31. K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU — Danielle Hunter
A third-round pick of the Vikings in 2015, Hunter came out of LSU with stupid-good athleticism, and almost nothing resembling a pass-rush plan. Over time, and used to his own benefit in a defensive front in which he could use his speed to the quarterback as he expanded everything else, Hunter become one of the NFL’s best pass-rushers. Chaisson has the same level of raw ability, and a similar developmental curve. It will be crucial to that development that he’s not asked to do too much, too soon.
32. D.Andre Swift, RB, Georgia — Giovani Bernard
One doesn’t want to put a Darren Sproles comparison on the highly versatile Swift just yet, but he has that potential if he works with more power and expands his role in the passing game. Like Bernard, the North Carolina alum selected by the Bengals in the second round of the 2013 draft, Swift can be a great complementary force despite obvious size concerns.
33. Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU — JuJu Smith-Schuster
Jefferson is believed by some to be more of a slot target than an outside guy, but if you’re LSU, and Ja’Marr Chase is your main outside guy, and he’s destroying every cornerback he faces… well, as they say down south, you dance with who brung you. In the right offense, Jefferson projects more as an ideal hybrid receiver, capable of beating defenders with option routes on the inside, and sneaky speed up the seam and boundary. That’s very much what Smith-Schuster has become for the Steelers.
34. Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama — Richard Sherman
When Sherman came into the NFL as a fifth-round pick of the Seahawks in 2011, he had a few rough moments early on. But over time, Sherman used his insane competitive demeanor, on-field intelligence, and physical attributes to become a true old-school lockdown cornerback. Diggs absolutely has all the tools to become that type of player. Whether you see Sherman, or Aqib Talib, or Jalen Ramsey when you watch Diggs, that’s pretty much the prototype.
35. Ashtyn Davis, S, Cal — Darnell Savage
When I watched Savage, the Maryland alum who the Packers selected with the 21st pick in the 2019 draft, I saw a similar player to what I now see in Davis in that Savage mixed an ascending skill set with a kamikaze playing style that needed a bit of seasoning before he was always going to be in the right place. But Savage’s potential was obvious, and so is Davis’. I compared Savage to Bob Sanders, and Davis has some elements of Sanders’ excellent play, as well.
36. Ross Blacklock, DL, TCU — Timmy Jernigan
At 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds, Blacklock fits best in the NFL with the team that will realize he’s a one-gap penetrator as both a pass-rusher and a run-stopper. Similarly to Jernigan, who the Ravens took in the second round of the 2014 draft, Blacklock will be best-served in a line with bigger interior guys so that he can run and chase after moving through open gaps and double teams.
37. Troy Dye, LB, Oregon — Deion Jones
Nobody will mistake Dye for an old-school run-thumping linebacker at 6-foot-4 and 224 pounds, but in today’s NFL, one-dimensional run-stoppers aren’t of much use. What today’s NFL teams need are ‘backers who can act as coverage spies — essentially big safeties — on every down. Dye has that, and he reminds me of Jones in his ability to run everywhere from straight up the field on post routes, to the flat, to the seam. Like Jones, he has the potential to be the epicenter of an advanced pass defense.
38. Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma — Kwon Alexander
The Buccaneers got Alexander as a fourth-round steal in the 2015 draft, in part because at that time, 6-foot-1, 227-pound base linebackers were not the norm. But over time, Alexander used his heat-seeking, ultra-quick playing style to become an asset with both the Bucs and the 49ers. Murray isn’t the first guy you want in pass coverage, but if you’re looking for that same kind of fearless field-eating type, he’s your guy.
39. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin — Shaun Alexander
As was true of the 2005 NFL MVP, the highly productive Taylor is able to make big plays consistently despite a running style that occasionally has him dancing behind the line of scrimmage when he should be attacking the gap. It’s a workable issue, as are Taylor’s issues in the passing game, but it could be too soon to categorize him as an every-down back.
40. Marlon Davidson, DL, Auburn — Javon Hargrave
The Steelers took a shot on Hargrave out of South Carolina State in the third round of the 2016 draft, and he rewarded their faith in his efforts by becoming one of the better one-gap speed tackles in the league. Like Hargrave back then, Davidson is a body-type tweener who will be best served with an NFL team that will let him pin his ears back between the guard and tackle.