2020 NFL Draft tracker: Instant grades and reaction

Analysis: Higgins is fast, but his game is really about route-running and understanding concepts. The Bengals now have A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd and Higgins for Burrow to throw at. Oh yeah, they also have Joe Mixon in the backfield.

Grade: A

Analysis: Pittman went over 100 catches last year for the Trojans, and while he’s not a burner, Pittman is physical and long. He’s going to be a terrific possession receiver for Philip Rivers.

Grade: B+

Analysis: Love the player, question the fit. Detroit already has Kerryon Johnson and a bevy of needs across the roster. Was running back a huge need here? It’s curious considering how many directs Detroit could have gone.

Grade: C

Analysis: McKinney is the first safety off the board, and rightfully so. This is a steal for the Giants, who improve a porous secondary. New York adds speed to the back end, giving them a playmaker to build around.

Grade: A-

Analysis: With Grant Delpit and Antoine Winfield Jr. on the board, this is a stunner. Coming out of D-II Lenoir-Rhyne, Dugger provides a great athletic profile, but it’s a reach to take him here.

Grade: D+

Analysis: On some big boards, Gross-Jatos was the third-best edge rusher in the draft. This is a nice pick for the Panthers, who put him next to Derrick Brown on the front four. This is a strong start to the draft for Carolina.

Grade: A-

Analysis: Another lineman for the Dolphins, and it makes sense. Hunt might end up playing inside as a guard, but he’ll apparently start at tackle. The small-school mauler is powerful and gives Tua Tagovailoa another bodyguard.

Grade: B

Analysis: Blacklock was expected to be a late-first or early-second pick, and so he’s a steal for the Texans. Houston needs someone alongside J.J. Watt who can play with power and disrupt, and Blacklock fits the bill.

Grade: A-

Analysis: Taylor had multiple 2,000-yard rushing seasons for the Badgers. A workhorse with a nice blend of speed and power, he adds plenty to the Colts backfield. However, what of Marlon Mack? Bigger needs here.

Grade: C+

Analysis: Shenault comes to the Jaguars as a playmaker on the outside, but can he overcome the injuries including his recent pelvic surgery? If so, he’ll pair nicely with D.J. Chark to help Gardner Minshew.

Grade: B-

Analysis: Kmet is the best tight end in a very weak class at the position. Chicago desperately needed to upgrade here after cutting Trey Burton earlier this offseason (no, Jimmy Graham doesn’t count). Last year with the Fighting Irish, Kmet notched 43 catches for 515 yards sand six touchdowns.

Grade: C+

Analysis: Delpit is a fantastic football player. He was elite in 2018 before struggling through some injuries in 2019. When healthy, he’s arguably the best safety in this class and should be an instant upgrade on Cleveland’s back end.

Grade: A

Analysis: Love this pick for the Buccaneers. Winfield comes from great stock, as his father, Antoine Winfield Sr., was a fantastic NFL player for 14 season. Junior was a stud at Minnesota, earning First-Team Big-Ten honors in 2019.

Grade: A-

Analysis: Hamler was a two-year starter for the Nittany Lions and racked up 1,658 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns over that span. He’ll join first-round pick Jerry Jeudy and third-year pro Courtland Sutton on the outside for Denver.

Grade: B-

Analysis: After landing A.J. Terrell in the first round, the Falcons doubled down on defense with Davidson here. The former Auburn star had 14.5 sacks and 28 tackles for loss in his four seasons with the Tigers.

Grade: B

Analysis: Taylor comes from the Vols, where he spent five years in the program. Over the past two years, the SEC star totaled 16.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss. He should be a rotational piece early before gaining more traction in the lineup.

Grade: C