P.S. - Everyone please start washing your hands A LOT , wear gloves in public , disinfect as much as you safely can ,wear a mask if you can too , and avoid casual contact whenever possible .
# Is for a player with with reported character or maturity concerns.
** Is for a player with reported injury concerns.
1.CINCINNATI - JOE BURROW - QB - LSU - 6"3' , 221
NFL PLAYER COMP - a leaner ANDREW LUCK - retired
The Bengals are clearly rebuilding, and they have a ton of needs, but I would be shocked if they traded this pick. I can't imagine someone offering them enough to pass on Joe Burrow . A clear cut Stud franchise QB that grew up in OHIO! . BUUUUTTTTT.... it's the Bengals . Their owner is Mike Brown . The son of HOF coach and owner Paul Brown . Despite the Bengals being worth about 2 billion Brown is one of the poorest Owners in The NFL , although he's still worth close to a billion last time I checked. They still have plenty of money ,but that's pretty much how the family made their fortune . Despite never winning it all Brown has refused to relinquish power, even though his family members , and the current head coach have some say . His refusal to pay market value for many players is part of why they haven't won, and actually a good argument for keeping this pick and taking Burrow , but it's actually even more cost effective to rebuild the team quicker with a lot more cheap draft picks .Plus there were rumblings in the rumor mill that Burrow may not want to play for the bungals . After Burrow seemed to clear it up at the combine I am going give them the benefit of the doubt and have them stay put and take the franchise QB they need . Also Mike Brown isn't known for trading unless you blow him away, and it might take even more than the Goff package to get that deal done so no trade . In the 20 plus years I have been breaking down the film on draft prospects the best college QB I have ever seen was Andrew Luck . I was right about him in every way, but one, and that was his commitment to the game . I really don't care what anyone else thinks about this, but I was shocked when Luck retired because of injuries? If it's not going to make you lose your mental capabilities ( concussions) , your ability to walk , or function for the rest of your life you don't retire as a 29 year old well payed QB . Especially now, when you finally have one of the leagues best O-lines , and the leagues rules are specifically designed to protect your primadonna Ass . Burrow doesn't have Lucks long term college track record to bolster his status, but in every other way (except bulk) his on the field performance reminds me of when Luck was still a man . He has lightning fast reads , even slightly faster than Tua , which would have shocked me if anyone had told me that before the season. Poise, athleticism, , balls, accuracy all over the field . Plus he can scramble to buy time, and find the open man with the best of them, but if he has to run he is dangerous there too. Dude just seemed immune to pressure, murdered the blitz all year, and he kept getting better as the season went along . Played a ton of big time teams , and beat them ALL, unlike Luck ! Now it's true he had a great team around him , tons of weapons, a really good O-line, and a new offense that very few college QB's would have the mental capacity to run well, but he aced that offense. In his case he mastered it in one off season, and kept improving in it all year . Never had a bad game this season . Has an average arm, but so did Luck, Tom Brady, Joe Montana, and Peyton Manning . When you read defenses that fast, throw people open early the way he does, and display great accuracy, touch, and timing, who cares ? No one with a brain . The only worry I have with him is frame . He is a former All - State basketball player , and has the build of one. He's measured in at 6 "3" at, 221 lbs at the combine which was a little better than I expected, but it would still help to add another 10-15 pounds of muscle . . My concern for his long term durability would be alleviated then . I am not saying he would need to be as big as Luck , who looked like a small defensive end( a big 6'4' , 240) when he was entered his first training camp . His hands measured at a smallish for a QB "9" , but Mahomes and Rodgers are about the same so I'm not worried about it . People make a big deal about him being a one year wonder, but the guy transferred over really late in 2018. I'm talking about the tigers already being in 2 a days when he showed up. Then he still won the starting job , although it was a different and predictably boring offense . As of now Joe Burrow is my second highest graded QB ever, just had the best college football season of any QB in history , and is now my #1 ranked player in the whole draft .SLAM DUNK PICK !
2.WASHINGTON- CHASE YOUNG - DE - OHIO ST.- 6"5" , 264
NFL PLAYER COMP - MYLES GARRETT - BROWNS
I know some Redskin fans will love this pick, and others will say they need a new left tackle, and both will be right , but there is now a shadow of a hope that Trent Williams would return to the skins under the new regime .New head coach Ron Rivera met with Williams already so that alone is progress . However, unless someone in the first 7 picks, or maybe at worst top 9 offers them a big package of picks to move up this is the best thing to do . Young is the clear cut #2 player on my board, he plays a premium position, and he's probably number one overall for a lot of people . I know you have Ryan Kerrigan and Montez Sweat already, but you never can have enough people that rush the passer well . Young is more talented than both of those other 2 edge rushers . Also Kerrigan will be 32 next season , he will be in the last year of his contract in 2020 , and coming off a season ending injury . I am not suggesting they should cut Ryan for cap savings either . Kerrigan is still a good pass rusher, and he's on the cusp of a possible HOF career with a few more good seasons . Like Daniel Snyder or not, but he does love his team, and I am sure he would want a guy who has played this well for this long to be career redskin, especially if he gets a gold jacket . A couple more years and he would probably reach that magical 100 sack plateau, maybe even this season if he returns to form. This team has plenty of needs, but QB isn't one, so their best hope is that Tua gets a clean bill of health from a team willing to pay enough to trade up for him. Personally I think it would be a lock if Tua hadn't gotten hurt this year, and this hip injury is a serious one for any player, but I don't buy the talk about them taking Tua and trading Dwayne Haskins trying to get a to blow them away with a huge offer .It's possible someone even falls for Justin Herbert , but I wouldn't do it , and I don't see a team giving up a lot to move up for him . It's even possible a team wants to move up for Young too, but I doubt the price would be as high in that situation, and unless you wow them I just don't see the skins trading away from an elite prospect . For now I think they stay here ,and take the best player available . Young follows the Bosa brothers into the NFL continuing Ohio State's recent streak of providing premium edge players to the NFL . He's not quite as polished as them, but he does show a lot of the same violent hands, and Young is definitely more athletic with a higher upside . Also after cutting Josh Norman & Paul Richardson they really could use the picks. Plus if Quinton Dunbar holds out and they move back enough to still get Jeff Odukah it would still be worth it. Young is such a good prospect that even skipping the combine workout won't hurt his draft stock, although if I were him I would have just wanted to get it over with now
3.CHARGERS-(lions)- ** - TUA TAGOVAILOA - QB - ALABAMA - 6ft. , 217NFL PLAYER COMP - a leaner ANDREW LUCK - retired
The Bengals are clearly rebuilding, and they have a ton of needs, but I would be shocked if they traded this pick. I can't imagine someone offering them enough to pass on Joe Burrow . A clear cut Stud franchise QB that grew up in OHIO! . BUUUUTTTTT.... it's the Bengals . Their owner is Mike Brown . The son of HOF coach and owner Paul Brown . Despite the Bengals being worth about 2 billion Brown is one of the poorest Owners in The NFL , although he's still worth close to a billion last time I checked. They still have plenty of money ,but that's pretty much how the family made their fortune . Despite never winning it all Brown has refused to relinquish power, even though his family members , and the current head coach have some say . His refusal to pay market value for many players is part of why they haven't won, and actually a good argument for keeping this pick and taking Burrow , but it's actually even more cost effective to rebuild the team quicker with a lot more cheap draft picks .Plus there were rumblings in the rumor mill that Burrow may not want to play for the bungals . After Burrow seemed to clear it up at the combine I am going give them the benefit of the doubt and have them stay put and take the franchise QB they need . Also Mike Brown isn't known for trading unless you blow him away, and it might take even more than the Goff package to get that deal done so no trade . In the 20 plus years I have been breaking down the film on draft prospects the best college QB I have ever seen was Andrew Luck . I was right about him in every way, but one, and that was his commitment to the game . I really don't care what anyone else thinks about this, but I was shocked when Luck retired because of injuries? If it's not going to make you lose your mental capabilities ( concussions) , your ability to walk , or function for the rest of your life you don't retire as a 29 year old well payed QB . Especially now, when you finally have one of the leagues best O-lines , and the leagues rules are specifically designed to protect your primadonna Ass . Burrow doesn't have Lucks long term college track record to bolster his status, but in every other way (except bulk) his on the field performance reminds me of when Luck was still a man . He has lightning fast reads , even slightly faster than Tua , which would have shocked me if anyone had told me that before the season. Poise, athleticism, , balls, accuracy all over the field . Plus he can scramble to buy time, and find the open man with the best of them, but if he has to run he is dangerous there too. Dude just seemed immune to pressure, murdered the blitz all year, and he kept getting better as the season went along . Played a ton of big time teams , and beat them ALL, unlike Luck ! Now it's true he had a great team around him , tons of weapons, a really good O-line, and a new offense that very few college QB's would have the mental capacity to run well, but he aced that offense. In his case he mastered it in one off season, and kept improving in it all year . Never had a bad game this season . Has an average arm, but so did Luck, Tom Brady, Joe Montana, and Peyton Manning . When you read defenses that fast, throw people open early the way he does, and display great accuracy, touch, and timing, who cares ? No one with a brain . The only worry I have with him is frame . He is a former All - State basketball player , and has the build of one. He's measured in at 6 "3" at, 221 lbs at the combine which was a little better than I expected, but it would still help to add another 10-15 pounds of muscle . . My concern for his long term durability would be alleviated then . I am not saying he would need to be as big as Luck , who looked like a small defensive end( a big 6'4' , 240) when he was entered his first training camp . His hands measured at a smallish for a QB "9" , but Mahomes and Rodgers are about the same so I'm not worried about it . People make a big deal about him being a one year wonder, but the guy transferred over really late in 2018. I'm talking about the tigers already being in 2 a days when he showed up. Then he still won the starting job , although it was a different and predictably boring offense . As of now Joe Burrow is my second highest graded QB ever, just had the best college football season of any QB in history , and is now my #1 ranked player in the whole draft .SLAM DUNK PICK !
2.WASHINGTON- CHASE YOUNG - DE - OHIO ST.- 6"5" , 264
NFL PLAYER COMP - MYLES GARRETT - BROWNS
I know some Redskin fans will love this pick, and others will say they need a new left tackle, and both will be right , but there is now a shadow of a hope that Trent Williams would return to the skins under the new regime .New head coach Ron Rivera met with Williams already so that alone is progress . However, unless someone in the first 7 picks, or maybe at worst top 9 offers them a big package of picks to move up this is the best thing to do . Young is the clear cut #2 player on my board, he plays a premium position, and he's probably number one overall for a lot of people . I know you have Ryan Kerrigan and Montez Sweat already, but you never can have enough people that rush the passer well . Young is more talented than both of those other 2 edge rushers . Also Kerrigan will be 32 next season , he will be in the last year of his contract in 2020 , and coming off a season ending injury . I am not suggesting they should cut Ryan for cap savings either . Kerrigan is still a good pass rusher, and he's on the cusp of a possible HOF career with a few more good seasons . Like Daniel Snyder or not, but he does love his team, and I am sure he would want a guy who has played this well for this long to be career redskin, especially if he gets a gold jacket . A couple more years and he would probably reach that magical 100 sack plateau, maybe even this season if he returns to form. This team has plenty of needs, but QB isn't one, so their best hope is that Tua gets a clean bill of health from a team willing to pay enough to trade up for him. Personally I think it would be a lock if Tua hadn't gotten hurt this year, and this hip injury is a serious one for any player, but I don't buy the talk about them taking Tua and trading Dwayne Haskins trying to get a to blow them away with a huge offer .It's possible someone even falls for Justin Herbert , but I wouldn't do it , and I don't see a team giving up a lot to move up for him . It's even possible a team wants to move up for Young too, but I doubt the price would be as high in that situation, and unless you wow them I just don't see the skins trading away from an elite prospect . For now I think they stay here ,and take the best player available . Young follows the Bosa brothers into the NFL continuing Ohio State's recent streak of providing premium edge players to the NFL . He's not quite as polished as them, but he does show a lot of the same violent hands, and Young is definitely more athletic with a higher upside . Also after cutting Josh Norman & Paul Richardson they really could use the picks. Plus if Quinton Dunbar holds out and they move back enough to still get Jeff Odukah it would still be worth it. Young is such a good prospect that even skipping the combine workout won't hurt his draft stock, although if I were him I would have just wanted to get it over with now
NFL PLAYER COMP - MARK BRUNELL - retired
The Chargers had a big decision to make at QB. Phillip Rivers is a UFA , and he moved his family to Florida . Rivers didn't have his best season, but with the Bolts often injured patchwork O-Line I'm personally surprised he survived the year without a big injury . So I am not even sure if he would have come back and played for the Bolts if they wanted him , but the Chargers have announced they have moved on now. I am sure he has saved plenty of money out of his 16 years as a NFL QB , and that his money will go a lot farther in Florida than Cali . There are 3 teams in Florida that could use an upgrade at the QB position , but I doubt Miami and Rivers will be interested in each other . Tampa and Jacksonville are both closer to winning , but I would go Tampa if I was him. Sadly I have spent most of my life in SOCAL. Trust me other than the weather it sucks, but I can attest that their is a large football loving Polynesian population .Don't get me wrong the excitement of Tua would sell tickets to anyone, but this would also give them an extra boost economically they may lacked since Junior Seau left . Also, I think Tua would love to be close to the beach . Tua here fits especially if it's going to take Tua a while to heal, and I definitely think he needs a red shirt this season , because they already have a good veteran stopgap QB in Tyrod taylor. Tua has elite poise & he reads defenses like a veteran NFL QB . He is built like a RB ( 6 ft.217 lbs.), and his lack of height will knock him down some boards, and you do see him miss some scraping backers on tape because of it , but his average arm will also push him down some other boards too. That RB like build is what confuses me with his injury history , as he looks like a shorter Dak Prescott on the field, and I have seen Dak run over a LB & pop up with a smile. Although Dak wished he had Tua's accuracy, ability to throw people open , and quickness reading defenses . He has huge hands( "10" ) like Dak too .Tua has been hurt all 3 years of college, although this years hip injury could be a long term thing. His mobility is one of his great skills, and hip injuries can also really affect your ability to throw the ball , and he didn't have the strongest arm to begin with. If he had come through this year unscathed there would probably be some teams who valued him more than others who would have him as their number #1 QB . Tua would also have been the 3rd overall player in the draft and the 6th player in my elite blue chip tier . In that case the Redskins would be giggling with how much they could extract from a QB needy team that wanted to move up to #2 overall for him. Although that could still happen if his medicals look good at the combine, but I doubt they get healthy Tua prices even if a team buys into him . Tua is even more accurate than Burrow , and that's saying something , and he has a very quick release. He is a 2 year starter in a NFL offense , in a elite conference, has enough arm to make the throws . Plus looks like a veteran NFL franchise QB on tape. I have actually heard some complain that Tua has too much talent around him, but that's stupid to me . Burrow had the same thing , and they both play in one of the elite conferences in the NCAA against top competition . Also, I know a few people have sent me messages complaining about the Mark Brunell comp. I personally think Brunell was a very good NFL QB . Steve Young was my obvious choice initially, but he didn't become injury prone until he AFTER he turned pro . So I didn't feel comfortable comparing him to an NFL HOFer when I am not confident of his ability to have a lengthy career . A left handed Russell Wilson was another , but not only is Wilson extremely durable, he also has an almost supernatural ability to avoid big hits. Tua is just as likely to be the next Sam Bradford as he is the next Steve Young, so I went for another left handed guy in the middle of the 2.
***PROJECTED TRADE*** The CHARGERS their 1rst rounder ( #6) and their 1rst rounder in 2021 to the LIONS for their 1rst (#3) ***PROJECTED TRADE ***
4.NY GIANTS - MEKHI BECTON - OT - LOUISVILLE - 6"7" , 364
NFL PLAYER COMP - ANDREW WHITWORTH - RAMS
The Giants have been trying to upgrade their O-Line for years , and while it's has been better, it's still not good. Nate Solder hasn't lived up to his contract, and Mike Remmers has always been a average at best OT, who is only getting worse . After finishing my top 10 tackles I still have Thomas at #1 , although Jedrick Wills , Mekhi Bexton, and maybe even Josh Jones could end up in the top 11 with all these tackle needy teams in that range . I personally see Tristan Wirfs as a better fit at guard after finishing his tape if you are thinking of bringing him up, but a tackle needy team may still take him a little later and see what he can do outside first, and after that combine it's hard to blame them. However, this is about the Giants do I am going to change it up and go with who I think best fits their scheme . I spend most of the college season watching guys I haven't watched before, but I had already seen 4 of Becton's 2018 games coming into the season, and I had him projected as a low first rounder . I watched 3 more 2019 games during Seniorbowl week, and WOW ! I was so impressed I will even say it backwards . WOW ! Becton is huge . One of those guys that is so big, wide , and long that he is just hard to get around . He also looks like a a guy who you might want to move to guard , but you would be wrong . As long as he keeps his weight in check he is solid on the edge as a pass protector, and his 370 pounds is pretty well distributed, I thought If he could cut down to 340 by the combine he could actually be the first OT drafted , as it would help his quickness on his pass sets ,but even at a put together 364 he still looked great. .He ran a 5.11 forty & 1.77 ten at 357 when weighed in the 2nd time ! Sometimes guys with his profile like Johnathan Ogden , Andrew Whitworth, or Cordy Glenn just know how to use what they have to kick ass . His brutal hand punch is effective and his anchor is elite . His hands are so big & arms are so long it's hard for him to completely miss with his punch, and a partial punch from him can still throw you off course or stop you in your tracks . He is a physical road grader in the run game as a drive blocker . Most giants don't excel down the field , but he is not your normal giant , and he goes hunting . Other than getting better at picking up stunts & blitzes , and getting more accurate with his punch he is a really good OT prospect . Stunts & blitzes usually just come with time, and if he keeps getting in better shape the sky's the limit. He is a perfect fit for the Vikings, Giants, Seahawks , or 49ers run heavy scheme's if any of those teams want to trade up for him . Mekhi is my 3rd ranked OT and #12 overall player . With a little time to keep developing his technique & body he could be a perennial Pro Bowler .Bringing in Mark Columbo to coach the O-Line in New York can only help him . Louisville used to flip their OT's , so he has played both tackle spots, but I am convinced he could handle the blindside full time in the NFL, after watching him doing it this year. Once I have caught up and watched all 400 some guys I expect to watch this draft season, I will be looking to post my final ranking for 2020. In those 2 weeks I will watch more tape on the top tier guys I have at each position to separate them and give final grades, but it's hard to imagine a an O-lineman having a better game than the one Mekhi did against Clemson . I wouldn't be surprised if he even moves up a little on my board, and I also wouldn't be surprised that after the combine & free agency shake out ,and some tackle needy teams are left wanting, that 4 O-Lineman go in the top 12. . I know the Giants would love to have and a DE, CB, or LB, but Young & Okudah are already gone here . Plus I don't see the Giants drafting a LB in the first round, although GM Dave Gettleman did take Shaq Thompson in the late 1rst when he was running the Panthers, but this is #4 overall . I also think their interior D-Line is one of the few strengths on their team so that leaves out Derrick Brown. I actually think they have pretty good depth at WR too , but I guess Jerry Jeudy are CeeDee Lamb are possibilities as well. However , if they really think Daniel Jones is the answer at QB , and Jones did surprise me with how well he played at times last season , they need to protect him better.
5.MIAMI- JEDRICK WILLS - OT - ALABAMA - 6"4" , 312
NFL PLAYER COMP -WILLIE ANDERSON - retired
The Dolphins sure seemed like they were trying to " Tank for Tua" heading into the year . Stripping their roster of most of it's established talent and even trading away young potential cornerstone pieces like Laremy Tunsil & Minkah Fitzpatrick . It didn't work. Brian Flores, Ryan Fitzpatrick , and a group of young players & journeyman veterans managed to somehow win 5 games. Flores should have gotten more votes for coach of the year in my opinion, because winning 5 games with this roster is quite an accomplishment . Since they did trade away some key good young players, and traded back a lot in the 2019 draft I expected them to be planning on going all in on a QB in 2021.Trevor Lawrence or maybe even Justin Fields after the awesome season he just had . However,after the year Burrow had in 2020 , the unexpected success they had in the 2nd half of the season, the wealth of draft picks ( the most the next 2 years) & cap space( most in the NFL this off season) they currently have , they may want to speed up the rebuild ,and start trying to compete more now . Plus the Brady/Belichick duo could be coming to an end this off season, and at the very least they are still nearing the end of their run soon .The fins literally have needs almost everywhere . Other than Christian Wilkins , Xavien Howard, Devante Parker , Preston Wilson , Vince Biegel , Raekwon McMillan , Davon Godchaux and maybe Mike Gesicki & Reshad Jones they can all be replaced or upgraded . Plus the only Free Agent they have that they might want to resign is 31 year old John Jenkins, and he's probably not going to cost a lot, or be a priority . So that's 10 guys , a few other recent draft picks, that they still have hope for , and their 8 remaining draft picks if they make this trade out of a 53 man roster .Not to mention Howard's play dropped off last season ,and he was accused of domestic violence as well. The trade would probably have to be an overpay to get Burrow and I am going to give them the benefit of the doubt, and have them stay at 5, and take the best player available to build for the future .For the record I believe they would have passed on an injured Tua even if he fell here . Also, rebuilding the O-line should be a priority so I am giving them Wills . I was on Bama LT Alex Leatherwood by week 3 of the season , but Wills didn't get on my radar until late in the season . Leatherwood went back to school despite my first round grade on him, but Wills was a pleasant surprise . Jedrick is big , strong, and nasty with surprisingly light feet. He needs a more physical hand punch, but he keeps his hands inside , and I think he could flip over to left tackle if needed. Even as a right tackle he is not far behind Thomas on my board, but Wills does have more consistent sets as a pass blocker, and with a left handed QB in Tua he was the blindside protector. Plays low and gets to the second level too . If Rosen doesn't work out they might have a top 10 pick in 2021 anyway. That pick combined with the extra 2021 first and 2nd rounders they got from Houston gives them the ammo to move up to number one overall and get Trevor Lawrence in next seasons draft , or maybe Justin Fields if they prefer.
6.DETROIT - JEFFREY OKUDAH - CB - OHIO ST. - 6'1", 205
NFL PLAYER COMP - JALEN RAMSEY - JAGUARS
The Lions are another team that may want to trade back for a big package of picks for a QB needy team , and according to the trade value chart it would cost about the equivalent of a mid 2nd round pick less at #3 overall than #2 overall . There is also an outside chance they fall in love with a QB , and take Tua or even Herbert, especially now that Stafford will be 32 and has a back injury . Since Stafford's contract is written in a way that it would be hard to trade him , and stupid to release him . They are another team with a lot of needs, but that's usually the case when your picking high in the draft . Short of a windfall trade their best case scenario is the redskins trading their pick to a QB needy team, and Chase Young falling to them, or the skins losing their minds and passing on Young . Pairing him with Trey Flowers would give them a great edge duo. Failing that they need interior D-Line help if Mike Daniels or A'Shawn Robinson isn't re- signed, and Derrick Brown would be a good fit . Plus in the secondary Tavon Wilson & Rashaan Melvin are UFA's, and Darius Slay is coming off his worst season since he was a rookie. Also Slay is in the last year of his deal, and their were trade rumors about him last year, after they dumped starting safety & defensive captain Quandre Diggs to the Hawks before the trade deadline . Now Slay ,despite his bad season ,is threatening to hold out unless he gets a new contract making him the highest paid CB in the game. Laughable. At LB Jarrad Davis has been a bust , and I love Isiah Simmons. Plus Simmons can also play safety . In the end I am going with Okudah . I only have 5 blue chip elite players in the draft right now after Tua got hurt . Burrow and Young are gone in this scenario , and that leaves Odukah & Simmons, and Brown. Since I think CB's are more valuable unless the interior D-Lineman is an elite pass rusher , I will give them the corner . Okudah is the highest graded corner I have done since Patrick Peterson . Even the best NFL corners are grabby , but they are just slicker at it , and get caught less, but Okudah is slicker than most . No PI penalties this season . He isn't quite as physical or thick, but he is a an excellent press man corner . Jeff has good speed, fluid hips, quick feet , ball skills , a wide wing span ,smarts, an explosive burst to the ball, and the confidence & swagger you want in a lock down CB . The 4.48 forty is fine by me , although he looks low 4.4's on tape, and his 41 inch vertical confirms that explosiveness. Had to leave the combine after taking a bad fall ( hurt his neck ) in the drills .Still getting him after this trade back ,and also picking up a probably really high number one next season is a huge victory in and of itself .
***PROJECTED TRADE*** The BUCCANEERS trade the 1rst rounder (#14) , their 4th rounder , and their 1rst rounder in 2021 to the PANTHERS for their 1rst ( #7) ***PROJECTED TRADE ***
7.TAMPA BAY-(panthers)- ** -JUSTIN HERBERT - QB - OREGON - 6"6" , 236
NFL PLAYER COMP - JOSH ALLEN - BILLS
I just can't see them giving Winston the franchise tag, unless they have already re-signed Shaquil Barrett, and even then I can't see anyone else paying Jameis 30 million for even one year. Plus Phillip Rivers would be a perfect fit for Bruce Arians offense, because he loves to throw down the field , and he just moved his whole family to Florida . However, I have been hearing a lot about the Colts going after Rivers, and with his ties to Frank Reich they carry a lot of weight to me . So the bucs need a QB . This trade gives them a young cheap one s they can try to win now . Even after Tua's injury Herbert is the 3rd QB on my board . In 2017 Herbert was a spread read option QB with all the tools you could want . Tall with a cannon arm , and a willingness to throw down the field that you don't often see. He had his share of bubble & tunnel screens too, which definitely helped his completion percentage , but he could also fire a 20 yard out or a hit a DIG route on a rope . His accuracy still needed work , especially on those deep balls . During that season when he put more air under the ball to go deep it had a tendency to sail on him, and he also occasionally threw receivers into potentially dangerous hits with late or off target throws . He also broke his collarbone late that year too . In 2018 he made improvements in those problem areas, and the offense also changed a bit . That year Herbert also started showing the capability of being a strong explosive runner who specialized in moving the chains in short yardage situations , or take off for a bigger gain when the play broke down, or even on the occasional read option . He also showed the smarts on when to slide to protect himself . Despite already being 6"6" 230 pounds his frame has plenty of room for growth and he could easily carry 250 pounds of muscle to help protect himself . In 2019 the offense changed a little more again , and became more run oriented . Justin still has all the physical tools, but I expected a similar jump up this season like the one I saw from 2107 to 2018 , and I didn't see it. While his completion percentage went back up and his interceptions went down a little too, I think that was due to the conservative offense that gave him more play action passes . He didn't run as much this season himself either , but showed his legs off in a big way in their bowl game, and ran a 4.68 forty at the combine. All in all he is still a very good QB prospect, but he hasn't stepped up in the big moments the way a guy I would trade up for & then anoint my franchise QB for the long haul should do . There are also some rumors of leadership questions around him because he is not the most outwardly vocal guy, but he is universally loved by his teammates . That's not the end of the world . Eli Manning just retired after a long successful career in New York of all places, and he is not the most loquacious guy either . Also, Herbert is starting from scratch when it comes to being under center . Justin probably would have been a top 5 pick last season, and maybe even #1 overall if Kyler Murray wasn't such perfect fit for Kliff Kingsbury's offense . He returned for a chance at the PAC 12 title , and to play a season with his incoming freshman TE little brother, and I don't think it really hurt his stock, but he didn't do anything to make it go up for me either . There is nothing wrong with being a game manager , which is what Herbert looked like this season, but there are times you just want to see a QB let it rip & win the game for you, instead of just not losing it. Both are valuable , but the former is a guy who can win it all with A LOT around him like a early career Russel Wilson . The latter is a guy like Wilson is now . A franchise QB that can drag a below average team to the playoffs , and a good team to the the title . Basically after 3 years I expected more than the incremental growth I saw . He still may end up being a franchise QB , but right now he's a guy I would prefer to take if he fell to me, but since he is a QB .... . In conclusion this guy has all the tools and skills . He just needs to harness them , show more consistency , and a lot more special plays in big moments to convince me he is a franchise QB . Herbert also won the Campbell trophy for his combination of academics, football skill, and community service . So character is a plus, and unlike Winston he doesn't turn the ball over .
8.ARIZONA- TRISTAN WIRFS - T/G - IOWA - 6"5" , 320
NFL PLAYER COMP - EVAN MATHIS - retired
The Cardinals got a good start on their rebuild last year , but their O-line isn't very good, although their current O-Line did improve some as pass blockers as the year went along . They do say practice makes perfect, and they pass a lot, but it's also a spread system designed to get rid of the ball quickly & run a ton of plays . However, the only O-lineman they have right now that I think they might be counting on as a long term piece is left tackle DJ Humphries ,and while they did resign him, I still think they overpaid .However, it's imperative that the Cardinals upgrade the O-line to protect their young, undersized, potential franchise QB . So I am not even going to seriously entertain another position here . I like Wirf's a lot , but apparently not as much as other people who put out draft content or draftniks who follow the draft closely , but I believe he will still go relatively high . I received multiple comments about it when I moved him down my board some , and most of them were so full of insults and F-bombs that I just didn't post them . I did 4 more of his games for this season, and while he definitely has the talent to play outside, I think he is a better fit inside at guard right now. This is not an insult. The history of the NFL is littered with great guards( Gene Upshaw, John Hannah , Larry Allen , Josh Sitton , Evan Mathis, Zack Martin , Brandon Scherff ,Joel Bitonio, Joe Thuney -and that's just off the top of my head) who played OT in college and in some cases the pro's too . Many of them probably could have been solid long term OT's in the NFL , but I doubt they would have all been GREAT outside . I have listed him as T/G all along for a reason .He struggled with balance regularly on tape for 2 years running . He is also not a consistent natural knee bender , gets high too often , and ends up on the ground too often . On the plus side he is not only very athletic at times , he is also super strong all the time , and he flashes a mean streak in the run game down the field. He has a lot of the same strengths and flaws Tyron Smith had in college as a sophomore, but Smith improved a lot more as a junior when he entered the draft , and he was meaner all the time. Both played RT in college , but Wirfs did flip to the left side for some games when Alaric Jackson got hurt . So both Tyron and Tristan seemed to have the ability to flip over to the blindside if they took to NFL coaching, ,and both were strong enough to play inside if that didn't work out. Like I said Smith improved a lot as Junior and Wirfs not so much, and he didn't end up with Tyron's super long arms, although they are long enough ( 34 inches) ti\o play OT . However the Cards need help at 2 or 3 O-Line spots . So I think he's worth the risk here, and if he doesn't work out at OT, I am comfortable that he would hold up well inside .Wirfs ran a ELITE 4.86 forty and 1.69 ten at the combine ! Both tops of all O-Lineman in Indy . Plus he set the combine O-Line records for the vertical and broad jump , so he may go even higher . I did expect more than 24 reps on the bench, but his functional strength on the field is top notch so no worries .They would drafting him to be their LT here . I hope it works out for both of them .
9.JAGUARS - DERRICK BROWN - DT - AUBURN - 6"5" , 326
NFL PLAYER COMP - KENNY CLARK - PACKERS
After Telvin Smith started to go downhill you could see Myles Jack trying to pick up some of his slack, and then his play went down too. Then Smith abruptly retired before the 2019 season , and Jack got even worse. He needs that fast ground covering weak-side LB next to him so he can concentrate on his responsibilities , and I doubt Smith returns. While Telvin will only be 29 this season his out of the blue retirement shouldn't sit well with anyone in the organization , and the only time I heard about him this year was when the cops were called to his house right after last Thanksgiving . With Isaiah Simmons gone that position is ruled out here. However NT Marcel Darius is a free agent and his play has also gone downhill recently Plus DT Akeem Spence is also a UFA, and DT Abry Jones is in the final year of his deal . Brown is the currently the last blue chip player on my board, and if you can get the 5th best player on the board at #9 you should do it . Coming into this season I saw Brown as more of a nose tackle as he was an elite run stuffer, but he really improved as a pass rusher this year , and I think he could move all over their 3 man front . He has a great motor, big powerful hands , off the ball quickness, just runs over opposing lineman , dominated LSU's vaunted O-Line, and it's hilarious when people are dumb enough to run at him . His only weakness are a lack of pass rush moves( bull rush, push through a shoulder, or slap the hands down and bull rush is it ) and counters. This guy is a tone setter with a really high floor , and a leader that any coach should be itching to draft
10.CLEVELAND - ISAIAH SIMMONS-S/LB-CLEMSON- 6"4", 238
NFL PLAYER COMP - a bigger DARREN WOODSON - retired
The Browns disappointed again . I admit I picked them to win the division , and they imploded . This is definitely the most talented team in the division, but you wouldn't know it by their record . Before the season my big worries were LT , RG, and a rookie head coach, but I confess that Freddie Kitchens was just as bad as their O-line. Both OT's were bad , but the RT was even worse than the left. Both players they played at RG were terrible too. They tried to trade for former Pro Bowler Trent Williams to man the blindside, but stubborn Daniel Snyder wouldn't make the deal , but I bet he will now. Williams says he is adamant about never playing for the skins again without a new deal , although instead of a 1rst and some change I doubt they get more than a 2nd rounder for him now . Williams sat out a whole year , will be 32 this season, failed his physical in a weird way, and he had been having some injury problems for the previous 3 campaign's . There are also rumors they might be in on 38 year old future HOFer Jason Peters . I would still make that deal for a 2nd if I was the Browns , as long as he passes his physical , and I would still take Thomas here even if I pulled it off . Another thing that didn't work out was the OBJ trade. He took his diva whiny millennial look at me personality to new heights, continued his history of being injury prone, and did a lot to help undermine his coach and QB . I would trade him, and draft a WR in this very deep class in the 2nd or 3rd round . Then we have Baker . Crappy O-Line or not he definitely regressed, and made me think that what I used to think was just cocky young brashness , might in fact be Odell-like myopic millennial divaness . Don't think that one OT , now matter how good is going to fix this.all either, but that's why I have them getting 2 one way or another. They probably need to draft multiple O-Lineman & sign or trade for a couple more too . Other than their center or LG all these guys could easily be replaced and upgraded . Hoever, since I have them trading for or signing a veteran OT, and drafting one in the 2nd round I will go with another big need . LB Joe Scobert is a free agnet , and they just cut another LB in Christian Kirksey . So Simmons finally comes off the board, , and it's to a team that really needs him . He's clearly the best player on the board . Simmons is just a flat out stud. He is the best safety , off the ball LB, and movable defensive chess piece in this draft . He can play the run, cover, rush , and he's just a play-maker wherever they line lined him up, and they lined him up all over the defensive formation . He was everywhere on film, almost to the point that I thought there were 2 of him on the field sometimes, and it often took awhile to find him before the snap He could go as high as #3 but he also could fall here , and the Browns would probably have multiple teams bidding to trade up for him .
11.NY JETS - ANDREW THOMAS - OT - GEORGIA - 6"5" , 315
NFL PLAYER COMP - DUANE BROWN -
The Jets need offensive lineman more than anything , and luckily for them the guy I think is the best OT in the draft falls to them at #11 . Thomas has been starting since he was a true freshman at RT, and has been starting at LT the last 2 years . He is a dominant run blocker ,and a good long armed pass blocker, who has the athleticism to be be dominant there too with some technique refinement. His biggest weakness right now is blocking down field , but his feet aren't always consistent in his pass sets either . He will occasionally get off balance and end up on the ground. He already plays in a pro style offense ,and I see him as a plug and play starter at either tackle spot . Also, in my opinion he has both the highest floor & ceiling of all the potential blindside protectors in this draft . I still think Thomas is the best OT in the draft, but this about how I think the teams will pick so I expect him to be the 2nd or 3rd OT off the board now after hearing the opinions of people during the combine who are plugged in to NFL teams. Although, don't forget that this is also called liar's season for a reason .
12.LAS VEGAS - JERRY JEUDY - WR - ALABAMA - 6"1", 193
NFL PLAYER COMP - AMARI COOPER - COWBOYS
The 2019 raiders should strangely be considered a success ,even though they didn't make the playoffs. Dumping AB actually brought the team together. Unless the Raiders decide to draft a QB here, and in this case Tua is just sitting there like a blinking light if Gruden wants him, a trade up to get a blue chip player makes a lot of sense. Although I think if Gruden wanted a QB it wouldn't be a target of opportunity, and that he would trade up for him even earlier . The Silver & Black could also shock the world and go after Brady, and there are already rumors about that possibility . Talk about selling tickets in your new home !They do need a # 1 WR , otherwise they wouldn't have tried to bring in the train wreck that is Antonio Brown . Tyrell Williams profiles well as ( and is paid like ) a good number 2 WR , but I doubt they trade up to take Jeudy or Lamb . Both Ceedee Lamb & Jerry Jeudy are number WR's to me, and both are top 10 values in my book . While I have Lamb slightly ahead in the long run they are more 1A and 1B on my board . Jeudy is more polished & pro ready right now, and he fits this offense well. He is an advanced route runner even for a pro player, comes out of a pro style offense , and is a high character guy unlike Anderson . Plus his hands are good, except I wouldn't expect him to win a lot of jump balls . I really hope they invest in the O-Line in both free agency in the draft though . They need CB's too, but I don't see one being drafted this high after Okudah is gone , although it wouldn't shock me if they took CJ Henderson or traded up for Simmons .
13.INDIANAPOLIS - CEEDEE LAMB - WR - OKLAHOMA - 6"2" , 198
NFL PLAYER COMP - ODELL BECKHAM JR.
There are only 2 teams that should try to spend a lot of money on Tom Brady. the Colts and the Cowboys. The reason for that is that I think both are ready to win now , but the Cowboys seem set on trying to overpay Dak so I think Brady's best non New England destination is Indy . The main free agent the Colts have to worry about is LT Anthony Castonzo , and they have the franchise tag as a last resort if they have trouble getting a deal done. So I am going to go with another big need . The only WR on their team that is serious threat to defenses is TY Hilton , and he has become injury prone lately , although Zach Pascal showed decent signs of becoming a solid # 3 last season .2019 2nd rounder Parris Campbell has a lot of talent, but he didn't do much as a rookie. Drafting a new potential #1 WR might help them to get TB12 to head their way . Lamb looks to be a little bigger & faster than Jeudy on tape , although Jeudy actually ran a little faster on his first 40 at the combine . Lamb is good at the more limited route tree Oklahoma runs, he still needs work there to fit into a Pro style offense . He is explosive with great hands , slippery in the open field ,and has a well above average knack for tracking the ball . Combining that with his ability to play great from both the outside & inside , and I think his long term upside gives him the slight lead in the race to be the # 1 WR in the 2020 draft . Also, the Colts value the TE position, and since Brady just went a year without any solid TE's I think having a sure handed guy like Jack Doyle & also explosive move TE Eric Ebron( if he is resigned) would appeal to him . Don't forget about one of the leagues best O-Lines as a recruiting tool either .
14.CAROLINA-(tampa bay) - JAVON KINLAW - ** - DT - S. CAROLINA - 6"5" , 324
NFL PLAYER COMP - CHRIS JONES - CHIEFS
I know plenty of Panther fans will scream trade up for Burrow, but they don't have the ammo in my opinion . Once the rumors of trading 26 year old former Pro Bowl guard I thought they were trying to gather ammo for a trade up . Instead they inexplicably traded him for a well past prime LT in 32 year old Russell Okung ? Weird especially since Okung only played 6 games last season .If so, they can franchise him and get something for him, or keep him. I also suspect some will say what about Isaiah Simmons at #7 ? Luke Kuechly just abruptly retired, but since it's concussions I get it . It still saddens me though, as Luke was one of the best MLB's I ever saw . Plus it's just 5 years after after Patrick Willis did the same thing . 2 of the elite middle LB's in the history of the game retiring at 29 , but hey LB is a rough job and if your worried about losing your mental facilities I understand . However Simmons isn't a MLB , he's a safety or an weak side LB , and they already have one of those in Shaq Thompson, although Simmons did measure bigger than I expected so who knows ? . Simmons would be a giant upgrade over Eric Reid at safety .. Also, they may want to trade Cam because they aren't giving any clear signals. As of now they are just saying that they aren't going to talk about Newton until he is fully healthy , and he is making some noise about wanting a new contract, , but I think since they are rebuilding they should trade him now , and get what they can before he gets hurt again . The trade back gives them a probable high extra first rounder next season to kick start the rebuild . Gerald McCoy , Dontari Poe, and Vernon Butler are all free agents this off season so the Panthers need interior D-lineman badly .After finishing Javon's tape , and watching how much he dominated the first 2 Senior Bowl practices Kinlaw is the 11th ranked overall player on my board . Although the weird tendinitis flare up does make me nervous , and he also had a torn hip labrum earlier in College ,so his medicals at the combine will be key in where he finally ends up. He has the size, length, motor, strength, and even enough quickness to be a consistent Pro Bowl performer in the league . It's rare for players with his height to play so well inside against the run , and unlike the NFL Pro Bowler he reminds me of he didn't struggle with his pad level as often in college . If he can expand & redefine his pass rush repertoire he has a chance to be a superstar in the NFL, but he already looked improved this year in getting after the passer anyway .
15.DENVER - HENRY RUGGS - WR - ALABAMA - 5"11", 188
NFL PLAYER COMP - TYREEK HILL CHIEFS
Denver has plenty of needs , and a lot of significant players hitting free agency . Especially in the secondary & D-Line, and at WR .After Emmannuel Sanders was traded no other WR except Courtland Sutton did much . Ruggs is worth this pic, is a potential elite slot receiver, and has ridiculous ( 4.27) speed . He may be the fastest guy in the draft . Henry is explosive, has huge strong hands, is fearless over the middle, can win jump balls, and he would be a sick counterpart to their RB's on Jet Sweeps & reverses . Not quite as polished a route runner as the other Alabama WR's but he made progress this year, and they had so much talent at WR he was underused in my opinion . Pairing him with Courtland Sutton could give Drew Lock two highlight reel targets for the long haul .
***PROJECTED TRADE*** The VIKINGS their 1rst rounder ( #25) and their 2nd (#57) and to the FALCONS for their 1rst rounder(#16) ***PROJECTED TRADE ***
16.MINNESOTA-(falcons)-JOSH JONES - OT - HOUSTON - 6"5" , 319
NFL PLAYER COMP - LAREMY TUNSIL - TEXANS
The Vikings O-Line is vastly overrated . Rookie first rounder Garret Bradbury did not play well, and I admit I was high on him , but I still believe in his future . LT Riley Reiff would be a better fit at guard, but he might need to take a pay a cut to stay . Both guards are bad. Only RT Brian O'neill can be considered solid to me , and I think he has the athleticism to move to the left side if needed . Jones is not the best player left on my board, but he is the best LT prospect available for me, although he comes out of a spread system . The Vikings are still in a potential championship window right now, and they need to hit on this pick . However, he needs a lot of technique refinement, especially with his hand placement & punch timing on tape. Although he looked improved at the Senior Bowl across the board, especially with his punch and overall aggression . Usually the guy who is the best O-Lineman at the Senior Bowl gets a significant bump in the draft and that guy was Josh Jones this season. Josh has decent size & length, but very quick feet and more than enough athleticism .At first I was surprised he didn't blow up at the combine in the speed % agility drills , but he gained even more weight between the Senior Bowl & combine, so it makes sense . .
17.CJ HENDERSON- CB -FLORIDA - 6"1", 204
NFL PLAYER COMP - MARLON HUMPHREY - RAVENS
Long suffering cowboy fans( like my little brother) have finally got rid of the clapper . Yes , Jason Garrett .The great non - adjuster , the dean of time mismanagement is gone . What makes my brother laugh even harder is that he is now the OC of the rival Giants . It's hilarious! They will now know exactly what he wants to do, and that he won't be able to adjust if it doesn't work. Mike McCarthy letting stud O-line coach Mark Columbo go to the Giants should worry cowboy fans though, although Joe Philbin is a pretty good replacement . So now they have a coach that has been to 4 NFL championship games and even a guy who has won a Superbowl. Plus he's is saying all the right things about adjusting and making his offense more variable. Dallas may still be in that possible championship window where their veterans aren't broken down yet, and they still have enough young premium talent to make a run . However, they have A LOT of key players hitting free agency . Let's start with the obvious for all the fantasy football players of the world. Dak Prescott & Amari Cooper are both free agents . Amari may be smart enough to not try to break the bank , but Dak seems set on it . Now I think Cooper is a top 10 real life NFL WR, and since most teams start 3 WR these days that is very significant . Dak is more a middle of the pack QB in the real world , and their are a lot less starting QB's(32) in the NFL . Yes I know he's a winner, and he has done a lot of things you want from a guy who is the face of your franchise . Plus QB's are justifiably the leagues highest paid players. It is the most important position , but Dak has had a lot of help , and he still hasn't gotten them over the hump in 4 years as a starter . In at least 2 of those seasons he had a team talented enough to win it all . Great O-line , RB , and a lot of wide open players coming off play action passes . He threw a lot more this year and correspondingly had bigger numbers in passing yards & TD's, but he also had a lower completion percentage & his reads still need to speed up . Just because the Rams and Eagles were dumb enough to way overpay Goff & Wentz doesn't mean Dallas has to do the same . Plus the taxes are a lot lower in Texas than those 2 places, especially California . He wants more than both of those guys . I call B.S .- Goff got a 4 yr. 134 million with 110 million guaranteed. That's is stupid money , and a stupider decision to pay him specifically . I previously thought Jerry isn't as dumb as the rams front office , abut if he pays Prescott that much then Stephen Jones should have him committed and take over the team. In fact Dak wants Russell Wilson MONEY. 35 mil per year, where Goff gets 33.5 . Wilson is a Superbowl winning TOP 3 IN THE NFL FOR YEARS ELITE QB, and Dak is not . I didn't bat an eye when Wilson got paid because he deserved it . He dragged that 4-12 without him team to the playoffs 2 years in a row with very little help . He is irreplaceable. Dak is not . If they pay Dak anything more than Kurt Cousins ( 3 years 84 million all guaranteed ) they are idiots, and Dak would be making more because of the tax differentials . I know Dak was a 4th rounder who hasn't made a ton from the cowboys, but he makes plenty in endorsements from being the QB of the most popular team in the league ,and that 28 million a year guaranteed is probably too much, but I bet Cowboy fans could stomach it. Right now he isn't paid enough for them to hate him when he fails, but they will if he is making a ton and keeps coming up short . Plus Dak stunk up the joint in 2018 until he got Cooper, and if he doesn't sign & they throw the franchise tag on him, there is a decent chance he won't have Cooper again . I wouldn't even franchise tag Dak , unless I thought somebody would sign him and give them 2 first rounders for him . No way would I even consider the exclusive franchise tag. My guess is that Jerry will because he fears the bears sniping Dak because they don't have a first this year, and both teams are in a championship window now . Their are a ton of decent veteran QB'S that are free agents this off season , and I would take Jalen Hurts in the 3rd round to make Dak be more reasonable. Sign Phillip Rivers and draft a QB , or maybe you get really lucky and Belichick dumps Brady. Then you start stockpiling picks to draft one next year to go along with whatever veteran stopgap QB you sign . So to me they need D-lineman and DB's more than anything . Robert Quinn, Michael Bennett , and Maliek Collins are all UFA's . Plus long time starter Tyrone Crawford missed 3/4 of the season , will be 31 this year, and they could save about 7 million by moving on . In the secondary starting CB's Byron Jones & Anthony Brown are UFA's , as is SS Jeff Heath . Jones might be the only one they would want to pay enough to bring back, although they could keep Brown if he would take less, and Heath if wants to go back to just being a special teamer . I would go for the safety because it has been a problem for a long time now , but I have been saying that for years and they have kept ignoring the position . CJ has a tall long armed lanky frame that allows a quick jam, great feet, oily hips, has the ball skills of a former WR .CJ also needs to add a little more muscle . He mirrors WR's as good as anyone, but he wasn't as aggressive down field ,and at the catch point as he was in 2018 . Has good speed and is also an excellent blitzer with good timing. Henderson also had a great combine and probably solidified himself as the second corner on draft boards throughout the league .
18. MIAMI-(steelers)- YETUR GROSS-MATOS - DE - PENN ST. - 6"5" , 266
NFL PLAYER COMP - ROBERT QUINN - COWBOYS
The Dolphins didn't get much from their edge rushers last season, and only Charles Harris has shown any promise there, and only as a situational pass rusher so far . Matos is an explosive edge rusher that can be star with some technique refinement & an added pass rush repertoire . He has a great frame, nice tools, and he can especially destroy QB's on obvious passing downs. If you see him turn his head inside to watch the snap, when he knows he can pin his ears back you will see a sick lightning jump off the ball. Can bend the arc and flashes violent hands. It doesn't work on other downs because his biggest weakness is finding the ball and staying within the scheme. Did't run the forty or do the 3 cone at the combine , but did show some explosiveness in the broad jump and vertical .If the Fins coaches can get him to see the light more consistently he could be a game wrecker .
19.LAS VEGAS-(bears)- PATRICK QUEEN - LB - LSU - 6 ft. , 229
NFL PLAYER COMP - LAVONTE DAVID - BUCCANEERS
The raiders need a corner badly . Plus they traded Conley last year and Daryl Worley is a UFA , but there has already been talk of them pursuing James Bradley and/or Byron Jones in free agency . One more wild card in this scenario is Utah ST. QB Jordan Love . His assortment of tools & raw ability would appeal to a guy like Gruden , but he probably needs a year or more of work in a NFL system before he is ready to be an NFL starter unless you cater the offense to his skill set . Derek Carr has 3 more years left on his contract , but most of the dead money is now gone .If they want to to trade him, or just inexplicably cut him ( Gruden made some really stupid decisions last year) they could do it without a big financial hit . Plus Love is already gone in this mock .Patrick is a undersized speedy LB who came in balled out in both playoff games for the National champs . If you want Isaiah Simmons to play LB for you , but don't have a high enough pick , or want to pay the price to move up for him, Queen is the next best off the ball LB in this draft . The more tape I watch on him the more I like him. You can literally see him improving game by game until he finished off the season playing his best ball . I now see him as first rounder, and think he 's the second off the ball LB off the board after a good combine .
20.JAGUARS-(rams)- TREVON DIGGS -CB - ALABAMA- 6"1", 205
NFL PLAYER COMP - JIMMY SMITH - RAVENS
The Jags already filled a big need at NT in this mock with the 9th pick .They also need a CB, safety, WR, off the ball LB ,and maybe some O-line help .This trade would give them 2 of the Elite players in this draft , and really re-ignite their once dominant defense . An off the ball LB like Simmons is also a big need, and his versatility could change this defense , but that would take a trade up, and since they are dumping good players for lower round draft picks right now I have to doubt that . With both Jalen Ramsey & AJ Bouye traded the jags desperately need a corner . Diggs is an experienced zone corner out of Alabama , and he has a high floor . He is tall, strong, long, smart, physical, and fast in coverage . Wish he was as good in man , and against the run. He still needs more work finding the ball 1 vs 1 in coverage, and in being more physical as a tackler everywhere, but I have him in my top 32, he would fill a huge hole, and I also think he would be a good FS when he loses a step .Makes big plays buy also gives them up so I hues it's in the eye of the beholder .
21.PHILADELPHIA- KRISTIAN FULTON - # - CB - LSU - 6 ft. , 197
NFL PLAYER COMP - TRAMON WILLIAMS - PACKERS
The Birds need a WR, but the more tape I watch the more I would prefer to take one in the 2nd or 3rd round because the massive depth at the position in this draft . The Eagles are probably going to move on from at least one of their starting safeties , and in fact their entire secondary was a disappointment last season . Malcolm Jenkins is more of a team leader, and a better player than Rodney Mcleod . However, he is also 32, will cost more money, and looks to declining some last season . I think they go safety later though . Plus CB Ronald Darby is a free agent , coming off a down year, and he had missed a lot of games in every one of his 3 seasons in Philly . Kristian is a good sized technical CB,and although he may not have great makeup speed on tape , he ran well at the combine. Fulton is also fluid with good ball skills . Needs to be more physical in the run game , and less grabby when he gets beat. He got picked on some in the playoffs, but he was going against very talented WR's, and it was more likely they were avoiding all world true freshman Derek Stingley .Also , Fulton has a high floor , and was reportedly playing hurt this season . After a good combine he made a strong case to be the 3rd corner off the board .
22.BUFFALO -K'LAVON CHAISSON- ** - OLB/DE-LSU- 6"3", 254
NFL PLAYER COMP - DANIELLE HUNTER - VIKINGS
Buffalo doesn't have as many big needs as you might think , but they need a little more size at WR with Beasley being 5"8" & John Brown being 5"10" . The Bills could also really use another edge rusher or interior D-Lineman because Lorenzo Alexander retired , Shaq Lawson is FA after not living up to his draft status , and inside Jordan Phillips is a FA as the NT . Cost is usually the issue in Buffalo though, as according to My Bills fan buddy Matty " The quickest way to get out of Buffalo is to make the pro bowl and deserve a raise " .Although I don't think Phillips fits that description at all just because had a career high in sacks, because no dude that big should get pushed around so often inside , but since some casual fans will point to that stat I think he will probably get overpaid in Free agency. However, they are under new ownership , and might actually retain their good players now & in the future . In the end I'm going with another need . Lorenzo Alexander retired, Shaq Lawson is a FA, and Jerry Hughes is in the last year of his contract this season . I admit I didn't have K'lavon going in the first round until they played Clemson , but he played the best game of his career that night .Chaisson is a rangy explosive 3-4 OLB with growth potential who has the flexibility to bend the arc outside. He fires off the snap like a bullet , and can press the edge & make OT's over set then dart back inside on the rare occasion that he doesn't just run right by them . He has a lot of pass rush moves including the rare effective spin move . Plays the run tough at times , and is usually technically sound & aware , but he still needs to add some more muscle , size . and strength if he's going to spend more time as a 4-3 DE in the NFL . He has a great motor , he can chase down plays backside and down the field . Had an ACL tear 2 years ago that will need to be checked out, but he was the main guy in making Trevor Lawrence look jittery for the first time in his college career , and since that was in the National Championship in the biggest game of his career the arrow is definitely pointing up for him . Overall his tape is uneven, but he played his best against good OT's, and he finished really strong. I think he goes this high because I believe he will carry the momentum of his big game against Clemson . I was expecting a freaky performance at the combine, but he didn't workout so I moved him back some .
23.NEW ENGLAND - AJ EPENESA - DE - IOWA - 6"5" , 275
NFL PLAYER COMP - DAVID IRVING - retired
I realize that a lot of people want a QB here, and I have done that before myself. Plus if anyone could get away with dumping Tom Brady it's the hoody, but I am thinking Robert Kraft will step in again . Brady didn't have a great year, but the loss of Gronk without even remotely trying to adequately replace him is on Bill .The only WR Brady had all year who knows how to run the right routes in this complicated adjustable on the fly offense is Edleman, and he was playing hurt all season . Plus his O-Line was banged up . He lost his center David Andrews all year ,and anytime Marshall Newhouse gets over 700 snaps in your offense your in trouble. Most of those Newhouse plays were at left tackle, and even someone who gets rid of the ball as quick as Brady can't be expected to have a great year under all these conditions . However, Bill does always like to be early instead of late, and in this case I am thinking he could have dumped another future HOFer in Devin McCourty . Devin is also a career patriot . 10 years of excellence ,and he's the only other current Patriot who I believe could retire right now and still be make it to the HOF .McCourty is still a great player , and he has consistently taken less than market value to remain a patriot . He was the 9th highest paid safety in the league this year, but he should be paid among the top 3. His twin brother Jason had his option picked up , and maybe that was incentive enough to take a 2 year 23 million dollar deal , which is less than he could have gotten if he had waited for free agency . It's the Patriots so trading back is always an option, and that could be more likely with them not having a 2nd rounder this year . However, after the compensatory picks are added they should have 3 third rounders so it's not as big a deal as it could be because they have the ammo to move up to the 2nd if they want to . They also need pass rushers here too. I don't know yet, but I think Delpit is worth this pick . He's a deep coverage free safety like McCourty, and if they pay Brady a lot they may not be able to afford what Devin wants , and definitely not what he deserves .They picked up Jason's option, but even if they bring back Devin they still need help at safety because Patrick Chung is coming off a bad year in the box . Plus Chung got popped for cocaine possession in August . However , I am going with a different need . Epenesa is a tall powerful strong side end who still plays with low off the ball. His best position on tape and in the NFL might be as a 3 technique because that's where he gets his best work done as a pass rusher . On this team he could be their strong side end on run downs, and then kick inside to wreak havoc on QB's on passing downs . AJ also has an elite frame to be a 3-4 five technique so I don't think he will fall very far. Epenesa's size and strength are sorely needed on this defense . He has been productive for 3 straight seasons, and I think he could go higher , especially since this edge class doesn't look as good as I thought it might heading into the season , After free agency shakes thought a lot of people might be in the Epenesa business, but he didn't have a great combine so he falls here .
24.NEW ORLEANS- JORDAN LOVE - # - QB - UTAH ST. - 6"4" , 224
NFL PLAYER COMP - JAMEIS WINSTON - BUCCANEERS
I realize some won't want this because Drew Bree's is returning, and they might want to move up ahead of Miami, Las Vegas, and the Patriots to make sure they get him. However ,Love was arrested right before their bowl game for marijuana possession so keep that in mind if he falls I still think it would be smart to plan for the future, and Bridgewater is moving on in free agency, and maybe even Taysem Hill too .After having a great team go down with some questionable calls in back to back years to the Vikings I think it would be hard to come back again if they don't win it all this year, and if they do win it I think he definitely retires. Drew has nothing left to prove, He has a ring, lock HOF stats , could probably run for governor of Louisiana and be a lock there too. Sean Payton is one of the great QB coaches in the league , and I'm sure he would love to see what he could do with the toolsy Love . I didn't watch Love's 2018 tape until right before the 2019 college season, but in hindsight it might have been a blessing . He would have definitely been in my first 2020 mock draft, but that's because he had better tape in 2018 , and it was logical to expect a better year this year . He didn't. The new offense combined with him losing his four/fifths of his O-Line , and some weapons did not go well. I have a 2nd round grade on him, but he is very talented and QB's tend to go a round early . He has a rocket arm, mobility, generally solid mechanics. Love also has the ability to make throws off platform on the move, and from a variety of different angles . Sometimes he reminds me of a young Brett Favre in both the good & bad ways . He has that big arm that can make some crazy throws , but he is overconfident and forces too many balls. In addition his reading of defenses needs work . If his first reads not open he doesn't always see it, and then he takes too long to go from the 2nd to the 3rd read. Plus he doesn't have a good feel for the rush, and he struggled against pressure a lot this season. He has a good frame, and a high upside, but a low floor. Basically he seems like a lottery ticket to me, but I thought the same about Mahomes, although he went to a perfect situation . This could be his perfect situation for Jordan because Sean Payton is probably 2nd to Andy Reid in the NFL in QB whispering . Since they are bringing back a veteran QB , and don't need to rush him onto the field that could be the way to unlock his awesome talent .
25.ATLANTA-(vikings)- GRANT DELPIT - S - LSU - 6'2' , 213
NFL PLAYER COMP - MALIK HOOKER - COLTS
The Falcons have been trying to run the Seattle cover 3 without a free safety that can reliably play single high for years, and it hasn't worked. I actually thought Grant might end up a top 10 pick coming into this year, but his 2019 tape wasn't as good as last years . Now he had a shoulder & ankle injury , and that could have contributed to even more missed tackles this season. Maybe that's why he took some bad angles .Trying to avoid compounding those injuries would logically explain a lot . Whatever the case he's not a pile inspector who avoids trying to make a tackle, and he does cover a lot of ground in the back half of the secondary . He is still on the mend and because of that Delpit didn't workout at the combine .Grant is a tall rangy safety who can make really quick reads in zone , and he makes a lot of plays on the ball in coverage. He's not quite as adept in man to man,but maybe with NFL coaching he can sharpen up there . Either way he is a play maker in the back half ,and this defense really needs it
26.MIAMI-(texans)- XAVIER McKINNEY - S - ALABAMA - 6 ft. , 201
NFL PLAYER COMP - MINKAH FITZPATRICK - STEELERS
The fins just cut former pro bowl, and 8 year Dolphin Reshad Jones in a move that saves over 5 million on this years salary cap . I was surprised by how much Mckinney had improved this year after watching his 2019 tape. Based off last years film I saw him as a box SS and occasional nickle LB who would be a 2nd or 3rd rounder . He really stepped up this year, played all over the field , played well, and I now have a solid first round grade on him. He's a versatile guy who can play high or low ,cover the slot, and is a 2 year starter in Alabama's pro ready defense . Still think the box is his best spot though He's not as fast as the guy he reminds me most of ( Minkah Fitzpatrick), but he can do a lot of the same things .He's got a high football IQ , good athleticism enough speed for the position , and a high floor .Mckinney didn't run as well as I expected him to at the combine, although 4'64 is fine for a safety. So while he could slip a little in draft his tape is still first round .
27.SEATTLE - ISAIAH WILSON - OT - GEORGIA - 6"6" , 350
NFL PLAYER COMP - MARCUS CANNON - PATRIOTS
Every year I feel like I watch Russell Wilson drag this OK at best team into contention, and every year I see him running for his life way too often when he has to pass. The Hawks have tried to put resources into the O-Line in both the draft, free agency, and even traded for LT Duane Brown. Brown is the only one of them I would feel comfortable with if I was Russell . The worst of them is former 1rst rounder German Ifedi who is blessedly a UFA. I liked this guy in the draft too. He's so talented, he flashes once in a while, but he is also wildly inconsistent & a penalty waiting to happen . Wilson is very consistent. He's also nasty, huge & has long arms . Isaiah was the biggest surprise of my tape watching at OT . His technique isn't always sound but he gets the job done almost always . He has a giant TE build with very little bad weight on his frame , although he could drop another 20 lbs. like most O-lineman and be even more agile. Isaiah's biggest problem is over aggression , but that's usually the best mistake an O-lineman can make as long as it's not a common one . The reason for that is because sometime even if you block the wrong guy ,especially in the run game, if you move him somewhere the RB can find a hole anyway.
Ran a 1.79 ten at 350 pounds at the combine . So Pete Carroll please give Russell another Wilson so I don't have to pray for his very survival every 3rd snap .
28.BALTIMORE - KENNETH MURRAY - LB - OKLAHOMA - 6"2' , 241
NFL PLAYER COMP - JAYLON SMITH - COWBOYS
The Ravens barely even tried to replace CJ Mosley after he went to the Jets in free agency, and their off the ball LB's were the biggest weakness on their defense this year. Only Josh Bynes played well ,and he isn't a every down guy . They also didn't do much to replace Zadarius Smith last year either and Matt Judon is also a UFA on the edge this year .I think this late another guy with a 2nd round grade could fit ,. The main reason for that is that they need someone who can cover more ground , and that is better in coverage than what they currently have . Murray is a better athlete than football player right now , but they have a coaching staff that is known for teaching . He's a poster boy looking LB who will win the weigh in, has sick athleticism ,and a crash test dummies willingness to attack the ball carrier . I have a 2nd rounder on him, but I think he could be worth the risk here .Great speed ,but he needs to get better at reading the play , moving laterally, and recognizing route combinations in coverage, especially in man . His over aggressiveness gets used against him on tape . Even though he see's it quick sometimes he also comes in too hot , overruns too many plays , and still needs some more work on his tackling. Murray is more than willing to take on blocks , but he doesn't always do it right, and his stacking & shedding needs work too. He has a huge upside , but the coaching staff needs to polish up his football IQ and technique . Was having a good combine until he pulled his hammy running his 2nd forty .
29.TENNESEE - ZACK BAUN - LB/DE - WISCONSIN - 6"3" , 238
NFL PLAYER COMP - CLAY MATTHEWS - RAMS
Unless they have a brain fart and fail to re-sign Derek Henry or Jack Conklin the Titans biggest need is a off the ball LB . Rashaan Evans had a down year and Wesley Woodyard will be a 34 old free agent . Baun was more of an edge rusher at Wisconsin, and let me be clear that I think he could make it as a full time 3-4 OLB in the NFL, but many teams won't even try a guy his size outside full time on the edge . I think he could do it, but I also think he can play inside and outside . He is smart, versatile , has a solid array of pass rush moves, strong, quick, and he looked very good at the Senior Bowl practices playing off the ball . He could help out both areas , and he has the athleticism and fluidity to cover well. Plus head coach Mike Vrabel might see a smaller/quicker version of himself and take a liking to him in the draft
30.GREEN BAY-LAVISKA SHENAULT JR.- ** - WR-COLORADO- 6"1", 227
NFL PLAYER COMP - AJ BROWN - TITANS
I realize Bryan Bulaga is a free agent, but I think they will re-sign him at a cheaper price. This was his best year in awhile, and I think they will get a deal done. Remember that the new front office has been more friendly to Aaron Rodgers wishes, and he doesn't have a lot of familiar players left on this roster . Since Bulaga probably doesn't want to go anywhere, and he played in every game this year for the first time in a few years ( although he did get knocked out of 2) they can justify a decent salary on a short term deal . Plus, there are no offensive tackles worth this pick left in this scenario . I think their are a few WR's that should be in play if they keep this pick ,but the Pack haven't drafted a WR in the first round since 2002 , and yet I'm still giving them one. An inside LB would fit as well, but the last one that might be worth it just went right ahead of them . Every once in a while you see a player who is the absolute focal point of an entire offense in college . Like Deebo Samuel was in 2018 at S. Carolina, and Shenault is the same . He has lined up at every possible skill position , even QB to run a little wild cat , although I think his primary use should be as a power slot .He is a big powerful guy that is hard to tackle , and you could easily hand him the ball 5 times a game in a variety of ways to take advantage of his explosive running style. He is not afraid to go over the middle, and shows strong hands. Some injuries slowed him this year after a dominant 2018 so he could fall a little farther than I think he should . I love this guy, have a solid first round grade on him, and think he could help every single team in the league . An innovative coach could find a ton of ways to use a versatile player like Laviska He could be the guy to free up Adams, and give Rodgers a chance to return to form .He is having surgery after the combine, but still ran a 4.58 at 227 pounds while obviously injured. Trust me . He's faster on tape, and he may fall a little, but I believe this is a great value for the pack .
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***PROJECTED TRADE*** The BRONCOS their 2nd rounder ( #46) and the 3rd (#33) they got from the STEELERS to the 49ers for their 1rst (#31) rounder in this draft ***PROJECTED TRADE ***
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31.DENVER-(49ers)- ROSS BLAYLOCK - ** - DT - TCU - 6"3" , 290
NFL PLAYER COMP -SHELDON RICHARDSON - BROWNS
With Derek Wolfe, Shelby Harris, and Mike Price all unrestricted free agents on the Bronco D-Line it is time to look for a younger less expensive player to fill at least one of those spots . Blacklock is a guy with an explosive first step that shows a lot of flashes on tape. As a 3 technique or 3-4 end , I see him being a lot more productive in the NFL than he was playing the nose in college. He got pushed off the ball a lot when lined up as a NT on tape .He is the kind of guy I expected to wow at the combine with his athleticism and go higher than I have him ( in the 50's ) , but it's a projection . Ross also disappeared for long stretches on film . He's got boom or bust written all over him for me . Also had an Achilles injury that caused him to miss all of 2018 , and had over 30 parking tickets at TCU too. That will need to be investigated at the combine, and his best tape was still way back in 2017 . High upside, but low floor.
32.KANSAS CITY - D'ANDRE SWIFT - RB - GEORGIA - 5"8' , 212
NFL PLAYER COMP - DEANGELO WILLIAMS - retired
Congrats to the Chiefs fans everywhere , and while no one can ever take away this title now you will see the downside of being the champs . Here are just 8 things that every championship team needs to be wary of, but their are a lot more . 1-Everyone is now gunning for you-2 -Some of your guys have already reached their dream and aren't as motivated anymore. Good luck figuring out which. - 3- A whole lot of guys want a raise , many of them deserve it, and their is only so much money to go around. It leads to dissension in the locker room , and thin rosters that are hard to repeat with. - 4- It's always really hard to move on from long time veteran players that might not be worth their next years salary anymore , but it's even harder to make those "Belichickian " decisions when those guys just helped you get a title -5- Chris Jones is a UFA, and placing the franchise tag on him would severely hamper your chances to repeat.So a big payday is coming for Jones, which limits your ability to have the depth you just did on your Superbowl run .6- The limelight. A lot more request for interviews , appearances, commercials, books, and just a lot more chances at revenue for individual players . It often makes a lot of your best players come into next season a little behind and out of shape. Not as prepared as before because they didn't work as hard this off season -7-. Everybody wants to raid your team . They want your players , coaches, and executives for their own team. Frankly the most amazing thing to me about the patriots dynasty is how they keep being successful while losing players that other people will pay more , and coaches and front office people to teams that will gives them a promotion and a raise . Brady , Belichick, and Kraft are the 3 common denominators on those Patriot teams,and deserve a lot of credit . Can Mahomes, Reid, and Veach do the same? Reid will be 62 soon , and they just won their first title together . How much longer will he be around? Belichick was 46 when he won his first ring as a head coach. 8- You have to save Money to pay Mahomes. Right now Mahomes has a chance to be the first 40 million a year NFL player, and while I think that's bad for the game ,by current player salaries you could justify paying it to your fans & teammates .So let's hope their some sort of cap on QB salaries in the next CBA , or teams are going to start getting even thinner . On the bright side their are a lot of good & even great NFL players in the final 3rd of their careers that already have money & awards , but just want a ring. They will come play for your team for less money than they could get elsewhere and set a high standard other young guys will follow. However, KC just won the Superbowl and the big thing that stuck out to me was how much pressure the O-Line gave up on Mahomes , but the more tape I watch on interior O-lineman the more disappointed I have become . One more potential big need could be filled here though . Bashaud Breeland, Morris Claiborne, and Kendall Fuller are all UFA's at corner for the champs . However, I am going to go best player available here. Damien Wiliams just had his 2nd big postseason in a row, but very few NFL teams are into paying RB's these days unless they are elite .KC has a club option on him this year, but he will also be 28 this season , has been injury prone , and has never been the full time starter in his 6 years in the league .After my number one back Travis Etienne went back to school it came down to Swift, JK Dobbins, and Jonathan Taylor for my top RB in this draft. In the end Swift is just a more complete and NFL ready player right now . He can run with speed, power, and wiggle. He can catch, run routes and is a solid blocker . Has good feet, vision , and is versatile enough to play in any NFL scheme . He fumbled twice in the playoff game in 2018 , but Taylor has had much bigger ball security issues . Plus Swift just looked a little safer carrying the ball than Dobbins this year .Great value pick that fills a big need . I didn't drop Swift in my mock because he did anything wrong. It's just a combination of how this mock fell, and the depth in the RB class( 6 in my top 64) making me think people might wait on RB's , but the value here would be too great for me to pass up .
2ND ROUND
33.CINCINNATI - JUSTIN JEFFERSON - WR - LSU - 6"1" , 202
NFL PLAYER COMP - REGGIE WAYNE - retired
The Bengals might have a big need at CB . The stingiest team in the league has plenty pf salary cap space , but they are not known for paying open market rates . Darqueze Dennard is a UFA , and William Jackson is coming off shoulder surgery heading into his free agent season . Jefferson has good height, good speed , is a crafty route runner, is strong handed over the middle , can play inside or outside, and showed out big in both College playoff games . Especially against Oklahoma where he destroyed them with 14 catches , 227 yards, and 4 TD's. Coming off a year where he had over 100 catches, over 1,500 yards ,and 18 TD's , he really surprised me after I watched his tape because he's actually the # 2 WR in this offense . He's kind of lean on tape, and looks like he added some muscle on his frame for the combine , but he didn't lose any speed . His game isn't about being a burner anyway.Great body control , adjustments , and timing on his jumps to high point the ball ..Lanky smooth strider who doesn't appear to be moving as fast he actually is because of long legged runs . Potentially a taller Reggie Wayne . Great combine , and a great red zone WR .
34.INDIANAPOLIS-(redskins)-JORDAN ELLIOTT - DT - MISSOURI - 6"4", 302
NFL PLAYER COMP - CAMERON HEYWARD - STEELERS
The 3 technique is vital in the defense that Matt Eberflus runs ,and Margus Hunt certainly didn't get it done last season . Plus Hunt is heading into the last year of his contract . After watching a lot of Elliott's tape I was really impressed . He is big , toolsy , athletic, and has violent hands . Moves all over the formation and flashes everywhere against the run & pass . While his technique lacks consistency he still makes plays , and he has the ability to be the kind of player you have to game plan for once he is coached up more . There just aren't this many big men who move this well and that can hold their ground in the run game , although he doesn't always do well against double teams, and he needs to mind his gap better at times. His talent is extraordinary, but he is also incredibly raw . Could be a 4-3 three technique , one technique , or a 3-4 five technique. Just learning to play consistently lower could make him a Pro Bowl type player, and if he takes to NFL coaching watch out .
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***PROJECTED TRADE*** The BROWNS their 2nd rounder ( #41) and their 4th (#115) to the LIONS for their 2nd (#35) rounder in this draft ***PROJECTED TRADE ***
35.CLEVELAND-(lions)-EZRA CLEVELAND - ** - OT - BOISE ST. - 6"6" , 311
NFL PLAYER COMP - DAVID BAKHTIARI - PACKERS
Now the Browns get their left tackle of the future . Cleveland is a athletic & quick zone LT prospect with good feet , smooth movement , and nice kick step . Gets overpowered at times on tape and needs to hit the weight room more . Accurate punch , but timing is hit and miss. Plays low, good on combos and at the 2nd level . Needs a mean a streak. Too often or just willing to wall off in the run game . Almost too patient in pass pro, and sometimes waits to long to throw his punch . Ran an excellent 4.94 forty & 1.73 ten at the combine ,which doesn't surprise me because they would use him as a TE sometimes on tape, and even handed him the ball once . Just a GREAT overall combine ,where he not only showed off the athleticism you see on tape, but he also looked stronger .
36.NY GIANTS - AJ TERRELL - CB - CLEMSON - 6'1" , 195
NFL PLAYER COMP - CHIDOBE AWUZIE - COWBOYS
When Janoris Jenkins was your best corner last year you need help. Plus they already let Jenkins go to the Saints .Terrell is big , physical, and fast. His tape is good but he doesn't make enough plays on the ball, and he got worked by LSU in the National Championship game . He has a high ceiling, but I also feel a low floor. If he applies himself to finding the ball quicker & manning up in the run game he can be a star, but he's got some boom or bust in my eyes . A good combine should help him ..
37.LA CHARGERS - AUSTIN JACKSON - OT - USC - 6"5" , 322
NFL PLAYER COMP - JA'WUAN JAMES - BRONCOS
The Chargers need at least 3 O-lineman in my opinion . LT Russell Okung were RG Michael Schofield are probably the best of the bunch and Schofield is a FA , although they did draft developmental OT Trey Pipkins in the 3rd in 2019 . Pipkins played about 3 and a half games at the end of the season and did just about as well as Okung .Kudos to the bolts for hoodwinking the Panthers and getting 26 year old former Pro- Bowl guard Trai Turner in a straight up swap for a well past his prime 32 year old Okung who only played in 6 games last year .Considering their ages it's far more likely Turner makes the Pro Bowl again compared to Okung .So at least one guard spot is now solid .Dan Feeney still hasn't developed and Forest Lamp got hurt again .At center Mike Pouncey got hurt again and looks done. Scott Quesenberry was just as bad but cheaper . So now they need a LT . Jackson could slide in on the blindside , and the bolts could potentially have young bookend OT's if he & Pipkins develop. Plus he played in the neighborhood at USC .Jackson has plenty of athleticism , and the feet to play LT , but he needs to get stronger .I have a 3rd round grade on him based off his tape & upside, but there is buzz about him sneaking into the first round . He got overpowered by Bradley Anae & AJ Epenesa too often on tape for me to buy that, but that may have been due to the fact that he spent the off season donating bone marrow to his sister instead of in the weight room . Best brother EVER !
38.CAROLINA - JAYLON JOHNSON - ** - CB - UTAH - 6 ft. , 193
NFL PLAYER COMP - VONTAE DAVIS - retired
After trading Trai Turner for Russell Okung I really don't know what direction the Panthers are going, but CB James Bradberry is a FA, and he is asking for 15 million a year . He hasn't earned that yet, but he is young, and has upside so he may get it from someone .Jhonson's a big physical press corner that I expected to be a first rounder before the season started, but even though he has top 40 tape this year while playing hurt, he is having shoulder surgery right after the combine. So the Browns get a potential bargain because a guy gutted it out through the pain to help his team chase a National Championship.
39.MIAMI - CESAR RUIZ -C/G - MICHIGAN-6"3" , 307
NFL PLAYER COMP - ALEX MACK - FALCONS
If the Dolphins are standing pat at QB this season, but want to bring in a young one in next years draft the best way to help him succeed would be to give him a O-Line that can protect him when he shows up. They already took an OT in the first and now they get somebody for the inside . I. have 5 interior O-Lineman with a top 75 grade ,and after watching Cesar's tape over the Valentine's day weekend I was really impressed . He is an athletic , strong , quick footed center. Michigan is a run heavy team , but Ruiz is also that rare center that is also good in pass pro with a strong punch. He has been primarily a center, but has played guard in the past , and that versatility will help them get their best 5 guys on the field as starters .
40.ARIZONA -JUSTIN MADUBUIKE -DT -TEXAS A&M- 6"3" , 293
NFL PLAYER COMP - TOMMY HARRIS - retired
The Cardinals don't have anyone in the middle that can 2 gap, and keep blockers off their LB's & secondary , or penetrate inside . Justin isn't the biggest guy , and he's not a 2 gapper ,but he is an explosive twitchy penetrating 3 technique DT who spends can be disruptive . He broke out this season, after showing a lot of flashes in 2018, but his motor isn't always on. He appears to have added weight since the season ended , but he was still explosive at the combine .
41.DETROIT-(browns) - LEKI FOTU - DT - UTAH - 6"5" , 330
NFL PLAYER COMP - SIONE PO'UHA - retired
A'shawn Robinson and Mike Daniels are free agents on the Detroit interior D-line . Plus they already moved on from Nose tackle "Snacks" Harrison . Fotu is a load inside with man strength . A space eater that can push the pocket and help their run defense by protecting their linebackers & secondary so they can run to the ball .
42.JAGUARS -JONATHAN GREENARD - DE - FLORIDA - 6"3" , 263
NFL PLAYER COMP - DERRICK MORGAN - retired
With stud Calais Campbell being traded for a measly 5th rounder in a obvious salary dump by a cash strapped rebuilding team , and Yannick Ngakoue probably being traded after they tagged him , defensive end is now a huge need . Greenard is a former team captain at Louisville who was a grad transfer after missing 2108 with a wrist injury . Great production for the gators, but most of it was against substandard competition . Good motor, Violent hands, and an advanced plan of attack as a rusher. Sound and technical edge setter . Average athlete for the outside on tape , but good 10 yard split & 3 cone at the combine , and the lack of edge rushers in this draft give him a good chance to go a round higher than I have him . He could be a solid starter as a 4-3 strong side end , but I think he will be drafted a round early .
NFL PLAYER COMP - ANDREW WHITWORTH - RAMS
The Giants have been trying to upgrade their O-Line for years , and while it's has been better, it's still not good. Nate Solder hasn't lived up to his contract, and Mike Remmers has always been a average at best OT, who is only getting worse . After finishing my top 10 tackles I still have Thomas at #1 , although Jedrick Wills , Mekhi Bexton, and maybe even Josh Jones could end up in the top 11 with all these tackle needy teams in that range . I personally see Tristan Wirfs as a better fit at guard after finishing his tape if you are thinking of bringing him up, but a tackle needy team may still take him a little later and see what he can do outside first, and after that combine it's hard to blame them. However, this is about the Giants do I am going to change it up and go with who I think best fits their scheme . I spend most of the college season watching guys I haven't watched before, but I had already seen 4 of Becton's 2018 games coming into the season, and I had him projected as a low first rounder . I watched 3 more 2019 games during Seniorbowl week, and WOW ! I was so impressed I will even say it backwards . WOW ! Becton is huge . One of those guys that is so big, wide , and long that he is just hard to get around . He also looks like a a guy who you might want to move to guard , but you would be wrong . As long as he keeps his weight in check he is solid on the edge as a pass protector, and his 370 pounds is pretty well distributed, I thought If he could cut down to 340 by the combine he could actually be the first OT drafted , as it would help his quickness on his pass sets ,but even at a put together 364 he still looked great. .He ran a 5.11 forty & 1.77 ten at 357 when weighed in the 2nd time ! Sometimes guys with his profile like Johnathan Ogden , Andrew Whitworth, or Cordy Glenn just know how to use what they have to kick ass . His brutal hand punch is effective and his anchor is elite . His hands are so big & arms are so long it's hard for him to completely miss with his punch, and a partial punch from him can still throw you off course or stop you in your tracks . He is a physical road grader in the run game as a drive blocker . Most giants don't excel down the field , but he is not your normal giant , and he goes hunting . Other than getting better at picking up stunts & blitzes , and getting more accurate with his punch he is a really good OT prospect . Stunts & blitzes usually just come with time, and if he keeps getting in better shape the sky's the limit. He is a perfect fit for the Vikings, Giants, Seahawks , or 49ers run heavy scheme's if any of those teams want to trade up for him . Mekhi is my 3rd ranked OT and #12 overall player . With a little time to keep developing his technique & body he could be a perennial Pro Bowler .Bringing in Mark Columbo to coach the O-Line in New York can only help him . Louisville used to flip their OT's , so he has played both tackle spots, but I am convinced he could handle the blindside full time in the NFL, after watching him doing it this year. Once I have caught up and watched all 400 some guys I expect to watch this draft season, I will be looking to post my final ranking for 2020. In those 2 weeks I will watch more tape on the top tier guys I have at each position to separate them and give final grades, but it's hard to imagine a an O-lineman having a better game than the one Mekhi did against Clemson . I wouldn't be surprised if he even moves up a little on my board, and I also wouldn't be surprised that after the combine & free agency shake out ,and some tackle needy teams are left wanting, that 4 O-Lineman go in the top 12. . I know the Giants would love to have and a DE, CB, or LB, but Young & Okudah are already gone here . Plus I don't see the Giants drafting a LB in the first round, although GM Dave Gettleman did take Shaq Thompson in the late 1rst when he was running the Panthers, but this is #4 overall . I also think their interior D-Line is one of the few strengths on their team so that leaves out Derrick Brown. I actually think they have pretty good depth at WR too , but I guess Jerry Jeudy are CeeDee Lamb are possibilities as well. However , if they really think Daniel Jones is the answer at QB , and Jones did surprise me with how well he played at times last season , they need to protect him better.
5.MIAMI- JEDRICK WILLS - OT - ALABAMA - 6"4" , 312
NFL PLAYER COMP -WILLIE ANDERSON - retired
The Dolphins sure seemed like they were trying to " Tank for Tua" heading into the year . Stripping their roster of most of it's established talent and even trading away young potential cornerstone pieces like Laremy Tunsil & Minkah Fitzpatrick . It didn't work. Brian Flores, Ryan Fitzpatrick , and a group of young players & journeyman veterans managed to somehow win 5 games. Flores should have gotten more votes for coach of the year in my opinion, because winning 5 games with this roster is quite an accomplishment . Since they did trade away some key good young players, and traded back a lot in the 2019 draft I expected them to be planning on going all in on a QB in 2021.Trevor Lawrence or maybe even Justin Fields after the awesome season he just had . However,after the year Burrow had in 2020 , the unexpected success they had in the 2nd half of the season, the wealth of draft picks ( the most the next 2 years) & cap space( most in the NFL this off season) they currently have , they may want to speed up the rebuild ,and start trying to compete more now . Plus the Brady/Belichick duo could be coming to an end this off season, and at the very least they are still nearing the end of their run soon .The fins literally have needs almost everywhere . Other than Christian Wilkins , Xavien Howard, Devante Parker , Preston Wilson , Vince Biegel , Raekwon McMillan , Davon Godchaux and maybe Mike Gesicki & Reshad Jones they can all be replaced or upgraded . Plus the only Free Agent they have that they might want to resign is 31 year old John Jenkins, and he's probably not going to cost a lot, or be a priority . So that's 10 guys , a few other recent draft picks, that they still have hope for , and their 8 remaining draft picks if they make this trade out of a 53 man roster .Not to mention Howard's play dropped off last season ,and he was accused of domestic violence as well. The trade would probably have to be an overpay to get Burrow and I am going to give them the benefit of the doubt, and have them stay at 5, and take the best player available to build for the future .For the record I believe they would have passed on an injured Tua even if he fell here . Also, rebuilding the O-line should be a priority so I am giving them Wills . I was on Bama LT Alex Leatherwood by week 3 of the season , but Wills didn't get on my radar until late in the season . Leatherwood went back to school despite my first round grade on him, but Wills was a pleasant surprise . Jedrick is big , strong, and nasty with surprisingly light feet. He needs a more physical hand punch, but he keeps his hands inside , and I think he could flip over to left tackle if needed. Even as a right tackle he is not far behind Thomas on my board, but Wills does have more consistent sets as a pass blocker, and with a left handed QB in Tua he was the blindside protector. Plays low and gets to the second level too . If Rosen doesn't work out they might have a top 10 pick in 2021 anyway. That pick combined with the extra 2021 first and 2nd rounders they got from Houston gives them the ammo to move up to number one overall and get Trevor Lawrence in next seasons draft , or maybe Justin Fields if they prefer.
6.DETROIT - JEFFREY OKUDAH - CB - OHIO ST. - 6'1", 205
NFL PLAYER COMP - JALEN RAMSEY - JAGUARS
The Lions are another team that may want to trade back for a big package of picks for a QB needy team , and according to the trade value chart it would cost about the equivalent of a mid 2nd round pick less at #3 overall than #2 overall . There is also an outside chance they fall in love with a QB , and take Tua or even Herbert, especially now that Stafford will be 32 and has a back injury . Since Stafford's contract is written in a way that it would be hard to trade him , and stupid to release him . They are another team with a lot of needs, but that's usually the case when your picking high in the draft . Short of a windfall trade their best case scenario is the redskins trading their pick to a QB needy team, and Chase Young falling to them, or the skins losing their minds and passing on Young . Pairing him with Trey Flowers would give them a great edge duo. Failing that they need interior D-Line help if Mike Daniels or A'Shawn Robinson isn't re- signed, and Derrick Brown would be a good fit . Plus in the secondary Tavon Wilson & Rashaan Melvin are UFA's, and Darius Slay is coming off his worst season since he was a rookie. Also Slay is in the last year of his deal, and their were trade rumors about him last year, after they dumped starting safety & defensive captain Quandre Diggs to the Hawks before the trade deadline . Now Slay ,despite his bad season ,is threatening to hold out unless he gets a new contract making him the highest paid CB in the game. Laughable. At LB Jarrad Davis has been a bust , and I love Isiah Simmons. Plus Simmons can also play safety . In the end I am going with Okudah . I only have 5 blue chip elite players in the draft right now after Tua got hurt . Burrow and Young are gone in this scenario , and that leaves Odukah & Simmons, and Brown. Since I think CB's are more valuable unless the interior D-Lineman is an elite pass rusher , I will give them the corner . Okudah is the highest graded corner I have done since Patrick Peterson . Even the best NFL corners are grabby , but they are just slicker at it , and get caught less, but Okudah is slicker than most . No PI penalties this season . He isn't quite as physical or thick, but he is a an excellent press man corner . Jeff has good speed, fluid hips, quick feet , ball skills , a wide wing span ,smarts, an explosive burst to the ball, and the confidence & swagger you want in a lock down CB . The 4.48 forty is fine by me , although he looks low 4.4's on tape, and his 41 inch vertical confirms that explosiveness. Had to leave the combine after taking a bad fall ( hurt his neck ) in the drills .Still getting him after this trade back ,and also picking up a probably really high number one next season is a huge victory in and of itself .
***PROJECTED TRADE*** The BUCCANEERS trade the 1rst rounder (#14) , their 4th rounder , and their 1rst rounder in 2021 to the PANTHERS for their 1rst ( #7) ***PROJECTED TRADE ***
7.TAMPA BAY-(panthers)- ** -JUSTIN HERBERT - QB - OREGON - 6"6" , 236
NFL PLAYER COMP - JOSH ALLEN - BILLS
I just can't see them giving Winston the franchise tag, unless they have already re-signed Shaquil Barrett, and even then I can't see anyone else paying Jameis 30 million for even one year. Plus Phillip Rivers would be a perfect fit for Bruce Arians offense, because he loves to throw down the field , and he just moved his whole family to Florida . However, I have been hearing a lot about the Colts going after Rivers, and with his ties to Frank Reich they carry a lot of weight to me . So the bucs need a QB . This trade gives them a young cheap one s they can try to win now . Even after Tua's injury Herbert is the 3rd QB on my board . In 2017 Herbert was a spread read option QB with all the tools you could want . Tall with a cannon arm , and a willingness to throw down the field that you don't often see. He had his share of bubble & tunnel screens too, which definitely helped his completion percentage , but he could also fire a 20 yard out or a hit a DIG route on a rope . His accuracy still needed work , especially on those deep balls . During that season when he put more air under the ball to go deep it had a tendency to sail on him, and he also occasionally threw receivers into potentially dangerous hits with late or off target throws . He also broke his collarbone late that year too . In 2018 he made improvements in those problem areas, and the offense also changed a bit . That year Herbert also started showing the capability of being a strong explosive runner who specialized in moving the chains in short yardage situations , or take off for a bigger gain when the play broke down, or even on the occasional read option . He also showed the smarts on when to slide to protect himself . Despite already being 6"6" 230 pounds his frame has plenty of room for growth and he could easily carry 250 pounds of muscle to help protect himself . In 2019 the offense changed a little more again , and became more run oriented . Justin still has all the physical tools, but I expected a similar jump up this season like the one I saw from 2107 to 2018 , and I didn't see it. While his completion percentage went back up and his interceptions went down a little too, I think that was due to the conservative offense that gave him more play action passes . He didn't run as much this season himself either , but showed his legs off in a big way in their bowl game, and ran a 4.68 forty at the combine. All in all he is still a very good QB prospect, but he hasn't stepped up in the big moments the way a guy I would trade up for & then anoint my franchise QB for the long haul should do . There are also some rumors of leadership questions around him because he is not the most outwardly vocal guy, but he is universally loved by his teammates . That's not the end of the world . Eli Manning just retired after a long successful career in New York of all places, and he is not the most loquacious guy either . Also, Herbert is starting from scratch when it comes to being under center . Justin probably would have been a top 5 pick last season, and maybe even #1 overall if Kyler Murray wasn't such perfect fit for Kliff Kingsbury's offense . He returned for a chance at the PAC 12 title , and to play a season with his incoming freshman TE little brother, and I don't think it really hurt his stock, but he didn't do anything to make it go up for me either . There is nothing wrong with being a game manager , which is what Herbert looked like this season, but there are times you just want to see a QB let it rip & win the game for you, instead of just not losing it. Both are valuable , but the former is a guy who can win it all with A LOT around him like a early career Russel Wilson . The latter is a guy like Wilson is now . A franchise QB that can drag a below average team to the playoffs , and a good team to the the title . Basically after 3 years I expected more than the incremental growth I saw . He still may end up being a franchise QB , but right now he's a guy I would prefer to take if he fell to me, but since he is a QB .... . In conclusion this guy has all the tools and skills . He just needs to harness them , show more consistency , and a lot more special plays in big moments to convince me he is a franchise QB . Herbert also won the Campbell trophy for his combination of academics, football skill, and community service . So character is a plus, and unlike Winston he doesn't turn the ball over .
8.ARIZONA- TRISTAN WIRFS - T/G - IOWA - 6"5" , 320
NFL PLAYER COMP - EVAN MATHIS - retired
The Cardinals got a good start on their rebuild last year , but their O-line isn't very good, although their current O-Line did improve some as pass blockers as the year went along . They do say practice makes perfect, and they pass a lot, but it's also a spread system designed to get rid of the ball quickly & run a ton of plays . However, the only O-lineman they have right now that I think they might be counting on as a long term piece is left tackle DJ Humphries ,and while they did resign him, I still think they overpaid .However, it's imperative that the Cardinals upgrade the O-line to protect their young, undersized, potential franchise QB . So I am not even going to seriously entertain another position here . I like Wirf's a lot , but apparently not as much as other people who put out draft content or draftniks who follow the draft closely , but I believe he will still go relatively high . I received multiple comments about it when I moved him down my board some , and most of them were so full of insults and F-bombs that I just didn't post them . I did 4 more of his games for this season, and while he definitely has the talent to play outside, I think he is a better fit inside at guard right now. This is not an insult. The history of the NFL is littered with great guards( Gene Upshaw, John Hannah , Larry Allen , Josh Sitton , Evan Mathis, Zack Martin , Brandon Scherff ,Joel Bitonio, Joe Thuney -and that's just off the top of my head) who played OT in college and in some cases the pro's too . Many of them probably could have been solid long term OT's in the NFL , but I doubt they would have all been GREAT outside . I have listed him as T/G all along for a reason .He struggled with balance regularly on tape for 2 years running . He is also not a consistent natural knee bender , gets high too often , and ends up on the ground too often . On the plus side he is not only very athletic at times , he is also super strong all the time , and he flashes a mean streak in the run game down the field. He has a lot of the same strengths and flaws Tyron Smith had in college as a sophomore, but Smith improved a lot more as a junior when he entered the draft , and he was meaner all the time. Both played RT in college , but Wirfs did flip to the left side for some games when Alaric Jackson got hurt . So both Tyron and Tristan seemed to have the ability to flip over to the blindside if they took to NFL coaching, ,and both were strong enough to play inside if that didn't work out. Like I said Smith improved a lot as Junior and Wirfs not so much, and he didn't end up with Tyron's super long arms, although they are long enough ( 34 inches) ti\o play OT . However the Cards need help at 2 or 3 O-Line spots . So I think he's worth the risk here, and if he doesn't work out at OT, I am comfortable that he would hold up well inside .Wirfs ran a ELITE 4.86 forty and 1.69 ten at the combine ! Both tops of all O-Lineman in Indy . Plus he set the combine O-Line records for the vertical and broad jump , so he may go even higher . I did expect more than 24 reps on the bench, but his functional strength on the field is top notch so no worries .They would drafting him to be their LT here . I hope it works out for both of them .
9.JAGUARS - DERRICK BROWN - DT - AUBURN - 6"5" , 326
NFL PLAYER COMP - KENNY CLARK - PACKERS
After Telvin Smith started to go downhill you could see Myles Jack trying to pick up some of his slack, and then his play went down too. Then Smith abruptly retired before the 2019 season , and Jack got even worse. He needs that fast ground covering weak-side LB next to him so he can concentrate on his responsibilities , and I doubt Smith returns. While Telvin will only be 29 this season his out of the blue retirement shouldn't sit well with anyone in the organization , and the only time I heard about him this year was when the cops were called to his house right after last Thanksgiving . With Isaiah Simmons gone that position is ruled out here. However NT Marcel Darius is a free agent and his play has also gone downhill recently Plus DT Akeem Spence is also a UFA, and DT Abry Jones is in the final year of his deal . Brown is the currently the last blue chip player on my board, and if you can get the 5th best player on the board at #9 you should do it . Coming into this season I saw Brown as more of a nose tackle as he was an elite run stuffer, but he really improved as a pass rusher this year , and I think he could move all over their 3 man front . He has a great motor, big powerful hands , off the ball quickness, just runs over opposing lineman , dominated LSU's vaunted O-Line, and it's hilarious when people are dumb enough to run at him . His only weakness are a lack of pass rush moves( bull rush, push through a shoulder, or slap the hands down and bull rush is it ) and counters. This guy is a tone setter with a really high floor , and a leader that any coach should be itching to draft
10.CLEVELAND - ISAIAH SIMMONS-S/LB-CLEMSON- 6"4", 238
NFL PLAYER COMP - a bigger DARREN WOODSON - retired
The Browns disappointed again . I admit I picked them to win the division , and they imploded . This is definitely the most talented team in the division, but you wouldn't know it by their record . Before the season my big worries were LT , RG, and a rookie head coach, but I confess that Freddie Kitchens was just as bad as their O-line. Both OT's were bad , but the RT was even worse than the left. Both players they played at RG were terrible too. They tried to trade for former Pro Bowler Trent Williams to man the blindside, but stubborn Daniel Snyder wouldn't make the deal , but I bet he will now. Williams says he is adamant about never playing for the skins again without a new deal , although instead of a 1rst and some change I doubt they get more than a 2nd rounder for him now . Williams sat out a whole year , will be 32 this season, failed his physical in a weird way, and he had been having some injury problems for the previous 3 campaign's . There are also rumors they might be in on 38 year old future HOFer Jason Peters . I would still make that deal for a 2nd if I was the Browns , as long as he passes his physical , and I would still take Thomas here even if I pulled it off . Another thing that didn't work out was the OBJ trade. He took his diva whiny millennial look at me personality to new heights, continued his history of being injury prone, and did a lot to help undermine his coach and QB . I would trade him, and draft a WR in this very deep class in the 2nd or 3rd round . Then we have Baker . Crappy O-Line or not he definitely regressed, and made me think that what I used to think was just cocky young brashness , might in fact be Odell-like myopic millennial divaness . Don't think that one OT , now matter how good is going to fix this.all either, but that's why I have them getting 2 one way or another. They probably need to draft multiple O-Lineman & sign or trade for a couple more too . Other than their center or LG all these guys could easily be replaced and upgraded . Hoever, since I have them trading for or signing a veteran OT, and drafting one in the 2nd round I will go with another big need . LB Joe Scobert is a free agnet , and they just cut another LB in Christian Kirksey . So Simmons finally comes off the board, , and it's to a team that really needs him . He's clearly the best player on the board . Simmons is just a flat out stud. He is the best safety , off the ball LB, and movable defensive chess piece in this draft . He can play the run, cover, rush , and he's just a play-maker wherever they line lined him up, and they lined him up all over the defensive formation . He was everywhere on film, almost to the point that I thought there were 2 of him on the field sometimes, and it often took awhile to find him before the snap He could go as high as #3 but he also could fall here , and the Browns would probably have multiple teams bidding to trade up for him .
11.NY JETS - ANDREW THOMAS - OT - GEORGIA - 6"5" , 315
NFL PLAYER COMP - DUANE BROWN -
The Jets need offensive lineman more than anything , and luckily for them the guy I think is the best OT in the draft falls to them at #11 . Thomas has been starting since he was a true freshman at RT, and has been starting at LT the last 2 years . He is a dominant run blocker ,and a good long armed pass blocker, who has the athleticism to be be dominant there too with some technique refinement. His biggest weakness right now is blocking down field , but his feet aren't always consistent in his pass sets either . He will occasionally get off balance and end up on the ground. He already plays in a pro style offense ,and I see him as a plug and play starter at either tackle spot . Also, in my opinion he has both the highest floor & ceiling of all the potential blindside protectors in this draft . I still think Thomas is the best OT in the draft, but this about how I think the teams will pick so I expect him to be the 2nd or 3rd OT off the board now after hearing the opinions of people during the combine who are plugged in to NFL teams. Although, don't forget that this is also called liar's season for a reason .
12.LAS VEGAS - JERRY JEUDY - WR - ALABAMA - 6"1", 193
NFL PLAYER COMP - AMARI COOPER - COWBOYS
The 2019 raiders should strangely be considered a success ,even though they didn't make the playoffs. Dumping AB actually brought the team together. Unless the Raiders decide to draft a QB here, and in this case Tua is just sitting there like a blinking light if Gruden wants him, a trade up to get a blue chip player makes a lot of sense. Although I think if Gruden wanted a QB it wouldn't be a target of opportunity, and that he would trade up for him even earlier . The Silver & Black could also shock the world and go after Brady, and there are already rumors about that possibility . Talk about selling tickets in your new home !They do need a # 1 WR , otherwise they wouldn't have tried to bring in the train wreck that is Antonio Brown . Tyrell Williams profiles well as ( and is paid like ) a good number 2 WR , but I doubt they trade up to take Jeudy or Lamb . Both Ceedee Lamb & Jerry Jeudy are number WR's to me, and both are top 10 values in my book . While I have Lamb slightly ahead in the long run they are more 1A and 1B on my board . Jeudy is more polished & pro ready right now, and he fits this offense well. He is an advanced route runner even for a pro player, comes out of a pro style offense , and is a high character guy unlike Anderson . Plus his hands are good, except I wouldn't expect him to win a lot of jump balls . I really hope they invest in the O-Line in both free agency in the draft though . They need CB's too, but I don't see one being drafted this high after Okudah is gone , although it wouldn't shock me if they took CJ Henderson or traded up for Simmons .
13.INDIANAPOLIS - CEEDEE LAMB - WR - OKLAHOMA - 6"2" , 198
NFL PLAYER COMP - ODELL BECKHAM JR.
There are only 2 teams that should try to spend a lot of money on Tom Brady. the Colts and the Cowboys. The reason for that is that I think both are ready to win now , but the Cowboys seem set on trying to overpay Dak so I think Brady's best non New England destination is Indy . The main free agent the Colts have to worry about is LT Anthony Castonzo , and they have the franchise tag as a last resort if they have trouble getting a deal done. So I am going to go with another big need . The only WR on their team that is serious threat to defenses is TY Hilton , and he has become injury prone lately , although Zach Pascal showed decent signs of becoming a solid # 3 last season .2019 2nd rounder Parris Campbell has a lot of talent, but he didn't do much as a rookie. Drafting a new potential #1 WR might help them to get TB12 to head their way . Lamb looks to be a little bigger & faster than Jeudy on tape , although Jeudy actually ran a little faster on his first 40 at the combine . Lamb is good at the more limited route tree Oklahoma runs, he still needs work there to fit into a Pro style offense . He is explosive with great hands , slippery in the open field ,and has a well above average knack for tracking the ball . Combining that with his ability to play great from both the outside & inside , and I think his long term upside gives him the slight lead in the race to be the # 1 WR in the 2020 draft . Also, the Colts value the TE position, and since Brady just went a year without any solid TE's I think having a sure handed guy like Jack Doyle & also explosive move TE Eric Ebron( if he is resigned) would appeal to him . Don't forget about one of the leagues best O-Lines as a recruiting tool either .
14.CAROLINA-(tampa bay) - JAVON KINLAW - ** - DT - S. CAROLINA - 6"5" , 324
NFL PLAYER COMP - CHRIS JONES - CHIEFS
I know plenty of Panther fans will scream trade up for Burrow, but they don't have the ammo in my opinion . Once the rumors of trading 26 year old former Pro Bowl guard I thought they were trying to gather ammo for a trade up . Instead they inexplicably traded him for a well past prime LT in 32 year old Russell Okung ? Weird especially since Okung only played 6 games last season .If so, they can franchise him and get something for him, or keep him. I also suspect some will say what about Isaiah Simmons at #7 ? Luke Kuechly just abruptly retired, but since it's concussions I get it . It still saddens me though, as Luke was one of the best MLB's I ever saw . Plus it's just 5 years after after Patrick Willis did the same thing . 2 of the elite middle LB's in the history of the game retiring at 29 , but hey LB is a rough job and if your worried about losing your mental facilities I understand . However Simmons isn't a MLB , he's a safety or an weak side LB , and they already have one of those in Shaq Thompson, although Simmons did measure bigger than I expected so who knows ? . Simmons would be a giant upgrade over Eric Reid at safety .. Also, they may want to trade Cam because they aren't giving any clear signals. As of now they are just saying that they aren't going to talk about Newton until he is fully healthy , and he is making some noise about wanting a new contract, , but I think since they are rebuilding they should trade him now , and get what they can before he gets hurt again . The trade back gives them a probable high extra first rounder next season to kick start the rebuild . Gerald McCoy , Dontari Poe, and Vernon Butler are all free agents this off season so the Panthers need interior D-lineman badly .After finishing Javon's tape , and watching how much he dominated the first 2 Senior Bowl practices Kinlaw is the 11th ranked overall player on my board . Although the weird tendinitis flare up does make me nervous , and he also had a torn hip labrum earlier in College ,so his medicals at the combine will be key in where he finally ends up. He has the size, length, motor, strength, and even enough quickness to be a consistent Pro Bowl performer in the league . It's rare for players with his height to play so well inside against the run , and unlike the NFL Pro Bowler he reminds me of he didn't struggle with his pad level as often in college . If he can expand & redefine his pass rush repertoire he has a chance to be a superstar in the NFL, but he already looked improved this year in getting after the passer anyway .
15.DENVER - HENRY RUGGS - WR - ALABAMA - 5"11", 188
NFL PLAYER COMP - TYREEK HILL CHIEFS
Denver has plenty of needs , and a lot of significant players hitting free agency . Especially in the secondary & D-Line, and at WR .After Emmannuel Sanders was traded no other WR except Courtland Sutton did much . Ruggs is worth this pic, is a potential elite slot receiver, and has ridiculous ( 4.27) speed . He may be the fastest guy in the draft . Henry is explosive, has huge strong hands, is fearless over the middle, can win jump balls, and he would be a sick counterpart to their RB's on Jet Sweeps & reverses . Not quite as polished a route runner as the other Alabama WR's but he made progress this year, and they had so much talent at WR he was underused in my opinion . Pairing him with Courtland Sutton could give Drew Lock two highlight reel targets for the long haul .
***PROJECTED TRADE*** The VIKINGS their 1rst rounder ( #25) and their 2nd (#57) and to the FALCONS for their 1rst rounder(#16) ***PROJECTED TRADE ***
16.MINNESOTA-(falcons)-JOSH JONES - OT - HOUSTON - 6"5" , 319
NFL PLAYER COMP - LAREMY TUNSIL - TEXANS
The Vikings O-Line is vastly overrated . Rookie first rounder Garret Bradbury did not play well, and I admit I was high on him , but I still believe in his future . LT Riley Reiff would be a better fit at guard, but he might need to take a pay a cut to stay . Both guards are bad. Only RT Brian O'neill can be considered solid to me , and I think he has the athleticism to move to the left side if needed . Jones is not the best player left on my board, but he is the best LT prospect available for me, although he comes out of a spread system . The Vikings are still in a potential championship window right now, and they need to hit on this pick . However, he needs a lot of technique refinement, especially with his hand placement & punch timing on tape. Although he looked improved at the Senior Bowl across the board, especially with his punch and overall aggression . Usually the guy who is the best O-Lineman at the Senior Bowl gets a significant bump in the draft and that guy was Josh Jones this season. Josh has decent size & length, but very quick feet and more than enough athleticism .At first I was surprised he didn't blow up at the combine in the speed % agility drills , but he gained even more weight between the Senior Bowl & combine, so it makes sense . .
17.CJ HENDERSON- CB -FLORIDA - 6"1", 204
NFL PLAYER COMP - MARLON HUMPHREY - RAVENS
Long suffering cowboy fans( like my little brother) have finally got rid of the clapper . Yes , Jason Garrett .The great non - adjuster , the dean of time mismanagement is gone . What makes my brother laugh even harder is that he is now the OC of the rival Giants . It's hilarious! They will now know exactly what he wants to do, and that he won't be able to adjust if it doesn't work. Mike McCarthy letting stud O-line coach Mark Columbo go to the Giants should worry cowboy fans though, although Joe Philbin is a pretty good replacement . So now they have a coach that has been to 4 NFL championship games and even a guy who has won a Superbowl. Plus he's is saying all the right things about adjusting and making his offense more variable. Dallas may still be in that possible championship window where their veterans aren't broken down yet, and they still have enough young premium talent to make a run . However, they have A LOT of key players hitting free agency . Let's start with the obvious for all the fantasy football players of the world. Dak Prescott & Amari Cooper are both free agents . Amari may be smart enough to not try to break the bank , but Dak seems set on it . Now I think Cooper is a top 10 real life NFL WR, and since most teams start 3 WR these days that is very significant . Dak is more a middle of the pack QB in the real world , and their are a lot less starting QB's(32) in the NFL . Yes I know he's a winner, and he has done a lot of things you want from a guy who is the face of your franchise . Plus QB's are justifiably the leagues highest paid players. It is the most important position , but Dak has had a lot of help , and he still hasn't gotten them over the hump in 4 years as a starter . In at least 2 of those seasons he had a team talented enough to win it all . Great O-line , RB , and a lot of wide open players coming off play action passes . He threw a lot more this year and correspondingly had bigger numbers in passing yards & TD's, but he also had a lower completion percentage & his reads still need to speed up . Just because the Rams and Eagles were dumb enough to way overpay Goff & Wentz doesn't mean Dallas has to do the same . Plus the taxes are a lot lower in Texas than those 2 places, especially California . He wants more than both of those guys . I call B.S .- Goff got a 4 yr. 134 million with 110 million guaranteed. That's is stupid money , and a stupider decision to pay him specifically . I previously thought Jerry isn't as dumb as the rams front office , abut if he pays Prescott that much then Stephen Jones should have him committed and take over the team. In fact Dak wants Russell Wilson MONEY. 35 mil per year, where Goff gets 33.5 . Wilson is a Superbowl winning TOP 3 IN THE NFL FOR YEARS ELITE QB, and Dak is not . I didn't bat an eye when Wilson got paid because he deserved it . He dragged that 4-12 without him team to the playoffs 2 years in a row with very little help . He is irreplaceable. Dak is not . If they pay Dak anything more than Kurt Cousins ( 3 years 84 million all guaranteed ) they are idiots, and Dak would be making more because of the tax differentials . I know Dak was a 4th rounder who hasn't made a ton from the cowboys, but he makes plenty in endorsements from being the QB of the most popular team in the league ,and that 28 million a year guaranteed is probably too much, but I bet Cowboy fans could stomach it. Right now he isn't paid enough for them to hate him when he fails, but they will if he is making a ton and keeps coming up short . Plus Dak stunk up the joint in 2018 until he got Cooper, and if he doesn't sign & they throw the franchise tag on him, there is a decent chance he won't have Cooper again . I wouldn't even franchise tag Dak , unless I thought somebody would sign him and give them 2 first rounders for him . No way would I even consider the exclusive franchise tag. My guess is that Jerry will because he fears the bears sniping Dak because they don't have a first this year, and both teams are in a championship window now . Their are a ton of decent veteran QB'S that are free agents this off season , and I would take Jalen Hurts in the 3rd round to make Dak be more reasonable. Sign Phillip Rivers and draft a QB , or maybe you get really lucky and Belichick dumps Brady. Then you start stockpiling picks to draft one next year to go along with whatever veteran stopgap QB you sign . So to me they need D-lineman and DB's more than anything . Robert Quinn, Michael Bennett , and Maliek Collins are all UFA's . Plus long time starter Tyrone Crawford missed 3/4 of the season , will be 31 this year, and they could save about 7 million by moving on . In the secondary starting CB's Byron Jones & Anthony Brown are UFA's , as is SS Jeff Heath . Jones might be the only one they would want to pay enough to bring back, although they could keep Brown if he would take less, and Heath if wants to go back to just being a special teamer . I would go for the safety because it has been a problem for a long time now , but I have been saying that for years and they have kept ignoring the position . CJ has a tall long armed lanky frame that allows a quick jam, great feet, oily hips, has the ball skills of a former WR .CJ also needs to add a little more muscle . He mirrors WR's as good as anyone, but he wasn't as aggressive down field ,and at the catch point as he was in 2018 . Has good speed and is also an excellent blitzer with good timing. Henderson also had a great combine and probably solidified himself as the second corner on draft boards throughout the league .
18. MIAMI-(steelers)- YETUR GROSS-MATOS - DE - PENN ST. - 6"5" , 266
NFL PLAYER COMP - ROBERT QUINN - COWBOYS
The Dolphins didn't get much from their edge rushers last season, and only Charles Harris has shown any promise there, and only as a situational pass rusher so far . Matos is an explosive edge rusher that can be star with some technique refinement & an added pass rush repertoire . He has a great frame, nice tools, and he can especially destroy QB's on obvious passing downs. If you see him turn his head inside to watch the snap, when he knows he can pin his ears back you will see a sick lightning jump off the ball. Can bend the arc and flashes violent hands. It doesn't work on other downs because his biggest weakness is finding the ball and staying within the scheme. Did't run the forty or do the 3 cone at the combine , but did show some explosiveness in the broad jump and vertical .If the Fins coaches can get him to see the light more consistently he could be a game wrecker .
19.LAS VEGAS-(bears)- PATRICK QUEEN - LB - LSU - 6 ft. , 229
NFL PLAYER COMP - LAVONTE DAVID - BUCCANEERS
The raiders need a corner badly . Plus they traded Conley last year and Daryl Worley is a UFA , but there has already been talk of them pursuing James Bradley and/or Byron Jones in free agency . One more wild card in this scenario is Utah ST. QB Jordan Love . His assortment of tools & raw ability would appeal to a guy like Gruden , but he probably needs a year or more of work in a NFL system before he is ready to be an NFL starter unless you cater the offense to his skill set . Derek Carr has 3 more years left on his contract , but most of the dead money is now gone .If they want to to trade him, or just inexplicably cut him ( Gruden made some really stupid decisions last year) they could do it without a big financial hit . Plus Love is already gone in this mock .Patrick is a undersized speedy LB who came in balled out in both playoff games for the National champs . If you want Isaiah Simmons to play LB for you , but don't have a high enough pick , or want to pay the price to move up for him, Queen is the next best off the ball LB in this draft . The more tape I watch on him the more I like him. You can literally see him improving game by game until he finished off the season playing his best ball . I now see him as first rounder, and think he 's the second off the ball LB off the board after a good combine .
20.JAGUARS-(rams)- TREVON DIGGS -CB - ALABAMA- 6"1", 205
NFL PLAYER COMP - JIMMY SMITH - RAVENS
The Jags already filled a big need at NT in this mock with the 9th pick .They also need a CB, safety, WR, off the ball LB ,and maybe some O-line help .This trade would give them 2 of the Elite players in this draft , and really re-ignite their once dominant defense . An off the ball LB like Simmons is also a big need, and his versatility could change this defense , but that would take a trade up, and since they are dumping good players for lower round draft picks right now I have to doubt that . With both Jalen Ramsey & AJ Bouye traded the jags desperately need a corner . Diggs is an experienced zone corner out of Alabama , and he has a high floor . He is tall, strong, long, smart, physical, and fast in coverage . Wish he was as good in man , and against the run. He still needs more work finding the ball 1 vs 1 in coverage, and in being more physical as a tackler everywhere, but I have him in my top 32, he would fill a huge hole, and I also think he would be a good FS when he loses a step .Makes big plays buy also gives them up so I hues it's in the eye of the beholder .
21.PHILADELPHIA- KRISTIAN FULTON - # - CB - LSU - 6 ft. , 197
NFL PLAYER COMP - TRAMON WILLIAMS - PACKERS
The Birds need a WR, but the more tape I watch the more I would prefer to take one in the 2nd or 3rd round because the massive depth at the position in this draft . The Eagles are probably going to move on from at least one of their starting safeties , and in fact their entire secondary was a disappointment last season . Malcolm Jenkins is more of a team leader, and a better player than Rodney Mcleod . However, he is also 32, will cost more money, and looks to declining some last season . I think they go safety later though . Plus CB Ronald Darby is a free agent , coming off a down year, and he had missed a lot of games in every one of his 3 seasons in Philly . Kristian is a good sized technical CB,and although he may not have great makeup speed on tape , he ran well at the combine. Fulton is also fluid with good ball skills . Needs to be more physical in the run game , and less grabby when he gets beat. He got picked on some in the playoffs, but he was going against very talented WR's, and it was more likely they were avoiding all world true freshman Derek Stingley .Also , Fulton has a high floor , and was reportedly playing hurt this season . After a good combine he made a strong case to be the 3rd corner off the board .
22.BUFFALO -K'LAVON CHAISSON- ** - OLB/DE-LSU- 6"3", 254
NFL PLAYER COMP - DANIELLE HUNTER - VIKINGS
Buffalo doesn't have as many big needs as you might think , but they need a little more size at WR with Beasley being 5"8" & John Brown being 5"10" . The Bills could also really use another edge rusher or interior D-Lineman because Lorenzo Alexander retired , Shaq Lawson is FA after not living up to his draft status , and inside Jordan Phillips is a FA as the NT . Cost is usually the issue in Buffalo though, as according to My Bills fan buddy Matty " The quickest way to get out of Buffalo is to make the pro bowl and deserve a raise " .Although I don't think Phillips fits that description at all just because had a career high in sacks, because no dude that big should get pushed around so often inside , but since some casual fans will point to that stat I think he will probably get overpaid in Free agency. However, they are under new ownership , and might actually retain their good players now & in the future . In the end I'm going with another need . Lorenzo Alexander retired, Shaq Lawson is a FA, and Jerry Hughes is in the last year of his contract this season . I admit I didn't have K'lavon going in the first round until they played Clemson , but he played the best game of his career that night .Chaisson is a rangy explosive 3-4 OLB with growth potential who has the flexibility to bend the arc outside. He fires off the snap like a bullet , and can press the edge & make OT's over set then dart back inside on the rare occasion that he doesn't just run right by them . He has a lot of pass rush moves including the rare effective spin move . Plays the run tough at times , and is usually technically sound & aware , but he still needs to add some more muscle , size . and strength if he's going to spend more time as a 4-3 DE in the NFL . He has a great motor , he can chase down plays backside and down the field . Had an ACL tear 2 years ago that will need to be checked out, but he was the main guy in making Trevor Lawrence look jittery for the first time in his college career , and since that was in the National Championship in the biggest game of his career the arrow is definitely pointing up for him . Overall his tape is uneven, but he played his best against good OT's, and he finished really strong. I think he goes this high because I believe he will carry the momentum of his big game against Clemson . I was expecting a freaky performance at the combine, but he didn't workout so I moved him back some .
23.NEW ENGLAND - AJ EPENESA - DE - IOWA - 6"5" , 275
NFL PLAYER COMP - DAVID IRVING - retired
I realize that a lot of people want a QB here, and I have done that before myself. Plus if anyone could get away with dumping Tom Brady it's the hoody, but I am thinking Robert Kraft will step in again . Brady didn't have a great year, but the loss of Gronk without even remotely trying to adequately replace him is on Bill .The only WR Brady had all year who knows how to run the right routes in this complicated adjustable on the fly offense is Edleman, and he was playing hurt all season . Plus his O-Line was banged up . He lost his center David Andrews all year ,and anytime Marshall Newhouse gets over 700 snaps in your offense your in trouble. Most of those Newhouse plays were at left tackle, and even someone who gets rid of the ball as quick as Brady can't be expected to have a great year under all these conditions . However, Bill does always like to be early instead of late, and in this case I am thinking he could have dumped another future HOFer in Devin McCourty . Devin is also a career patriot . 10 years of excellence ,and he's the only other current Patriot who I believe could retire right now and still be make it to the HOF .McCourty is still a great player , and he has consistently taken less than market value to remain a patriot . He was the 9th highest paid safety in the league this year, but he should be paid among the top 3. His twin brother Jason had his option picked up , and maybe that was incentive enough to take a 2 year 23 million dollar deal , which is less than he could have gotten if he had waited for free agency . It's the Patriots so trading back is always an option, and that could be more likely with them not having a 2nd rounder this year . However, after the compensatory picks are added they should have 3 third rounders so it's not as big a deal as it could be because they have the ammo to move up to the 2nd if they want to . They also need pass rushers here too. I don't know yet, but I think Delpit is worth this pick . He's a deep coverage free safety like McCourty, and if they pay Brady a lot they may not be able to afford what Devin wants , and definitely not what he deserves .They picked up Jason's option, but even if they bring back Devin they still need help at safety because Patrick Chung is coming off a bad year in the box . Plus Chung got popped for cocaine possession in August . However , I am going with a different need . Epenesa is a tall powerful strong side end who still plays with low off the ball. His best position on tape and in the NFL might be as a 3 technique because that's where he gets his best work done as a pass rusher . On this team he could be their strong side end on run downs, and then kick inside to wreak havoc on QB's on passing downs . AJ also has an elite frame to be a 3-4 five technique so I don't think he will fall very far. Epenesa's size and strength are sorely needed on this defense . He has been productive for 3 straight seasons, and I think he could go higher , especially since this edge class doesn't look as good as I thought it might heading into the season , After free agency shakes thought a lot of people might be in the Epenesa business, but he didn't have a great combine so he falls here .
24.NEW ORLEANS- JORDAN LOVE - # - QB - UTAH ST. - 6"4" , 224
NFL PLAYER COMP - JAMEIS WINSTON - BUCCANEERS
I realize some won't want this because Drew Bree's is returning, and they might want to move up ahead of Miami, Las Vegas, and the Patriots to make sure they get him. However ,Love was arrested right before their bowl game for marijuana possession so keep that in mind if he falls I still think it would be smart to plan for the future, and Bridgewater is moving on in free agency, and maybe even Taysem Hill too .After having a great team go down with some questionable calls in back to back years to the Vikings I think it would be hard to come back again if they don't win it all this year, and if they do win it I think he definitely retires. Drew has nothing left to prove, He has a ring, lock HOF stats , could probably run for governor of Louisiana and be a lock there too. Sean Payton is one of the great QB coaches in the league , and I'm sure he would love to see what he could do with the toolsy Love . I didn't watch Love's 2018 tape until right before the 2019 college season, but in hindsight it might have been a blessing . He would have definitely been in my first 2020 mock draft, but that's because he had better tape in 2018 , and it was logical to expect a better year this year . He didn't. The new offense combined with him losing his four/fifths of his O-Line , and some weapons did not go well. I have a 2nd round grade on him, but he is very talented and QB's tend to go a round early . He has a rocket arm, mobility, generally solid mechanics. Love also has the ability to make throws off platform on the move, and from a variety of different angles . Sometimes he reminds me of a young Brett Favre in both the good & bad ways . He has that big arm that can make some crazy throws , but he is overconfident and forces too many balls. In addition his reading of defenses needs work . If his first reads not open he doesn't always see it, and then he takes too long to go from the 2nd to the 3rd read. Plus he doesn't have a good feel for the rush, and he struggled against pressure a lot this season. He has a good frame, and a high upside, but a low floor. Basically he seems like a lottery ticket to me, but I thought the same about Mahomes, although he went to a perfect situation . This could be his perfect situation for Jordan because Sean Payton is probably 2nd to Andy Reid in the NFL in QB whispering . Since they are bringing back a veteran QB , and don't need to rush him onto the field that could be the way to unlock his awesome talent .
25.ATLANTA-(vikings)- GRANT DELPIT - S - LSU - 6'2' , 213
NFL PLAYER COMP - MALIK HOOKER - COLTS
The Falcons have been trying to run the Seattle cover 3 without a free safety that can reliably play single high for years, and it hasn't worked. I actually thought Grant might end up a top 10 pick coming into this year, but his 2019 tape wasn't as good as last years . Now he had a shoulder & ankle injury , and that could have contributed to even more missed tackles this season. Maybe that's why he took some bad angles .Trying to avoid compounding those injuries would logically explain a lot . Whatever the case he's not a pile inspector who avoids trying to make a tackle, and he does cover a lot of ground in the back half of the secondary . He is still on the mend and because of that Delpit didn't workout at the combine .Grant is a tall rangy safety who can make really quick reads in zone , and he makes a lot of plays on the ball in coverage. He's not quite as adept in man to man,but maybe with NFL coaching he can sharpen up there . Either way he is a play maker in the back half ,and this defense really needs it
26.MIAMI-(texans)- XAVIER McKINNEY - S - ALABAMA - 6 ft. , 201
NFL PLAYER COMP - MINKAH FITZPATRICK - STEELERS
The fins just cut former pro bowl, and 8 year Dolphin Reshad Jones in a move that saves over 5 million on this years salary cap . I was surprised by how much Mckinney had improved this year after watching his 2019 tape. Based off last years film I saw him as a box SS and occasional nickle LB who would be a 2nd or 3rd rounder . He really stepped up this year, played all over the field , played well, and I now have a solid first round grade on him. He's a versatile guy who can play high or low ,cover the slot, and is a 2 year starter in Alabama's pro ready defense . Still think the box is his best spot though He's not as fast as the guy he reminds me most of ( Minkah Fitzpatrick), but he can do a lot of the same things .He's got a high football IQ , good athleticism enough speed for the position , and a high floor .Mckinney didn't run as well as I expected him to at the combine, although 4'64 is fine for a safety. So while he could slip a little in draft his tape is still first round .
27.SEATTLE - ISAIAH WILSON - OT - GEORGIA - 6"6" , 350
NFL PLAYER COMP - MARCUS CANNON - PATRIOTS
Every year I feel like I watch Russell Wilson drag this OK at best team into contention, and every year I see him running for his life way too often when he has to pass. The Hawks have tried to put resources into the O-Line in both the draft, free agency, and even traded for LT Duane Brown. Brown is the only one of them I would feel comfortable with if I was Russell . The worst of them is former 1rst rounder German Ifedi who is blessedly a UFA. I liked this guy in the draft too. He's so talented, he flashes once in a while, but he is also wildly inconsistent & a penalty waiting to happen . Wilson is very consistent. He's also nasty, huge & has long arms . Isaiah was the biggest surprise of my tape watching at OT . His technique isn't always sound but he gets the job done almost always . He has a giant TE build with very little bad weight on his frame , although he could drop another 20 lbs. like most O-lineman and be even more agile. Isaiah's biggest problem is over aggression , but that's usually the best mistake an O-lineman can make as long as it's not a common one . The reason for that is because sometime even if you block the wrong guy ,especially in the run game, if you move him somewhere the RB can find a hole anyway.
Ran a 1.79 ten at 350 pounds at the combine . So Pete Carroll please give Russell another Wilson so I don't have to pray for his very survival every 3rd snap .
28.BALTIMORE - KENNETH MURRAY - LB - OKLAHOMA - 6"2' , 241
NFL PLAYER COMP - JAYLON SMITH - COWBOYS
The Ravens barely even tried to replace CJ Mosley after he went to the Jets in free agency, and their off the ball LB's were the biggest weakness on their defense this year. Only Josh Bynes played well ,and he isn't a every down guy . They also didn't do much to replace Zadarius Smith last year either and Matt Judon is also a UFA on the edge this year .I think this late another guy with a 2nd round grade could fit ,. The main reason for that is that they need someone who can cover more ground , and that is better in coverage than what they currently have . Murray is a better athlete than football player right now , but they have a coaching staff that is known for teaching . He's a poster boy looking LB who will win the weigh in, has sick athleticism ,and a crash test dummies willingness to attack the ball carrier . I have a 2nd rounder on him, but I think he could be worth the risk here .Great speed ,but he needs to get better at reading the play , moving laterally, and recognizing route combinations in coverage, especially in man . His over aggressiveness gets used against him on tape . Even though he see's it quick sometimes he also comes in too hot , overruns too many plays , and still needs some more work on his tackling. Murray is more than willing to take on blocks , but he doesn't always do it right, and his stacking & shedding needs work too. He has a huge upside , but the coaching staff needs to polish up his football IQ and technique . Was having a good combine until he pulled his hammy running his 2nd forty .
29.TENNESEE - ZACK BAUN - LB/DE - WISCONSIN - 6"3" , 238
NFL PLAYER COMP - CLAY MATTHEWS - RAMS
Unless they have a brain fart and fail to re-sign Derek Henry or Jack Conklin the Titans biggest need is a off the ball LB . Rashaan Evans had a down year and Wesley Woodyard will be a 34 old free agent . Baun was more of an edge rusher at Wisconsin, and let me be clear that I think he could make it as a full time 3-4 OLB in the NFL, but many teams won't even try a guy his size outside full time on the edge . I think he could do it, but I also think he can play inside and outside . He is smart, versatile , has a solid array of pass rush moves, strong, quick, and he looked very good at the Senior Bowl practices playing off the ball . He could help out both areas , and he has the athleticism and fluidity to cover well. Plus head coach Mike Vrabel might see a smaller/quicker version of himself and take a liking to him in the draft
30.GREEN BAY-LAVISKA SHENAULT JR.- ** - WR-COLORADO- 6"1", 227
NFL PLAYER COMP - AJ BROWN - TITANS
I realize Bryan Bulaga is a free agent, but I think they will re-sign him at a cheaper price. This was his best year in awhile, and I think they will get a deal done. Remember that the new front office has been more friendly to Aaron Rodgers wishes, and he doesn't have a lot of familiar players left on this roster . Since Bulaga probably doesn't want to go anywhere, and he played in every game this year for the first time in a few years ( although he did get knocked out of 2) they can justify a decent salary on a short term deal . Plus, there are no offensive tackles worth this pick left in this scenario . I think their are a few WR's that should be in play if they keep this pick ,but the Pack haven't drafted a WR in the first round since 2002 , and yet I'm still giving them one. An inside LB would fit as well, but the last one that might be worth it just went right ahead of them . Every once in a while you see a player who is the absolute focal point of an entire offense in college . Like Deebo Samuel was in 2018 at S. Carolina, and Shenault is the same . He has lined up at every possible skill position , even QB to run a little wild cat , although I think his primary use should be as a power slot .He is a big powerful guy that is hard to tackle , and you could easily hand him the ball 5 times a game in a variety of ways to take advantage of his explosive running style. He is not afraid to go over the middle, and shows strong hands. Some injuries slowed him this year after a dominant 2018 so he could fall a little farther than I think he should . I love this guy, have a solid first round grade on him, and think he could help every single team in the league . An innovative coach could find a ton of ways to use a versatile player like Laviska He could be the guy to free up Adams, and give Rodgers a chance to return to form .He is having surgery after the combine, but still ran a 4.58 at 227 pounds while obviously injured. Trust me . He's faster on tape, and he may fall a little, but I believe this is a great value for the pack .
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***PROJECTED TRADE*** The BRONCOS their 2nd rounder ( #46) and the 3rd (#33) they got from the STEELERS to the 49ers for their 1rst (#31) rounder in this draft ***PROJECTED TRADE ***
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31.DENVER-(49ers)- ROSS BLAYLOCK - ** - DT - TCU - 6"3" , 290
NFL PLAYER COMP -SHELDON RICHARDSON - BROWNS
With Derek Wolfe, Shelby Harris, and Mike Price all unrestricted free agents on the Bronco D-Line it is time to look for a younger less expensive player to fill at least one of those spots . Blacklock is a guy with an explosive first step that shows a lot of flashes on tape. As a 3 technique or 3-4 end , I see him being a lot more productive in the NFL than he was playing the nose in college. He got pushed off the ball a lot when lined up as a NT on tape .He is the kind of guy I expected to wow at the combine with his athleticism and go higher than I have him ( in the 50's ) , but it's a projection . Ross also disappeared for long stretches on film . He's got boom or bust written all over him for me . Also had an Achilles injury that caused him to miss all of 2018 , and had over 30 parking tickets at TCU too. That will need to be investigated at the combine, and his best tape was still way back in 2017 . High upside, but low floor.
32.KANSAS CITY - D'ANDRE SWIFT - RB - GEORGIA - 5"8' , 212
NFL PLAYER COMP - DEANGELO WILLIAMS - retired
Congrats to the Chiefs fans everywhere , and while no one can ever take away this title now you will see the downside of being the champs . Here are just 8 things that every championship team needs to be wary of, but their are a lot more . 1-Everyone is now gunning for you-2 -Some of your guys have already reached their dream and aren't as motivated anymore. Good luck figuring out which. - 3- A whole lot of guys want a raise , many of them deserve it, and their is only so much money to go around. It leads to dissension in the locker room , and thin rosters that are hard to repeat with. - 4- It's always really hard to move on from long time veteran players that might not be worth their next years salary anymore , but it's even harder to make those "Belichickian " decisions when those guys just helped you get a title -5- Chris Jones is a UFA, and placing the franchise tag on him would severely hamper your chances to repeat.So a big payday is coming for Jones, which limits your ability to have the depth you just did on your Superbowl run .6- The limelight. A lot more request for interviews , appearances, commercials, books, and just a lot more chances at revenue for individual players . It often makes a lot of your best players come into next season a little behind and out of shape. Not as prepared as before because they didn't work as hard this off season -7-. Everybody wants to raid your team . They want your players , coaches, and executives for their own team. Frankly the most amazing thing to me about the patriots dynasty is how they keep being successful while losing players that other people will pay more , and coaches and front office people to teams that will gives them a promotion and a raise . Brady , Belichick, and Kraft are the 3 common denominators on those Patriot teams,and deserve a lot of credit . Can Mahomes, Reid, and Veach do the same? Reid will be 62 soon , and they just won their first title together . How much longer will he be around? Belichick was 46 when he won his first ring as a head coach. 8- You have to save Money to pay Mahomes. Right now Mahomes has a chance to be the first 40 million a year NFL player, and while I think that's bad for the game ,by current player salaries you could justify paying it to your fans & teammates .So let's hope their some sort of cap on QB salaries in the next CBA , or teams are going to start getting even thinner . On the bright side their are a lot of good & even great NFL players in the final 3rd of their careers that already have money & awards , but just want a ring. They will come play for your team for less money than they could get elsewhere and set a high standard other young guys will follow. However, KC just won the Superbowl and the big thing that stuck out to me was how much pressure the O-Line gave up on Mahomes , but the more tape I watch on interior O-lineman the more disappointed I have become . One more potential big need could be filled here though . Bashaud Breeland, Morris Claiborne, and Kendall Fuller are all UFA's at corner for the champs . However, I am going to go best player available here. Damien Wiliams just had his 2nd big postseason in a row, but very few NFL teams are into paying RB's these days unless they are elite .KC has a club option on him this year, but he will also be 28 this season , has been injury prone , and has never been the full time starter in his 6 years in the league .After my number one back Travis Etienne went back to school it came down to Swift, JK Dobbins, and Jonathan Taylor for my top RB in this draft. In the end Swift is just a more complete and NFL ready player right now . He can run with speed, power, and wiggle. He can catch, run routes and is a solid blocker . Has good feet, vision , and is versatile enough to play in any NFL scheme . He fumbled twice in the playoff game in 2018 , but Taylor has had much bigger ball security issues . Plus Swift just looked a little safer carrying the ball than Dobbins this year .Great value pick that fills a big need . I didn't drop Swift in my mock because he did anything wrong. It's just a combination of how this mock fell, and the depth in the RB class( 6 in my top 64) making me think people might wait on RB's , but the value here would be too great for me to pass up .
2ND ROUND
33.CINCINNATI - JUSTIN JEFFERSON - WR - LSU - 6"1" , 202
NFL PLAYER COMP - REGGIE WAYNE - retired
The Bengals might have a big need at CB . The stingiest team in the league has plenty pf salary cap space , but they are not known for paying open market rates . Darqueze Dennard is a UFA , and William Jackson is coming off shoulder surgery heading into his free agent season . Jefferson has good height, good speed , is a crafty route runner, is strong handed over the middle , can play inside or outside, and showed out big in both College playoff games . Especially against Oklahoma where he destroyed them with 14 catches , 227 yards, and 4 TD's. Coming off a year where he had over 100 catches, over 1,500 yards ,and 18 TD's , he really surprised me after I watched his tape because he's actually the # 2 WR in this offense . He's kind of lean on tape, and looks like he added some muscle on his frame for the combine , but he didn't lose any speed . His game isn't about being a burner anyway.Great body control , adjustments , and timing on his jumps to high point the ball ..Lanky smooth strider who doesn't appear to be moving as fast he actually is because of long legged runs . Potentially a taller Reggie Wayne . Great combine , and a great red zone WR .
34.INDIANAPOLIS-(redskins)-JORDAN ELLIOTT - DT - MISSOURI - 6"4", 302
NFL PLAYER COMP - CAMERON HEYWARD - STEELERS
The 3 technique is vital in the defense that Matt Eberflus runs ,and Margus Hunt certainly didn't get it done last season . Plus Hunt is heading into the last year of his contract . After watching a lot of Elliott's tape I was really impressed . He is big , toolsy , athletic, and has violent hands . Moves all over the formation and flashes everywhere against the run & pass . While his technique lacks consistency he still makes plays , and he has the ability to be the kind of player you have to game plan for once he is coached up more . There just aren't this many big men who move this well and that can hold their ground in the run game , although he doesn't always do well against double teams, and he needs to mind his gap better at times. His talent is extraordinary, but he is also incredibly raw . Could be a 4-3 three technique , one technique , or a 3-4 five technique. Just learning to play consistently lower could make him a Pro Bowl type player, and if he takes to NFL coaching watch out .
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***PROJECTED TRADE*** The BROWNS their 2nd rounder ( #41) and their 4th (#115) to the LIONS for their 2nd (#35) rounder in this draft ***PROJECTED TRADE ***
35.CLEVELAND-(lions)-EZRA CLEVELAND - ** - OT - BOISE ST. - 6"6" , 311
NFL PLAYER COMP - DAVID BAKHTIARI - PACKERS
Now the Browns get their left tackle of the future . Cleveland is a athletic & quick zone LT prospect with good feet , smooth movement , and nice kick step . Gets overpowered at times on tape and needs to hit the weight room more . Accurate punch , but timing is hit and miss. Plays low, good on combos and at the 2nd level . Needs a mean a streak. Too often or just willing to wall off in the run game . Almost too patient in pass pro, and sometimes waits to long to throw his punch . Ran an excellent 4.94 forty & 1.73 ten at the combine ,which doesn't surprise me because they would use him as a TE sometimes on tape, and even handed him the ball once . Just a GREAT overall combine ,where he not only showed off the athleticism you see on tape, but he also looked stronger .
36.NY GIANTS - AJ TERRELL - CB - CLEMSON - 6'1" , 195
NFL PLAYER COMP - CHIDOBE AWUZIE - COWBOYS
When Janoris Jenkins was your best corner last year you need help. Plus they already let Jenkins go to the Saints .Terrell is big , physical, and fast. His tape is good but he doesn't make enough plays on the ball, and he got worked by LSU in the National Championship game . He has a high ceiling, but I also feel a low floor. If he applies himself to finding the ball quicker & manning up in the run game he can be a star, but he's got some boom or bust in my eyes . A good combine should help him ..
37.LA CHARGERS - AUSTIN JACKSON - OT - USC - 6"5" , 322
NFL PLAYER COMP - JA'WUAN JAMES - BRONCOS
The Chargers need at least 3 O-lineman in my opinion . LT Russell Okung were RG Michael Schofield are probably the best of the bunch and Schofield is a FA , although they did draft developmental OT Trey Pipkins in the 3rd in 2019 . Pipkins played about 3 and a half games at the end of the season and did just about as well as Okung .Kudos to the bolts for hoodwinking the Panthers and getting 26 year old former Pro- Bowl guard Trai Turner in a straight up swap for a well past his prime 32 year old Okung who only played in 6 games last year .Considering their ages it's far more likely Turner makes the Pro Bowl again compared to Okung .So at least one guard spot is now solid .Dan Feeney still hasn't developed and Forest Lamp got hurt again .At center Mike Pouncey got hurt again and looks done. Scott Quesenberry was just as bad but cheaper . So now they need a LT . Jackson could slide in on the blindside , and the bolts could potentially have young bookend OT's if he & Pipkins develop. Plus he played in the neighborhood at USC .Jackson has plenty of athleticism , and the feet to play LT , but he needs to get stronger .I have a 3rd round grade on him based off his tape & upside, but there is buzz about him sneaking into the first round . He got overpowered by Bradley Anae & AJ Epenesa too often on tape for me to buy that, but that may have been due to the fact that he spent the off season donating bone marrow to his sister instead of in the weight room . Best brother EVER !
38.CAROLINA - JAYLON JOHNSON - ** - CB - UTAH - 6 ft. , 193
NFL PLAYER COMP - VONTAE DAVIS - retired
After trading Trai Turner for Russell Okung I really don't know what direction the Panthers are going, but CB James Bradberry is a FA, and he is asking for 15 million a year . He hasn't earned that yet, but he is young, and has upside so he may get it from someone .Jhonson's a big physical press corner that I expected to be a first rounder before the season started, but even though he has top 40 tape this year while playing hurt, he is having shoulder surgery right after the combine. So the Browns get a potential bargain because a guy gutted it out through the pain to help his team chase a National Championship.
39.MIAMI - CESAR RUIZ -C/G - MICHIGAN-6"3" , 307
NFL PLAYER COMP - ALEX MACK - FALCONS
If the Dolphins are standing pat at QB this season, but want to bring in a young one in next years draft the best way to help him succeed would be to give him a O-Line that can protect him when he shows up. They already took an OT in the first and now they get somebody for the inside . I. have 5 interior O-Lineman with a top 75 grade ,and after watching Cesar's tape over the Valentine's day weekend I was really impressed . He is an athletic , strong , quick footed center. Michigan is a run heavy team , but Ruiz is also that rare center that is also good in pass pro with a strong punch. He has been primarily a center, but has played guard in the past , and that versatility will help them get their best 5 guys on the field as starters .
40.ARIZONA -JUSTIN MADUBUIKE -DT -TEXAS A&M- 6"3" , 293
NFL PLAYER COMP - TOMMY HARRIS - retired
The Cardinals don't have anyone in the middle that can 2 gap, and keep blockers off their LB's & secondary , or penetrate inside . Justin isn't the biggest guy , and he's not a 2 gapper ,but he is an explosive twitchy penetrating 3 technique DT who spends can be disruptive . He broke out this season, after showing a lot of flashes in 2018, but his motor isn't always on. He appears to have added weight since the season ended , but he was still explosive at the combine .
41.DETROIT-(browns) - LEKI FOTU - DT - UTAH - 6"5" , 330
NFL PLAYER COMP - SIONE PO'UHA - retired
A'shawn Robinson and Mike Daniels are free agents on the Detroit interior D-line . Plus they already moved on from Nose tackle "Snacks" Harrison . Fotu is a load inside with man strength . A space eater that can push the pocket and help their run defense by protecting their linebackers & secondary so they can run to the ball .
42.JAGUARS -JONATHAN GREENARD - DE - FLORIDA - 6"3" , 263
NFL PLAYER COMP - DERRICK MORGAN - retired
With stud Calais Campbell being traded for a measly 5th rounder in a obvious salary dump by a cash strapped rebuilding team , and Yannick Ngakoue probably being traded after they tagged him , defensive end is now a huge need . Greenard is a former team captain at Louisville who was a grad transfer after missing 2108 with a wrist injury . Great production for the gators, but most of it was against substandard competition . Good motor, Violent hands, and an advanced plan of attack as a rusher. Sound and technical edge setter . Average athlete for the outside on tape , but good 10 yard split & 3 cone at the combine , and the lack of edge rushers in this draft give him a good chance to go a round higher than I have him . He could be a solid starter as a 4-3 strong side end , but I think he will be drafted a round early .
43.CHICAGO-(raiders)- ASHTYN DAVIS - ** - S - CAL - 6"1", 202
NFL PLAYER COMP - MARCUS WILLIAMS - SAINTS
The Bears don't have much cap room, don't have a 1rst rounder again, and they also lack a 3rd & 4th this season, but on the bright side they have 2 seconds .A team with very little cap room, and not a lot of picks doesn't have a lot of options , especially with Trubisky dragging them down .They also need to get a new RG, because Kyle Long's talented when healthy body has finally completely broken down , and he wisely retired. Plus everyone else that played there last season was bad too .So they have to hit on the picks they have . Since they may lack the cap space to upgrade or at least give them a better fallback veteran QB they might want to take , Jalen Hurts , Jacob Eason or Jake Fromm in the 3rd , but I'm going to go with another need where they get better value . Also there is a lot of talk of them trading for Andy Dalton , but I'm going with a higher ranked player here FS Ha-Ha Clinton Dix is a free agent that can probably get more money on the open market than the bears can afford to pay . Davis is FAST on tape, which makes plenty of sense for the former track star . He's still raw as a football player, but he has a great motor and the work ethic of the walk on he was . He's getting by on athleticism, motor, and will right now. Once he is coached up , limited to primarily FS instead of moving all over, and given time to just focus on football he could be a game breaker . He's twitchy enough , has the feet, speed, and fluidity to be a corner in time . Flashes in man, but right now he's a better fit in zone schemes . He's a hard charger in the run game, but also comes in hot , takes some bad angles, and overruns plays at times. College is over , and now his only class is football .. I think he will develop quickly and be a reliable starter late in his rookie season if he goes to a heavy cover 2 or 3 zone scheme .
44.INDIANAPOLIS-ANTOINE WINFIELD JR.- ** -S- MINNESOTA- 5"9" , 203
NFL PLAYER COMP - ANTOINE BETHEA - GIANTS
The Colts have Malik Hooker playing deep at free safety , and strong safety Clayton Geathers is a UFA . Winfield JR had a great year in 2019 with 7 picks after a previously injury checkered ( medical redshirts in both 2017 and 2108 ) past . His 2019 tape jumps off the screen . Makes plays against the run or pass . Flashes what looks like makeup speed multiple times to make picks, but it may just be that he was baiting the QB and then burst . Despite his lack of height he is thick . Played more at FS last year, but also spent plenty of time at SS in the box , and spent enough time in the slot to show it's doable . Makes plays in both the run & passing games, a good blitzer, and like most 2nd generation NFL players he shows a high football IQ & instincts . Unexpectedly great combine probably pushes him up from a 2-3 to a solid 2 .
45.TAMPA BAY - JK DOBBINS - RB - OHIO ST. - 5"9' , 209
NFL PLAYER COMP - NICK CHUBB - BROWNS
The bucs haven't found a bell cow back yet . Peyton Barber is solid, but he lacks the speed to make a defense commit 8 in the box , and he is a free agent . Ronald Jones was better in his 2nd season last year ,but he no longer looks like the potential 3 down back I think we all expected when Tampa took him in the 2nd in 2018 . They could trade for Arians favorite David Johnson after he had a disappointing season in 2019 , and he probably would only cost a 3rd or 4th, but he comes with a big cap number . Dobbins is a powerful runner with great vision , and some burst, and a give me the ball mentality . Willing to step up in pass pro and also improved as a receiver, but he still needs refinement in the passing game. I have a first round grade on him and think this would be not only a big upgrade, but also a steal .
46.SAN FRANCISCO-(broncos)- JONAH JACKSON - G - OHIO ST. - 6"3" , 306
NFL PLAYER COMP - JOSH SITTON - retired
The 49ers just missed winning it all . Frisco is a zone heavy team ,especially cover 3 , and they could use another DB. Jason Verrett got hurt again, and I don't see anyone giving him more than the league minimum now, but he may also want another change of scenery . RCB Emmanuel Moseley is a restricted free agent, and even though Sherman just had a great year he will be 32 next season . As you would expect from most teams that make the Superbowl the niners are already low on cap space , and S/CB Jimmy Ward and D-Lineman Arik Armstead are FA's . D-Line is their deepest position group, and even though I'm sure they would live to have Arik back I doubt they will pay market value at a position they are stacked at .The niners really need a guard or center more than anything though . Jackson can play Guard or Center , is an excellent pass protector , and really stood out at the Senior Bowl . It's rare for a 5th year graduate Senior to really bump up his stock in his final season, but after 4 years at Rutgers Jackson transferred to the Buckeyes . He started right away , and since he has already played for 5 different offensive coordinators in his time in college he is very experienced and versatile. He needs to buff up his legs some, lower his center of gravity ,and avoid his occasional tendency to get caught leaning .On the bright side he consistently shows tremendous feet & quickness down in and down out . In the pass happy NFL this pick makes a lot of sense .I know Garoppolo would appreciate it .
47.ATLANTA - JONATHAN TAYLOR - RB - WISCONSIN - 5"10" , 226
NFL PLAYER COMP - DeMARCO MURRAY - retired
Devonta Freeman looked OK last year, but they have cap problems, and unless he wants to take a pay cut I think they get a new RB in the 2nd round . There are plenty of them here, and Taylor is a steal at this spot just for his running ability alone. Over 6,000 yards in 3 years!. Size speed, burst, vision, power- He has it all as a runner. Improved as a receiver, but is still raw in pass pro ,and needs to sharpen up his ball security some . At #47 it's still a slam dunk pick in my eyes even with all the miles on his tires .
48.NY JETS - DENZEL MIMS - WR - BAYLOR - 6'3" , 207
NFL PLAYER COMP - DAVANTE ADAMS - PACKERS
The Jets need a WR, because Robbie Anderson is a free agent , Adam Gase doesn't seem to want to pay top dollar for skill players right now, and with the 2 arrests on Anderson's record they may not want to invest a lot in him. Sam Darnold needs some more weapons.
Mims was awesome in Indy . I moved him up and wouldn't be surprised if he snuck into the bottom of the first round now . The problem is that there are so many WR's with high grades this year, and everybody probably has them different after the top 3 . I am confident. Lamb, Jeudy, and Ruggs will go in the first. I wouldn't be surprised if 7 total WR's went in the first , and 4 is probably the floor, but after that top three I have 8 guys with similar enough grades that none of them would surprise me if they went in the 1rst round .Mims is one of those 8 , and # 8 on my personal list right now . Mims is a great athlete with great hops and multiple releases of the LOS . Can get free with physicality or by shaking the DB against press . Almost 6"3 and strong without being heavy . Physical everywhere - hand fighting ,at the catch point, blocking . Hands are just OK on tape, but looked improved at the Senior Bowl and combine . Great long speed and sick 3 cone. Quick enough on break on tape. but still needs to improve as a route runner . Can break tackles after the catch . Can go up and get it .Great Senior Bowl week .Ran a 4.38 forty , but injured at the combine .
49.PITTSBURGH - JULIAN OKWARA - OLB/DE - N. DAME - 6"4 , 252
NFL PLAYER COMP - SIMEON RICE - retired
The Steelers are tight against the salary cap ,and starters Javon Hargrave and Bud Dupree are free agents. Plus at TE Vance Mcdonald has a expensive team option that shouldn't be picked up after the down year he just had. Also their number 2 TE Nick Vannett is a UFA coming off another down year . On the other hand Bud Dupree is coming off his best season after looking like a partial bust the previous 4 years, and will probably be overpaid by someone . Okwara is also a 3-4 OLB . He's a long, lean and explosive edge rusher . Julian has the athleticism and flexibility to burst off the line and bend the arc outside . He can get pushed around in the run game, but also has the speed and motor to chase plays down backside . Okwara needs to add more muscle to hold up as hand on the ground 4-3 DE . He has the athleticism that could also make him a LEO off the ball rush backer in a Seattle type cover 3 scheme as well. I thought he would test well at the combine too, but he didn't workout . still seeing him as a 2nd rounder because of his current limitations .
50.CHICAGO - COLE KMET - TE - N. DAME - 6"6" , 262
NFL PLAYER COMP - KYLE RUDOLPH - VIKINGS
With Trey Burton's injury problems, and Adam Shaheen not developing yet, the only somewhat reliable TE the Bears have on their roster is recently signed career backup Demetrius Harris . Kmet is huge . He looks like an old school in line Y TE , but he still needs polish as a blocker which is crucial in this run first offense. He is a big sure handed target already . N' Dame TE's almost always end up good blockers in the NFL, and he will get plenty of practice in this offense .So listen up Cole - bend your knees, head up, jab step, , positioning step , strike a blow, hands inside, explode your hips,,and drive your feet
51.DALLAS - CURTIS WEAVER - DE - BOISE ST - 6"2" , 265
NFL PLAYER COMP - VINNY CURRY - EAGLES
Now you get the edge rusher cowboy fans. Weaver has been very productive for 3 straight years against weaker competition at Boise state, but he didn't look very imaginative as a pass rusher on tape .Didn't run a forty at the combine, but he had the best 3 cone & short shuttle of all the edge rushers who participated in Indy, at that's a better indication of future success in the NFL anyway . He's a rush OLB on tape, and will need to get used to playing with his hand on the ground some in the pros, and tighten up against the run . Needs to hit the weights in the NFL because just trying to go outside every play won't work in the NFL, his motor is iffy, and he doesn't look like an edge rusher . I have a late 2nd/early 3rd on him, but with this weak edge class he could easily go here , and Dallas loves Boise state players . Plus Dallas has gotten in the habit of reaching for D-Lineman ( Taco Charlton & Trysten Hill) recently .
52.LA RAMS - ROBERT HUNT - ** - G/T - LA. LAFAYETTE - 6"5" , 323
NFL PLAYER COMP - VERNON CAREY - retired
The Rams are another team up against the cap. They have spent the last 2 years going ALL IN and it didn't work . Now just to remain competitive they have some huge decisions to make because they have bloated contracts for Jared Goff and now Todd Gurley is a problem too because of his knee .Then you have the huge deal they are now obligated to pay Jalen Ramsey after trading two 1rst rounders for him last year . LT Andrew Whitworth is still a good player, but he is also a 38 year old UFA . Then you have other key long time rams like D-Lineman Michael Brockers & kicker Greg Zuerlein that are also UFA's . Plus Dante Fowler is also free on the edge .They really need to hit on their picks, and I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt on signing Whitworth & Zuerlien .They need a D-Lineman or 2 as well . The Rams also got rid of DC Wade Phillips in a sad move that transparently screams scapegoat to save the GM & head coach from their decisions . New DC Brandon Staley is a Vic Fangio disciple and he runs a slanting 3-4 too .I think they will squeeze Whitworth back under the cap, but they still need help on the interior O-line to give Goff a chance to justify his ridiculous contract .That contract could get the GM fired , and maybe the coach too. Hunt can play tackle or guard, but I like him inside , because his technique flaws would be exposed badly outside in the NFL. Once he learns to play low , keep his hands inside, and refines his overall technique who knows ? The 4 years starter stands out on tape against small school competition, . He's just bigger, stronger, more aggressive ,more athletic ,and quicker than most guys he goes against by a large margin . Held his own against Mississippi ST and APP ST, but the difference was definitely noticeable on film .
53.PHILADELPHIA - BRANDON AIYUK - ** - WR - AZ. ST. - 6 ft. , 205
NFL PLAYER COMP - a bigger JOEY GALLOWAY - retired
There is a chance that the birds will move on from all 3 of their proven veteran WR's this off season . So maybe no more Jeffery , DeSean , or Agholor . The younger guys played alright late in the season, but if they are going to take advantage of their window they need a big WR that can make plays down the field . Even with an abdominal injury that caused him to fail his Senior Bowl physical Brandon still had a good combine, and you know he isn't 100% either . He ran a 4.5 forty and had a 40 inch vert while playing hurt . His tape says he could sneak into the first round. In addition to being a big play WR Aiyuk is also a big time return man with all the explosiveness you could want. Also plays bigger than he is. Has long arms , and big natural hands that make him a serious threat . Needs to work on beating press and winning jump balls, but I think he's so used to just running away from guys he doesn't have much practice at it yet . Great value pick .
54.BUFFALO - TEE HIGGINS -WR - CLEMSON - 6"4" , 216
NFL PLAYER COMP - MIKE WILLIAMS - CHARGERS
The Bills starting wideouts are 5"10" speedster John Brown and 5 "8" quickster Cole Beasley . You have this giant cannon armed QB with spotty accuracy, and you give him little guys with little catch radiuses ? Weird . Higgins is a big, rangy , jump ball guy that make that big play on the deep ball ,and he can be a huge red zone target. If you pair a hopefully more advanced this season JJ Arcega-Whiteside with Higgins then Wentz could have 2 huge targets for 8-10 years at WR . I dropped Higgins some because he didn't workout at the combine. His tape is good against great competition, but he needed to show some speed and explosiveness to get back in the first round mix. I doubt it now . Plus it really stands out more after so many receivers did work out ( including guys bigger than him) , and then killed it in Indy .This could be the big WR with the big catch radius that Allen needs to keep improving .
55.ATLANTA-(patriots)- HARRISON BRYANT - TE - FAU - 6"5" , 234
NFL PLAYER COMP - ZACH ERTZ - EAGLES
TE Austin Hooper is a FA, and with the Falcons abstaining from applying the franchise tag i think it's a safe bet that he ends up on a team with more cap space.Bryant played OT in high school and then moved to TE , and he blocks like it . Spent most of his time in the slot and got a lot of deep separation . Tracks the ball well . Surprisingly not a inline Y TE right now but he an effective blocker down the field on tape, and I think he will become better inline with time in the weight room . Had more drops than I like , but also broke a lot of tackles .At the very least he is good move TE for your QB right away .I think he will still be productive while polishing up his route running against man, and excel against zone early. He is my number one TE in this draft, and while he might not have quite the same ceiling as Kmet or Trautman, Harrison has a higher floor & to me he's clearly the best of the bunch on tape right now.
56.MIAMI-(saints)- MICHAEL PITTMAN - WR - USC - 6"4" , 223
NFL PLAYER COMP - MARQUES COLSTON
Devante Parker and Preston Wilson are young talented guys , but if one guy goes down it will be easy to double the other, Plus no one is scared of Albert Wilson or Allen Hurns, and most teams run 3 wide sets at least two thirds of the time. I considered a center here, but went with the highest graded player because they have a lack of premium talent and should probably go BPA the rest of the draft . Pittman is going to be a 2nd generation NFL player . A BIG, strong, physical possession receiver who would kill it as power slot in this offense. Knows how to use his size to shield defenders, and a physical runner after the catch, but he lacks the speed to run away from most guys and won't be a big separator . Can win jump balls ,and also a standout special teams guy with multiple blocked punts to his name .Ran a 4.52 and 4.54 forty at the combine ,which surprised me because I though he would be a high 4.5 -low 4.6 guy. Nasty run blocker too . .
57.ATLANTA (vikings)-DAMON ARNETTE - # - CB - OHIO ST.- 6 ft. , 195
NFL PLAYER COMP - JOSH NORMAN - BILLS
Other than Desmond Trufant the Falcons didn't get starting level CB play from anybody last season . Arnette is a first round talent with first round tape in 2019, but many teams worry when a guy only plays up to his talent when he's about to get paid . Also rumors about character & maturity concerns are a warning signal , so buyer beware for me. 2-3 round grade with everything added in. Feisty , physical , better in zone corner . Plays the run like a man though, and could be a good safety once he grows up & his speed dips farther .
58.HOUSTON - CAMERON DANTZLER-CB-MISSISSIPPI ST.- 6"2" , 188
NFL PLAYER COMP - AL HARRIS - retired
Houston is another team that went all in by trading away their future wealth in draft picks . Their largest weakness is still at corner with Johnathan Joseph a free agent , but they did at least re-sign Bradley Roby . They do finally have some cap room , but also a lot of other UFA's ,and since they are in a championship window I expect them to try to make a big splash in free agency looking for a well known player . I hadn't watched Danzler until the day after Valentine's day, but I am glad I did. He is one of those players that you end up watching more games than you initially intended to because the tape is so impressive . Danzler is a tall lean corner with a high football IQ, good feet, and the ability to stay glued to his man all over the field .No other CB in college football did what he did this season. He Shut down LSU WR Jamarr Chase, and followed him all over the field like a skinny Patrick Peterson . If Chase was in this draft he would be my 3rd WR right being CD Lamb & Jerry Jeudy . As a matter of fact no other CB played as well against LSU or Alabama's elite WR cores as Danzler. After the combine he is now my number #3 overall CB behind Okudah & Henderson, although I doubt he will be the 3rd CB taken in the draft . I don't care . I love his tape . Needs to get stronger , although he is pretty skilled as a ankle biting tackler. He is physical in press at the line ,but you see him get out-muscled at the catch point at times, and when trying to tackle larger ball carriers down the field. Cameron showed up at the combine at 188, and he still needs to add another 10-15 pounds of muscle in my opinion . Didn't run well ( 4.64 forty) at the combine, and his arm length was only average,which may hurt him with some cover 3 heavy teams. He looked really good in the drills though .He sticks with his man on tape so I'm sticking with him . Plus Al Harris wasn't a burner either, but he was a great corner in the NFL with a 14 year career
NFL PLAYER COMP - MARCUS WILLIAMS - SAINTS
The Bears don't have much cap room, don't have a 1rst rounder again, and they also lack a 3rd & 4th this season, but on the bright side they have 2 seconds .A team with very little cap room, and not a lot of picks doesn't have a lot of options , especially with Trubisky dragging them down .They also need to get a new RG, because Kyle Long's talented when healthy body has finally completely broken down , and he wisely retired. Plus everyone else that played there last season was bad too .So they have to hit on the picks they have . Since they may lack the cap space to upgrade or at least give them a better fallback veteran QB they might want to take , Jalen Hurts , Jacob Eason or Jake Fromm in the 3rd , but I'm going to go with another need where they get better value . Also there is a lot of talk of them trading for Andy Dalton , but I'm going with a higher ranked player here FS Ha-Ha Clinton Dix is a free agent that can probably get more money on the open market than the bears can afford to pay . Davis is FAST on tape, which makes plenty of sense for the former track star . He's still raw as a football player, but he has a great motor and the work ethic of the walk on he was . He's getting by on athleticism, motor, and will right now. Once he is coached up , limited to primarily FS instead of moving all over, and given time to just focus on football he could be a game breaker . He's twitchy enough , has the feet, speed, and fluidity to be a corner in time . Flashes in man, but right now he's a better fit in zone schemes . He's a hard charger in the run game, but also comes in hot , takes some bad angles, and overruns plays at times. College is over , and now his only class is football .. I think he will develop quickly and be a reliable starter late in his rookie season if he goes to a heavy cover 2 or 3 zone scheme .
44.INDIANAPOLIS-ANTOINE WINFIELD JR.- ** -S- MINNESOTA- 5"9" , 203
NFL PLAYER COMP - ANTOINE BETHEA - GIANTS
The Colts have Malik Hooker playing deep at free safety , and strong safety Clayton Geathers is a UFA . Winfield JR had a great year in 2019 with 7 picks after a previously injury checkered ( medical redshirts in both 2017 and 2108 ) past . His 2019 tape jumps off the screen . Makes plays against the run or pass . Flashes what looks like makeup speed multiple times to make picks, but it may just be that he was baiting the QB and then burst . Despite his lack of height he is thick . Played more at FS last year, but also spent plenty of time at SS in the box , and spent enough time in the slot to show it's doable . Makes plays in both the run & passing games, a good blitzer, and like most 2nd generation NFL players he shows a high football IQ & instincts . Unexpectedly great combine probably pushes him up from a 2-3 to a solid 2 .
45.TAMPA BAY - JK DOBBINS - RB - OHIO ST. - 5"9' , 209
NFL PLAYER COMP - NICK CHUBB - BROWNS
The bucs haven't found a bell cow back yet . Peyton Barber is solid, but he lacks the speed to make a defense commit 8 in the box , and he is a free agent . Ronald Jones was better in his 2nd season last year ,but he no longer looks like the potential 3 down back I think we all expected when Tampa took him in the 2nd in 2018 . They could trade for Arians favorite David Johnson after he had a disappointing season in 2019 , and he probably would only cost a 3rd or 4th, but he comes with a big cap number . Dobbins is a powerful runner with great vision , and some burst, and a give me the ball mentality . Willing to step up in pass pro and also improved as a receiver, but he still needs refinement in the passing game. I have a first round grade on him and think this would be not only a big upgrade, but also a steal .
46.SAN FRANCISCO-(broncos)- JONAH JACKSON - G - OHIO ST. - 6"3" , 306
NFL PLAYER COMP - JOSH SITTON - retired
The 49ers just missed winning it all . Frisco is a zone heavy team ,especially cover 3 , and they could use another DB. Jason Verrett got hurt again, and I don't see anyone giving him more than the league minimum now, but he may also want another change of scenery . RCB Emmanuel Moseley is a restricted free agent, and even though Sherman just had a great year he will be 32 next season . As you would expect from most teams that make the Superbowl the niners are already low on cap space , and S/CB Jimmy Ward and D-Lineman Arik Armstead are FA's . D-Line is their deepest position group, and even though I'm sure they would live to have Arik back I doubt they will pay market value at a position they are stacked at .The niners really need a guard or center more than anything though . Jackson can play Guard or Center , is an excellent pass protector , and really stood out at the Senior Bowl . It's rare for a 5th year graduate Senior to really bump up his stock in his final season, but after 4 years at Rutgers Jackson transferred to the Buckeyes . He started right away , and since he has already played for 5 different offensive coordinators in his time in college he is very experienced and versatile. He needs to buff up his legs some, lower his center of gravity ,and avoid his occasional tendency to get caught leaning .On the bright side he consistently shows tremendous feet & quickness down in and down out . In the pass happy NFL this pick makes a lot of sense .I know Garoppolo would appreciate it .
47.ATLANTA - JONATHAN TAYLOR - RB - WISCONSIN - 5"10" , 226
NFL PLAYER COMP - DeMARCO MURRAY - retired
Devonta Freeman looked OK last year, but they have cap problems, and unless he wants to take a pay cut I think they get a new RB in the 2nd round . There are plenty of them here, and Taylor is a steal at this spot just for his running ability alone. Over 6,000 yards in 3 years!. Size speed, burst, vision, power- He has it all as a runner. Improved as a receiver, but is still raw in pass pro ,and needs to sharpen up his ball security some . At #47 it's still a slam dunk pick in my eyes even with all the miles on his tires .
48.NY JETS - DENZEL MIMS - WR - BAYLOR - 6'3" , 207
NFL PLAYER COMP - DAVANTE ADAMS - PACKERS
The Jets need a WR, because Robbie Anderson is a free agent , Adam Gase doesn't seem to want to pay top dollar for skill players right now, and with the 2 arrests on Anderson's record they may not want to invest a lot in him. Sam Darnold needs some more weapons.
Mims was awesome in Indy . I moved him up and wouldn't be surprised if he snuck into the bottom of the first round now . The problem is that there are so many WR's with high grades this year, and everybody probably has them different after the top 3 . I am confident. Lamb, Jeudy, and Ruggs will go in the first. I wouldn't be surprised if 7 total WR's went in the first , and 4 is probably the floor, but after that top three I have 8 guys with similar enough grades that none of them would surprise me if they went in the 1rst round .Mims is one of those 8 , and # 8 on my personal list right now . Mims is a great athlete with great hops and multiple releases of the LOS . Can get free with physicality or by shaking the DB against press . Almost 6"3 and strong without being heavy . Physical everywhere - hand fighting ,at the catch point, blocking . Hands are just OK on tape, but looked improved at the Senior Bowl and combine . Great long speed and sick 3 cone. Quick enough on break on tape. but still needs to improve as a route runner . Can break tackles after the catch . Can go up and get it .Great Senior Bowl week .Ran a 4.38 forty , but injured at the combine .
49.PITTSBURGH - JULIAN OKWARA - OLB/DE - N. DAME - 6"4 , 252
NFL PLAYER COMP - SIMEON RICE - retired
The Steelers are tight against the salary cap ,and starters Javon Hargrave and Bud Dupree are free agents. Plus at TE Vance Mcdonald has a expensive team option that shouldn't be picked up after the down year he just had. Also their number 2 TE Nick Vannett is a UFA coming off another down year . On the other hand Bud Dupree is coming off his best season after looking like a partial bust the previous 4 years, and will probably be overpaid by someone . Okwara is also a 3-4 OLB . He's a long, lean and explosive edge rusher . Julian has the athleticism and flexibility to burst off the line and bend the arc outside . He can get pushed around in the run game, but also has the speed and motor to chase plays down backside . Okwara needs to add more muscle to hold up as hand on the ground 4-3 DE . He has the athleticism that could also make him a LEO off the ball rush backer in a Seattle type cover 3 scheme as well. I thought he would test well at the combine too, but he didn't workout . still seeing him as a 2nd rounder because of his current limitations .
50.CHICAGO - COLE KMET - TE - N. DAME - 6"6" , 262
NFL PLAYER COMP - KYLE RUDOLPH - VIKINGS
With Trey Burton's injury problems, and Adam Shaheen not developing yet, the only somewhat reliable TE the Bears have on their roster is recently signed career backup Demetrius Harris . Kmet is huge . He looks like an old school in line Y TE , but he still needs polish as a blocker which is crucial in this run first offense. He is a big sure handed target already . N' Dame TE's almost always end up good blockers in the NFL, and he will get plenty of practice in this offense .So listen up Cole - bend your knees, head up, jab step, , positioning step , strike a blow, hands inside, explode your hips,,and drive your feet
51.DALLAS - CURTIS WEAVER - DE - BOISE ST - 6"2" , 265
NFL PLAYER COMP - VINNY CURRY - EAGLES
Now you get the edge rusher cowboy fans. Weaver has been very productive for 3 straight years against weaker competition at Boise state, but he didn't look very imaginative as a pass rusher on tape .Didn't run a forty at the combine, but he had the best 3 cone & short shuttle of all the edge rushers who participated in Indy, at that's a better indication of future success in the NFL anyway . He's a rush OLB on tape, and will need to get used to playing with his hand on the ground some in the pros, and tighten up against the run . Needs to hit the weights in the NFL because just trying to go outside every play won't work in the NFL, his motor is iffy, and he doesn't look like an edge rusher . I have a late 2nd/early 3rd on him, but with this weak edge class he could easily go here , and Dallas loves Boise state players . Plus Dallas has gotten in the habit of reaching for D-Lineman ( Taco Charlton & Trysten Hill) recently .
52.LA RAMS - ROBERT HUNT - ** - G/T - LA. LAFAYETTE - 6"5" , 323
NFL PLAYER COMP - VERNON CAREY - retired
The Rams are another team up against the cap. They have spent the last 2 years going ALL IN and it didn't work . Now just to remain competitive they have some huge decisions to make because they have bloated contracts for Jared Goff and now Todd Gurley is a problem too because of his knee .Then you have the huge deal they are now obligated to pay Jalen Ramsey after trading two 1rst rounders for him last year . LT Andrew Whitworth is still a good player, but he is also a 38 year old UFA . Then you have other key long time rams like D-Lineman Michael Brockers & kicker Greg Zuerlein that are also UFA's . Plus Dante Fowler is also free on the edge .They really need to hit on their picks, and I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt on signing Whitworth & Zuerlien .They need a D-Lineman or 2 as well . The Rams also got rid of DC Wade Phillips in a sad move that transparently screams scapegoat to save the GM & head coach from their decisions . New DC Brandon Staley is a Vic Fangio disciple and he runs a slanting 3-4 too .I think they will squeeze Whitworth back under the cap, but they still need help on the interior O-line to give Goff a chance to justify his ridiculous contract .That contract could get the GM fired , and maybe the coach too. Hunt can play tackle or guard, but I like him inside , because his technique flaws would be exposed badly outside in the NFL. Once he learns to play low , keep his hands inside, and refines his overall technique who knows ? The 4 years starter stands out on tape against small school competition, . He's just bigger, stronger, more aggressive ,more athletic ,and quicker than most guys he goes against by a large margin . Held his own against Mississippi ST and APP ST, but the difference was definitely noticeable on film .
53.PHILADELPHIA - BRANDON AIYUK - ** - WR - AZ. ST. - 6 ft. , 205
NFL PLAYER COMP - a bigger JOEY GALLOWAY - retired
There is a chance that the birds will move on from all 3 of their proven veteran WR's this off season . So maybe no more Jeffery , DeSean , or Agholor . The younger guys played alright late in the season, but if they are going to take advantage of their window they need a big WR that can make plays down the field . Even with an abdominal injury that caused him to fail his Senior Bowl physical Brandon still had a good combine, and you know he isn't 100% either . He ran a 4.5 forty and had a 40 inch vert while playing hurt . His tape says he could sneak into the first round. In addition to being a big play WR Aiyuk is also a big time return man with all the explosiveness you could want. Also plays bigger than he is. Has long arms , and big natural hands that make him a serious threat . Needs to work on beating press and winning jump balls, but I think he's so used to just running away from guys he doesn't have much practice at it yet . Great value pick .
54.BUFFALO - TEE HIGGINS -WR - CLEMSON - 6"4" , 216
NFL PLAYER COMP - MIKE WILLIAMS - CHARGERS
The Bills starting wideouts are 5"10" speedster John Brown and 5 "8" quickster Cole Beasley . You have this giant cannon armed QB with spotty accuracy, and you give him little guys with little catch radiuses ? Weird . Higgins is a big, rangy , jump ball guy that make that big play on the deep ball ,and he can be a huge red zone target. If you pair a hopefully more advanced this season JJ Arcega-Whiteside with Higgins then Wentz could have 2 huge targets for 8-10 years at WR . I dropped Higgins some because he didn't workout at the combine. His tape is good against great competition, but he needed to show some speed and explosiveness to get back in the first round mix. I doubt it now . Plus it really stands out more after so many receivers did work out ( including guys bigger than him) , and then killed it in Indy .This could be the big WR with the big catch radius that Allen needs to keep improving .
55.ATLANTA-(patriots)- HARRISON BRYANT - TE - FAU - 6"5" , 234
NFL PLAYER COMP - ZACH ERTZ - EAGLES
TE Austin Hooper is a FA, and with the Falcons abstaining from applying the franchise tag i think it's a safe bet that he ends up on a team with more cap space.Bryant played OT in high school and then moved to TE , and he blocks like it . Spent most of his time in the slot and got a lot of deep separation . Tracks the ball well . Surprisingly not a inline Y TE right now but he an effective blocker down the field on tape, and I think he will become better inline with time in the weight room . Had more drops than I like , but also broke a lot of tackles .At the very least he is good move TE for your QB right away .I think he will still be productive while polishing up his route running against man, and excel against zone early. He is my number one TE in this draft, and while he might not have quite the same ceiling as Kmet or Trautman, Harrison has a higher floor & to me he's clearly the best of the bunch on tape right now.
56.MIAMI-(saints)- MICHAEL PITTMAN - WR - USC - 6"4" , 223
NFL PLAYER COMP - MARQUES COLSTON
Devante Parker and Preston Wilson are young talented guys , but if one guy goes down it will be easy to double the other, Plus no one is scared of Albert Wilson or Allen Hurns, and most teams run 3 wide sets at least two thirds of the time. I considered a center here, but went with the highest graded player because they have a lack of premium talent and should probably go BPA the rest of the draft . Pittman is going to be a 2nd generation NFL player . A BIG, strong, physical possession receiver who would kill it as power slot in this offense. Knows how to use his size to shield defenders, and a physical runner after the catch, but he lacks the speed to run away from most guys and won't be a big separator . Can win jump balls ,and also a standout special teams guy with multiple blocked punts to his name .Ran a 4.52 and 4.54 forty at the combine ,which surprised me because I though he would be a high 4.5 -low 4.6 guy. Nasty run blocker too . .
57.ATLANTA (vikings)-DAMON ARNETTE - # - CB - OHIO ST.- 6 ft. , 195
NFL PLAYER COMP - JOSH NORMAN - BILLS
Other than Desmond Trufant the Falcons didn't get starting level CB play from anybody last season . Arnette is a first round talent with first round tape in 2019, but many teams worry when a guy only plays up to his talent when he's about to get paid . Also rumors about character & maturity concerns are a warning signal , so buyer beware for me. 2-3 round grade with everything added in. Feisty , physical , better in zone corner . Plays the run like a man though, and could be a good safety once he grows up & his speed dips farther .
58.HOUSTON - CAMERON DANTZLER-CB-MISSISSIPPI ST.- 6"2" , 188
NFL PLAYER COMP - AL HARRIS - retired
Houston is another team that went all in by trading away their future wealth in draft picks . Their largest weakness is still at corner with Johnathan Joseph a free agent , but they did at least re-sign Bradley Roby . They do finally have some cap room , but also a lot of other UFA's ,and since they are in a championship window I expect them to try to make a big splash in free agency looking for a well known player . I hadn't watched Danzler until the day after Valentine's day, but I am glad I did. He is one of those players that you end up watching more games than you initially intended to because the tape is so impressive . Danzler is a tall lean corner with a high football IQ, good feet, and the ability to stay glued to his man all over the field .No other CB in college football did what he did this season. He Shut down LSU WR Jamarr Chase, and followed him all over the field like a skinny Patrick Peterson . If Chase was in this draft he would be my 3rd WR right being CD Lamb & Jerry Jeudy . As a matter of fact no other CB played as well against LSU or Alabama's elite WR cores as Danzler. After the combine he is now my number #3 overall CB behind Okudah & Henderson, although I doubt he will be the 3rd CB taken in the draft . I don't care . I love his tape . Needs to get stronger , although he is pretty skilled as a ankle biting tackler. He is physical in press at the line ,but you see him get out-muscled at the catch point at times, and when trying to tackle larger ball carriers down the field. Cameron showed up at the combine at 188, and he still needs to add another 10-15 pounds of muscle in my opinion . Didn't run well ( 4.64 forty) at the combine, and his arm length was only average,which may hurt him with some cover 3 heavy teams. He looked really good in the drills though .He sticks with his man on tape so I'm sticking with him . Plus Al Harris wasn't a burner either, but he was a great corner in the NFL with a 14 year career
59.SEATTLE - KYLE DUGGAR - S/LB - LENOIR RYHNE - 6"1" , 217
NFL PLAYER COMP - RESHAD JONES - DOLPHINS
Since Kam Chancellor retired the hawks have lacked that explosive physical enforcer in the middle of their defense. Bradley Mcdougal is solid, but he doesn't fit what this team needs and is on the last year of his relatively inexpensive deal that they can save 2 million off the cap by moving on from. Duggar is physical freak of a late bloomer from a small school . He has the build to move to weakside backer if needed , but best as a box safety, although you do see him playing deep on tape .. Will be 24 as a rookie as he spent 6 years in college and at a low level of competition . Good week at the Senior Bowl really boosted his stock , and after a good combine where killed it athletically & reportedly in meetings too he should go in the 2nd .Dugger fits all the thresholds for the analytically driven Seahawks . Ran a fast (4.5) and leaped out of the building ( 42 inch vertical ) in Indy .
60.BALTIMORE - CHASE CLAYPOOL - WR - N. DAME -6"4" , 238
NFL PLAYER COMP - ANDRE JHONSON - retired
The Ravens have Safety Tony Jefferson hitting free agency, they are in the bottom 3rd in the league in cap space, and a lot of that space will probably be eaten up if they apply the franchise tag to Matt Judon . Jackson is at his best as a passer when he has big targets over the middle . Claypool's combine was "Megatronesque" . He's huge and fast. A mismatch that can outrun or out physical you . Can play inside or out, win jump balls, and be a red zone, or short yardage target . Nasty blocker , huge strong hands, and a gunner on the special teams . He could be the power slot this team needs to go to the next level . I had only done 3 games by the start of the combine, but he's one of the many guys I have to dig in on a lot more now that it's over. The arrow is pointing up now..He could even end up in the first round because guys with his freakish toolbox & special teams try hard demeanor don't come along very often, but I think more likely he goes in the late second because of the depth of this WR class .
61.TENNESSEE - JEFF GLADNEY - ** - CB - TCU - 5"10" , 191
NFL PLAYER COMP - TROY HILL - RAMS
Logan Ryan played a lot of snaps last year on the Titans run to the AFC championship, and he is free agent that made 10 million last year . They have about 50 million in cap space and there should be big contracts for Derek Henry, Ryan Tannehill ( or another QB) , and Jack Conklin if they want to make another run . That probably leaves Ryan out . Gladney is a 4 year starter and really stands out on tape in a conference not known for defense , especially at the CB position with all the spread offenses he faces . Gladney is the rare CB that is a force in the run game and as a blitzer too. Despite not being a big guy he is just nasty and physical all over the field. In coverage he has speed, agility, and willingness to attack the ball to be a thorn in any WR's side . Plays inside & out , is a ball hawk, shows the ability to recognize route combinations and just make plays . Also he's an ace special teams player who played his high school & college ball in Texas, and Jerry loves him some Texas players .Nobody did a better job on Denzel Mims one on one this season . Initially I wasn't sure if Gladney would fall this far after watching his tape . He had have meniscus surgery right after the combine, but he still looked good there, so I unless there are complications I expect him to go here anyway
62.GREEN BAY- MALIK HARRISON - LB - OHIO ST. - 6"3" , 247
NFL PLAYER COMP - KJ WRIGHT - SEAHAWKS
The pack need a big guy inside next to Blake Martinez that can take on blocks. After solid tape and a good combine I think this is the guy . He's a downhill battering ram that can free up Blake to run to he ball. Also a good blitzer with a core special teams personality . Not an every down guy just yet, but the tools are their once he gets better in man coverage, and he's solid in zone . For now I would just send him after the QB most of the time. Good range and motor . Physical tackler . If he polishes up his football IQ and coverage skills he could be the next Bart Scott,, which is shocking because he was a QB in high school , but they also need to re-sign Blake Martinez .If you ever meet Ray Lewis ask him how important Bart Scott was . Malik's a fun guy to watch , and I'll be tuned in when he's in the game in the NFL. CAN'T WAIT !
63.SEATTLE-(49ers,chiefs)-TERRELL LEWIS-**-OLB/DE-ALABAMA-6"5", 262
NFL PLAYER COMP - ZIGGY ANSAH - SEAHAWKS
Clowney and Ansah are FA's and 2019 first rounder LJ Collier was a disappointment as a rookie off the edge . The Hawks have the cap room to bring back Clowney,,but he may get a lot more from someone ( Colts, giants, etc.) else, and they can't franchise tag him . If you didn't know about Terrell's injury history and just watched the games he did play in he would probably be your number 2 edge rusher in this draft . He's got explosiveness , length, , and plenty of pass rush ability , but he has missed A LOT of games . 2 full seasons with real potentially long term injuries . If he stays healthy and takes to coaching he could be the next TJ Watt, but I think ti more likely he is a perennially injured , but tantalizing when healthy guy like Ansah . He fits the Seahawks this late , might be worth the risk anyway , and it's a huge need.
64.KANSAS CITY - TROY PRIDE - CB - N. DAME - 5"11" , 193
NFL PLAYER COMP - DENZEL WARD - BROWNS
KC is strapped for cap space and they also have a lot of guys who want raises. Emmanuel Ogbah is a free agent, and Frank Clark didn't earn his big payday much last season .They need a corner more though, and it's better to get a player worth this pick , instead of reaching for an edge guy like other teams already have so far . Pride has speed and quicks, excels in man coverage , and was the best CB at the Senior Bowl . Had a pick in the game and an excellent week of practice . Size limits him from playing for some teams, and others will just want him only as a slot guy , but I see him as a every down starter who can play inside and out . After a great combine I expect him to move up for some teams , but I think I have him higher than most, and that this is a steal.
NFL PLAYER COMP - RESHAD JONES - DOLPHINS
Since Kam Chancellor retired the hawks have lacked that explosive physical enforcer in the middle of their defense. Bradley Mcdougal is solid, but he doesn't fit what this team needs and is on the last year of his relatively inexpensive deal that they can save 2 million off the cap by moving on from. Duggar is physical freak of a late bloomer from a small school . He has the build to move to weakside backer if needed , but best as a box safety, although you do see him playing deep on tape .. Will be 24 as a rookie as he spent 6 years in college and at a low level of competition . Good week at the Senior Bowl really boosted his stock , and after a good combine where killed it athletically & reportedly in meetings too he should go in the 2nd .Dugger fits all the thresholds for the analytically driven Seahawks . Ran a fast (4.5) and leaped out of the building ( 42 inch vertical ) in Indy .
60.BALTIMORE - CHASE CLAYPOOL - WR - N. DAME -6"4" , 238
NFL PLAYER COMP - ANDRE JHONSON - retired
The Ravens have Safety Tony Jefferson hitting free agency, they are in the bottom 3rd in the league in cap space, and a lot of that space will probably be eaten up if they apply the franchise tag to Matt Judon . Jackson is at his best as a passer when he has big targets over the middle . Claypool's combine was "Megatronesque" . He's huge and fast. A mismatch that can outrun or out physical you . Can play inside or out, win jump balls, and be a red zone, or short yardage target . Nasty blocker , huge strong hands, and a gunner on the special teams . He could be the power slot this team needs to go to the next level . I had only done 3 games by the start of the combine, but he's one of the many guys I have to dig in on a lot more now that it's over. The arrow is pointing up now..He could even end up in the first round because guys with his freakish toolbox & special teams try hard demeanor don't come along very often, but I think more likely he goes in the late second because of the depth of this WR class .
61.TENNESSEE - JEFF GLADNEY - ** - CB - TCU - 5"10" , 191
NFL PLAYER COMP - TROY HILL - RAMS
Logan Ryan played a lot of snaps last year on the Titans run to the AFC championship, and he is free agent that made 10 million last year . They have about 50 million in cap space and there should be big contracts for Derek Henry, Ryan Tannehill ( or another QB) , and Jack Conklin if they want to make another run . That probably leaves Ryan out . Gladney is a 4 year starter and really stands out on tape in a conference not known for defense , especially at the CB position with all the spread offenses he faces . Gladney is the rare CB that is a force in the run game and as a blitzer too. Despite not being a big guy he is just nasty and physical all over the field. In coverage he has speed, agility, and willingness to attack the ball to be a thorn in any WR's side . Plays inside & out , is a ball hawk, shows the ability to recognize route combinations and just make plays . Also he's an ace special teams player who played his high school & college ball in Texas, and Jerry loves him some Texas players .Nobody did a better job on Denzel Mims one on one this season . Initially I wasn't sure if Gladney would fall this far after watching his tape . He had have meniscus surgery right after the combine, but he still looked good there, so I unless there are complications I expect him to go here anyway
62.GREEN BAY- MALIK HARRISON - LB - OHIO ST. - 6"3" , 247
NFL PLAYER COMP - KJ WRIGHT - SEAHAWKS
The pack need a big guy inside next to Blake Martinez that can take on blocks. After solid tape and a good combine I think this is the guy . He's a downhill battering ram that can free up Blake to run to he ball. Also a good blitzer with a core special teams personality . Not an every down guy just yet, but the tools are their once he gets better in man coverage, and he's solid in zone . For now I would just send him after the QB most of the time. Good range and motor . Physical tackler . If he polishes up his football IQ and coverage skills he could be the next Bart Scott,, which is shocking because he was a QB in high school , but they also need to re-sign Blake Martinez .If you ever meet Ray Lewis ask him how important Bart Scott was . Malik's a fun guy to watch , and I'll be tuned in when he's in the game in the NFL. CAN'T WAIT !
63.SEATTLE-(49ers,chiefs)-TERRELL LEWIS-**-OLB/DE-ALABAMA-6"5", 262
NFL PLAYER COMP - ZIGGY ANSAH - SEAHAWKS
Clowney and Ansah are FA's and 2019 first rounder LJ Collier was a disappointment as a rookie off the edge . The Hawks have the cap room to bring back Clowney,,but he may get a lot more from someone ( Colts, giants, etc.) else, and they can't franchise tag him . If you didn't know about Terrell's injury history and just watched the games he did play in he would probably be your number 2 edge rusher in this draft . He's got explosiveness , length, , and plenty of pass rush ability , but he has missed A LOT of games . 2 full seasons with real potentially long term injuries . If he stays healthy and takes to coaching he could be the next TJ Watt, but I think ti more likely he is a perennially injured , but tantalizing when healthy guy like Ansah . He fits the Seahawks this late , might be worth the risk anyway , and it's a huge need.
64.KANSAS CITY - TROY PRIDE - CB - N. DAME - 5"11" , 193
NFL PLAYER COMP - DENZEL WARD - BROWNS
KC is strapped for cap space and they also have a lot of guys who want raises. Emmanuel Ogbah is a free agent, and Frank Clark didn't earn his big payday much last season .They need a corner more though, and it's better to get a player worth this pick , instead of reaching for an edge guy like other teams already have so far . Pride has speed and quicks, excels in man coverage , and was the best CB at the Senior Bowl . Had a pick in the game and an excellent week of practice . Size limits him from playing for some teams, and others will just want him only as a slot guy , but I see him as a every down starter who can play inside and out . After a great combine I expect him to move up for some teams , but I think I have him higher than most, and that this is a steal.
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