2020 NFL Draft Top 50 Big Board: Ranking the premier prospects
Scouting Report. DL. A.J. Epenesa. 7. 878. Pick Analysis. Iowa. player
2019 stats (five games): 9 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 passes defended
A.J. Epenesa was an absolute monster for the Iowa Hawkeyes in a limited role last season. Iowa mostly used Epenesa as a situational rusher and he led the Big Ten with 11 sacks. Epenesa is now a full-time player for the Hawkeyes, but through five games this season, his production has been down a bit.
It is fair to wonder about Epenesa’s ability to dominate as a full-time player, but I think he lack of dominant numbers is mostly due to extra attention from the offense. Epenesa is an incredibly powerful defensive end who gets off of the ball quickly and shows great overall athleticism. He has an impressive combination of power and athleticism that will allow him to make plays at the next level.
I would like to see Epenesa become more of a consistent playmaker if he is going to make my top five, but he is an extremely talented 2020 NFL Draft prospect who deserves this high ranking.
8. player. Scouting Report. S. LSU. Grant Delpit. 817. Pick Analysis
2019 stats (five games): 19 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception
Grant Delpit is far-and-away the top safety prospect in the 2020 NFL draft class and is a potential top-ten selection next April. Delpit can do it all at the safety position, showing fantastic run defense skills in-the-box, takes care of all tight ends and running backs in man coverage and playmaking skills in short zone coverage.
He is also an extremely athletic and rangy safety who can make plays on the back-end and can create pressure on the quarterback when asked to do so. Simply put, Delpit is a tremendous natural playmaker on the defensive side of the ball and would be a fantastic player to pick to lead any defense.
Oklahoma. 9. player. Scouting Report. CeeDee Lamb. 815. Pick Analysis. WR
2019 stats (five games): 18 receptions for 439 yards and 7 touchdowns
CeeDee Lamb is not the fastest or most explosive player at the wide receiver position, but his combination of route running ability, body control in the air and overall ball skills makes him a consistent threat on the outside.
Lamb tracks the ball in the air extremely well and always seems to be able to get his body in position to make a play no matter what the defender is doing. Simply put, Lamb is a fantastic playmaker on the outside who has legitimate number one wide receiver potential at the next level.
Scouting Report. Clemson. 10. player. Isaiah Simmons. 879. Pick Analysis. LB/S
2019 stats (five games): 43 total tackles, 6 tackles for loss, three sacks, two passes defended
Isaiah Simmons is an extremely explosive athlete in the middle of the defense who shines at both linebacker and safety. No matter where he plays at the next level, Simmons is going to be a dynamic playmaker who a team can build their defense around.
He is a tremendous asset in coverage who also shows the ability to make plays against the run and create pressure on the quarterback when asked to blitz. Make no mistake about it, Simmons is a top-ten player in the 2020 NFL Draft class.