2020 NFL Draft Results - RD2 Picks 33-64

Tee Higgins has an all-star basketball background and it translates to his game on the football field. He is a jump-ball player that can put the ball in the paint. My question is, can he uncover on underneath routes? Receivers that can't quickly uncover don't last in the NFL.

Grade: B-

- Kennedy Paynter, Draft Analyst (@Kennedy_Paynter on Twitter)

Indy goes with a large-bodied wideout that can get physical, displays a terrific catch radius and can snatch the ball out of the air. Terrific value pick of a Round 1-caliber talent that can run whatever route necessary. Of special note is his blocking aptitude, as Coach Frank Reich and the offense has begun to include a more prolific running game. Will help the Colts in Red Zone with his size and athleticism.

Grade: A

D'Andre Swift quickly emerged as the favorite to go in RD1 among a stacked class of RBs. He was passed up by both the Dolphins and the Chiefs (who decided to take Edwards-Helaire). Detroit Lion fans are happy they did! Despite all the hype he received, Swift had limited reps at Alabama. He gained 2,885 rushing yards while splitting carries with the Crimson Tide stable of backs. Swift is more than Pro ready - he will give Lions flashbacks to Barry Sanders. Swift is good at everything: handles blocking in pass coverage, can catch, excellent vision, acceleration off his cuts, breaks tackles after contact and can not be caught when the endzone is in sight. Lions fans rejoice!

Grade: A+

There are many that thought McKinney would be long gone by the time day one wrapped up, but there was always a chance his limitations in coverage could make this a possibility. McKinney is a heat-seeking missile that tackles as well as any safety in this draft. He's got a nose for the football, and gives Joe Judge a player that can even play a hybrid safety role that takes on linebacker duties. He may not be able to matchup in man coverage, but McKinney is a much more capable player in zone.
Grade: B+


~Austin Smith, DraftTek Senior Analyst

A prospect whose value has been rising since his performance at the Reese's Senior Bowl is the pride of Lenoir-Rhyne, S Kyle Dugger. One of the best pure athletes in the 2020 NFL Draft, Dugger dominated compe tition at the D-2 level . He exhibits explosive burst, speed and a pretty notable wingspan on the back end to be an influence in zone coverage.

His intangibles are off the charts . . . coaches describe his "Blue Collar Attitude" with glowing reviews for his football character and work ethic. Dugger will be an asset in a locker room and on the field as he's a "try hard" with elite physical gifts, a rare combination indeed. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and looks to physically impose his will on opposing players.

Grade: A

- Long Ball, DraftTek Senior Analyst

The Carolina Panthers decide to double-dip on the defensive line by selecting Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State! Gross-Matos is a long, rangy edge player who uses good hand technique to attack and disengage when rushing the passer. After earning 17.5 sacks for the Nittany Lions over the last two years, Yetur now joins Brian Burns as part of a vicious one-two punch coming off the edge!

Grade A-

- Cody Lachney, Panthers Analyst

I love that the Dolphins continue to add players to try and improve 2019's worst O-Line. Louisiana's Robert Hunt has the versatility to play either OG or RT. Hunt only allowed 1 sack and 1 QB hurry in 2019. He has good power and mobility to go along with decent overall technical skills. A groin injury in 2019 will need to be monitored, but isn't a major concern. It's conceivable Miami wheels out a completely new O-Line in 2020 and I'd be all for that.

Grade: B+

- David Payne, Dolphins Analyst

The Houston Texans draft from the state of Texas by selecting Ross Blacklock, DL3T TCU!

Ross Blacklock is an athletic tackle prospect who pass-rushes with tenacity. Don't be fooled by his 5.5 sacks the past two seasons. TCU often played him lined up across the center in order to draw double-teams. Houston will see his athleticism and favor his ability in 1-on-1 matchups at 3 tech DT. Great value pick for Houston!

Grade B+

- Cody Lachney, Texans Analyst

Indy gets a 2-time rusher with 2,000 yards and just shy of another one. The Colts have increased their running mixture in their offense, and now Taylor gives them an incredible 1-2-3 punch with Marlon Mack (unless they decide not to keep him) and either Nyheim Hines or Jordan Wilkins. He has had some issues with holding onto the rock, and is unlikely to be a threat receiving out of the backfield - but this guy gives Indy a breakaway running threat and incredible depth.

Grade: B+

After passing on their pick of the litter at wide receiver in the first round, the Jags end up with a guy whose ceiling is as high as almost any receiver in the draft. On the downside, according to Bob McGinn of The Athletic, Shenault was listed as the wide receiver with the highest bust potential of the top 10 at the position, in his poll of NFL front offices. Shenault's a physical receiver and a beast with the ball in his hands, so it wouldn't be surprising if he turned into a fan favorite down the road with some highlight-reel plays.

Grade: B+

On the plus side, the Bears were able to snag first-round talent when they picked up Notre Dame Tight End Cole Kmet at Pick #43. He's a long-striding, sure-handed receiving tight end who figures to contribute as he develops into a starter. On the negative side, he marks the 10th tight end on the team's roster at the moment. The team was spending millions more on the position than any other team before using their top pick on another one. The Bears have been as O-Line- and Safety-needy a team as any this offseason, yet they left Houston OT Josh Jones and Minnesota S Antoine Winfield Jr. on the board in favor of Kmet. But Bears fans are no strangers to feeling mystified on Draft Day.

Grade: B-

- Jud Branam, Bears Analyst

After moving back and gaining a fifth-round pick, the Browns got their hands on Delpit to shore up one of their safety positions. Despite tackling issues, I believed that he was the top safety in this class. He has the best range of any safety rumored to go in the top 100 selections, and can thrive in man coverage or zone.Tthe tackling issues are more discipline-related rather than him being unwilling, and if he cleans up his balance and learns to wrap up more consistently, this could be one of the bigger steals of the draft.

Grade: B+


~ Austin Smith, DraftTek Senior Analyst

Don't look now, but the Bucs are putting together a complete roster that should make a lot of noise in the NFC this year. Antoine Winfield Jr. is a heat-seeking missile at safety, equally capabale of laying the boom in the box and making plays on the ball. He's a bit under-sized, like his pops, but you can't deny the talent. He should have no problem making an impact on this team as a rookie, even if it's just in sub-packages to start.

Grade: A

This one was a bit of a surprise to me, considering what RD1 pick, Jerry Jeudy, offers in the slot. Hamler is strictly a slot player in my opinion, which makes me wonder how they plan to maximize Jeudy's versatility. I'm not sure what deterred them from an interior lineman like LSU's Lloyd Cushenberry or Netane Muti. Still, Hamler is another explosive target at Drew Lock's disposal.
Grade: B-


~ Austin Smith, DraftTek Senior Analyst

Grady Jarrett needed a running mate, and Atlanta got him one. It is doubtful that Davidson will see a ton of time outside, except in heavy packages. He will likely see more time working inside next to Jarrett. At the moment, there are only four designated DT on the roster, so Davidson's role will be to create interior pressure against the pocket passers of the NFC South. Atlanta got a leader and a player who has a nice aggressive edge. This is a very nice fit for what Atlanta wants to do with its Front Four.

Grade: A-

And now John Schneider has moved up in the draft instead of back. To come up 11 spots, they had to deal their RD3 (#101) selection. Not the worst deal, but certainly a surprise.

During his last two years at Tennessee, Taylor recorded 16.5 sacks while operating as both an EDGE and OLB. A perfect understudy to Bruce Irvin at the LEO position, he makes a lot of sense with Gross-Matos off the board. Some experts also believed he was one of the more NFL-ready pass rushers in the draft, which coincides with the Hawks want to get immediate starters/impact players to make Super Bowl run.

Grade: A

~ Jeff Chapman, Seahawks Analyst

After picking --err, trading for-- DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, the Steelers' first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft is...Chase Claypool...and I don't like it. The former Golden Domer was a WR/TE 'tweener before he ran a 4.42 40 at the NFL Combine, and I just don't believe he has the suddenness to be a productive receiver at the NFL level. On a positive note, Claypool will be a special teams stud for 10+ years. For a second-round pick though?

Grade: C-

- Kennedy Paynter, Draft Analyst (@Kennedy_Paynter on Twitter)

Corner Jaylon Johnson is a solid value pick at the 50th-overall pick, as he was thought of to be a possibility in the early 20s in the first round. Johnson is recovering from a shoulder injury, but assuming he is healthy, he is a consistent cover-man with competitiveness that should lead to a high-floor NFL starter. Johnson is raw when it comes to football instincts, but with a couple years under his belt, the Bears might have an above-average starter on the outside. Great pick.

Grade: B+

- Kennedy Paynter, Draft Analyst (@Kennedy_Paynter on Twitter)

Trevon Diggs, the younger brother of Vikings' WR Stefon Diggs, was a four-star recruit and the #1 WR in Maryland, according to Scout.com. He started as a two-way player when he arrived in Tuscaloosa in 2016 before transitioning to defense full-time. Diggs had a career-high 3 interceptions in 2019 with one pick-six and 11 pass defenses. As a former receiver, Trevon has a better understanding of route concepts than most corners. He is also able to locate the ball easily while engaged with WR, which should translate into more interceptions for the Cowboys' pass defense.

Grade: A+

- Long Ball, Cowboys Analyst

Wel,l it happened five picks before we thought it would, but Cam Akers is in fact a Los Angeles Ram. With the departure of Todd Gurley, the Rams running game needed help. Akers is a solid replacement as a true three-down back who can run, catch, and block. Akers ran well while at Florida State in spite of the fact that the Seminoles were never too competetive while Akers was there.

Grade: A

- Talon Graff, Rams Analyst

For future context, I am writing this roughly 15 minutes after the Eagles shocked the entire city of Philadelphia by selecting quarterback...yes, quarterback...Jalen Hurts.

I've been a big defender of Howie Roseman and Co... I insisted that it was a bad idea to trade this pick in RD1 to acquire CeeDee Lamb, knowing the team had so many needs, with so many good players still available: Denzel Mims...Kristen Fulton...A.J. Epenesa, ALL were available. They could have had Mims AND Reagor...unthinkable two days ago. I wonder how Wentz feels about this? This pick SUCKS.

Grade: F-minus

The Bills' biggest need was EDGE, despite the free-agent addition of Addison (age 32). Hard-hat-and-lunch-pail player with enough pass-rush skills, 49 tackles, 14.5 TFLs, 11.5 sacks and forced four fumbles during the 2019 season. A.J. models his game after J.J. Watt. He led the Big Ten in sacks in 2017, 2018,and 2019. He's quiet, and lets his game do the talking. Epenesa's a fit for the team-first ethos in the Bills' locker room, and his speed and burst at 280 pounds is mismatch. I like his effort, and his hustle keeps him involved in plays even though his closing speed isn't at an elite level. What you get from A.J. is power and surprising quickness. He's a high-motor player with a massive wingspan and the ability to disrupt in both the run game and the passing game. It's not an exciting pick like Mims, Fulton, or Dobbins would have been. But just wait. Beane's got this.

Grade: B+

- Dean Kindig, Bills Analyst

The rich get richer with this pick, as Dobbins joins the NFL's top-ranked rushing attack. Ohio State had two Heisman candidates in Chase Young and Justin Fields, but there were games where Dobbins was the most valuable player on that team. He's tough between the tackles, underrated in the open field, and a versatile option in the passing game. The Ravens have a variety of running backs, but Mark Ingram could become a cap casualty either this summer or next.
Grade: B+


~ Austin Smith, DraftTek Senior Analyst

I'm all for taking prospects from Alabama, so I can't be mad with this pick. However, Raekwon Davis is not my favourite prospect. The big knock on Davis is that he hasn't improved as expected and he simply does not make the most of his size/length. I can't see Davis filling a starting role immediately, but he is a good run-defender and will find work on early downs. The Fins will hope for some overdue progression from Davis and Brian Flores may be the man to make sure he finally fulfills his potential.

Grade: B

- David Payne, Dolphins Analyst

The Rams acquired the 57th pick from Houston in exchange for Wide Receiver Brandin Cooks and they use the pick to draft a shiny new receiver to fill the hole. Van Jefferson from Florida is a crisp route runner who comes from an NFL lineage. His father played in the NFL and is a current WR coach in the league. Jefferson is a nice player, but there were other positions the Rams could have addressed like Offensive Line or Linebacker.

Grade: C+

- Talon Graff, Rams Analyst

The Vikings were reportedly in extensive discussions with the Redskins for Trent Williams, but ultimately could not reach agreement on a deal. Thus, the Vikings decided to take a player that many projected to go higher and some even thought could go at the end of the First Round.

Ezra Cleveland measured 6'6", 311 with 33 3/8" arms. He did 30 reps on the bench, ran a blistering 4.93 forty, had a 30" vertical, and a 9'3" broad jump. He had a 9.92 RAS score, which was the best for offensive tackles. He is super athletic and fits into the Vikings' zone-blocking scheme very nicely.

Grade: A

- Mark P, Vikings Analyst - DrafttekVikings@Gmail.com

After the early run on WR's in RD 2, Joe Douglas made a nice move here, trading back with Seattle and picking up an additional RD 3 pick (101) in the process. Denzel Mims may not have been Plan A, but he ticks another box in the Jets off-season wish list. With 186 Catches and 28 TD's in his final 3 years at Baylor, he along with Perriman will help with the loss of Anderson and give Darnold another badly needed weapon, to help the Jets 32nd ranked Offense. Grade: A

Great versatile Bill Belichick-type player. ILB/SLB/S with athleticism and pass-rush prowess. He's highly determined and motivated, and can rush the passer and play in space with equal effectiveness.

Grade: A-

Fulton was regarded as a possible first-round selection, but there are some concerns with the former Tiger. The fraudulent test sample is something teams had to get to the bottom of, and I'm not sure if there is one particular area of his game that is special. Fulton is solid across the board as a corner, and could remind Titans' fans of Logan Ryan. However, he is big-game tested and a fiery competitor, giving Tennessee another solid corner to throw into the mix.

Grade: B-

~ Austin Smith, DraftTek Senior Analyst

Brain Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur are starting to put their stamp on the identity of this offense. A.J. Dillon is a workhorse running back, measuring in in at 6'0" and 247 lbs. Dillon is also an elite athlete for his size, doing particularly well in the vertical (41") and broad (131") jumps that measure explosion.

A.J. Dillon ranked 6th with 1,104 yards after contact and 5th with 81 forced missed tackles in 2019. He's going to be the thunder to Aaron Jones' lightning, giving Green Bay the ability to pound it between the tackles to open up the play-action game. It doesn't fill a top need, but Dillon will have an immediate impact.

Grade: B

Wow! I thought this was going to be one of those drafts where my RD1 selection falls to us in RD2, which would make up for the reverse that occurred in RD1. I know many Chiefs' fans had their sights on Zack Baun. Reid/Veach threw another curve ball at us with the selection of LB Willie Gay Jr. Again, another strong player who fits a needed position, just not the guy we expected.

Gay is such an aggressive tackler that he injured his own QB in practice (Don't try that here bub!). He's an enforcer with a non-stop motor. During his 3-year career at Mississippi, Gay made 99 tackles, including 11 for loss, and 3 INTs. His great length and play in space should make him an immediate starter. We projected him to go in RD3. Hey, maybe that's where we will land one of our RD1 projections?

Grade: B

~ KCBudMan, Chiefs Analyst

The Panthers add a much needed physical talent to the defensive backfield in the form of Jeremy Chinn, S southern Illinois

!If you're going to pass on Isaiah Simmons in the 1st rounds, then Jeremy Chen is one hell of a consolation prize! At 6' 3" 221 pounds, Jeremy ran a 4.45 at the combine and is honestly a physical freak. He plays like a heat-seeking missile &nd has good film playing both the safety and cornerback position. Matt Rhule gets his first truly position versatile player in this draft!

Grade A

- Cody Lachney, Panthers Analyst