Touchdown Wire’s 2020 NFL Draft rankings: Top 25 offensive players

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow leads the way in this year’s draft class, followed by an abundance of impact wide receivers and linemen.

Touchdown Wire’s 2020 NFL Draft rankings: Top 25 offensive players

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow leads the way in this year’s draft class, followed by an abundance of impact wide receivers and linemen.

With the 2020 NFL Draft fast approaching, it is time to start finalizing draft boards. Not just for NFL teams, but for the team here at Touchdown Wire. Here is Touchdown Wire’s list of the top 25 offensive prospects in the 2020 draft class.

1. Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The list begins with the player expected to be the first pick off the board when the 2020 NFL Draft begins. Joe Burrow led LSU to a national championship last season and rewrote record books along the way. But the reasons he is the top offensive player — in addition to positional value — are the traits he brings to the table as a prospect.

Competitive toughness. Accuracy. Pocket management. Plus the ability to do all the little things that matter at the position, such as manipulating defenders with his eyes and throwing with anticipation. The Cincinnati Bengals are this close to finally having their quarterback … unless a team breaks the bank to trade up to the first spot.

2. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma

(Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports)

In a talented and deep wide receiver class, the players clustered near the top might just be a matter of personal preference. Lamb, Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III are all potential game-changers at WR. Lamb edges out the rest due to his combination of explosiveness, catch radius, route-running and ability after the catch. Some might knock him for a lack of elite speed, but with his route-running, ability after the catch and how he sets up defenders on his cuts and breaks, the little things he has mastered make up for the lack of 4.4 speed.

3. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama

(Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Spo)rts)

Football is a game of angles. Listen to Bill Belichick talk about angles in the blocking part of the game, and you will understand. That also matters for a wide receiver, how you set up and then break away from cornerbacks, how you exploit their leverage advantages, and how you attack their alignment off the line. Jeudy is a master at that part of playing wide receiver. He also brings great deep speed, elite hands and an ability to turn any play into a touchdown regardless of route. He was used predominantly as a slot receiver last season, but he has the short-area quickness and explosiveness to beat press when he transitions to the NFL.

4. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

(John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports)

Obviously the medical picture might cloud Tagovailoa’s outlook in the draft, but based on what he can do on the field, the Alabama passer has to be considered one of the top offensive players in the draft. He possesses a lightning-quick release with a compact throwing motion, drawing comparisons to Jimmy Garoppolo in that regard. He also has the athleticism to extend plays outside of the pocket and keep a defense honest with what he can do as a runner. Tagovailoa is an accurate passer in the short and intermediate areas of the field, ideal for most NFL offenses. There are things he needs to clean up, such as his vision in the post-snap phase of the play, but if the medicals check out, he is a solid prospect at the game’s most important position.

5. Jedrick Wills Jr., OT, Alabama

(Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

Similar to the wide receiver position, the offensive tackle group has great talent at the top, so ranking the “Big Four” tackles might come down to a matter of scheme fit or team needs. We can start with Wills, the Alabama right tackle who has been a mainstay on their offensive line the past two seasons. He gave up a single sack and just five quarterback hits during his career with the Crimson Tide. Wills is also a dominant player in the run game, and he has the power to handle gap/man assignments but also the footwork and agility to function well in a zone blocking scheme. What might hurt him in the eyes of some is that he has spent his career at right tackle, and teams looking for a LT might look at someone with more experience at that spot.

6. Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

(AP Photo/Brett Carlsen)

If an NFL team is looking for that “plug and play” starter at left tackle, Thomas is likely their man. He was a focal part of the Bulldogs’ offensive line for the past three seasons and made the switch to left tackle prior to the 2018 campaign. Last year, his second at LT, he gave up just one sack and eight quarterback hurries, and did not allow a single QB hit. Thomas is also a force in the ground game. The Georgia offense did give him help, running a lot of play-action, and he often worked with a tight end aligned around him, but his traits and execution translate well to the pro game.

7. Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

“Speed kills.” “You can’t teach speed.” Whatever your favorite sports cliche about speed is, dust it off and bring it to your evaluation of Ruggs. The Alabama wideout has speed to burn and showed that both on film and at the Scouting Combine, where he posted a blazing 4.24 40-yard dash. Ruggs has more than just the jets in his toolkit; he is a solid route-runner, tracks the ball well in the vertical game and is unafraid to work over the middle. But when you have the potential to take a simple slant route to the house on any given snap, you’re going to be coveted in the NFL.

8. Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa

(Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports)

The Iowa product is another dominant force at right tackle. Wirfs turned heads at the combine when he posted a 4.85 40-yard dash after weighing in at 6-5 and 320 pounds. For reference, that is a faster 40-yard dash than quarterback Jake Fromm, who ran a 5.01 40. Wirfs is another plug-and-play type of offensive lineman, coming from an offense at Iowa that ran a variety of rushing concepts and tasked him with a lot from a pass protection standpoint. He also has the chance to play both right and left tackle, having seen 161 snaps at LT last season. With his athleticism and strength, Wirfs could be a mainstay at tackle for the next 10 years for the team that drafts him.

Eagles post-free agency 7-round mock draft

Here is a Philadelphia Eagles post-free agency 7-round mock draft. The Eagles make a huge trade with the No. 21 overall pick.

The Philadelphia Eagles made some solid moves in free agency this offseason and have set themselves up nicely for the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Eagles made a blockbuster trade for Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay, but they also signed defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, slot cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman, and safety Will Parks. Philadelphia also re-signed Jalen Mills but labeled the Mills as a “DB” instead of cornerback, which has given the Eagles secondary some options.

Fans have been very outspoken on the Eagles not signing a wide receiver during free agency, as their current receiver room is lacking elite talent in certain areas.

Quarterback Carson Wentz has shown he can win with anyone playing the position, but fans want General Manager Howie Roseman and the Eagles to secure some legitimate weapons for their 5th-year quarterback.

Future Hall of Fame wide receiver DeSean Jackson will be back and that will give the Eagles the much needed deep threat they missed after Jackson was injured for almost the entire 2019 season.

Luckily for the Eagles and their fans, they have the 2020 NFL Draft to add some receivers and other pieces to their Super Bowl puzzle. Here is an Eagles post-free agency 7-round mock draft.

***

*Note: This is what we would consider doing, not what we think the Eagles will do.*

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Jan 14, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell (26) carries the ball as Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) chases in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Round 1, Pick 21: Eagles acquire Yannick Ngakoue, DE, via the Jacksonville Jaguars

*Trade*

Eagles receive Yannick Ngakoue

Jaguars receive Pick 21 and Eagles 2021 4th round pick

That is right Eagles fans! Who needs receivers when you can get a young and proven pass rusher in the NFL? For me, it is simple: You have Carson Wentz at quarterback. He has shown you that he can win games with limited talent, so this allows you to add an elite player like Yannick Ngakoue to your roster. Ngakoue would be the Eagles’ best pass rusher right away and would give them instant production and disruption from the edge.

The idea of taking a receiver in the first round is tempting, but this class is so deep that the Eagles will be able to add a starter or two in the later rounds. When you have the chance to get a proven player with a draft pick, you should make the move.

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6 Lions 2nd-round options if they draft CB Jeff Okudah in the 1st

6 Lions 2nd-round options if they draft CB Jeff Okudah in the 1st round of the 2020 NFL Draft

Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah is the current flavor of the Lions mock draft selection choices at No. 3 overall. Presuming that current popular projection becomes reality, what happens next for the Lions?

Specifically, where would GM Bob Quinn and the team look with the team’s second selection, No. 35 overall in the second round?

There are quite a few paths the Lions can go down with Okudah in the fold in the first round. Without traveling down the “trade up” pathway, here are a few of my preferred routes…

A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa

During the college season, Epenesa was often projected — often to the Lions — as a top-12 overall pick. The luster faded after his mediocre athletic testing, but that shouldn’t concern teams like Detroit picking in the 26-35 overall range. Here’s why.

Epenesa is a master technician with his hands, shoulders, feet and hips. Being an average athlete didn’t stop him from being wildly productive in college; he’s not dependent upon being a better athlete than the tackle trying to block him, which is not true of several other EDGE prospects in this range and is by far the biggest reason why top-50 pass rushers fail and bust.

Another thing to like about Epenesa is his frame. He played at 275 but has the body structure to get up to the 290 range in the mold of J.J. Watt, capable of playing DE in a 3 or 4-man front. He’s not that dynamic of an athlete (few humans are) but the way Epenesa won in college echoes how Watt thrived at Wisconsin.

Prospect for the Pack: Penn State WR K.J. Hamler

Breaking down the draft profile of Penn State WR K.J. Hamler, a potential draft pick for the Packers in the 2020 draft.

The Green Bay Packers must use the 2020 NFL Draft to provide the finishing touches on a team that won 13 regular-season games and got within one game of the Super Bowl during Matt LaFleur’s first season as head coach.

Between now and the draft, Packers Wire will periodically break down one top prospect fitting the Packers’ roster needs.

Up next is Penn State receiver K.J. Hamler:

What he can do

– Play speed is undeniable. Elite quickness and easily maintains top speed

– Dynamic from the slot, with field-stretching speed and rare ability after the catch

– Can turn every touch into a punt return. Excellent vision and feel for manipulating angles and stressing defenders. Changes direction effortlessly and violently

– Lacks NFL size at 5-9 and 178 pounds. Probably too small for the Packers. Will be too small for a lot of teams. Can he hold up at the next level? Teams may have to limit touches

– Hands emerged as a big problem. Dropped way too many passes. Focus dips in and out. Doesn’t always attempt to catch it with arms extended. Catching the ball in traffic is not easy for him

– Could be an electric returner. Experienced returning punts and kicks. Early path to impact

– Speed makes him a vertical threat but still lacks consistent ability to track the ball down the field

– Small frame limits catch radius. Little room for accuracy issues when targeted

– Makes crazy quick cuts in and out of breaks and off the line of scrimmage to create space and separation from coverage

– Intriguing potential as a gadget player. Game-breaker in space. Could make a difference on quick screens and jet sweeps early on

– Low success rate but a willing blocker. Always looking to make a block when others have the football

How he fits

The Packers lack a dynamic player in the slot. Hamler, with his quickness, separation skills and electric ability after the catch, could fill the role as a complementary piece of the offense while also adding a spark in the return game. He’ll even have value as a gadget player in the right offense, and Matt LaFleur’s scheme often uses pre-snap motion and the threat of the jet sweep to set up plays. Hamler’s lack of ideal NFL size remains a big concern and will likely scare off the Packers, who clearly have a preference for big receivers and rarely deviate from their size thresholds. The fact that he didn’t test at the combine might also turn the Packers away. He’s a boom-bust prospect.

NFL comp

Mecole Hardman, the Chiefs’ second-round pick in 2019, instantly comes to mind. Both are small but electric receivers with gadget-like skill sets and return ability. It’s possible Hamler could develop into a DeSean Jackson-like weapon.

Where Packers could get him

Likely in the second round. This is a deep receiver class, and although NFL teams are always trying to get faster in the passing game, Hamler’s lack of size and issues catching the football should keep him available well into Day 2. Would the Packers disregard their thresholds if he’s still there at No. 62? Or would they trade up and get him if he fell deep into the third round?

Previous Prospects for the Pack

WR Tee Higgins
LB Kenneth Murray
LB Patrick Queen
WR Jalen Reagor
WR Justin Jefferson
TE Harrison Bryant
WR Denzel Mims
WR Brandon Aiyuk
WR/TE Chase Claypool
LB Zack Baun
LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
OT Josh Jones
WR Laviska Shenault
OT Austin Jackson
S Antoine Winfield Jr.
DL Raekwon Davis
DB Xavier McKinney
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
DL A.J. Epenesa
TE Hunter Bryant
RB Jonathan Taylor
RB Zack Moss
WR Michael Pittman

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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Eagles post NFL Combine 7-Round mock draft

Here is a Philadelphia Eagles Post-Combine 7-round mock draft with the compensatory picks added as well as some trades.

Fresh off of the 2020 NFL Combine, the Philadelphia Eagles got a better look at almost all of the prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft. The NFL Combine isn’t the determining factor on a player, but more of a resource to help determine if what you see on film is true or if you may have missed something and should dig a little deeper.

For the Eagles, a lot of the big-name receivers showed they were as advertised. It will be interesting to see how aggressive General Manager Howie Roseman and the Eagles are on draft night, mainly because if they want one of the top 3 receivers, they will likely need to trade up.

Free agency will also help paint a better picture of what a team needs to do for the draft, but here is a post-combine 7-round mock draft for the Eagles that has the compensatory picks added (via OverTheCap.com) and features some trades using the DraftTek.com trade value chart that uses OTC’s comp picks as well.

Round 1, Pick 21: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU

I do not see any of the top 3 receivers making it to Pick 21. CeeDee Lamb, Jerry Jeudy, and Henry Ruggs will likely be long gone well before the Eagles pick at 21. Some feel they should trade up for one of those receivers, but I think they should sit back and pick up a great consultation prize at Pick 21. Former LSU receiver Justin Jefferson would be the perfect fit in the Eagles’ offense.

Just like Eagles’ quarterback Carson Wentz, Jefferson is a red zone stud. 12 of his 18 touchdowns this season were in the red zone, which is an impressive stat. In my scouting report, I mentioned that Jefferson is like 7-Eleven, he’s always open. He understands the game and it shows while he is running his routes. He would thrive in the Eagles’ offense playing in the slot. The big question of Jefferson was his speed, but his official 4.43 40-yard dash at the combine silenced that doubt.

Eagles fans should get familiar with Jefferson, as he has a very good chance to be the pick at 21 on draft day.

Who and what to watch at the 2020 NFL Combine: Wide receivers

The Lions Wire staff has identified which wide receivers Detroit Lions fans should be watching at the 2020 NFL Combine.

The 2020 NFL Combine on-field workouts begin Thursday, February 27th in Indianapolis and the wide receivers will be among the first groups to take the field.

This is the latest in a series of articles leading up to this year’s NFL Combine, where the Lions Wire team has identified players they will be tracking in order to determine potential fits within the organization.

If you missed the previous articles in this series, be sure to check out our quarterbacks, and running backs previews.

Wide receiver traits to evaluate

There are several on-field drills that emphasize a player’s abilities and the main areas Lions’ scouts will likely be focusing for receivers are:

  • Natural hands: Do they fight the ball or allow it to land softly in their grasp?
  • Acceleration in and out of breaks: Do they throttle down, or can they maintain speed?
  • Quickness versus long speed: where do they gain separation?
  • Body control: Being fast is great but it means nothing unless they can maintain balance and focus.
  • Ball tracking: Do they have the patience to look late and still locate? Do they maximize their speed by not reaching early?

Jerry Jeudy, Alabama

Suggested by: Ty Finch

With rare skills, Jeudy can line up everywhere on the field, run every route, and should be in the conversation for the Lions 1st round draft pick, regardless of it’s at No. 3 or slightly further back after a trade.

Every route Jeudy runs looks the same, which allows him to disguise his intentions, making it hard for defenders to anticipate if his route is short, intermediate or deep. Defenders are forced to respect his speed, while also struggling to stay with him during his breaks, as he doesn’t need to throttle down when making cuts — which he executes with pinpoint accuracy and elite quickness — making him an extraordinarily difficult player to match up with.

Henry Ruggs III, Alabama

Suggested by: Bryce Rossler

If the Lions acquire a mid-to-late first-round pick in a trade up or trade back, Ruggs will be very appealing because of his game-changing speed. Like Jeudy, Alabama moved him all over the field and asked him to operate at all three levels, forcing the defensive to account for him. An offense won’t need Ruggs to be a high volume target, as his presence on the field will make defenses uncomfortable because when he is targeted there is always the potential for fireworks.

Laviska Shenault, Colorado

Suggested by: Scott Bischoff

Like with Ruggs, if the Lions want Shenault, they may need to make a move into the first round to get him. Shenault is very instinctive, almost sensing where the defenders are without seeing them, and he leans on this skill to create separation in his routes. Once the ball is in his hands, his true talent shines through, as his physicality and natural athleticism allow him to bully defenders.

Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State

Suggested by: Jeff Risdon and Erik Schlitt

If Aiyuk is there at pick No. 35, he should get consideration because he’ll check a lot of boxes for the Lions. A threat to take it to the house on every play, Aiyuk routinely takes simple five-step slants and houses them. He is still polishing his game — he was a JUCO transfer — but the fact that he is already where he is, and still isn’t near his ceiling, makes him a very appealing prospect.

K.J. Hamler, Penn State

Suggested by: Sonja Greenfield

Hamler’s size (est. 5-9, 174) will scare away some teams, but for those in the market for a pure slot receiver, like the Lions, the Pontiac native will be near the top of the list. Explosive in and out of his routes, Hamler overwhelms man-coverage with his quickness and separation. Drops are a real concern, but for a high-volume target, it often comes with the territory.

Van Jefferson, Florida

Suggested by: Scott Warheit

Growing up with an NFL receiver turned NFL receivers coach for a father — former Lion Shawn Jefferson — has paid off for Jefferson, as he has turned into an absolute technician as a route runner. While Jefferson is expected to run an average 40-yard dash time at the Combine, he will likely find success in the NFL as a “big slot” because of his ability to manipulate coverages.

Chase Claypool, Notre Dame

Suggested by: Derek Okrie

The Lions got a long look at Claypool at the Senior Bowl — he was on the Lions coached North roster — and checked in at over 6-4 and 229-pounds, making him one of the biggest receivers in this draft cycle. He uses his size to his advantage by boxing out smaller defenders and presenting a large target for his quarterback. But, what makes Claypool unique is his work on special teams, as he is an elite gunner who looks to bury people.

Quartney Davis, TAMU

Suggested by: Zack Moran

Like Claypool, Davis also joined the Lions coaches at the Senior Bowl, and like Jefferson, his NFL success will likely come from the big slot position. Davis doesn’t possess elite speed or quickness but he isn’t afraid of going over the middle and will often attack the ball with physicality when it’s thrown in his direction.

Marquez Callaway, Tennessee

Suggested by: Matt Urben

Callaway is a vertical threat on offense and above-average returner on special teams, which could be enough to earn one of the final spots on a team’s 53-man roster. The speed is there — it will likely show up at the Combine — and he can win the 50/50 ball deep, due to his proven tracking skills.

Cody White, Michigan State

Suggested by: Max Gerber

Another locally grown player with connections to the Lions, White’s father is former Lions front office executive Sheldon White. With NFL size (est. 6-3, 215) and pedigree, White will get some looks from NFL teams but in my opinion, he should have stayed in East Lansing for his final season of eligibility. Being from the area, he will get an extra “local” workout with the Lions this offseason, which he could potentially use to get a priority free agent offer.

Packers add Penn State WR K.J. Hamler in Kiper’s first mock draft

The Packers got a dynamic playmaker in Mel Kiper’s first mock draft.

The first mock draft from Mel Kiper, ESPN’s long-serving draft analyst, has the Green Bay Packers adding a playmaking receiver at the end of the first round.

With the 30th pick, Kiper sent Penn State star K.J. Hamler to the Packers.

From Kiper: “What does Rodgers have to do to get some help? Hamler, who at 5-foot-9 reminds me a little bit of Marquise Brown, is electric with the ball in his hands. He could rise even more after he works out at the combine. Offensive tackle could be another potential target for Green Bay.”

Hamler, who doesn’t turn 21 until July, caught 98 passes for 1,658 yards and 13 touchdowns over his two seasons at Penn State. He also returned kicks and punts for the Nittany Lions.

Although undersized, Hamler could give the Packers a dynamic playmaker down the field and in the slot.

The need at receiver is clear. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers require help in the passing game behind Davante Adams, and this draft is deep and talented at receiver.

Six receivers went in the first round of Kiper’s draft.

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Ohio State vs. Penn State: 3 reasons the Nittany Lions could give the Buckeyes problems

Ohio State is all set to play the most talented team it has to date. Here’s three reasons Penn State could create problems on Saturday.

And. Here. We. Go.

Penn State invades the ‘Shoe to try and pull off an upset over an Ohio State team that has looked about as dominant and complete as anyone in the country. It has a top ranked defense and offense, and has shown little signs of slowing down.

The Buckeyes are favored by as many as 18 points by some of the oddsmakers, but if there’s been any team that has provided some resistance to the flag-bearer of the Big Ten, it’s these Nittany Lions.

Despite losing quarterback Trace McSorely and other key parts to graduation last year, Penn State still comes in with just one loss, a top ten ranking, and intentions on ruining Ohio State’s chances at another Big Ten East Division crown, and shot at a third-straight conference title.

Here’s three reasons, the Nittany Lions could give the Buckeyes some fits on Saturday.

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Next … The run defense?