2020 NFL Draft Rumors

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This is just a catchall thread of rumors leading up to the draft and not my personal opinions on any of the prospects.

 

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NFL Draft Musings:The falling draft stock of some Alabama prospects

Back in late December, I reported that Nick Saban was pushing his underclassmen to return for another season in Tuscaloosa, as the early information from scouts on the Alabama Crimson Tide juniors fell short of prognostications from the outside. This report was confirmed just a few weeks later with a story confirming that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was the only underclassmen to receive a top-15 grade from scouts and the advisory committee.

OT Jedrick Wills Jr.

From a positive standpoint, Wills is a nasty blocker who plays with a violent attitude and superior strength. He opens up running lanes, and once he gets his hands on opponents, it’s game over. The problems are stiffness, footwork off the edge, and the inability to block with proper pad level.

WR Jerry Jeudy

Jeudy also needs space to work and lacks a physical nature to his game.

Whenever he’s crowded, either trying to make the reception or running after the catch, it’s a different story; Jeudy struggles. All too often I watched him finish plays by voluntarily running out of bounds. I could see Jeudy taking a Calvin Ridley-like tumble on draft day.

WR Henry Ruggs III

Jerry Jeudy and DeVonta Smith posted superior pass-catching numbers, and too many times I felt Ruggs’ opportunities came as teams were concentrating on that duo. I think he’s a developmental prospect whose speed and yards per catch mesmerize many.

 

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Senior Bowl Postscript – January 28, 2020

Baylor WR Denzel Mims could run into Day 2 of the NFL Draft

Denzel Mims was one of three receivers I raved about all week on podcasts and on Twitter, and scouts agree that the Baylor wideout helped himself. Teams were impressed with the way he separated with his hands as well as the speed he showed during practice.

Florida WR Van Jefferson impressed scouts

The other wideout receiving rave reviews is Van Jefferson of Florida. Like Mims, scouts were impressed with the way Jefferson separated from opponents and caught the ball. They believe Jefferson could move into the second day of the draft if he runs fast prior to the event.

Several players – big and small – make their presence known

Kyle Dugger of Lenoir-Rhyne and Jeremy Chinn of Southern Illinois were two small-school safeties who left Mobile in better shape than when they arrived. There is some concern that Chinn won’t test that well at the Combine or pro-day workouts.

Teams gushed over Utah’s Bradlee Anae and were really impressed with his athleticism and pass-rushing skill. For what it’s worth, some scouts are worried about his arm length, which measured 31 7/8 inches.

Latest NFL news and rumors from Mobile at the 2020 Senior Bowl | PFN

 

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Harrison Bryant TE, Florida Atlantic Owls

An unnamed scout told ESPN writers at last week's Reese's Senior Bowl that FAU TE Harrison Bryant has the potential to be "George Kittle 2.0" at the next level.
Bryant (6'4/242) may not be a high-profile draft prospect in the eyes of those who focus on the players from power conference programs, but his name is well-known among NFL scouts. And one believes that he could potentially have an impact in the NFL similar to that of Kittle, the 49ers standout. "You can spread him out. He's good at route running, pass catching and blocking," the scout, who was also complimentary of Bryant's ability as a blocker, told ESPN writers. "Put him in the right situation and he can be explosive. He's really polished." Bryant caught 65 passes for 1,004 yards and seven touchdowns in 2019 for the Conference USA champion Owls. He's projected to be a Day 2 selection in this spring's draft.

Source: ESPN.com
Jan 28, 2020, 4:31 PM ET

NFL DRAFT: TE Harrison Bryant can be 'Kittle 2.0'

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Supposedly Fins spent a ton of on Fromm/Herbert fwiw. Doesn't mean they love both. Sometimes a team will spend a lot time on guys their on the fence about.

 

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Scouts Speak: Senior Bowl Prospects on the Rise

"The Dayton kid, Adam Trautman,” one scout said. “He's a carbon copy of [Dallas] Goedert coming out of South Dakota State but he runs looser and is just as talented as a pass catcher. Blocking needs work, but the effort and technique are easily there and improvable."

There's a wide belief his stock is trending toward being an early-to-mid-second-round selection.

"Josh Jones,” another scout mentioned. “The left tackle from Houston. He's looked great here so far. Didn't know what he'd weigh in at because he looked a little thin on film in his lower half, but 311 is a great weight for him."

Tabbed as the most athletic blocker coming into the event, he did everything to live up to the hype and more. Jones helped himself enter the first-round discussion.

"Josh Uche was an absolute star this week,” a scout said. “I don't quite know where to play him yet, but he'll be a great addition to a defensive room somewhere."

During the weigh-in, he measured at 6-foot-1 and 241 pounds, which were solid numbers for him. He also went out during the week of practice and looked as athletic as he did on tape. The most surprising part was how natural he was in coverage.

Being seen as an early Day 3 talent coming into the week, there are some that believe he improved his stock a "Round 1 or 2." That's how improved he was in Mobile.

"Kyle Dugger blew me away with how well put together his body was and then to go out there and perform like that,” a scout said. “That was really, really impressive. He's like Keanu Neal-lite. That's my best comparison for him."

While many are still waiting to see how he stacks up at the combine, top-50 chatter has become a realistic possibility for the Division II standout. Dugger showed off his versatility as a free and strong safety as well as a blitzing threat off of the edge and made many teams believers after seeing that his skills translated to his upper-echelon counterparts.

The Draft Network

 

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Supposedly Fins spent a ton of on Fromm/Herbert fwiw. Doesn't mean they love both. Sometimes a team will spend a lot time on guys their on the fence about.

Don’t be surprised if Justin Herbert is the second QB off the board

Most people project Tagovailoa to be selected above Herbert. It’s too early to know, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Herbert elevated himself back up enough this past week to wind up being QB2. Being healthy matters most, and let’s just summate the week by stating a very general but broadly applicable declaration that echoed throughout Mobile all week: The NFL is a lot more skeptical about Tua’s health and ability to stay on the field than the draft media or the fans are. I expected it, but the degree to which it was validated caught me by surpris

Post 2020 Senior Bowl Notebook

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

NFL DRAFT: TE Harrison Bryant can be 'Kittle 2.0'

I'm loving him & Trautman and wouldn't be surprised if they're 1/2, top 50-60 guys.

Reagor seems like a 1st Rd prospect. I see teams comparing him & Ruggs as possible WR3 off the board. There's a lot to like about JR. Broke out early/production. Will test great. + Traits. Years of very good film.

I think Herbert going as QB2 is possible/more than likely at this point.
I said in another thread this year every QB is a guy you sort of have to gamble on. JB great year. Love/Herbert up/down. I wonder how Love would have done behind arguably the best OL in the country? Both are toolsy prospects. Herbert has + arm talent. Not like Love but he's got a + arm. Looks the part in terms of a potential RPO/RO imo. Durable. Again he didn't blow me away behind a great OL & more than solid team around him but I could see a team looking at him & falling.

Patrick Queen is a guy I think we'll love. You never know what position he's looking at or ahead on so there's that. But with KVN possibly leaving. HT getting older. I could see Queen being a hard look at 23. I can't fathom Bill not picking in the 2nd round. I think he trades back tbh. Give me to shots at the 2nd round this year instead of 1 at 23. Again I can see staying pat for a Queen or a small trade up for very few players. I would rather get 2 shots in the 2nd.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

The colts have two second round picks and they might get aggressive and trade them to us for number 23! Depending on who is available of course.

 

[patsfanfromoversea]

getting 2 second round picks would be really helpful, if kinlav, epenesa oder a good o line don't fall down to 23.
I'd like an IOL (Biadasz, Ruiz) and a OLB/DE (Uche..) in the second round to replace our FA's we can't resign. Maybe a Tight End if we can fix our front seven FA's with resigning other FA's. I'd like Schobert for a KVN replacement and a good pass rusher to replace collins.

 

[Scotty]

I dont see many calls for mekhi Becton, will he be gone or is there something wrong with his play/background that nobody likes him.....with my limited knowledge he looks a good pick

 

[Sciz]

I dont see many calls for mekhi Becton, will he be gone or is there something wrong with his play/background that nobody likes him.....with my limited knowledge he looks a good pick

Daniel Jeremiah had him 4th overall to the Lions in his mock draft a week ago.

 

[Scotty]

Oh, I guess we can count him out then....back to the drawing board

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Draft network had us taking a linebacker from Oklahoma in the first round.

 

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Matt Miller's Scouting Notebook: Which QBs Are Moving Up in 2020 NFL Draft?

 

[ctpatsfan77]

getting 2 second round picks would be really helpful, if kinlav, epenesa oder a good o line don't fall down to 23.

Sprechen sie deutsch?

 

[masterbouncer]

Sprechen Sie Deutsch?

got your back buddy

 

[patsfanfromoversea]

Sprechen sie deutsch?

Yes. I live near Frankfurt
Sorry, sometimes I just accidentaly use non english words;D

 

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The Scout's Report

Who are the safest prospects in the NFL draft? In conversations I've had with scouts coming out of team meetings this week, many believe the two safest prospects are from Ohio State.

Pass-rusher Chase Young and cornerback Jeff Okudah are the consensus safest in the class. As one area scout put it, "At a minimum I know those two are going to be really good starters if not great players for a long time."

The Indianapolis Colts select at No. 13 overall in the first round, and many analysts are predicting a quarterback selection, but plugged-in evaluators across the league disagree. Said one rival personnel director, "I could see them rolling with Brissett for another year and focusing hard on the pass rush because someone is going to fall and [GM Chris] Ballard can't help himself with 'best player available' picks."

The Atlanta Falcons own the No. 16 overall pick, and it's a given when talking to evaluators that they'll be going after a pass-rusher. One personnel man linked them to LSU's Chaisson if he's available, but most believe it will be between Iowa's A.J. Epenesa, Chaisson and perhaps Penn State's Yetur Gross-Matos, who has seen his stock climb as teams dig in on his play, potential and character.

Much time and space has been spent discussing the Miami Dolphins moving up from No. 5 overall to select quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, but there hasn't been as much talk about the team's second of three picks in Round 1. I'm told by many evaluators connected to the Dolphins that general manager Chris Grier will want to keep No. 18 overall to land an offensive tackle. Said one scout, "Don't be surprised if they ultimately move up from 5 and 18 to get Tua and a tackle."

Matt Miller's Scouting Notebook: K'Lavon Chaisson Will Dominate 2020 NFL Combine