The College Football National Championship game will be played on Monday night and there will be several first-round picks on display. Knowing how much Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden value players from big-time schools, specifically Clemson, it wouldn’t be a surprise if both of their 2020 draft picks were on the field tonight.
In a recent mock draft by Luke Easterling of the Draft Network, he gave the Raiders two players from Clemson in the first round; linebacker Isaiah Simmons and receiver Tee Higgins. Take a look at the reasoning behind each selection:
The pick: LB Isaiah Simmons This defense needs quite a few things, so why not take a defender who can play just about every position? While some may view Simmons as a ‘tweener, a smart team will see his versatility as a positive. Simmons has lined up at linebacker, defensive back, and even on the edge, wreaking havoc on opposing offenses from every spot.
The pick: WR Tee Higgins – The Antonio Brown situation was an absolute debacle, and despite having some solid role players in this receiving corps, the Raiders are still in desperate need of a true No. 1 target for Derek Carr. Higgins has a rare combination of size, length, athleticism and body control, giving him all the tools to quickly become that player for Jon Gruden’s offense.
If Simmons and Higgins were both available for the Raiders in the first round, they each would be ideal selections. Both are outstanding athletes and fill positions the team needs to upgrade this offseason. Look for Simmons and Higgins to have big performances against LSU on Monday night.
[vertical-gallery id=60514]
[lawrence-newsletter]