Category: 2020 NFL draft

Browns now officially own the Texans’ 3rd-round pick for Duke Johnson

Johnson has 60 carries for 327 yards and 24 receptions for 232 yards in Houston in 2019

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Duke Johnson was active for the Houston Texans in Week 11. When the running back made the active roster for the team’s 41-7 blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens, it finalized the trade that sent him from Cleveland to Houston this past summer.

Because Johnson has been active for 10 Texans games, the Browns now are guaranteed to earn the Texans’ third-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. The trade had a conditional draft pick, and the condition was Johnson being active for 10 or more games.

Had Johnson not hit the 10-game threshold, the Browns would have received Houston’s fourth-round pick.

Johnson has 60 carries for 327 yards and 24 receptions for 232 yards in Houston in 2019.

Jags land 2 pass catchers and 2 DBs in Draft Wire 3-round mock draft

The Jags could use a starting cornerback after trading Jalen Ramsey and Draft Wire slotted the Jags a successor in their latest mock.

Despite the emergence of receiver DJ Chark, many draft pundits have continued to mock Oklahoma receiver CeeDee Lamb to the Jacksonville Jaguars. That’s not to say we disagree here at the Jags Wire as Lamb is having an unreal season, racking up 44 receptions for 983 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Our comrades at Draft Wire are amongst those on the web who like the fit and slotted him to the Jags in their latest mock draft. They also slotted the Jags a new cornerback to start at Jalen Ramsey’s old spot in Louisiana State’s Kristian Fulton with their second first-round selection form Los Angeles Rams.

13. Jacksonville Jaguars | CeeDee Lamb | WR | Oklahoma

No matter who is playing quarterback for the Jags next year, that passer will need a blue-chip No. 1 receiver to make this offense reach its potential. Lamb has been a one-man highlight reel all season long, and has all the tools to be that player from Day 1.

20. Jacksonville Jaguars (from LAR) | Kristian Fulton | CB | LSU

After trading away arguably the league’s best corner in Jalen Ramsey, the Jags obviously have a gaping hole on the roster. Why not use one of the picks they got in return to fill that need? Fulton is big, physical, and immediate starter material.

Adding one of college’s most elite playmakers in Lamb sounds like a win in my book. Nick Foles, Gardner Minshew II, and coordinator John DeFilippo certainly wouldn’t complain either, as they could throw some nightmare formations at the opposition with Chark, Lamb, Westbrook, and Conley.

Fulton would be another welcomed addition. We’ve mentioned him in the past as our own Daniel Griffis did a breakdown on him, singling out his hip flexibility and versatility.

The Jags didn’t stop with just one pass catcher in Draft Wire’s mock, though, and were slotted Washington tight end Hunter Bryant, who would provide some much-needed help at the tight end position. They also double-dipped in the secondary by drafting Minnesota’s Antoine Winfield, Jr.

46. Jacksonville Jaguars | Hunter Bryant | TE | Washington

77. Jacksonville Jaguars | Antoine Winfield, Jr. | S | Minnesota

Sure, fans will be quick to point out the fact that the Jags just drafted Josh Oliver, however, we’ve yet to see much out of him. Additionally, the position has been very injury prone with James O’Shaughnessy and Geoff Swaim going on injured reserve and Oliver himself missing the Jags’ first six games. Adding the 6-foot-2, 239-pound Bryant onto the roster could work wonders for the Jags passing offense because he’s tremendous after the catch and is a problem for defensive backs to bring down.

As for Winfield, his name may sound very familiar. That’s because he’s the son of retired NFL great Antoine Winfield Sr., who was a three-time Pro Bowler. Needless to say, Winfield’s elite athleticism rubbed off on his son, who is a rising name in the 2020 NFL Draft after his two-pick performance against Penn State. He has the ball skills in which the Jags could use in their backfield, though Jarrod Wilson and Ronnie Harrison certainly aren’t bad players.

2020 NFL mock draft: How Tua Tagovailoa’s injury impacts 1st round

See how the season-ending injury to Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa could impact the first round of the 2020 NFL draft

Both college football and the NFL will feel the seismic impact of the season-ending injury suffered Saturday by Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

The Crimson Tide’s top prospect is out for the rest of the 2019 college football season, but it remains to be seen whether or not his injury will be career-threatening.

A candidate for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, Tagovailoa’s draft stock is now in flux, as his long-term durability could be in question. If he ends up leaving school after this injury-shortened season, medical checks at the NFL Scouting Combine will be key to determining his eventual draft slot.

Here’s an updated look at how the first round of next year’s draft could look if Tagovailoa’s stock takes a hit:

1. Cincinnati Bengals | Joe Burrow | QB | LSU

2. Washington Redskins | Chase Young | EDGE | Ohio State

3. New York Giants | Andrew Thomas | OT | Georgia

4. Miami Dolphins | Jerry Jeudy | WR | Alabama

5. New York Jets | Jeff Okudah | CB | Ohio State

6. Atlanta Falcons | Grant Delpit | S | LSU

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tristan Wirfs | OT | Iowa

8. Denver Broncos | Derrick Brown | DL | Auburn

9. Arizona Cardinals | A.J. Epenesa | EDGE | Iowa

10. Detroit Lions | Javon Kinlaw | DL | South Carolina

11. Cleveland Browns | Isaiah Simmons | LB | Clemson

12. Los Angeles Chargers | Justin Herbert | QB | Oregon

13. Jacksonville Jaguars | CeeDee Lamb | WR | Oklahoma

14. Oakland Raiders (from CHI) | Henry Ruggs III | WR | Alabama

15. Miami Dolphins (from PIT) | Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Alabama

16. Tennessee Titans | Tyler Biadasz | OL | Wisconsin

17. Philadelphia Eagles | Kristian Fulton | CB | LSU

18. Indianapolis Colts | Tee Higgins | WR | Clemson

19. Carolina Panthers | Raekwon Davis | DL | Alabama

20. Jacksonville Jaguars (from LAR) | CJ Henderson | CB | Florida

21. Dallas Cowboys | Neville Gallimore | DL | Oklahoma

22. Oakland Raiders | Kenneth Murray | LB | Oklahoma

23. Kansas City Chiefs | D’Andre Swift | RB | Georgia

24. Minnesota Vikings | Alex Leatherwood | OT | Alabama

25. Buffalo Bills | Laviska Shenault, Jr. | WR | Colorado

26. Miami Dolphins (from HOU) | Jedrick Wills | OT | Alabama

27. New Orleans Saints | Trevon Diggs | CB | Alabama

28. Seattle Seahawks | Paulson Adebo | CB | Stanford

29. Baltimore Ravens | Jonathan Taylor | RB | Wisconsin

30. Green Bay Packers | Dylan Moses | LB | Alabama

31. New England Patriots | Hunter Bryant | TE | Washington

32. San Francisco 49ers | Travis Etienne | RB | Clemson

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Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa out for season with hip injury

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will miss the rest of the 2019 season with a hip injury

The Alabama Crimson Tide have lost their quarterback for the rest of the 2019 season.

Tua Tagovailoa will indeed miss the remainder of the year after suffering a scary hip injury in Saturday’s win over Mississippi State, per The Athletic’s Aaron Suttles:

Alabama has now confirmed the report with an official statement (via ESPN’s Marty Smith):

Tagovailoa was recently recovered from ankle surgery when he sustained the injury. Many questioned why he was still in the game late in the second quarter with the Crimson Tide up 35-7 over the Bulldogs.

There are still fears that this injury could have an impact on Tagovailoa’s career and his ability to play in the NFL.

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What we know about Tua Tagovailoa’s injury

Find out the latest details on the scary injury suffered by Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa

One of college football’s best players, and one of the top prospects in the 2020 NFL draft class, Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa may have played his final down for the Crimson Tide.

Despite being ahead 35-7 late in the first half against Mississippi State on Saturday, Tagovailoa was still in the game for Alabama, and suffered a scary injury as two defenders landed on him after he tried to scramble out of the pocket and make a throw.

Bama’s star quarterback had to be carted off the field, and was reportedly screaming in pain:

Tide head coach Nick Saban said at halftime that Tagovailoa was supposed to come out after that series:

Tagovailoa was air-lifted to the hospital, per Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News:

Saban had little information to provide regarding Tagovailoa’s situation at his postgame press conference:

According to Aaron Suttles of The Athletic, Tagovailoa is indeed out for the season:

While many expected the injury to be an aggravation of the ankle injury Tagovailoa had surgery to repair last month, this injury ended up being a new injury to his hip.

The severity of this injury obviously has seismic implications for all involved, from Alabama’s hopes of making another playoff run, from Tagovailoa’s draft stock. Obviously, his long-term health is the most important thing right now, and hopefully he’s able to make a full recovery.

Currently jockeying with LSU quarterback Joe Burrow for the title of next year’s top quarterback prospect, Tagovailoa could face serious concerns about his injury history and durability when NFL teams are evaluating him this offseason.

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Prospects for Jags fans to watch: Alabama OT Jedrick Wills

The Jaguars are in need of some offensive line help this coming offseason and I think Alabama RT, Jedrick Wills, could just be their guy.

The Southeastern Conference has become the meat and potatoes of the college football world. The conference churns out the country’s best trench play, becoming a factory for the NFL teams in need of some big men. That’s especially the case for Alabama, a university that has routinely sent offensive and defensive lineman to the league.

Like most years, Alabama is again flooded with NFL talent all over their starting lineup. Both of Alabama’s offensive tackles have garnered the close watch of NFL scouts, those being left tackle, Alex Leatherwood, and right tackle, Jedrick Wills. While Leatherwood is a talented lineman in his own right, I wanted to focus on Wills in this particular post.

The Jaguars’ offensive line play has been plagued with penalties and has been too inconsistent to be considered a finished product. Knowing Tom Coughlin and Doug Marrone’s tendency to focus heavily in the trenches, the offensive tackle position certainly isn’t out of question. Whether the team would move a player like Wills inside or not, he should, without a doubt, be on their scouting radar.

Wills is an absolute powerhouse. Alabama plays some nasty, physical football and Wills is no different. Wills’ favorite breakfast meal has to be a big stack of pancakes, because this guy sure knows how to make them.

Wills is just plain mean in the run game. He’s physical and gets to the second level nicely as a run defender. He can clear out massive lanes and is always looking to make defenders become acquainted with the ground. Most scouts who’ve watch him tend to believe that both traits are his greatest strengths.

If that wasn’t enough, here is another clip of just how effective Wills is in the run game:

While his strength is definitely in the run game, Alabama’s No. 74 is no slouch in pass protection. Wills strength again helps immensely in pass protection. He has some heavy hands and has quite the strong anchor. I would like to see him become a little cleaner with his technique, but the 6-foot-5, 316 pound tackle is still very much developing.

Here in this clip against Ole Miss, Wills physically abuses the Rebel defensive end, hitting him with a strong initial punch which eventually causes the defender to get off balance. This goes on to further demonstrate the type of strength that Wills has.

While his strength allows him to bully edge rushers, he does a nice job of reading and reacting to rushers as well. He does not possess the quickest feet, but can mirror defenders fairly well for a man of his size.

In pass protection he does not offer the same type of dominance as he does in the run game, however, he’s solid enough in the category for scouts to believe in him as a starter. Besides, with a team like the Jags, it’s his abilities as a run blocker that will count the most.

If the Jaguars were to select Wills, he could see a move to guard. With the uncertainty of Norwell and Cann, this could be a very realistic situation. Using their best available player philosophy could land them a player like Wills in 2020, and with their willingness to keep Cam Robinson at left tackle while Jawaan Taylor develops at right guard, Wills without a doubt would give the Jags a mauler at guard and an upgrade they could really use.

For those who to watch Wills this week, the Alabama Crimson Tide will be taking on the Mississippi State Bulldogs Saturday, Nov. 16 at 12 p.m. EST on ESPN.

2020 NFL draft: Tyler Johnson scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson

Tyler Johnson | WR | Minnesota

Height | 6-2

Weight | 205

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

If you’re looking for a polished and intelligent route runner, you won’t find too many in this class who fit that bill better than Johnson.

He does as good a job of stemming his routes as nearly anyone in the nation. He excels at using leverage to his advantage when creating separation, he can sell his route well, and he has the hand techniques to break free from tight man coverage. Johnson’s shiftiness further helps him out, as he can change direction seamlessly and sink his hips into his cuts very well. He runs his routes with great pad level and can make sudden movements, showing off his impressive body control.

Johnson is also valuable after the catch. A decisive and intelligent ball-carrier, he combines the sharpness in his cuts with his ability to see the field and finds a way to extend the play with the ball in his hands. Though his skill set projects best as a ‘Z’ receiver in the pros, he could play in essentially any alignment and perform well.

Weaknesses

Despite being 6-foot-2 and weighing 205 pounds, Johnson isn’t a very physical receiver. His role in the NFL won’t come as a jump-ball receiver who can outmuscle defensive backs to make circus grabs. He doesn’t box out defenders on 50-50 balls very well, and his ability to make catches is hindered by tight, physical coverage. Though he has shown some promise in breaking press-man coverage, he is going to need to get more aggressive when stronger cornerbacks try to lock him up at the line of scrimmage.

Johnson is a good athlete, but he isn’t much better than just good in that regard. His straight-line speed is passable but not great, and he doesn’t seem to have the raw athleticism to burn cornerbacks on vertical routes. He’ll be able to beat defenders with his shiftiness and football IQ, but he would be even more dangerous if he just got a little bit faster.

Bottom Line

A smooth operator with route-running savvy and skills after the catch, Johnson is a polished and fluid receiver with potential to excel at the next level. He may not reach true No. 1 receiver status on a team, but he’s a shifty target who should make a sizable impact on a team’s offense.

Projection: Round 2

2020 NFL draft: Derrick Brown scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Auburn defensive lineman Derrick Brown

Derrick Brown | DL | Auburn

Height | 6-5

Weight | 318

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

Brown has an impressive physical skill set for an interior defensive lineman. He carries a lengthy, yet muscular frame and has a body that’s ready for the NFL. He fires off the ball with impressive acceleration for a big man and has enough mobility to be a threat on stunts. Brown’s power at the point of attack is noticeable, and he carries a lot of upper-body strength in his frame.

When it comes to hand usage, Brown is one of the best defensive linemen in the class. He is good at working off of blocks to make tackles in space, but he also rushes with active hands and has an arsenal that’s full of pass-rushing techniques and counter moves. His ability to create arm extension through his jabs and reset his hands is very good, as well. A three-year starter at Auburn, Brown has the pedigree of an early-round pick.

Weaknesses

Brown has raw strength in his frame, but his pad level prevents him from unlocking his true potential in terms of play strength. He can be a bit too high when he engages with blockers at the point of attack, and he doesn’t always get all of his weight underneath him. Though he fires off the ball pretty quickly, he doesn’t do a great job of converting speed to power.

When Brown gets into the open field, he doesn’t have much in the way of lateral agility. He doesn’t extremely fluid hips or ankles and, for the most part, struggles with changing direction. He’s very much a defensive lineman who desires to fire straight into the backfield, and that can result in him over-pursuing ball carriers or opening up gaps as a run defender.

Bottom Line

A physical defender with size, strength and speed, Brown fits the prototype of a three-down interior defensive lineman. He’s still a bit of a work in progress, but his hand usage and his physical attributes should see him get drafted pretty early when the draft rolls around.

Projection: Round 1

Meet Jamar Watson, Kentucky’s next pass-rushing prospect

Check out Draft Wire’s exclusive interview with Kentucky edge defender Jamar “Boogie” Watson

Last year, the NFL draft featured a talented edge rusher by the name of Josh Allen. In 2020, another pass-rushing Wildcat could make waves at the next level.

A versatile prospect who can get after opposing quarterbacks and shut down ball-carriers in the backfield, Watson recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about the skill set he brings to the table, how playing at Kentucky has prepared him for the next level, and what fans can expect from him the rest of this season.

JM: How would you describe your skill set?

JBW: I’m a very athletic edge rusher. I can play off the edge as a rusher and I can drop in coverage a little bit as well. I’m a savvy player and I have a high football I.Q. as well.

JM: What’s your favorite part about playing linebacker?

JBW: I love having the ability to effect the game on a snap-by-snap basis. I play in the middle of the defense and we get to be involved on every single play. I have a role to play on every single defensive snap. I love that. That gives me a chance to be a high impact player.

JM: I heard that you’re a tap dancer. How did you get into that?

JBW: My high school basketball coach recommended that I get into tap dancing. I needed an extra credit and it was a pretty easy class, if I’m being honest (laughs). I gave it a shot and I’ve actually kept it going since high school. I really ended up liking it.

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

JM: Your dream job outside of being an NFL player is to become a police offer. Why is that?

JBW: It started off with me watching lots of law enforcement shows. Those were my favorite types of shows growing up. CSI, Law & Order, shows like that. As I got older, my interest in law enforcement became more serious and I started doing some research. If I wasn’t playing football, that would be my dream career. That’s what I’m studying right now in school. That’s my top desire aside from football. My goal is to play in the NFL, first and foremost, but a career as an officer of the law after football definitely intrigues me.

JM: What’s your favorite cop show of all time?

JBW: That’s a great question. If I had to go all time, I would probably say “Person of Interest.” It’s on Netflix now, and it has about five seasons. It’s about this I.T. nerd guy who has the ability to predict future crimes and he has this badass friend who’s the muscle of the group. He sends him out on these missions to stop these crimes before they happen. That’s probably my favorite show of all time.

JM: Who do you think is the best NCAA player you’ve ever gone up against?

JBW: I would probably go with Sony Michel or Deebo Samuel. Those guys stood out for obvious reasons. I can’t forget about Lamar Jackson. He’s as dynamic as they come. Those are definitely my top three.

JM: Is there an NFL running back or tight end you’re looking forward to tackling or covering?

JBW: I would probably say Ezekiel Elliott. He’s received so much publicity over the last couple of years. He’s a superstar running back and I’d love to test out my abilities against a guy like that.

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

JM: Coach Brad White did a great job with Josh Allen last year. He also has six years NFL experience with the Indianapolis Colts. How has he helped elevate your game?

JBW: He’s definitely taken my game to another level. He has an incredible feel for the game. He understands the role of a linebacker well beyond pass rushing. He’s helped me in every faucet of my game. His attention to detail is tremendous. It’s the small things that he’s taught me that helped me become a better player. He’s really made a difference in my life. Josh Allen will tell you himself, we as a linebacker group give a ton of credit to coach White. He puts a huge emphasis on having us reach for the ball. Try to strip it out and create turnovers. It’s the small technique stuff that he’s really helped me out a lot.

JM: How has Kentucky helped prepare you for what’s next?

JBW: The weight staff is one of the best in the country. We have some veteran guys around this program. The coaching staff has a ton of experience. The training staff is top notch as well. They keep us right throughout the summer and throughout the season as well. Our coaches have had success at multiple levels. Having these guys at my disposal has been huge for me.

JM: What can Kentucky fans expect from you for the rest of this season?

JBW: They can expect me to be continue being a productive member of this defense. My team needs me to be productive. I’m working hard to improve every single day. I’m definitely focused and locked in right now.

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Giants select Chase Young in latest Sports Illustrated mock draft

In their latest 2020 mock draft, Sports Illustrated has the New York Giants selecting Ohio State edge rusher Chase Young.

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The New York Giants would select No. 3 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft if the regular season were end today. They also have roughly a 10% chance to land the No. 1 overall pick, but the highest odds have them remaining at No. 3.

Based on the current draft order, Sports Illustrated released their latest mock draft on Wednesday and had Big Blue making a substantial improvement with the selection of Ohio State edge rusher Chase Young.

3. New York Giants: Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State

Despite serving a two-game suspension for accepting a loan, Young remains the top prospect on my big board as well as the vast majority of draft analyst big boards. Dave Gettleman passed on Kentucky’s Josh Allen in the 2019 draft due to his “full-blown love” for Daniel Jones, but he gets a do-over this year as Chase Young falls into his lap.

Building upon his productivity down the stretch last season with Nick Bosa sidelined, Young has been absolutely dominant this season with 13.5 sacks in just eight games. The Giants rank just 26 in team pass rush win rate and their most productive pass-rusher (Markus Golden, 6.5 sacks) is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason.

The Giants land a much-needed defensive playmaker in this scenario with the Cincinnati Bengals selecting LSU quarterback Joe Burrow and the Washington Redskins selecting Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas, who could be another top target for Big Blue.

The top five rounds out with Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa going to the Miami Dolphins at No. 4 overall and Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy going to the New York Jets at No. 5 overall.

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