Written by Bobby Greco
The 2020 draft is complete and for being the first all-virtual draft, it went off without a hitch. Teams found ways to navigate our new situation and it was really enjoyable to watch. There were a lot fewer trades than usual and that could be because of a level of uncertainty with everything, but in general, things went really smooth. I thought there were three clear winners and three losers, so take a look at how things shaped up.
Winners:
Baltimore Ravens, Round 1 Patrick Queen(LB), Round 2 JK Dobbins(RB), Round 3 Justin Madubuike(DT) Devin Duvernay(WR) Malik Harrison(LB) Tyre Phillips(OL), Round 4 Ben Bredeson(OL), Round 5 Broderick Washington Jr(DT), Round 6 James Proche(WR), Round 7 Geno Stone(S): The clear winners of this year’s NFL Draft is undoubtedly the Ravens. Not only did they have a lot of capital with 10 picks, but they hit on every pick they made. From top to bottom, Baltimore drafted players well below that player’s value. They also got some of my favorite players in this class, Malik Harrison was my 3rd ranked LB and has a very similar skillset as Bobby Wagner. Then in the 6th round, they drafted Proche, who in my opinion is the most underrated player in the draft. Just turn on his tape and see, the kid has an extensive highlight reel of incredible catches. Dobbins will bring another physical presence to the backfield and Duvernay can take the top off any defense. They honestly don’t have any pick that I don’t like.
L.A. Rams, Round 2 Cam Aker(RB) Van Jefferson(WR), Round 3 Terrell Lewis(LB) Terrell Burgess(S), Round 4 Brycen Hopkins(TE), Round 6 Jordan Fuller(S), Round 7 Clay Johnston(LB) Sam Sloman(K) Tremayne Anchrum(OL): The Rams might not have had a 1st round pick, but that did not prevent them from having one of the best drafts. They used the 2nd round very well by drafting two immediate starters in Akers and Jefferson. Then drafted the Terrell brothers in the 3rd, both could end up being starters by the start of the season, you just have to hope Lewis can stay healthy. Hopkins can be a big contributor too, as long as he cleans up the drops.I even really like the kicker they drafted, since they no longer have Zuerlein. Johnston and Anchrum are depth players, but could both see playing time and that is good to build up your team.
Indianapolis Colts, Round 2 Michael Pittman Jr(WR) Jonathan Taylor(RB), Round 3 Julien Blackmon(S), Round 4 Jacob Eason(QB), Round 5 Danny Pinter(OL), Round 6 Robert Windsor(DT) Isaiah Rodgers(CB) Dezmon Patmon(WR) Jordan Glasgow(LB): The Colts are another team that didn’t have a 1st round pick, but still took full advantage of the draft. After having an injury-plagued season, they decided to beef up the offense and drafted two of the toughest and most productive players in Pittman and Taylor. Blackmon is solid safety and brings depth to the secondary. In the 4th round, they were able to nab Jacob Eason, which is a great opportunity for him, because he now has the chance to learn from Phil Rivers. This does, however, raise questions about what will happen to Jacoby Brissett. Pinter is a good lineman and gives them depth upfront. Rodgers and Patmon were both really productive college players and could both make an impact their rookie season. Windsor and Glasgow give you really good depth pieces, as well as help on special teams.
Honorable Mention, Dallas Cowboys: I really like what Dallas did with their first pick, because it not only helped them, it hurt the rest of their division. Then they were able to get Bradlee Anae in the 5th, a player who is a relentless pass rusher. Also replacing the Center position was huge.
Losers:
Green Bay Packers, Round 1 Jordan Love(QB), Round 2 AJ Dillon(RB), Round 3 Josiah Deguara(TE), Round 5 Kamal Martin(LB), Round 6 Jon Runyan(OL) Jake Hanson(OL) Simon Stepaniak(OL), Round 7 Vernon Scott(S) Jonathan Garvin(LB): I just really don’t like, or understand for that matter what the Packers were doing. You want to draft your quarterback of the future, fine. But why trade up for him, especially if you don’t plan on playing within the next few years? Then instead of getting the offensive weapons you need, they reach on RB which is the most solid position group for them and in the next round completely whiff on a TE. I understand beefing up your O-Line and I like the Runyan pick, but I feel like they missed the target with everyone else. For a team that is coming off of a conference championship appearance, they look like they are in a total rebuild.
Las Vegas Raiders, Round 1 Henry Ruggs III(WR) Damon Arnette(CB), Round 3 Lynn Bowden Jr(WR) Bryan Edwards(WR) Tanner Muse(S), Round 4 John Simpson(OL) Amik Robertson(CB): This is a weird one for me, because I actually really like most of the players Vegas drafted, I just don’t like them for the Raiders. Ruggs for instance, I don’t see how he fits the Raiders offense, because I don’t know if he is that true number 1 receiver. He has the potential to be the next Tyreek Hill, but that will come with time and I don’t think he will be a number 1 before then. Arnette I thought was a big miss, they took him early and he wasn’t even in my top 5 CBs. In the 3rd they got two more receivers, so what happens to your current ones? Where does Bowden fit in the plans? Muse, Simpson, and Robertson are good players and have the potential to be good. However, I think they could have filled their team needs much more effectively, by not wanting until your last three picks.
Philadelphia Eagles, Round 1 Jaylen Reagor(WR), Round 2 Jalen Hurts(QB), Davion Taylor(LB), Round 4 K’von Wallace(S) Jack Driscoll(OL), Round 5 John Hightower(WR), Round 6 Shaun Bradley(LB) Quez Watkins(WR) Prince Tega Wanogho(OL), Round 7 Casey Toohill(DE): Philadelphia picking Reagor, may have been the most frustrating pick of the draft. Like I said in my day 1 article, this feels like Nelson Agholor all over again. In the deepest WR class maybe ever, they picked the one with the drops and isn’t a good route runner. I like the Hurts pick, because of Wentz’s injury history. Taylor was a big reach for when they got him and everyone else feels like they strictly just feel needs, but didn’t look at value. I think Prince is the only one they will get good value from because he does have the potential to be good. I was just really underwhelmed with their draft because I thought they in a good position to make huge improvements.