2.01 – Denzel Mims (Baylor – WR5)
6-2 7/8″ – 207 | If Jefferson wasn’t the winner of the NFL Combine, then Denzel Mims would take that honor. Besting Jefferson with a 4.38 sprint, Mims brings a combination of size and speed that is rare to find. To get this type of athleticism at the start of a second-round is a dream scenario when paired with Joe Burrow to build the future.
2.02 – Jordan Love (Utah State – QB4)
6-3 3/4″ – 224 | One of the most intriguing quarterbacks is Utah State’s Jordan Love. While he did regress in 2019, much of that can be attributed to the wide-spread change in the coaching staff and as pass catchers. Love has prototypical size, measuring in at 6’4″, 224 pounds while running a 4.74 in the 40-yard dash at the combine. He also dominated in the workout drills, showing off his elite athleticism with a 35½-inch vertical (tied for second among QBs) and 118-inch broad jump. Depending on where he lands, Love could rise up draft boards and be a steal while remaining outside of the top 3 consideration.
2.03 – Tee Higgins (Clemson – WR6)
6-3 5/8″ – 216 | Maybe this is a bit of recency bias, but watching guys like Jefferson and Mims excel at the combine while Tee Higgins set out in favor of his pro day moved him down a peg for me. This is a reflection of how well they did rather than seeing problems with Higgins. At the end of the day, I don’t think it matters too much as his resume speaks for itself. His speed is good enough to give himself separation from defensive backs, and his near 6’4″ frame will give whoever is throwing to him a larger target window to fit the ball in. He will be an instant fantasy factor to any team that takes him.
2.04 – AJ Dillon (Boston College – RB6)
6-0 3/8″ – 247 | AJ Dillon put on a show at the NFL Combine. His 41-inch vertical jump was best among running backs, as was his 131-inch broad jump. Even his 4.53 40-yard dash was in the top 10. His performance matched what we see on his tape. Dillon proved to be very elusive with 80 forced missed tackles as a runner and 3.48 yards after contact per attempt. Dillon will be more landing spot depending on the other running backs mentioned so far. With only 21 receptions on his career, he will need to prove he can be a weapon in the passing game to earn reps, which limits his upside in some schemes and formats.
2.05 – Henry Ruggs III (Alabama – WR7)
5-11″ – 188 | Henry Ruggs is a player who I have a hard time deciding on what he is. His speed makes him a threat to take any pass to the house. He scored a touchdown on 24 of his 98 career catches at Alabama. Yes, 98 catches seems low, but when you look at the talent Alabama had at the position, there are only so many attempts to go around. Ruggs could end up being an absolute steal here in the draft or prove to be a better NFL wide receiver than a fantasy one. I lean more towards the latter and think guys will take him before I am willing to take the shot on him.
2.06 – Zack Moss (Utah – RB7)
5-9 3/8″ – 223 | We have talked about winners, but there were also some guys whose draft stock took a hit in Indianapolis, and Zack Moss is one of those guys. His 4.65 40-yard sprint came in lower than was expected, but shortly after, reports of a tight hamstring circulated and gave a bit of context to his time. Moss could end up being this year’s David Montgomery. The player who we are divided on as an industry and his ADP will be all over the place. At the end of the day, he’s a sound player with overall good fundamentals when you look at his tape. I don’t see a team drafting him and handing him the keys to the backfield, but he could serve as a solid RB2 and a great handcuff to own until he gets a shot at a more significant role in the offense.
2.07 – Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma – QB5)
6-1″ – 222 | Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts is another quarterback who helped himself at the NFL Combine. After a stellar college career in which he scored 123 total touchdowns for the Sooners and the Alabama Crimson Tide, Hurts performed like an elite athlete in Indianapolis. He ran the second-fastest 40-yard dash at 4.59 seconds and measured in at 6’1″, 222 pounds. He shined in the interview rooms and showed improved footwork and delivery in the throwing portion. In Superflex drafts, Hurts could end up being a steal and develop into a solid NFL quarterback in no time.
High praise for @JalenHurts as he goes through the drills in Indy #OUDNA
📺 #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/PxntJKbOq8
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) February 28, 2020
2.08 – Ke’Shawn Vaughn (Vanderbilt – RB8)
5-9 5/8″ – 214 | Ke’Shawn Vaughn is a dual-threat out of the backfield, as he is also a good pass-catcher. Although he is slightly undersized for a running back, his good speed should help him translate his game to the NFL. Vaughn ran a 4.51-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He averaged 3.7 and 5.3 yards after contact per carry in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Vaughn possesses elite contact balance and can cut on a dime without giving up any speed. He attacks holes quickly and shows off great vision. If I can land him in the mid-to-second half of a draft, I am smashing the draft button as quickly as I can.
2.09 – Laviska Shenault (Colorado – WR8)
6-0 5/8″ – 227 | Laviska Shenault comes with a buyer beware warning when selecting him in a rookie draft. If you just look at his game film, you walk away impressed. He can play any position, whether split outside, in close in the slot, or taking a direct snap and turning into a defacto running back. He possesses the size and strength to be a weapon on the field. The issue is health. After sustaining an aggravation of a previous injury, Shenault slides down. To make matters worse, he announced after the combine that he would be undergoing surgery to repair a core-muscle injury. This is not the first time we have seen him hurt, and it has to be factored into the decision making process. I am sure teams in the NFL will have the same discussion we are in fantasy. He could end up a steal if he falls late enough, but you need to know the full package you are buying, not just the upside.
2.10 – Michael Pittman Jr. (USC – WR9)
6-4″ – 223 | Michael Pittman has some of the best hands in this class. His ability to control his body and come down with contested catches is an elite trait. He can physically dominate cornerbacks at the catch point and rarely drops passes. Pittman committed only five drops in his college career. Whether he plays in the “big-slot” role or outside, he has WR2 upside and will be taken in the second or third round of the NFL Draft.
2.11 – Bryan Edwards (South Carolina – WR10)
6-2 3/4″ – 212 | Edwards is quite possibly the quietest, yet most productive, prospect you will come across in the 2020 NFL Draft. He ranks third in SEC history with 234 career receptions and fourth in the league all-time with 3,045 yards. While Edwards doesn’t burn off the line, he is phenomenal at using his hands and frame to get the defensive back into position to set up his route. The concern is what teams will think of his injury status. A knee injury ended his career at South Carolina but was not deemed “long term.” Then in preparation for the NFL Combine, he broke his foot that will now take several months to heal. His projected return to the field is sometime in the summer. If he can get Round 3 draft capital, that’s an excellent sign for his future. If it slips past that, we have an issue.
2.12 – Jacob Eason (Washington – QB6)
6-5 7/8″ – 231 | While he has an elite arm and excellent size (6’6″, 231 lbs), his lack of athleticism could cause him to fall during the draft. There is no questioning his arm talent, but the lacking dual-threat ability of Eason will drop him down on teams’ boards as well as in fantasy where a rushing upside can pay dividends. While I am not in love with Eason, the chance to get a potential starting quarterback in the back end of the second round in a Superflex draft is too good to pass up.