2020 NFL Draft: Jerry Jeudy tops preseason Big Board; Justin Herbert, Tua Tagovailoa in top 6
26. Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
Yeah, the corner class is loaded with potential. Kristian Fulton might be better than Greedy Williams, and his fluidity in coverage puts him up there with Greedy already. Fulton needs to be less physical down the field and find the ball better in 2019.
27. Rashard Lawrence, DL, LSU
Lawrence was on my board last year, only to return for his senior season. He is a wrecker up front and takes up a lot of space in the run game. His game isn’t limited to that though. He’s shown plenty of examples of pass rush moves on tape and could play himself into great draft position with a strong 2019.
28. Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
Gross-Matos was very productive last season for Penn State, tallying 20.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks. He looks the part of a true defensive end and possesses similar skills to Epenesa, with heavy hands and a strong lower half.
29. K.J. Hill, WR, Ohio State
He’s not completely off the radar, but he doesn’t get the love that other receivers have gotten so far. Hill impressed me a ton looking back at his 2018 season. He has the quickness and fluidity as a route runner to create instant separation, strong hands, and the speed to turn any catch into a score. I’m looking forward to his 2019 campaign.
30. Raekwon Davis, DL, Alabama
Davis also surprised many with his return to school. However, I think that will help him evolve as a three-down defensive lineman. Davis is very athletic and has the movement skills to attack gaps quickly. I want to see him work on gaining more leverage with his lower half in 2019.
31. Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Jordan Love has every bit of potential to become a first round pick next April. He has a quick release and possesses excellent placement and touch. He can throw on the run and made some wow throws against Michigan State last season. He needs to work on his pocket awareness a bit more this year to gain the attention. Utah State’s game against LSU will be excellent for Love this year.
32. K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
Speaking of LSU, Chaisson is oozing with potential after missing almost all of last season with a torn ACL. If he regains his form, he will be dangerous. Chaisson has the bend to be an elite pass rusher this year for the Tigers.
33. Lucas Niang, OT, TCU
We will see if he is viewed as a tackle or guard, but either way, Niang needs to be talked about more. He anchors very well in pass protection and is a mauler up front.
34. Tyler Johnson, WR, Minnesota
There’s a certain nuance to Tyler Johnson’s game that gets him on the list. He has one of the best releases in the country and gets into his route with ease. The one big concern for him is his hands, as he’s had multiple easy drops every year. The Davante Adams comparisons make a ton of sense.
35. A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
Terrell is a long, tall corner that teams covet, and he has very good coverage skills. A couple of things separate him from the rest of the pack (tackling ability and passive nature at the catch point).
36. Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
There’s a lot to like with Higgins, most notably his ability to high point the ball and adjust when the ball is in the air. He also tracks the ball very well over his shoulder. My main concerns with him are his lean frame and his hot and cold release.
37. Brycen Hopkins, TE, Purdue
Hopkins is as athletic a tight end as there is in college football right now, and he shows his ability as a receiver week in and week out. If he can improve his ability as a blocker, he will continue to rise up boards.
38. Walker Little, OT, Stanford
Like Niang, Walker Little may project more as a guard than a tackle, which is fine. He lacks a little quickness to handle speed rushers, but his technique is solid when he is quick with his hands off the snap.
39. Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia
Yes, others have him much higher, but there’s a lot left to prove for Fromm to be considered a game-changing franchise quarterback. He has a quick release and is a good rhythm passer, but he doesn’t have a game-changing arm and could work on becoming a quicker processor.
40. Grant Calcaterra, TE, Oklahoma
Calcaterra, like Hopkins, is more of a receiver at this point in his career at Oklahoma. In fact, he lined up in the slot and out wide very often in 2018. He has great hands and uses his body to box out defenders well. Like Hopkins, Calcaterra needs to show more as a blocker. He prefers putting a shoulder into a defender instead of technique.
41. Darryl Williams, OL, Mississippi State
Williams might be a forgotten player at this point, but he is another center with promise heading into 2019. Playing against the likes of Davis, Lawrence, and Brown will only help him.
42. Trey Sermon, RB, Oklahoma
Sermon highlights the next tier of running backs for the 2020 NFL Draft. He is basically “Etienne lite” at this point, with plenty of acceleration in open space and the lateral movement and vision to create for himself. I like what I saw from him in the passing game as well, and he should get plenty more looks in 2019.
43. Jabari Zuniga, EDGE, Florida
Zuniga has flashed a ton of potential in his time at Florida, and I expect more of the same in 2019. However, he needs to put together more consistency off the edge this season to be a high pick in 2020.
44. Ke’Shawn Vaughn, RB, Vanderbilt
Vaughn is a running back to familiarize yourself with in 2019. He has the ability to take it to the house when he gets into the open. When it comes to 2019, I want to see him improve on his vision between the tackles.
45. J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
Dobbins won’t have that elite track speed in the open space, but he’s a smart runner who has a great feel for the game between the tackles and can make defenders miss. The question for him is if he can become a three-down back.
46. Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Diggs is a converted wide receiver who is continuing to grow as a corner. He has good tracking and ball skills with the receiver background, and the frame to tangle with bigger, stronger receivers. However, like a lot of young corners, he gets into trouble with too much contact down the field.
47. Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State
The hype was building around Weaver this summer, and there’s a lot to like with his game. When he flashes, it’s because of quickness and bend, depending on where he lines up on the line, and good hands. If he gains more of a repertoire as a rusher this year, he will be dangerous.
48. Trey Smith, OL, Tennessee
Smith is an absolute mauler on the offensive line, but his questions are more medical-related. He had a blood clot and may not play again, but if he does, he could go high in 2020.
49. Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama
Yeah, yeah, I know, enough with the Alabama players already! Lewis is the last one on the list, and he bears a similar resemblance to Christian Miller when he’s healthy. The problem is he has missed a lot of time in his career at Alabama.
50. Trey Adams, OT, Washington
Despite the injuries he’s had the past two years, I still believe in Trey Adams from what I’ve seen when he’s healthy. He’s got very good feet, good athleticism, and great balance for a left tackle.