[Dynasty] 2020 NFL Draft Class (5 Viewers)

NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein compares FAU TE Harrison Bryant to San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle.

This comparison is rich. While Bryant (6'5/225) is indeed an athletic YAC-monster like Kittle, the 49ers superstar is arguably the best tight end in the sport and on his way to earning a golden jacket. Bryant, who isn't nearly as skilled a blocker, has a ways to go before he rounds his game out like Kittle's. That being said, Bryant is one of the best TEs in the class and has a good shot to sneak into the top-50.

SOURCE: NFL.com

Feb 16, 2020, 2:48 PM ET

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The Athletic's Dane Brugler ranks Dayton TE Adam Trautman first among tight ends prior to the NFL Scouting Combine in the 2020 NFL Draft class.

Trautman (6'6/253) gets the top rank despite playing for a program that has not exactly provided much NFL talent. A 6-foot-6, 251-pound "move" tight end, Brugler notes that he is a "fluid big man, and his basketball background shows at the catch point with his ability to adjust and attack." He also notes that his blocking needs work, and so does his route-running. "Overall, Trautman doesn’t have the body of work versus top-level competition," Brugler summarizes, "but his athleticism and pass-catching traits for a player his size make him a highly intriguing prospect, projecting as a player who should crack the starting lineup as an NFL rookie."

SOURCE: The Athletic

Feb 16, 2020, 6:02 PM ET

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The Athletic's Dane Brugler ranks Notre Dame TE Cole Kmet second among tight ends prior to the NFL Scouting Combine in the NFL Draft class.

The only tight end ranked higher by Brugler is Adam Trautman of Dayton. Kmet is one of several former two-way stars for the Irish, but his future is on the gridiron. Brugler notes that the 6-foot-6, 255-pounder is an easy player to like on and off the field, with outstanding ball skills and body control. He also notes that Kmet needs to work on the finite details of blocking and route-running, but some of that has to do with the fact that he hasn't dedicated himself to just football. "Overall, Kmet is a dependable and physically impressive pass-catcher who doesn’t have a deal-breaking weakness to his game," writes Brugler, "projecting as an NFL-ready "Y" target similar to Jason Witten when he was coming out of Tennessee."

SOURCE: The Athletic

Feb 16, 2020, 6:46 PM ET

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NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein compares Notre Dame WR Chase Claypool to Baltimore Ravens WR Miles Boykin.

Claypool gets compared to his former teammate in Boykin. Like Boykin, Claypool is a massive receiver at 6-foot-4, 229-pounds and looks more like a tight end playing wide receiver than anything. Though not the most fluid athlete, Claypool provides QBs with a wide catch radius and can be a weapon in the red zone. Expect Claypool to be a late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick.

SOURCE: NFL.com

Feb 16, 2020, 5:00 PM ET

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The Miami Herald's Armando Salguero reports that the Miami Dolphins have "an increasingly positive view" toward Oregon QB Justin Herbert.

The Dolphins have been linked to Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa just about everywhere you look, but per one of Salguero's sources, the team has concern about Tua's long-term durability (even beyond his current rehab from hip surgery). Which, fair enough. Tagovailoa dealt with multiple ankle injuries while at Alabama before it all came crashing down with the hip against Mississippi State this past fall. Salguero hears that on the Herbert side, one source was impressed with the Oregon gunslinger's work during the Senior Bowl practice week -- and also the fact that Herbert attended that game at all, when he could have easily just Joe Burrow-ed the thing and stayed home. All of this could be a smokescreen, but it wouldn't stun if the Dolphins are (at the very least) keeping an open mind as we hurtle toward the combine.

SOURCE: Miami Herald

Feb 17, 2020, 10:20 AM ET

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NFL.com's Lance Zierlein writes that Georgia K Rodrigo Blankenship "should be the first kicker off the board."

"[Blankenship's] thick, black-rimmed glasses have become his trademark, but so too are booming touchbacks and a big leg to hit 50-yard field goals with plenty of ball flight leftover," Zierlein writes of the Georgia standout. The former walk-on possesses a huge leg, having connected on 6-of-9 career field goals over 50 yards, including a Rose Bowl record 55-yarder.

SOURCE: NFL.com

Feb 17, 2020, 2:12 PM ET

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NFL.com's Lance Zierlein compared Kentucky WR Lynn Bowden to Dallas Cowboys WR Randall Cobb.

"While [Bowden is] a slot receiver by position," Zierlein writes, "creative play-callers can use him as a zone-read quarterback and as a gadget receiver for jet sweeps and a variety of short catch-and-run screens." The 6-foot-1, 199-pound Kentucky do-everything dude started at quarterback for the final eight games of the 2019 season after injuries thinned out the team's traditional depth at the position. Zierlein notes that this quarterbacking stint did serve to slow Bowden's development at receiver, but believes that "his return talent and versatility gives him a chance to contribute immediately (in the NFL) as he waits to become a starting slot." We could potentially see Bowden come off the board as early as Day 2 if a pro team falls in love with him this spring.

SOURCE: NFL.com

Feb 17, 2020, 2:51 PM ET

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NFL.com's Lance Zierlein writes that Oregon TE Jacob Breeland "doesn't have the speed to lose coverage on crossing routes or in the seams."

"Scheme created most of [Breeland's] touchdown opportunities, so he will need to prove he can beat coverage underneath on a consistent basis," Zierlein writes. The analyst is quite pessimistic on the 6-foot-5, 248-pounder's pro viability, noting that Breeland "may need a needy roster and a great fit to stick around for very long." Compounding matters, Breeland's 2019 season was cut short by a knee injury.

SOURCE: NFL.com

Feb 17, 2020, 5:40 PM ET

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Faust said:

Scouting Combine Receivers: Duvernay Runs with Anger

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A national scout for an AFC team told NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein that Colorado WR Tony Brown "plays beyond his limitations."

Brown (6'1/195) had his best season as a Buffalo in 2019, as he caught 56 passes for 707 yards and five touchdowns. While short arms and lower-body tightness limit the wide receiver's upside, Brown makes up for this with his foot speed and by being a good route-runner. "He's got some limitations but he plays beyond them, which is what you look for," the unnamed scout told Zierlein. Brown, and honorable mention all-Pac-12 selection, will need to test well due to the lack of experience on special teams.

SOURCE: NFL.com

Feb 18, 2020, 5:45 PM ET

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Washington TE Hunter Bryant was compared to Redskins TE Jordan Reed by NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein.

Bryant (6'2/239) is considered by some to be the top tight end in this draft class, with Pro Football Focus placing him atop their position rankings in early February. And his ability as a pass-catcher is the reason why some are so high on him. "He doesn't have ideal size or determination as a blocker, but he has sticky hands with the acceleration to work past linebackers and threaten seams," Zierlein wrote. There are issues to be addressed, including Bryant's ability as a blocker and his past history of knee issues. Bryant projects to be a Day 2 selection come April.

SOURCE: NFL.com

Feb 18, 2020, 6:53 PM ET

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Faust said:

2020 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Justin Jefferson, LSU

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NFL.com's Lance Zierlein compared Georgia WR Lawrence Cager to Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Justin Watson.

An interesting little breakdown with Cager, here, as Zierlein notes that prior to the wideout's Georgia transfer, he struggled with speed and focus during his time at Miami. Completely different story in Athens, with the analyst explaining that the 6-foot-5, 220-pounder "played faster and with better fluidity of movement" at UGA. And Cager's focus with the Bulldogs? Zierlein refers to it as "elite." Fascinating Jekyll/Hyde prospect. Concludes Zierlein, "Both versions (of Cager) had issues with injury, so his medicals and 40-yard-dash time will play a substantial role in deciding whether or not he gets drafted, but his 2019 tape was definitely good enough."

SOURCE: NFL.com

Feb 19, 2020, 12:48 PM ET

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NFL.com's Lance Zierlein compared Louisiana RB Raymond Calais to former Philadelphia Eagles RB Donnel Pumphrey.

Right off the bat, Zierlein sticks Calais with a 5.59 grade, which comes out to a "chance to make the end of the roster" grade in their system. Zierlein points to Calais small stature (5'9/185) and lack of third-down ability as to why he is more of a depth and special teams caliber player. Considering Calais only made the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, which is sort of the third-tier all-star game behind the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl, Zierlein's assessment seems to match that of NFL scouts and decision makers.

SOURCE: NFL.com

Feb 19, 2020, 1:26 PM ET

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NFL.com's Lance Zierlein writes that Missouri QB Kelly Bryant possesses "NFL size and toughness, but the tape does not work in his favor."

"He doesn't have to be Trevor Lawrence or Drew Lock to play in the NFL, but he does need to throw with much better accuracy, velocity and field vision," Zierlein writes of the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Bryant. And while the analyst does refer to Bryant as a "capable" runner, he cautious that the value of the Missouri quarterback's dual-threat ability "should not be overstated." Bryant is most likely going to be on the outside looking in come April's draft, unless he can squeak into the fray late on Day 3. Even if he does somehow crack the draft proper, it is difficult to see him truly sticking in the NFL long-term.

SOURCE: NFL.com

Feb 19, 2020, 11:07 AM ET

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Pro Football Focus credited TCU CB Jeff Gladney with 19 career forced incompletions on third down, which leads the 2020 draft class.

If there is one thing Gladney (6'0/183) is, it's aggressive. Gladney is a feisty cornerback who likes to play press coverage and attack the ball like it owes him money. While Gladney is a step behind the elite CBs in this class such as Jeffrey Okudah of Ohio State, production this good helps boost his case as the best CB in that second tier. Gladney could further improve his stock at the NFL Combine next week.

SOURCE: PFF College on Twitter

Feb 19, 2020, 3:24 PM ET

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NFL.com's Lance Zierlein writes that Tennessee WR Marquez Callaway is a "one-trick prospect with field-stretching ability to work the third level."

Callaway (6'2/204) came on strong as a sophomore in 2017, earning himself 24 catches for 406 yards and five touchdowns. At the time, Callaway was a fantastic vertical threat with the potential to be more. As Zierlein summarizes, however, Callaway is still a one-trick deep threat and has not quite developed over the years the way that he could have. Additionally, Zierlein points to Callaway's lack of "route savvy" as to why he is not yet a complete receiver.

SOURCE: NFL.com

Feb 19, 2020, 3:45 PM ET

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