2020 Draft Prospects Thread

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

NFL at odds with GMs on April draft, sources say

The NFL plans to stick with April 23-25 for this year's draft despite a general manager subcommittee recommendation that it be moved back, sources told ESPN.

www.espn.com

Scheft bomb. Another domino about to fall?

That's really interesting.

Obviously it wouldn't be difficult to do the draft remotely. Every team is in their own war rooms already.

But, it's harder to do the draft when all those people are remotely, and not together in the war room. Keeping the draft on that date should only be an option if the NFL accommodates the teams' decreased efficiency in communication because they likely won't be together in the same room. It would make fans groan and viewership go down, but I think the answer is to extend the draft clock.

Since we're all at home and media consumption is changing, I wonder if there would be any benefit to not making the Draft be a live, rapid-fire thing? Maybe spread it out over the whole summer, keep the NFL buzz going, have a set number of picks each day the way a lot of us do community mock drafts?

 

[chrisrich91]

Schefter suggested doing one round per night to help space things out and accommodate communication inefficiencies.

I'm all for creative solutions that don't require postponing the draft. I understand it's not ideal and it is inconvenient, but as long as no teams have a competitive advantage I think NFL front offices can show some flexibility and agility like the rest of the American workforce right now.

Keep it in April as planned. Maybe teams can only execute their drafts at 75-80% of maximum efficiency, but we need this shit right now.

I say that selfishly, of course...but with the qualifier that this process can be done fully remotely without jeopardizing health or safety. You're an entertainment industry. Keep us entertained in a world sorely lacking entertainment right now.

 

[6.19.2016]

Schefter suggested doing one round per night to help space things out and accommodate communication inefficiencies.

I'm all for creative solutions that don't require postponing the draft. I understand it's not ideal and it is inconvenient, but as long as no teams have a competitive advantage I think NFL front offices can show some flexibility and agility like the rest of the American workforce right now.

Keep it in April as planned. Maybe teams can only execute their drafts at 75-80% of maximum efficiency, but we need this shit right now.

I say that selfishly, of course...but with the qualifier that this process can be done fully remotely without jeopardizing health or safety. You're an entertainment industry. Keep us entertained in a world sorely lacking entertainment right now.

That's really interesting.

Obviously it wouldn't be difficult to do the draft remotely. Every team is in their own war rooms already.

But, it's harder to do the draft when all those people are remotely, and not together in the war room. Keeping the draft on that date should only be an option if the NFL accommodates the teams' decreased efficiency in communication because they likely won't be together in the same room. It would make fans groan and viewership go down, but I think the answer is to extend the draft clock.

Since we're all at home and media consumption is changing, I wonder if there would be any benefit to not making the Draft be a live, rapid-fire thing? Maybe spread it out over the whole summer, keep the NFL buzz going, have a set number of picks each day the way a lot of us do community mock drafts?

And, sure enough:


Roger also following the NBA's lead, ordering all practice facilities closed at 6PM today, to reassess in 2 weeks. Really, that move is more about normalizing the differences between teams; i.e. TX is last I heard allowing shutdowns to be done on a municipality basis, and the Cowboys are located in a suburb that doesn't really do shutdowns if I'm not mistaken.

 

[SixPACK]

I agree with @chrisrich91

This easily can all be done remotely. I saw some sort of tweet that some execs are worried about not being able to do their "psych" and/or character evals in person, but do what the vast majority of us corporate people are doing...virtual. Go back to old school and watch the tape. Grind film.

 

[Jordan]

Today I am using my "work from home" to actually listen to podcasts while making Powerpoints. Zegura was talking about the mock draft show for the Browns and he said something interesting: he thinks the Browns will not trade down and take any of the top-four offensive tackles. He also seemed to suggest that Thomas and Wirfs were more likely targets than Wills and Becton.

I do not know how much he actually knows... but this would make sense. They both have experience at left tackle and in the zone-blocking scheme that Stefanski is going to run.

 

[Snowblind]

Today I am using my "work from home" to actually listen to podcasts while making Powerpoints. Zegura was talking about the mock draft show for the Browns and he said something interesting: he thinks the Browns will not trade down and take any of the top-four offensive tackles. He also seemed to suggest that Thomas and Wirfs were more likely targets than Wills and Becton.

I do not know how much he actually knows... but this would make sense. They both have experience at left tackle and in the zone-blocking scheme that Stefanski is going to run.

Dont forget that Berry was with Philly when they traded up and acquired their future LT in the draft. I think he values getting a cost controlled player at a position of need. Especially, when the jets are sitting right behind us and probably want a tackle.

Trade details:

Eagles receive:
» 2019 first-round pick (No. 22; select OT Andre Dillard)

Ravens receive:
» 2019 first-round pick (No. 25; select WR Marquise Brown)
» 2019 fourth-round pick (No. 127; select CB Iman Marshall)
» 2019 sixth-round pick (No. 197; select QB Trace McSorley)
» (full trade details: click here.)

"By hopping three picks and surrendering two late-rounders, Philly leaped over the Houston Texans at No. 23, who were reportedly hot for Dillard. Houston ended up taking Alabama State's Tytus Howard one pick later."

 

[Jordan]

Dont forget that Berry was with Philly when they traded up and acquired their future LT in the draft. I think he values getting a cost controlled player at a position of need. Especially, when the jets are sitting right behind us and probably want a tackle.

Trade details:

Eagles receive:
» 2019 first-round pick (No. 22; select OT Andre Dillard)

Ravens receive:
» 2019 first-round pick (No. 25; select WR Marquise Brown)
» 2019 fourth-round pick (No. 127; select CB Iman Marshall)
» 2019 sixth-round pick (No. 197; select QB Trace McSorley)
» (full trade details: click here.)

"By hopping three picks and surrendering two late-rounders, Philly leaped over the Houston Texans at No. 23, who were reportedly hot for Dillard. Houston ended up taking Alabama State's Tytus Howard one pick later."

Maybe... If Berry has one of these tackles that he thinks will be absolutely better than the rest, then I could see a trade-up.

I imagine the Giants are going to take Wirfs or Becton. They place high value on athletic measurements across all positions, and as pure athletes, Wirfs and Becton are a level above Wills and Thomas. Thus, if the Browns want one of those two, then I have a hard time thinking they will trade up from 10 to 3 (something that probably costs two firsts, a second, and a fourth - especially given that teams want Tua), because of how much they would have to trade.

If the Browns' guy lasts until 7, though, then I could see a trade-up. It would just require trading this year's second and probably next year's second.

Ultimately, the key difference between the trade you posted and the Browns' position is trading up - anywhere in the top-10 - requires a lot more than trading-up in the 20s.

Ultimately, here are how I see the scenarios from most-to-least likely:

1) Browns draft Thomas at 10
2) Browns draft Wills at 10
3) Giants take Becton, Cardinals take Wills, and Browns take Wirfs at 10.
4) Browns take Becton at 10
5) All four tackles are off the board and the Browns trade back to the late teens or twenties, gather a ton of assets and take one of the tackles in the second tier.
6) Browns trade up to 7 to select Thomas, Wirfs, or Wills
7) Browns take someone like Josh Jones as a reach at 10.
8) Browns select a receiver or linebacker at 10.
9) Browns trade-up to 3 and select their top-rated linemen. I think this only happens if Wirfs is the Browns' top-choice by a heathy margin and they are very worried about the Giants drafting him.

 

[Snowblind]

Maybe... If Berry has one of these tackles that he thinks will be absolutely better than the rest, then I could see a trade-up.

I imagine the Giants are going to take Wirfs or Becton. They place high value on athletic measurements across all positions, and as pure athletes, Wirfs and Becton are a level above Wills and Thomas. Thus, if the Browns want one of those two, then I have a hard time thinking they will trade up from 10 to 3 (something that probably costs two firsts, a second, and a fourth - especially given that teams want Tua), because of how much they would have to trade.

If the Browns' guy lasts until 7, though, then I could see a trade-up. It would just require trading this year's second and probably next year's second.

Ultimately, the key difference between the trade you posted and the Browns' position is trading up - anywhere in the top-10 - requires a lot more than trading-up in the 20s.

Ultimately, here are how I see the scenarios from most-to-least likely:

1) Browns draft Thomas at 10
2) Browns draft Wills at 10
3) Giants take Becton, Cardinals take Wills, and Browns take Wirfs at 10.
4) Browns take Becton at 10
5) All four tackles are off the board and the Browns trade back to the late teens or twenties, gather a ton of assets and take one of the tackles in the second tier.
6) Browns trade up to 7 to select Thomas, Wirfs, or Wills
7) Browns take someone like Josh Jones as a reach at 10.
8) Browns select a receiver or linebacker at 10.
9) Browns trade-up to 3 and select their top-rated linemen. I think this only happens if Wirfs is the Browns' top-choice by a heathy margin and they are very worried about the Giants drafting him.

Oh sorry, I just meant that he knows the value of a LT and with teams lurking behind the Browns, I doubt he trades down (unless its a haul). I think the Giants take Becton (gettlemen and his hogmollys) and I think Arizona will take a tackle. I think some combo of Burrow, Young, Okudah, Becton, Tua or Herbert, Simmons, Wirfs go in front of the Browns (really going out on a limb on that one lol). It should leave them with Thomas or Wills at 10 (feel like Thomas would be the pick then). I think the Browns are hoping for some combo of 3 qbs, a WR and Derrick Brown going ahead of them and they can scoop up Thomas.

 

[Jordan]

Oh sorry, I just meant that he knows the value of a LT and with teams lurking behind the Browns, I doubt he trades down (unless its a haul). I think the Giants take Becton (gettlemen and his hogmollys) and I think Arizona will take a tackle. I think some combo of Burrow, Young, Okudah, Becton, Tua or Herbert, Simmons, Wirfs go in front of the Browns (really going out on a limb on that one lol). It should leave them with Thomas or Wills at 10 (feel like Thomas would be the pick then). I think the Browns are hoping for some combo of 3 qbs, a WR and Derrick Brown going ahead of them and they can scoop up Thomas.

I agree with this. Though I prefer Wills, I also agree, I think the Browns want Thomas because of his experience at left tackle, elite pass blocking, and experience in a zone-blocking scheme.

 

[Snowblind]

I agree with this. Though I prefer Wills, I also agree, I think the Browns want Thomas because of his experience at left tackle, elite pass blocking, and experience in a zone-blocking scheme.

Also, seeing another Thomas at LT would be nice .

 

[Jack Brickman]

A guy I am seeing rising up draft boards fairly quickly is Laviska Shenault Jr. out of Colorado. He is the ultimate gadget receiver, ala a Deebo Samuel-type. He has outstanding hands (caught 14 out of 22 contested catches in 2019) and is the best yards-after-catch guy in this draft (averaged over seven yards-after-catch and got broke 44 tackles over the past two years).


He has a limited route tree, but given that the Browns really only currently have two wide-receivers and neither are gadget guys, I could actually see the team drafting Shenault. He's a mediocre route runner and probably does not promise to be an X-receiver or even a true slot guy, but he will be able to contribute right away.

To that end, here are my rough receiver rankings in this draft, the dotted line indicates guaranteed to be gone before the Browns' second pick, the mixed line indicates most-likely to be gone, and the straight line means we have no idea.

---------------------------------
1) Jeudy
2) Lamb
3) Ruggs

___----______----________--

4) Tee Higgins
5) Justin Jefferson
6) Jalen Reagor
___________________________

7) Denzel Mimms
8) Laviska Shenault JR.
9) Brandon Aiyuk
10) K.J. Hamler

I think it is highly unlikely that all of the first eight are gone by the time the Browns pick in the second round. And this poses an interesting question: the Browns need a third wide-receiver, so does it make sense to draft one of this year's elite prospects even if it means waiting for defensive help?

I'd be happy with any one of Jefferson, Mims, or Shenault. I like Reagor too but we've already got two top-tier guys under six feet.

 

[bronko]

I think the above proposed trade up scenarios are borderline insane and also completely counter to any likely analytic input. Picks are to valuable to waste in order to trade up a handful of spots. I think a 3rd for Trent Williams is too much when coupled with a new contact demand. I hope we stay put, or trade down if a starting lineman can still be had and the draft ahead of us goes QB crazy.
Not saying any poster is insane, just highly unlikely to make a trade like this with the mgt team now in place.

 

[Jordan]

I think the above proposed trade up scenarios are borderline insane and also completely counter to any likely analytic input. Picks are to valuable to waste in order to trade up a handful of spots. I think a 3rd for Trent Williams is too much when coupled with a new contact demand. I hope we stay put, or trade down if a starting lineman can still be had and the draft ahead of us goes QB crazy.
Not saying any poster is insane, just highly unlikely to make a trade like this with the mgt team now in place.

Just to clarify, I do not think any poster has advocated for trading-up nor do I think any poster has said they think that Berry, DePo, and co. will trade-up. It was more of a hypothetical, "what would it look like" discussion.

 

[bronko]

) Browns draft Thomas at 10
2) Browns draft Wills at 10
3) Giants take Becton, Cardinals take Wills, and Browns take Wirfs at 10.
4) Browns take Becton at 10
5) All four tackles are off the board and the Browns trade back to the late teens or twenties, gather a ton of assets and take one of the tackles in the second tier.
6) Browns trade up to 7 to select Thomas, Wirfs, or Wills
7) Browns take someone like Josh Jones as a reach at 10.
8) Browns select a receiver or linebacker at 10.
9) Browns trade-up to 3 and select their top-rated linemen. I think this only happens if Wirfs is the Browns' top-choice by a heathy margin and they are very worried about the Giants drafting him.

Of these, I like 1,2,3,8 (only Simmons), 5 in that order. But for all I know, they probably have a completely different take on the level of OT talent than the general consensus.

 

[Randolphkeys]

There is a consensus top tier of four tackles. The Browns anticipate two tackles to go before they draft. There might be three, but three in the top ten is already unprecedented. It's a great draft for tackles, maybe the best ever. The Browns finally caught a break there.