2020 NFL Draft: Ranking the Top 20 SEC Prospects

My number one rated running back, D’Andre Swift, is the perfect mold for a modern NFL running back. He is an elusive and strong runner, but he finds most of his success in the passing game. Much like Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara, Swift is a modern-day three-down running back that can revolutionize an offense in the NFL. I expect Swift to be a first-round selection and for him to make an early impact at the running back position.

The depth of this year’s class of SEC prospects is really starting to show. Kristian Fulton is a top cornerback prospect in the 2020 NFL Draft and is one of the best pure coverage corners. Unfortunately, he dropped from the Senior Bowl and didn’t compete in Mobile. Fulton will be an immediate starting NFL cornerback and can develop into one of the best in the league throughout his career.

One of the most versatile defensive backs in the 2020 NFL Draft, Xavier McKinney can be a chess piece for a defensive coordinator at the next level. He can play man and zone coverage, blitz the quarterback, and impact the run-game very effectively. I haven’t had the opportunity to do his final film evaluation for McKinney yet, but he looks every part of a difference-maker in the NFL.

Patrick Queen is also a prospect that can be selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Queen has been one of my favorite prospects this season for a while now, and the rest of the draft community is finally being put on notice after his dominant performance in the College Football Playoffs. My favorite trait of Queen is his coverage ability over the middle of the field. In a weak linebacker class especially, look for Queen to continue to ascend draft boards.

After the National Championship Game win, LSU had many players declare for the 2020 NFL Draft and it is showing in these rankings. Justin Jefferson had a coming-out party in 2019 alongside his quarterback, Joe Burrow. Jefferson has showcased his speed and ability to win in contested catch situations throughout the season. He is a fringe first-round caliber prospect, however, with this wide receiver class being so strong at the top, it could bring him down.

Though he has received grief for his lack of motivation in the run game, I think it is overblown and exaggerated. C.J. Henderson is one of the best man coverage cornerbacks in this year’s class and has such good speed to stay with some of the nation’s fastest wide-outs. There aren’t many holes in Henderson’s game outside of his unattentive tackling of ball-carriers.

Trevon Diggs is a tall and long cornerback prospect who has a lot of his success in zone coverage. As a former receiver for the Crimson Tide, Diggs is still adjusting to his home at cornerback and learning the nuances of the position. His size and length project well to being a press-man coverage cornerback as he continues to develop in the NFL.

One of the most versatile edge defenders in the 2020 NFL Draft, Terrell Lewis is an impact player when he is healthy. The biggest question for him going into the draft process regards his health throughout his career at Alabama. Lewis is so bendy and athletic, however, we have yet to see a full season out of him in college. He has only played 14 games in his career, but Lewis is a talent worth taking the risk on in the late 1st round in April.

Justin Madubuike is a bursty athlete that can line up anywhere on the defensive line. He has some fun film where he penetrates the backfield with good leverage and functional strength. He has risen up many’s big boards in recent months. He has the ability to be a surprise 1st-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Prince Tega Wanogho has some of the best tools in this offensive tackle draft class. He has great size and strength. Wanogho hasn’t played football for very long and it shows with his lack of technical refinement. Get him good offensive line coaching that can develop his tools and you may have yourself a franchise offensive tackle that has the potential to be one of the best in the NFL.

This year’s class has the potential to be one of the best the SEC has ever produced. We didn’t even get to mention Alabama’s Raekwon Davis or either of Florida’s edge rushers: Jonathan Greenard and Jabari Zuniga. The depth of this conference’s class is ridiculous.