2020 NFL Draft Big Board: Ranking the top 50 prospects – Chase Young over Joe Burrow

Updated NFL Draft Big Board ranking the top 50 prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft, beginning with Chase Young, Joe Burrow and Isaiah Simmons.

The best NFL teams build their rosters through quality drafts on an annual basis. To execute a productive draft, teams have to spend countless hours scouting hundreds of prospects.

The culmination of those efforts typically yields one big board where a team ranks all of its prospects regardless of position. Teams may let positional value shift their selections whey they go on the block, but the smartest franchises stay true to their big boards whenever possible.

The following represents our own “big board” ranking the top 50 prospects available in the 2020 NFL Draft, beginning with former Ohio State pass-rusher Chase Young who tops the list ahead of former LSU quarterback and presumptive No. 1 pick, Joe Burrow.

Young won’t go No. 1 but he’s the best prospect in this year’s class. He’s arguably the best pass-rushing prospect of the last decade. Yes, that means he is a better player than either Nick Bosa or Joey Bosa was at this stage of their respective careers.

Burrow is going No. 1 overall and he’d be the top prospect most years. He’s got a big, accurate arm that can make every throw required at the next level. His ability to process information at a rapid rate bodes well for his ability to be a star early in his professional career. He’ll walk right into a potentially elite offense with the Bengals.

Simmons is an absolute freak. He’s got the size to play linebacker with the speed of a top-notch NFL safety. That will allow him to wreck opposing offenses next year. He may slip a little due to his position, but the right defensive coordinator can turn him into an All-Pro in short order.

If Tagovailoa’s body holds up at the next level he can be just as good as Burrow. He doesn’t have quite the same arm strength as the former LSU star, but he’s even more accurate on short and intermediate throws. Combine that with his ability to read the game and it’s an easy recipe for stardom.

The Ohio State corner will be an easy plug and play starter for the team that selects him. He’s got the size, athleticism and competitive streak that coaches want to see from their No. 1 cornerback. Okudah is one of the safest picks in the top 10.

It might take Becton a year or two to reach his full potential at the next level, but his upside is tremendous. Finding a tackle with his size is hard enough. Finding a player with his size and quick feet is almost impossible.

This year’s draft class is loaded at wide receiver and Lamb is the best of the bunch. His ability to use his body to keep the ball away from opposing defenders will make him a quarterback’s best friend at the next level. Lamb’s ability to make plays after the catch is the skill that puts him just a hair above the other receivers in this year’s class.

Jeudy is just slightly behind Lamb in the rankings. He will walk into the NFL as one of the best route runners in all of football. That’s almost unfair when combined with Jeudy’s speed and functional strength on the outside.

Wills doesn’t have the upside of Becton, but he does have a higher floor. At worst, he profiles as an adequate starter at right tackle when Week 1 arrives. Down the line, he has the ability to develop into a perennial Pro Bowler on the right side.

Don’t buy into the concern about Wirfs’ ability to stay at tackle. He’s got the quickness required to stay outside. No one can question his strength or technique. Both traits are more than good enough to make him an above-average tackle at the next level.