The Athletic's Dane Brugler puts Clemson junior RB Travis Etienne inside his top-5 running back prospects for the 2020 NFL Draft.
It's a stacked group of prospects, especially compared to the weak 2019 class. Joining Etienne are prospects JK Dobbins, Jonathan Taylor, Najee Harris, and Cam Akers. All five prospects established themselves as studs early into their career and these are some of the names listed on Vegas' Heisman odds. Etienne and QB Trevor Lawrence arguably provide the best QB-RB duo in the country.
SOURCE: Dane Brugler on Twitter
Mar 13, 2019, 10:11 AM
The Athletic's Dane Brugler lists Oklahoma junior WR CeeDee Lamb as one of five wide receivers to watch in 2019.
Lamb (6'2/189) had an impressive 65-1,258-11 receiving line as a sophomore and has the potential to be the first wide receiver in the 2020 NFL Draft. Brugler also mentions Jerry Jeudy, Laviska Shenault, Henry Ruggs, and Tee Higgins as players to pay attention to next season. Jeudy and Ruggs will be all over your television during Alabama games, but Shenault is the stud that doesn't get the time of day he deserves while playing at Colorado. All five of these prospects have first-round upside when they declare.
SOURCE: Dane Brugler on Twitter
Mar 13, 2019, 10:18 AM
Bleacher Report's Matt Miller believes that Colorado junior WR Laviska Shenault would have been a Round 1 selection in the 2019 NFL Draft if he was eligible.
Alabama WR Jerry Jeudy and Shenault (6'2/220) would have been Miller's No. 1 and No. 2 receivers in this class if they were available, and it's hard to argue against that, especially given the lack of a blue-chip receiver prospect in the 2019 class. Both Jeudy and Shenault showed how they can win in a variety of ways, and both receivers did so as youngsters. Although Miller's statements are great compliments to both Jeudy and Shenault, it is also a reminder of the rules in place that prevent young superstars from maximizing their earning potential. Hopefully, they continue their progressions, so they can secure high-end selections in the 2020 NFL Draft.
SOURCE: Matt Miller on Twitter
Mar 15, 2019, 7:54 PM
Washington junior RB Salvon Ahmed ran the 40-yard dash in 4.32 seconds.
The rule of thumb with college combines and pro days is to add a minimum of 0.05 seconds to forty times, but this time still puts Ahmed (5'11/195) in elite company. With Myles Gaskin off to the NFL, Ahmed is stepping into a large role and he is definitely a breakout candidate. Ahmed, like Gaskin, is a versatile player who can run the ball well enough and can be a plus-weapon as a receiver. 247 Sports' Chris Hummer wouldn't be surprised if Ahmed clears 1,500 total yards in 2019.
SOURCE: Washington Football on Twitter
Mar 16, 2019, 11:33 AM
Rivals Mike Farrell has Clemson junior RB Travis Etienne as his No. 1 running back in the 2020 NFL Draft Class.
Farrell clarifies that he believes Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor will be the better running back for the 2019 college season but has Etienne as the No. 1 back on his board for the pros. He explains that Etienne is "explosive and can change direction" really well. Etienne averaged a ridiculous 8.1 yards per carry as a true sophomore in 2018 and could be similarly efficient with an offense that might actually be better. There's still a long way until he begins the draft process, but Etienne has his foot in the door among top draft-eligible running backs in 2020.
SOURCE: Rivals
Mar 19, 2019, 7:48 PM
I traded one if my projected lower 2020s in a major deal (1.1, 1.2, 2020 1st, Aaron Jones for Mixon and Diggs) so I'm down to a projected early 2020 and projected low (my own, possibly very low) 20201st. I've got a bunch of 2nds though so I'm invested into the 2020 draft. seems where some 2nd rounders in 2020 could be the same value as 1st rounders in 2019 IMO. I've tried to get more 2020 1st without luck, just impossible right now, so I think I'll stand pat. team is running out of room anyways!I currently have what’s projected to be 1.1, 1.5 and 1.9 2020 picks with plans for gaining another projected top 5 pick plus trading a few of my 2019 2nds (I have 5) for 2020 2nds.
Dealing for more 2020 pics now before the stock actually begin to rise.
Tex
Rivals' Mike Farrell says Alabama junior QB Tua Tagovailoa "could be" the next Steve Young.
Tagovailoa is such a highly thought of prospect that NFL teams -- mainly the Miami Dolphins -- are actively game planning for the 2020 NFL Draft. The comparison to Young would usually be laughed at, but Tagovailoa is a special prospect, so it's not overly crazy. Tagovailoa and Clemson's Trevor Lawrence are considered the Heisman favorites in 2019, and they easily could match up in the College Football Playoff as well.
SOURCE: Rivals
Mar 24, 2019, 2:56 PM
Michigan senior QB Shea Patterson was 8th in Total QBR in 2018.
The only returning quarterbacks ahead of Patterson (6'2/205) are Tua Tagovailoa, Jake Fromm, D'Eriq King, and K.J. Costello. Patterson wasn't tasked with tossing the ball all over the field, but he was effective when he did drop back, especially when accounting for strength of schedule. With another off-season to work with Harbaugh, Patterson is a candidate to improve upon last year's 2,600 passing yards and 22 passing touchdowns.
SOURCE: ESPN.com
Mar 24, 2019, 5:22 PM
Oregon State junior WR Isaiah Hodgins was third in the Pac-12 with 16 contested catches.
For reference, potential first-rounder N'Keal Harry had 17 and jump ball specialist JJ Arcega-Whiteside finished with 19, so there are reasons to be optimistic with Hodgins (6'5/208). As a sophomore, Hodgins finished with 876 receiving yards after eclipsing 100 yards in three of his last five games. If he can get improved quarterback play, Hodgins may be able to break the 1,000-yard mark as a junior in 2019.
SOURCE: PFF College on Twitter
Mar 25, 2019, 8:56 PM
Oklahoma State junior WR Tylan Wallace led the FBS with 23 contested catches in 2018.
Wallace (6'0/185) was one of the best wideouts in college football as a sophomore last season, and he's in a position to flirt with Round 1 buzz in the 2020 NFL Draft if he can continue to develop. He'll be battling a handful of elite wide receiver prospects for the top spot, in what is expected to be one of the strongest wide receiver classes in a long time. Wallace was the proud owner of a 86-1,491-12 receiving line last season.
SOURCE: PFF College on Twitter
Mar 25, 2019, 8:50 PM
North Texas senior WR Rico Bussey is back at practice.
Bussey (6'2/190) missed North Texas' bowl game to end the season last year, but that injury is behind him. Heading into 2019, Bussey has 1,200-yard upside after posting a respectable 68-1,017-12 receiving line as a junior last season. He's a potential sleeper for the 2020 NFL Draft if he can keep it up.
SOURCE: Denton Record-Chronicle
Mar 28, 2019, 4:21 PM
Former Iowa TE George Kittle said redshirt junior TE Shaun Beyer "makes plays" and "runs really well."
Beyer has patiently sat behind Kittle, Noah Fant, and T.J. Hockenson for three seasons and is expected to have a much bigger role in 2019. Beyer's high school coach believes "he'll be a star" and is capable of filling the big shoes left by Fant and Hockenson. Beyer actually had a better resume entering high school than his predecessors but didn't put on weight as fast and wasn't able to see the field. He mostly played special teams last season but will likely be Iowa's pass-catching tight end in 2019.
SOURCE: The Athletic
Mar 31, 2019, 11:55 AM
It is possible the 2020 rookie class is being slightly over-hyped at this point.
...2020 picks with a good chance of ending up in the Top 3 should be valued at a real premium. However, beyond the few elite prospects, the 2019 class stacks up well against the 2020 group. In fact, the depth of the 2019 wide receiver and tight end classes may make the late 1st round picks this year more valuable than late 2020 picks.
There's a ton that will change, but as of today there are 4 guys that look like legit studs and 1.01 worthy in most years. There aren't ANY guys like Swift, Ettiene, Shenault, and Jeudy in this class. Sure someone form '19 could (and probably will) end up producing more in the NFL, but those prospects are much much better versus the 2019 class.Dr. Dan said:From Dan Hinderly's April 2019 dynasty value chart...
Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy said Oklahoma senior QB Jalen Hurts is on the 2020 Senior Bowl radar.
Hurts (6'2/218) has a ton of experience, and we may end up seeing a more aggressive version of the ex-Alabama star in Lincoln Riley's explosive offense. If there is even a minimal leap from what we saw in Tuscaloosa, it would be a surprise if Hurts was not invited to the Senior Bowl next season. But before we get there, Hurts has a National Title to compete for in 2019.
SOURCE: Jim Nagy on Twitter
Apr 13, 2019, 9:28 AM
Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy mentioned Iowa senior Nathan Stanley as a quarterback who has "looked good" on their junior tape.
Nagy is running through some of the top 2020 Senior Bowl quarterbacks on Twitter, and he's excited about the group that should include Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts, Steven Montez, Stanley (6'4/242), and others. Last season, Stanley averaged 7.2 yards per attempt while complete close to 60% of his passes, but he'll be without first-rounders T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant in 2019. If he can produce similar numbers without those tight ends, he'll be on the Day 2 radar.
SOURCE: Jim Nagy on Twitter
Apr 13, 2019, 9:52 AM
Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy mentioned Colorado redshirt senior Steven Montez as a quarterback who has "looked good" on their junior tape.
Montez (6'5/235) will be receiving a Senior Bowl invitation if he can replicate (and hopefully improve upon) his 2018 season when he averaged 7.1 yards per pass attempt. The redshirt senior has 2.5 years of starting experience already -- that's something NFL evaluators covet -- and he will have the honor of throwing passes to potential first-round WR Laviska Shenault in 2019. The duo will be a fun one to watch on late Saturday nights this Fall as Montez tries to enter the 2020 Day 2 range.
SOURCE: Jim Nagy on Twitter
Apr 13, 2019, 10:14 AM
Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy said Notre Dame WR Chase Claypool is on his radar for next year's event.
Claypool (6'4/227) could have entered this year's draft, but he likely would have been a late-rounder or undrafted free agent. Instead, he'll look to build up his stock with 2019 Day 2 receiver Miles Boykin out of the way. As a junior a year ago, Claypool caught 50 passes for 639 yards with four touchdowns, and there's no reason to believe he can't improve those numbers with quarterback Ian Book back as well.
SOURCE: Jim Nagy on Twitter
Apr 13, 2019, 10:27 AM
Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy mentions Florida senior Tyrie Cleveland as a wide receiver on the event's radar next year.
Cleveland (6'2/206) has minimal production through three seasons with the Gators passing game struggling, but Cleveland has a chance to break out with Franks showing some promise at quarterback. Now that Cleveland is healed from his collarbone injury, expect him to be a key contributor to the Florida offense.
SOURCE: Jim Nagy on Twitter
Apr 13, 2019, 3:15 PM
Alabama junior QB Tua Tagovailoa completed 19-of-37 passes for 265 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the Alabama Spring Game.
The Crimson Tide offense is stacked with 2020 NFL Draft prospects, so today was just an opportunity to knock the rust off and get some practice reps in. Tagovailoa is rightfully at the top of Vegas odds for the 2019 Heisman Trophy, and he's a favorite to be the first player selected in the 2020 draft. It's going to be tough to replicate last year's 12.8 AYPA, but Tua having Jerry Jeudy as his top target certainly helps his chances of matching his impressive 2018 numbers.
SOURCE: Armando Salguero on Twitter
Apr 13, 2019, 4:16 PM
Florida senior RB Lamical Perine is on the 2020 Senior Bowl radar.
Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy mentioned Perine (5'11/218) along with a few other Gators as 2020 prospects. After finishing with 826 yards and seven scores, Perine could have entered the NFL this season, but he would have been a late-rounder. As the expected starter, Perine has a chance to flirt with 1,000 rushing yards in 2019.
SOURCE: Jim Nagy on Twitter
Apr 13, 2019, 3:22 PM
It's such a silly comparison because most of the depth type players don't emerge until closer to the draft.From Dan Hinderly's April 2019 dynasty value chart...
It is possible the 2020 rookie class is being slightly over-hyped at this point.
...2020 picks with a good chance of ending up in the Top 3 should be valued at a real premium. However, beyond the few elite prospects, the 2019 class stacks up well against the 2020 group. In fact, the depth of the 2019 wide receiver and tight end classes may make the late 1st round picks this year more valuable than late 2020 picks.
Very true. That said, I think the 2020 class is looking ridiculously good into the late 1st as of now. There are like 7 stud running backs and 4 or 5 receivers if they all stay healthy and go pro.It's such a silly comparison because most of the depth type players don't emerge until closer to the draft.
Heck several of the guys that aren't even mentioned among next year's depth are guys that were expected to be top prospects in this year's draft before they decided to stay in school like Bryan Edwards and Collin Johnson.
Who are the 7 RBs and 4 WRs you like the most?Very true. That said, I think the 2020 class is looking ridiculously good into the late 1st as of now. There are like 7 stud running backs and 4 or 5 receivers if they all stay healthy and go pro.
For RBs I like: Taylor, Dobbins, Akers, Etienne, Swift, Harris, and Dillon.Who are the 7 RBs and 4 WRs you like the most?
So should we all be trading down in 2019 first round and trying to pick up extra 2020 firsts? It’s been my strategy in one league where I have 4 firsts in 2020 but also am sitting at 1.01 this year still.For RBs I like: Taylor, Dobbins, Akers, Etienne, Swift, Harris, and Dillon.
For WRs I was thinking of: Jeudy, Johnson, Ruggs, and Shenault. Higgins is another guy who might be up there.
For Superflex this draft is going to be insane with Tua and Herbert and then Fromm or Eason could rise as well. One of those players will go in the 2nd round if they all come out.
Edit: Also Bryan Edwards at WR as mentioned by FreeBaGel
4 first rounders 2019, 3 2020... would like to swap a 2019 for another 2020. working on it.So should we all be trading down in 2019 first round and trying to pick up extra 2020 firsts? It’s been my strategy in one league where I have 4 firsts in 2020 but also am sitting at 1.01 this year still.
Hmmm, I think 2019 is pretty good too, but 1.01 in 1 QB leagues is where it's weak. 4 firsts in 2020 is going to be awesome.So should we all be trading down in 2019 first round and trying to pick up extra 2020 firsts? It’s been my strategy in one league where I have 4 firsts in 2020 but also am sitting at 1.01 this year still.
From Dan Hinderly's April 2019 dynasty value chart...
Of course you know that draft picks are at their highest value right after the NFL draft so see if you have any suitors when the hype is out of control and the guppies have gone blind because of the hype. I’m getting one more top 2020 pick by trading one of my studs but I will do so toward the end of next year.I couldn’t trade anything for 2020 picks during a recent draft. Those of you who stocked up early ( @BigTex I’m looking at your post in March) were wise to do so, because they’re tough to pry now.
Unless that 2020 pick includes a top 3 pick I wouldn’t trade that 1.01 pick.So should we all be trading down in 2019 first round and trying to pick up extra 2020 firsts? It’s been my strategy in one league where I have 4 firsts in 2020 but also am sitting at 1.01 this year still.
First draft of the year and the one where I had lots of ammo is done. I’d have to look but I don’t think a single 2020 pick was traded, which is rare for this league.Of course you know that draft picks are at their highest value right after the NFL draft so see if you have any suitors when the hype is out of control and the guppies have gone blind because of the hype. I’m getting one more top 2020 pick by trading one of my studs but I will do so toward the end of next year.
Tex
I just thought it was interesting because this exact same.time last year he was saying sell all 2019 for 2020. I disagree with him as well as 2020 is very very solid
I’ve found that value charts are waaaaayyy off when it come to valuing future 1st round picks! This year’s TE class is better than 2020 prospects as of today but I’m calling BS on every other position and they are galaxies apart!
Tex
Wisconsin junior RB Jonathan Taylor is running track this spring.
Taylor (5'11/219) will run his first meet this coming weekend and will be taking part in at least three of them all told. The junior running back is not green to the track and field game, as he scorched two New Jersey state high school titles in the 100-meter dash back in the day. The obvious side concern for Wisconsin, here, would be if Taylor somehow got injured running these races. He has Heisman potential for the fall and could potentially land on Day 1 in the 2020 NFL Draft a year from now should he declare. We're guessing HC Paul Chryst is going to be holding his breath even as he's cheering on his star runner.
SOURCE: Zach Heilprin on Twitter
Apr 23, 2019, 2:19 PM
NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah calls the 2020 running back and wide receiver classes "STACKED!"
The caps are definitely warranted here. The 2020 quarterbacks have received some buzz, but the wide receiver group is looking very, very enticing. One of the top options is Alabama's Jerry Jeudy, but there are a few other Crimson Tide skill position players with a chance to go Round 1. Oklahoma's CeeDee Lamb and Colorado's Laviska Shenault are two others, but the list really goes on and on. College football this fall will be a special one.
SOURCE: Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter
Apr 24, 2019, 8:53 AM