Here are the grades for the Buffalo’s draft picks on Saturday.
The Buffalo Bills added some intriguing pieces to their roster on the third day of the 2020 NFL Draft. These prospects will be battling for a roster spot, undoubtedly pushing veterans for snaps this fall. With the uncertainty of training camp this summer, which is where these players usually make their first mark for their team, these players have an uncertain road ahead.
Here are the grades for the Buffalo’s draft picks on Saturday:
UCF Knights wide receiver Gabriel Davis. Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Round 4 | No. 128 | WR Gabriel Davis | Central Florida
Grade: B+
This is a very good value pick at this point in the draft for the Bills. Davis has the frame that is largely missing in the Bills’ receiving corps. At 6-foot-3, 216 pounds, the Central Florida wideout can use his size to win contested catches. He is a vertical threat for the team, even though he isn’t necessarily a flat-out burner. Davis does a good job of using his frame to gain position inside defenders. He had a stellar junior season, catching 72 passes for 1,241 receiving yards and 12 touchdown receptions.
Davis doesn’t necessarily have positional versatility at this point. He played mostly on the left side of the formation at Central Florida. His ascent up the depth chart will depend on how quickly hie expands his expertise at running an expanded route tree.
The pick further creates a bit of a logjam at the bottom of the Bills wide receiver depth chart. Isaiah McKenzie, Robert Foster, Andre Holmes, Duke Williams, and Ray-Ray McCloud III will challenge for roles in the fall.
Full list of the Buffalo Bills’ 2020 NFL Draft class and picks.
The 2020 NFL Draft has come and gone for the Buffalo Bills. It took a little bit to hear their name, but the Bills finally made some picks.
And to many, Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane made his seven total selections count. Despite not having a first-round pick, the two sixth-round picks gave Beane and the Bills their full load of seven picks in the seven-round draft process.
The Buffalo Bills put a cap on its 2020 NFL Draft class by selecting Pitt Panther cornerback Dane Jackson.
The Buffalo Bills put a cap on its 2020 NFL Draft class by selecting Pitt Panther cornerback Dane Jackson in the seventh round at pick No. 239.
Projected as a nickel corner at the NFL level, Jackson flashes good footwork and stays on the hip of receivers. He has unparalleled competitiveness and feistiness, playing bigger than his size would indicate. This aggressiveness dovetails into his willingness in run support. Sometimes that aggressiveness leads to penalties.
As a senior, Jackson earned second-team All-ACC honors as a 13-game starter. He accumulated 43 tackles, three for loss, one interception and a team-high 12 pass breakups.
Even though Jackson does not jump off the charts in terms of athletic testing, he had a good showing at the Senior Bowl, which likely helped his stock. In fact, don’t sleep on Jackson. While Buffalo’s final draft pick, he was labeled at a fifth-round pick by NFL.com prior to the draft and he fell to the Bills.
Great awareness on the play by Dane Jackson comes up and makes a great tackle shy of the first down for a stop. Solid play! ( @Djack11_ ) pic.twitter.com/4tkmdP6auN
With the Bills, Jackson has the opportunity to compete for roles on special teams and offers depth in sub-packages. He will have to beat out the likes of Taron Johnson, Siran Neal and safety Jaquan Johnson for a roster position. His a 6-foot, 187-pound frame probably keeps him away from seeing time competing outside as a boundary corner, at least early in his career.
At this point in the draft, you believe coaching can refine Jackson’s technique and vulnerability to penalties. However, the willingness and competitiveness is there, so at the very least you bring in an ultimate competitor and three-year starter to push veterans already on the roster.
The Bills have concluded their 2020 NFL Draft with Pittsburgh cornerback Dane Jackson in the seventh round with pick No. 239.
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The Bills have concluded their 2020 NFL Draft with Pittsburgh cornerback Dane Jackson in the seventh round with pick No. 239.
Jackson, a senior, has some NFL measurables despite his status as a late pick, He’s 6-foot 187 pounds. But on the flip side, Jackson leaves a little bit to be desired in the speed category, running only a 4.57-second 40-yard dash time at the combine.
Jackson’s 12 pass breakups led his team in 2019 and he earned second-team, All-ACC honors for his efforts.
On another positive note, NFL.com actually pegged Jackson as a fifth-round pick during the pre-draft process.
You know the names at the top. Joe Burrow. Tua Tagovailoa. But the NFL Draft has seven rounds. Who are the top sleepers for the 2020 Draft?
The hay, as they say, is in the barn.
Here at Touchdown Wire, we have made you as ready as possible for the start of the 2020 NFL Draft. We have broken down our top 11 at each position. We have put together our top 50 overall players, along with a list of comparisons for each player, to get you ready for Thursday night. We have assembled various film breakdowns, watched tape with prospects, and given you a variety of mock drafts to game out various scenarios.
But the work goes on, and the dream never dies.
By “the dream,” we mean the NFL hopes for players that might not be included in those previous pieces. Players that might not have cracked a top 11 at their position. Players that might not break into a top fifty list, and players that might have to wait until Friday or even Saturday to see how their NFL story begins.
Part of the reason that people love sports is the underdog story. Rocky. Rudy.Miracle. Movies that capture our attention are rooted in pulling for the longshot. Before they became the Evil Empire, the New England Patriots were the crappy underdog, led by a sixth-round sleeper of a quarterback, taking on the Greatest Show on Turf. It is why people love March Madness, as it taps into our love of Cinderella stories, and why we still get choked up when Gene Hackman says his team is on the floor.
In that spirit, here are some of the best sleepers in this draft class. Underdogs that might not hear their name called until late on Saturday, but players that have both NFL dreams, and NFL potential.
Logan Wilson, LB, Wyoming
(Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports)
Logan Wilson cracked Touchdown Wire’s list of the top 11 linebackers, but as we get closer and closer to the draft the Wyoming defender might be moving even higher on draft boards. Wilson received just one scholarship offer coming out of Natrona County High School in Wyoming, despite being a two-time All-State performer at both defensive back and wide receiver. But after a redshirt year, Wilson was slotted into Wyoming’s defense as a linebacker, and never looked back. Over his four years on campus he played 3,618 snaps, which is almost a Cal Ripkenesque number in today’s college game.
On the field, Wilson is a smart, experienced and patient linebacker who is ready to take on the responsibilities asked of him in an NFL defense. Wilson is a sure tackler between the tackles in the run game, moves well as a blitzer and handles his coverage responsibilities well. Over his career he tallied ten interceptions, an impressive number for any college linebacker. Given the need to stop the pass, linebackers who can both cover and still stop the run are a desired commodity, and Wilson checks both of those boxes.
Beyond that, Wilson checks some of the throwback desirables at the position. If you are a coach or a general manager that loves seeing a linebacker standup a lead blocker in the hole, shed him at the point of attack and make the tackle, then Wilson is going to get you excited.
But he can also contribute plays like this, one of the more amazing moments from the 2017 college football season:
Wilson has the coverage chops and experience to handle the pass defense aspects of the position, but the nose for the football, along with the stack and shed requirements, that will allow him to play on both first and second downs in the league. Perhaps it is no surprise that in Bob McGinn’s pre-draft piece on the linebackers (his pre-draft series is must-read every year) a scout told him that Wilson is a starter with a chance to play every snap given his experience.
In a new 7-round mock draft, Draftwire has the Bears addressing every need from tight end to offensive line to quarterback to cornerback.
Now that compensatory picks have been announced, we have the complete order for the picks in April’s impending NFL Draft.
Draft Wire released their first seven-round mock draft, which includes those compensatory selections, and Luke Easterling has Chicago addressing every need from tight end to offensive line to quarterback to cornerback.
The Bears have eight draft picks in the 2020 NFL Draft, which include a pair of second rounders and a fourth-round compensatory pick.
Here’s who Easterling believes the Bears will target:
43. Cole Kmet | TE | Notre Dame
The Bears are searching for answers at the tight end position, and who better than arguably the best tight end in the NFL Draft? Kmet would be the perfect “in line” tight end in Matt Nagy’s offense.
50. Malik Harrison | LB | Ohio State
The Buckeyes used Harrison off the edge to rush the passer, and the Bears could do with more production at edge rusher on defense, especially with Leonard Floyd’s future in question.
140. Dane Jackson | CB | Pittsburgh
The Bears are looking to replace Prince Amukamara, and they could find that guy in Jackson, who brings athleticism to the position and also is a solid special teams contributor.
159. Charlie Heck | OT | North Carolina
The Bears need all the help they can get on the offensive line. While they’re likely stuck with tackles Charles Leno and Bobby Massie for another season, Heck could be a prospect to develop for the future.
163. Isaiah Coulter | WR | Rhode Island
After the release of Taylor Gabriel, the Bears are in search of a speedy receiver to serve as an additional weapon for Mitchell Trubisky. Coulter raised his draft stock with a strong showing at the NFL Scouting Combine, including a 4.45 40-time.
196. Anthony Gordon | QB | Washington State
The Bears are in the market for a quarterback, and Gordon would certainly fit the bill. Gordon could be a Day 3 project Chicago could develop as they see what Trubisky or a veteran addition can do in 2020.
200. D.J. Wonnum | EDGE | South Carolina
Chicago needs some help in the pass rush following a disappointing effort in 2019. While Wonnum hasn’t been too impactful in his collegiate career, he could be someone to develop beside Khalil Mack.
233. Robert Windsor | DL | Penn State
The Bears are deepest on the defensive line, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t add some developmental prospects. Windsor plays with great effort, and he always seems to find himself around the football. He also provides some interior pass rush, which could complement Akiem Hicks.
The Eagles have been linked to Henry Ruggs III and Tee Higgins for weeks now, but what if Howie Roseman believes in the depth at receiver in the draft and decides to lean another way in the first round?
Malcolm Jenkins wants a new contract, and Roseman has been transparent about both parties doing what’s best for both parties. Rodney McLeod is an unrestricted free agent along with cornerbacks Jalen Mills and Ronald Darby.
If the Eagles do choose to use a first or second-round pick on a defensive back, here are 10 defensive back options that make the most sense.
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1. Kristian Fulton — CB — LSU
With Jalen Mills set to hit free agency, the Eagles could replace the former LSU cornerback with one of the current Tiger greats.
Fulton made an immediate impact when thrown into the fire and over the past two seasons, he’s been the highest-graded cornerback in America, according to PFF.
Fulton is elite at the point of attack, as he owns the highest forced incompletion rate in the past two years, allowing just 23.7% of contested targets to be caught.
Check out Draft Wire’s exclusive interview with Pittsburgh cornerback Dane Jackson
Today’s NFL requires cornerbacks that possess unshakable confidence, a short memory, and the ball skills to take full advantage when opposing quarterbacks make the mistake of challenging them.
One player who checks all of those boxes in the 2020 NFL draft class? Pitt’s Dane Jackson.
Jackson recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his experience at the Senior Bowl, which receivers were the toughest to face throughout his college career, and what kind of impact he’s going to make at the next level.
JM: What was your experience like at the Senior Bowl?
DJ: It was a great experience. It was fun to be around some of the best players in all of college football. This a very strong senior class in my opinion. I enjoyed competing against them all week long. I can’t complain about the experience. It was great.
JM: I imagine that you went out there with the thought of achieving something or proving something. Do you feel like you were successful?
DJ: I just wanted to prove that I could play at the highest level. I went out there and competed against the man across from me. We had some of the best receivers in college football out there. That’s what playing cornerback is all about. You have to go out there on a snap-by-snap basis and compete with the guy across from you. I went out there and laid it all on the line. I never let up.
Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
JM: You had 12 pass break-ups during the 2019 season. What is it about your game that allows you to be around the ball so often?
DJ: It’s all about me being aggressive. I just have a good feel for when the ball is in the air. I’m able to get my hands in there and break up the pass. As a cornerback, my job is to not allow the receiver to catch the ball. It’s that simple.
JM: Do you have a preference regarding what coverage scheme you’re mainly utilized in at the next level?
DJ: The primary coverage I played in throughout my entire five years at Pittsburgh was press man. That’s what I’m most accustomed to. I’m not necessarily saying that I prefer that, but that’s probably what I’m most comfortable in.
JM: If you’re headed into the NFL with most of your experience at one form of coverage, press man is the one. You can’t survive in this league if you can’t play man.
DJ: Right, I fully agree with that (laughs). I think my experience in press man is going to serve me well going forward.
Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
JM: Who are some of the best receivers you’ve ever covered throughout your time at Pittsburgh?
DJ: I would have to say Gabriel Davis from UCF. He’s in this draft class as well. I’d have to point to my former teammate at Pittsburgh, Tyler Boyd. He’s with the Cincinnati Bengals now and he’s been very successful. I was just a freshmen but he was super tough to go up against in practice. Dyami Brown from North Carolina was tough.
JM: The NFL Scouting Combine is fast approaching. Are you looking forward to any drills in particular?
DJ: I wouldn’t point out anything in particular. I’m trying to go out there and be the best version of myself in every drill I compete in. I plan on going out there and leaving it all out there. I’m trying to compete.
JM: What are three traits a successful cornerback must possess in your opinion?
DJ: You need to have a short memory if you’re gonna play this position at a high level. A receiver is gonna make a play from time-to-time. You do everything in your power to stop that from happening but that’s how the game goes. There’s a lot of great receivers out there and you’re gonna have to play against them. I also feel that you have to be aggressive and you have to be a ball-hawk. Those traits would be number two and three for me.
Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
JM: What’s the best lesson any coach ever taught you?
DJ: I think the best lesson I was ever taught at Pittsburgh was that it’s never about what you’ve done in the past. You have to live and play in the present. That’s what’s gonna get you where you need to go.
JM: How do you cover a bigger receiver differently than you would a smaller, shiftier guy?
DJ: You have to get your hands on them as quickly as possible. Some of those bigger guys like to push off and be physical with you. You need to get your hands on them and control their movements.
JM: What kind of impact is Dane Jackson gonna make at the next level?
DJ: I’m an aggressive corner. I’m a winner and I’m not afraid to tackle. I love coming up in the run game and making a tackle. I don’t shy away from contact. Whichever team drafts me is adding a very hard worker to their franchise.
Dane Jackson safely negotiated the 134-foot Salto del Maule waterfall in Chile to complete the second-tallest kayaking descent on record.
Kayaker Dane Jackson on Friday safely negotiated the 134-foot Salto del Maule waterfall in Chile to complete the second-tallest descent on record.
The death-defying feat was accomplished after five years of planning by a Tennessee-raised athlete widely regarded as one of the world’s best whitewater kayakers.
“This is what happens when obsession becomes reality…. I give you Salto Maule,” Jackson wrote Friday on Instagram.
The achievement is second only to the 189-foot descent by Montana kayaker Tyler Bradt in 2009 at Palouse Falls in southeast Washington State.
The Salto del Maule waterfall cascades dramatically and emphatically from a volcanic ridge along a sheer cliff, and conditions had to be perfect for Jackson to attempt what he considered to be a safe descent.
For the past five years Jackson, the son of Olympic paddler Eric Jackson, had been practicing on the Maule River with Chilean kayakers with the ultimate goal of conquering Salto del Maule.
A spokesman for Red Bull, which sponsors Jackson, said licensing details are still being worked out for a full-length video of the athlete’s remarkable plunge.
