The Bengals have holes on both sides of
the ball but it will be a shock if they let Joe Burrow slide.
1. Cincinnati Bengals - Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Joe Burrow’s historic season led to him likely becoming
the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He possesses exceptional
football IQ to go along with outstanding anticipation. He’s
a quarterback that can throw his receivers open, while working around
pressure in the pocket. Burrow can read the entire field, working
through each of his progressions. Arguably his best trait is his
accuracy, limiting mistakes while maximizing his opportunities.
Burrow doesn’t have any burning red flags to his game, but
he is already 24 years old. Still, his production against elite
level competition allows us to overlook his age. Burrow doesn’t
possess great arm strength, but his accuracy and anticipation
will likely make up for deficiencies at the NFL level.
The Bengals have holes along both sides of the ball. They benched
Andy Dalton in 2019 for Ryan Finley, who is clearly not their quarterback
of the future. Burrow is a player that has the upside to turn a
franchise around, even with glaring holes at multiple positions.
He’s a franchise quarterback, who can elevate the players
around him and the Bengals will finally have a player that they
can build their team around.
2. Washington Redskins - Chase Young, Edge, Ohio State
Chase Young is likely the safest and most complete player in this
draft. He’s an outstanding defender in the run game, setting
the edge without much give and is a game-changing pass rusher. He
boasts elite hands at the point of attack, while possessing more
than enough pass rush moves to keep offensive linemen guessing.
Young has a great first step, quickness to match, outstanding bend,
and elite speed to the quarterback. He doesn’t solely rely
on speed, possessing tremendous power when utilizing power techniques.
Young doesn’t truly have any flaws but he could get better
in coverage and space, but his athleticism will allow him to do
that as he matures that part of his game.
The Redskins drafted their franchise quarterback last year and have
plenty of holes to fill, but it’s clear that an elite pass
rusher in the NFL has the ability to change games. Young is arguably
the safest prospect with the highest ceiling in the draft. He boasts
Hall of Fame potential, and is the type of defensive game-changer
Washington is in need of.
3. Detroit Lions - Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Okudah enjoyed one of the best collegiate careers for a cornerback
in recent memory. He’s an excellent man coverage corner,
featuring elite quickness, athleticism, and ball skills. He’s
a confident player that isn’t afraid to crowd receivers.
Okudah is aggressive, allowing him to jump routes and make plays
that others may not trust themselves enough to make. He also played
in a complex college system, making his transition to an NFL system
that much easier.
Okudah sometimes trusts his instincts a bit too much. His speed
allowed him to make up for this at the collegiate level, but that
may not be the case in the NFL. He also will need to find more success
as a zone coverage cornerback, although any team that drafts him
should switch to a man-based scheme.
The Lions saw their star cornerback, Darius Slay, take a step
back in 2019. He’s set to become a free agent after this
season, and has already stated he wants elite cornerback money.
Detroit could potentially pay him to pair him with Okaduh for
what could be one of the best cornerback duos in the NFL, or they
could use their rookie to take over as their shutdown option once
Slay’s contract is up.
4. New York Giants - Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Andrew Thomas was a three-year starter at left tackle in the SEC.
He played in a pro-style offense at Georgia, accumulating plenty
of high-level experience. He is already an outstanding run blocker,
displaying tremendous power. He has found success as a pass blocker,
flashing more than enough upside to find success on the left side
of the line in the NFL. He boasts great hands as well, possessing
a tremendous first punch that allows him to control defenders.
Thomas has struggled at times with his footwork. He has displayed
enough foot speed to fix these issues with more coaching, although
he tends to rely on his power.
The Giants have plenty of holes that need to be filled on the defensive
side of the ball. Isaiah Simmons would make sense here, but the
team also needs to protect their first round franchise quarterback.
At the moment, there are a few offensive tackles that could be first
off the board, but Thomas is a relatively safe option that should
be able to play at a high level on the left side of the line for
quite some time.
5. Miami Dolphins - Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
Tua Tagovailoa comes with tremendous upside as a rhythm passer
in the NFL. He is an intelligent quarterback that reads defenses
before the snap, while making progressions after the play begins.
Tagovailoa possesses tremendous accuracy to go along with elite-level
touch. He also stays composed under pressure, making plenty of high-level
throws with defenders in his face. Tagovailoa doesn’t possess
elite speed, but he finds ways to work around pressure in the pocket,
while boasting enough mobility to extend plays.
Tagovailoa relies heavily on his accuracy and touch because he
doesn’t have elite arm strength. Still, his throwing power
will be more than serviceable in the NFL. He has durability concerns,
including a gruesome season-ending injury that has likely caused
him to fall a bit in this draft. Furthermore, there are questions
as to whether Alabama’s receiving group made the quarterback
or if the quarterback made the receiving group.
The Dolphins started their “Tank for Tua” campaign at
the beginning of the season. They didn’t stick with it, though,
ending up with the fifth overall pick. Still, they could get their
quarterback of the future because of injury. Tagovailoa possesses
the character and leadership that a team like the Dolphins could
use.
6. Los Angeles Chargers - Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Herbert has the prototypical size and arm strength for the NFL.
He possesses the ability to make any throw on the field, while flashing
elite potential at times. Herbert is an athletic player that has
the mobility to leave the pocket and pick up first downs with his
legs. He isn’t overly consistent, but when he gets into rhythm,
he finds plenty of success.
While Herbert has the upside of an NFL quarterback, he comes with
quite a bit of question marks. His accuracy is less than stellar,
struggling to consistently make high quality throws. Herbert struggles
to progress through his reads, as well. While he possesses the
arm strength to make elite throws, his inconsistencies could result
in plenty of missed opportunities.
Philip Rivers is no longer the quarterback of the Los Angeles Chargers.
They could search for his replacement in free agency, or they could
look in the NFL Draft. Herbert was one of the top quarterback prospects
last season, and that’s the case once again this year but
he’s somewhat of a clear third option behind Burrow and Tagovailoa.
Herbert isn’t as safe as the other options, but he owns franchise-changing
potential if his skills are maximized at the next level.
Isaiah Simmons is a player that could fly up draft boards. He’s
as versatile of a defender as anyone in recent memory. At Clemson,
Simmons played 100+ snaps at five different positions. He could
find success in the NFL at linebacker, slot corner, safety, or as
an edge rusher. Simmons is an outstanding tackler, while boasting
elite sideline-to-sideline range. He can guard at a high level in
both zone or man coverage. His cardio is outstanding, and he possesses
the football IQ to seamlessly maneuver from position to position
depending on the team needs in each defensive package.
The Panthers have plenty of holes throughout their roster. They
lost Luke Keuchley to retirement, leaving a massive hole at linebacker.
They also need help at cornerback and potentially safety.
Simmons is a player that can fit nearly any role a defensive coordinator
needs, and he has game-changing potential on his side of the ball.
Simmons’ limitless versatility nearly guarantees he’ll
find success at the NFL level, and that’s something Carolina
needs on defense.
8. Arizona Cardinals - Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
Tristan Wirfs is a gritty lineman from a school that consistently
produces that type of player. He possesses an impressive frame,
but that doesn’t limit his foot speed. Wirfs comes with tremendous
power, suggesting he’ll find success against both speed and
power rushers at the next level. He isn’t an overly polished
run blocker, but has flashed once he gets to the second level of
defenses. His initial contact is generally successful, but he struggles
to consistently finish plays in the run game.
Wirfs would be an interesting addition to the Cardinals line.
They need help at tackle, which is where he projects by most scouts
at the NFL level. With that being said, some have suggested that
Wirfs will need to slide inside to guard. If that’s the
case, Arizona could go with another offensive tackle option here,
but Wirfs is the type of player that could protect Kyler Murray’s
blindside for years to come.
Derrick Brown is an NFL-ready player that is one of the best prospects
in this draft. He has an elite combination of power, speed, explosiveness,
and technique. Brown is a player that will be stout in the run game,
while possessing plenty of interior pass rush upside. He’ll
be a day one starter in the NFL, and has proven for years of experience
in the tough SEC. While Brown’s best attribute is his power,
his elite cardio/motor is one of the biggest reasons he’s
projected to find success at the next level.
The Jaguars could use help on the interior defensive line. Taven
Bryan seems primed to break out, but Brown would be a player that
can completely change their defense. He boasts an outstanding
ceiling, and he’s one of the safest players in the draft.
Similarly to Simmons, Brown could end up being a top-three pick
in this draft, making him a steal for a team like Jacksonville
that needs help at his position.
Becton has absurd size, resulting in tremendous power at the point
of attack. As is the case with bigger linemen, this size and strength
helps Becton’s power run blocking. He has the potential to
be one of the better run blockers in the NFL. Surprisingly, Becton
has the footspeed to reach the second level, as well. His size and
power allows him to anchor his body in pass protection, while also
possessing the speed to meet speed rushers before it’s too
late.
While Becton’s strength is such an advantage at the moment,
it could also be one of his biggest downfalls early on in his
career. With his ability to rely solely on his power at the collegiate
level, Becton lacks the technique and polish needed for the NFL
level. He has struggled with his initial punch at times, and his
strength won’t make up for that in the NFL the same way
it did in the ACC. Becton has also struggled with known weight
issues, although that shouldn’t be an overly large concern
for coaches if Becton is committed to success at the next level.
The Browns offense took a massive step back in 2019. A large part
of that was the play of their offensive tackles. Greg Robinson and
Chris Hubbard both struggled, and it isn’t guaranteed that
either is back as a starter. Becton could immediately slide into
a starting role, even if he isn’t ready. At worst, he has
the run blocking ability to fill the right tackle role, but he also
comes with the upside to move to left tackle later in his career.
There are safer options in this draft at this position, but the
Browns are in need of a game-changing tackle.
11. New York Jets - Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Jerry Jeudy is an elite route runner, who possesses fluid hips.
He understands the nuances of his routes, setting up defenders,
while quickly getting in and out of his breaks. Jeudy has tremendous
body control, allowing him to track the deep ball at a high level.
He isn’t overly dominant after the catch, but has the ability
to make big plays on short routes. While it isn’t the most
important part of scouting reports, Jeudy is also a willing blocker,
making him one of the most complete receiving options in this draft.
Jeudy doesn’t have many flaws in his game, although he tends
to let the ball get to his body. He needs to work a bit on his
drops early in his career. Jeudy is often seen as the safe option
as opposed to other high upside players in this draft, but he
has all the makings of a WR1 at the NFL level.
The Jets have some talent in their receiving group, but they don’t
have a true number one for their franchise quarterback to rely on.
Adding Jeudy would allow them to open up their offense, while giving
Sam Darnold the next step for his development.
12. Las Vegas Raiders - CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Lamb is another outstanding receiving option in this draft, who
has flashed WR1 potential. He has the ability to help an offense
at every level, possessing tremendous ball skills. Lamb is also
an outstanding tracker once the ball is in the air. He has the potential
to run a full route tree, adding tremendous YAC potential on short
routes. Similarly to Jeudy, Lamb is a willing blocker, often helping
in the Oklahoma run game.
Lamb’s combine will likely determine his value. Some have
questioned his speed, and he could jump Jeudy as the top receiver
if he performs well in the 40-yard-dash. Lamb is also a wide receiver
that has to answer questions about the talent of his competition.
The Big 12 is known as an offensive conference with less than
stellar cornerbacks. Some may question whether Lamb can dominate
NFL cornerbacks the same way he did to the Big 12’s options.
The Raiders are in dire need of a game-changing playmaker on the
outside. After Antonio Brown left the team, Las Vegas was left with
Tyrell Williams as their top option. Hunter Renfrow was a pleasant
surprise in the slot, but Las Vegas needs a true number one option
on the outside. Lamb has the potential to become that, making him
a great fit.
13. Indianapolis Colts - Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Love is an outstanding option from a physical standpoint. He has
tremendous size, strength, and mobility for a quarterback. Love
has a quick release with plenty of arm strength to make any throw
at the next level. He also isn’t afraid to extend plays with
his legs, improvising on the spot. Furthermore, Love is a passer
that is willing to attempt nearly any throw on the field, flashing
unwavering confidence in his arm throughout games.
While he has all the physical traits, Love has struggled with
his decision-making. He’s a player that trusts his physical
tools far too much, often times testing defenses with throws that
are easy turnovers. Love will need to greatly improve his pre-snaps
reads, along with his ability to diagnose coverage at the next
level.
The Colts lost their franchise quarterback, Andrew Luck, to a surprise
retirement last season. They replaced him with Jacoby Brissett,
but he didn’t have a season to make them believe he’s
the future at the position. The Colts could use this pick on a few
players, but if they believe they can get their franchise quarterback
in the middle of the first round, that’s likely a shot they’d
be willing to take.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - A.J. Epenesa, Edge, Iowa
A.J. Epenesa was seen as an elite prospect prior to the season,
but he fell off a bit in 2019. He’s a lengthy player that
boasts tremendous power. He utilizes this power in his pass rush
moves, although he has gotten better with his hands throughout the
season, as well. Furthermore, Epenesa is outstanding at setting
the edge, as his size and power allows him to hold his ground, even
against bigger linemen. Similarly to many players from Iowa, Epenesa
is a player that is willing to do the dirty work in the trenches.
While he boasts tremendous power, Epenesa isn’t an elite
athlete. He doesn’t possess great burst for a pass rusher
either. Essentially, Epenesa is seen as a solid prospect, who
isn’t capable of turning into an All Pro player.
If the Buccaneers aren’t using this draft for their quarterback
of the future, they are in dire need of pass rushers. Outside of
Shaquil Barrett, the entire Tampa Bay defense struggled to get pressure.
While Epenesa doesn’t possess speed around the edge, he’ll
help in the run game, while flashing more than enough power to get
to the opposing quarterbacks. He could immediately help Tampa Bay’s
defense.
15. Denver Broncos - Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Trevon Diggs is a cornerback that possesses tremendous size. He
also boasts length as a defender, and the athleticism to cover quite
a bit of ground in the secondary. This size will allow Diggs to
shadow WR1s throughout his career, as well. He’s already outstanding
in zone coverage, displaying tremendous knowledge early in his career.
He also uses his size when pressing his opponents, overwhelming
them at the line of scrimmage.
While Diggs has flashed in press coverage, he isn’t overly
consistent in man coverage at this point in his career. He is
also at his worst when playing off-man. The team that drafts him
will need a plan in place for their defense to set Diggs up for
success.
The Broncos are in an odd spot in their secondary. Chris Harris
Jr. is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, but he could be on
his way out of Denver. If that’s the case, they will need
to replace him immediately. Even if Harris stays, the Broncos could
add another high upside cornerback. Diggs may never live up to his
potential if he can’t produce in man coverage, but he’ll
be an outstanding zone corner regardless.
16. Atlanta Falcons - Yetur Gross-Matos, Edge, Penn State
Yetur Gross-Matos is another massive edge rusher in this draft.
He uses his length extremely well, while also possesses solid hand
speed and placement. Gross-Matos has a quick first step, allowing
him to bend around the edge. He is a solid tackler, who owns enough
power to set the edge, as well. Gross-Matos’ best attribute
could be his motor, wearing his opponents down throughout the game
and individual plays.
Gross-Matos is a player that comes with plenty of upside, but
he isn’t quite there yet. He has trouble diagnosing plays,
although his athleticism has made up for that at times in the
NCAA. That won’t be the case in the NFL. Gross-Matos also
doesn’t win with elite speed or power, although he possesses
enough of both. With that being said, he needs to add pass rush
moves to his arsenal, which will come with time.
Adrian Clayborn and Vic Beasley are two pass rushers for the Atlanta
Falcons that will be free agents this season. Atlanta will need
to replace some of this production if they let either or both of
them walk. Gross-Matos could play off the bench for Atlanta early
in his career, allowing him to progress without losing his confidence
to early struggles.
17. Dallas Cowboys - Grant Delpit, S, LSU
Grant Delpit is an extremely complete safety. He has the ability
to play man or zone coverage. He also possesses plenty of range,
while also flashing the ability to play in the box if needed. Overall,
he’s a downhill player, who can make big plays on the backend.
Delpit is a willing, if unspectacular, tackler, who often tries
to create turnovers. There are some that believe Delpit will have
the ability to play cornerback at the next level, if needed, because
of his intelligence.
Many scouts asked him to become a better tackler in 2019, and he
certainly did. He’ll need to sure-up those skills if he wants
to find consistent success in the NFL.
The Dallas Cowboys need to re-sign Dak Prescott, Amari Cooper,
and Byron Jones. It looks at the moment as if Jones could be the
odd man out. If that’s the case, they’ll need to replace
one of the best safeties in the NFL. At this pick, the Cowboys
have their pick of the top safeties, and Delpit would be a solid
replacement in the back end of their secondary.
18. Miami Dolphins - Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
Jedrick Wills is an outstanding prospect. He comes with tremendous
technique, winning at the line of scrimmage from his first punch
on. He also boasts tremendous power, allowing him success in both
run and pass blocking. Along with his great technique, Wills has
plus footwork. He is an outstanding pass blocker already in his
young career, and a solid run blocker. He possesses the ability
to get to the second level, as well. Overall, Wills is a smart player,
who wins with technique to go along with solid physical traits.
Wills strictly played right tackle for Alabama. Scouts have wondered
if he can make the transition to left tackle at the NFL level. One
of the biggest concerns is that Wills doesn’t possess great
foot speed. While he has outstanding technique, he won’t be
able to move to left tackle if he struggles against speed rushers.
The Dolphins are in a complete rebuild, and they are in dire need
of offensive linemen. If they draft Tua Tagovailoa with their
first pick, they will need to keep him healthy, as he has struggled
with injuries. Getting one of his personal offensive lineman from
Alabama is a perfect match. If Wills can’t move to left
tackle, he’ll make an outstanding right tackle throughout
his career.
19. Las Vegas Raiders - Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
Kristian Fulton is an elite man coverage cornerback. He’s
at his best when he’s pressing, as he is outstanding at disrupting
his opponents’ routes. Fulton is extremely aggressive in his
coverage, jumping routes, attacking the ball, and making any reception
more difficult on receivers. He also trusts his instincts, while
possessing enough makeup speed to recover from any wrong reads.
Fulton has the ability to play in any coverage, but he could improve
in zone coverage. While it isn’t a major issue, it’s
a necessity for success in the NFL. Fulton also needs to improve
as a tackler. There are likely to be some concerns throughout his
interviews, as well, after Fulton missed the 2017 season due to
suspension.
The Raiders are in dire need of consistency in their secondary.
They have been drafting defensive backs for years, but none have
turned into a shutdown cornerback. Fulton is a player that possesses
the ability to shadow number ones on opposing teams, and he could
be the player that adds some consistency to the backend of the
Las Vegas defense.
Kenneth Murray is an aggressive linebacker with range and the
athleticism to play sideline-to-sideline. He makes tackles even
when he seems to be out of position. He plays fast from the start
of the play, allowing him to hit the hole with explosion, although
this also gets him into trouble at times.
Murray’s fast play is generally seen as a plus, but he misreads
plays at too high of a rate for the NFL. Hr wasn’t asked to
play man coverage much at Oklahoma and while he is an athletic player,
suggesting he will be able to, it’s a bit of an unknown for
the NFL. Overall, Murray’s play recognition will be his biggest
concern for his future.
Telvin Smith stated that he was going to sit out the 2019 NFL
season, and it remains to be seen if he’ll actually return
after his year off. The Jaguars will need to replace quite a bit
of production, and Murray could help with that. Myles Jack is
also coming off of a bad season, and Jacksonville will have their
pick of linebackers at this point in the draft.
21. Philadelphia Eagles - Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
Henry Ruggs III possesses elite speed, and will be able to take
the top off of any defense in the NFL. That isn’t the only
good part about his game, though. Along with his speed, Ruggs is
outstanding at tracking the ball and continues to add routes to
his repertoire. His larger route tree is extremely important, as
Ruggs is outstanding after the catch, and will be more than simply
a deep threat at the next level.
Ruggs can make contested catches, but he too often allows balls
to get into his body. He also needs to continue to add to his route
tree, while working on his ability to get off the press. Solid press
corners will disrupt his routes, limiting his speed and taking away
the receivers best attribute.
The Eagles struggled with injuries to their receivers in 2019.
Ruggs is a player that can learn behind DeSean Jackson, who is
one of the best deep threats in the NFL. He would add another
dimension to their offense, and would give them some much needed
depth.
22. Buffalo Bills - Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
Tee Higgins is a massive receiver, who utilizes his body extremely
well. He boasts an elite catch radius with outstanding hands. Higgins
isn’t a player that often lets the ball get into his body
either. He possesses the ability to play through contact, and is
arguably the best receiver in the draft in contested situations.
He was known as a deep threat at Clemson, and his tracking ability
is outstanding at this point in his career.
While Higgins looked outstanding as a deep threat throughout his
collegiate career, some have questioned his long speed. That is
a question he can answer at the NFL Combine, although with his size,
he doesn’t need a blazing 40-yard dash to be able to beat
corners deep in the NFL. Higgins also needs to work on his route
tree. As primarily a deep threat at Clemson, he struggles in the
short and intermediate routes.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Bills receivers caught only
40.3% of their contested catch opportunities last season. That’s
the situation in which Higgins thrives, and he can immediately
help the offense. Furthermore, Allen can rely on John Brown and
Cole Beasley early in Higgins’ career, allowing him to become
a more complete receiver before being thrust into a number one
role.
23. New England Patriots - K’Lavon Chaisson, OLB, LSU
K’Lavon Chaisson is a player that could climb draft boards
as we head towards late April. He has outstanding pass rushing tools,
as he can win with both speed and power. He’s a player with
outstanding bend as well, giving him a variety of ways to beat opposing
linemen. Furthermore, Chaisson utilizes his power well when setting
the edge in run support. His first step is outstanding, allowing
him to get ahead of his opponents early in the play. Chaisson comes
with coverage ability, flashing the tools needed to play both zone
and man coverage at the next level. He’s a versatile option,
as some believe he’ll be able to play OLB or add weight and
play with his hand in the dirt.
Chaisson missed the majority of the 2018 season with an ACL tear.
While he proved that he was healthy during the 2019 season, this
is still a major concern for the physicality of his position. Furthermore,
Chaisson’s injury stunted his development on and off the field
a bit.
The Patriots could look to fill out their offense here, but adding
a high upside pass rusher is also a necessity. Chaisson looks
the part, and New England hasn’t moved away from risky options
in the past. He gives them tremendous upside late in the draft,
which is something they may not find on the offensive side of
the ball at this point.
24. New Orleans Saints - Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
Laviska Shenault is a strong receiver that uses his size and strength
to play through contact. His strength along with his speed make
an outstanding after the catch option. He’s an explosive receiver,
who comes with solid hands. Furthermore, Shenault can play all over
the field. He possesses the ability to play outside or in the slot,
but he could also play an H-back role if he finds himself in a creative
offense.
With his ability to play multiple positions, Shenault isn’t
quite as polished of a route runner as some of the other options
in this draft. He has the ability to beat defenses on multiple levels,
but his routes are far from polished or complete. Surprisingly,
Shenault has also struggled against the press. Given his physical
traits, this could be something that NFL teams believe they can
fix quite easily.
The Saints desperately need someone to take the pressure off of
Michael Thomas. While he’s an elite receiver and can do
it all without help, adding a high upside second option to the
offense would make him that much better. New Orleans is also an
extremely creative offense, and would be able to take advantage
of everything Shenault does well. Similarly to Tee Higgins with
the Bills, Shenault seems tailor-made for New Orleans.
C.J. Henderson possesses the speed and traits to play man coverage,
while boasting the smarts to find plenty of success in zone, as
well. He’s a player that isn’t afraid to come off of
his receiver to make a play. He also owns tremendous recovery speed,
allowing him to jump routes and still find success, unlike slower
cornerbacks in the NFL. Henderson has also proven that he can find
success in press coverage, as he is a physical option at the line
of scrimmage. Overall, he possesses all the tools to become the
top coverage cornerback in this class.
There is one trait that the NFL will frown upon with Henderson -
tackling. He isn’t a willing tackler, and often times looks
as if he’s trying to avoid the confrontation. Other cornerbacks
have fallen in the draft simply because of their unwillingness to
tackle, and that may be the case with Henderson.
The Vikings are a team that needs help in coverage. Their cornerbacks
have struggled quite a bit, and that is one of their only defensive
flaws. Adding arguably the best cover corner in this draft makes
quite a bit of sense. It simply comes down to whether they can
accept his unwillingness to tackle.
26. Miami Dolphins - D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
D’Andre Swift is a stocky running back with a powerful lower
half and this allows him to finish runs with power, although he
has also flashed plenty of elusiveness throughout his career. Swift
has a quick burst and he can get upfield in a hurry. He’s
also a hands catcher, who will add more to his passing game in the
NFL. Most importantly, Swift is an outstanding pass blocker for
his position. If the Dolphins draft a quarterback that has struggled
with injuries, getting an elite pass blocking running back is a
must.
Swift often relies too heavily on his power. He boasts the elusiveness
to make defenders miss, but often times finishes the play with
power rather than speed/agility. Swift also struggled with injuries
throughout his career. Consistently suffering from small injuries
is could be problematic in the NFL.
Miami is a team that is in dire need of a rushing attack. Ryan Fitzpatrick
led the team with 243 rushing yards last season. Kalen Ballage has
proven to be a bust, while Myles Gaskin and Patrick Laird aren’t
the answer. Getting a versatile running back that can help a rookie
quarterback in multiple ways would be a great way to end their trio
of first round picks in this draft.
Josh Jones was a four year starter at Houston. He has all the
physical tools to find success in the NFL. He boasts an outstanding
build with the arm length to find success at tackle. He also flashes
the foot speed necessary to find success as a left tackle at the
professional level. Jones is at his best in pass protection, but
he also flashed as a run blocker later in his career. While he is
raw in some areas, he is experienced and has seen relatively consistent
growth throughout his career.
Jones has all the physical traits to find success in the NFL, but
he lacks nearly all of the technique. Surprisingly, he struggled
to develop this even as a four year starter at Houston. Jones also
lacks football IQ, and has struggled with his footwork in crucial
situations. He’s an experienced physical specimen that needs
to be molded into an NFL-caliber tackle at the next level.
The Seahawks have allowed Russell Wilson to mask how bad their
offensive line actually is. This says quite a bit because they
are still generally seen as one of the worst offensive lines in
the NFL. Jones comes with quite a bit of risk if he can’t
change his technique, but he also comes with tremendous upside.
He could be a consistent lineman for Seattle if they are able
to progress him early in his career.
Lewis is a long, athletic pass rusher. He’s a bit thin,
but has found ways to use that to his advantage when slipping blocks.
He has an outstanding first burst on his way to the quarterback.
He isn’t elite at setting the edge, but he can make big plays
in the run game due to his quickness and ability to squeeze through
blocks. His length also works in his favor when he doesn’t
get to the quarterback, as he possesses the ability to bat balls
down at the line of scrimmage.
Lewis has dealt with a few major injuries throughout his career.
This comes as a major concern because of his slim build. He can
maintain his size if he’s strictly used as a situational pass
rusher, but he’ll need to add weight to become a three-down
player. Lewis also needs to work on his play recognition and football
IQ, but his pure athleticism has limited his issues with this throughout
his collegiate career.
The Ravens are in an interesting position this offseason. They
need to re-sign a few players, including some of their top pass
rushers. They’re a team that would benefit greatly from
finding pass rushers, who can get pressure without blitzing. Lewis
enters the NFL as a high upside edge player, who Baltimore can
mold into an every down option if they choose.
29. Tennessee Titans - Curtis Weaver, DE, Boise State
Curtis Weaver is one of the safer options this late in the draft.
He boasts tremendous football IQ to go along with plenty of versatility.
Teams will be able to use him as a 4-3 defensive end or a 3-4 outside
linebacker. He wins with a quick first step, solid footwork, outstanding
bend, and great hands. Weaver is a player that can find a consistent
pass rush, while also setting the edge in the run game.
Weaver may be near his ceiling, though. He doesn’t possess
elite athletic traits, limiting his upside in the NFL. He has
trouble making tackles in space, suggesting he could be at his
best at defensive end rather than outside linebacker. Overall,
Weaver is a relatively safe option, who doesn’t boast All
Pro upside.
Between a lack of production and age, the Titans are in need of
pass rush help. Unfortunately, Weaver would have to play outside
linebacker for Tennessee, but that is far from a deal breaker. They
have taken high upside options in that past that haven’t panned
out, and getting a consistent pass rusher makes sense in this slot.
30. Green Bay Packers - Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
Patrick Queen is a linebacker that can play sideline-to-sideline.
He’s an athletic player that sets the tone early in games.
He also boasts a great combination of strength and speed. Queen
is outstanding at navigating through traffic, as well. He can find
the ball carrier while shedding blocks. Queen also comes with the
upside to play both man and zone coverage at the next level and
possesses the upside to become a three-down linebacker.
Oddly enough, Queen had plenty of ups and downs throughout his
career at LSU. He wasn’t always seen as a starter, but ultimately
found plenty of success when gaining the job throughout the year.
Queen plays with a bit too much aggression at times and if his
first read isn’t correct, he could take himself out of plays.
The Packers have a major hole at middle linebacker. Blake Martinez
doesn’t look like the answer, and Green Bay will certainly
need to fill that hole if he leaves in free agency. Overall, they
need someone that can make plays against the run if they want to
make a run for the Super Bowl, and Queen could be that player.
31. San Francisco 49ers - Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
Xavier McKinney is a versatile safety that can play a variety
of positions. He has seen snaps as a deep safety, in-the-box safety,
and slot cornerback. He can potentially play zone or man coverage,
as well. McKinney is aggressive, attacking the ball in the air or
the ball carrier in a downhill fashion. He boasts plenty of speed,
but is known as a power hitter, who can play multiple positions
at the next level.
McKinney’s biggest struggles come when he’s trying
to tackle in space. Shifty running backs and receivers will be
able to make him miss in do or die situations. With that being
said, McKinney is known as a solid tackling option when maneuvering
through traffic. He simply needs to work on tackling without help
in space.
The 49ers don’t have a lot of holes on their team. Jimmie
Ward is a free agent, and McKinney is a player that has been compared
to him. He would be an easy fit but that doesn’t need to be
the case. McKinney could play behind or with Ward, and learn from
a similar player how to maximize his ceiling in the NFL.
32. Kansas City Chiefs - Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
Jonathan Taylor is an extremely complete running back. He has
burst, power, speed, and quickness. He also possesses solid vision.
Some have voiced concerns about his long speed, but that has never
seemed to be a problem for his size in the NCAA. Taylor has flashed
as a receiver, as well. He’s a safe option at running back,
who comes with quiet upside.
Taylor needs to work on his receiving skills. He doesn’t
have a variety to his route tree and needs more reps as a pass
blocker. With that being said, he should easily be able to improve
in both facets in the NFL. The major concern with Taylor is the
amount of touches he had at Wisconsin. He has been their workhorse
running back for years, and may struggle to keep his physical
traits late into his NFL career. Furthermore, Taylor struggled
with fumbles and will need to work on his ball security at the
next level.
The Chiefs are a complete team but could use some depth in the running
game. Prior to the 2019 season, Kansas City made it clear that Damien
Williams wasn’t a workhorse back, but he ended up in that
role late in the season. Taylor is a player that can be a workhorse,
or they can split his carries to limit the amount of damage he takes
early in his career.
