The top 100 players in the 2020 NFL Draft

The 2020 NFL Draft is loaded, starting with Ohio State’s Chase Young. For 12 months, Young has been the consensus best player in the draft, and he played like it in his final season in Columbus. In 12 games, Young had 21 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, and an impressive seven forced fumbles.

But this is much more than a one-player draft. Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons is a versatile weapon on defense and is the type of player NFL teams covet because of his ability to take up multiple roster spots. After those two, you have a quarterback controversy between Joe Burrow of LSU and Tua Tagovailoa of Alabama

The strength of this draft, though, is at wide receiver and offensive tackle. We could legitimately see as many as seven offensive tackles taken in the first round this year. Wide receiver is deep on our big board. Below there are 16 wide receivers peppered throughout, starting with Jerry Jeudy of Alabama.

Here’s a look at the 100 best prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft.

1. Chase Young, Edge, Ohio State

Young fits right in with recent edge players like the Bosa brothers and Myles Garrett. Like the latter, Young has prototypical size and athleticism for the position. His first step is lightning fast, and he is able to turn that speed into power to get to the quarterback. He knows a variety of rush moves and employs them regularly. Young isn’t necessarily bad against the run, but he could become more consistent.

2. Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson

Simmons is a positionally vague player. At Clemson, he did a little bit of everything and did it well. He’s just as effective dropping in coverage as he is coming up and stopping the run. He can even blitz off the edge when asked. He can do all of that because he’s an exceptional athlete with range to make plays all over the place. When the ball is in the air, Simmons tracks it nicely and closes in a hurry to break it up. He’ll be an asset in the NFL covering tight ends and running backs.

3. Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

Most of the great quarterbacks in NFL history have a swagger and confidence about them. Burrow has that same trait. After a slow first season at LSU, Burrow exploded in 2019 to lead the team to a national title while collecting the Heisman Trophy. Burrow has a good enough arm, but he knows how to take some zip off it when he needs to. He can place it wherever it needs to go, and is very good at throwing his receivers open. Although Burrow doesn’t have a Josh Allen rocket arm, he could be a quarterback who gets stronger in the NFL. If he can do that, he would get more acceleration on his deep throws. Currently, he floats the ball a little too much on deep passes.

4. Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State

Okudah may have only started one season at Ohio State, but he was a high first-round pick the moment he stepped foot on campus. At 6’1 and 205 pounds, Okudah has an impressive combination of size and athletic ability at cornerback. Whether it’s a smaller speed receiver or big possession wideout, it doesn’t matter to Okudah. He has the foot speed to stick on underneath routes and can track down the field on deeper plays. On top of his ability on the field, Okudah was loved by coaches for his hard work and smarts off the field.

5. Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn

Draft comparisons are often an exercise in futility, but Brown compares favorably to Eagles great Fletcher Cox. Brown is a big, physical interior defensive lineman who moves around blockers with ease and will collapse the pocket. He welcomes multiple blockers, and has the power and savvy to beat them. He can close some too, evidenced by his 13 career sacks. As a pass rusher, he’s not much more than a bull rusher, though.

6. Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa

Offensive tackles who are 320 pounds shouldn’t look like Wirfs or move like him. He is the definition of an elite athlete for a tackle. Wirfs moves around with ease and has good footwork for a tackle. Bigger defensive linemen don’t give Wirfs trouble, either. Powerful players can’t push him around because he repositions easily. His background as a high school wrestler is evident.

7. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama

If Jeudy were a little bigger than the 193 pounds he weighed in at the NFL Scouting Combine, he would be a nearly flawless wide receiver prospect. Jeudy first jumped out to people because he’s an elite-level route runner. He doesn’t make missteps in his routes, knows how to subtly get open using his body, and his speed lets him get a step on defensive backs. However, a lack of strength hurts Jeudy at times. He’s also been hesitant to work the middle of the field and has drop issues in that area of the gridiron.

8. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

Tagovailoa excels on deep passes that take advantage of a good arm and accuracy. He works quickly in the pocket, setting up, reading the defense, and getting rid of the ball in a hurry. He consistently maintains good footwork in the pocket and rarely throws off platform. Tagovailoa only started 24 games at Alabama (playing in 33), but he knows how to influence safeties with his head movement. He seems fearless in the face of pressure. Where Tagovailoa needs to get better is the intermediate game. His accuracy occasionally will waver. He also has a penchant for trying to make a big play, putting his body at risk. His well-documented injury history is scary.

9. Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville

Becton checks all the boxes you want in an offensive tackle. He’s massive and shockingly nimble for his size. Those aspects of his game were obvious in Louisville’s stretch zone blocking system last season. But what makes him stand out is his hand usage. Becton gets his hands on players quickly and knows how to use them. He’s not a perfect technician, but he’s as good as you need to be. When you add in his size and footwork, you have a starting NFL left tackle.

10. Jedrick Wills Jr., OT, Alabama

A two-year starter at Alabama, Wills is a powerhouse of a right tackle who has no problem playing through the whistle. He plays like you want an offensive tackle to play. Wills is a wide body who is simply hard to get around or move off his spot. His footwork looked much better in 2019 compared to 2018 in the pass game. Some counter moves will give Wills trouble, especially those to the inside. He’s also had issues with false starts throughout his career.

11. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma

There were few more productive receivers over the last two years than Lamb. Over that time, he caught 127 passes for 2,485 and 25 touchdowns. Lamb is a monster after the catch (average of 11 yards last season). His speed is good, and he fearlessly works through defenses. As a route runner, Lamb is sudden in his movements, which create larger windows for his quarterback.

12. Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina

Kinlaw is one of the most fun players in this draft. He’s a physically impressive specimen at 6’5 and 324 pounds. Players his size shouldn’t have the first step he possesses. Not only does he have long arms to keep blockers out of his pads, but he’s powerful and will drive opponents backward. At times, Kinlaw’s height will work against him as proficient blockers can get under him for leverage. But if he’s playing low, he’s an effective interior pass rusher and run stopper. While Kinlaw needs some work on his counter moves and instincts, he has the ability to be special.

13. Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama

Speed, speed, and more speed. Ruggs averaged 17.5 yards per catch in his college career simply because he’s able to run past and away from defenders. More importantly, Ruggs knows how to use his speed. When cornerbacks give Ruggs more room so he doesn’t run past him, he can break off his route and pull in an easy catch. Ruggs’ issues are centered on physicality, both before and after the catch. Teams shouldn’t be turned off by his moderate production at Alabama considering the team had four future first-round wide receivers in 2019.

14. Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU

Jefferson has been a little miscast in the lead up to the draft. He played in the slot a lot at LSU, but that was more to do with the receiving talent in Baton Rouge. Yet just about every description of Jefferson is about how great of a weapon he can be in the slot. While it’s true he could be very good there, he fits fine in the NFL as an outside receiver.

15. Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

Thomas is the archetype of an NFL left tackle. He’s big at 6’5 and 315 pounds, and has long arms and good athleticism for his size. Thomas shows a good kick slide and handles speed on the edge nicely. He’s also good at moving out to the second level and taking on defenders while on the move. Sometimes Thomas’ footwork is inconsistent, and he can get knocked off balance. But with decent coaching, he should be a longtime standout at one of the NFL’s most important positions.

16. Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon

Herbert has a lot of traits you want in a quarterback. At 6’6 and 236 pounds, he’s a good athlete with good arm strength. On deep throws, he’s accurate and can fit the ball into tight spots. The biggest knock on Herbert is his play when pressured. His footwork gets him in trouble when defenders are in his face, and his pocket poise fails. Herbert also isn’t the best anticipatory passer and too often waits for a receiver underneath and in the middle of the field to get open before he throws the ball.

17. K’Lavon Chaisson, Edge, LSU

There is obviously some risk in taking Chaisson, considering he started just 17 games in his college career and had only 9.5 sacks. Selecting him is based on the hope that his highlight plays turn into consistency. Playing the “buck” position at LSU, Chaisson is comfortable standing up or playing with his hand down. On a team with established edge players, Chaisson could be used as a pass-rushing weapon early in his career.

18. CJ Henderson, CB, Florida

There’s a lot to like about Henderson’s game. He is unquestionably the No. 2 cornerback in this draft, and he knows how to time routes and can stick with all varieties of receiver. He’s a physical press man coverage cornerback who frequently gets a good jam at the line of scrimmage. He also has the hip fluidity to open up and run with receivers down the field and can catch up if he’s beaten. He has experience playing outside and in the slot, which adds to his value. The big concern is his tackling. It’s inconsistent, at best.

19. Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma

Although off-the-ball linebackers have a tendency to drop in the draft, Murray is worthy of a first-round selection. He’s a good chase linebacker who uses his speed to track the ball. He’s a strong tackler and has the ability to get off blocks better than most linebackers. Oklahoma sometimes used Murray on blitzes, and he proved to be effective. Murray will be best as a traditional 4-3 outside linebacker.

20. Patrick Queen, LB, LSU

Stuck behind star linebacker Devin White, Queen waited his turn at LSU before having a breakout 2019 season. As a junior, he had 85 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and three sacks. His play seemed to only get better as the season wore on. Queen is the type of linebacker with unlimited sideline-to-sideline range, and he has the agility to easily turn and run. Queen has also proven himself as a coverage linebacker, a particularly important commodity in the NFL right now. He’s not the biggest, though, and blockers give him trouble. But he’s so fast to read a play and react that he’ll often get past blocks.

21. Josh Jones, OT, Houston

Jones is purely a left tackle, and he started 45 games there for Houston in his college career. He is a smooth athlete who knows how to play speed rushers. Jones can also get at the second level, picking off linebackers and safeties in space. Even though he needs to add more power to his game, he is an immediate starter in the NFL.

22. A.J. Epenesa, Edge, Iowa

At this time last year, many projected Epenesa as a top-10 pick. A middling final year at Iowa has dinged his stock as teams wonder if he’s a good enough athlete to stay on the outside in the NFL. His best fit might be in the description above. It would take advantage of his 6’5, 275-pound frame and make him an asset on third downs from the inside. The only better fit might be on a team that runs a lot of three-man fronts with Epenesa bulking up a little. Smaller Calais Campbell is a pretty good way of describing him.

23. Grant Delpit, S, LSU

There are two distinct sides to Delpit’s game. The good side is he’s an incredible coverage safety with good athleticism and on-field range. He closes on the ball in a hurry and made a lot of plays breaking up passes. He had 32 career passes broken up in college playing single-high safety and next to a strong safety. The bad side is Delpit’s tackling is suspect. There were a lot of plays where he’d overrun the ball carriers or simply lacked the strength to take down an opponent one-on-one. You have to wonder how much a lingering ankle injury slowed him in 2019.

24. Austin Jackson, OT, USC

Coming into the year, many thought Jackson had top-10 talent. That type of player is still in there if he gets the proper coaching. Jackson’s foot quickness is impressive, and he can handle speed rushers well. The knock on Jackson is his hand usage. He’ll be slow to get his hands up, and power rushers can move him back. One of the youngest players in the draft, Jackson could be a steal late in the first round if he gets stronger and improves his upper body technique.

25. Yetur Gross-Matos, Edge, Penn State

At Penn State, Gross-Matos was deployed in numerous ways — standing up at the edge, traditional hand-down end, inside on passing downs, and even a four-point stance. He led Penn State in tackles for loss and sacks in his two seasons as a starter. Gross-Matos is an impressive hand fighter to get off blocks, and he has good inside counter moves. If Gross-Matos’ first step was a little faster and more consistent, you might be talking about a top-10 prospect.

26. Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama

Starting two years at Alabama, McKinney should be able to adjust quickly to the NFL. While he can play single- or two-high safety, he works in the box and will cover the slot. He was often used as a linebacker on nickel plays for Alabama last season. But McKinney is at his best when he’s playing deep and relying on his ability to read a play and break on the football. Unlike most college defensive backs, McKinney is a strong tackler and has good technique. McKinney is a little tight when he has to turn and run with a receiver or change direction on a play.

27. Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State

There is no more athletic offensive tackle in the draft this year than Cleveland. And more importantly, it shows up in his play. Rushers who can bend the edge more often than not would run into Cleveland because he has the foot speed to beat them to the spot. He’s excellent out on the move and would be great on a team that runs a lot of zone principles. He could do with getting stronger because good bull rushes can move him around.

28. Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota

After playing just eight games in 2017 and 2018 due to season-ending injuries, Winfield had a breakout 2019 with seven interceptions and 88 tackles. His ability to play the ball is impressive, and he has experience playing single-high safety and in the box. He may be at his best playing the run. Winfield is a physical player by nature and won’t hesitate to come up and lay a hit on a running back. He’ll be a favorite among coaches for his work ethic and football IQ.

29. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State

Although Aiyuk only started 15 games at the FBS level after two years at a junior college, he has a very specific proven commodity. That is his ability after the catch. He’s the type of receiver teams can run on short routes and let him show off his acceleration and smooth agility to make players miss. He can also be a weapon on punt and kick returns. He’s a player who has to work on the nuances of route running, but if he does that, he can at least be a high-end No. 2 receiver.

30. Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU

Gladney might not be the biggest cornerback prospect, but he will get physical at the line of scrimmage. So much so, he actually got into a fistfight with an Iowa State player last season. Sure, that’s not smart. But it goes to show he’s a cornerback who won’t back down. Teams that like off coverage will be attracted to Gladney. He played that really well in college thanks to his ability to quickly diagnose a pass and close on the receiver.

31. Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado

In a loaded wide receiver class, Shenault is one of the more polarizing prospects at his position. That’s in large part to Colorado’s passing game being suspect, and Shenault shifting from receiver to wildcat quarterback to running back. Shenault is a bulky receiver and his physical nature shows up after the catch. He’s not a precise route runner, but as we learned last year with DK Metcalf, talent can be more important than precision at wide receiver.

32. D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia

The Georgia product is like a combination of former Bulldog running backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. Swift’s vision is exactly what you want in a running back, and he is special as a pass catcher. He’s the kind of back who can be kicked out into the slot and generate a mismatch for the offense. You can argue the value of a first-round running back all you want. But it’s hard to see Swift failing in the NFL.

33. J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State

Dobbins can be a bulldozer in the backfield because he runs low and maintains good balance through contact. If teams are looking for a back who can run inside and break tackles, Dobbins is the best option in the draft. When he gets into the open field, he has good agility to make defenders miss. As a receiver, Dobbins has a ways to go in terms of route running. His hands are decent, and he’s effective on screen plays.

34. Jonathan Greenard, Edge, Florida

Few defensive players have been as productive at two different schools as Greenard. In 2017, he had 15.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks at Louisville before breaking his wrist in 2018. He transferred to Florida for his final season and registered another 15.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. Greenard has a good first step, which he uses either standing up at the edge or with his hand down. He plays with a lot of effort and gets to the ball in a hurry when he’s free. At times, though, Greenard will get hung up too long on blocks and get taken out of the play.

35. Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama

After initially starting his Alabama career as a wide receiver, Diggs transitioned to cornerback as a sophomore. He is still pretty raw, so that leads you to believe he has potential. Diggs is a tall corner and excels in contested catch situations. At just over 6’1, Diggs can play with bigger receivers and uses his length to one-hand jam at the line of scrimmage. Speedy receivers and crafty route runners give him trouble. He may get looked at as a safety by some.

36. Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor

Mims isn’t just a product of the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine. Those things helped him, of course, but he was arguably the best player on a Baylor team that went 11-3 last season. Mims specializes in getting vertical and then being able to beat a defensive back. Mims often plays up to his 4.38-second 40-yard dash time, but he knows how to vary his route speed to confuse cornerbacks. He’s another wide receiver who will need to work on his route running.

37. Cesar Ruiz, C, Michigan

After starting five games at right guard as a freshman, Ruiz moved to center and was a dependable player in his final two seasons. Ruiz specializes in pass protection. He has quick feet and gets his hands into defensive linemen in a hurry. He consistently keeps his shoulders square to a defender and redirects with ease. Ruiz is not a power blocker in the run game, but he plays with high effort and will seek out linebackers on the second level.

38. Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU

Some receivers are speed receivers. Some are possession receivers. Some are after-the-catch receivers. Reagor is a little bit of everything. At 5’11 and 206 pounds, he’s not the tallest, but he has enough speed to get deep or break away from defenders after the catch. Reagor has a little extra value as a very good punt returner. Could he be this draft’s Deebo Samuel?

39. A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson

Terrell was a sure-fire first-rounder before the national championship game against LSU. Then, sophomore wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, a projected top pick in the 2021 draft, continually beat him in the game. However, there shouldn’t be much doubt about Terrell’s ability. He’s got good size at 6’1, 195 pounds, knows how to use his hands, and can make plays on the ball. Terrell broke up 26 passes and hauled in six interceptions at Clemson.

40. Ross Blacklock, DL, TCU

Blacklock excels as an interior pass rusher and is a very good athlete for his position. For an interior player, he has a nice repertoire of pass-rush moves, including a solid swim move. TCU asked Blacklock to play a multiple-gap nose tackle position, and he shined in that role last season. He will play out of a four-point stance occasionally. He has the strength to beat single blocks, but could get better when double-teamed. He missed the 2018 season after tearing his Achilles.

41. Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia

Wilson is a mountain at 6’6 and 350 pounds, and he could still be growing after turning just 21 in February. Wilson’s standout ability right now is as a run blocker. That’s partially because he’s so big he can be hard to get around. When he gets his hands on a defender, the play is often over because he’s so strong. Speed rushers who can get around the edge can give Wilson some trouble, but maybe he can get quicker by dropping some pounds.

42. Jordan Love, QB, Utah State

The Patrick Mahomes comparisons Love receives aren’t fair, though sometimes you can see why they happen. It’s mainly due to Love’s ability to throw the ball on the move. That doesn’t mean he’s going to throw no-look passes, but when he escapes the pocket, he effortlessly flicks his wrist and can toss a bullet. Love’s play dipped in 2019 after Utah State switched offensive coordinators and most of his receiver group and offensive line changed. Still, Love has the type of raw talent that NFL teams love to draft and develop.

43. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin

Taylor was a workhorse at Wisconsin, carrying the ball an incredible 926 times in 41 games. Taylor may be a 225-pound back, but his best attribute is speed and vision. He changes direction fairly well too. You have to wonder a little bit if Taylor is a product of the famed Wisconsin rushing scheme. He’s also had a penchant for fumbling the ball. In the passing game, Taylor was used much more in 2019 and showed decent hands.

44. Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson

If a team is loaded with smaller receivers who can’t high-point the football, Higgins should be its guy in this draft. Higgins times his jumps extremely well and has good hands to bring the ball in. He is also more than willing to go over the middle and has the size to push through tackles. His speed is only average for the position, though, and he won’t run away from a lot of defenders.

45. Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn

Igbinoghene was a starting cornerback just two seasons at Auburn after playing at wide receiver as a freshman. But in those two seasons, Igbinoghene defended 19 passes and had 92 tackles. He has good athleticism and excels at turning and running with receivers down the field. Igbinoghene is also an asset as a return man, and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in his college career.

46. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC

Of the wide receivers in the top 50, Pittman is the most physical. At 6’4 and 223 pounds, he’s a good possession receiver and a weapon in the end zone. He’s not the fastest wide receiver, but you’re not drafting him for his speed. If you’re taking Pittman, it’s on the basis of creating physical mismatches.

47. Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn

In normal drafts that aren’t so loaded with offensive tackles, Wanogho might push for a spot in the first round. He’s at his best when he gets past his kick slide and into space to take advantage of his athleticism. He handles speed rushers because of that, and he has the foot quickness to beat counter moves to the inside. Wanogho could stand to get stronger as a run blocker, though, and can get pushed around at times by defensive linemen.

48. Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah

Teams looking for a bigger and aggressive cornerback should look no further than Johnson. With experience in man and zone coverage, Johnson is a cornerback who can get physical at the line of scrimmage and has the fluidity to turn and run with faster players. He’s proven in the slot. His play against the run is good for the position. A big concern about Johnson is his injury background. In March, he had surgery to repair a torn labrum and has had two previous shoulder surgeries.

49. Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU

A two-year starter at LSU, Fulton enters the NFL with man coverage skills like most defensive backs from the Tigers do. Fulton is a good athlete with the agility to turn and run with quick receivers. When he was used in off coverage, he showed the quickness to close a cushion. He’s more of a No. 2 cornerback in the NFL because he’s not the most physical. He also had only two interceptions in college.

50. Marlon Davidson, DL, Auburn

For some, Davidson is an edge player. For others, he’s a three-technique on the inside. That type of versatility makes Davidson an attractive prospect out of Auburn. Though he’s 303 pounds, Davidson has shown the ability to split through gaps like a 260-pound player. He’s strong against the run and will set the edge when he’s on the outside. He might be more of an inside player in the NFL because he’s not one for winning with pure speed around the edge.

51. Curtis Weaver, Edge, Boise State

52. Lloyd Cushenberry, C, LSU

53. Justin Madubuike, DL, Texas A&M

54. Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State

55. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU

56. KJ Hamler, WR, Penn State

57. Zack Baun, LB, Wisconsin

58. Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne

59. Terrell Lewis, Edge, Alabama

60. Cam Akers, RB, Florida State

61. Julian Okwara, Edge, Notre Dame

62. Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois

63. Neville Gallimore, DL, Oklahoma

64. Robert Hunt, G, Louisiana

65. Matt Peart, OT, Connecticut

66. Josh Uche, Edge, Michigan

67. Bryan Edwards, WR, South Carolina

68. Van Jefferson, WR, Florida

69. Zack Moss, RB, Utah

70. Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame

71. Saahdiq Charles, OT, LSU

72. Jacob Eason, QB, Washington

73. Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame

74. Jabari Zuniga, Edge, Florida

75. Adam Trautman, TE, Dayton

76. Lucas Niang, OT, TCU

77. Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma

78. Matt Hennessy, C, Temple

79. Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State

80. Jordan Elliott, DL, Missouri

81. Harrison Bryant, TE, Florida Atlantic

82. Alex Highsmith, Edge, Charlotte

83. Ashtyn Davis, S, California

84. Amik Robertson, CB, Louisiana Tech

85. Hunter Bryant, TE, Washington

86. Damien Lewis, G, LSU

87. James Lynch, DL, Baylor

88. Jordyn Brooks, LB, Texas Tech

89. Eno Benjamin, RB, Arizona State

90. Devin Duvernay, WR, Texas

91. Reggie Robinson, CB, Tulsa

92. Darrell Taylor, Edge, Tennessee

93. Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Appalachian State

94. Leki Fotu, DL, Utah

95. AJ Dillon, RB, Boston College

96. Khalid Kareem, Edge, Notre Dame

97. K’Von Wallace, S, Clemson

98. Willie Gay Jr., LB, Mississippi State

99. Colby Parkinson, TE, Stanford

100. Bradlee Anae, Edge, Utah