Lach Draft 2020

Welcome to the 2020 NFL Lach draft. You will find every 1st round selection (no trades) and players strengths and weaknesses. Finally 5 sleeper picks are included at the end for those middle to late round selections. Enjoy!

#1 Cincinnati Bengals select  Joe Burrow  LSU.

Analysis: Burrow, playing in LSU’s former archaic offense was deemed a late round/undrafted priority free agent. However, with LSU changing systems, Burrow’s draft value skyrocketed. Smart, accurate, and intense. Burrow will be the face of the franchise Cincinnati needs. Questions of Burrow’s willingness to play in Cincinnati remain.

2nd  Washington selects  Chase Young DE. Ohio State.

Analysis: One of the most productive and dominant edge rushers we’ve seen in years. Young has the speed and physicality to star in this league. Young’s motor can run cold. Often relied on his bull rush too much. Production fell after returning from a mid-season suspension.

3rd  Detroit Lions select Jeff Okudah CB. Ohio State.

Analysis: Back-to-back Buckeyes here. The Lions get the best cover corner and it isn’t particularly close. Okudah struggles to consistently tackle, however, his quick feet and fluid hips should make him a very good corner.

4th  New York Giants Select Andrew Thomas O.T. Georgia.

Anyalsis: Thomas could play either Tackle spot for the Giants. His big, powerful, hands allows him to win in the run game. Thomas can struggle against speed and his hips are a question mark.

5th  Miami Dolphins select Tua Tagovailoa QB. Alabama.

Anyalsis: One of this drafts greatest questions is, did Tua make Alabama’s receivers or did Alabama recivers make him? A great deep ball thrower, he is constantly accurate over 15 yards. A longer throwing motion, injury concerns, and playing with players that were consistantly wide open, are legitimate questions if not concerns.

6th  L.A. Chargers select Justin Herbert QB. Oregon.

Analysis: Herbert has everything you want in a franchise QB. Great size and athletic, Herbert was made for this era of football. However, questionable decision making leads to some throws that leave you scratching your head. He gets happy feet under pressure. His tape was better his Junior year than Senior year. Herbert has all the talent to prove the doubters wrong or he could end up as Mitch Trubisky 2.0.

7th Carolina Panthers select Isaiah Simmons LB/S. Clemson.

Analysis: This could be a best case scenario for Carolina, especially after Luke Kuechly retired. Simmons is great running sideline to sideline. Impressive at coverage, he is a true 3 down player. However, all 3 might not be at linebacker he could play a hybrid safety. Can dissappear in the run game at times.

8th Arizona Cardinals select Tristan Wirfs O.T. Iowa.

Wirfs becomes the latest Hawkeye in the NFL. Great size and athleticism allows him to win consistently in pass pro. When he loses its often due to average technique and pad level.

9th Jacksonville Jaguars select Derrick Brown D.T. Auburn.

The Jaguars latest rebuild starts with Brown. A talented player, who checks all the boxes athletically. Brown should’ve been more dominate and his motor can run cold at times, but in big moments Brown often shines.

10th Cleveland Browns select Mehki Becton O.T. Louisville.

Anyslsis: This might be a reach, but due to the lack of depth in the o-line that this draft provides Becton will be a first-rounder. Becton has good feet and is athletic. He often reaches during pass pro, Becton can be a hip bender instead of a knee bender. Failed a drug test at the combine.

11th New York Jets select Jerry Juedy WR. Alabama.

Analysis: A great productive player, Juedy has all ability needed in a number 1 receiver. His slighter frame could be an issue. Wasn’t asked to go over the middle a ton.

12 Las Vegas Raiders select Cedee Lamb WR. Oklahoma.

Analysis: A big play freak, Lamb benefited a lot from Lincoln Riley’s wide open offense. Lamb consistently wins 50/50 balls and breaks tackles to create huge plays. Long speed is a concern. Also, Oklahoma receivers have been unproductive in the league over the past few years. Lamb should change that, but will need some time to adjust to a more N.F.L style system.

13 San Francisco 49ers select Henry Ruggs III WR. Alabama

Analysis: Explosive, Ruggs tracks the deep ball well. Productive throughout college, he played well in big games. Ruggs was the 3rd option in a talented offense so production may not translate right away. He can get sloppy in his routes.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Jedrick Willis OT Alabama.

Analysis: When you sign Tom Brady you have to protect him. Willis is a solid pass protector. His good hips allows him to mirror pass rushers. Willis only played right tackle in college and I doubt he can swing to left at the pro game. Would have loved to see him be more aggressive in finishing blocks.

15. Denver Broncos select Javon Kinlaw D.T. South Carolina.

Analysis: Kinlaw is quick and aggressive. He onsistently affects the pocket on pass rushes. Kinlaw has the highest ceiling among all d-lineman. Can get moved in run support. Pad level can suffer, especially when running stunts which causes him to be ineffective at times.

16. Atlanta Falcons selects CJ Henderson CB. Florida.

Analysis: Henderson is long and athletic. He has great hips, poised on deep balls, and fast enough to cover any mistakes. Henderson to Atlanta makes sense in a pass-happy NFC south. Henderson can be inconsistent at reading routes. Balance issues, especially when jamming, are a major concern.

17 Dallas Cowboys select K’Lavon Chaisson OLB. LSU.

Analysis: Chassion is a natural bender. He can turn the corner and rush the passer. Injuries to lower body (ACL 2018, Ankle 2019) and a baffling lack of consistent physical play are red flags.

18th selection Miami Dolphins select Austin Jackson O.T. USC.

Analysis: Athletic but raw, Jackson still has room to mature physically. Quick to 2nd level, however Jackson hunches forward during blocks causing him to get beat. He needs to improve upper body and core strength. A good guy, Jackson donated bone marrow to his sister in 2019.

19th Las Vegas Raiders select Kenneth Murray ILB Oklahoma.

Analysis: Murray is a prototypical sideline-to-sideline inside linebacker. Natural coverage skills, can cover tight ends and running backs with ease. Murray can struggle getting off blocks. Run support is ok but not great. Murray’s lack of explosive plays is surprising for a man with his ability.

20th Jacksonville Jaguars select CB Trevon Diggs CB Alabama.

Analysis: Elite size for a corner. Great ball skills, Diggs sometimes looks like a receiver which makes sense as his brother is Steffon Diggs. He could also play safety because long speed is an issue. His game against LSU was one of the worst films I watched all year, he was tourched.

21 Philadelphia Eagles select Tee Higgins WR. Clemson.

Analysis: Higgins is a big physical wide-out, he dominates in the red zone. Goes up and snatches the ball at its high point. Higgins is great after the catch. His route tree was very limited, and he should be even more physical at the top of the route due to his size. Doesn’t get a ton of separation from defense backs.

22: Minnesota Vikings selects Kristan Fulton CB. LSU.

Analysis: Fulton fills a need for the Vikings. Fulton has great feet, and is comfortable playing press man or zone. Off the field issues, including a 2 year ban by the NCAA for a falsified drug test are red flags that could see him drop out off the 1st round.

23: New England Patriots selects Jordan Love QB. Utah State.

Analysis: Probably the most polarizing player in the draft, Love could be a top 10 pick or fall into the 30’s. I don’t love him, when I watch him he reminds me a lot like Brett Hundley. His arm talent is a plus, Love is a natural thrower of the football. His footwork needs an overhaul. Love was never considered a leader, very quiet and shy guy. He should’ve dominated more in the Mountain West conference. May need to sit for a year or two to develop.

24: New Orleans Saints select Patrick Queen ILB. LSU.

Analysis: Queen is a thumper. He fills gaps quickly, and plays bigger than his size. Queen shined in the biggest games of LSU championship season. He should be better at coverage than he is. Queen struggles to diagnose routes when in zone coverage and can be fooled in misdirection.

25: Minnesota Vikings selects Justin Jefferson WR LSU.

Analysis: Jefferson is this years best slot receiver coming out of this year’s draft. Quick in and out of breaks, Jefferson has ability to get separation and tracks the deep ball well. 2 years of solid to great stats, even in LSU old offense he produced. When he was lined up outside, press man was a difficult coverage for him to face. A slight frame could lead to injury concerns down the road. Simply said one of my favorite players in this draft.

26th Miami Dolphins selects D’Andre Swift RB. Georgia.

Analysis: Swift is a 3 down back. Good vision especially inside. Swift has great hands and is a weapon in the passing game out of the backfield. His het away burst is just o.k. and he struggles in pass protection. Miami needs a running back badly so this is a fit.

27th Seattle Seahawks select Yetur Gross-Matos DE. Penn State.

Gross-Matos has fluid hips, which allows him to dip and turn the corner to rush the passer. A rangy defender he can chase ball carriers down the line of scrimmage. Needs to be more violent with hands. Gross-Matos can struggle to set the edge against the run. He also struggles to disengage when being blocked.

28th: Baltimore Ravens select Zack Baun OLB. Wisconsin.

Analysis: Baun is an athletic, quick-twitch athlete who beats o-linemen with pure athleticism. Baun can cover tight ends and running backs naturally. Smooth in zone coverage. Baun is light for the position, and a diluted drug test at the combine are his biggest red flags.

29th Tennessee Titans selects A.J Epenesa DE. Iowa.

Big and strong Epenesa was without a doubt one of the best d-lineman in the country. Sets a great edge in the run game, and uses his hands well to disengage. Finishes plays. However, he has very stiff hips, his lack of athletic explosion will limit him. Can’t play in space.

30th Green Bay Packers select Brandon Aiyuk WR. Arizona State.

Aiyuk is 6 feet tall with the wingspan of a man who is 6’8. A physical freak, Aiyuk is explosive with the football. Not afraid to go over the middle and take a hit. He has the ability to make people miss in the open field. Doesn’t play as big as his arms suggest. Aiyuk struggles to high point the ball. He ran a limited route tree consisting of slants posts and go’s.

31st: San Francisco 49ers select  Ross Blacklock D.T.  TCU.

Blacklock is a relentless pass rusher. Extremely quick off the ball, he changes directions well for a man his size. Missed all of 2018 (Achilles tear). Ends up on the ground far to often. Drops head when facing double teams.

32: Kansas City Cheifs selects Johnathon Taylor RB. Wisconsin.

Analysis: A natural runner, Taylor is surprisingly physical, always falling forward for extra yards. Very explosive in and out of cuts. He still struggles catching the football and running  routes. His ball security is flat out terrible. Lots of tread on his tires are a major concern.

Sleepers

John Hightower Boise state WR lanky athlete who can beat any type of coverage wins congested catches consistently.
Too thin of a frame, injury concerns are paramount. Routinely gets knocked off of routes too easily in press coverage.
Bottom line: 3-4th Round pick. Reminds me of Robby Anderson a big play threat who will not be consistent until he matures physically. If ever.

James Proche. SMU WR
One of best projected slot receivers in this class. He changes direction quickly, and is very technical in routes. Proche wins contested catches.
Beating press coverage is a struggle to say the least. Didn’t gain a ton of separation from defenders on deep routes.
Bottom line: 3rd-4th round pick. Proche will be a starter in this league. He has big play ability from the slot which is important in the league today.

T.E Adam Trautman Dayton.
Trautman has a good blend of size and speed. A quick twitch athlete, Trautman separates from linebackers with ease. Trautman must make a big jump from FCS football to the NFL. He’ll be the 1st Flyer player drafted since the 1940s.
Bottom line: 2nd to 3rd round pick. Trautman will need time to develop but could be the best selection in a weak T.E. class.

C.B Kindle Vildor Georgia Southern. Vildor is talented, great hips and ball skills, teams would not throw at him. Held his own against LSU. His size is a major concern.
Bottom line: 3rd to 4th round pick Vildor will be a solid 3rd corner in this league. He may even stick as a starter when all is said and done.

OT/Guard Ben Bartch St John’s-Minnesota A D3 athlete who moved from T.E to tackle. Smooth and athletic Bartch dominated at the D3 level. Aggressive but undisciplined, Bartch faces a huge leap in competition. Can struggle against the bull rush.
Bottom line: 4th-5th round pick May end as a Guard at the next level. Bartch may need multiple redshirt years to catch up to the NFL game, but he has all the skills to be successful at the next level.

QB Jake Fromm Georgia A competitor and great leader. Fromm was hurt by Georgia’s inability to scheme receivers open. Georgia relied far to often on Fromm’s ability to throw back shoulder throws. Fromm beat out Jacob Eason and Justin Fields in 2 quarterback competitions. Bottom line: Fromm is a 2-3rd rounder who will start some games at the next level.