4.50)
4. Laviska Shenault, Colorado (6-2, 224, 4.55)
5. *Tee Higgins, Clemson (6-3, 205, 4.47)
6. *DeVonta Smith, Alabama (6-1, 178, 4.46)
With a frail-looking frame, Smith doesn’t necessarily pass the eye test, but the more you watch him, the more you run out of reasons for why he shouldn’t be considered in the first round. The two most important traits for a wide receiver: get open and catch the football. And Smith has the quickness to beat press and create separation plus arguably the best ball skills on the Alabama roster, which is certainly high praise considering the other names on the Tide depth chart.

7. Jalen Reagor, TCU (5-10, 196, 4.42)
8. Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State (6-0, 203, 4.45)
9. *KJ Hamler, Penn State (5-9, 174, 4.44)
10. *Donovan Peoples-Jones, Michigan (6-2, 211, 4.46)

Tight ends
1. *Cole Kmet, Notre Dame (6-6, 255, 4.68)
2. Hunter Bryant, Washington (6-2, 244, 4.63)
3. Jared Pinkney, Vanderbilt (6-4, 250, 4.78)
4. Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri (6-4, 264, 4.76)
5. Adam Trautman, Dayton (6-5, 256, 4.76)
A quarterback his entire life, Trautman moved to tight end in college and caught his first career pass (in his life) in 2016. The level of competition is obviously an asterisk on his scouting report, but he was easily the best athlete on the field on his game tapes, showing a loose body type, strong routes and aggressive ball skills. The Senior Bowl will be an important step in his evaluation and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Trautman is a “riser” throughout the process.

6. Brycen Hopkins, Purdue (6-4, 247, 4.79)
7. Harrison Bryant, Florida Atlantic (6-5, 244, 4.78)
8. *Colby Parkinson, Stanford (6-6, 244, 4.74)
9. *Matt Bushman, BYU (6-5, 242, 4.78)
10. *Tony Poljan, Central Michigan (6-6, 255, 4.82)

Offensive tackles
1. *Jedrick Wills Jr., Alabama (6-5, 322, 5.28)
While most have Wirfs or Thomas as OT1, Wills is the best tackle prospect I have evaluated in this class. He is explosive through his hips with the wide, lower body movements to mirror in pass protection and the upper body power to steamroll defenders in the run game. While he needs some fine-tuning, Wills has all the talent and upside to be a top-five pick in this draft.

2. *Tristan Wirfs, Iowa (6-5, 320, 5.08)
3. *Andrew Thomas, Georgia (6-5, 318, 5.11)
4. *Austin Jackson, USC (6-6, 308, 5.08)
5. Josh Jones, Houston (6-5, 309, 5.31)
6. *Isaiah Wilson, Georgia (6-7, 339, 5.42)
7. *Mekhi Becton, Louisville (6-7, 365, 5.47)
8. *Alex Leatherwood, Alabama (6-5, 320, 5.30)
9. Trey Adams, Washington (6-8, 304, 5.27)
10. *Samuel Cosmi, Texas (6-7, 302, 5.10)

Interior offensive line
1. *Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma (6-4, 328, 5.29)
2. *Lloyd Cushenberry, LSU (6-3, 312, 5.21)
3. *Trey Smith, Tennessee (6-5, 330, 5.27)
4. *Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin (6-2, 322, 5.26)
A three-year starter at center, Biadasz isn’t quite the first-round prospect many thought over the summer, but he wins with a technically sound approach and finishing attitude. However, his lack of ideal athleticism for the position is a concern that can be exploited vs. fast and physical linemen, which he will see quite often in the NFL.

5. *Matt Hennessy, Temple (6-3, 293, 5.05)
6. John Simpson, Clemson (6-4, 336, 5.26)
7. Robert Hunt, Louisiana (6-5, 314, 5.35)
8. *Wyatt Davis, Ohio State (6-4, 315, 5.28)
9. *Cesar Ruiz, Michigan (6-4, 320, 5.10)
10. Logan Stenberg, Kentucky (6-6, 321, 5.36)

Edge rushers
1. *Chase Young, Ohio State (6-5, 266, 4.76)
2. *A.J. Epenesa, Iowa (6-5, 284, 4.75)
3. Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State (6-5, 264, 4.67)
4. *Terrell Lewis, Alabama (6-5, 258, 4.65)
5. *K’Lavon Chaisson, LSU (6-3, 239, 4.64)
6. Khalid Kareem, Notre Dame (6-4, 262, 4.84)
I’m probably on an island by ranking Kareem above Okwara, who is clearly the more athletic of the two Notre Dame edge players. But Kareem is the better and more well-rounded football player right now. He sets a physical edge and introduces power in his pass rush, using his hands as weapons. And while not an athletic marvel like Okwara, Kareem has the quickness to capture the edge.

7. Julian Okwara, Notre Dame (6-5, 242, 4.56)
8. *Carlos Basham, Wake Forest (6-5, 278, 4.78)
9. Jonathan Greenard, Florida (6-3, 265, 4.84)
10. *Curtis Weaver, Boise State (6-3, 264, 4.79)

Interior defensive line
1. Derrick Brown, Auburn (6-4, 325, 5.02)
2. Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina (6-5, 308, 5.06)
3. *Marvin Wilson, Florida State (6-4, 318, 5.20)
4. *Justin Madubuike, Texas A&M (6-3, 303, 5.17)
5. Neville Gallimore, Oklahoma (6-2, 302, 4.92)
6. Raekwon Davis, Alabama (6-6, 315, 5.14)
7. Jordan Elliott, Missouri (6-4, 325, 5.20)
8. Leki Fotu, Utah (6-5, 332, 5.07)
9. *Ross Blacklock, TCU (6-4, 331, 5.20)
10. Davon Hamilton, Ohio State (6-4, 317, 5.43)
One of the biggest senior risers throughout this season, Hamilton is playing the best football of his life at the right time. Lined up as the Buckeyes’ nose tackle, he carries his weight well with the physical hands to create movement at the point of attack. Hamilton will get himself in trouble with his upright rush style, but he does a great job tracking the football and retracing his steps to make stops.

Linebackers
1. *Isaiah Simmons, Clemson (6-3, 228, 4.49)
2. *Dylan Moses, Alabama (6-2, 236, 4.59)
3. *Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma (6-2, 243, 4.60)
4. Zack Baun, Wisconsin (6-2, 227, 4.66)
A former high school quarterback, Baun is an explosive athlete with the upfield quickness to pressure the pocket and the fluid speed to turn and cover downfield. He plays more on pure instinct than technical know-how right now, but his active play style and effort consistently affects the game, projecting as a versatile off-ball linebacker.

5. *Patrick Queen, LSU (6-2, 233, 4.74)
6. Akeem Davis-Gaither, Appalachian State (6-2, 212, 4.54)
7. Malik Harrison, Ohio State (6-3, 251, 4.73)
8. Troy Dye, Oregon (6-3, 218, 4.62)
9. Logan Wilson, Wyoming (6-0, 241, 4.68)
10. Jordyn Brooks, Texas Tech (6-2, 245, 4.85)

Cornerbacks
1. *Jeffrey Okudah, Ohio State (6-1, 200, 4.45)
2. Trevon Diggs, Alabama (6-2, 202, 4.42)
3. *Shaun Wade, Ohio State (6-0, 195, 4.47)
4. Kristian Fulton, LSU (6-0, 194, 4.46)
5. CJ Henderson, Florida (6-1, 196, 4.43)
6. Damon Arnette, Ohio State (6-0, 197, 4.49)
While he was dead set on entering the NFL Draft last year, Arnette had a last-minute change of heart and made important improvements as a senior that has his NFL draft stock pointing north. Although his aggressive nature downfield will get him in trouble, he has cut down on the panic plays and offers the loose hips and foot quickness to stay hip-to-hip in man coverage. Arnette is also one of the better run defending defensive backs I have scouted this season.

7. *A.J. Terrell, Clemson (6-1, 192, 4.49)
8. *Jaylon Johnson, Utah (5-10, 194, 4.45)
9. Jeff Gladney, TCU (5-10, 183, 4.43)
10. Cameron Dantzler, Mississippi State (6-2, 183, 4.48)

Safeties
1. *Grant Delpit, LSU (6-2, 206, 4.56)
2. *Xavier McKinney, Alabama (6-1, 204, 4.60)
3. Ashtyn Davis, California (6-1, 201, 4.44)
4. Kyle Dugger, Lenoir-Rhyne (6-1, 218, 4.45)
Coming from Division II, Dugger’s evaluation will hinge on his Senior Bowl performance against better competition. But area scouts have been raving about his talent over the last two years. With near-linebacker size, Dugger has verified 4.45 speed to close downhill in the run game or flip his hips and cover downfield. It is tough to get too excited about this year’s safety class, but maybe Dugger can help change that narrative.

5. Terrell Burgess, Utah (6-0, 194, 4.50)
6. *Antoine Winfield Jr., Minnesota (5-10, 207, 4.58)
7. Brandon Jones, Texas (5-11, 202, 4.45)
8. *Hamsah Nasirildeen, Florida State (6-3, 216, 4.58)
9. K’Von Wallace, Clemson (5-11, 205, 4.61)
10. Brian Cole, Mississippi State (6-2, 209, 4.54)