2020 NFL Draft big board: Alabama dominates initial top 32
At this particular point in time, you could probably put Thomas and Wirfs as a tie for the top tackle spot in this class.
Athletically and physically, Thomas is a prototype at the tackle position. Because of the nature of Georgia’s offense, he’s an elite run blocker and does a great job both in phone booth situations as well as getting out and making plays in space.
He’s done impressive work in pass protection for Jake Fromm and will be a plug-and-play in the NFL at left tackle.
One of the big question marks for Herbert was accuracy and decision making heading into his senior season, and Oregon has helped him tremendously in that regard.
It’s also clear that Herbert has done a phenomenal job on his own with film study and preparation, as he looks like a completely different player to me in terms of his killer instinct and willingness to drive the ball downfield with accuracy.
NFL teams are going to love Herbert’s experience and improvement this season.
Epenesa is built like a tree at 6-foot-6, 280 pounds. He has a very strong initial punch and frequently wins with pure power, but he’s no slouch as an athlete, either.
Seeing some of his first full-time work this season, Epenesa’s sack numbers have been low but his pressures and ability to impact the game as a pass rusher have not been diminished in the least.
He’s a stud.
The torch is being passed at Oklahoma at quarterback and wide receiver these days with CeeDee Lamb the latest superstar at receiver for the Sooners.
Lamb has tremendous speed and athleticism, and despite a smaller frame he gives his quarterback a broad catch radius with elite after the catch abilities.
It doesn’t matter if Leatherwood is playing guard or tackle for the Crimson Tide — he’s been tremendous.
He’s taken a huge leap in his game this year playing left tackle now that Jonah Williams is in the NFL.
That versatility will not be lost on NFL evaluators and Leatherwood has a chance to be picked in the top 10 as a result.
Speed, speed, speed.
Unlike some speedy receivers, Ruggs is a possession-type of guy with elite after-the-catch ability and unreal acceleration and change-of-direction.
Ruggs will likely draw some comparisons to Tyreek Hill as a player.
Because of his speed, I would be shocked if he was left out of the top 10-12 picks of this draft.
One of the top playmaking safeties in all of college football last season, Delpit was given the great honor of wearing jersey number 7 at LSU this season.
He has had a slow go of things statistically, but he flies all over the field and is equally impactful on the back end in the passing game as he is coming up and affecting the run.
Simmons is a very unique study as a hybrid playmaker who can both play in the box effectively as a rusher and run defender as well as cover guys in space.
Although Simmons seems like a jack-of-all-trades, he’s really just a great defensive weapon who can line up all over the field and eliminate mismatches offenses try to create.