The first round of the 2020 NFL Draft was basically split into two parts. During the first 17 picks, through the Dallas Cowboys selection of Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, the draft basically went as expected. From that point on, the rest of the first round was a series of twists and turns. With the way that the first round ended, the intrigue at the beginning of the second round has increased. Here are some of the remaining Day 2 prospects who I think could have been easily considered in the first round.
The top remaining prospects on Day 2
1. Grant Delpit, Safety LSU (15th overall)
While I envisioned a possibility that Grant Delpit would fall out of the first round, I thought that he was worthy of a pick in that range. Not only is Delpit an elite athlete for the position, but his ability in coverage is special enough to change an entire defensive scheme for the better. Delpit provides a presence near the box because of his athleticism and range, while also showing the coverage chops to drop deep or cover tight ends in man. His versatility on the backend will positively affect whichever defense that he gets drafted to play on, regardless of his tackling issues.
2. Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor (19th overall)
There is no reason that Denzel Mims should be available at this stage, as nobody else improved their stock as much during the pre-draft process. Not only did Mims dominate (and I mean, dominate) the Senior Bowl, but then he blew up the NFL Scouting Combine athletic testing. That came after a career where Mims produced at a high level for three years and showed elite “X” receiver traits. Mims will expand his catch radius and make plays down the field, which is valuable for offenses that want to spread the ball across the field. Expect a team to trade up for his services early in the second round.
The arm bar by Denzel Mims to hold Troy Pride Jr. away from the catchpoint was one of the most advanced WR techniques we’ve seen in Mobile this week pic.twitter.com/7brMzdZDiQ
— Brad Kelly (@BradKelly17) January 23, 2020
3. J.K. Dobbins, RB Ohio State (20th overall)
With the current value of running backs in the NFL today, seeing J.K. Dobbins fall out of the first round wasn’t a surprise. With that said, he’s a premiere prospect at the position and should be in consideration early on the second day of the draft. Dobbins rushed for over 2,000 yards for the Buckeyes last season. On top of that, he has pass-catching versatility with over 70 career receptions.
He’s a sturdy, nuanced runner with vision behind the line of scrimmage. He’ll stay upright through contact, using his compact frame to his advantage. Dobbins projects well into both zone and gap schemes, which should make him an option for any team that is in need of a running back in the second round.
4. Xavier McKinney, Safety Alabama (21st overalll)
While it can be argued that Xavier McKinney isn’t the elite athlete at safety that warrants a first-round selection, he can make up for that with his processing and instincts. He’s fantastic in both coverage and run support because of his ability to align on different levels and read offensive keys. Those skills mean that a smart defensive coordinator could perfectly utilize his strengths. There is a little bit of Eddie Jackson inside McKinney from an alignment and talent standpoint.
5. Jonathan Taylor, RB Wisconsin (23rd overall)
Few running back prospects have had Jonathan Taylor’s overall prospect profile. He’s otherworldly productive while having an outstanding size and long speed profile. He was a bit overused in college, but it’s difficult to argue with his vision and athleticism. Taylor showed progression with his pass-catching last season to warrant a high selection, and could very well be the most natural running back in gap schemes among this class.
6. Kristian Fulton, CB LSU (24th overall)
I expected Kristian Fulton to be one of the top-three cornerbacks selected during the first round of the NFL Draft, but it turns out that he fell outside of the first 32 picks. In my view, Fulton was the best senior cornerback in the country last season. Fulton has been tested with some of the best wide receivers in the SEC and held up well against every player he faced. With his combination of fluidity and natural feel to cover vertical routes, he’s a competitive cornerback who will blanket his third of the field or any route designed to beat him over the top.
Kristian Fulton – sudden click + close with a pass breakup #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/k438cAvSal
— Brad Kelly (@BradKelly17) December 19, 2019
7. Zack Baun, EDGE/LB Wisconsin (26th overall)
Zack Baun will help a team in so many ways, that his projection almost feels natural for every defensive system. He’s a hybrid pass rusher and athletic coverage man with lateral range, who gives the impression of a prime Kyle Van Noy. Baun is a natural hybrid defender who showed his talent at the Senior Bowl, making him a prospect with a strong baseline with upside at the EDGE position.
8. D’Andre Swift, RB Georgia (28th overall)
If there was a running back favored to be selected in the first round, it was D’Andre Swift. While that didn’t come to fruition, Swift remains a strong option at the top of the second round. With an impressive skill-set to project as a runner and pass-catcher, Swift also provides a young age and minimal tread on the tires for a running back prospect. That youth and future projection should make him a franchise cornerstone piece for multiple contracts.
9. Laviska Shenault, WR Colorado (30th overall)
While it was always a possibility that Laviska Shenault would fall out of the first round given his injury history, his projection to the NFL is an exciting one. Shenault aligned all over the formation at Colorado, and as a result, will enter the NFL with impressive versatility. Whichever team that drafts him will utilize his ability with the ball in multiple ways while simultaneously attempting to develop his traits as a pure wide receiver. Shenaut’s ceiling is higher than the typical second-round pick, which should get him selected early on Day 2.
10. Lloyd Cushenberry, IOL LSU (31st overall)
LSU’s offensive line won the Joe Moore Award for the best in the nation, and center Lloyd Cushenberry was the anchor of the group. Cushenberry showed promise at the Senior Bowl, showing fluid movement skills in both run blocking and pass protection. The second-team All-American and team captain of the national champion LSU Tigers projects as an immediate starter at center and has pro bowl upside down the line.
I hope there’s a smart NFL team that pairs up LSU OC Lloyd Cushenberry and RG Damien Lewis pic.twitter.com/Oet9rGTqNQ
— Brad Kelly (@BradKelly17) February 3, 2020
The best of the rest
Prospects 11 to 20
11. Josh Jones, OT, Houston
12. Justin Madubuike, IDL, Texas A&M
13. Ross Blacklock, IDL, TCU
14. Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
15. Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama
16. A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa
17. Ashtyn Davis, Safety, California
18. Antoine Winfield Jr., Safety, Minnesota
19. Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
Prospects 20 to 30
20. KJ Hamler, WR, Penn State
21. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC
22. Jordan Elliott, DL, Missouri
23. Neville Gallimore, IDL, Oklahoma
24. Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
25. John Simpson, IOL, Clemson
26. Lucas Niang, OT, TCU
27. Adam Trautman, TE, Dayton
28. Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State
29. Jeremy Chinn, Safety, Southern Illinois
30. Darrell Taylor, EDGE, Tennessee