2020 NFL Draft Big Board: Ranking the top players in the class
The draft is just a few days away. Take a look at my final 2020 NFL Draft Big Board.
The 2020 NFL Draft is finally here! With just a few days left on the clock until the Bengals are actually on the clock, my final big board is here! Below are the 219 players that I watched this draft cycle, ranked and graded into rounds! Enjoy!
Round 1
1. Joe Burrow, QB, LSU (QB1): There’s not much Burrow does wrong. He has the accuracy, decision-making skills and pocket poise to be a great quarterback in this league for years to come.
Final Grade: Top-10
2. Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State (EDGE1): The latest great player to pass through the Ohio State defensive line system is yet again projected to go in the top five. Young has incredible pass-rush ability and physicality that will be hard to deal with at any level of play.
Final Grade: Top-10
3. Jeffery Okudah, CB, Ohio State (CB1): Marshon Lattimore, Denzel Ward and now Jeffery Okudah. The latest stud defensive back from Ohio State is another quick twitch, man cover corner who stands out above the rest of the class.
Final Grade: Top-10
4. Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama (OT1): The protector of Tua Tagoviloa is just as good of a prospect, if not better. Wills possesses a maulers mentality with elite movement skills. Plug and play starter.
Final Grade: Top-10
5. Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson (LB?1): I have him labeled as a linebacker, but Isaiah Simmons can play snaps at any position on the defense except the interior defensive line. Any smart defensive coordinator will have a field day lining him up in multiple schemes.
Final Grade: Top-10
6. Derrick Brown, IDL, Auburn (IDL1): A dominant brute who rushes from the interior defensive line. Controlled SEC offensive lineman and dominated in every match-up. Incredible strength on every down that is matched with a relentless motor.
Final Grade: 1st Round
7. Ceedee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma (WR1): A three-year starter who doesn’t do anything poorly. Has incredible ball skills and body control, which is followed up by elite RAC ability. Lamb Will be a WR1 for whatever team that drafts him for a long time.
Final Grade: 1st Round
8. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama (QB2): Tua has been recovering from a severe hip injury late in the 2019 season. If it wasn’t for that injury, he is a surefire top-five pick. His accuracy, decision making and ability to move in the pocket comfortably is incredible. If he is healthy, he’s a top-tier starter for years.
Final Grade: 1st Round
9. Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia (OT2): The most technically refined offensive tackle in this year’s class. Might not have the movement skills of others, but his strength, technique and 36-inch arms make for a lethal combo.
Final Grade: 1st Round
10. Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa (OT3): One of the most athletically gifted offensive tackles of all time. Elite movement and explosion that is unmatched by almost any other offensive lineman in the league. Great pass protector who does very well to keep rushers in front of him.
Final Grade: 1st Round
11. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama (WR2): Perhaps the best route runner out of any receiver this year. His ability to seamlessly transition from route break to route break is phenomenal. Has elite stop-start ability that makes his RAC ability top-tier.
Final Grade: 1st Round
12. Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville (OT4): His combination of size, strength and movement ability is rare. He isn’t the most technically refined offensive tackle, but he’s more than worth a first-round pick.
Final Grade: 1st Round
13. Javon Kinlaw, IDL, South Carolina (IDL2): One of the biggest risers in this year’s draft cycle. Has elite explosiveness that allows him to bull rush just about any interior offensive lineman. He has immense upside as a pass rusher that makes him an attractive option in the top-15.
Final Grade: 1st Round
14. Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama (WR3): Henry Ruggs is more than just speed. His speed is a complement to his good route running and intense mindset. He isn’t afraid to go up and get a ball, then run by you once his feet touch the ground.
Final Grade: 1st Round
15. K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU (EDGE2): A flexible speed rusher who knows how to work around an offensive lineman or run through him. He’ll do the dirty work and set the edge in run defense as well.
Final Grade: 1st Round
16. DeAndre Swift, RB, Georgia (RB1): An athletic running back who will make people miss in the open field, run through tackles and catch passes to any extent.
Final Grade: 1st Round
More from NFL Draft
- NFL Draft: Ranking the top signal callers of the 2024 NFL QB Class
- Packers’ Lukas Van Ness will make a Lambeau leap into the NFL in 2023
- 2024 NFL Draft: Hunter Haas’ Top 50 Big Board
- NFL preseason Week 3: Notre Dame’s Mayer, Foskey with something to prove
- NFL Draft Notebook: Bo Nix is the third-best quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft
17. Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU (CB2): It seems like the NFL is not so high on Fulton, but I still really like his play. Sticky in man coverage, and smart in zone coverage. He needs to get better tracking the ball, but that’s teachable.
Final Grade: 1st Round
18. Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU (WR4): One of the savviest route runners in this class. In today’s NFL, top tier receivers can produce from the slot, and that’s where Jefferson excels.
Final Grade: 1st Round
19. Grant Delpit, S, LSU (S1): Delpit has fallen down boards quite a bit, but he’s still a good safety. He might not be a strong safety, but he has the athleticism and ball skills to be a free safety. His tackling is atrocious, however.
Final Grade: 1st Round
20. Cam Akers, RB, FSU (RB2): My favorite player in this class. Consistently produced behind a horrid offensive line. A natural receiver and a natural athlete. Needs to hold onto the football though!
Final Grade: 1st Round
21. Cesar Ruiz, IOL, Michigan (IOL1): Can play anywhere on the interior offensive line. Has fantastic strength and athleticism that makes him a force to be reckoned with on the interior.
Final Grade: 1st Round
22. Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama (S2): Played a similar role as Minkah Fitzpatrick did at Alabama. Athletic safety who can play multiple different positions on the defense.
Final Grade: 1st Round