Finding Broncos: Early top-5 prospects at each position in 2020 draft
The NCAA regular season kicked off with some very exciting games — featuring all types of collegiate throwdowns for all the different types of fans.
Not only that, it was the start of a long year for pro scouts as they really get into working on 2020 prospects for the NFL Draft. These NFL scouts have probably already been working hard to get everything started, but once the games begin, which they have, it all accelerates.
As Mile High Huddle's senior draft analyst, I have been doing the same. There is plenty of tape on a lot of these prospects from last year to watch and break down what they have to offer. Over the past few months, I have been doing just that and have scouted enough to be comfortable with my initial position rankings.
Of course, over the coming months and entering into the draft just about a half-year away from now, there will be many changes. Already since first putting together my top-5 rankings in the middle of August, I have already made one adjustment because of an injury. There is little I hate more than dropping a player because they have a season-ending injury.
With that said, here are my top-5 rankings for the 11 different position groupings as the NCAA regular season kicks off.
Quarterback
- Justin Herbert, Oregon
- Tu’a Tagovailoa, Alabama
- Jordan Love, Utah State
- Jake Fromm, Georgia
- Jacob Eason, Washington
Overview: There is a clear tiered list for me at quarterback right now with Herbert and Tagovailoa as the top, Love and Fromm in the second tier and then a group of four of five quarterbacks that Eason just barely leads. Barring any extremes, I don’t expect the top-4 to include anyone else. The order may change, but you'll likely see the same four guys there. The fifth spot, though, could see changes as more tape and production come to light.
Running Back
- D’Andre Swift, Georgia
- Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
- Travis Etienne, Clemson
- Zack Moss, Utah
- Eno Benjamin, Arizona State
Overview: If it wasn’t for what he said about being nervous as a pass-catcher, Etienne would by my No. 2 back, but that coupled with what little he has shown makes me worry. For the final two spots, Moss and Benjamin barely edged out three other backs that I have all closely rated right now.
Wide Receiver
- Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
- Ceedee Lamb, Oklahoma
- Henry Ruggs II, Alabama
- Jalen Reagor, TCU
- Laviska Shenault, Colorado
Overview: What a year to need a receiver. There is so much talent, and multiple players looking at being a first-round selection. You can pretty much rank these five in any order and be fine. Jeudy and Lamb are the clearleaders of the bunch and the other three are all closely rated right now.
Tight End
- Bryce Hopkins, Purdue
- Grant Calcaterra, Oklahoma
- Jared Pinkney, Vanderbilt
- Colby Parkinson, Stanford
- Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri
Overview: The 2020 tight end class looks like a strong class. Maybe not as strong as 2019, but it'll still a good year to go get one. There is plenty to offer from this group in terms of receiving prowess. This is going to be a fun group to track during the season, Calcaterra especially so in that Oklahoma offense.
Offensive Tackle
- Tristan Wirfs, Iowa
- Andrew Thomas, Georgia
- Prince Tega Wanogho, Auburn
- Walker Little, Stanford
- Alric Jackson, Iowa
Overview: Back in June, Little would have been my top tackle, but the more I watched the more concerns I have. He still makes it because there is a ton of upside, but there is so much he needs to develop. Wirfs is an excellent prospect, and would not surprise me if he is a top-5 pick. His counterpart in Jackson is also a good tackle prospect. He isn’t a first-rounder, but he currently sits with a mid second-round grade from me. The Auburn left tackle has tremendous upside, and is a gifted athlete, but his technique can be very hit and miss. Thomas out of Georgia is many draftnik's top tackle, and I can’t fault them for that. He is a very closely graded No. 2 for me, and could end up as the top guy.
Interior O-Line
- Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin
- Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma
- Darryl Williams, Mississippi State
- Zach Shackelford, Texas
- Jake Hanson, Oregon
Overview: The interior offensive line group this year looks a lot better than it did for the 2019 draft. Four of the top-5 are centers, and there is a good chance two of them go in the first round. As centers, Biadasz and Humphrey are both just that good. Both of them also had a nearly flawless season opener. Williams is one of those offensive linemen you just covet. He is smart, tough, hard-working and willing to do whatever is needed, plus he has a good skill-set to put it into effect. That is exactly what you want in a center. Shackelford is a tough blocker, and will stall you with his anchor, but is scheme limited that could drop him. Trey Smith just missed out because of medical concerns, but he will likely rise up this board.
Interior D-Line
- Raekwon Davis, Alabama
- Derrick Brown, Auburn
- Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina
- Rashard Lawrence, LSU
- Leki Fotu, Utah
Overview: Brown and Davis can be switched for me and I would be fine. There isn’t much separating them, and depending on how you want to use them, there is a clear reason for the switch. Kinlaw and Lawrence are two that I really want to see step up this year. This isn’t as strong of a defensive line class with there being a big drop off after Brown/Davis, and Kinlaw and Lawrence stepping up can close the gap. Fotu is a fun watch for a big defensive lineman. He could rise as the season goes on, and him lowering his pads is a must.
Edge
- Chase Young, Ohio State
- A.J. Epenesa, Iowa
- Julian Okwara, Notre Dame
- Jabari Zuniga, Florida
- Curtis Weaver, Boise State
Overview: What a great year for pass rushers. Young and Epenesa are more of a 1A and 1B of the group as they both bring a different play-style to the game. It all depends on what you are looking for. Okwara has the traits, but the production doesn’t match up, and he has been pretty much a liability against the run. With plenty of strength, but a slow get-off, Zuniga has a chance to help himself this year. The Boise State pass rusher, Weaver, I am really intrigued by. He barely makes my top-5 and with a lot of questions that need to be answered he could easily slide down my rankings as the season goes on.
Linebacker
- Isaiah Simmons, Clemson*
- Markus Bailey, Purdue
- Dylan Moses, Alabama*
- Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
- Monty Rice, Georgia
(*Simmons also listed as a safety. Moses was moved down because of injury)
Overview: Moses was my top linebacker, and unfortunately he has been lost for the year. That is a tough blow because he was the clear top linebacker. Everyone else is a tier lower than him. Simmons has position versatility. As for the other three, this will be a big year for them to really help their draft stock.
Cornerback
- Bryce Hall, Virginia
- Kristian Fulton, LSU
- Paulson Adebo, Stanford
- C.J. Henderson, Florida
- Jeffrey Okudah, Ohio State
Overview: Hall had a first-round grade before returning to school last year, and Fulton was an early second-rounder and rated higher than his LSU teammate a year ago, Greedy Williams. Henderson is fun to watch, but some of his on-field concerns are similar to Greedy Williams last year. Okudah and Adebo were two that I didn’t get around to watching until late, but really like their game and they will push for top corners in the class.
Safety
- Grant Delpit, LSU
- Xavier McKinney, Alabama
- Isaiah Simmons, Clemson*
- Antoine Brooks Jr, Maryland
- Brandon Jones, Texas
Overview: Delpit is the best of the bunch, and McKinney isn’t far behind him. Simmons' draft value is going to be bolstered as many teams view him as a great hybrid defensive chess piece. Right now, I may be higher on Brooks than most, but he is a great athlete and offers so much to a defense. Brandon Jones isn’t far behind Brooks, but improving his attacks on the catch point this season can move him up.
Follow Erick on Twitter @ErickTrickel and @MileHighHuddle.
