One round of remote drafting down, six to go.
There’s plenty of talent left after Round 1. In fact, 27 of our top 50 are still available — including, at the top of the list, three stars from the last two national champions.
Not that we should look too deeply into a draft season that, thanks to the coronavirus shutdown, was conducted without the usually battery of visits and pro days and medical examinations, but a few interesting patterns did emerge on Day 1.
It appears the NFL didn’t think much of this safety or edge rushing class; or, maybe, teams are starting to realize that corners who can lockdown a receiver are essential — and more valuable.
Teams also stayed away from two taller wide receivers we liked in Denzel Mims and Michael Pittman Jr., while smaller players known for their speed and elusiveness after the catch — like Henry Ruggs, Jalen Reagor and Brandon Aikuk — were selected higher than we thought they would be.
But some things never change: Four quarterbacks went in the first round, including two — Justin Herbert and Jordan Love — that weren’t even in our Top 50.
Here’s a list of the best remaining players; the numbers shown here tell you where they ranked in our original Top 50 list. We also graded each pick in Round 1.
10. Kristian Fulton, CB LSU
It’s not going to be hard for NFL teams to project how Fulton will fare in a pro defense. LSU took a pro-style approach to coverage during Fulton’s career, routinely asking him to play press-man coverage with no safety help over the top. And he did it against the nation’s best receivers. As good as Fulton is in man coverage, he might be better in zone. That versatility should get him drafted early on Day 1.
NFL comparison: Tre’davious White
11. Tee Higgins, WR Clemson
He’s a big receiver, but doesn’t move like it. Especially off the line, where he can put ankle-breaking moves on corners. He beat LSU’s two future NFL corners on several occasions in the national title game. Higgins can win early and late in the route, which is what you want from a top receiving prospect. And while Higgins isn’t a downfield burner, he doesn’t need to be with that catch radius. On top of all that, Higgins has a long track record of production at the college level. Barring injury, it’s hard to envision a scenario in which the Clemson star isn’t a productive NFL receiver. He has a low floor and a high ceiling … exactly what you’re looking for in a first-rounder.
NFL comparison: A.J. Green
13. Grant Delpit, S LSU
It may have looked like it on last year’s tape, but Delpit didn’t just forget how to tackle. I’ll choose to ignore his tackling woes in 2019 (he was injured) and focus on everything else he did well. Delpit is a play-maker at the free safety position and can drop into the slot and man-up on receivers and tight ends. His freelancing may be a bit of a concern, but he makes enough good plays to offset the bad ones. If Delpit did a better job of tackling in 2019, we’d be talking about him as a top-10 pick.
NFL comparison: Kevin Byard
15. Michael Pittman Jr., WR USC
I got to Pittman late in the draft process, but it didn’t take long for him to make me a believer. The first thing that stands out is his size. Pittman is massive, and he takes advantage of that size when the ball is in the air. And unlike your typical contested-catch prospects, this one knows how to run a route. There will be more to his game than this, but Pittman will be a cheat code in the red zone, and not just because of his size and contested-catch ability. He has the ability to create separation on shorter timing routes. Pittman checked all of the boxes at the combine, too. He’s got good speed at that size and will be a threat downfield at the next level. He’ll be the kind of player who forces defenses to play a safety over the top in certain situations.
NFL comparison: Brandon Marshall
16. Denzel Mims, WR Baylor
The Mims hype started to grow after a dominant showing in Indy, but he’s more than a workout warrior. He ran a limited route tree at Baylor, but he can start and stop well for a man his size. And when he was given an opportunity to run more complex routes, he proved he was up to the task. Even if Mims isn’t the best separator, he has long arms and superb body control that gives him a large catch radius and helps him dominate in contested situations. He also knows how to use his body to box out corners, which will come in handy in the red zone. He’ll be a perimeter receiver but could also be used to run seam routes as a big slot. Beating press isn’t an issue for him but he has plenty of room to grow as a route runner. He doesn’t really drop his hips when coming out of his breaks and can round off routes at times.
NFL comparison: Late-career Dez Bryant
19. Xavier McKinney, DB Alabama
Size is my only concern with McKinney, who was small even for an SEC safety. But that didn’t stop Nick Saban from trusting him to play linebacker on some snaps. McKinney may not have ideal size or special movement skills, but he’s a smart football player who can play every position in the defensive secondary. There’s a role for him in every scheme. Just don’t ask him to cover bigger receivers and tight ends. That’s when his lack of size can be exploited.
NFL comparison: Poor man’s Tyrann Mathieu
22. Josh Jones, OT Houston
Jones dominated at the Senior Bowl and graded out well during his final season in Houston, but there are a number of red flags. His technique in pass protection is unrefined. His arms are a little short. He put up average numbers at the Combine. And he’s an older prospect. He’s also a better run blocker than pass blocker. Jones is a safe prospect but not one you’d want to use an early first-round pick on.
NFL comparison: Brian Bulaga
23. Jordan Elliott, DT Missouri
Elliott is an analytics darling. He doesn’t have an overly impressive athletic profile, but he consistently beat the blocker in front of him during his time in college. He led the nation in pass-rush win rate, per Pro Football Focus. While athleticism is a bit of a concern, Elliott did put on a solid showing at the combine and put up an eye-opening 40 time and 10-second split. Don’t be surprised if we look back at this draft and wonder how he dropped out of the first round.
NFL comparison: Kenny Clark
24. Zack Baun, EDGE Wisconsin
Baun may never be a guy you just line up on the edge and expect him to beat NFL tackles, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be a valuable NFL player. He’ll need some schematic help, but if he lands with a smart defensive coaching staff, he’ll be a Pro Bowler. Baun will likely settle into role not too different from the one we’ve seen Kyle Van Noy play in New England. He’ll mostly be used as an off-the-ball blitzer who can drop into coverage without being fully exploited. He’s that good of an athlete.
NFL comparison: Kyle Van Noy
26. A.J. Epenesa, EDGE Iowa
Epenesa will tell us if teams are really leaning more on the tape during this unique draft season. He wasn’t expected to blow up the combine, but a 5.04 40-yard dash will certainly give teams questions. Athleticism was never a selling point for the Iowa edge. He’s more of a power pass rusher who can kick inside on passing downs. Even if Epenesa never develops into a dominant edge rusher, his run defense should allow him to find a role in the NFL. Outside of Chase Young, he’s the safest edge prospect in the class.
NFL comparison: Arik Armstead
28. Julian Okwara, EDGE Notre Dame
Okwara is far from a finished product, but that can be said of a lot of the prospects in the year’s class of pass rushers. He is, however, built like an NFL pass rusher and his athleticism should allow him to be a productive player from the time he steps on an NFL field. Teams may be scared off after a leg injury prevented Okwara from participating in Combine drills but it’s evident on tape this dude has special tools. He’s not a versatile pass rusher, lining up almost exclusively on the edge for the Irish, but he does have the ability to drop into coverage if need be. If a team can get him interested in stopping the run, Okwara could be a star.
NFL comparison: Yannick Ngakoue
29. Antoine Winfield Jr., S Minnesota
Heading into the Combine, Winfield was seen as a good football player who may not have the athleticism to play at a high level on Sundays. Welp, a 4.45 40-yard dash (and a 10-yard split that put him in the 95th percentile at his position) alleviate those concerns. After checking the athletic boxes, NFL teams can lean on his tape, and, man, is it impressive. Winfield is an instinctive playmaker who just lives around the ball. He’s a bit undersized but it was never a problem in the Big Ten. Whichever team drafts him knows it will be getting a good football player.
NFL comparison: Juan Thornhill
30. Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE Penn State
NFL teams will be drawn to Gross-Matos’ potential. His tape is somewhat underwhelming but the Penn State product has the tools to develop into a productive player if he lands with a good coaching staff. He’s explosive off the line and has the flexibility to turn the corner after beating his blocker. He just needs to do that last part more often. Adding more pass rush moves (and counters) to his toolbox will help. Gross-Matos has the frame to get stronger, which should help against the run. Until that happens, the 22-year-old will have to settle for a rotational role.
NFL comparison: Carlos Dunlap
31. Justin Madubuike, DT Texas A&M
Turn on the Alabama tape, and your eyes will instantly be drawn to Madubuike. I’ve seen some concerns about him, but he was throwing around Crimson Tide linemen in that game. He was a good run defender throughout his career and improved as a pass rusher every season. After checking all the boxes (and then some) at the Combine, there should be no more concerns about his strength and athleticism. Madubuike can play.
NFL comparison: Jerrell Casey
32. Jonah Jackson, G Ohio State
Jackson is a little on the older side after spending five years at Ohio State. Versatility is one of his biggest selling points. He can play either guard spot and center. Jackson may not be a people-mover in the run game, but he can be a blocker on the move and rarely gets outsmarted in pass protection. For an athlete of Jackson’s caliber, the Combine numbers were a bit disappointing but his athleticism shows up on tape. He should start from Day 1.
NFL comparison: Ali Marpet
34. Willie Gay Jr., LB Mississippi State
Gay was one of the combine’s biggest stars, running a 4.4 40-yard dash and putting up elite numbers in the vertical and broad jumps. That wasn’t a surprise necessarily, as Gay’s athleticism jumps off the film. He’s not a great tackler but the instincts, especially in coverage, are there. He could be hurt by the circumstances surrounding this year’s draft process. He got in trouble with the NCAA, but that was an academic issue that most teams will probably overlook.
NFL comparison: Telvin Smith
35. Neville Gallimore, DT Oklahoma
Gallimore is one of the more fascinating players in the class. After shedding weight last offseason, he became more of a pass rusher from the nose tackle position. And he was still a force against the run. Gallimore still has a lot of room to grow as a pass rusher and he’s already 23, so he’s far from a sure thing. That doesn’t mean he’s not worth taking a bet on. At the very least, the team that drafts him will be getting a good run defender.
NFL comparison: Javon Hargrave
36. Tyler Johnson, WR Minnesota
Johnson is a smooth route runner who is going to get open at the NFL level. The big quesiton is athelticism as he has no special traits. That limits his ceiling and it’s the biggest reason he’ll drop to the second round. But whatever team drafts Johnson is getting realiable No. 2.
NFL comparison: Poor man’s Davante Adams
39. Josh Uche, EDGE Michigan
Uche did not play a traditional edge role at Michigan so he’s difficult project. What we do know is that he’s a tremendous athlete who took advantage of the schematic benefits he enjoyed playing for Don Brown. Landing with a creative defensive coordinator will be pivotal for Uche.
NFL comparison: Josh Allen
40. Van Jefferson, WR Florida
There isn’t a route Jefferson can’t run, but I don’t know if he’s going to be able to deal with the physicality he’ll see in the NFL. He’ll have to improve his play strength, as any kind of contact just ruined his routes. It’s hard to see him ever developing into a true No. 1 receiver, but he could be an excellent Robin to someone’s Batman.
NFL comparison: Calvin Ridley
41. Jaylon Johnson, CB Utah
Johnson is an ideal No. 2 corner for an NFL defense. He’s a physical dude who understands how offenses want to attack. He may not have the agility to stick with the top receivers in one-on-one coverage, but if you have a lockdown guy on the other side of him, Johnson is going to make a lot of plays. The only question is whether Johnson’s physicality will translate to the next level because he is a bit undersized.
NFL comparison: Shaquil Griffin
44. Damien Lewis, G LSU
Lewis is a powerful (but stationary) guard who has trouble in pass protection. It’s a technique issue, so coaching at the next level will be pivotal. He has experience against SEC pass rushers, which is obviously a plus. He more than held his own as a run blocker against some of the best interior defenders in the country. He has people-moving strength and is particularly good at coming off double teams and washing out second-level defenders.
NFL comparison: Shaq Mason
45. Ashtyn Davis, S California
If your defense needs a safety to patrol the deep middle, Davis is the prospect for you. He missed the Combine with an injury, but it’s apparent on tape that the Cal product has the range to be an impact player in centerfield. Now, I don’t know if he’ll be comfortable dropping closer to the line of scrimmage and manning up on slot receivers, which limits his value as a pass defender, but smart teams won’t put him in that position.
NFL comparison: Jairus Byrd
46. Kyle Dugger, S Lenoir-Rhyne
Playing at Lenoir-Rhyne, the competition Dugger faced is obviously going to raise some red flags. But the small-school product held his own against FBS talent during the Senior Bowl and then ran a 4.49 40-yard dash to go along with a 42-inch vertical. Athleticism is not an issue. The tape shows a ferocious tackler who won’t be afraid to make plays around the line of scrimmage. It remains to be seen how he’ll hold up in coverage against NFL receivers. Until we see that, we don’t know what Dugger’s ceiling is.
NFL comparison: Keanu Neal
47. Adam Trautman, TE Dayton
In a weak class of tight ends, Trautman stands out. He’s big, he’s athletic, he can run routes, he blocks and his hands are not an issue. He can also do damage after the catch. The big concern with Trautman is, of course, competition level, as his production came against FCS athletes. But Trautman’s testing numbers and a good week at the Senior Bowl should alleviate those concerns.
NFL comparison: O.J. Howard
48. Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB Appalachian St.
A decade ago, Davis-Gaither would probably be playing another position. He’s undersized for a linebacker, but he was a reliable run defender which may convince some teams to overlook that and focus on his ability to defend the pass. Davis-Gaither is not only a reliable player in coverage but he proved to be a productive blitzer. Modern NFL defenses should be focused on stopping the pass, and this is a prospect that will help you do that in a variety of ways.
NFL comparison: Matt Milano
49. Cole Kmet, TE Notre Dame
Kmet may never develop into a big threat as a pass-catcher but he’ll be a useful player at the next level based on run blocking alone. He just turned 21 in March and has the size and athleticism to develop into more of receiving threat even if he never becomes a great route runner. My biggest concern: Kmet was not a big contested catch guy in college so it’s difficult to envision him developing that trait against NFL athletes.
NFL comparison: Nick Boyle
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