Jordan Katz’s Top 50: 2020 NFL Draft (Big Board 2.0)

Posted on March 19, 2020 Updated on April 6, 2020

These are my top 50 players in the 2020 Draft. Where I have them on my big board may not reflect where they go in my mock drafts.

Editor’s Note: Tua Tagovailoa is much lower on my board because of what I have heard about his injury from doctors I know. It may not pan out that way, but that is why I chose to proceed with caution in regards to his ranking.

TOP 50 Players

1) Andrew Thomas, OT Georgia 

A gifted pass blocker. Thomas is incredibly light on his feet for someone of his size. He’s quick out of his stance, and shows terrific technique in all three sets. He’s so athletic, but so powerful at the same time. Thomas gets out to the second level a ton on the ground, but then hits his target with power and precision. He’s rarely beat with quickness around the edge because his kickslide is so precise and his technique is so good. A can’t miss OT.

2) Chase Young, EDGE Ohio State

One of the most complete pass rushers we have ever seen in college football. He has a terrific get off and a bevy of pass rushing moves. Rip, spin, bull rush, dip around the edge, he can do it all. He does not lose a step in the run game either. He can disengage from blockers quickly, he can set the edge and kick it back inside, and he can use his leverage to beat offensive linemen consistently. Simply put, Young is a stud.

3) Isaiah Simmons, ILB/OLB Clemson

This dude is a unicorn. Simmons lines up just about everywhere on the defensive front, and he can make plays from any spot. Can he generate pressure off the edge? Yes. Is he able to read and react from a traditional off ball linebacker spot? You bet. Can he cover TE’s and RB’s? Of course. He even plays some safety and slot corner, and he’s really good at both. Simmons is that dude, I don’t know where you play him, but he can play anywhere.

4) Joe Burrow, QB LSU

Burrow is insanely accurate. He makes touch throws at all three levels, and he understands route combinations. If a play calls for a back shoulder ball, he delivers. If the throw needs touch over the secondary, he delivers. His footwork is strong, his base is sturdy, and he throws with ideal mechanics. This is your prototypical franchise quarterback.

5) Jedrick Wills Jr., OT Alabama

Wills has ridiculous power. He strikes with precision and force. Wills has a strong counter-punch too. Wills is rarely knocked off balance on a punch, which allows him to battle against opposing pass rushers. Pad level is really good, especially on the move in the run game towards defenders. Stance is ideal, footwork in the jump set and 45 degree set is terrific.

6) Tristan Wirfs, OT Iowa

Much like Thomas and Wills, Wirfs also mauls defenders in the run game. The thing that pops off the page is how athletic he is for his size. Wirfs gets to the second level quickly and strikes with precision. Wirfs does an excellent job in identifying stunts and twists, as well as extra rushers. Really understands his assignment and the way protection schemes work. Kickslide is impressive as well, light on his feet for someone of his size.

7) Jeffrey Okudah, CB Ohio State

Okudah has some of the fastest hips I’ve ever seen on tape. They flip effortlessly in coverage. He looks very natural in man-to-man, shows really good closing speed after the receiver attempts to separate. Okudah has the athleticism and technique to mirror receivers incredibly well, very Denzel Ward-esque. His backpedal is strong and his footwork is legit. Okudah is the premiere man cover corner on tape.

8) CeeDee Lamb, WR Oklahoma

Lamb is electric with the ball in his hands. He makes defenders miss at every turn. Lamb creates big plays with his physicality, speed and quickness. He’s smart as a route runner when dealing with zone coverages, knowing where to sit down and how to get open for his QB. Zero double catches, separates with size and speed down the field.

9) Mekhi Becton, OT Louisville

Becton is built like a brick house, and he plays like a mauler. His hands actually do a good job of staying high, and he strikes with force. Becton’s hips swivel fluidly, and he actually kicks out in the 45 degree set surprisingly well. Even though he does not change directions particularly quckly, he’s so big that he does not always have to. Bottom line, when he gets his hands locked up with yours, you’ve already lost.

10) JK Dobbins, RB Ohio State

Dobbins can do it all (especially catch out of the backfield and run routes), and he’s another example of a perfect zone blocking scheme running back. In terms of the modern day NFL, teams will look for a guy like Dobbins. He’s got a low center of gravity, good balance, and he makes people miss in the open field. Dobbins is an elite, three down running back.

11) Henry Ruggs III, WR Alabama

The playmaker of the 2020 Draft Class. Ruggs can go for 50+ the minute he touches the ball. He’s a legit 4.2 guy. What makes him a potential stud in the NFL is his route running. Ruggs’s tree is much more complete than people may realize. He can toast a corner on a slant route and go to the house. Ruggs can sell at the top of the stem, and he’s able to separate with precision and quickness. He’s more than just a speed guy. Ruggs is a big time playmaker.

12) K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE LSU

Chaisson’s ability off the edge is the first thing that’s evident on tape. His dip and bend ability is elite. Chaisson has a lot of moves in the tool box. He loves the spin move to the inside after setting up the opposing tackle. Chaisson uses his length in the run game and the pass game to win against blockers. Chaisson can also drop into coverage, does a good job in zone too. He is a really dynamic player.

13) Jerry Jeudy, WR Alabama

Nobody in the draft is quicker in and out of cuts than Jeudy. He separates at the top better than just about anyone, he understands CB leverage and how to use it against them. He runs a ton of routes, and all to precision. He also lines up just about anywhere and beats coverage. Little bit of a drops issue, but Jeudy is a solid catcher of the football. He makes plays with the ball as well.

14) Derrick Brown, IDL Auburn

Brown’s strength and quickness make him a nightmare to block one-on-one. He gets to the passer with a bevy of moves, loves to use his strength to gain leverage at the point-of-attack and rip past opposing guards. He beats double teams too. Not only can he eat space in the run game, but he can knock back two players off the ball at once and still make a play on the ball carrier.

15) Javon Kinlaw, IDL South Carolina

Kinlaw has ridiculous athleticism. He loves the rip move as well as going hand over hand. Plays a one tech and a three tech extremely well. He can hold space at times, and he can beat double teams from the B gap. For the most part, his pad level is good, he gets low despite his frame and explodes into the defender’s chest. Kinlaw lacks a quality stat-line from his time at USC, but his game on tape warrants a top pick.

16) Grant Delpit, FS/SS LSU

His tape is up and down in 2019, but I stand by Delpit as a top 20 player in this class. Delpit is a reincarnation of Jamal Adams. He plays extremely fast downhill and flies to the ball. Can go one on one with TE’s and RB’s, and he’s extremely instinctive. Dissects plays extremely quickly, especially when he’s close to the line of scrimmage. He’s also a force when rushing the quarterback. Delpit is a big time playmaker near the line of scrimmage, and he’s good enough in cover two to warrant a top selection.

17) D’Andre Swift, RB Georgia

Swift is so sharp in and out of cuts. When he puts his foot in the ground and changes directions, no one can keep up. His elusiveness is absurd; he’s special as a runner. While he’s better than most between the tackles with his vision of where to go, there’s no question Swift’s ideal offense is a zone blocking scheme that gets him into space quicker. His lower body strength is just straight up ridiculous.

18) CJ Henderson, CB Florida

Henderson is a phenomenal athlete. His hips change directions quickly, and his athleticism is particularly evident in his ability to stay attached to receivers in man coverage. He’s a smart corner in cover three, and he understands how to defend when the play breaks down. Henderson breaks out of his T-Step really quickly, and shows good ball skills too.

19) Kristian Fulton, CB LSU

Fulton’s tape is impressive. He’s terrific at mirroring receivers. Fulton stays attached by using his elite level footwork and his athleticism. He has good ball skills, even though he only has one interception on the year. He’s able to find the ball and make a play on it, even though an opposing player. Good break on the ball from off coverage too, shows good footwork out of his T-Step. Fulton can be a quality player in multiple schemes.

20) Justin Jefferson, WR LSU

Justin Jefferson’s route running and versatility are what I love about him. He sells at the top of the stem incredibly well, and he’s very sharp in and out of cuts. Jefferson lines up all over the field and can win in a number of different ways. He’s a smart route runner too, succeeding in setting up corners with fakes and getting them to bite. Jefferson is a bit of a sleeper in this receiver class because, to me, he is the clear cut top of the second tier.

21) Jeff Gladney, CB TCU

The first thing that jumps out about Gladney is his man to man cover skills, particularly out of the slot. He mirrors receivers well, showing quick footwork in and out his backpedal. Gladney excels in forcing players to the boundary, rarely allows any sort of inside release. Smart and savvy and it shows on film. Physical too, loves to use his arms to reroute receivers towards the boundary.

22) Patrick Queen, ILB LSU

Queen might be the most underappreciated player in this draft. He plays downhill with speed and poise.Queen has impressive range from sideline to sideline, and his hips flip effortlessly in coverage. Can go man on man against running backs and tight ends. I think he reads in zone really well. Keeps his eyes in the backfield but he’s actually smart enough to not fall for the bait of the QB. Queen is a three down linebacker at the next level.

23) Justin Herbert, QB Oregon

Herbert is an interesting study because his 2019 tape is largely useless. Oregon’s receivers did not separate well, and this offense was not made for a pocket passer like Herbert. His 2018 tape, however, shows you everything you ask for in a franchise QB. He checks the boxes in terms of his deep ball accuracy. Herbert throws outside the hash marks with precision, and the pocket presence of an elite QB. I really like his footwork and his ability on the move to his right as well.

24) Xavier McKinney, FS Alabama

McKinney excels in a lot of different looks. He flips his hips effortlessly in the back, particularly in cover one. He’s also very willing to come up to the LOS and play the run, even acts as a spy at points in time. McKinney is a turnover machine. He finds the ball and pursues it when tackling as well as when in coverage. His angles to the ball carrier are exceptional. McKinney really understands the game, making him a quality fit for just about any team at the next level.

25) Cesar Ruiz, IOL Michigan

Ruiz is a day one starter along the interior. He possesses elite power, bullying players off the ball at the line of scrimmage. What I like most about Ruiz is his intelligence. Ruiz picks up stunts and twists incredibly well. He’s a big time athlete that can pull with poise, and hit his target with power, as well as precision. Ruiz handles first punches well from opposing rushers, and he’s able to wall them off by using a powerful anchor combined with a strong punch. He’s a complete player along the interior.

26) AJ Epenesa, DL Iowa

Epenesa translates really well as a 3-4 Defensive End. He gains leverage by getting his hands up in the chest of the tackle, then using his power to rip by. When rushing the passer, he can rip and get low like JJ Watt, but he also loves the hand over hand move. He’s able to club the tackle’s arms away with a powerful punch. Motor is off the charts; he does not quit. Epenesa is a disciplined player against the run as well.

27) Damon Arnette, CB Ohio State

Arnette’s footwork jumps off the page. He understands how to force receivers to the boundary with his feet, his technique into and out of his backpedal is excellent, and he flies out of his T-Step to the ball. Even though Arnette does not have great hands, he does have a great sense for the ball. He also mirrors extremely well from the slot.

28) Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE Penn State

Gross-Matos succeeds as a pass rusher because of a quality move set. He loves the rip/club move, and he can also set up the tackle to go hand over hand. Gross-Matos is able to use his long arms to set up his move set. He remains disciplined against the run. Gross-Matos could improve in consistently setting the edge but he holds players well at the point of attack. He makes for a quality 4-3 defensive end at the next level.

29) Denzel Mims, WR Baylor

First thing that jumps off the page when watching Mims is his elite athleticism and catch radius. He is aggressive, but in control at the catch point. In my opinion, Mims is what people think Tee Higgins is. He high points the ball well, he’s an actual red zone threat at the next level, and he’s a legitimate playmaker for a big body receiver. I like how he varies his release, even if his get off could improve. Mims makes plays down the field as well. This is what people think Tee Higgins is.

30) Ross Blacklock, DT TCU

Blacklock would have been a first round grade if it weren’t for his injury history. This dude is a lethal pass rusher on tape. He explodes out of his stance, and uses his quickness to constantly win one-on-one reps against opposing interior linemen. What separates him from Neville Gallimore and Justin Madubuike, the other smaller and quicker defensive tackles in tier two, is his ability to stack and shed against the run. Blacklock is disciplined as well.

31) Van Jefferson, WR Florida

The second best route runner in this draft is Van Jefferson. He’s super clean in and out of cuts, and he separates from defenders with his upper body as much as he does with his lower body. He sells corners with a bevy of moves in a short amount of time. Release is legit, he varies it, he sets up corners, and he’s extremely quick in short areas. Smart and savvy player too, understands down and distance which is key for a route runner. If he improves some concentration drops, Jefferson could be elite at the next level.

32) Laviska Shenault Jr., WR Colorado

First thing that is evident on tape is that he attacks the ball with his hands. No body catches, and no double catches either. Shenault is a big time YAC player too, he’s able to make plays with the ball in his hands and it’s a big portion of Colorado’s offense. Top end speed to beat defenders down the field regardless of his release and technique. In the right system, Shenault can be a stud.

33) Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB LSU

“CEH,” is a bowling ball. He’s tough to bring down because he keeps his leg churning at all times. Really good pass catcher out of the backfield, runs quality routes and catches the ball clean. Makes people miss in the open field as well, but he’s more quick than fast. Shifty in the hole, gets skinny and jump cuts through the hole with explosiveness.

34) Lloyd Cushenberry III, IOL LSU

Cushenberry is a top tier athlete in space. He has ideal size for the Center position, and impressive length. He is a fluid mover, showing excellent footwork when he pulls and a quality pad level at the second level. What impresses me most about Cushenberry (as well as Ruiz from earlier) is his intelligence. Cush picks up the right guy on stunts, twists and blitzes. He commands the offensive line, and that is a valuable trait in today’s NFL.

35) Jalen Reagor, WR TCU

Reagor is a deep ball machine. This dude flies down the field, he’s a home run threat every time he’s in the game. It’s not just because he has the speed to take the top off the defense. Reagor has the ability to win at the LOS as well, despite his diminutive stature. Route tree is what you would expect of a speedster with his playmaking ability. He has a solid catch radius to compliment his game. Think T.Y Hilton when you try to place Reagor into his best scheme fits at the next level.

36) Kenneth Murray, ILB Oklahoma

Murray is a modern day three down linebacker. He fills the proper lane when playing downhill. He packs a wallop when laying the boom against opposing ball carries. Most importantly, Murray is an athlete in space. He ranges well from sideline to sideline, and he has the ability to man up tight ends, as well as running backs out of the backfield. If he can improve on his angles to ball carriers, Murray can become a 10 year starter at the linebacker position.

37) Neville Gallimore, DT Oklahoma

The two Oklahoma star defenders find themselves back to back on my big board. Gallimore is similar in play style to Ross Blacklock. He wins reps as a pass rusher with his quickness and his move set. Loves to cross-chop and use the swim move to his advantage. When he becomes better at stacking and shedding against the run, Gallimore will be a threat to disrupt plays on every down.

38) Jacob Eason, QB Washington

I’ll go down with the ship on Jacob Eason. It’s well document that he has incredible arm talent. Eason can throw the ball a mile and he fits throws into tight windows by turning up the dial. Give him a clean pocket and he can make any throw you ask of him. Actually can dial it back a bit if he has to, touch passes in the red zone are impressive. He’s a very good play action quarterback as well. If a team can teach him how to play under duress, I think Eason is a legitimate starting quarterback in the NFL.

39) Austin Jackson, OT USC

Jackson is a freakish athlete with long arms and an explosive kickslide. He cuts off edge rushers very nicely in pass protection. What gets me excited about his prospects at the next level is how he’s able to counter-punch, and stay balanced if knocked backwards, He is an oddity on my personal board though, because he’s susceptible to power rushers, and his intelligence for the position is lacking. Having said that, he is just 20 years old. I think Jackson can develop into a premiere starter at the next level.

40) Antoine Winfield Jr., CB/FS Minnesota

Winfield Jr., has a lot of Tyrann Mathieu in his game. He can man cover slot receivers because of his quick hips and lower body technique. He shows good instincts in single high as well. Winfield Jr., reads quarterbacks well and has good range from sideline to sideline. He’s tough too. Shows a willingness to tackle, and he’s aggressive as well.

41) Josh Uche, EDGE Michigan

Uche is one of my favorite players in this draft. Despite his diminutive stature for an edge rusher, Uche has big time length. He can long arm tackles with more perceived power than he has because of his technique. Uche is also able to set up opposing linemen with a quality move set. The one concern is that he fails to set the edge at times. I think a LEO linebacker is an ideal role for Uche in the NFL.

42) Cam Akers, RB Florida State

If I could only rate Akers as a runner of the football, he would be 20 spots higher on my big board. Akers ran against a loaded front many times and was still able to find success. He’s able to lower his shoulder and run through defenders in the hole. Akers makes defenders miss a lot, puts the foot in the ground to sell the cuts. He a quality open field player. I like Cam Akers so much that he’s still top 50 on my board even though he’s a two down running back.

43) Jaylon Johnson, CB Utah

Johnson’s physicality is what jumps off the page when you turn on the film. He’s physical against the run, and he can be physical at the line of scrimmage with receivers. He’s able to use his length and redirect receivers off of their route combinations. Checks the boxes in terms of ball skills as well as being able to mirror from the slot. A true do-it-all cornerback.

44) AJ Terrell, CB Clemson

Terrell has good size and length for the position, and he uses it to his advantage. When attempting to trail receivers, his length is what keeps receivers from separating. Terrell’s best attribute is his ball skills. He is excellent at locating the ball, and even better at physically playing it. Terrell breaks out of his T-Step well in off coverage also, a Cover 3 team would be ideal for his skill set.

45) Bryce Hall, CB Virginia

Hall’s intelligence is his best attribute. Even though he lacks elite quickness, he is adept at trailing receivers because of his ability to force to the boundary with his size. Knows how to set receivers up to think they have him along the sideline, and then close it off with good top end speed. His backpedal is fluid, and his ability to close out of his break is not bad either. Hall is good at the LOS, not with his hands but in terms of not allowing a quality release because of his frame and intelligence.

46) Matthew Peart, OT UCONN

This is as high as you will see Peart on anyone’s big boards; I will guarantee that. Peart is another player in this class that has ideal size, quality athleticism, and upper echelon length for the offensive tackle position. His footwork is smooth, showing the ability to cut off edge rushers as they try to run the arch. His hips are fluid and they roll through contact. As he becomes more adept with handling power rushers, Peart will develop into a quality tackle.

47) Jeremy Chinn, LB/S Southern Illinois

Chinn was a late study for me in the draft process, but boy, did he live up to the hype. He’s a freakish athlete with impressive range from sideline to sideline. Chinn plays with a ridiculously high motor, and he shows a terrific understanding for where the play is going when he’s close to the line of scrimmage. A very similar player to Isaiah Simmons, just on a lesser scale.

48) Matt Hennessy, IOL Temple

If you were to cook up a high IQ, technician along the offensive line, it would look something like Matt Hennessy. He’s adept at picking up extra rushers, he really understands pad level and proper striking in the run game, and he’s athletic enough to pull. His IQ in pass protection is where he shines. Helps out guards, and he can go one-on-one with interior linemen because of his hand placement.

49) Tua Tagovailoa, QB Alabama

This is how much respect I have for Tua’s game. I have debated taking him off of my board all together from medical advice that I have received from doctors I know. However, he’s such a good deep ball passer, and his arm talent is so off the charts, that I would still consider him a top 50 player in this class. His natural ability on throws outside the hash marks, and his ability to throw on the move make him a guy worth taking a chance on.

50) Jonathan Taylor, RB Wisconsin

I’m lower on Taylor than most because of his ball security issues. Having said that, he’s still a terrific runner of the football. Taylor has really good vision between the tackles. He’s able to get skinny when he has to, and he can lower the boom on defenders as well. Nonexistent in the passing game at the next level, but that’s okay. You need two backs in the modern NFL anyway.