Swag's 2020 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings

[Swagnificent]

Grading System:
Top 5 grade = All Pro caliber player
Top 10 grade = Perennial Pro Bowl caliber player
1st round grade = High level starter with Pro Bowl potential
2nd round grade = Solid Starter
3rd round grade = Backup with spot starter potential
4th round or later = Perennial backup

Quarterbacks: Positional Grade = D
1. Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama) - 2nd round grade....NFL comp: poor man's Russell Wilson
2. Joe Burrow (LSU) - 2nd round grade....NFL comp: Alex Smith/David Klingler
3. Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma) - 2nd round grade.....NFL comp: Dak Prescott/Tyrod Taylor
4. Jordan Love (Utah St.) - 3rd round grade.....NFL comp: less athletic Marcus Mariota
5. Jake Fromm (Georgia) - 4th round grade......NFL comp: Matt Barkley

• As you can tell by the grades, I don't think much of this QB class. In terms of pure talent, Tua is the best QB in this draft. However, he has significant durability concerns as well as not having ideal arm strength. And while he's a good athlete, he's nowhere near the athlete Russell Wilson is. That's why I say he's a poor man's Russell Wilson. With that said, I can't deny that Tua has some "magic" to him. I could see him coming into the league and having a few great seasons before eventually being done in by his lack of durability. This year's QB class is weak and I wouldn't draft any of these guys high in the 1st round given their flaws.
  
• The Joe Burrow hype never made any sense to me. I know he had a great season but at the end of the day the draft is about your physical traits and how you project at the next level. Its not about how good you were for one college season. I had a hard time finding a comp for Burrow but what I do like about him is his athleticism. He's not a great athlete but I like his movement skills in the pocket, his ability to escape and make plays, as well as his toughness. What I don't like is his lack of elite arm talent. Almost all of the throws he made in college were pretty routine. He also had the benefit of a lot of elite talent around him especially at the WR position making things easy for him. If he was being projected in the 2nd-3rd round I would have no problem because he does have the ability to be a mediocre starter in the NFL. But as the 1st overall pick he's a laughable selection. This is the equivalent of taking a player like Andy Dalton #1 overall. It makes no sense. Andy Dalton caliber QBs are solid options for teams with a good supporting cast. However, you cannot build a franchise around someone like Joe Burrow. He's not got talent like that.
• Finally, I like Jalen Hurts as a good developmental QB who has a chance to be a solid starter down the road. Give him an elite roster like Dak has had in Dallas and he'll win a lot of games. Don't put any talent around him like Tyrod Taylor has had more most of his career and you're looking at a journeyman QB. Like all mid-round QBs, where he goes and who he plays with will be critical for Hurts success.

Running Backs: Positional Grade = C-
1. J.K. Dobbins (Ohio St.) - 1st round grade....NFL comp: more athletic Ray Rice
2. A.J. Dillon (Boston College) - 2nd round grade.....NFL comp: bigger Michael Turner
3. Clyde Edwards-Helaire (LSU) - 2nd round grade.....NFL comp: Mark Ingram
4. Zack Moss (Utah) - 2nd round grade
5. Cam Akers (Florida St.) - 2nd round grade
6. D'Andre Swift (Georgia) - 2nd round grade
7. Jonathan Taylor (Wisconsin) - 2nd round grade......NFL comp: bigger Michael Bennett (Vikings RB)

• Overall this RB class is below average. I see one great running back in the class (J.K. Dobbins) and a few good starters but overall its lacking the top-end talent and depth we saw in 2017 and 2018.
  
• IMO J.K. Dobbins is the clear-cut best RB in this class. He's got great speed, power, make you miss ability, and vision. As long as he can stay healthy he'll be a Pro-Bowl caliber RB in the NFL. After Dobbins I like Dillon, Edwards-Helaire, and Moss. All 3 are power backs with great ability to break tackles. I have Dillon rated ahead of Edwards-Helaire/Moss because of his superior breakaway ability in the open field.
  
• I know everybody is wondering why I'm not that high on Jonathan Taylor and D'Andre Swift the two consensus top RBs in this class. Well both have flaws I'm concerned about. With Taylor its mainly his ability to make people miss. In a straight line he's awesome (like Michael Bennett from back in the early 2000s). However, he won't be running behind an elite o-line in the NFL at all times that will open up alleys for him to take it 80 yards. He's gonna have holes that close quickly where you need burst and the ability to make guys miss. I haven't seen that skill set from Jonathan Taylor, hence why he's ranked lower on my board than others.
• When it comes to D'Andre Swift, I like him but he always looks just average to me. I don't see any elite qualities in his game. He's neither incredibly explosive, nor does he make people misss, nor does he truck dudes. He's just average. And I'm not that eager on taking average players that high in the draft.

Wide Receivers: Positional Grade = B+
1. Tee Higgins (Clemson) - Top 10 grade.....NFL comp: AJ Green
2. Marquez Callaway (Tennessee) - 1st round grade.....NFL comp: DeAndre Hopkins
3. Bryan Edwards (South Carolina) - 1st round grade.....NFL comp: Allen Robinson
4. Jauan Jennings (Tennessee) - 1st round grade......NFL comp: Carl Pickens
5. KJ Hamler (Penn St.) - 1st round grade.....NFL comp: Desean Jackson/Tyreek Hill
6. Laviska Shenault (Colorado) - 1st round grade......NFL comp: Percy Harvin
7. Brandon Aiyuk (Arizona St.) - 1st round grade.....NFL comp: Chris Godwin
8. Denzel Mims (Baylor) - 2nd round grade.......NFL comp: Torrey Smith
9. Quez Watkins (Southern Miss) - 2nd round grade
10. Justin Jefferson (LSU) - 2nd round grade
11. CeeDee Lamb (Oklahoma) - 2nd round grade
12. Jerry Jeudy (Alabama) - 2nd round grade
13. Jeff Thomas (Miami) - 2nd round grade
14. Henry Ruggs III (Alabama) - 3rd round grade

• First of all, people are overrating this WR class. Its definitely good but not as great as the media hype. Its not one of the greatest WR class ever or anywhere close to it. However, its very deep with guys who will be quality starters.
• The best WR in this class without a doubt is Tee Higgins. He's the one with the most star ability. He reminds me a lot of AJ Green in terms of size, build, and ball skills. AJ Green was a little stronger and faster. After Tee Higgins I absolutely love Marquez Callaway, Bryan Edwards, and Jauan Jennings. I got to watch all three closely in the SEC and they have the size and ball skills to be elite jump ball WRs. They're not the most athletic guys in the world which is why they are lower on draft boards than they should be but they have the sorts of skills that translate to the next level for a receiver.
  
• KJ Hamler is a guy who shocked me when I turned on his film. I'd never watched him before so I went into his tape without any preconceptions. After a few seconds my jaw was on the floor and I was wondering if he was the best WR in this class. This guy is incredibly explosive with elite make you miss ability. His only flaw is his lack of size. But in today's NFL with the physicality being taken out, there's a good chance he turns into a star in the NFL. He's not quite Tyreek Hill because he lacks Hill's mass. But he has the same speed and make you miss ability.
• I also really like Brandon Aiyuk and Laviska Shenault. Both can be great #2 WRs. They might never be elite Pro Bowl caliber WRs but they will be extremely valuable to whatever teams they go to. Next are Mims and Jefferson. Both are good receivers. I can see them developing into solid #2 WRs for the teams that pick them. I would rate them slightly lower than Aiyuk and Shenault who might have more "star" moments.
• And finally, where are Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb, and Henry Ruggs III? The three receivers the media has been touting as the best in this class. Well to put it simply I found very little in their tape to get excited about. All three looked pretty average to me. Jeudy and Lamb lack elite physical traits. And Ruggs while fast gives you little else. All three look like locks to be taken in the 1st round and I wouldn't be surprised if all 3 are not resigned by their original teams after their rookie contracts expire. They might not be outright busts that are outta the league in 4 years. But they will definitely not be guys who will be in line for big second contracts after their rookie deals expire.

 

[Swagnificent]

Defensive Lineman: Positional Grade = C-
1. DT Derrick Brown (Auburn) - Top 5 grade.......NFL comp: Ndamakong Suh
2. DT Javon Kinlaw (South Carolina) - Top 10 grade.......NFL comp: Fletcher Cox
3. DE Yetur Gross-Matos (Penn St.) - 1st round grade.....NFL comp: Michael Bennett/Greg Hardy
4. DT Raekwon Davis (Alabama) - 2nd round grade.....NFL comp: Calais Campbell
5. DE AJ Epenesa (Iowa) - 2nd round grade

• As with almost every position group in this draft, this defensive line class is also below average. Its really good at the very top with Derrick Brown and Javon Kinlaw but has little to no depth after that.
• Derrick Brown is arguably the best player in this draft class regardless of position(along with Jeff Okudah and Kenneth Murray). He's incredibly strong and has a mean streak. Very similar to Ndamakong Suh. He's got the best chance in this draft class to be a multiple time All-Pro. After Derrick Brown, the best defensive lineman is Javon Kinlaw. He's big, strong, and athletic. Very much in the Fletcher Cox mold.
• The best defensive end in this draft is Yetur Gross-Matos. He might not be as elite as Brown and Kinlaw but he should be a Pro Bowl caliber pass rusher. After Gross-Matos, I like AJ Epenesa. He might never be a superstar but I think he'll be a solid starter for many years.
• Now I know what you're wondering. Where is Chase Young? Everyone in the media has declared him the best player in this draft by a wide margin. Well I'm here to tell you he isn't that good. Hell he's not even close to being as good as the hype. The guy has no elite attribute. He's not explosive. He lacks bend. He's not exceptionally powerful. He's not technically skilled. You might be wondering how he had success in college if he's not exceptional at anything. Well its very simple. His success in college was largely the result of playing subpar competition (which is typical of all schools outside the SEC) and guessing the snap count. I'm gonna say it right now so that when it occurs in a few years you'll know where you heard it first. Chase Young has a chance to go down as the BIGGEST BUST IN NFL HISTORY. There's a good chance Chase Young is out of the league by the end of his rookie deal.

Linebackers: Positional Grade = B
1. ILB Kenneth Murray (Oklahoma) - Top 5 grade.........NFL comp: Derrick Brooks
2. ILB Isaiah Simmons (Clemson) - Top 10 grade
3. ILB Daniel Bituli (Tennessee) - Top 10 grade....NFL comp: Darius Leonard
4. OLB K'Lavon Chaisson (LSU) - 1st round grade....NFL comp: Joey Porter
5 OLB Terrell Lewis (Alabama) - 1st round grade....NFL comp: Aldon Smith
6. OLB Darrell Taylor (Tennessee) - 1st round grade.....NFL comp: Brian Orakpo
7. OLB Anfernee Jennings (Alabama) - 2nd round grade

• This year's linebacker class while not exceptionally deep has some real good talent at the top.
• I absolutely love Kenneth Murray. I have no idea why he's not getting more hype as an elite talent. He might be the best overall player in this draft class. The guy checks every box. He's got size, speed, and instincts. He just explodes to the ball carrier everytime there's a run play. I'll be shocked if he isn't an elite player at the next level. After Murray, I like Isaiah Simmons. He might be getting a little too much hype from the media but he's still an elite prospect. His best position might be safety by the way. Either way he'll be a playmaker in the NFL.
• Now onto the SEC boys. First lets talk about Daniel Bituli and Darrell Taylor. Both are exceptional athletes (despite how poorly Bituli tested at the combine). Everytime I watched Daniel Bituli play at Tennessee he was making plays. He's a true run stopping MLB. Darrell Taylor while not as talented as Bituli has immense physical talents as a edge rusher. Very much like Brian Orakpo he should be a solid starter for many years maybe even making a Pro Bowl or two.
• Having watched Alabama play so much the last few years, Terrell Lewis and Anfernee Jennings have always stood out to me. Both are great pass rushing outside linebackers. Terrell Lewis is the most talented 3-4 OLB in this draft bar none, however, he's had some serious injuries in college. If he can stay healthy, I could see him being a huge star in the NFL. Jennings doesn't have the same potential but he will be a solid starter for many years. Considering they played at Alabama I'm shocked these two have not been getting more hype. Typically Alabama players are overhyped heading into the draft. For these two its the opposite. They are being undervalued.
• K'Lavon Chaisson is a guy who I got on late in the process. After studying more tape on him I realized I had underrated him. He reminds me a lot of Joey Porter. I think he can be a high level edge rusher in the NFL.

Defensive Backs: Positional Grade = C
1. CB Jeff Okudah (Ohio St.) - Top 5 grade......NFL comp: Nnamdi Asomugha
2. CB CJ Henderson (Florida) - 1st round grade
3. CB Darnay Holmes (UCLA) - 2nd round grade....NFL comp: Asante Samuel
4. S Nigel Warrior (Tennessee) - 2nd round grade....NFL comp: Carnell Lake
5. CB Cameron Danzler (Miss St.) - 2nd round grade....NFL comp: Marcus Peters
6. S Grant Delpit (LSU) - 2nd round grade.....NFL comp: Eric Reid
7. CB Lavert Hill (Michigan) - 2nd round grade
8. CB Kristian Fulton (LSU) - 2nd round grade
9. CB Trevon Diggs (Alabama) - 2nd round grade
10. CB Noah Igbinoghene (Auburn) - 3rd round grade
11. CB Jeff Gladney (TCU) - 3rd round grade

• This is yet another below average position group this year. There's really only one elite defensive back in this year's class (Jeff Okudah), a few solid guys with Pro Bowl potential, and not much depth.
• Jeff Okudah is arguably the best player in this draft class along with Derrick Brown and Kenneth Murray. I just love his physicality and athleticism. He's a true man to man shut down corner very much like Nnamdi Asomugha when he played for the Raiders. Like Asomugha I don't think he'll get many INTs but he will be an elite man corner. He should immediately be one of the best CBs in the NFL as a rookie and should eventually become the best corner in the NFL until Derek Stingley Jr. (the best CB talent since Champ Bailey) enters the league.
• After Okudah, I like CJ Henderson. He's physically got all the tools to be a shut down corner as well. I'm just not sure he has the discipline and work ethic to reach his full potential like Okudah. Darnay Holmes is a nickel corner with some of the best ball skills in this class. He could be an INT machine like Asante Samuel.
• The safety class this year is really weak. After being overrated going into the season, I believe Grant Delpit is now underrated. He didn't have a good season this year but he's still a very talented player. I can see him being a Pro Bowl caliber safety in the NFL. After Delpit, I think Nigel Warrior can be the best safety from this class. While not that big, he's very physical and athletic. He can be an effective box safety in the NFL.

Top 32 Prospects
(TIER 1)
1. CB Jeff Okudah (Ohio St.)
2. LB Kenneth Murray (Oklahoma)
3. DT Derrick Brown (Auburn)
(TIER 2)
4. WR Tee Higgins (Clemson)
5. LB Isaiah Simmons (Clemson)
6. DT Javon Kinlaw (South Carolina)
7. RB J.K. Dobbins (Ohio St.)
8. WR Marquez Callaway (Tennessee)
9. WR Bryan Edwards (South Carolina)
10. WR Jauan Jennings (Tennessee)
11. LB Daniel Bituli (Tennessee)
12. LB K'Lavon Chaisson (LSU)
13. LB Terrell Lewis (Alabama)
14. CB CJ Henderson (Florida)
15. WR KJ Hamler (LSU)
16. WR Laviska Shenault (Colorado)
17. DE Yetur Gross-Matos (Penn St.)
18. WR Brandon Aiyuk (Arizona St.)
19. LB Darrell Taylor (Tennesee)
(TIER 3)
20. RB A.J. Dillon (Boston College)
21. WR Denzel Mims (Baylor)
22. RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (LSU)
23. RB Zack Moss (Utah)
24. CB Darnay Holmes (UCLA)
25. RB Cam Akers (Florida St.)
26. WR Quez Watkins (Southern Miss)
27. LB Anfernee Jennings (Alabama)
28. RB D'Andre Swift (Georgia)
29. WR Justin Jefferson (LSU)
30. QB Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama)
31. S Nigel Warrior (Tennessee)
32. CB Cameron Danzler (Miss St.)

 

[neph27]

Offensive line doesn’t exist?

 

[Swagnificent]

Offensive line doesn’t exist?

I'm not good at evaluating offensive lineman. You'll have to go to another source for them.

 

[neph27]

I'm not good at evaluating offensive lineman. You'll have to go to another source for them.

That’s a fair reason

 

[Rekkapryde]

I'm not good at evaluating offensive lineman. You'll have to go to another source for them.

 

[#1 pick]

I tend to just focus on QB's and Swag and I are always water and oil and it's not different this year. Last year, we both agreed on Kyler Murray. We completely differ on Haskins and Jones who I was much higher on than he was. He was much higher on Drew Lock than I was.

The year before, he was higher on Josh Allen than I was. I was high on him compared to the media but Swag said he's Marino with mobility. We both were extremely high on Lamar Jackson. I was highest on Baker Mayfield, he was low on Mayfield. I was lower on Darnold and especially Rosen and he was high on those guys.

I don't see Gabbert... I mean Herbert in his top 5 so it seems with agree with Herbert where I am extremely low on Herbert compared to the media. We differ on Tua, I think Tua is the best QB prospect since Andrew Luck.

I am much higher on Burrow. There is a lot more to QBing than arm talent and Burrow has a lot of that down already. He's excellent in so many areas. He will take some time to adjust but he will be a superstar in this league.

I agree with him on Hurts, I am higher on the others than he listed.

As for Chase Young. He's a superstar. He's mentally A++. He is extremely talented. He is extremely strong. He is extremely skilled. He isn't a great athlete but he's like a rich man's John Randle. When you got his hands, strength, torque, IQ, and feel for the game, you will dominate. Much less his fukking size is insane.

 

[#1 pick]

Swag off his rocker on the QBs and Chase Young

Scot McCloughan Says Chase Young is the Best DE Prospect He’s Scouted

 

[Swagnificent]

I tend to just focus on QB's and Swag and I are always water and oil and it's not different this year. Last year, we both agreed on Kyler Murray. We completely differ on Haskins and Jones who I was much higher on than he was. He was much higher on Drew Lock than I was.

The year before, he was higher on Josh Allen than I was. I was high on him compared to the media but Swag said he's Marino with mobility. We both were extremely high on Lamar Jackson. I was highest on Baker Mayfield, he was low on Mayfield. I was lower on Darnold and especially Rosen and he was high on those guys.

I don't see Gabbert... I mean Herbert in his top 5 so it seems with agree with Herbert where I am extremely low on Herbert compared to the media. We differ on Tua, I think Tua is the best QB prospect since Andrew Luck.

I am much higher on Burrow. There is a lot more to QBing than arm talent and Burrow has a lot of that down already. He's excellent in so many areas. He will take some time to adjust but he will be a superstar in this league.

I agree with him on Hurts, I am higher on the others than he listed.

As for Chase Young. He's a superstar. He's mentally A++. He is extremely talented. He is extremely strong. He is extremely skilled. He isn't a great athlete but he's like a rich man's John Randle. When you got his hands, strength, torque, IQ, and feel for the game, you will dominate. Much less his fukking size is insane.

I think this is overall a very weak draft class. Very much like the 2015 draft with Winston and Mariota. Its why I'm not that impressed with the success guys like Tua, Burrow, and Chase Young had in college. Just cause you're the tallest midget doesn't make you tall.

This draft class will be remembered for being filled with busts.

 

[Swagnificent]

Swag off his rocker on the QBs and Chase Young

Scot McCloughan Says Chase Young is the Best DE Prospect He’s Scouted

Yall said the same thing when I called Markelle Fultz trash before the 2017 NBA draft. Chase Young is the football version of him. I don't know what will happen but his fall will be as drastic as Fultz. The eyes don't lie.

 

[#1 pick]

I think this is overall a very weak draft class. Very much like the 2015 draft with Winston and Mariota. Its why I'm not that impressed with the success guys like Tua, Burrow, and Chase Young had in college. Just cause you're the tallest midget doesn't make you tall.

This draft class will be remembered for being filled with busts.

I will give you credit in that class. I was very high on Winston and Mariota and you were low and not sold on them. Props on that. I disagree with you on that class for this one. I think this class has a chance to see 1989. At least in the 1st round.

 

[#1 pick]

Yall said the same thing when I called Markelle Fultz trash before the 2017 NBA draft. Chase Young is the football version of him. I don't know what will happen but his fall will be as drastic as Fultz. The eyes don't lie.

I wasn't that high on Fultz. I wasn't that low on him either but I wasn't understanding the media hype. Chase Young is MUCH MUCH better. I watched all of his games. He POPS as all of the ATG's do. Barry, Deion, Derrick Thomas, Moss, Owens, etc. He has that POP. Fultz never had that, he just had exceptional skill. I would be shocked if Young isn't a hall of famer if not the best defensive lineman in NFL history. He is perfect for the modern NFL. His IQ will drive QB's crazy.

 

[Swagnificent]

I will give you credit in that class. I was very high on Winston and Mariota and you were low and not sold on them. Props on that.

Thank you. Most people on here like to ignore all my hits. Especially the ones that run counter to everyone else.

I didn't want Winston to be a bust but his flaws just stuck out big time.

 

[#1 pick]

Thank you. Most people on here like to ignore all my hits. Especially the ones that run counter to everyone else.

I didn't want Winston to be a bust but his flaws just stuck out big time.

I thought the INT issue was real but I truly felt he was a smarter football player than he was and it was just immaturity. Maybe it was immaturity but only time will reveal. I completely missed on Mariota but than again, he didn't land in an ideal or decent spot. Maybe his career would be a lot different if he did.

 

[Max.]