Category: Prospect Profiles

2020 NFL draft: Jordan Love scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Utah State quarterback prospect Jordan Love

Jordan Love | QB | Utah State

Elevator Pitch

Love has the upside to develop into a franchise quarterback at the next level. His regression in 2019 is cause for concern, but his top-notch arm strength, mobility in and out of the pocket and the flashes of elite touch behind his throws make him an enticing prospect. The bust potential is definitely there, but his ceiling is as high as any quarterback in this class.

Vitals

Height | 6-4

Weight | 224

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

When Love is on, he’s really on.

His arm strength is among the best in the class, as he throws with great velocity behind his passes and can hit receivers at any spot on the field. He has the ability to deliver rockets from awkward throwing angles that players like Patrick Mahomes and Russell Wilson display in the NFL. Love’s accuracy has shown elite flashes, as he can throw with a great sense of timing and anticipation behind some of his throws.

Love is a solid athlete for the quarterback position. He can move around and maneuver the pocket well, and he has the agility and breakaway speed to offer some value if he takes off with the ball. His lower-body mechanics and hip work are great in a clean pocket; he crisply rotates his hips along with his arm in his throwing motion. Though his production fell off a little bit in 2019, his 2018 tape was fantastic. He was a playmaker who made several big-time throws per game.

Weaknesses

With the departure of players like Darwin Thompson and Dax Raymond after 2018, Love’s performance fell off significantly in his junior year.

His production went 32 touchdowns and 6 interceptions in 2018 to 20 touchdowns and 17 interceptions in 2019, averaging more than one interception per game. He has a tendency to force throws, neglecting other reads and sticking his with first read no matter what. His arm is certainly strong, but he sometimes trusts it a little too much.

Love’s upper-body mechanics could use some improvement. He has a bit of an elongated throwing motion and a slow-ish release that should be cleaned up a bit. He also has a tendency to panic under pressure, showing jittery footwork in a collapsing pocket and not rotating his hips all the way to follow through on his ball. That has shown some affect on his accuracy when defenders get in his face.

Projection: Top 20

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2020 NFL draft: Javon Kinlaw scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about South Carolina defensive line prospect Javon Kinlaw

Javon Kinlaw | DL | South Carolina

Elevator Pitch

An interior defensive lineman with an imposing frame, Kinlaw is a lengthy and athletic player who offers value as an impactful three-down defender at the next level. Though still a work in progress technique-wise, he has the tools to be a game wrecker if he can put it all together.

Vitals

Height | 6-5

Weight | 324

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

Just one look at Kinlaw shows one of the reasons why draft analysts view him so highly.

A tall interior defender with long arms and a frame that looks like it was chiseled from marble, Kinlaw has an impeccable size and fitness advantage against many blockers he goes up against. He packs a solid punch at the initial point of contact, and he delivers powerful jabs when stringing moves together as a pass-rusher. His ability to use his hands is admirable, as he plays with quick and active hands and possesses a solid array of pass-rushing techniques in his arsenal. He can also disengage from blockers and make tackles against the run well.

Kinlaw’s athleticism is noticeable, too. He fires off the ball with good acceleration, and he has impressive speed and mobility when making tackles in the open field. His lateral quickness makes him a threat on stunts, as well as when he goes up against reach blocks.

Weaknesses

As impressive as Kinlaw’s physical tools are, there are some times where he doesn’t capitalize on them. He doesn’t play with great pad level, which limits his anchor strength and the effectiveness of his speed-to-power conversions. He struggles with sinking his hips and finds himself giving up leverage to offensive linemen too often.

Kinlaw’s balance and overall body control can be improved a bit, as well. He ends up falling onto the ground on occasion, which can be attributed to poor technique and a lack of a concrete plan during the play. He also has a couple of injuries on his resume now, having missed the Belk Bowl due to a hip injury in 2018, as well as a knee injury that cut his Senior Bowl week short.

Projection: Top 15

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2020 NFL draft: Brandon Aiyuk scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Arizona State wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk

Brandon Aiyuk | WR | Arizona State

Elevator Pitch

Aiyuk is a dynamic athlete with impressive fluidity and plenty of value after the catch. His technique as a route-runner could be improved, but the explosiveness he brings to an offense should make him high in demand as a secondary option at the next level.

Vitals

Height | 6-0

Weight | 205

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

If you’re looking for a receiver with athletic tools in this class, Aiyuk is one of the best prospects you can find.

An explosive wide out with very good acceleration off the snap and once he gets the ball in his hands, Aiyuk brought an enticing dynamic of speed to Arizona State’s offense in 2019. He’s a shifty ball-carrier who can change direction easily and has plenty of spring in his step. He runs with good vision when he gets into the open field, presenting opportunities for him to exploit a defense for a big gain.

Though not a finished product, Aiyuk has also shown some promise and growth as a route-runner. He stems his routes well and excels at attacking leverage points on the opposition, and he bursts out of his stems well. He has shown some potential in regards to his ability to sink his hips and make sharp cuts.

Weaknesses

Aiyuk could stand to add a little more physicality to his game. He tends to struggle with boxing out defenders in tight-window situations, and his hands aren’t quite strong enough to consistently make catches when contested. He’s a much better receiver in space than he is going up for the jump ball.

His route tree isn’t incredibly advanced at this stage in his career, and he can get better at accelerating coming out of his breaks. He could get better at using his hands to create separation, particularly against press coverage. Aiyuk also only has one season of notable FBS production, as he was a complementary piece to N’Keal Harry in 2018 and played at the JUCO level in 2016 and 2017.

Projection: Day 2

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2020 NFL draft: K.J. Hamler scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Penn State wide receiver prospect K.J. Hamler

K.J. Hamler | WR | Penn State

Elevator Pitch

Hamler is an electric athlete who brings an aspect of speed and elusiveness to an offense that very few in this draft class can replicate. Though not the biggest or most physical receiver, he has high-end No. 2 receiver upside.

Vitals

Height | 5-9

Weight | 178

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

If you’re looking for a dynamic wide out in this class, Hamler’s among the best you can end up with.

The Penn State alum is explosive off the snap, is quick to reach top speed as a vertical threat and has dangerous acceleration once he gets the ball in his hands. He changes direction seamlessly, both as a YAC threat and as a route runner. His lateral agility and vision as a ball-carrier is top-notch, and he does a great job of sinking his hips into his cuts as a route runner.

Hamler has shown some good instincts as a route runner, as well. He does a good job of stemming routes and taking advantage of defensive back leverage to create separation. He can also eat up soft spots against zone coverage pretty well. Though not a dominant outside receiver, he can be a game-wrecker coming out of the slot in the NFL.

Weaknesses

Hamler’s weaknesses can be inferred from looking at his height and weight. He’s a smaller receiver, and he doesn’t play with great physicality in tight-window situations. His catch radius is limited, giving him a low ceiling in the red zone.

That lack of play strength affects him when he goes up against press, as he doesn’t have the power in his hands to create separation in ways other than a speed release. He isn’t fantastic at breaking tackles after the catches, and his focus can use some work, as that can present some issues with drops from time to time.

Projection: Day 2

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2020 NFL draft: Josh Uche scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Michigan edge defender prospect Josh Uche

Josh Uche | EDGE | Michigan

Elevator Pitch

Uche brings plenty of athleticism and versatility to the edge rusher position. The burst he brings off the edge, his fluidity in space and the flashes he’s shown as a pass-rushing technician make him an intriguing project, though he might not be able to take on a full-time starter role early on in his career.

Vitals

Height | 6-1

Weight | 245

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

The pure athletic ability that Uche brings to a defense makes him a valuable chess piece.

An explosive rusher off the edge, Uche has great first-step acceleration for a 245-pounder. He is a fluid defender who has top-notch hip and ankle flexibility, which allows him to rip and dip underneath offensive tackles, as well as change direction in the open field. That athleticism also gives him some value dropping back in coverage, as he is able to offer solid range in zone, as well as above-average abilities as an edge rusher in man.

Though Uche is a shorter edge rusher, he uses that to his advantage. He plays with good pad level and does a good job of being the lower man in most of his reps. He has flashed the ability to convert speed to power, and his hand usage has been impressive at times, especially at the Senior Bowl.

Weaknesses

Uche has athletic tools to spare, but he still has some work to do before becoming a full-time impact starter in the NFL. Part of that stems from his play strength: he doesn’t pack a powerful punch at the point of attack, and his anchor strength is inconsistent. That lack of power in his game also makes it tougher for him to make an impact against the run.

While he has shown some promise with his hand usage, he’s still a work in progress in terms of his instincts and heading into each rep with a plan as a pass-rusher. He’s also only a one-year starter, and his lack of length off the edge is below average.

Projection: Day 2

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2020 NFL draft: Denzel Mims scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Baylor wide receiver prospect Denzel Mims

Denzel Mims | WR | Baylor

Elevator Pitch

An incredibly deep class of wide receivers could see Mims drafted lower than he would be in most drafts, but make no mistake about it: he is the truth. A lengthy wide out with insane athleticism and more than enough physicality, he has the tools to develop into the big-bodied target a lot of teams love to line up on the outside.

Vitals

Height | 6-3

Weight | 207

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

As far as physical attributes go, very few receivers in this class can compare to Mims.

A 6-foot-3 receiver with plenty of length and track star speed – he ran a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash at the Combine – Mims possesses a rare combination of size and athleticism. He accelerates well off the snap and has great deep speed, allowing his team to use him as a vertical threat to stretch the field. He does a good job of utilizing footwork to create separation, and he has a good speed release against man coverage.

Mims’ catch radius is fantastic, as his length and his lower-body explosiveness allow him to jump up and fight for nearly any ball thrown his way. He has good body control and does a commendable job of adjusting his body to make tough grabs. Though still developing as a route runner, he has gotten progressively better throughout his time at Baylor, executing different techniques to break man and improving the sharpness in his cuts. He’s also a capable and willing blocker who plays with a high motor on running plays.

Weaknesses

Although Mims has the raw tools to become a standout player in the league, he will have to undergo some development to do so. His route-running prowess can use some work, as he doesn’t use his hands very well to separate from press-man. The offense he participated in didn’t have him running an extensive route tree, so he’ll have to prove himself capable of stringing together route concepts in the pros.

Despite his impressive numbers at the Combine, Mims doesn’t have stellar abilities after the catch. He isn’t an incredibly elusive ball-carrier and is very much a vertical runner when he gets the ball in his hands. His frame could also stand to add a little bit of bulk to it, but that’s not a major issue.

Projection: Top 40

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2020 NFL draft: Brycen Hopkins scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Purdue tight end prospect Brycen Hopkins

Brycen Hopkins | TE | Purdue

Elevator Pitch

Hopkins is an athletic receiving tight end with the potential to be a high-volume ‘U’ tight end at the next level. While he’s a work in progress as a blocker, his speed, body control and route-running abilities should see him be high in command in a class that doesn’t have a lot of top-end talent at his position.

Vitals

Height | 6-4

Weight | 245

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

In a league where tight ends have more and more value as pass-catchers, Hopkins should be able to fit right in.

An athletic player with a good frame for his position, Hopkins is a very fluid weapon who can flip his hips seamlessly and burst well coming out of his breaks. He has great body control and is a coordinated athlete in terms of his ability to move across the middle of the field. He’s a refined route-runner for a tight end, as he does a good job of sinking his hips and making sharp cuts.

Hopkins has plenty of experience lined up in the slot, and his combination of size and speed makes him a difficult player for opposing defenses to contain in man coverage. His ball skills are impressive: he excels at adjusting to the ball and high pointing passes in contested situations. The son of former All-Pro offensive lineman Brad Hopkins, the Purdue star has professional football in his blood, too.

Weaknesses

For all the upside that Hopkins brings as a pass-catcher, he still needs to get better as a blocker. His pad level could use some work, as he isn’t great at sinking his hips into contact and staying low when engaged with a defender. His grip strength is decent at best, and he doesn’t have the nastiest of edges as a run blocker.

Drops have also been an issue Hopkins has dealt with from time to time. His film has a handful of double-catches in it, as well as just straight up drops. If he wants to make it into that upper echelon of tight ends in the NFL, then he will have to work on his hands a bit.

Projection: Day 2

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2020 NFL draft: Justin Jefferson scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about LSU wide receiver prospect Justin Jefferson

Justin Jefferson | WR | LSU

Elevator Pitch

A fluid athlete with great body control, impressive ball skills and incredible production in 2019, Jefferson has the potential to be a high-end No. 2 receiver at the next level. With some fine-tuning to his route-running technique, he can be a real problem for opposing defenses in the NFL.

Vitals

Height | 6-1

Weight | 202

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

Jefferson fits the prototype of the “big slot” receiver that has seen an uptick in popularity in recent years.

His athletic ability is certainly apparent on tape. He possesses top-notch body control and is able to make tough adjustments to the ball in the air, helping complement his focus and strong hands to make his ball skills among the best in the class. as well as change direction seamlessly after the catch. He does a good job of stemming his routes and using leverage points to his advantage.

Jefferson’s speed is quality, as he can accelerate off the snap well and outrun defenders once he gets into the open field. Some were worried about his 40-yard dash time at the Combine, but he put those concerns to bed with an admirable 4.43 time. His production this past season was through the roof, too: he finished the year with 111 catches, 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Weaknesses

While Jefferson proved to be capable of separating at the collegiate level, one has to wonder how much of that was related to scheme. He’s a good athlete, but his technique as a route runner could use some cleaning up. His footwork can be a little sloppy at times, and he can struggle to sink his hips into his breaks and make sharp cuts.

He was a reliable target coming out of the slot, but Jefferson doesn’t offer as much value lined up wide. He doesn’t do a great job of using his hands to separate from tight man coverage, and his ability to break press isn’t all that great. His profile is certainly one of an NFL contributor, but he doesn’t necessarily have “No. 1 target” written all over him.

Projection: Round 2

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2020 NFL draft: Jedrick Wills scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Alabama offensive tackle prospect Jedrick Wills

Jedrick Wills | OT | Alabama

Elevator Pitch

A nasty, powerful blocker with ideal technique and intelligence for the offensive tackle position, Wills is a Day 1 starter who can make an immediate impact at either tackle spot. His well-rounded skill set and reliability as both a run blocker and a pass protector should have him drafted highly.

Vitals

Height | 6-4

Weight | 312

College Bio Page

Strengths

Wills does a lot of the important things right for an offensive tackle.

His technique is textbook, as he consistently blocks with his weight underneath him and manages to get leverage through his pad level on a regular basis. He does a great job of using his hands, timing his strikes well and generating plenty of power behind them. Wills’ hand placement is also among the best in this class: he regularly ends up getting them inside the shoulder pads of his opponents.

The footwork with which Wills plays in pass protection is ideal for his position. He has enough lateral quickness to keep up with quicker edge rushers, and he has very good body control in his shuffles. His motor also runs high on a down-by-down basis, showcasing the desire and ability to pummel defenders into the dirt. An intelligent zone blocker, he does a good job of executing his assignments and clearing lanes for his teammates by determining which defender to go after.

Weaknesses

There honestly aren’t a lot of weaknesses in Wills’ game.

Though solid in the athleticism department, his tape isn’t reflective of an elite athlete along the offensive line. His agility in the open field is decent, at best. He can be susceptible to stunts or moves to the inside when going up against athletic defenders.

Wills isn’t necessarily undersized, but his length for a tackle isn’t the best in the class. He has shorter arms for his position, and his height isn’t anything to call home about. That’s being rather nit-picky, as he should be more than capable of playing there in the pros, but it’s just a minor tick to an intriguing profile.

Projection: Top 10

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2020 NFL draft: Mekhi Becton scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Louisville offensive tackle prospect Mekhi Becton

Mekhi Becton | OT | Louisville

Elevator Pitch

Becton is a physical specimen unlike any other offensive lineman in this class. His hulking physique and nasty edge as a run blocker is complemented by surprisingly nimble feet and impressive athleticism for such a big man. He has some polishing to do, but off of pure upside alone, he’s definitely worth taking early in the first round.

Vitals

Height | 6-7

Weight | 364

College Bio Page

Strengths

Well, for starters, he’s huge.

The heaviest player invited to the Combine, Becton is a hefty individual who also possesses stellar length for an offensive lineman. He’s not out of shape by any means, though; he carries the weight very well and doesn’t have much body fat on his frame. That size makes it anything but surprising to know that he’s an absolute mauler in the run game. He plays with a nasty edge, looking to annihilate the competition and drive them into the dirt. His grip strength is admirable, and the power with which he delivers his punches is downright brutal.

Becton isn’t just a massive brute, as the athleticism he brings to the table is palpable. Much commotion has been made about his 5.10 40-yard dash at the Combine, and as crazy as that speed is for such a heavy player, that athleticism shows up on tape. He’s surprisingly light on his feet and has good body control when moving laterally in pass protection. His straight-line speed is also apparent when he’s asked to accelerate to the second level and block in space.

Weaknesses

For as much upside as he possesses already, Becton is still developing as a blocker.

As one would expect for a taller offensive tackle, Becton’s pad level could be more consistent. His hips aren’t incredibly flexible, making it tougher for him to sink down and maintain leverage with his pads. He wins with pure strength and dominant force behind his strikes, but his pad level will need to get a bit better at the next level.

Though he’s an athletic big man, Becton’s body control could use some improving. He finds himself getting knocked off balance on occasion, and he sometimes ends up lunging when he strikes, making him susceptible to getting beat. And, while he carries his current weight very well, he might be better off losing a few pounds just to be safe.

Projection: Top 15

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