Josh Jones, OT, Houston
Given the need many teams had for blindside quarterback protectors, it was a bit of a surprise that Jones wasn’t taken in the first round. Jones allowed just 18 total pressures on 1,282 pass blocking snaps over three seasons, per Pro Football Focus, and he’s the easiest mover in pass protection in this draft class. He also improved exponentially as a run-blocker in 2019, which means that someone’s going to get a high first-round talent at a bargain price on Friday.
Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama
Injuries limited Lewis’ snaps with the Crimson Tide through his first two seasons with the Crimson Tide, but when he was healthy in 2019, he was finally able to show the speed, flexibility, and strength that make him a premium edge-rusher. He has incredible bend around the edge, and the agility to cover receivers up the boundary. With a clean bill of health, Lewis could be one of the steals in this draft.
A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa
When you watch pass-rushers, you tend to want them to explode off the tape. And perhaps that’s why Epenesa fell out of the first round. His production has been highly impressive — he had 58 total pressures in 2019 — but he’s smoother and more powerful than he is quick. Epenesa also has the strength to kick inside, which will make him a primary second-day focus for any team who likes to do different things with its defensive linemen.
Zack Baun, LB/EDGE, Wisconsin
Baun mostly played on the edge for the Badgers, and did quite a job with it in 2019, racking up 53 total pressures. But he also has great potential as an off-ball linebacker both in run-stopping and in coverage, making him one of the more interesting hybrid defensive players in this draft class.
Marlon Davidson, DL, Auburn
At 6-foot-3 and 303 pounds, Davidson may be considered too much of a “tweener” for some teams, especially as an edge-rusher, which is what he did a lot in college. But he should do well at the next level as an undersized interior guy, best-served working between the center’s outside shoulder and the tackle’s inside shoulder. He’ll put up a ton of pressures in that role.
Justin Madubuike, DL, Texas A&M
It’s understandable that Madubuike didn’t get taken in the first round. There are games in which he looks every bit the equal of Derrick Brown and Javon Kinlaw, and other games in which he puts on a bit of a disappearing act. But if he gets with the right line coach, he’ll bring his full arsenal of attributes to bear, and he could be a scary-good steal in the second round.