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NFL announces draft broadcast changes amid coronavirus, including NFL Network-ESPN collaboration
The NFL draft is going on as scheduled, with all of the TV coverage a quarantined football fan could ask for.
But there will be some changes from the typical TV presentation, including a collaboration between two networks that usually have competing draft shows.
The NFL announced its draft broadcast plans, adjusted for coronavirus restrictions. The most interesting note was that ESPN and NFL Network will be teaming up for one broadcast, shown on both networks. The draft will take place April 23-25.
TV broadcast plans for NFL draftThere will still be multiple broadcasts. ABC will have a prime-time broadcast of the first two nights of the draft, which covers the first three rounds. That will be different than the ESPN/NFL Network telecast.
The NFL’s announcement said the ESPN/NFL Network broadcast will originate from ESPN’s studios in Bristol, Connecticut. The people on hand will “adhere to proper social distancing guidelines and local workplace rules” in regards to coronavirus restrictions.
Trey Wingo of ESPN will host, joined remotely by analysts Mel Kiper Jr., Louis Riddick and Booger McFarland. The NFL Network will have a presence too, with host Rich Eisen and analysts Daniel Jeremiah, Michael Irvin and Kurt Warner contributing remotely. Suzy Kolber will conduct interviews from ESPN studios, with reporters Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter providing updates from their homes. ESPN will have seven other reporters covering specific teams, working remotely.
The draft will look a lot different than usual (here’s an FAQ on all of the adjustments for the draft this year), but everyone has known that for weeks.
Agamemnoni like tee higgins as well. tall but also long (34″ arms). can play all three wr positions according to reports.
or i’d like to see them draft a tight end/h-back. i like higbee. but i’d like to see them upgrade on everett. a guy who can block and catch. doesn’t have to be in the second round.
I don’t think this is a great year for TEs.
Agamemnon
When is the 2020 NFL Draft: Date, time, stream, TV, schedule, mock drafts, live coverage
Everything you need to know to tune in for this year’s virtual eventCody Benjamin mugshot
by Cody Benjamin @CodyJBenjamin 21 hrs ago • 2 min readThe COVID-19 pandemic has made the 2020 NFL offseason an unusual one, to say the least, most notably by turning the upcoming draft from a literal Las Vegas spectacle into a completely virtual program. But as commissioner Roger Goodell has insisted repeatedly, the show will, in fact, go on.
So when, exactly, does the 2020 NFL Draft take place? And how long does it last? And where can you watch it? We’re so glad you asked. Let’s review everything you need to know about the upcoming rookie showcase right here:
When is the 2020 NFL Draft?This year’s draft starts on Thursday, April 23, and runs through Saturday, April 25.
The entire weekend schedule is as follows (Eastern time):
Thursday, April 23: Round 1 (8 p.m.)
Friday, April 24: Rounds 2-3 (7 p.m.)
Saturday, April 25: Rounds 4-7 (12 p.m.)
Where is the 2020 NFL Draft?For the first time ever, this year’s draft will be held exclusively online. Due to local and national restrictions stemming from the pandemic, the planned physical Las Vegas location was scrapped in favor of a remote, virtual selection process that will see all 32 NFL teams operating from their homes. Commissioner Goodell is set to announce picks from his home in New York.
After 50 straight years in New York City, where it was most recently held at Radio City Music Hall, the draft has been physically held in Chicago (Auditorium Theatre), Philadelphia (Museum of Art), Arlington (AT&T Stadium) and Nashville (Lower Broadway) since 2015.
How do I watch the draft?Here are all your options to catch the draft on TV or via live stream:
Thursday: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio
Friday: ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio
Saturday: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes, ESPN RadioLive stream: fuboTV (try for free)
You can also catch live coverage on CBS Sports HQ and CBSSports.com, where we’ll accompany our draft trackers with grades on each and every pick as they’re made.
Live coverage: CBS Sports HQ
Radio coverage: SiriusXM, Westwood One, ESPN Radio
Mock draftsIf you want the best of the best draft projections, don’t miss our dozens of mocks at CBSSports.com, including R.J. White’s seven-round monster featuring 18 projected trades and team-by-team analysis. Want a two-round prediction, with some surprise QB selections? Want analysis of CBS Sports HQ’s live mock draft, with all 32 teams represented by different “GMs?” You can find it all right here at CBSSports.com.
Where can I find more info on the draft?CBSSports.com has all the latest on draft news and rumors leading up to, during and after the actual event. Keep it locked here and on our Draft page for 24/7 coverage.
AgamemnonI should have my 7 round NFL draft up either Sunday, Monday or Tuesday.
That would be cool Jack.
AgamemnonOT are deep. Centers.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2872786-ranking-every-position-in-the-2020-nfl-draft
Ranking Every Position in the 2020 NFL Draft
Chris RolingJanuary 27, 2020John Amis/Associated Press
The 2020 NFL draft class looks like one of the most balanced in recent memory.
A historic season from Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow throws a bigger spotlight on quarterbacks—as much as a strong push from Ohio State defensive end Chase Young puts a target on them.
But the class is anything but top-heavy or isolated to one or two good positions. Wideout is the deepest its been in years, the offensive line is rebounding, pass-rushers abound and the versatile nature of defenders at all three levels offers intrigue.
Weighted by the top-end talent of each position more than anything else—the biggest stars have the most impact potential, after all—here’s a ranking of each position in the NFL draft from weakest to strongest before the April 25-27 event.
9. Tight Ends
1 of 9Michael Conroy/Associated Press
Top Prospects
Brycen Hopkins, Purdue
Cole Kmet, Notre Dame
Hunter Bryant, WashingtonA year after T.J. Hockenson went in the top 10 and Noah Fant went in the top 20, this group probably won’t see a tight end go in the top 50 picks.
That’s a product of class quality as much as it is a likelihood that teams will splurge on the deep wideout crop.
Purdue’s Brycen Hopkins is in contention to be the first tight end off the board, which makes sense for a 6’5″ target with 61 catches, 830 yards and seven touchdowns in 2019. It’s a similar story for Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet (6’5″), a breakout high-upside athlete who caught 43 passes and six scores. And Washington’s Hunter Bryant, while only 6’2″, caught 52 passes with 825-plus yards in an expanded role.
Otherwise, the class has the usual safety-risk balance. LSU’s Thaddeus Moss has big upside but played with Burrow, which may have padded his weaknesses, and a senior like Oregon’s Jacob Breeland provides a nice floor but isn’t exciting.
It’s a quiet year for tight ends.
8. Running Back
2 of 9Associated Press
Top Prospects
D’Andre Swift, Georgia
J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State
Jonathan Taylor, WisconsinThe 2020 running back class looks ho-hum—just like the 2019 edition, which featured Josh Jacobs as the obvious No. 1 and plenty of depth.
Georgia’s D’Andre Swift leads the way a season removed from averaging 6.2 yards per carry with 1,218 yards and seven scores, plus another 24 catches.
J.K. Dobbins out of Ohio State (6.7 rushing average, 2,003 yards and 21 scores on the ground; 23 catches) and Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor (6.3, 2,003, 21, 26, respectively) have similar stories in that they can shred on the ground and contribute through the air as complete backs.
Beyond those sure rookie contributors, the position has plenty of depth—from sheer bully backs such as AJ Dillon out of Boston College to shifter guys like Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Eno Benjamin and Lamical Perine.
As in 2019, this group won’t have a top-10 contender, but it’s matching the positional trend by offering a little something for any team that needs a backfield rotation piece.
7. Cornerbacks
3 of 9Paul Sancya/Associated Press
Top Prospects
Jeff Okudah, Ohio State
Trevon Diggs, Alabama
CJ Henderson, FloridaCorner is in a similar position to last year when only one came off the board in the opening round (the Giants’ Deandre Baker, No. 30) before a flurry started Day 2.
There is no question as to which corner hears his name first this year. In fact, Ohio State’s Jeff Okudah has the traits, production and upside to be a top-10 pick. That’s what happens for prospects from big programs who check in at 6’1″ and 200 pounds and are capable of physically matching up with bigger players in man-to-man coverage all over the field.
Which isn’t to say teams can’t find good prospects later. Alabama’s Trevon Diggs is 6’2″ and a former wideout who was exposed to various coverages during his time under Nick Saban, and he’s got eventual starting boundary corner written all over him.
Elsewhere in the SEC, CJ Henderson used a lanky, 6’1″ frame and superb speed to get all over the field in coverage for the Gators. Like the other two detailed here, some strong aggressiveness in terms of ball skills should translate well.
Corner looks like it might offer a double-digit serving of top-100 prospects, mainly from bigger programs. Scheme and position fits abound, though Okudah sits above the rest.
6. Safeties
4 of 9David J. Phillip/Associated Press
Top Prospects
Grant Delpit, LSU
Xavier McKinney, Alabama
Ashtyn Davis, CaliforniaSafety has seen a draft resurgence over the last few years. Last offseason, two came off the board in the first round (Darnell Savage, Johnathan Abram), and nine were top-100 picks.
As the NFL strains to contain versatile quarterbacks, this should only repeat, starting with LSU’s Grant Delpit. A star for the national champions, Delpit checks in at 6’3″ and can play numerous spots, whether it’s lining up in the slot, dropping back, applying pressure or moving like a linebacker in varying coverages.
Xavier McKinney might not get as much attention, but he isn’t as far behind Delpit as it might seem. Thank his incredibly rangy play when pushed deep downfield. Some experience at linebacker in sub-packages sure doesn’t hurt, nor does his SEC experience.
From there, name recognition falls off a cliff, though it might be wise to learn about California’s Ashtyn Davis, another bigger (6’1″, 200 lbs) safety with loads of experience in 45 games for the Golden Bears. He’s more about upside than instant production, but his flashes of strong coverage skills while manned up or deep back in a zone scream “Day 2 pick.”
As with many defensive positions, the strain of containing evolving offenses demands more versatility and transitions than ever, and the top 2020 safeties have it all. Plenty of names down the board excel in at least one area, making for another deep class with plenty of specialized defenders.
5. Linebackers
5 of 9Sean Rayford/Associated Press
Top Prospects
Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
Malik Harrison, Ohio StateThe continued merging of skill sets required for each linebacker position in response to the NFL’s pass-happy ways was a problem for a few years.
But not for this inbound linebacker class.
Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons is the prototype. The hybrid player is a probable top-10 pick who can float between linebacker and safety roles and play the matchup game against tight ends or patrol deep with his range.
Kenneth Murray’s skills might put the Oklahoma defender into the first round too. Like Simmons, he’s a nasty blitzer and can match well with running backs or otherwise while making plays in a sideline-to-sideline manner. Ditto for Malik Harrison out of Ohio State, who’s blossoming as a pass defender but excels more than Simmons and Murray against the run.
And that’s just the top three, as quality top-50 candidates such as LSU’s Patrick Queen, Oregon’s Troy Dye and Texas Tech’s Jordyn Brooks sit on big potential. It’s a good time for a team to need a linebacker and a bad time for a veteran linebacker to hit the free-agent market.
4. Offensive Line
6 of 9Vasha Hunt/Associated Press
Top Prospects (OT)
Jedrick Wills Jr., Alabama
Andrew Thomas, Georgia
Tristan Wirfs, IowaTop Prospects (IOL)
Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin
Nick Harris, Washington
Lloyd Cushenberry III, LSUThe 2020 class represents a resurgence for the offensive trenches, which the NFL won’t complain about.
At offensive tackle, the pecking order is well-agreed upon. Alabama’s Jedrick Wills Jr. excelled in the SEC and has the eye of folks such as The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, who told Ethan Greenberg of the Jets’ official website: “We knew he was a mauler in the run game, but he’s an ascending pass protector as well. He’s explosive, he’s long, he can move and he has the competitive appetite that you want at the position.”
Georiga’s Andrew Thomas also bullied the SEC and looks like a first-round prospect, and Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs, a massive 6’5″ and 322 pounds, fits that description out of the Big Ten.
While the interior offensive line rankings aren’t as uniform yet, it’s hard to complain about yet another Wisconsin lineman leading the way. Tyler Biadasz was the No. 1 center and a top-25 prospect on a recent big board from ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. Washington’s Nick Harris and LSU’s Lloyd Cushenberry III will be on early-round NFL radars after they played well at big programs.
This sort of top-end talent pairs nicely with the usual depth, which ranges from smaller-school projects with high ceilings to guaranteed middle-round guys with decent floors.
3. Defensive Line
7 of 9Rick Scuteri/Associated Press
Top Prospects (EDGE)
Chase Young, Ohio State
A.J. Epenesa, Iowa
K’Lavon Chaisson, LSUTop Prospects (IDL)
Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina
Derrick Brown, Auburn
Ross Blacklock, TCUWere it not for Burrow’s historic season, Young would probably be the No. 1 pick—and he still could be.
Young’s resume doesn’t need much detail, as he’s a Nick Bosa-level prospect with immense upside and immediate impact. It’s a shame his status overshadows that of somebody like Iowa’s A.J. Epenesa, who should be a mid-first-round pick thanks to his blend of size (6’6″, 280 lbs) and athleticism, which helps him make plays all over the field. LSU’s K’Lavon Chaisson is a fast-riser with immense upside who can stand up or put his hand in the dirt in any formation.
Inside sits a wicked set of prospects who tout versatility and explosiveness. Javon Kinlaw’s meteoric rise continued at Senior Bowl practices in Mobile, Alabama, where he put on a show, per NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks. Auburn’s Derrick Brown is second only to Young on Daniel Jeremiah’s big board at NFL.com, and TCU’s Ross Blacklock is a quick-rising player with enough burst to rush the passer but is still stout enough to stay on the field against any look.
Thanks to the talent at the top, the defensive line group is among the year’s best. Rich in pressure creators for various packages and stalwart defenders inside who can kick outside in multiple looks, this is yet another infusion of diverse, scheme-varying talent that pro coordinators probably can’t wait to get their hands on.
2. Wide Receiver
8 of 9Vasha Hunt/Associated Press
Top Prospects
Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
Henry Ruggs III, Alabama
CeeDee Lamb, OklahomaListing the best wideout prospects could take a long, long time.
It should say a lot about Jerry Jeudy that he’s seemingly the consensus top player, though. The 6’1″, 192-pound Alabama star put up 1,000-plus yards in consecutive seasons while scoring 24 total touchdowns and averaging at least 15 yards per catch each year, which is a testament to his superb route running and slippery open-field nature.
Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb isn’t far behind, though—not after 1,100-plus yards and 25 combined receiving touchdowns over the past two years with a minimum average of 17.8 yards per catch each season. With a similar build to Jeudy, the 6’2″, 189-pound Oklahoma star is dynamite at working himself open before exploding after the catch.
And the talent of those two undermines just how good Alabama’s Henry Ruggs III is, thanks to his speedy game that mimics the likes of Tyreek Hill. Though he caught no more than 46 passes in each of his three seasons with the Crimson Tide, he posted 24 receiving touchdowns.
Despite the above talent, this is hardly a top-heavy class. Experienced wideouts such as Arizona State’s Brandon Aiyuk and USC’s Michael Pittman Jr. could make immediate impacts, and high-upside guys such as Penn State’s KJ Hamler and Clemson’s Tee Higgins won’t last long into Day 2.
While it sometimes seems as though notable wideouts fall while teams prioritize talent elsewhere, this sort of offering could see 10 or more prospects come off the board in the top 50.
1. Quarterback
9 of 9John Amis/Associated Press
Top Prospects
Joe Burrow, LSU
Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
Justin Herbert, OregonBurrow is the likely No. 1 pick. His list of accolades is lengthy after his breakout 2019 season, which included 60 passing touchdowns and just six interceptions, but the bigger allure is his demeanor and pro-level traits, including the ability to read defenses.
And hip injury or not, Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa figures to come off the board in the top 10 thanks to his versatile, modern set of NFL-worthy skills. Over just 252 attempts in 2019, he completed 71.4 percent of them with 33 touchdowns and three picks—adding two rushing scores.
There’s a dip after that, with Justin Herbert’s stock cooled compared to this time a year ago. The Oregon product still threw 32 touchdowns and just six picks, but he’s evened out while others have ascended.
While it’s hard to say if this class could produce a later-round surprise like a Gardner Minshew II, there are guys with interesting brews of traits (Jalen Hurts, Jordan Love) and steady starting experience that could translate in the right situation (Jake Fromm, Jacob Eason).
Agamemnonhttps://www.turfshowtimes.com/2020/4/18/21225788/rams-draft-needs-offensive-line-podcast
Rams draft podcast: Talking needs, offensive line, and the 2020 class with Sosa
38 commentsWhat should the LA Rams be looking for in the draft and can they find it from where they currently stand?
By Kenneth Arthur@KennethArthuRS Apr 18, 2020, 1:01pm CDTThe first round of the 2020 NFL Draft is on Thursday and as of right now it certainly looks like the LA Rams will not be a part of it. Maybe that’s a good thing to let some of the other teams be the real beta testers of this new virtual format. There could be some other good things for the Rams too, perhaps even good things to fill their needs.
To talk about those needs in a podcast format, I asked TST writer Sosa K to hop on a Zoom call. With few technical difficulties, we did it. I’ve outlined the topics for you with a time stamp below. Follow Sosa on Twitter already (@QBsMVP)
In the episode we talk about:
What are the Rams needs right now? (2:30)
What’s different about drafting a lineman on day two this year as compared to LA’s last two drafts that haven’t work out as they had hoped yet, which has kept their needs the same? (5:38)
If you could choose one lineman to be a Pro Bowl level player next season, besides Andrew Whitworth, who would you pick? (7:30)
Are “needs” overrated? (9:10) — Followed by a conversation about how Aaron Donald was not a “need” in 2014.
Does Sosa feel that the Rams free agent signings did fill important needs or should the money have been allocated elsewhere? (14:10)
(IT’S AT THIS POINT THAT MY MIC WAS TURNED OFF FOR ABOUT 20 SECONDS, WHOOPS, AND THEN I JUST REALIZED THAT I SET THE TIMESTAMPS ALREADY SO I’M NOT EDITING IT OUT. 20 SECONDS IS NOT EVEN ONE PLAY CLOCK)
How does the changeover from Wade Phillips to Brandon Staley change the needs on the defense, if at all? (17:00)
How is the value this year in the second half of the second round and how does that value fit within the Rams needs? (19:40)
Any receiver in the late second round range who seems to be a great fit for LA right now and their needs? (21:50)
Why I think first round picks are overrated and if Sosa agrees (25:00)
Why Sosa likes Josh Jones and Zach Baun if the Rams had a higher draft pick and we ponder if either could make it to 52 (29:30)
What are the Rams needs in 2021? (33:00)They have a decent Podcast on the site.
AgamemnonPFF’s ranking of the top 10 receivers in 2020 NFL Draft
ByClint Buckley Feb 1, 4:09 PM2
xThe 2020 NFL Draft is less than three months away, but already the focus on college football’s top pro prospects is at the forefront. The deadline for eligible underclassmen to declare for the draft was Jan. 20, and the Senior Bowl was held last Saturday in Mobile, Ala.
Up next for the professional hopefuls are the NFL Combine at the end of this month followed by the players’ individual pro days to be held at their college facilities in the spring. But right now, the only measuring standard is what the prospects have put on film.
This year’s draft is especially deep at the wide receiver position. There could be as many as 15 receivers selected in the first two rounds.
With that in mind, Michael Renner of Pro Football Focus released his rankings of the top 10 wide receiver prospects for the upcoming draft. Most of the group are household names to fans of college football, but some of those listed are getting their first true taste of being in the national spotlight.
Scroll up to see the PFF’s ranking of the top 10 receivers in the 2020 NFL Draft class.
10. Jauan Jennings, Tennessee
(Photo: Calvin Mattheis, Knoxville News Sentinel)2019 stats: 59 receptions, 969 yards, 8 TD
“There’s no other way to describe Jennings’ post-catch ability other than ‘special.’ He broke 30 tackles on 59 catches this season despite only six of those being screens. The shake in his lower half is rare for a 6-foot-3, 208-pound wideout, and it showed in the way he got off press at the Senior Bowl one-on-ones. Jennings didn’t have more than 580 receiving yards in a season until his redshirt senior year, though, and he’s likely the slowest receiver in this top 10. It’s difficult to think he won’t be a problem after the catch and in the red zone at the next level, however.” — Renner
Draft Board Rank: 40th
9. Michael Pittman, USC
Michael Pittman Jr.
(Photo: Icon Sportswire, Getty)2019 stats: 101 receptions, 1,275 yards, 11 TD
“Pittman doesn’t have the same separation ability down the field as the others ranked above him on this board, but his dominant trait is his ball skills — the man just does not let the ball hit the turf if it’s in his vicinity. He has only five drops on 176 catchable passes in his career, and he’s excellent at using his physical dominance at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds to separate underneath and at the intermediate level. If you’re looking for a possession/red-zone receiver in this class, Pittman is your guy.” — Renner
Draft Board Rank: 39th
8. Denzel Mims, Baylor
Denzel Mims
(Photo: Raymond Carlin III, USA TODAY Sports)2019 stats: 66 receptions, 1,020 yards, 12 TD
“After Laviska Shenault, Mims has arguably the best combination of size and explosiveness at the receiver position in the draft class. While he ran a bit of a limited route tree at Baylor, he showed out in a big way on a more complete tree at the Senior Bowl. He won 94% of his routes and had the highest grade of any receiver in attendance during the one-on-ones that week — those are eye-opening numbers that saw him make a big leap up our board.” — Renner
Draft Board Rank: 37th
7. Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
(Photo: USA TODAY Sports)2019 stats: 65 receptions, 1,192 yards, 8 TD
“Aiyuk played second fiddle to first-round pick N’Keal Harry in 2018 when both were juniors, but he proved this season, at least in our eyes, that he’s the better pro prospect. Aiyuk is far more explosive and is a threat to take it to the house every time he gets his hands on the ball. He averaged 10.9 yards after the catch this past season as his 710 total yards after the catch were the fifth most in the country. He did all of that with the vast majority of his snaps coming out wide, as well (540 of 655).” — Renner
Draft Board Rank: 31st
6. Jalen Reagor, TCU
Jalen Reagor
(Photo: John E. Moore III, Getty)2019 stats: 43 receptions, 611 yards, 5 TD
“Reagor has the off-the-charts explosiveness that saw him go for over 1,000 yards as a true sophomore in 2018. He was very much hampered by his quarterback situation in 2019, though, as he saw the fourth-highest rate of off-target passes of any receiver in the country. However, his raw stats don’t tell the whole story, as he can’t just get open down the field, but he can also win 50-50 balls despite his size. He’s hauled in 23 of his 50 contested-catch opportunities over the past two seasons.” — Renner
Draft Board Rank: 28th
5. Tee Higgins, Clemson
Tee Higgins
(Photo: Icon Sportswire, Getty)2019 stats: 59 receptions, 1,167 yards, 13 TD
“Higgins offers something that no other receiver in the top-five does in terms of his massive catch radius. At 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, Higgins has hauled in a ton of off-target throws throughout his career. However, unlike most big receivers, Higgins can get off the line of scrimmage and separate deep. This past season, he hauled in 15 of his 23 deep targets for 565 yards, which is a freaky rate. We also saw him truck stick Kristian Fulton in the National Championship, which was just one of the 12 tackles he broke on 59 catches this season.” — Renner
Draft Board Rank: 23rd
4. Henry Ruggs, Alabama
(Photo: Joe Robbins, Getty)2019 stats: 40 receptions, 746 yards, 7 TD
“Ruggs is in a very similar boat to Shenault in that his production comes with some question marks, but Ruggs at least has the excuse that he played with a teammate who ranks higher than him on this list along with two more teammates who are likely to make this list in 2021. Ruggs only has 98 career catches, but an incredible 24 of those have resulted in touchdowns. The Alabama wideout might legitimately have sub-4.3 speed the way he changes angles from defensive backs. He’s averaged 9.0 yards after the catch for his career, and he possesses game-breaking big-play ability.” — Renner
Draft Board Rank: 20th
3. Laviska Shenault, Colorado
Laviska Shenault Jr.
(Photo: Dustin Bradford, Getty)2019 stats: 56 receptions, 764 yards, 4 TD
“Shenault is still more of an offensive weapon than a wide receiver, but he’s one deadly weapon, nonetheless. As a true sophomore, he caught 87 passes for 1,019 yards and broke 29 tackles on the year. The combination of his size at 220 pounds and likely sub-4.4 explosiveness is unmatched at the receiver position in the draft class. The worrisome thing is that it so far hasn’t translated to downfield production. Even before his injury-plagued 2019 season, Shenault only had 22 of his 87 catches come on targets 10-plus yards downfield (and only 14 this past season), while both Lamb and Jeudy have had more in each of the past two seasons. However, you just can’t teach his physical tools, and all you have to do is find a way to get him the ball for good things to happen.” — Renner
Draft Board Rank: 15th
2. Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
Jerry Jeudy
(Photo: Courtesy of Alabama Athletics)2019 stats: 77 receptions, 1,163 yards, 10 TD
“If you were to flip-flop Jeudy and Lamb at the top of this receiver group, I wouldn’t argue with you. Jeudy is a similarly special talent with almost no weaknesses in his game to speak of. He simply hasn’t had as many contested opportunities as Lamb, and he hasn’t run as many routes from the outside as Lamb has. That doesn’t mean he can’t do either of those things, though, as Jeudy has excelled at everything he’s been asked to do. He reminded everyone in the bowl game against Michigan just how unguardable he is with six catches for 204 yards. He likely has 4.3-type speed, and he possesses the unbelievable body control that allows him to contort and adjust his body along his routes and after the catch.” — Renner
Draft Board Rank: 6th
1. CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
(Photo: Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)2COMMENTS
2019 stats: 62 receptions, 1,327 yards, 14 TD
“As stated in the intro, Lamb is not worth passing on at the top of the draft; he is as complete a wide receiver prospect as we’ve seen in our six years of grading college football. Whether it’s at the line of scrimmage, as a route-runner, at the catch point or after the catch, Lamb is elite compared to his peers in every phase of the receiver position. He may not test out as freakishly athletic as some, but he’s more than athletic enough. What separates him from Jeudy is his proven ability to win outside. Altogether, 493 of his 682 snaps this year came as an outside wide receiver, and he still went for 1,325 yards on only 62 catches.” — Renner
Draft Board Rank: 5th
AgamemnonNFL
Find this article at:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001110012/article/daniel-jeremiahs-top-150-prospects-in-the-2020-nfl-draft-class
Daniel Jeremiah’s top 150 prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft classBy Daniel Jeremiah
NFL Media analyst
Published: April 20, 2020 at 10:26 a.m.
Updated: April 20, 2020 at 11:50 p.m.Top 150
Top 50: 4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0With the Cincinnati Bengals set to make the first pick of the 2020 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 23, it’s time for my final prospect rankings of draft season.
RANK
1
Chase Young, Edge
School: Ohio State | Year: Junior
Previous rank: 1Young is a tall, long and athletic defensive end. As a pass rusher, he explodes off the ball and gains ground in a hurry. He uses a quick swipe move and also has the ability to control the wrists of blockers. He can convert speed to power and is effective on loops and games. He does have a little tightness at the top of his rush. Against the run, he sets the edge easily and uses his quickness to slip blocks and create chaos behind the line of scrimmage. Overall, Young is an All-Pro talent, reminiscent of Julius Peppers and Mario Williams.
RANK
2
Joe Burrow, QB
School: LSU | Year: Senior (RS)
Previous rank: 2Burrow has solid size for the position and he possesses many elite qualities. He operated out of the ‘gun in the LSU spread attack and he is extremely accurate, efficient and instinctive. He is very smooth in his drop and he has the ability to process through his reads at a rapid pace. He throws with anticipation and he can naturally layer the ball over and under coverage. He doesn’t have top-shelf arm strength when driving the ball outside the numbers. He relies more on timing/touch. He doesn’t flinch versus pressure when he sees something he likes down the field. If he needs to buy time, he can slide and climb the pocket with excellent feel/awareness. He has a nice burst when he leaves the pocket and he is more than a capable runner. Overall, Burrow lacks special arm strength, but his combination of poise, accuracy and toughness is very appealing.
RANK
3
Isaiah Simmons, LB/S
School: Clemson | Year: Junior (RS)
Previous rank: 3Simmons is an extremely versatile, athletic defensive chess piece. He is a long, rangy athlete who lined up at linebacker, over the slot and in the deep middle for Clemson, thanks to his diverse and unique skill set. Against the pass, he has terrific range and instincts from the deep middle. He has the speed and agility to match up with top-flight tight ends and backs underneath. He is an explosive blitzer off the edge and in through the middle. Simmons overpowers running backs in protection. Against the run, he takes good angles and his speed allows him to make plays from the back side. He will struggle at times if he has to take on blocks on the edge. Overall, Simmons is built for today’s NFL and his role could change week to week, depending on the opponent.
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4
Jeff Okudah, CB
1
School: Ohio State | Year: Junior
Previous rank: 5Okudah has ideal size, length, twitch and competitiveness for the position. He is very comfortable and effective in both press and off coverage. He is patient in press and very fluid/smooth when he opens up. He does a nice job of staying on top versus vertical routes and he can locate the football down the field. He has the agility to mirror underneath. In off coverage, he explodes out of his plant and he is a dependable open-field tackler. This is a very clean player with a very high floor and ceiling.
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5
Derrick Brown, DT
1
School: Auburn | Year: Senior
Previous rank: 4Brown has excellent size, power and athleticism for the defensive tackle position. As a pass rusher, he has a quick first step and uses his hands very effectively. He wins with a violent club/swim move, a rip move or a nifty up-and-under counter move. Against the run, he easily holds the point of attack. The Auburn product creates separation from blockers with an explosive punch, which allows him to close quickly and make plays. His effort is consistent. Overall, this is a complete player capable of dominating on all three downs. He’ll be a difference maker on Day 1.
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6
Tua Tagovailoa, QB
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
Previous rank: 6Tua lacks ideal height for the position, but he has quick feet, eyes and release. He primarily operated in the ‘gun at Alabama, but he did take some snaps under center. He is very crisp and urgent in his setup. He throws off a firm platform and he spins the ball really well. He always throws with the proper pace on slants and crossers. He doesn’t have an overpowering arm, but he can still place balls in tight windows. He understands how to hold and manipulate safeties with his eyes. He makes good decisions in the RPO game. He is a nifty runner, but he prefers to buy time behind the line and remain in passing mode. He did struggle with identifying some underneath defenders when in the red zone. He is coming off a serious hip injury and that must be factored into his evaluation. Overall, Tua is the ultimate point guard. If he can remain healthy, he has the potential to be one of the NFL’s most efficient passers.
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7
Mekhi Becton, OT
School: Louisville | Year: Junior
Previous rank: 7Becton is a massive left tackle prospect with a similar size/skill set to former first-rounder Bryant McKinnie. In pass protection, he has surprisingly nimble feet and uses his length to steer defenders. Even when he fails to land his punch, he can absorb rushers with his girth. He needs to improve his awareness versus games up front. He is a dominating run blocker and collects knockdowns by the bunches. He latches on and uses his upper-body strength to torque and toss. He isn’t as effective when working in space. Overall, Becton has areas to improve — mainly balance and awareness — but he is a rare athlete at this size and his upside is through the roof.
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8
Javon Kinlaw, DT
School: South Carolina | Year: Senior
Previous rank: 8Kinlaw is a hulking defensive tackle prospect. As a pass rusher, he has a sudden get-off and he’s quick to shoot his hands and drive back blockers. He will also incorporate a push/pull move on occasion. He does need to broaden his arsenal of moves, but there is tremendous upside. Against the run, he easily locks out single blocks, but he gets washed by angle blocks and double teams. His effort is solid. Kinlaw showed out against elite competition, but he played down to the level of lesser opponents. Overall, Kinlaw’s best football is in front of him and he has Pro Bowl potential.
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9
CeeDee Lamb, WR
School: Oklahoma | Year: Junior
Previous rank: 9Lamb is a tall, lean wideout with top-tier hands, toughness and production. He lines up inside and outside. He is a smooth, fluid route runner and understands how to set up cornerbacks. He also has a good feel in zone. He attacks the ball when working back to the quarterback and tracks the ball naturally down the field. Lamb doesn’t have elite speed, but he can find some extra juice when the ball is in the air. He is at his best after the catch, as he consistently breaks tackles and is also very elusive. Overall, Lamb is a polished player who is equally explosive and reliable.
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10
Jedrick Wills, OT
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
Previous rank: 10Wills lined up at right tackle for Alabama. He has average height for the position and he’s carrying a little extra weight. An excellent pass protector, Wills is quick out of his stance and he’s an easy mover versus speed and counters. He is a natural knee bender and he reworks his hands to maintain leverage/control. He is aware versus games and stunts. In the run game, he is at his best when working up to the second level. He also flashes the ability to roll his hips and uproot defenders over his nose. He’s never on the ground. Overall, Wills doesn’t have the ideal body type, but he has all of the necessary tools to be a 10-year starter at either tackle spot.
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11
Jerry Jeudy, WR
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
Previous rank: 11Jeudy is an elite route runner with outstanding burst, body control and awareness. He explodes off the line and uses his quickness to avoid press coverage. His snap at the top of the route is as good as any prospect in the last decade. He has the ability to make plays outside of his frame, but he will have some concentration lapses, which lead to drops. After the catch, he is very slippery and elusive, although he isn’t going to break a lot of tackles. Overall, Jeudy is a loose athlete with elite route skills and he should emerge as a high-volume production guy very early in his career.
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12
Henry Ruggs III, WR
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
Previous rank: 12Ruggs has an unbelievable blend of speed and toughness. He lines up outside and in the slot. He ran a lot of slants and take-off routes in Alabama’s offense — and he was special on both. Ruggs boasts world-class speed — he truly explodes off the line and after the catch. He needs to continue to refine his releases against press (he gives up his chest too often), but not many defenses will want to take that chance against his speed. His hands are good, not great, and he does allow too many balls into his chest. After the catch, he runs away from most defenders while occasionally running through them. He is outstanding on jet sweeps and also has kick-return value. Overall, Ruggs has Tyreek Hill-type ability. He will be a matchup nightmare every week.
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13
Tristan Wirfs, OT
School: Iowa | Year: Junior
Previous rank: 13Wirfs is a big, powerful offensive tackle. In pass protection, he launches out of his stance and hasn’t had issues versus outside speed rushers. However, he has experienced issues against inside counter moves. He over-sets and struggles to redirect back inside, allowing too many pressures in the games I studied. When he can land his punch, it’s over. His hands are so strong and he has the power base to end the play right there. In the run game, he is very strong and aggressive. He creates a ton of movement, but also will overextend and fall off at times. He’s on the ground too much. I love his aggressive demeanor, but he needs to play more under control. Overall, I believe he can survive at tackle, but he’d benefit from playing with neighbors on both sides. I think Wirfs has All-Pro potential at guard.
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14
Justin Jefferson, WR
School: LSU | Year: Junior
Previous rank: 14Jefferson is a tall, slender wideout with off-the-charts production. He lines up in the slot and out wide. He is an outstanding route runner. He does a nice job getting on the toes of cornerbacks and then creating separation out of the break point. He does a lot of work in traffic and will extend and finish before taking hard contact. He can play above the rim down the field and can contort his body to make special catches. He doesn’t have elite speed, but he’s plenty fast enough. After the catch, he has some wiggle and will fight for extra yards. Overall, Jefferson is a polished receiver and should make an immediate impact at the next level.
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15
Patrick Queen, LB
School: LSU | Year: Junior
Previous rank: 15Queen is an undersized linebacker with outstanding burst, instincts and coverage ability. Against the pass, he is very fluid in his drops and his change-of-direction ability is excellent. He has good instincts to jump routes and he closes to the flat in a hurry. He is a very dynamic blitzer (see him flat-back an offensive guard in the Texas A&M game). In the run game, he is quick to key/read and shoot gaps. He does get uprooted at times because of his size, but he usually finds a way to beat blockers to spots. Overall, Queen is a high-tempo playmaker at the second level and should impact all three downs.
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16
D’Andre Swift, RB
School: Georgia | Year: Junior
Previous rank: 16Swift is a compact running back with excellent patience, vision and quickness. On inside runs, he lets things develop before exploding through the line of scrimmage. He has the vision to see and set up second- and third-level defenders. He has make-miss ability in tight quarters, but prefers to drop his shoulder and seek contact. He has enough speed to capture the corner on outside runs. He is a cradle catcher in the passing game, but it’s effective. In pass protection, he likes to cut block and he’s reliable. Overall, Swift has a similar skill set to Josh Jacobs, and I expect comparable results at the next level.
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17
Kenneth Murray, LB
1
School: Oklahoma | Year: Junior
Previous rank: 18Murray is an off-the-ball, run-and-hit linebacker. He is at his best when he’s free to chase and make plays to the perimeter. He closes in a heartbeat and he is an explosive tackler. He struggles when he has to play off blocks and locate the football through the trash inside, as he doesn’t use his hands and gets swallowed up. He has had some success dipping and slipping blocks. He is very athletic in coverage versus running backs, easily mirroring them in space. He is also a very dynamic blitzer. Overall, I believe Murray would be best served to play outside and off the ball, where he would be afforded clean sight lines to attack with his speed.
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18
Andrew Thomas, OT
1
School: Georgia | Year: Junior
Previous rank: 17Thomas is a thick, powerful offensive tackle. In pass protection, he has average foot quickness in his set, but he possesses a powerful punch and strong anchor. He gets in trouble at times because his base is too wide; he lunges and loses balance. He plays with good overall awareness. He is a dominant run blocker. He can uncoil and uproot defenders over his nose and has the strength to wash defenders down the line of scrimmage on down blocks. He is effective working up a level when he can stay on one track, but he struggles to redirect in space. Overall, some teams view Thomas as a guard, but I believe he can hold up at tackle if he improves his balance issues.
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19
Ross Blacklock, DT
School: TCU | Year: Junior (RS)
Previous rank: 19Blacklock is a dynamic interior defensive lineman. As a pass rusher, he launches out of his four-point stance and his bull rush is ferocious. He creates immediate knock-back. He is ultra-twitchy. He flashes a long-arm move where he can jolt, separate and finish. As a run defender, he successfully stacks and sheds single blocks, but he needs to improve his awareness and effectiveness versus double teams, where he gets washed down the line. He does have some durability concerns, but his skill set is special. Overall, Blacklock comes with some risk, but he’s worth it. He has the potential to develop into a top-flight interior pass rusher.
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20
Justin Herbert, QB
School: Oregon | Year: Senior
Previous rank: 20Herbert has exceptional size, mobility and arm strength. He has quick feet in his setup and he bounces on his toes once he gets to the top of his drop. His motion can be a little robotic at times, but the ball comes out tight with high RPMs. He has a big arm, but his placement is a little inconsistent. His front side flies open on some throws, impacting his accuracy. That can be corrected. He has shown the ability to touch up the ball underneath and makes some impressive throws on the run. He is a very good runner. He builds speed and he is effective on zone reads. The biggest area he needs to improve is his lack of anticipation. He waits too long to cut it loose. According to everyone at Oregon, his work ethic and character are off the charts. Overall, Herbert has some special physical tools, but he needs to play with less caution and learn to embrace an attacking mentality.
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21
CJ Henderson, CB
School: Florida | Year: Junior
Previous rank: 21Henderson is an extremely explosive and athletic cornerback prospect out of Florida. He played outside and inside on the games I studied. He is very physical in press coverage, landing a two-hand jam consistently. He is extremely loose and fluid to open up and mirror all over the field. He’s hardly ever out of position and possesses rare makeup speed when he is caught in a bind. You see that same burst when he’s in off coverage and the ball is thrown in front. He does need to improve on finding the ball down the field, as he’s often a little late to look back. The major concern with this player is tackling. He has way too many misses and that must be improved. Overall, Henderson has some elite traits and could emerge as the top cornerback in this class, but his tackling must be addressed.
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22
Xavier McKinney, S
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
Previous rank: 22McKinney was an instinctive safety for the Tide and he also spent some time playing nickel linebacker. When aligned deep, he is fluid in his movement and he’s quick to key/read and drive on the football. His range is excellent. While he can effectively locate the ball, he will occasionally lose a 50/50 battle down the field. He is a dependable wrap/drag tackler. He has a very good feel as a blitzer, displaying timing and burst. Overall, McKinney is an intelligent, versatile defender and he should be very effective in multiple roles.
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23
Jordan Love, QB
School: Utah State | Year: Junior (RS)
Previous rank: 23Love has ideal size, arm strength and athletic ability. He operated out of the ‘gun at Utah State and was very fluid and smooth in his setup. He throws from a variety of platforms and arm angles. The ball jumps out of his hand. He is at his best on skinny post drive throws and over-the-top deep balls. His decision making was very concerning this past season. He forced too many balls into crowds and didn’t ever give up on a play — to a fault. His supporting cast wasn’t very good, but he still fell into too many bad habits. He uses his athletic ability to escape and extend plays, but there are occasions when he fails to climb and reset his feet. Overall, Love is a raw prospect who will need some time to develop. There is risk with him, but the payoff could be huge.
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24
Brandon Aiyuk, WR
School: Arizona State | Year: Senior
Previous rank: 24Aiyuk is one of my favorite players in the draft class. He has a solid, muscular frame and plays an aggressive brand of football. He is explosive in his release and he attacks the leverage of cornerbacks before suddenly snapping off his route. Aiyuk doesn’t run a wide variety of routes, but he’s very efficient and effective. He has strong hands and can finish in traffic. He is at his best after the catch, breaking tackles and making people miss without gearing down. Those skills serve him well as a returner, too. Overall, Aiyuk will need a little time to develop as a complete route runner, but he’s a tough, explosive playmaker with added special teams value.
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25
K’Lavon Chaisson, Edge
School: LSU | Year: Sophomore (RS)
Previous rank: 25Chaisson primarily lined up as a stand-up rusher in the Tigers’ defensive system. He is long, explosive and very athletic. As a pass rusher, he relies more on pure get-off speed and athletic ability than technical skill. He is at his best as a looper, where he can find a crease and explode through. He has yet to figure out how to use his length to his advantage on a consistent basis. Against the run, he flashes the ability to stack and hold the point, but he excels at slipping blocks and creating havoc. His speed and effort show up on the back side of plays. Overall, Chaisson is more athlete than football player right now, but he has all of the raw tools to be a dominant force at the next level.
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26
A.J. Epenesa, Edge
School: Iowa | Year: Junior
Previous rank: 26Epenesa is a skilled pass rusher with outstanding size, strength and effort. He has average get-off quickness, but he boasts strong hands, can flip his hips and is a reliable finisher. He has a variety of hand techniques, including a violent club move, swipe move and a push/pull move. He also will flash a long-arm move with his inside arm. He has a great feel when an OT is leaning outside, which creates an opening for his up-and-under inside-counter move. Against the run, he can hold the point of attack easily. His effort on the back side is outstanding, but he lacks the burst to make a ton of plays from distance. Overall, Epenesa has a very high floor as a prospect. He should be a consistent 8-to-10-sack performer at the very least.
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27
Tee Higgins, WR
School: Clemson | Year: Junior
Previous rank: 27Higgins is a tall, long and rangy wideout with elite high-point skills. He uses a quick foot fire to defeat press coverage. He is a smooth, long-striding route runner. He is at his best when on the move: slants, posts and go routes. He lacks snap at the top of his route when working back downhill. He has incredible ball skills down the field. He can elevate and also adjust to the back-shoulder ball. After the catch, he is very smooth and slippery. Overall, Higgins isn’t going to do a lot of the dirty work in the middle of the field, but he’s very effective on the outside and provides big-play ability.
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28
Austin Jackson, OT
School: USC | Year: Junior
Previous rank: 28Jackson brings an intriguing blend of size, athleticism and upside. In the passing game, he has the quickness to easily cut off speed rushers and he plays with good knee bend and balance. He needs to improve on his punch, as he’s often late to shoot his hands and gives up his chest, leaving him vulnerable to the bull rush. He flashes the ability to settle down after giving ground, but this needs to improve. In the run game, he has the quickness to reach/cut off on the back side and he does a good job of staying attached on the front side. His overall play strength needs to improve, but he’s only 20 years old and that should come in time. Jackson isn’t ready to play at a high level right away, but the upside is tantalizing.
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29
Jaylon Johnson, CB
School: Utah | Year: Junior
Previous rank: 29Johnson offers an enticing size/speed combination for the position. He plays a lot of press-bail technique, but also flashes a firm two-hand jam. He is very fluid to open up and has plenty of long speed to carry vertical routes. He also excels when he slides inside to cover the slot. He was rarely challenged down the field in the games I studied. His ball production was outstanding in 2018 and opposing teams chose to avoid him last fall. He is very aggressive versus the run. He closes quickly before coming to balance and delivering firm tackles. Overall, Johnson is very talented and should be a Day 1 starter outside with the potential to cover in the slot as well.
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30
Yetur Gross-Matos, Edge
School: Penn State | Year: Junior
Previous rank: 30Gross-Matos was a tall, long edge rusher for the Nittany Lions. He will stand up on the edge or launch out of his four-point stance. He is a very productive pass rusher. He doesn’t have an elite get-off, but he has very active hands and an array of moves. He has a quick swipe move, inside spin and he can also bend/wrap at the top of his rush. I’d like to see him develop more power, but he still has a lot to work with. He is very effective on loops and games. He does need to improve versus the run, as he sometimes plays too high and gets uprooted. Overall, Gross-Matos offers double-digit sack potential, but he does need to add strength at the next level.
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31
A.J. Terrell, CB
School: Clemson | Year: Junior
Previous rank: 31Terrell is a tall, slender cornerback prospect with a strong resume in a variety of coverages and techniques. In press coverage, he uses an effective one-hand jam before turning and opening up. He can carry vertical routes with his speed, but he is a little bit sticky when he’s forced to gear down and come back downhill. In off coverage, he has a quick pedal, but there is a brief pause in his plant/drive. He has very good ball awareness down the field. He is a reliable tackler and an outstanding blitzer from the boundary corner spot. He had a rough outing against LSU in the national title game, but was otherwise very steady last season. Overall, Terrell has some tightness, but he’s a very solid player who should emerge as a quality No. 2 cornerback for his drafting team.
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32
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB
School: LSU | Year: Junior
Previous rank: 32Edwards-Helaire is a short, compact runner with quick feet, power and prowess in the passing game. On inside runs, he’s a quick-stepper with darting lateral agility to slide and avoid contact. He runs extremely low to the ground and is tough for opponents to square up. He drives his legs on contact and pulls out of a lot of tackles. He is quick to capture the perimeter and refuses to run out of bounds, choosing instead to fight for extra yards. He is outstanding in the passing game. He can line up anywhere in the formation and he runs clean/crisp routes. He catches the ball outside his frame very smoothly and he’s outstanding after the catch. His ability to start/stop in space is elite. He is rarely used in pass protection because of his value out in the route. Overall, Edwards-Helaire has a very similar skill set to Austin Ekeler — I envision a similar role/results at the next level.
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33
Marlon Davidson, Edge
1
School: Auburn | Year: Senior
Previous rank: 34Davidson has average height and a thick/square build. He typically lined up at defensive end for the Tigers, but also possesses the ability to slide inside. As a pass rusher, he is devastating when he has a runway. He generates a lot of power in his bull rush and has an array of hand moves he can incorporate on the move. He doesn’t have an elite get-off, but he wins in the ways just mentioned. He destroys tight ends with his strength and power combination. Against the run, he uses his length to stack blocks, and his effort to pursue is outstanding. Overall, Davidson has some inside/outside flexibility and his production should carry over to the next level.
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34
Zack Baun, LB
1
School: Wisconsin | Year: Senior (RS)
Previous rank: 33Baun is a slightly undersized outside linebacker with excellent athleticism and versatility. He spends a lot of time playing over tight ends and gets the best of them in the run and pass games. As a rusher, he has a good initial burst and can really bend at the top of his rush. He has a nifty inside counter move and he can get skinny before closing on the quarterback. He mixes in a stutter/bull rush, but usually stalls out after generating some push. He is very athletic as a dropper in coverage. He is very good as a back-side run defender because of his burst and effort. Teams will differ on where to play him at the next level. He reminds me of former USC LB Uchenna Nwosu, someone whose versatility the Chargers have tapped into. I’d do the same with Baun.
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35
Jonathan Taylor, RB
School: Wisconsin | Year: Junior
Previous rank: 35Taylor is an ultra-productive running back with outstanding strength and speed. On inside runs, he’s sudden, carries his pads low to the ground and shows the balance to bounce off tacklers while keeping his legs alive. He isn’t overly shifty, but he avoids taking flush hits and he always falls forward for extra yardage. He has plenty of speed to capture the edge and once he gets in space, he can run away from the crowd. In the passing game, he is very effective on screens, where he can set up his blocks and collect big chunks of yardage. He trusts his hands and attacks the ball when he’s out in the route. He didn’t have a lot of reps in pass protection in the games I studied. Overall, Taylor is an explosive home run hitter with upside in the passing game.
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36
Laviska Shenault, WR
School: Colorado | Year: Junior
Previous rank: 36Shenault is arguably the best athlete in the entire draft class. He is tall with a thick, muscular build. He lined up everywhere in Colorado’s offense — out wide, in the slot, at running back and he even took snaps as a Wildcat quarterback. Shenault isn’t a nuanced route runner, but he is a monster with the ball in his hands. He excels on quick hitters, fly sweeps and vertical routes. He has strong hands and his transition into a running back is immediate after the catch. He steps through tacklers and has a burst to finish. He is very competitive. Overall, Shenault comes with some durability concerns and will need time to develop into a fully polished wideout, but he can have an immediate impact for a creative offensive coordinator. He’s too big, strong and fast to not contribute. His drafting team just has to figure it out.
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37
J.K. Dobbins, RB
3
School: Ohio State | Year: Junior
Previous rank: 40Dobbins is a compact running back with tremendous power, balance and instincts. He is at his best on inside runs. He doesn’t hesitate, accelerating into contact and breaking a ton of tackles. He has a nifty inside spin move and can make second- and third-level defenders miss in space. He has enough speed to get to the perimeter, but he always looks to turn upfield as soon as possible. In the passing attack, he is effective in the screen game, but he has more work to do as a route runner. He had two tough drops vs. Clemson in the College Football Playoff, but he was reliable in every other game I studied. He is very aware in pass protection — he can drop his weight and anchor linebackers. Overall, Dobbins’ game should translate very well to the next level. He’ll be a dependable starter immediately.
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38
Cesar Ruiz, C
1
School: Michigan | Year: Junior
Previous rank: 37Ruiz is an extremely consistent, physical and aware center. In pass protection, he has a tight punch and immediate anchor. His lower body is outrageously strong. He is very aware vs. twists/stunts. He lacks elite foot quickness, but he doesn’t have any issues sliding and redirecting to stay square vs. defenders. In the run game, he latches and runs his feet to create movement. He is outstanding on combo blocks, staying under control, locating and walling off linebackers. His lack of foot quickness shows up on outside pulls. Overall, Ruiz reminds me of Travis Frederick coming out of Wisconsin.
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39
Joshua Jones, OT
School: Houston | Year: Senior (RS)
Previous rank: 39Jones lined up at left tackle for the Cougars. He has the ideal frame and length for the position. In pass pro, he is very smooth and efficient in his set. He isn’t overly explosive, but he has enough foot quicks to kick out and cover up speed rushes. He has a firm punch and he does a nice job replacing his hands when they get knocked down. He does play a little high and that impacts his ability to redirect versus up-and-under moves. In the run game, he can create movement on down blocks and is effective at the second level. He shows awareness against both run and pass. Overall, Jones has some games where he looks like a top-15 player (see: the Oklahoma tape), but he needs to play with better knee bend on a consistent basis. He should be a solid, dependable starter early in his career.
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40
Grant Delpit, S
2
School: LSU | Year: Junior
Previous rank: 38Delpit is a tall, fast free safety who also possesses the ability to play in the slot. From the deep middle, he trusts his eyes and explodes to the ball, whether run or pass. He has outstanding range and I trust his ball skills. His numbers dropped this past season, but that was the result of some nagging injuries. He is fluid and smooth when lined up in the slot. He is aggressive as a force defender, but he has too many fly-by missed tackles. Everyone at the school raves about his leadership and intangibles. Overall, Delpit needs to clean up some tackling issues, but he has Pro Bowl potential at free safety.
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41
Cole Kmet, TE
School: Notre Dame | Year: Junior
Previous rank: 41Kmet has an ideal frame for the TE position. He lined up inline and flexed out in Notre Dame’s offense. In the passing game, he has good speed and does a lot of damage working in the seams. He uses his big frame to wall off defenders and pluck the ball in traffic (see: Georgia game). He isn’t very polished or nuanced at the top of his route. He is at his best when he stays on the move instead of working back to the quarterback. He is physical after the catch, but he doesn’t provide much wiggle or elusiveness. In the run game, he can effectively shield and wall off at the point of attack, and he takes good angles working up to the second level. Kmet was the closer on Notre Dame’s baseball team and should make major strides now that he’s solely focused on football. Overall, Kmet isn’t a dynamic player, but he’s going to get stronger. I see him as a reliable, long-term starter at the position.
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42
Jeff Gladney, CB
4
School: TCU | Year: Senior (RS)
Previous rank: 46Gladney lacks ideal size/bulk for the position, but he excels because of his blend of quickness and feistiness. He plays outside and inside. He is at his best in off coverage, where he uses a quick, fluid pedal before efficiently planting and driving on balls thrown in front of him. He doesn’t waste steps. He is always in good position, but will get walled off at times by bigger wideouts. When he does press, he usually sits at 2 yards and carries his hands low before trying to catch wideouts and re-route them. His overall ball awareness is very good. He does a good job coming to balance before tackling runners and he’s also an effective blitzer. Gladney needs to get a little stronger, but I love his scheme versatility and toughness.
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43
Kristian Fulton, CB
1
School: LSU | Year: Senior
Previous rank: 42Fulton has good size for the position and he’s very fluid, smart and competitive. In press coverage, he switches up his technique. He’s primarily patient, but he’ll occasionally land a quick two-hand jam. He lacks elite top speed and he’s had some issues timing his leap on jump balls down the field. From off coverage, he’s very aware and shows some pop out of his plant/drive. He is very aggressive in run support. He fights through blocks and is very reliable in space. Overall, Fulton has some flaws, but I’ll bet on his intangibles and toughness.
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44
Jeremy Chinn, LB
1
School: Southern Illinois | Year: Senior
Previous rank: 43Chinn is a fun player to study. He lined up all over the field in SIU’s scheme. He has an outstanding blend of size, speed and instincts. He is at his best when he’s in the box as a down safety/nickel linebacker. He has tremendous range to make plays sideline to sideline. He can locate and play the ball naturally (see: the high-point INT vs. UMass). He does have a little tightness when he’s in space, but he recovers quickly. He is a very firm/reliable tackler. Overall, I believe Chinn is ideally suited to play WLB at the next level. He is exactly what teams are looking for in today’s NFL.
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45
Justin Madubuike, DT
1
School: Texas A&M | Year: Junior (RS)
Previous rank: 44Madubuike is a strong, versatile defensive lineman. He aligns at every spot along the defensive front, but he’s best suited as a 3-technique (on the edge of the guard). Against the pass, he is very quick to shoot his hands and generate knock-back. He has a quick club/rip move and is very adept at working through half the opponent instead of rushing down their numbers. His effort is outstanding. He is a dominant run defender. He excels at stacking blockers, separating and locating the football. Overall, Madubuike isn’t an elite pass rusher, but he’s impactful and can dominate on early downs.
RANK
46
Denzel Mims, WR
1
School: Baylor | Year: Senior
Previous rank: 45Mims is a tall, rangy wideout with exceptional burst and body control. He uses his quickness and burst to escape press coverage, excelling on vertical routes down the field. He tracks the ball naturally and wins a bunch of 50/50 balls. He will need some time to develop as a complete route runner. He simply wasn’t asked to run a large variety of routes in Baylor’s offense. After the catch, he is slippery and elusive, but he isn’t going to break many tackles. Overall, Mims is a big-play generator on the outside and has all of the tools to develop into a complete receiver.
RANK
47
Antoine Winfield Jr., S
School: Minnesota | Year: Sophomore (RS)
Previous rank: 47Winfield is an undersized safety prospect with outstanding instincts and ball skills. His movement skills are very smooth and easy from the back end. He does a nice job playing over the top. He keeps everything in front of him, collecting a bunch of picks on tips and overthrows. He also spends a lot of time covering in the slot. He has enough speed to carry vertical routes down the field and he is also an excellent blitzer. As a tackler, he usually comes to balance, settles his feet and wraps up. Overall, there is some concern due to size and durability (missed time in 2017 and 2018 due to injury), but Winfield is a playmaker from the deep middle and his ability to match up in the slot is a bonus.
RANK
48
Michael Pittman Jr., WR
NR
School: USC | Year: Senior
Previous rank: NRPittman is a tall, muscular wideout who had excellent production for the Trojans. He lines up out wide and he uses his upper-body strength to power through press coverage. He builds speed as he goes and he is a jump-ball specialist down the field. He high points the ball consistently and big brothers opposing cornerbacks routinely. He doesn’t have elite speed, but he’s very efficient getting in and out of breaks for such a big receiver. He is at his best after the catch, when his competitiveness and strength form a winning combination. He refuses to go down on first contact. Pittman has earned a reputation as one of the best special teams players in the country for his ability to cover and block punts. Overall, Pittman reminds me a lot of current Charger Mike Williams, and he can make an impact on all four downs because of his special teams value.
RANK
49
Trevon Diggs, CB
1
School: Alabama | Year: Senior
Previous rank: 48Diggs has elite size, athleticism and ball skills. (He also played wide receiver and returned kicks during his career at Alabama.) He uses an effective one-hand jam in press before opening up and staying on the hip. He’s fluid for such a big cornerback. It’s important for him to stay in phase with the wideout because he lacks elite recovery speed. From off coverage, he reads through the wide receiver to the quarterback and has a good feel for jumping routes and making plays. His ball skills are outstanding — as you’d expect, considering his brother is Stefon Diggs. He does need to improve as a tackler in space. Overall, Diggs has some room to develop, but he will excite teams looking for a big cornerback to match up with guys like Mike Evans and Courtland Sutton.
RANK
50
Jalen Hurts, QB
School: Oklahoma | Year: Senior
Previous rank: 50Hurts is slightly undersized for the position, but his production, poise and playmaking ability are very impressive. He has crisp footwork in his drop and he throws from a very firm platform. He has a quick release and generates excellent velocity on drive throws. Hurts flashed the ability to touch the ball up, but his ball placement still needs to improve. His vision and anticipation are other areas that need work. He’s an outstanding runner, both on designed runs and when pressured. He gains ground quickly and runs through contact consistently. I love his competitiveness and toughness. Overall, Hurts must continue to improve in the passing game, but I’m going to bet on his eventual success due to his playmaking skills and overall competitiveness.
RANK
51
Jordan Brooks, LB
School: Texas Tech | Year: Senior
RANK
52
Lloyd Cushenberry, C
3
School: LSU | Year: Junior (RS)
RANK
53
Ezra Cleveland, OT
School: Boise State | Year: Junior (RS)
RANK
54
Logan Wilson, LB
School: Wyoming | Year: Senior
RANK
55
Cam Akers, RB
School: Florida State | Year: Junior
RANK
56
Jalen Reagor, WR
School: TCU | Year: Junior
RANK
57
KJ Hamler, WR
School: Penn State | Year: Sophomore (RS)
RANK
58
Josh Uche, LB
School: Michigan | Year: Junior (RS)
RANK
59
Damon Arnette, CB
School: Ohio State | Year: Senior (RS)
RANK
60
Robert Hunt, OT
School: Louisiana-Lafayette | Year: Senior (RS)
RANK
61
Matt Hennessy, C
School: Temple | Year: Junior (RS)
RANK
62
Willie Gay, LB
School: Mississippi State | Year: Junior
RANK
63
Saahdiq Charles, OT
School: LSU | Year: Junior
RANK
64
Jacob Eason, QB
School: Washington | Year: Junior (RS)
RANK
65
Neville Gallimore, DT
School: Oklahoma | Year: Senior (RS)
RANK
66
Isaiah Wilson, OT
School: Georgia | Year: Sophomore (RS)
RANK
67
Jordan Elliott, DT
School: Missouri | Year: Junior (RS)
RANK
68
Adam Trautman, TE
School: Dayton | Year: Senior (RS)
RANK
69
Van Jefferson, WR
School: Florida | Year: Senior (RS)
RANK
70
Jake Fromm, QB
School: Georgia | Year: Junior
RANK
71
Harrison Bryant, TE
School: Florida Atlantic | Year: Senior
RANK
72
Chase Claypool, WR
School: Notre Dame | Year: Senior
RANK
73
Noah Igbinoghene, CB
School: Auburn | Year: Junior
RANK
74
Kyle Dugger, S
School: Lenoir-Rhyne | Year: Senior
RANK
75
Bradlee Anae, Edge
School: Utah | Year: Senior
RANK
76
Malik Harrison, LB
School: Ohio State | Year: Senior
RANK
77
Curtis Weaver, Edge
School: Boise State | Year: Junior (RS)
RANK
78
John Hightower, WR
School: Boise State | Year: Senior
RANK
79
Antonio Gandy-Golden, WR
School: Liberty | Year: Senior
RANK
80
Devin Duvernay, WR
School: Texas | Year: Senior
RANK
81
Lynn Bowden Jr., WR
School: Kentucky | Year: Junior
RANK
82
Ben Bartch, OT
School: St. John’s (Minn.) | Year: Senior
RANK
83
Darrynton Evans, RB
School: Appalachian State | Year: Junior (RS)
RANK
84
Reggie Robinson, CB
School: Tulsa | Year: Senior (RS)
RANK
85
Amik Robertson, CB
School: Louisiana Tech | Year: Junior
RANK
86
Ashtyn Davis, S
School: California | Year: Senior (RS)
RANK
87
Josiah Scott, CB
School: Michigan State | Year: Junior
RANK
88
Terrell Burgess, S
School: Utah | Year: Senior
RANK
89
James Lynch, DE
School: Baylor | Year: Junior
RANK
90
Darrell Taylor, Edge
School: Tennessee | Year: Senior (RS)
RANK
91
Damien Lewis, OG
School: LSU | Year: Senior
RANK
92
Hakeem Adeniji, OL
School: Kansas | Year: Senior
RANK
93
Davon Hamilton, DT
School: Ohio State | Year: Senior (RS)
RANK
94
Bryan Edwards, WR
School: South Carolina | Year: Senior
RANK
95
Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB
School: Appalachian State | Year: Senior
RANK
96
Leki Fotu, DT
School: Utah | Year: Senior
RANK
97
Matt Peart, OT
School: Connecticut | Year: Senior (RS)
RANK
98
Davion Taylor, LB
School: Colorado | Year: Senior
RANK
99
John Reid, CB
School: Penn State | Year: Senior (RS)
RANK
100
Bryce Hall, CB
School: Virginia | Year: Senior
RANK
101
Terrell Lewis, Edge
School: Alabama | Year: Junior (RS)
RANK
102
Cameron Clark, OG
School: Charlotte | Year: Senior (RS)
RANK
103
Grayland Arnold, CB
School: Baylor | Year: Junior (RS)
RANK
104
Jonathan Greenard, Edge
School: Florida | Year: Senior (RS)
RANK
105
Zack Moss, RB
School: Utah | Year: Senior
RANK
106
Brandon Jones, S
School: Texas | Year: Senior
RANK
107
Antonio Gibson, WR
School: Memphis | Year: Senior
RANK
108
Raekwon Davis, DT
School: Alabama | Year: Senior
RANK
109
Ke’Shawn Vaughn, RB
School: Vanderbilt | Year: Senior (RS)
RANK
110
Julian Okwara, Edge
School: Notre Dame | Year: Senior
RANK
111
Shaquille Quarterman, LB
School: Miami (Fla.) | Year: Senior
RANK
112
AJ Dillon, RB
School: Boston College | Year: Junior
RANK
113
Jack Driscoll, OT
School: Auburn | Year: Senior (RS)
RANK
114
Jared Mayden, DB
School: Alabama | Year: Senior
RANK
115
Julian Blackmon, S
School: Utah | Year: Senior
RANK
116
Larrell Murchison, DT
School: North Carolina State | Year: Senior (RS)
RANK
117
Khalid Kareem, Edge
School: Notre Dame | Year: Senior
RANK
118
Charlie Heck, OT
School: North Carolina | Year: Senior
RANK
119
Josiah Deguara, TE
School: Cincinnati | Year: Senior (RS)
RANK
120
L’Jarius Sneed, S
School: Louisiana Tech | Year: Senior
RANK
121
Devin Asiasi, TE
School: UCLA | Year: Junior (RS)
RANK
122
Kindle Vildor, CB
School: Georgia Southern | Year: Senior
RANK
123
Geno Stone, S
School: Iowa | Year: Junior
RANK
124
K’Von Wallace, S
School: Clemson | Year: Senior
RANK
125
Alton Robinson, Edge
School: Syracuse | Year: Senior
RANK
126
Hunter Bryant, TE
School: Washington | Year: Junior
RANK
127
Jabari Zuniga, Edge
School: Florida | Year: Senior (RS)
RANK
128
Dalton Keene, TE
School: Virginia Tech | Year: Junior
RANK
129
Joe Bachie, LB
School: Michigan State | Year: Senior
RANK
130
Jacob Phillips, LB
School: LSU | Year: Junior
RANK
131
Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR
School: Michigan | Year: Junior
RANK
132
Cameron Dantzler, CB
School: Mississippi State | Year: Junior (RS)
RANK
133
Tyre Phillips, OG
School: Mississippi State | Year: Senior (RS)
RANK
134
Jason Strowbridge, Edge
School: North Carolina | Year: Senior
RANK
135
Nick Harris, C
School: Washington | Year: Senior
RANK
136
Jonah Jackson, OG
School: Ohio State | Year: Senior (RS)
RANK
137
Kevin Dotson, OL
School: Louisiana-Lafayette | Year: Senior (RS)
RANK
138
Joshua Kelley, RB
School: UCLA | Year: Senior (RS)
RANK
139
Tyler Johnson, WR
School: Minnesota | Year: Senior
RANK
140
Darnell Mooney, WR
School: Tulane | Year: Senior
RANK
141
Darnay Holmes, CB
School: UCLA | Year: Junior
RANK
142
Javaris Davis, CB
School: Auburn | Year: Senior (RS)
RANK
143
Alohi Gilman, S
School: Notre Dame | Year: Junior
RANK
144
Azur Kamara, Edge
School: Kansas | Year: Senior
RANK
145
James Proche, WR
School: Southern Methodist | Year: Senior (RS)
RANK
146
D.J. Wonnum, Edge
School: South Carolina | Year: Senior
RANK
147
Albert Okwuegbunam, TE
School: Missouri | Year: Junior (RS)
RANK
148
Michael Ojemudia, CB
School: Iowa | Year: Senior
RANK
149
Jake Luton, QB
School: Oregon State | Year: Senior (RS)
RANK
150
Trevis Gipson, Edge
School: Tulsa | Year: Senior (RS)
Follow Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter @MoveTheSticks.
AgamemnonLA Rams depth chart too shallow at these positions before NFL Draft
LA Rams depth chart too shallow at these positions before NFL Draft
by Bret Stuter 12 hours agoThe LA Rams depth chart and the consensus roster needs may not align very well as the team prepares to enter the 2020 NFL Draft
Every now and then, things fall out of alignment. Automobile tires, sights on rifles, and even lines painted on roadways can swerve. But the LA Rams roster depth chart is usually very much in alignment with what many believe are the roster needs. This is not one of those times.
At this time of the year, the Rams depth chart, or the stack of players designed to play at a specific position on the team’s offense or defense, should be three deep or more at each position. Curiously, that is not the case right now.
One such example of “in alignment” is the quarterback position right now. Fans and the depth chart agree that the Rams need more than two quarterbacks for the 2020 training programs. While it’s not a major concern, no one would be surprised if the Rams select a quarterback on day three of the NFL Draft to correct the situation.
But after the Rams lost some key defensive players via free agency, there was a knee jerk reaction by fans to fill their void with talented rookies. But will the Rams do that with their current depth chart? For example, the Rams parted ways with OLB Clay Matthews, OLB Dante Fowler Jr., ILB Bryce Hager, and ILB Cory Littleton. Still, the current depth chart, as untested as it may be, for four linebacker positions holds 11 such players. Will the Rams commit multiple picks to that crowded field?
Meanwhile, the Rams have resigned defensive end Michael Brockers and added defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson. But the defensive line is shallow, currently only seven players on the roster to fill three positions.
So the current generally accepted set of needs for the Rams right now based on the 2019 team needs plus offseason losses are OT, C, WR RB, Edge, ILB, S, and cornerback. But if you go with the Rams pre-draft interviews, those needs are LB, Edge, RB, C, WR, TE, CB, DL, and OT.
But the Rams depth chart suggests the team needs are: QB, WR, OT, DL, and safety. What positions does the team believe are the most critical needs? It’s a balance of team needs plus draft depth. The Rams know that the 2020 NFL Draft is loaded with talent at RB, WR, and DB, So there is the wisdom of adding talent when it is available.
In the end, the Rams cannot simply draft to fill roster holes. To improve the team’s overall talent, this draft must have enough flexibility to add more talent. Does the team’s roster have the flexibility to do so? We’ll see in less than a week.
Agamemnon
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