Jake Ciely's 2020 NFL Draft review (2024)

Top 88 NFL Draft Skill Position Players and Fantasy Football Impact

Note: I rank the rookies in tiers, as landing spots will swing post-draft values. So, look for my Post-Draft 2020 Fantasy Football Rankings soon after the draft. But ALSO… tune in for live pick-by-pick analysis during the NFL draft and a full recap after all seven rounds are in the books. Okay, no more waiting; let’s do this!

What do the tiers mean for fantasy football?

• Tier 1: QB1 likely, RB1 near certainty, WR1 upside (at worst a WR2), TE1
• Tier 2: QB2, RB2, WR2, TE2
• Tier 3: RB2/3, WR2 upside but more likely WR3 with some bust potential
• Tier 4: RB3/4, WR3/4
• The Rest: Some RB/WR3 ceilings, more roster depth, some steady WR4/5s
• The Rest Part 2: Roster depth, deep fliers, return men with upside to grow

TL; DWR (Too Long; Don’t Wanna Read)

2020 NFL Draft Rookie Rankings

QUARTERBACKS

TIER 1

Joe Burrow, LSU
+ Tough-minded: stares pressure in the face; intelligence seen in his ball placement, pre-snap reads, progressions; enough rushing ability to make the defense think, and can escape when needed; great deep accuracy
- While deep-ball accuracy is great, arm strength isn't terrific; old for a prospect (24); exponential growth in one year (anomaly?); a few advanced defensive schemes threw him off
= Burrow will be 24 and has just one year of elite college play. But those are the only major concerns, as the arm strength and a few defensive reads are more nitpicky given his overall game-changing performance. Burrow will be the Bengals quarterback of the future and should at least be as good as Andy Dalton was for them.

Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
+ Career 87 TDs and 11 INTs… think about that; as with Burrow, not afraid in the pocket and moves well within it; accuracy to all levels; progression reading is top-notch with eyes constantly searching for openings; quality runner
- Doesn't have immediate burst when transitioning to run; throwing motion slight concern leads to some "pitching" type throws; will sometimes try to do too much, which can turn into more interceptions at the NFL level; injuries/durability
= Tagovailoa fits "today's NFL" with more dual-threat ability than most, even with his concerns. If not for injury, some would argue for Tua over Burrow, especially given the track-record difference, and that would be hard to argue. If healthy, Tagovailoa should be a franchise quarterback.

TIER 2

Jordan Love, Utah State
+ NFL body; makes good throws to all levels and passes maintain quality when moving; Matthew Stafford-like with adjusting his throwing slot; good deep throw and placement
- Will hone in on a receiver, spot and/or decide where he's going despite the play development or defense placement; poor completion on deep throws; throwing motion lacking smoothness and quickness; needs to improve decision-making
= As seen above, Love has all of the desirable traits but lacks NFL decision-making and the throwing motion can get him in trouble.

Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma
+ Tremendous strides after transferring to Oklahoma last year; Kyler Murray rushing upside… possibly more; another quarterback showing a strong pocket presence; hear the word "leader" almost every time people talk about his positive traits; good passer from short to intermediate range, and underrated deep
- Will struggle to progress through his reads and even throw too soon/late; accuracy questionable at times with his ball placement – likely due to mechanics; while comfortable in the pocket, will sometimes leave too quickly instead of shifting in the pocket and loses focus downfield
= Our own Emory Hunt compared Hurts to Dak Prescott, and I see the similarities but with more rushing upside, obviously. Lance Zierlein compares him to Tim Tebow, but I'm more with Emory, as that sells Hurts short on his quarterback development. The Tebow comp is because of his throwing mechanics, and as with Tebow, we hope those get ironed out. Even if Hurts stays who he is, there is more upside than Tebow.

THE REST

Jake Fromm, Georgia
= Prototypical backup quarterback. Fromm is similar to Hurts in leadership, he's consistent and smart, processes well and has good accuracy. However, Fromm lacks athleticism, arm strength and the zip to hit tight windows or not sail the deep ball. Maybe he surprises and becomes a Stafford-like NFL quarterback with lesser arm strength, but he profiles as a backup.

Justin Herbert, Oregon
= Herbert has enviable size/build with a great arm and good rushing ability. His passing ability holds up while scrambling as well, which helps him improvise. However, like Jake Locker from years before, he looks better outside of the pocket, doesn't make quick reads, makes Eli Manning-like throws that hit the line or second-level defenders and lacks noticeable improvement over the years. I joked he's much like Blaine Gabbert, as well.

Jacob Eason, Washington
= Eason has some similarities to Herbert with his size, but let's not forget that Brock Osweiler was a big boy too. Eason has one of the best arms in the class, but as with Herbert again, the reads lack speed and intelligence too often, as he'll even wait too long to see the receiver hit his mark (in the NFL, that's way too late). Eason has enviable body traits, but his footwork and quarterback intelligence lack too much to consider him as anything more than an upside backup.

Anthony Gordon, Washington State
= Gordon has a quick release and is good at leading his receivers. However, he lacks refinement in some areas, especially footwork, and those lead to struggles in the pocket. Gordon is coachable, and there are enough positives that make him a long-term project for a team looking to find the "diamond in the rough."

Cole McDonald, Hawaii
= McDonald has a great football IQ but his throwing motion needs to be reworked. While he makes good reads and hits his spots regularly, he'll see his accuracy fall off with deep throws, when plays break down and/or receivers are bumped off routes or are improvising. McDonald has promise, but he's a work in progress.

Jake Luton, Oregon State
= Luton is another prospect with the desirable size, and he has a good arm, worked in a pro system and places the ball well to all levels. So, why is Luton among "The Rest"? His placement can waiver at times: deep ball causes receivers to break routes, scramble-throws are offline often and his "good arm" isn't strong enough to get the zip into tight windows. There is plenty to work with here with Luton, but he also needs to avoid locking onto one receiver or failing to make reads and adjustments to overcome some other limitations.

RUNNING BACKS

TIER 1

D'Andre Swift, Georgia
+ Evades tackles with ease; his footwork, balance, cuts, moves, everything, are next-level and he maintains and/or changes his speed like a polished veteran; great vision to all areas – finding lanes, seeing incoming would-be tacklers, etc.; great hands and route work
- Not a great blocker; a slight fumbling concern; runaway speed a bit lacking (can get run down); will sometimes look to do too much
= The negatives are nitpicking with Swift as, let's be clear, he's a Day 1 talent. Swift may not see 20+ touches weekly, but he doesn't need them to be an elite weapon and put up terrific numbers, a la Alvin Kamara, Austin Ekeler, etc. In fact, those names fall short of Swift as a pure runner. Phillip Lindsay might be better, but he doesn't have Swift's ceiling, either.

Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
+ Near perfect example of "build an RB" for the NFL; better in the passing game than most realize (similar to Leonard Fournette and Derrius Guice coming out of LSU); terrific speed; doesn't overrun himself despite the speed, as he's patient enough for lanes to develop; gets up to speed quickly; smooth feet and movements
- Like Swift, ball concern issues, but worse; can be stiff and a tad slower laterally; workload through college (926 carries); occasionally stood up or stuffed inside
= Again as with Swift, we're picking apart a terrific specimen. Taylor can and will be a bellcow and at worst, he's the lead option with 250+ carries easily attainable — and, with those, double-digit touchdown upside. Taylor has first-half-of-Round 1 upside.

J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State
+ Built from stone (or looks like it); build makes defenders bounce off him; can stack moves, maintaining smoothness and not wasting motion or getting jerky; good-to-great pass catcher; quick first step and quickness carries through his game; great pass blocker
- While a great pass-catching option, can tighten up some routes; could be a bit more creative in decisions, as he's better at the second level, but will sometimes miss cutbacks or wait a bit too long to cut upfield
= Dobbins is easily the best pass blocker in Tier 1, so while Swift and Taylor are slightly better as pure running backs, Dobbins might be the best all-around. He can easily be a workhorse for a team as well, especially since coaches won't be worried about him out there on third down/passing downs as much as Swift and Taylor. This is an amazing trio of top running backs this year.

TIER 2

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU
+ Exceptional pass-catcher; terrific route-runner; elusiveness to spare; start-stop ability also amazing, and can see a weak spot and explode to and through it; tough to bring down given his balance (despite his size)
- Size is a concern, mainly for between the tackles and pass blocking; offense created a lot of indecision for second-level defenders, so regularly saw them off balance or course-correcting; better laterally in moves and cutting upfield than swinging wide on runs
= Most years, CEH and Cam Akers (below) would be in Tier 1, so let's call them 1.5? And when we get to Tier 3, they're 2.5, maybe? In any case, Edwards-Helaire will likely go to a team as a timeshare/complementary piece. I stated above that Kamara and Ekeler weren't the best comps for Swift, but they do describe CEH much better, and that's his upside.

Cam Akers, FSU
+ Put up 1,144 rushing yards and 5.0 YPC despite being behind a terrible offensive line and often hit in the backfield; not quite Derrick Henry level, but once he's rolling, he's scary; has the burst to hit lanes quick, escape defenders and make the most of his open-field moves and space
- Similar to Henry again, takes more contact than avoiding it; good receiver but can struggle to adjust route; lacking a high volume of big plays
= Akers flashes upside among the best (Emory Hunt did a deep dive on him), but at times, he'll frustrate and fall short of his potential. Most years, Akers could slip into the top group, especially if his line had done him any favors. He's a tough/strong/powerful (pick a term) runner who will likely be the lead back for a team employing an Ekeler, Edwards-Helaire, etc.-like No. 2 option.

TIER 3

A.J. Dillon, Boston College
+ Power for days; will push the pile or surprisingly evade it with decent moves for his size; sees the field and finds lanes well; embraces contact, making defenders look like they're trying to tackle a streetlamp
- Mainly a one-cut runner; lacking as a receiver; once he reaches the second level, needs to break contact, as he won't run away from most or break them down off his moves
= If you want the real Derrick Henry from this draft, Dillon is it, despite being three inches shorter. Dillon is the same weight with the same build and power, and many of the same limitations. As we see with Henry though, there is plenty of upside in a running back like this if used properly.

Anthony McFarland, Maryland
+ Very fast runner who maintains speed into contact, while evading defenders or breaking big plays; quality receiver (though wasn't used enough); sees seams/lanes/cutbacks easily
- Final season hampered by a high-ankle sprain; lacking as pass blocker; lacking lower-body strength to drive a pile or power through a tackle; where some running backs try to do too much, can sometimes miss opportunities to use his agility and do more
= McFarland is similar to Edwards-Helaire in some ways but not quite as well-rounded or great of a prospect. He would likely have a guaranteed job as another Ekeler type from this draft if not for his pass protection woes. Look for a team to use him more like a Theo Riddick with room for more if he develops.

Zack Moss, Utah
+ Plays running back like a poker pro – sees everything, phased by nothing; light/quick steps coupled with his patience and vision make him tough to grab; doesn't go down easy at all
- Lacks speed out of cuts, at the second level and for escaping defenders; seems to enjoy getting hit a bit too much; struggles to turn the corner/make the edge on outside runs
= Don't forget that everyone went gaga over David Montgomery for his broken tackles last year. Don't overrate one stat, especially that one. Moss has great vision, calmness, power and footwork. However, he's not truly elusive and lacks the speed to be a major threat there. He feels a bit like Jordan Howard, and that was before his injury-affected combine disappointment.

Antonio Gibson, Memphis
+ Scored 14 times on 77 touches; can produce from the backfield or lined up as a receiver, and dynamic once he has the ball; very slippery and power to match
- True position concern; last year was his only significant season; can overrun himself: balance and not seeing potential space
= Is he a running back? A wideout? I'm leaning running back given his ability with the ball in his hands, and Gibson being used like Ty Montgomery recently (more so Packers) and Tavon Austin in the past is rather likely.

TIER 4

La'Mical Perine, Florida
+ Inflatable punchy-thing like as a runner – leans but doesn't go down; finds creases even when minute; keep his balance through cuts and route running; won't bowl linebackers over, but gives them a nice wallop
- Lacks creativity when a play breaks down/play's lane is closed; more one-speed and one-cut type; will occasionally force the crease/gap
= Perine is a strong runner and tough to bring down, often absorbing the hit like a boxer. However, he trusts his power a bit too much, as he's not a bull and can push for opportunities instead of changing direction. Perine also has good quickness but can struggle to regain momentum if bouncing outside or moving laterally. He's likely best suited for a timeshare versus being a three-down option.

Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Vanderbilt
+ Gets upfield quickly for an early-down, strong running back; good build, helps shed arm-tacklers; quality receiver and pass blocker; "nose for the end zone" cliche
- Can get stopped easily on his first few steps; doesn't reach or cut the edge well; has taken and will take a lot of contact; lacking big-play speed and production
= Vaughn looks to be a volume runner, as he doesn't have many big plays to his career, nor has he shown a reason to expect more. It's not all bad, though, as Vaughn can surprise with his speed and hands, plus his blocking will keep him on the field. Vaughn can score double-digit touchdowns given his ability with a mere 200 carries, similar to Mark Ingram.

Joshua Kelley, UCLA
+ Momentum carries him through tacklers; strong build up top and through his legs; gets up to speed quickly for his size; good receiver
- Throttles down too much going into breaks or moving laterally; not elusive so takes a lot of hits; takes what is available but doesn't create much his own
= Kelley is a first and second down power back, who can pile up touchdowns on the right team. He's a good enough receiver to see work there, but his lack of creativity and elusiveness will limit his upside to a likely shared backfield.

Darius Anderson, Texas Christian
+ Ran 4.61 but plays faster; shows good speed and control in his runs; picks up yards in bunches – both the speed to make them and power to break many tackles; three-down ability
- Runs fast, but hesitates too much before making moves and deciding when to cut back; first step is a bit slow (4.61 40-yard shows that); will try to bounce outside a bit too much
= Anderson could be a three-down back in the NFL as well, but his limitations/concerns will have him as a backup as a rookie. Decisiveness can be encouraged and taught, but if it's a vision thing (ex: Trent Richardson running into the line), Anderson might be a regular backup with plenty of potential if the lead was hurt.

Deejay Dallas, Miami
+ Great receiver (and versatile) given wideout experience; good power; deceptive pop in his step and can get up to speed quickly; deceptive angles in the open field
- Doesn't vary speed enough; still developing as a running back, which carries to pass protection; embraces contact a bit too much
= Dallas hasn't reached his full potential as a converted receiver. That background makes him a great threat in the passing game, and Dallas is a tough tackle given his speed/power combination. If he develops in pass protection and the intelligence of a runner to evade tacklers more often, Dallas has a real chance to be a backfield leader.

Eno Benjamin, Arizona State
+ Surprising strength for his size; elusive runner with cuts, gearing down (and back up) and moves; can dance through traffic
- Will overrun the play or on top of developing blocks; on that note, tries to do too much at times and creates lost yards; was better in 2018
= Benjamin has a definite play concern in 2019 and needs to improve his football IQ. However, his shiftiness and elusive style will give many defenders fits trying to tackle him. Benjamin could be a team's top option with time, but even then, he's likely part of a timeshare, possibly in the Lindsay mold (there are a lot of Lindsay types this year).

THE REST

James Robinson, Illinois State
= Robinson is a quality running back with a heavy workload, strong production throughout those touches and good intelligence. However, Robinson lacks an excellent athletic trait, isn't elusive and has a slight ball-control concern. Robinson "does what it takes" to succeed but could struggle behind a weak line or an innovative offense.

Raymond Calais, Louisiana-Lafayette
= Calais has some Darren Sproles upside… if he improves in the passing game. He has nice short-area burst and wiggle, and Calais succeeds in getting outside and getting defenders on skates. As it stands now, he's Sproles without the heavy passing-game work, which obviously limits his potential. Calais could also see early work on special teams.

Reggie Corbin, Illinois
= Going back to Calais, Corbin feels a bit more like Sproles, as with his quick play, he's a bit of a better pass-catcher. However, he struggles with blocking, understandably, given his 5'8", 200-pound frame. Fortunately, Corbin can rip off a big play at a moment's notice.

Benny LeMay, Charlotte
= LeMay is a small-school prospect with big-school ability, showing proficiency in the passing game and vision/intelligence to produce yards regularly. LeMay can get happy feet and hesitate to hit the hole at times, and he's lacking a great burst, but he has the potential to be a No. 3 running back in the NFL.

Rico Dowdle, South Carolina
= Dowdle is well-built at 5'11", 213 pounds and changes speeds well for that size. Dowdle rarely gets knocked backward, and he makes good cuts and shows lateral quickness usually seen in smaller players. On the downside, several injuries to date are a concern, and Dowdle doesn't evade too many tackles and can lose balance. He could be a sleeper though.

Michael Warren, Cincinnati
= Warren is a great example of true yards after contact. He'll slip defenders regularly, keeps his feet moving and is an above-average pass-catcher. There are a lot of people who want him to drop weight to gain a bit more explosiveness, and he will run into his line and tacklers instead of letting plays develop. He's an early-down back with a bit of potential for more if he's willing.

Salvon Ahmed, Washington
= Ahmed has great footwork – like he's always running the tire drill – which helps him avoid closing tacklers. While Ahmed is also a good pass-catcher and is quick overall, he can take too many steps and hesitate. Ahmed will also struggle to get the edge or run away from the second level, pointing to a backup option in the NFL.

Darrynton Evans, Appalachian State
= Zero, yes zero, fumbles in his 482 carries. Evans has great vision and balance, always finding the defenders, space to run and/or new lanes. Evans is lacking as a blocker and will slow down to brace for tackles, offsetting his vision upside. As with most running backs in this tier, Evans is a likely No. 3 option out of the draft, but a team could fall in love if they believe they can coach up his toughness.

THE REST-ER

J.J. Taylor, Arizona
= Listed at 5'5", 185, Taylor is one of the smallest prospects in the draft but, fortunately, a lot of his strength lies in his legs. Taylor looks like a lightning bug, and he can be an immediate return game factor. He looks to be a pure pass-catching and return game option for the NFL.

JaMycal Hasty, Baylor
= Hasty has a great combination of balance, lateral movement and change of direction. He's a good receiver but weak blocker, which hurts his potential, obviously, and has better short-area speed than breakaway ability. Hasty looks to be a third-down/No. 3 running back option.

LeVante Bellamy, Western Michigan
= Not to bring up Phillip Lindsay again, but his success can only help Bellamy. Listed at 5'8", 190 pounds, Bellamy will struggle between the tackles but isn't useless there. He has plenty of burst and quickness and can shake some softer tackles. Bellamy scored with regularity, and while his injuries will cause some to shy away when factoring in his size, Lindsay proved to the NFL that a running back like this can succeed.

Javon Leake, Maryland
= Leake is a good zone runner and does well to find lanes without breaking his momentum. He's a straight-line runner and gets up to speed quickly. Leake isn't the most agile, tries to bounce outside a bit too much and lacks pass-blocking strength. He can be part of a strong NFL duo, but as seen in college, he rarely carried a heavy load.

Tony Jones, Notre Dame
= Jones is a good-sized running back, who's pretty solid as a pass-catcher, as Notre Dane QB Ian Book's struggles sometimes masked Jones' potential. Jones was inconsistent in his own right, and he doesn't have terrific moves. Jones does have good vision and pass protection ability, so there is some promise here.

Scottie Phillips, Mississippi
= Phillips has good initial quickness and rarely gets stopped in the backfield, and he adds yards with good long speed and quick moves. Phillips will struggle to run between the tackles, failing to see thin lanes or needed adjustments. He's also been hit with the injury bug and needs to improve as a receiver. There is definite talent here, but he'll be a No. 3 option to start, at best.

Pete Guerriero, Monmouth
= Emory Hunt mocked Guerriero late to the Dolphins in this video. Extremely fast and quick and could surprise as a UDFA if given the chance as a team's Riddick-like option.

Other Names to Consider (Will Write-up if Drafted)

Sewo Olonilua, Texas Christian; Moe Neal, Syracuse

WIDE RECEIVERS

TIER 1

Ceedee Lamb, Oklahoma
+ Amazing after the catch; fools defenders with shifts in speeds; separation from that speed but also rarely tied up/arm tangled; catches nearly everything near him
- Can get jammed early; room to improve his routes; creates space with speed variation and football intelligence but lacks elite speed to slip best corners
= As with the Tier 1 of running backs, the areas of improvement here are minor and less of a downside than players in Tier 3 or lower. Lamb has all the makings of a No. 1 wideout in the NFL and fantasy. He's dangerous short or deep, and even without elite speed, cleaning up his routes and adding a bit of muscle will make him a nightmare for defenses.

Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
+ Gets upfield extremely fast given his legs/stride; masks his direction very well; great route runner, great stop-and-go; tracks the ball well
- Can be out-muscled; some drop issues, though they appear to be more concentration-related; less effective on quick breaks and short-area routes
= Jeudy feels like another big-slot receiver in the mold of a JuJu Smith-Schuster, though JJSS has a bit more muscle. Jeudy could add some to be a true No. 1 in the NFL, but even without it, his only downside is struggling against the stronger corners… well, and the drops, which should never happen with his skill.

Henry Ruggs, Alabama
+ Elite speed; gets downfield and behind defenders with ease; uses speed to stack and put corners on heels; sells all routes well; snatches the ball out of the air; YAC machine with his speed
- Can struggle with press and getting jammed off the line; sometimes the ball gets on top of him and he'll let defenders beat him to the ball; vision good, not great
= Starting with his final area of need, Ruggs could improve on finding spaces in zone and tracking/adjusting to the ball downfield. Again, remember, nitpicking a top prospect here. Ruggs doesn’t have much room to bulk up, so a team will need to find ways to help him avoid getting jammed often, but someone compared Ruggs to Ted Ginn… and that's underselling him. I see a better version of Ginn, one with superior hands.

TIER 2

Justin Jefferson, LSU
+ Glides in his routes, avoiding contact; great extension and radius; good first step and quickness; finds weak spots in the defense
- Struggles versus man; route running on outside routes and press lacking; needs more aggression attacking the ball
= Jefferson has the size and catch radius to be an easy target. However, sometimes he'll get lazy going for the ball, making the catch tougher or even losing it. Jefferson needs a bit more route precision too, but with those easy improvements, Jefferson's smoothness and athleticism combo gives him No. 1 upside.

K.J. Hamler, Penn State
+ Exceptionally quick and explosive; almost immediately open out of the slot; finds the ball quickly in the short-to-intermediate area; video game-like running his routes
- Size obvious concern; inconsistent hands; can get loose in his routes; shies away from congested areas or potential hits (understandably)
= Hamler's size will limit his potential, but that won't stop him from being a No. 2 on the right team, similar to Cole Beasley for the Bills last year. And he's better than Beasley, as he's near-impossible to lock down in man and is wildly evasive. However, he'll struggle in traffic and have his own concerns against the "big boys". Also, could improve on not letting the ball get into his chest.

Tee Higgins, Clemson
+ Stands 6'4", 215 and uses every part of it; one of the best at attacking the catch point; somehow finds areas to hide in zone (he's 6'4" people!)
- A bit tight in his lower half running routes; lets strong corners bump him off routes; doesn't use arm to fight defenders enough; sometimes telegraphs route breaks and cuts
= Higgins has a high ceiling and could be one of the best receivers in this class. Despite boasting great size, catch point aggressiveness and zone intelligence, his route limitations, reluctance to fight off defenders with his long arms and "muscle up" will limit him to a No. 2 receiver.

Michael Pittman, USC
+ Another big receiver — 6'3", 220 lbs — but uses size and arms better than Higgins; runs most routes well; reliable; above-average in most areas
- Minor struggles include: press coverage, deep routes, early/short separation; slight concern of volume-weighted production
= You'll see "possession receiver" tossed around with Pittman's name, and that's not a bad thing. Some of the better No. 2 options and better receivers have been possession options. Pittman can at least be that reliable option on third down and in the red zone… as a worst-case scenario. He has upside to be a Top 25 receiver.

TIER 3

Laviska Shenault, Colorado
+ Plays well outside or in the slot; can get on top of, stack and pass by corners easily; great 3S combo (size, speed, strength); adjusts and positions to the ball well, winning plenty of contested throws
- Struggles with ins and quick route cuts and telegraphs some of these routes; injury concerns; mediocre blocker; can drift and/or lose track of his position on deeper routes, cutting the quarterback window
= Shenault narrowly missed Tier 2, and most years, he and the rest here would be Tier 2 options, but receiver is getting insanely deep – both in the NFL and this draft. Currently, Shenault offers enough innate talent to be productive as a No. 2 option but with inconsistency. Improving a few weaknesses could push Shenault into the Top 25-30 NFL wideout discussion.

Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
+ Rarely doesn't add YAC; great hands and catch radius; loses defenders with ease – would win any game of tag; finds and creates space regularly
- Press and bump coverage can bottle him up; can also get pushed off developing routes; doesn’t consistently win 50/50 balls; needs to attack the ball at the point of catch more
= Aiyuk is a gifted receiver and dangerous once the ball is in his hands. He looks comfortable at the position, only struggling when strong corners get in his face. Aiyuk has the size to fight them off more often if he's coached up. Even with those flaws, Aiyuk looks to be a reliable and consistent No. 3 receiver, WR3/4 type overall.

Jalen Reagor, Texas Christian
+ Big-play waiting to happen; quick and fast, getting to top speed in a hurry; cuts back with ease, not losing speed; rarely tackled in space, even overcoming corners with the closing edge
- Speed testing (4.47 40 and 7.31 3-cone) disappointed at combine; struggles versus press and strong corners; sometimes appears to be headed in a different direction than the football, but that could be attributed to the poor quarterback play; lets defenders stay too close downfield
= If one more person calls Reagor explosive, I might… well… explode. To be fair, he is despite his combine performance. Don't forget that everyone was concerned with D.K. Metcalf's 3-cone number last year (7.38). With Reagor looking slightly better the previous year and the TCU offense potentially boosting his numbers, he'll likely fall to Day 2 of the draft. Many years, Reagor might have still slipped into the first round if someone fell in love with his smooth game and terrific speed. Press corners will frustrate him early in his career, but as again seen with Metcalf, use Reagor properly and you could have a No. 2 wideout on your hands.

Chase Claypool, Notre Dame
+ Great size and uses it well (6'4", 230); seemingly no such thing as contested catches, because he wins them all; NFL level blocker; good luck tackling him
- Contested catches partly due to lack of separation; plays slower than testing times; lacks one-step/move breaks
= Claypool is a beast of a receiver, but it appears he either enjoys it or doesn't have the feel for adding more agility and elusiveness to his game. If Claypool ran the field anything like his combine suggests and ran crisper routes, he has the makings of a No. 1 receiver. However, that's tough to overcome quickly, putting Claypool in the immediate WR3/4, red zone, big-body target range.

Van Jefferson, Florida
+ One of the smartest receivers; exceptional route runner; hands so good, looks like he lives with a Jugs machine; works to the ball and his quarterback; draws his coverage into poor positioning
- Lacks speed to be a major deep-route threat; can get jammed early; age and athleticism (modest) slight concerns; can get bumped around by corners; foot surgery concern
= Jefferson likely settles in as an NFL slot receiver, but that's not a terrible thing given his strengths. He's obviously been coached up a ton by his dad (NFL receiver coach) and has envious intelligence, especially as a route runner. Jefferson's NFL and fantasy impact are somewhat limited due to being a slot option, but some Terry McLaurin-like appeal could be here.

Denzel Mims, Baylor
+ Great vertical threat; 4.38 40-yard dash shows great speed for his size (6'2", 207); attacks the ball with his hands, snatching out of the air; highly competitive; red zone/touchdown playmaker
- Likes to stack a bit too much – runs into coverage/contact at times; short speed better than long; footwork and quickness from breaks lacking; doesn't fool many corners with route running and moves
= Mims can be frustrating to watch at times. I texted Emory Hunt to say I watched three straight plays where he ran to the corner and made contact, and I thought he was blocking on two of them. They were all pass plays, where he was running deeper routes. Mims has the catch ability and body to succeed. He also needs significant route work, intelligence on body placement and speed management (maintaining, varying, etc.). Mims has No. 2 wideout upside, but he also has a low floor.

TIER 4

Lynn Bowden, Kentucky
+ Creative and understands ways to give the QB more looks (option QB); shows moves and elusiveness of a running back; immediately looking to add yards after the catch; versatility
- Doesn't vary speed enough, particularly to gain route/break separation; also lacking sharpness in some routes; ball security and physicality need to improve
= Give Bowden credit for doing "whatever it takes." He'd do wonders for an innovative coach, as he has more than just Tavon Austin-like versatility. While Bowden can offer options, has good elusiveness and athleticism, his limitations likely have him as a gadget player to start.

Antonio Gandy-Golden, Liberty
+ Terrific size at 6'3", 223 pounds and good speed for it; find areas to exploit in zone; can work outside or inside as a big slot; uses size to win catches, positions body for the catch; out-jumps defenders with ease
- Lacking first-step explosion; routes better versus zone than man; football IQ decent, needs improvement (when to improvise, timing, etc.); level of competition lacking
= AGG often dominated at Liberty, but questions of stepping to the NFL level and stronger corners remain. Additionally, he needs more precision in some routes and the added smarts to give his quarterback more room to work. The good news is that Gandy-Golden shows the ability to grow in those areas and is already a matchup problem, even in the NFL. He’ll never wow with elusiveness or agility, but AGG doesn't need to, as he can be a great No. 2 given his plus abilities.

Bryan Edwards, South Carolina
+ Eats zone coverage for breakfast; works well in the short or deep game; gets hands up and to the ball quickly; uses his body very well; almost always shows max effort
- Curls and runs soft routes; man/press coverage can frustrate him; straight-line runner with the ball; one area lacking effort is contested catches
= Edwards has the size to use his body better than he does for 50/50 balls and at the point of catch. He's never going to be overly elusive, but Edwards can get more separation and work in man coverage by becoming more technical with his routes. Edwards is already smart and talented enough to beat up the zone regularly; he just needs to be more complete to be a true No. 2.

Collin Johnson, Texas
+ Enviable size and athleticism (6'5", 222 lbs); goes up and gets everything, using every inch of his body and arms; physical in his routes and attacking the ball; stacks corners to win on deep routes where his top-end speed isn't elite
- Can get jammed early; lacking short-area effectiveness, elusiveness, getting open quickly; gets tackled too quickly after the catch at times
= Johnson's size was always going to limit his sharpness/quickness for some cuts and in short space. However, a bit more deception and nuance in his route running would serve him well. Johnson is gifted athletically, and he knows how to use his body well, but without the added improvement, he could easily be stuck in a No. 3 role, relying on touchdowns.

Gabriel Davis, UCF
+ Strong both as a receiver and blocker; large catch radius; good downfield speed and tracking; once up to speed, can surprise corners by getting by them or putting on heels
- Route running lacking; slow initial step gets him into jam issues; a bit stiff, including when turning to the QB and ball; occasional drop issues
= Davis currently profiles as another big-play, nine-route option with some red-zone potential. Getting out the box quicker would go a long way to finding separation more frequently. Davis needs some refinement, but he can be a late-round pick and return value in 2-3 years.

Isaiah Coulter, Rhode Island
+ Tier 1 athleticism with size to match (6'2", 198 lbs); overcomes press and bump coverage with moves; terrific hands, catching off-target throws and snatches the ball; good routes and ability to find space
- Waits on the ball too much; short and in routes can become more precise; needs to mask his routes more and shield off defenders using his size
= Coulter has one of the highest ceiling in this tier with the body, athleticism, hands and moves to be a Top 25 receiver. The step up from Rhode Island to the NFL is massive, as is the risk for bust potential, given that leap and his lack of aggression. Coulter is coachable, and if he continues his ascension, a team will have found their 2020 "diamond."

K.J. Hill, Ohio State
+ Route technician; space detective; great hands; no fear taking on strong corners or in traffic
- Average speed, explosiveness and burst; mainly a slot option; shows more creativity before the catch than after it
= Hill feels a bit like a Randall Cobb/Cole Beasley mashup with more of the skills leaning Cobb's way and the gameplay Beasley's way (and more Cobb's size). Hill looks to be the consistent, "go-to" receiver on third down, when needing someone to find space and keep the chains moving, etc.

Devin Duvernay, Texas
+ Track star with 4.39 40; pushes and stacks corners very well; good movement and even better after the catch; shows power, particularly against would-be tacklers, that many bigger receivers lack
- Routes are inconsistent; loses too many contested catches, partly due to his body placement; better getting upfield with straight-line moves than agility and lateral ability
= Duvernay is a weird combination. He's best in the slot but has deep-play ability that could be even better with more consistency and precision. Duvernay looks to be a highly-athletic receiver with upside to make real NFL noise with coaching and improvement. Whether or not he's another gifted receiver that never catches on because of technique depends on him.

Donovan Peoples-Jones, Michigan
+ High-level route breaks; catches difficult passes; tough body at the catch and to add YAC; smart fieldwork
- Underwhelming athleticism (good 40, but plays slowly, similar to Claypool); regularly struggles against press/man; doesn't separate consistently, even working as a big slot; stats lacking
= Peoples-Jones never really produced to his recruiting pedigree, partly due to his average athletic skills. He's great at the reception skills, intelligence and even as a blocker, but unless he spends a lot of time on improving his playing speed and initial burst, Peoples-Jones is a big target who will struggle to find consistent time.

Tyler Johnson, Minnesota
+ Madden-like in making seemingly impossible radius catches; field-working technician – finding space, adjusting to his quarterback on scramble drills, etc.; consistent option for a first down or in the red zone;
- Lacks great speed and quickness; often slow out of breaks; catch radius could be even larger with better high-pointing skills; can miss targets short-to-middle due to lack of separation and some contested drops
= Johnson is/will be best served exposing zone coverage and being the go-to option when needing a conversion or touchdown. Basically, he's a great possession receiver, but his athleticism downside will limit him to that and not much more. A No. 3 role for a team is possible, but he might end up like Demarcus Robinson.

THE REST

James Proche, Southern Methodist
= Proche is a very sudden and quick receiver that will have corners struggling to stay balanced and keep up with him out of his breaks. He's also one of the best at finding and tracking the ball, even winning many contested catches, when his size would suggest otherwise. Even with that, Proche still drops a few too many passes, he doesn't have deep-field speed and needs to stack defenders and position himself a bit more – it almost seems like he enjoys fighting coverage. Proche could be a starting slot option for a few teams, possibly even as a rookie.

Kalija Lipscomb, Vanderbilt
= Lipscomb was able to work out of the slot and outside in large part due to his quick cuts and route work. He has good size and doesn't shy away from the middle of the field and has good hands. Lipscomb's frame is built to add more muscle, and that would help him push back press coverage better and win more balls. Lipscomb has the potential to be one of the Top 3 receivers for an NFL team.

Quintez Cephus, Wisconsin
= Cephus is an above-average possession receiver but below average in athletic traits. He has some nice games against tough opponents, but much of his success and film show a move-the-chains type with extremely reliable hands. Cephus' lack of burst will limit his short and underneath success, and likely usage, but he can be another No. 3 or 4 option and would fit well for teams with smaller and quicker, or deep-threat only, options.

Quez Watkins, Southern Miss
= Watkins is a great deep-field option already, as he possesses great tracking skills and good speed to get behind the secondary. Watkins also struggled against stronger competition and is a bit rough in his routes. He still has enough ability and upside to catch on as a James Washington to start, eventually developing into more.

Isaiah Hodgins, Oregon State
= Hodgins has some of the best hands in the class, and he's smoother than you'd expect from someone 6'4" and 210 pounds. Hodgins also uses his body well to fend off defenders and give the quarterback a big target. His speed and explosiveness are lacking, which helps corners stay with him and even bump him off his routes. Hodgins also doesn't offer much after the catch, but at risk of repeating myself, there are opportunities for reliable, big-body receivers as a No. 4 option.

Jauan Jennings, Tennessee
= Good-sized receiver who gives maximum effort on every play, Jennings can put up yards after the catch, breaking tackles with his power. He doesn't have the big-play speed, and needs to add some nuance to his route-running. Jennings can be a possession receiver as a team's No. 3 with time, possibly even by Year 2.

THE REST, PART 2

Aaron Parker, Rhode Island
= Parker doesn't lose the target battle often, as he uses his size and strength well, gives the quarterback a nice target and always looks in control. Parker is pretty good in the short-to-intermediate area as well, but quicker defenders will jump him/the route, as he works up to speed. If he improves as a route-runner, he could be a nice late-round development pick.

Marquez Callaway, Tennessee
= Callaway gets downfield easily and tracks well, making the most of his decent speed. Callaway has good hands, making tough and contested catches regularly. However, a lot of the contested receptions are because he hasn't separated. He takes a bit to get going, making him mainly a deep threat and/or possession target for now.

Austin Mack, Ohio State
= Mack has a good build and quality speed to match. He's also a solid route runner, slipping past and free of defenders and hauls in plenty of off-target throws. However, he's never produced much, he's had some injuries, he lets the ball get on top of him and waits on the pass versus attacking it. Mack has more upside than most in this tier.

Quartney Davis, Texas A&M
= Davis is primarily a slot receiver, but he creates problems for defenders given he's 6'1", 200 pounds. He does well with congested area receptions, and he'll look to get back to the quarterback when plays break down. Davis does need to clean up his routes, and due to so-so speed and not much explosiveness out of his route cuts, defenders can stay with him more easily than most.

Binjimen Victor, Ohio State
= Victor's size is in his height (6'3") but also his wingspan (81 4/8"). Can you say catch radius? He was very productive on a per-catch basis, regularly scoring and carrying a 16.1 YPR. Victor is a smooth route runner, but his frame is a bit slim (198 pounds), and his footwork slows him down, despite showing short-area quickness. Victor isn't a finished prospect, and if he can clean up his routes, see the field a bit better and add some muscle, he could be a developmental receiver that turns into a No. 3 option in his second or third season.

Joe Reed, Virginia
= Reed adjusts to the ball well and knows how to position against defenders for the ball. Reed can also lineup at each of the three receiver positions and gets upfield after the catch quickly. As with many in the lower range, route running is an issue, and for Reed, it's both lack of deception and explosiveness in his routes. Reed will likely be roster depth and/or a kick returner to start.

John Hightower, Boise State
= Hightower has decent speed, but the way he uses it helps him succeed more than he would otherwise. He'll get good separation in the intermediate game, but lacks short-area speed to beat the quickest corners, and he'll struggle regularly against strong players.

Omar Bayless, Arkansas State
= Bayless is a nine-route guy as of now, being a significant threat downfield with solid hands, tracking and improvisation. He's also limited in the short-to-intermediate game with soft routes, limited route work and can lose contested balls.

Other Names to Consider (Will Write-up if Drafted)

Dezmon Patmon, Washington State; Aaron Fuller, Washington; Darnell Mooney, Tulane; Juwan Johnson, Oregon; Freddie Swain, Florida; Quan Shorts, Northwestern State; Jeff Thomas, Miami; Manasseh Bailey, Morgan State

TIGHT ENDS

TIER 1

This is the weakest tight end class that I can remember. I'm not going to put any tight ends in Tier 1, as I just don't see any who are warranted. Some are close in Tier 2, but there just aren't any "elite" prospects… and why Tier 2 is so large.

TIER 2

Hunter Bryant, Washington
+ Explosive and runs past linebackers with ease; great combination of hands, attacking the ball and adjusting quickly to off-target throws; athleticism to overcome coverage and rack up yards after the catch
- Size is concerning, particularly arm length; better as a straight-line runner; doesn't show a clear advantage at winning contested catches
= Bryant is an athletic mismatch who can run past most of his competition (defense or similar tight ends comps). However, he's lacking as an in-line tight end option and there's little proof that he has the strength to out-muscle bigger opponents and win his blocks, even with great technique there. Nevertheless, Bryant can succeed in the mold of an Evan Engram type who isn't asked to push his limitations.

Adam Trautman, Dayton
+ Arguably the best receiving tight end in the draft; NFL size with speed to match; good route breaks, creating added space where his speed already has; adjusts extremely well
- Blocking not terrible but needs improvement; concerns about exploiting low level of competition (rarely jammed or faced defenders that matched him athletically); sometimes loses speed both on breaks that don't continue downfield (ins, comebacks, etc.) and even after the catch
= Trautman carries the small-school concern with tape that clearly shows how much more advanced of an athlete he was compared to most anyone. He also needs to maintain his effort through all areas of his game and improve some as a blocker. If Trautman looks anything like he did in college, he'll be a top tight end in the league for years.

Cole Kmet, Notre Dame
+ Great size/build for an NFL tight end; great hands as well; smooth and a real problem for defenses with seam routes; smart at finding space and adjusting – needed to make adjustments weekly with inconsistency of QB Ian Book
- Poor blocker in several ways; gets jammed early and sometimes even trying to make his breaks; could be more aggressive going for the catch; athleticism is solid but not a mismatch
= Some have Kmet as the top tight end and some have him outside their Top 5. He is definitely polarizing. His poor blocking will limit his snap count as a rookie, and while he has enviable size and good athleticism, he doesn't always get the most out of it, particularly when fighting tough defenders. Kmet has the size to do more if he's teachable, and by Year 2, he could be a team's go-to tight end.

Devin Asiasi, UCLA
+ Beast (6'3" and 279 pounds with surprising burst/speed given his size); sees opportunities to sit into coverage gaps; uses power to keep coverage off him and good route runner
- Not a great blocker; while smart in finding space, can get lackadaisical and wait too long instead of improvising; just one real season of production; weight concerns?
= Asiasi could be a nightmare matchup for defenses, as he's already a problem, even with his question marks. His surprising speed makes him near impossible to stop after the catch. If he keeps his weight in check (inconsistent at times in college) and develops as expected, a team could have a monster tight end threat similar to Rob Gronkowski.

Harrison Bryant, Florida Atlantic
+ Well above average in several areas: route running, athleticism, intelligence, speed; varies his speed at a level you normally see in wideouts; gets back up to speed quickly, whether out of breaks or after the catch
- Needs a bit more toughness at the point of catch; similar power concern for blocking; can let the defender undercut him or beat him to the ball
= Bryant feels like the Frank Gore (in his prime) of tight ends. He does almost everything significantly better than the average player, has just a few minor flaws but also no exceptional/standout traits. Bryant can easily succeed in the NFL, if nothing more than as a pure pass-catching tight end. Once again though, limited blocking skills will often keep rookie tight ends from seeing the field early.

Brycen Hopkins, Purdue
+ Another great route runner, even if he was a wideout; good vision for finding space and the quarterback; improved yearly; doesn't fear hits/contact
- While he doesn't show fear, can sometimes get out-muscled; drops are a concern, though they appear to be concentration issues at times; will struggle to lose man coverage
= Hopkins' route work, vision and desire (always "gives 100%") will give him a chance to succeed in the NFL. He must improve his hands and beating man coverage to be a long term No. 1 tight end for an NFL team.

TIER 3

Cheyenne (C.J.) O'Grady, Arkansas
+ Moves very well for someone 6'4" and 250+ pounds; extremely tough to beat at the point of catch and bring down after receptions; similar to Kmet and dangerous on seam routes
- Lacks moves and elusiveness to shake defenders before and after the catch; needs route refinement; off-field issues; misses spots to sit in space sometimes
= O'Grady has equal opportunity to continue his development and be a problem for NFL defenders as he does becoming a No. 2 in 12 sets.

THE REST

Jared Pinkney, Vanderbilt
= While Pinkney is a good athlete, he's not a matchup problem or game-breaker. He has good hands and an edge to his blocking game, but he'll have a tough time ascending past being a No. 2 tight end.

Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri
= Don't ask me to pronounce his name (at least without preparing). Big O is a big threat in the red zone but should win a few more balls given his size. To have a successful career in the NFL, Okwuegbunam needs to shake coverage better and show more consistency downfield. As of today, he's mainly a threat in the short-game and end zone.

Colby Parkinson, Stanford
= Possibly the truest example of an Evan Engram/George Kittle/David Njoku type: aka, oversized receiver masking as a tight end. The biggest difference is that Parkinson lacks their quickness and can struggle with being overpowered at the point of catch. Parkinson is lacking as a blocker too, but if a team uses him as part of a 12-set as the pass-catching option, he could have success.

Thaddeus Moss, LSU
= Moss will latch on in the NFL if a team appreciates his blocking and looks to get him involved in short space and exploiting zone coverage. Moss isn't a terrific athlete and could struggle regularly against the bodies in the NFL. Fortunately, Moss is still an unfinished prospect, so he could surprise in time.

Other Names to Consider (Will Write-up if Drafted)

Josiah Deguara, Cincinnati; Dalton Keene, Virginia Tech; Mitchell Wilcox, USF; Jacob Breeland, Oregon; Stephen Sullivan, LSU

Photos: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images; Todd Kirkland / Icon Sportswire; Todd Kirkland / Getty Images; Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images; Alika Jenner / Getty Images