[Dynasty] 2020 NFL Draft Class (8 Viewers)

The Athletic's Dane Brugler writes that Alabama junior QB Tua Tagovailoa's best trait is his instincts.

Tagovailoa is ranked as the top prospect in the class at the position by Brugler, and Brugler raves about his "spontaneous genius, using his athleticism, arm and mind in unison to create plays." He does note that Tagovailoa has durability concerns, as he dealt with nagging injuries throughout the 2018 campaign. "If he stays healthy and takes another step forward in his development as a junior," Brugler writes, "Tagovailoa will be near the top of most draft boards next spring."

SOURCE: The Athletic

Jul 11, 2019, 5:30 PM ET 

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ESPN's David M. Hale lists Oregon State junior WR Isaiah Hodgin as an under-the-radar player who could be a breakout star in 2019.

Tough to argue, even playing on a team that is very likely to be not-so-good in the 2019 season. " Hodgins essentially matched the production of Notre Dame's Miles Boykin in catches, yards and yards after contact," Hale writes, "but he did it with a higher catch percentage, fewer drops and 17 fewer targets." Hale also notes that Gary Jennings was the only Power 5 receiver to average more air yards per target while catching a higher rate of passes. That's good. Again, the Beavers aren't ready for contention, but Hodgins still should be among the better wideouts in the Pac-12, if not all of college football.

SOURCE: ESPN

Jul 11, 2019, 9:38 PM ET

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ESPN's David M. Hale lists Illinois redshirt senior RB Reggie Corbin among the under-the-radar players who could be breakout stars in 2019.

Here's a fun stat: Corbin's evaded tackle rate (18.7%, per ESPN Stats & Information) was second only to Washington State's James Williams among backs with at least 100 carries last year. Pretty darn impressive for a player that hasn't gotten a ton -- albeit not completely unnoticed -- of plaudits this summer. Even if he doesn't duplicate the ridiculous 8.48 YPC he put up in 2019 -- and he almost assuredly won't -- Corbin should be in line for a tremendous campaign this fall.

SOURCE: ESPN

Jul 11, 2019, 9:13 PM ET

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The Athletic's Dane Brugler believes that Stanford redshirt junior QB KJ Costello's top trait is his makeup.

"As one AFC North scout put it: Some guys are sharp, and others are smooth. KJ is both. And it’s genuine. He’s going to nail the process," Brugler writes. Brugler also mentions that Costello has a chance to be "the next Daniel Jones," as a prospect who takes that big rise from late-first, early-second prospect into a top 10 consideration. He also has to improve his decision-making, noting that he threw three poor picks against Washington. Brugler also notes that Costello is expected to enter the 2020 draft despite having two years of eligibility left, and if he can improve his decision-making, he definitely has a chance to be one of the first signal-callers off the board.

SOURCE: The Athletic

Jul 11, 2019, 8:48 PM ET

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Athlon Sports lists Oklahoma junior RB Rhamondre Stevenson as a potential "wild card" for the Sooners offense in 2019.

Stevenson is a junior college transfer from Cerritos College in California, and has been hailed as a potential impact player for the Sooners; even with Oklahoma having some decent options ahead of him. Athlon notes that Kennedy Brooks missed time while having a Title IX investigation, and while he's been cleared, it gave the 5-foot-11, 235-pound tailback time to impress while Brooks was absent. As Athlon summarizes: "Adding the beefy junior college transfer to the mix along with running back Trey Sermon and quarterback Jalen Hurts would leave defenses smarting after tangling with OU's rushing attack."

SOURCE: Athlon Sports

Jul 11, 2019, 8:26 PM ET

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The Athletic's Dane Brugler ranks Oregon senior QB Justin Herbert second in his list of the top quarterbacks eligible for the 2020 NFL Draft class coming into the 2019 season.

Brugler calls Herbert a "toolbox," and lists that as the quarterbacks strength. "Physically and mentally, Herbert has it all," he writes. He also notes that consistency hasn't been Herbert's friend, and that he was an "uneven" passer in Brugler's eyes. "It isn’t tough to understand why Herbert is so highly regarded as a prospect, checking all the requisite physical and mental boxes," Brugler writes in his summary. "But playing quarterback at a high level in the NFL is more of an instinctive art than a robotic action. And Herbert is still discovering his feel for the position." Whether or not he finds that feel will go a long way in determining how high he goes in 2020.

SOURCE: The Athletic

Jul 11, 2019, 7:57 PM ET

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The Athletic's Dane Brugler believes that Utah State redshirt senior QB Jordan Love's best trait is his release.

There isn't much debate on who the top three quarterbacks are in this class -- although the order often changes -- with Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa, Oregon's Justin Herbert and Georgia's Jake Fromm forming the "big three." The fourth is a bit up for debate, but Brugler believes that honor should go to Love. He notes that he's able to generate velocity on the football without much effort, looking like he's throwing a "nerf ball" around. He does note that he has to improve his reads, and that he'll force the football in. Brugler also notes that Love's name comes up as an ascending prospect often, and it's certainly possible that another big year in the Utah State offense could make him a first-round candidate.

SOURCE: The Athletic

Jul 11, 2019, 6:41 PM ET

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Oklahoma junior RB Trey Sermon forced 60 missed tackles in 2018 according to Pro Football Focus.

Sermon (6'0/224) is one of the best backs in the sport, showcasing power and enough wiggle to make defenders miss. In 2018, Brooks led the Sooners with 1,056 rushing yards and he could be in store for another 1,000-yard season. The junior and Kennedy Brooks, who is back with the team, will provide Oklahoma with one of the best one-two punches i college football. Sermon and Brooks are potential Day 2 candidates.

SOURCE: PFF College on Twitter

Jul 13, 2019, 5:28 PM ET

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Mississippi State junior RB Kylin Hill is "as physically gifted as a back I’ve been around" according to his running backs coach.

Hill (5'10/212) is on his third running backs coach in three years, and he's really impressing his current coach Terry Richardson. "I think he has all the tools necessary to be very productive. There is really nothing in my mind that I can think of that he can’t physically do. Let me say that first and foremost." Hill, who can bench 400 pounds and squat 600, is on the verge of a really big season if he can stay healthy, something he struggled with last year (hamstring). Hill has Day 2 potential as a powerful back with decent hands.

SOURCE: The Athletic

Jul 13, 2019, 4:59 PM ET

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South Carolina senior WR Bryan Edwards said he can run 22.3 MPH.

For reference, Matt Breida was the fastest ball carrier in the NFL last year at 22.09 MPH. If Edwards (6'3/220) can truly hit speeds this high at his size (or anywhere close), he's a legit dark horse for a top-50 selection. Maybe even higher. There are few receivers that will have the size, speed, and early-age production of Edwards, arguably making him one of the more underrated prospects in the 2020 draft class. Edwards has at least 590 receiving yards in three-straight seasons, and he'll be aiming for his first 1,000-yard campaign in 2019 with QB Jake Bentley returning.

SOURCE: Bryan Edwards on Instagram

Jul 13, 2019, 4:17 PM ET

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Alabama junior WR Henry Ruggs is "widely considered the most competitive kid in the program by people in the building."

This quote comes from Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy, who is as plugged in as they come. Ruggs (6'0/183) reportedly will do well in the pre-draft process, especially since he has verified 4.3 speed. One of the most explosive athletes in the country, Ruggs averaged 16.1 yards per catch last year, primarily operating as an outside receiver. However, NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah believes Ruggs can play both outside and in the slot. Consider Ruggs a Day 2 prospect with a chance to break into the first round.

SOURCE: Jim Nagy on Twitter

Jul 13, 2019, 4:07 PM ET

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Florida State junior RB Cam Akers said he can run 22.4 MPH.

If true, Akers (5'11/212) would have been the fastest ball carrier in the NFL last year. The MPH reading was likely a little off, but Akers is certainly really athletic. Akers remains one of the better NFL prospects, but he did have a forgettable 2018 season behind a disastrous offensive line. The line should be improved, so we'll have an easier time evaluating Akers against other top 2020 backs like D'Andre Swift, Jonathan Taylor, Travis Etienne, Eno Benjamin, Najee Harris, and others. As of now, Akers is teetering on the Day 2/3 borderline.

SOURCE: Cam Akers on Instagram

Jul 13, 2019, 3:50 PM ET

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Colorado junior WR Laviska Shenault said, "I'm pretty sure I will want to leave" for the 2020 NFL Draft.

This is widely expected, but it's always good to hear it come directly from the source. Shenault (6'2/225) was on a Heisman-candidate pace last year before injuries slowed him down late in the year. He'll be looking to improve upon his 86-1,011-6 receiving line in 2019 with Steven Montez back at quarterback. Shenault has the size, speed, versatility, character, and production of a typical first-round pick. Even in this stacked 2020 class, Shenault sticks out as a potentially special talent.

SOURCE: Buff Zone

Jul 13, 2019, 3:33 PM ET

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South Florida redshirt senior TE Mitchell Wilcox had 29 combined first downs and touchdowns.

Wilcox (6'5/245) only had two touchdowns last year, so most of his damage was picking up first downs. The South Florida tight end led the AAC in this combined metric, beating Cincy's Josiah Deguara and Memphis' Joey Magnifico by a wide margin. Heading into the 2019 college season, expectations are high for Wilcox as he heads into the 2020 pre-draft process. Some draft analysts believe Wilcox could end up as a top-five tight end prospect.

SOURCE: PFF College on Twitter

Jul 13, 2019, 7:34 PM ET

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The Athletic's Dane Brugler reports Houston senior QB D'Eriq King is two inches shorter than Kyler Murray.

So 5-foot-8 (and not his listed 5-foot-11). Not ideal. And neither is his injury history. But the good news is King is very talented. Despite the size, King has plenty of arm strength, in addition to being a great running quarterback. Last season, King was 15th in Passing EPA and 3rd in Rushing EPA among qualifying FBS quarterbacks. Put simply, he was sensational. Already back at full speed after a torn meniscus late last season, King is expected to be the most productive quarterback in college football this year. Will that be enough for a draft pick? That's up for debate, but Kyler Murray having success as a rookie would help him out.

SOURCE: Dane Brugler on Twitter

Jul 15, 2019, 5:45 PM ET

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Oklahoma HC Lincoln Riley said senior QB Jalen Hurts hasn't won the starting job.

This is more than likely just a little motivation for Hurts, but it's still news given the scope of the position. Oklahoma quarterbacks have won back-to-back Heisman Trophies, and whoever wins the job -- once again, it's still likely Hurts -- is expected to be one of the most productive players in the country. If things break his way, Hurts should be in the mix as a 2020 NFL Draft prospect with unique experience and athleticism on his side. However, improvements as a passer will determine where, or if, Hurts is drafted.

SOURCE: ESPN.com

Jul 15, 2019, 7:15 PM ET

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Florida senior RB Lamical Perine has "made a concerted effort to lose weight after deciding to come back to Florida."

Rotoworld has been team #LoseWeight when it comes to running backs. The speed is oftentimes more effective than strength, so Perine (5'11/227) shedding a few pounds is good for his 2019 college outlook and his 2020 NFL Draft outlook. Unless Perine wants to be pushed into a running downs-only role, he should cut back towards 210 to 220 pounds if he is truly 5-foot-11. Last season, Perine rushed for 826 yards and seven touchdowns, adding 13 receptions for 170 yards as a receiver. Perine is on pace for a Day 3 selection.

SOURCE: Barrett Sallee on Twitter

Jul 15, 2019, 6:13 PM ET

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The Athletic's Dane Brugler observes that Arizona State junior RB Eno Benjamin possesses a "natural balance to create as a ball carrier."

"His peripheral vision, toughness and ability to create jumped off the screen," Brugler writes of the 5-foot-10, 201-pound Benjamin. The analyst notes that while Benjamin is not the most padded out of backs, he makes up for his lack of heft with a "strong lower body." What he would like to see out of the junior this fall? An increased patience to allow plays to develop. Brugler sees a potential top-50 pick, here, as we head toward the start of the college football season.

SOURCE: The Athletic

Jul 16, 2019, 12:29 PM ET

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Ole Miss senior RB Scottie Phillips recorded a first down or touchdown on 38% of his carries last season.

Per PFF, this is the top mark among returning SEC running backs. Following Phillips in the clutch metric is Mississippi State's Kylin Hill (34%), with Bama's Najee Harris, Florida's Lamical Perine, Vanderbilt's Ke'Shawn Vaughn and Georgia's D'Andre Swift all tied for next best with a 32% conversion rate. On the whole, Phillips rushed for 928 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2018. Over half of his yardage from the fall came after contact. The senior is very much going to be in play for a potential 1,000-yard season upcoming assuming he stays healthy.

SOURCE: PFF College on Twitter

Jul 16, 2019, 12:22 PM ET

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The Athletic's Dane Brugler writes that Georgia junior RB D'Andre Swift's best attribute is his "vision and processing speed."

"[Swift] feels where the next block is coming from and skillfully shifts his gears to maximize each run," Brugler writes of the 5-foot-9, 215-pound junior. These observations dovetail nicely with those of NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah, who wrote in June that he digs Swift's "outstanding vision." On the more critical side of the ledger, Brugler would like to see the Georgia star improve on his "finishing violence," noting that while Swift has no issues taking contact, he could do even more to "punish defenders" when taking first licks. Brugler ranks Swift as his No. 1 running back in the prospective spring draft class.

SOURCE: The Athletic

Jul 16, 2019, 11:45 AM ET

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The Athletic's Dane Brugler ranks TCU senior RB Darius Anderson as the No. 8 senior running back in the 2020 NFL Draft class.

The Horned Frogs have two top-10 senior backs on the roster, according to Brugler's rankings. The other is freak athlete Sewo Olonilua. Both Olonilua and Anderson (5'11/212) are fringe Day 3 prospects right now, and they could be cannibalizing each other's upside. Last year, Anderson saw 124 carries, averaging your standard 4.8 yards per carry with three touchdowns. That production makes Anderson a UDFA candidate.

SOURCE: The Athletic

Jul 16, 2019, 8:43 PM ET

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Film grinder Matt Waldman believes Clemson junior WR Tee Higgins needs to learn to track deep balls deeper in his route.

In terms of height and speed, Higgins (6'4/210) is a special college receiver and a potentially special NFL prospect, but there are ways he can go from a Day 1/2 prospect to a Day 1 lock. One way is by manipulating defenders on deep routes. Waldman notes that Higgins should keep his head down to separate even more and that he needs to get his hands elevated at the catch point. While this is somewhat nitpicking, these details are what will separate this stacked receiver class.

SOURCE: Matt Waldman on Twitter

Jul 16, 2019, 8:31 PM ET

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The Athletic's Tyson Alger offers a 63-804-10 receiving line prediction for Oregon junior WR Jaylon Redd.

Getting stat projections from reporters is a gold mine, and this projection definitely makes some sense given the available production with the loss of Dillon Mitchell. Now, not all of Mitchell's targets will go to Redd with transfer Juwan Johnson in town, but there should be enough opportunity for Redd to break out if he's truly talented. Alger notes Redd is by far the most comfortable with Justin Herbert, which obviously helps his case. Consider the 63-804-10 projection as more of a best-case scenario.

SOURCE: The Athletic

Jul 16, 2019, 7:49 PM ET

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Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy said Tennessee senior WR Marquez Callaway is "definitely intriguing."

Callaway (6'2/200) hasn't fully broken out, but he at least has two 400-yard seasons with a career 16.3 yards per reception average. The senior is likely a 750-yard season away from a Senior Bowl invite, but that's not a guarantee given the limited production. One way Callaway can improve is by showing more ability to win underneath. Thus far, Callaway has mainly spread defenses vertically.

SOURCE: Jim Nagy on Twitter

Jul 16, 2019, 7:40 PM ET

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Boston College OC Mike Bajakian said junior RB A.J. Dillon has "very nice hands."

Dillon (6'0/250) hasn't shown them in games, but he has otherworldly athleticism -- reportedly 4.4 forty with a 40-inch vertical -- so he's not necessarily to be doubted. However, it might be a stretch for a 250-pounder to be an above-average pass-catcher out of the backfield. Through two seasons, Dillon only has eight receptions, so Boston College is opting to not even try Dillon as a receiver. Is that a testament to his rushing ability? Perhaps. But it would be nice to see his 2019 season reception total near 20 before he heads to the NFL Draft. 20 receptions, of course, is not a reasonable projection.

SOURCE: Nathan Marchese on Twitter

Jul 16, 2019, 7:03 PM ET

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The Athletic's Dane Brugler does not believe Alabama junior RB Najee Harris's "style is a great fit in today's NFL."

Harris (6'2/227) is a powerful runner with very limited receiving production. He's arguably one-dimensional and will be heading to a league where versatility is key. Unless Harris grows as a pass-catcher or shows more lateral ability, this analysis will continue to be a knock against him. The good news for Harris is that he's a potentially good straight-line, power back with plus size and little wear and tear. However, in this deep draft class, Harris could be more of a Day 3 option than Day 1 or Day 2.

SOURCE: Dane Brugler on Twitter

Jul 16, 2019, 4:47 PM ET

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Georgia HC Kirby Smart "doesn't want to lean on [junior RB D'Andre Swift] too much."

Define "too much." Swift (5'9/215) has been ranked as the best running back prospect on multiple occasions, and he offers something that Georgia lacks: proven receiving talent. The biggest weakness on the roster is at receiver and Swift is a legit pass-catching option out of the backfield. The Bulldogs, if they wanted to, could use multiple backs at once, using Swift as a receiver to help fill the void. With other talents at running back, expect Swift to be one of the more productive receivers at the running back position in the country.

SOURCE: The Athletic

Jul 16, 2019, 4:18 PM ET

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The Athletic's Dane Brugler writes that Wisconsin junior RB Jonathan Taylor possesses "a great blend of vision and decisiveness."

"Taylor not only allows lanes to develop, but congestion doesn’t slow him down," Brugler notes of the 5-foot-11, 219-pound junior. He passes along the juicy stat that Taylor posted 1,242 yards after contact last season. The analyst wants to see the Wisconsin star shore up his ball security this fall, as he has coughed the ball up 12 times on fumbles in just two seasons. Taylor landed on Bruce Feldman's "Freaks" list earlier this month and is capable of running a 4.30-second 40-yard dash, squatting 605 pounds and pulling off a 305-pound power clean. If he can shore up those turnover issues and show just a little more as a pass-catcher, he could potentially crash the Day 1 party next spring assuming a declaration. In a loaded prospective skill-position class, Round 1 is going to be a dogfight, though.

SOURCE: The Athletic

Jul 16, 2019, 2:56 PM ET

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The Athletic's Dane Brugler called Clemson junior RB Travis Etienne a "strong strider [who] goes zero-to-60 in a flash."

While Brugler loves Etienne's ability to put his foot on the accelerator, the analyst wants to see more out of him as a complete player. The 5-foot-10, 215-pounder's issues with catching the ball have been well documented -- both by evaluators, and Etienne himself, who said that he feels "nervous" when the ball is coming his way through the air -- and Brugler believes that he also needs to work on his "patience and tempo." At this early juncture, he ranks Etienne as his No. 3 draft-eligible running back for the spring.

SOURCE: The Athletic

Jul 16, 2019, 2:06 PM ET

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PFF's Austin Gayle said Minnesota senior WR Tyler Johnson's "suddenness translates after the catch."

Gayle and Jesse Reeves went through the positives (a lot) and the negatives (not many) of Johnson's game, and Johnson's suddenness was a clear talking point. Johnson can win off the line of scrimmage and can separate at breaks during his route. PFF and the analytics community is going to be high on the Minnesota senior during the pre-draft process, especially if he cleans up his drop rate. Johnson has top-50 overall potential.

SOURCE: Rivals

Jul 16, 2019, 10:04 PM ET

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The Athletic's Dane Brugler said Arizona State junior RB Eno Benjamin was the running back who he liked more than expected.

D'Andre Swift out of Georgia is his RB1 entering the season, but Brugler believes Benjamin (5'10/201) can end up as a top-50 selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. Benjamin flirts with being "too small" but he's very elusive and can break arm tackles with underrated strength. The junior back also offers pass-catching ability, making him a potentially strong fit for the NFL.

SOURCE: Dane Brugler on Twitter

Jul 17, 2019, 11:08 AM ET

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The Athletic's Dane Brugler called Utah senior RB Zack Moss "a terrific talent."

Moss (5'10/215) was Brugler's RB2 going into November of last year, but a worrisome knee injury knocked him out of draft contention. If healthy -- and that's a big if -- Moss possesses Day 2 talent. It's just impossible to know if he actually is healthy right now. There is a good chance Moss exits Utah as the career leader in most rushing categories and he reportedly has a great personality off the field.

SOURCE: Dane Brugler on Twitter

Jul 17, 2019, 2:07 PM ET

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Boston College junior RB A.J. Dillon said he wasn't healthy after Week 4 last year.

This was evident #OnTape and his injuries, primarily his ankle, caused him to miss a few games. Despite the limitations, Dillon still turned in a nice season with 1,108 yards and 10 touchdowns. In 2019, Dillon is expected to be one of the best backs in college football and should be, at minimum, a Day 3 prospect in the 2020 NFL Draft. To help his outlook, Dillon needs to show more receiving work.

SOURCE: David Hale on Twitter

Jul 17, 2019, 1:44 PM ET

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Alabama junior QB Tua Tagovailoa had hamstring tightness this summer.

He's 100% now, but it's another lower-leg injury to add to the list. Early scouting reports on Tagovailoa (6'1/213) are obviously fantastic, yet some evaluators question his durability. It's arguably his biggest concern as a top-two NFL prospect. Tagovailoa has battled both knee and ankle injuries, so a healthy 2019 season will go a long way in silencing his durability issue. When healthy, he's the best prospect in the 2020 NFL Draft.

SOURCE: AL.com

Jul 17, 2019, 12:12 PM ET

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Iowa senior QB Nathan Stanley is considered to be a Day 3 draft prospect by Draft Analyst's Tony Pauline.

While some draft analysts believe that Stanley (6'4/243) is a Day 2/3 prospect, Pauline is firmly in the Day 3 camp. "Stanley is a tough, heady prospect, but his accuracy and pass placement leave a lot to be desired. I compare Stanley to a less accurate Ryan Finley, who was selected in the fourth round last April by the Cincinnati Bengals," Pauline wrote. Stanley's coming off of a junior season in which he completed 59% of his passes, throwing for 2,852 yards and 26 touchdowns with ten interceptions. The rising senior's completion percentage increased three percentage points from the number he put up as a sophomore, and Stanley will need to continue to make strides in order to improve his standing as a draft prospect.

SOURCE: Draft Analyst

Jul 17, 2019, 9:53 PM ET

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Ohio State junior RB J.K. Dobbins was one of ten players listed on the Big Ten's preseason honors list.

The conference picked five players apiece from the East and West divisions, with Dobbins (5'10/217) being the lone offensive player to make the cut in the East. The junior running back from La Grange, Texas, who was also named a preseason second team All-American by the Sporting News, is coming off of a 2018 season in which he rushed for 1,053 yards and ten touchdowns. Dobbins is also a credible threat out of the backfield, as he caught 26 passes for 285 yards and two scores. He'll once again be one of the top running backs in the Big Ten, but the hope for Dobbins is that he can get the YPC average back up after producing just 4.6 yards per carry last season.

SOURCE: Big Ten Conference

Jul 18, 2019, 10:31 AM ET

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Boston College HC Steve Addazio said that junior RB A.J. Dillon is "in the best physical condition."

Dillon (6'0/250) dealt with a pesky ankle injury throughout the 2018 campaign, one which cost him two games outright and often limited him even when he was on the field. He wrapped his true sophomore campaign having rushed for 1,108 yards and 10 touchdowns. At full strength, Dillon can probably hit 1,500 yards in his sleep. He has been focusing catching the ball and blocking this offseason as he looks to develop into a more well-rounded back.

SOURCE: Boston Herald

Jul 18, 2019, 8:01 PM ET

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