Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Los Angeles Rams
Injuries limited what Lewis could do for the Crimson Tide through 2017 and 2018, but he showed every bit of his athletic potential in 2019 with six sacks, seven quarterback hits, and 35 quarterback hurries in just 259 pass-rushing snaps. A healthy Lewis could be a double-digit sack artist at the NFL level in a big hurry.
Marlon Davidson, DL, Atlanta Falcons
Davidson wasn’t always the ideal edge defender for Auburn at 6’3″ and 303 pounds, but Falcons head coach Dan Quinn is one of the NFL’s most creative defensive line schemers, and Davidson should be an every-gap star in that system. He lined up everywhere from head-over center to off-ball in college — expect the same in the pros.
Trevon Diggs, CB, Dallas Cowboys
For Alabama, Diggs — the younger brother of Bills receiver Stefon Diggs — was the very prototype of the big, aggressive cornerback NFL teams covet. The 6’3″, 200-pound Diggs allowed just 22 catches on 52 targets and an opponent passer rating of 44.5 as a pure press cornerback in 2019, and as long as he’s asked to be that same kind of player in the NFL, Dallas got a steal here with the 51st overall pick.
Grant Delpit, S, Cleveland Browns
Delpit, the LSU alum, was one of the NCAA’s better coverage safeties in 2019, and whether he was lined up in the slot, the box, or the deep third, there wasn’t a receiver he couldn’t run with. The only thing that takes Delpit down this list — and made him a second-round pick with his top-10 coverage skills — is his disconcerting tackling inconsistency. If he’s able to firm that up, Delpit has All-Pro potential.
Jaylon Johnson, CB, Chicago Bears
It’s a mystery why Johnson lasted until the 50th overall pick in the second round — the Utah cornerback never allowed an opponent passer rating higher than 57.6 in three high-target seasons. Whether in zone or man, press or off-coverage, Johnson has the athleticism and diagnostic abilities to be one of the best NFL defenders in this draft class.