2020 NFL Draft - Pro Football Rumors

NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Tristan Wirfs

April 12th, 2020 at 11:31am CST by Zachary Links

Quality offensive line talent is hard to come by in today’s NFL, but this year’s class is surprisingly strong in that area. Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs, potentially, could be the first one off the board.

At 6’5″ and 320 pounds, Wirfs offers uncommon athleticism for his size. Wirfs put those skills to good use for the Hawkeyes, earning Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year honors in 2019. In college, he primarily lined up at right tackle, though he also offers experience on the left side, and some say that he can also work on the interior as a pro.

With a reported 40-yard-dash time of 4.85 seconds and a 625-pound max squat, Wirfs has scouts drooling over his potential. Georgia’s Andrew Thomas and Alabama’s Jedrick Wills Jr. are also pushing to be the first tackle selected, but Wirfs is widely viewed as the most NFL-ready of the bunch.

In all likelihood, the Bengals will kick off the draft by selecting LSU’s Joe Burrow, followed by the Redskins grabbing elite defensive end Chase Young at No. 2. The Lions, at No. 3, are entertaining offers to trade down; any team that moves up will probably use that choice to take a quarterback, or something other than an offensive lineman. But, Wirfs, Wills, and Thomas are all thought to be possibilities for the Giants at No. 4, provided that they don’t move back in the order.

A trade down would make sense for the G-Men, who are also on the hunt for pass rushers, centers, and safeties. However, history suggests that Dave Gettleman will be inclined to stand pat – in five drafts with the Panthers, and two drafts with the Giants, he’s never moved down from his first-round pick. Even if he passes on Wirfs, the Iowa standout won’t have far to fall. The Cardinals have some serious holes to plug on the O-Line as they aim to protect Kyler Murray – with the ability to play on the inside and outside, the No. 8 pick may represent Wirfs’ floor.

Draft Notes: Giants, Wirfs, Morgan, Jets, Bailey, Edwards

April 11th, 2020 at 6:57pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

There’s been a ton of discussion about the top three picks in the upcoming draft, but the Giants have been flying slightly more under the radar at number four. While we’ve heard that New York loves versatile Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons, the “consensus of sources” that Ralph Vacchiano of SNY spoke to was that the Giants will take an offensive tackle with the fourth pick. Vacchiano adds that they will “quite possibly” take another offensive lineman in the second round. If they did that, it would “likely be a center,” he adds. As for which tackle the Giants will take in what is widely regarded as a strong tackle draft, sources told Vacchiano that Giants GM Dave Gettleman “loves” Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs.

Here’s more from around the league as the draft rapidly approaches:

We know all about the top quarterbacks available, but James Morgan is an unheralded name who has been picking up steam lately. We heard last week that the Patriots were sniffing around and that a handful of other teams were interested in the FIU passer as well. Morgan is “pushing to be a mid-rounder” and has been interviewing well, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network tweets. Rapoport also notes that Morgan was interviewing with the Jets on Wednesday. Morgan completed only 58 percent of his passes last year with 14 touchdowns and five interceptions, but his numbers were much better the season before. He appears to be one of this draft’s late risers.
Former Purdue linebacker Markus Bailey got some good medical news, as Rapoport tweets that he recently had his combine re-check and was cleared by the Cardinals’ team doctor. Bailey tore his ACL for the second time back in September. Matt Miller of Bleacher Report had him as a fifth-rounder in his most recent mock draft, but maybe this news will boost his stock a little bit.
Speaking of good medical news, Rapoport tweets that former South Carolina receiver Bryan Edwards also got some. Edwards fractured the fifth metatarsal in his foot just before the combine, but is now out of his boot and “moving around well,” according to Rapsheet. Rapoport adds that teams have been sent updated scans of his foot, and all appears to be well. Miller had Edwards going early in the fourth-round to the Jets in that same mock draft.

Dolphins Favoring Herbert Over Tua?

April 11th, 2020 at 2:58pm CST by Sam Robinson

Connected to the 2020 quarterback class for over a year, the Dolphins may have a major decision to make in Round 1. They may well have to choose between Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert at No. 5 or be prepared to trade up for one of them.

Less than two weeks away from the draft, Herbert may be pulling ahead. At this juncture, 90% of the pre-draft intel on the Dolphins’ QB hierarchy points to them going with Herbert over Tagovailoa, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report notes.

This is peak smokescreen time. But teams do not have the same tools to throw competition off the scent — pro day attendance, pre-draft visits, workouts — and one scout told Miller he believes the Dolphins are trying to execute such an operation to drive down the Tua market.

Miami holds the No. 5 overall pick. Tagovailoa was viewed as this draft’s No. 1 pick for much of 2019, but his hip injury and list of previous maladies have created the possibility he will be available at No. 5. Though, Herbert would seem to have a much better chance of dropping to 5. The Dolphins going in that direction would allow them to hold onto their bounty of draft picks rather than trading some to move up.

Tua proceeded through a voluntary medical recheck recently, but former NFL GM Michael Lombardi said a team failed the ex-Alabama standout on a physical. Multiple teams have, per Miller, who notes the concern around the league is the southpaw’s ability to have a long career. Tagovailoa suffered multiple high ankle sprains, a knee sprain and, per Lombardi and Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, a broken wrist during his college run. Tagovailoa’s agent, as could be expected, said medical concerns around his client are overblown (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Cameron Wolfe).

Still, Tagovailoa’s upside is seen as greater than Herbert’s. Miller slots Tua sixth on his big board and Herbert 27th. Scouts Inc. has the Alabama alum seventh and the four-year Oregon starter 26th. Jordan Love comes in ahead of Herbert, per Scouts Inc. The Dolphins have also been connected to the Utah State product as well. But reports of their Herbert interest began to emerge before the 6-foot-6 talent fared well at the Combine.

If the Dolphins do pass on Tua, Miller adds the “overwhelming expectation” would be for the Chargers to pounce.

Patriots, Saints, Packers, Others Doing Homework On Jordan Love

April 11th, 2020 at 2:04pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although the rules leading up to the virtual draft make it more difficult to determine teams’ interest in prospects, franchises are doing their homework in different ways. And several teams are doing extensive research on Jordan Love.

The Utah State-developed quarterback prospect has drawn interest from teams with varying levels of quarterback needs. Among the teams doing homework on Love: the Saints, Patriots and Packers, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com notes. The Dolphins, Chargers and Redskins are also examining the intriguing passer.

With Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert expected to be the first three quarterbacks drafted, that places Love in an interesting spot. Following the Bengals, Dolphins and Bolts in the top six, there are not many teams with an immediate quarterback need. The Patriots, though, do qualify. Picking at No. 23, the Pats have not used a first-round pick on a quarterback since Drew Bledsoe 27 years ago and last picked one in Round 2 in 2014 (Jimmy Garoppolo). The Pats are believed to be prepared to give Jarrett Stidham a genuine shot to succeed Tom Brady, but it certainly would not surprise if they either drafted a quarterback early or signed one of the high-profile free agents.

Some scouts view Love as the draft’s best pure thrower, but Fowler adds others see him as a Day 2 pick. He finished last season with a 20-17 TD-INT ratio, well off the prolific pace he set as a sophomore (32-6) in 2018. Texas Tech coach Matt Wells — the former Utah State head coach — said seven NFL HCs have contacted him about Love in the past five days, per Fowler.

The Saints and Packers have been previously linked to the 6-foot-4 passer and have spoken with him leading up to the draft. New Orleans placed a first-round tender on Taysom Hill, but the former UDFA has 13 career pass attempts and will soon turn 30. The Packers have Aaron Rodgers under contract through 2023, and the 36-year-old star has indicated he wants to play into his 40s.

The Dolphins got in a meeting with Love before the NFL nixed the in-person components of the pre-draft process due to COVID-19. While Miami has been most closely connected to Tagovailoa, the organization has been mentioned as being interested in Love going back to February. In addition to their No. 5 overall pick, the Dolphins hold picks 18 and 26 in this draft.

NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Isaiah Simmons

April 10th, 2020 at 1:14pm CST by Zachary Links

There’s little doubt that Isaiah Simmons will hear his name called early in the NFL Draft. His pro position, however, remains in question. At 6’4″ and 230 pounds, the Clemson standout has the size and skillset to make it at linebacker. Meanwhile, he’s also got the chops to play safety and handle the slot. No one’s quite sure how Simmons will be used at the next level, but that’s not a bad thing.

Used sparingly in two frosh seasons, Simmons broke out as a sophomore in 2018 with 88 stops, including nine tackles for a loss and two sacks. Things only picked up from there – Simmons managed 104 tackles, 16.5 tackles for a loss, eight sacks, and three interceptions as a junior en route being named the nation’s best linebacker. With freakish athleticism for his size, NFL Draft guru Matt Miller went outside of the sport to find a proper comp for the underclassman.

“Can I compare Isaiah Simmons to Zion Williamson?,” Miller tweeted. “Just too big, fast, smart, and athletic for anyone to handle.”

Joe Burrow is considered to be a shoe-in for the Bengals’ No. 1 overall pick. The Redskins, at No. 2, would shock the world by drafting anyone other than Ohio State star Chase Young at No. 2. After that, could it be Simmons’ turn to take center stage (er, monitor screen)?

The Lions don’t seem terribly interested in him, but they do seem to be leaning towards a trade back from No. 3. The team moving up could be in the market for a QB – perhaps Tua Tagovailoa – but don’t discount the possibility of Simmons. After posting a 4.39 40-yard-dash and 39-inch vertical leap at the combine, there will be plenty of teams tempted to pounce on the Tigers defender.

Even if that doesn’t happen, Simmons won’t have far to fall. If the Giants stand pat at No. 4 and Dave Gettleman can resist a “hog mollie” like Jedrick Wills Jr., Mekhi Becton, or Tristan Wirfs, they could add Simmons to a revamped front seven alongside Blake Martinez. The Dolphins (No. 5) are laser-focused on finding their quarterback of the future in the early stages, but there aren’t many other clubs that could be ruled out for the versatile wonder. Simmons’ ceiling is sky-high and so is his draft floor.

Latest On Tua Tagovailoa

April 9th, 2020 at 7:49pm CST by Zachary Links

On Thursday, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa recorded an hour long workout and distributed the film to all 32 teams, according to Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The audition included “55 scripted throws and another 20 throws in a dynamic drill.”

[RELATED: Tua Says “I Feel 100%”]

The Alabama star worked out at a local private gym with less than ten people present to safeguard against the transmission of coronavirus. Ultimately, Tagovailoa’s camp is looking to silence concerns about his hip and looking for creative ways to showcase his health in lieu of a traditional pro day.

So far, it seems to be working. A few months ago, some wondered whether Tagovailoa – once presumed to be the No. 1 pick in this year’s class – would be drafted in the first round. Now, all indications are that he’ll be one of the first names called on April 23rd.

The Dolphins have a clear QB need and they’ve been heavily connected to him at No. 5 overall. Unless Oregon’s Justin Herbert is really the guy they want, it sounds like they’ll target him there or, potentially, trade up to guarantee they’ll get him. It’s even possible that the Redskins could nab him with the No. 2 pick, though we’d be shocked if they passed on defensive end Chase Young.

Latest On Utah RB Zack Moss

April 9th, 2020 at 1:46pm CST by Zachary Links

The surgically-repaired knee of Utah running back Zack Moss check out well in a recent exam, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. His agent tells Schefter that all 32 NFL teams have been notified of the results, which could boost his stock over the next few weeks.

Moss went under the knife in 2018, which prevented an early jump to the pros. Before that, he racked up 1,096 rushing yards off of 179 carries, good for an average of 6.1 yards per attempt. Moss didn’t show any ill effects last year, either – he went off for more than 1,400 yards with a 6.0 ypc average.

All together, Moss ran for over 4,000 yards at Utah, including three straight seasons of 1,000 yards or more. Still, his injury history might make some evaluators skittish. Georgia’s D’Andre Swift, LSU’s Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins, Florida State’s Cam Akers, and Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor could all come off the board before him.

Still, even if Moss isn’t a Day 1 selection, he’ll likely be a Day 2 pick for a team in need of backfield help. Moss offers power at around 220 lbs and he’s quicker than most ‘backs his size.

Redskins High On Tua Tagovailoa

April 9th, 2020 at 11:31am CST by Zachary Links

Everyone seems pretty convinced that the Redskins will select Chase Young with the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft. In fact, no teams picking below the Lions at No. 3 have even bothered to contact the Ohio State sack machine. Young-to-D.C. remains the most likely outcome, but Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears that Redskins head coach Ron Rivera is a big fan of Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

Due to his surgically-repaired hip, Tagovailoa’s stock has been murky for months. However, the QB seems to have restored much of his luster through his voluntary medical exam and videos that show off his health and mobility.

If the Redskins stun the football world by taking Tagovailoa and putting Dwayne Haskins on the back-burner, they’ll create a domino effect throughout the rest of the first round. The Lions, for example, could be tempted to bypass trade-back opportunities in order to grab Young, who many believe to be a generational talent. No matter what, the Lions seem to be in excellent position at No. 3.

Lions Discuss Trading Back From No. 3

April 9th, 2020 at 11:14am CST by Zachary Links

The Lions have talked with other clubs about potentially trading back from the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. The teams that want to move up “have been receptive,” Rapoport writes, so a trade could happen between now and when everyone logs on to the virtual podium.

For months, the Lions have been connected to Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah. The chatter has only increased in recent weeks, following the trade of Darius Slay to the Eagles. Okudah is widely regarded as the top cornerback in the draft and would be a logical fit for Detroit, but the Lions may feel that they can move down the board, get their guy, and add some additional ammo to their stockpile of picks.

The NFL Draft, of course, is completely unpredictable, but it’s fair to say that any team trading up to the third pick would not be chasing Okudah. Instead, any trade up to No. 3 would probably be for a quarterback – if the Bengals select Joe Burrow at No. 1 and the Redskins take Chase Young at No. 2, every other signal caller will be there for the taking. That includes Alabama star Tua Tagovailoa, who has received positive marks on his medical recheck and released promising workout videos.

The Dolphins are believed to have Tagovailoa in their sights. With the No. 5 pick, No. 26 pick, and even more in their arsenal, they’d be a logical candidate to swoop in. The Lions may also choose to wait until April 23rd before making any moves, just in case the Redskins throw everyone for a loop and pass on Young.

Ravens GM Eric DeCosta On 2020 Draft

April 9th, 2020 at 9:32am CST by Dallas Robinson

Fresh off a 14-2 campaign in 2019, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta is now set to conduct his second draft as Baltimore’s top front office decision-maker. Holding the 28th pick in the first round, the Ravens could go in any number of directions to supplement an already talented roster.

Let’s take a look at the highlights of a draft-centric conference call DeCosta held with reporters earlier this morning:

The 2020 draft is thought to contain one of the best wide receiver classes in recent memory, so much so that DeCosta believes Baltimore could find an immediate contributor as late as the fifth round, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic (Twitter links). Unsurprisingly, DeCosta expects Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb to be off the board by the time the Ravens pick in Round 1, and Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs will probably also be gone. But Baltimore could have a choice between options like Justin Jefferson (LSU), Tee Higgins (Clemson), Denzel Mims (Baylor), or Laviska Shenault (Colorado) at the end of the first round. DeCosta and the Ravens selected two wideouts — Marquise Brown and Miles Boykin — in the top three rounds of the 2019 draft.
Don’t expect the Ravens to attempt a move back up the board. “In general, trading up is dangerous,” DeCosta said, per Zrebiec (Twitter links). “It’s a little bit risky. I’d like to have 10, 12, 14 picks in every draft all things being equal.” Baltimore currently owns nine selections. If DeCosta wants to move that total into the double digits, he’d need to be trading back instead of up. Indeed, DeCosta said he would only consider a trade up for an “elite player.”
The Ravens depleted their tight end depth a bit by trading 2018 first-rounder Hayden Hurst to the Falcons, and DeCosta said it would be “foolish” for Baltimore not to consider adding another tight end at some point in the draft, tweets Zrebiec. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman runs a tight end-friendly scheme, but the Ravens currently only have three options on their roster: Mark Andrews, Nick Boyle, and Charles Scarff.
Baltimore may also consider adding talent in front of quarterback Lamar Jackson. “Offensive line is something we definitely want to address in this draft,” said DeCosta, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com (Twitter link). “We see some talent in all the rounds. It would be great if a guy in the first round that we thought was a really good player fell to us.” Given the presence of Ronnie Stanley and Orlando Brown, the Ravens don’t necessarily need immediate help at tackle, but DeCosta feels all the projected first-round tackles have the capacity to move inside to guard (where Baltimore does need help), as Zrebiec tweets.

2020 NFL Draft News & Rumors