A Few Fascinating Things We Learn from the 2020 NFL Draft

It’s not all that often when a particular draft class has so many players that appear to be able to start right away at the professional level, however, the 2020 one has exactly that.

The 2020 class is extremely top-heavy, and that’s good for teams that have early first-round picks, and are looking to bring in guys to help make a difference immediately -- from Week 1 of this particular season. On the other side of the fence, though, the teams that are looking to rebuild and revamp their rosters, with a boatload of picks, are at a bit of a disadvantage, and the draft isn’t really all that deep. There are a number of studs that went in the first two days of the draft, but after that, it was difficult to find guys with true known potential.

Caption: Apr 23, 2020; In this still image from video provided by the NFL, Javon Kinlaw, right, celebrates after being selected as the number fourteen overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2020 NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: NFL/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports

It’s been said that the draft starts on day 3, and that was true this year, because general managers and their scouting staffs were put to the test, given the lack of talent that went in the later rounds. And, most importantly, it was the first-ever virtual draft, as the coronavirus and the social distancing mandate forced the league to have its officials, coaches and executives all do it from the comfort of their own basement. Further complicating issues was the problem of not being able to meet with players before the draft, which prevented teams from taking a flyer on a player with medical issues, or possibly someone coming from a lesser-known school with not much tape to go off. Electing to go with a more “safe” strategy was the name of the game this year -- as many sites are not connected to Gamstop -- given all the red flags and question marks attached to it.

Lucky for them, there are three receivers -- two of which are coming out of Alabama, having been coached by Nick Saban -- that are unbelievable in this draft class. All of them were first-rounders, and it was interesting to see who went first.

It was initially believed that Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb would be the first player off the board, as the six-foot-two receiver is a physical, dominant force who can high-point the football and catch anything in his vicinity. He’s drawn comparisons to DeAndre Hopkins, in terms of his ceiling, and could actually become that good.

Caption:
Feb 27, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (WO33) does a workout drill during the 2020 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The two Alabama receivers are in that “elite” discussion as well, even though they’re two different players. Jerry Jeudy is the most polished route runner in the entire draft, as he has a high football IQ, and great footwork. He can line up all over the field, and should be able to immediately make an impact, assuming he can develop chemistry with Broncos quarterback Drew Lock. On the other side of the ball, there’s Henry Ruggs III, arguably the fastest receiver in the draft, with ridiculous blazing speed that has seen him drawn comparisons to Chiefs star wideout Tyreek Hill. Any team that needed a vertical receiving threat should have looked at taking him to upgrade their offense, and the Cowboys did exactly that.

The draft is loaded with talent at the receiver position, and we can’t wait to see how these guys pan out at the pro level, with Ruggs having been taken first, followed by Jeudy and Lamb.

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