Live Blog: 2020 NFL Draft
The NFL Draft kicks off tonight at 8:00 PM (Eastern), and that is when we'll start to find out how well the weekend will go for Notre Dame players and all of your favorite pro teams.
Irish Breakdown will run a live thread throughout the night and weekend, where we will give all the latest analysis of not only what the selections mean for Notre Dame players, but for every pick.
The updates will be provided in the main section of this article, but we also want to hear from all of you! What do you think of where the Fighting Irish players will go, what do you think of who your favorite NFL team took, or who should they have taken. Better yet, who should they take even before they make the selections!
Let's get going!
THURSDAY
Day one of the draft is over with no Notre Dame players being selected. This is the first time since 2017 that Notre Dame did not produce a first round pick.
PICK #32 - KANSAS CITY CHIEFS - Clyde Edwards-Hellaire, RB, LSU
Analysis: This is an intriguing pick. For me, this is more of a fit/need pick than a value pick. There are better running backs in this draft class, by far, but none of those backs are as good as Edwards-Hellaire in the pass game. He's a legit route runner and weapon out of the backfield, and that's what he brings to the offense. This isn't a great value pick, but when you're the defending champs you don't have as many holes as other teams. I think the smarter play would have have been an edge player, but this is a quality fit. Grade: C+
PICK #31 - MINNESOTA VIKINGS - Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
Analysis: I think this is a bit too high for Gladney, so the value isn't great, but it fits a need and he's a good football player. He can run and shows good ball skills, especially when playing off coverage. He'll compete for a smaller guy and I like that about him. Grade: B
PICK #30 - MIAMI DOLPHINS - Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn
Analysis: This an interesting pick for the Dolphins. Igbinoghene is still pretty raw, but he made a smooth transition to corner and he has an incredibly high ceiling. He's got good length, he can run and he has the tools to at the very least develop into a top-notch slot corner, but if he pans out and reaches his full potential he could one of the two or three best corners in this draft. Risky, but at #30 with the third pick of the first round this is the kind of risk you should take because the boom potential is so great. Grade: B+
PICK #29 - TENNESSEE TITANS - Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia
Analysis: Letting Jack Conklin walk meant the Titans needed to use their first round pick on Wilson. This is a reach pick for me and it's about Tennessee filling a need and reaching, which makes this a below average value pick. Wilson is raw and lacks experience, which only adds to the risk with this pick. He doesn't bend well at all and he never looked overly comfortable to me in pass pro. He's got some ability, but this was a reach for the Titans. Grade: C
PICK #28 - BALTIMORE RAVENS - Patrick Queen, ILB, LSU
Analysis: Queen came out of nowhere this year for LSU. He's still a bit erratic from an execution standpoint, but he's very athletic, he was productive and he can play the run, rush the quarterback and cover. This is also a position of huge need for Baltimore based on reports I've read heading into the draft. I've seen him projected by some in the Top 20 and Baltimore gets him at #28. This is a strong value pick, a need fit and a talented addition to the defense. Grade: B+
PICK #27 - SEATTLE SEAHAWKS - Jordyn Brooks, ILB, Texas Tech
Analysis: This was a need position for Seattle and the ILB is vital to Pete Carroll's defense. He's a rangy athlete that has really good short-area quickness and explosiveness as a hitter. He can also rush the quarterback. Grade: B-
PICK #26 - GREEN BACK PACKERS - Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Analysis: Okay, so the Packers got their QB of the future and the guy I felt was the second best QB in this draft. Love is raw but I think he has big time potential. But the issue is the Packers were in the NFC Championship last year and he had no weapons. How do you not get him some weapons here? Quite a head scratcher. But the reality is they got a Top 10-15 talent (in my opinion) at #26, but this is likely going to upset their future Hall of Fame QB who probably wants to win some more. Grade: B- (A for talent, C- for need)
PICK #25 - SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS - Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
Analysis: Aiyuk is a really intriguing player. He's around 6-0 but has an incredibly wide catch radius for that size. He can play a lot bigger than that size. He's an explosive wide receiver that can stretch the field and do serious damage after the catch. He's a strong player and a good fit for the 49ers offense that wants to run a lot of play-action throws. Grade: B
PICK #24 - NEW ORLEANS SAINTS - Cesar Ruiz, C/G, Michigan
Analysis: This is a head scratching pick in regards to need inside and the need to add more help on defense. But Ruiz, in my view, is hands down the best interior player in this draft class. He was a highly ranked recruit that took some time to develop, but he broke out this season and played outstanding football for Michigan. Any time you get the best player at a position, especially along the line, you are getting a quality player. My only issue is the need/value. Grade: B-
PICK #23 - LOS ANGELES CHARGERS - Kenneth Murray, ILB, Oklahoma
Analysis: Murray is a talented and highly productive player that was masked by playing on a really poor Oklahoma defense. Every time I watched the Sooners the last two seasons he would flash as a playmaker against the run, pass and as a pass rusher. He's a physical player for a guy that isn't huge, and he's highly instinctive. He'll join the inside linebacker rotation that includes former Irish player Drue Tranquill. Grade: B+
PICK #22 - MINNESOTA VIKINGS - Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Analysis: Really strong pick for the Vikings. They get good value but also get an outstanding need pick here. Jefferson is incredibly smooth and is second behind Jeudy in my view as a route runner. He was a slot a lot in college, but I think he can play outside as well. He's a fluid athlete that tested very well at the combine. He can do a little bit of everything, and he made a lot of plays on contested balls this season. Strong pick for the Vikings. Grade: B+
PICK #21 - PHILADELPHIA EAGLES - Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
Analysis: This was an interesting pick. Reagor is a really good player that would have put up a lot better numbers in a different offense with a better quarterback. He's a talented player that is strong after the catch, he can stretch the field and he can work the middle of the field. I think #21 is a bit high for him, as Reagor is more of a second round player in my view, but the Eagles get a talented football player at a position of need. Grade: B-
PICK #20 - JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS - K'Lavon Chaisson, DE/OLB, LSU
Analysis: Chaisson was never a truly dominant player and he didn't play a lot of ball at LSU, but he flashed some really good talent. He's got length, he's explosive and he's a versatile defender. From a Notre Dame standpoint he did as a senior what Julian Okwara was expected to do, and that's why he vaulted into the first round. If healthy he'll be a strong player, but I'm curious how he'll fit in a four-down defense on first and second down. A lot of upside with this pick. Grade: B
PICK #19 - LAS VEGAS RAIDERS - Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State
Analysis: This is by far the worst pick of the draft thus far. I think Arnette is very overrated as a player, and from everything I've read he's got some character issues, which flies in the face of what the Raiders say they are about. Arnette has some talent, but not No. 19 pick in the draft talent in my view. Grade: D
PICK #18 - MIAMI DOLPHINS - Austin Jackson, OT, USC
Analysis: This is probably a bit higher than I would have taken Jackson due to his lower floor and the fact he needs work, but from a talent/upside standpoint this is a great pick. I absolutely love Jackson's potential as a player, and I truly believe donating bone marrow to his sister last summer hurt his development as a player this season. But this is something he's likely already fully recovered from, which means this could end up being a steal. You draft a QB to be your franchise guy and your first two goals need to be protecting him and getting him weapons. Miami accomplished objective No. 1. Grade: B (Could easily go higher because of his upside)
PICK #17 - DALLAS COWBOYS - CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Analysis: This is an absolutely great pick for Dallas. They get a guy I graded as a Top 10 player in the draft, they give their franchise QB another big time weapon and they got great value. Dallas might have had greater needs, but another WR was also a need and in Lamb they get the guy I graded as the top WR in the draft. Great talent and great value. Grade: A
PICK #16 - ATLANTA FALCONS - AJ Terrell, CB, Clemson
Analysis: I had read a lot of negative reviews of Terrell from draft analysts, but I graded him as the second best corner in the draft. He's long, athletic and he's played well in some big time games. I view this as more of a need pick than value pick based on where he was picked, but it's not much of a reach at all. I had Terrell going at No. 22, so this is the top of the range for him. Grade: B
PICK #15 - DENVER BRONCOS - Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Analysis: Denver got the man they wanted and didn't have to trade up for him. I had Lamb ranked higher, but it was very close. Jeudy is an elite route runner. The hype about him as a route runner is not overblown, he's a special, special route runner. He gives Denver a skillset it lacks and he's a great complement to Courtland Sutton and Noah Fant. Denver found their franchise quarterback and they are now building around him. As a Broncos fan and as an analyst this is a great pick for Denver. Grade: A-
PICK #14 - SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS - Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Analysis: Interesting pick here. San Francisco traded DeForest Bucker to Indianapolis to get this pick. In Kinlaw they get a guy who is bigger, younger and much cheaper than Buckner, and someone they control for much longer. Kinlaw is still quite raw, but his combination of size, power and athleticism is top notch. This is a risky pick to a degree, but the young man has a ton of potential and talent. Grade: B+
PICK #13 - TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS - Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
Analysis: This could not have gone better for Tampa Bay. They get what I believe is the best OT in the draft, the guy I think can make the fastest transition and also a guy who played right tackle in college, which is where he'll need to play with Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay has now solidified the tackle position with Wirfs and Donovan Smith protecting Tom Brady. Grade: B+
PICK #12 - LAS VEGAS RAIDERS - Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
Analysis: This is the kind of pick that Al Davis would have made in his prime. The Raiders have always loved speed, and Ruggs is incredibly explosive. A lot of talk has been made about his speed, but if you watch his film you'll actually see he showed that speed even more after the catch and on drags/crosses than he does pure go routes. I've always wondered why he never produced at Bama to the level of his talent, but he shows a lot of excellent traits. Grade: B
PICK #11 - NEW YORK JETS - Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
Analysis: I get why the Jets made this pick and its a good pick with a chance to be great. They are giving their franchise QB someone to block for him. Becton really broke out this season, but he'll need to make sure he keeps putting in the work to stay in shape. If he stays in shape and puts in the work he'll be outstanding. He's not just someone who moves well for his size, he moves well period. Great feet, really good COD for a guy his size and he's got a lot of pop as a pass blocker. Grade: B+
PICK #10 - CLEVELAND BROWNS - Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
Analysis: I like Wirfs better, but Wills really showed a major jump as a junior. He'll need to transition to left tackle in Cleveland, who just signed Jack Conklin to play RT, but Wills is a good athlete, and that part of his game really took off as he reshaped his body and got his weight in good position. He's a strong run blocker, he moves well in pass protection, he reads and reacts well and he's still pretty young, so I believe he'll get a lot better. Grade: B+
PICK #9 - JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS - CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
Analysis: This is the epitome of drafting for need. Henderson has been a riser up draft boards, but I'm not super high on Henderson. He's a good player, but he's not physical and he was kind of a one-year impact guy. I've seen him struggle with better WRs and he's just not a Top 10 caliber player here, but he is arguably the second best CB in the class and they needed a CB after trading AJ Bouye to the Broncos. So basically they traded Bouye for a 4th round pick and then used their first rounder to replace him. Grade: C+
PICK #8 - ARIZONA CARDINALS - Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
Analysis: This is a great example of a team drafting talent over need, and I love it. The Cardinals needed OL, CB and DL help more than LB, but Simmons is not only the best player on the board, he's arguably the best player in this draft. He's going to redefine how the LB position is played in the NFL. Grade: A
PICK #7 - CAROLINA PANTHERS - Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
Analysis: If I had my way I would have traded down and picked up extra picks, but Carolina was in a great position here to either grab a potential stud DT or an elite LB. I'm a believer in building up front first, and I graded Brown as the top DT in the draft, by far. I've read a lot of negatives on Brown recently, but this is a 320+ pound DT that had 33 TFL's and 12.5 sacks in basically three years. That's really good production, and he can ball. Grade: B+
PICK #6 - LOS ANGELES CHARGERS - Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Analysis: This is a boom-or-bust pick, but I'd rather take a chance on Herbert than Tagovailoa. Herbert has an NFL body, even though he had struggles staying healthy early in his career as well. He's got a powerful arm, he's a quality athlete and I've read good things about his intangibles from people closer to the program. If he gets good coaching I believe he can be a high quality QB in the NFL. He's not a Top 10 talent, but from a value standpoint this is a quality pick. Grade: B
PICK #5 - MIAMI DOLPHINS - Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
Analysis: This is what I predicted Miami would do, but I still think it's a bad pick. Not only has Tua dealt with a lot of injuries, I think his production is a bit overrated. He had ELITE players around him, and he wasn't strong against top defenses. Also, for a guy who is supposedly great with timing and anticipation, he sure did take a lot of hits against good defenses. I think he was a great college player that is a borderline first-round player, at best, for me. Grade: C
PICK #4 - NEW YORK GIANTS - Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Analysis: This is a really intriguing pick for the Giants. They needed a LT so they picked for need, which I'm okay with since it's meant to build around their franchise QB and RB they picked up the last two years. I believe Thomas has the highest ceiling of all the OT's in this draft, but I also think he has some bust potential, more so than guys like Wirfs, Wills and Becton. I disagree with the analysis of him being a high-floor/low-ceiling player. This is a bit of a reach, and I would have gone with Tristan Wirfs, who has a higher floor. Grade: B
PICK #3 - DETROIT LIONS - Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Analysis: There was a lot of talk about Detroit taking Derrick Brown or trading down, but they wisely just took the best player. Okudah is an outstanding corner that is physical, athletic and he can thrive in zone and man coverage. The combination of size and man cover skills is special, and he plays with a lot of fire, plus he's an intelligent football player on film. Great pick for the Lions. Grade: A-
PICK #2 - WASHINGTON REDSKINS - Chase Young, DE, Ohio State
Analysis: I'm not as locked in on Young being the "best player in the draft" as others, but he is outstanding and certainly in the top three or four. Washington is switching to a 4-3 defense and edge rushers are as important to a defense as a passer is to an offense. Young and Montez Sweat would give the Skins a pair of extremely talented edge rushers, and Young has a chance to develop into an impact edge rusher. Great talent addition, value pick and need, pick does it all. Grade: A
PICK #1 - CINCINNATI BENGALS - Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Analysis: This is a great pick for the Bengals. He'll have some talent around him, at least at the skill positions, and he's a tremendous distributor of the football. He is a quality athlete with outstanding pocket awareness. His timing and anticipation are elite and he has enough arm strength to make all the necessary throws. Knowing he was getting a real system to run in 2019 is a big reason I picked LSU to make the College Football Playoff in 2019. Grade: A
Before we get started, here is some analysis I've done for a Notre Dame vs. the Nation article.
In recent days there has been a lot of buzz about Notre Dame tight end Cole Kmet being a possible first round pick. Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. and USA TODAY's Nate Davis all projected him in round one
There have also been a couple of mock drafts that have defensive end Julian Okwara going in round one. Pro Football Focus senior analyst Steve Palazzolo and NFL.com's Chad Reuter both had Okwara in round one of their final mock drafts.
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