2020 NFL Draft - Pro Football Rumors

Bears Finalize Draft Class Deals

July 21st, 2020 at 3:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Bears completed a quick effort to have their 2020 draft class signed by the time their rookies were to report to training camp. All seven of Chicago’s draftees are now signed, with the group either inking deals Tuesday or seeing the team reveal an agreement is in place.

Second-round tight end Cole Kmet and Round 2 cornerback Jaylon Johnson highlight the group, which also included linebacker Trevis Gipson, cornerback Kindle Vildor, wide receiver Darnell Mooney and tackles Arlington Hambright and Lachavious Simmons. Kmet, Johnson and Simmons signed their deals Tuesday.

This marked the second of two Bears drafts lacking a first-round pick because of 2018’s Khalil Mack trade. Chicago, however, gained a second-rounder in that deal and selected Kmet. The Bears took Hambright with a pick obtained in the deal with the Raiders as well.

The first tight end selected this year, Kmet will be expected to step in as Chicago’s starter fairly soon. The team has experienced issues filling this job in recent years. Dion Sims, 2017 second-rounder Adam Shaheen and Trey Burton failed to become the franchise’s long-sought-after answer here. The Bears did sign Jimmy Graham, but the soon-to-be 34-year-old tight end struggled for much of his Packers tenure.

A Utah product, Johnson can be expected to compete for the Bears’ starting cornerback job opposite Kyle Fuller. Chicago released Prince Amukamara this offseason. The Bears also traded up for Mooney in Round 5, doing so just before signing Ted Ginn Jr. to serve as a stopgap option. Chicago also cut Taylor Gabriel this offseason.

Here is the Bears’ draft class:

2-43: Cole Kmet, TE (Notre Dame)
2-50: Jaylon Johnson, CB (Utah)
5-155: Trevis Gipson, LB (Tulsa)
5-163: Kindle Vildor, CB (Georgia Southern)
5-173: Darnell Mooney, WR (Tulane)
7-226: Arlington Hambright, T (Colorado)
7-227: Lachavious Simmons, T (Tennessee State)

Jets Sign Mekhi Becton

July 21st, 2020 at 12:56pm CST by Zachary Links

Done deal. The Jets have inked first-round offensive tackle Mekhi Becton, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The No. 11 overall pick will receive $18.45MM over the course of his four-year deal.

Becton – who stands at 6’7″ and 364 pounds – has scouts all over the league buzzing. With Trent Brown’s bulk and a 5.1-second 40-yard dash, there was little doubt that he’d come off the board early. The Jets weren’t sure he’d be there at No. 11, but they were pleasantly surprised, and they pounced. Georgia’s Andrew Thomas was the first tackle to go at No. 4 overall to the Giants, and he was viewed as the safest of the bunch. Becton – who pushes trucks for fun – may have a higher ceiling.

Becton is coming off of a breakout season in which he registered 60 knockdown blocks and the Jets are counting on him keeping up the good work in 2020. Here’s the full rundown of the Jets’ class:

1-11: Mekhi Becton, T (Louisville): Signed
2-59: Denzel Mims, WR (Baylor): Signed
3-68: Ashtyn Davis, S (California)
3-79: Jabari Zuniga, DE (Florida): Signed
4-120: Lamical Perine, RB (Florida): Signed
4-125: James Morgan, QB (Florida International): Signed
4-129: Cameron Clark, OT (Charlotte): Signed
5-158: Bryce Hall, CB (Virginia): Signed
6-191: Braden Mann, P (Texas A&M): Signed

Panthers Wrap Draft Class

July 21st, 2020 at 12:16pm CST by Zachary Links

The Panthers have signed their entire 2020 NFL Draft class, per a club announcement. First-round pick Derrick Brown got the party started in the spring, but the rest waited until this week to put pen to paper. The full rundown:

1-7: Derrick Brown, DT (Auburn): Signed
2-38: Yetur Gross-Matos, DE (Penn State): Signed
2-64: Jeremy Chinn, DB (Southern Illinois): Signed
4-113: Troy Pride Jr., CB (Notre Dame): Signed
5-152: Kenny Robinson, S (West Virginia): Signed
6-184: Bravvion Roy, DT (Baylor): Signed
7-221: Stantley Thomas-Oliver III, CB (Florida International): Signed

Gross-Matos stood out with 17.5 sacks and 37 hurries over the last two seasons, plus solid work against the run. On the flipside, some evaluators had concerns about his bulk. He’ll have to put some more muscle on his 6’5″, 265-pound frame in order to be a reliable three-down defensive lineman.

On the other side of the ball, the Panthers say they’ll be hanging on to wide receiver Curtis Samuel, despite an offseason full of trade rumors.

Falcons Sign A.J. Terrell, Wrap Draft Class

July 21st, 2020 at 11:41am CST by Zachary Links

It took a little while, but the Falcons wrapped their entire draft class in one shot. Per a club announcement, all six of their rookies have officially signed:

1-16: A.J. Terrell, CB (Clemson)
2-47: Marlon Davidson, DT (Auburn)
3-78: Matt Hennessy, C (Temple)
4-119: Mykal Walker, LB (Fresno State)
4-134: Jaylinn Hawkins, S (California)
7-228: Sterling Hofrichter, K (Syracuse)

Per the terms of his slot, Terrell will receive a four-year deal worth $14.31MM – fully guaranteed. The Clemson star put himself on the radar in 2018 with 53 tackles and three interceptions, including a pick six at the expense of Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa in the 2019 title game. After an All-ACC season in 2019, Terrell had little reason to return for his final year of eligibility. Some saw him as a second-round type heading into the draft, but the Falcons nabbed him midway through the first, giving them some help in the wake of Desmond Trufant‘s departure.

Hennessy, a Temple product, agreed to terms with the Falcons on Monday. That selection brought disappointment in Denver – the Broncos wanted him at No. 79, but the Falcons struck first and nabbed him at No. 78.

Raiders, Henry Ruggs Agree To Deal

July 21st, 2020 at 11:29am CST by Zachary Links

The Raiders have agreed to terms Henry Ruggs, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). Per the terms of his slot at No. 12, the speedy wide receiver will earn $16.67MM on his four-year deal.

Ruggs didn’t put up gaudy numbers in Alabama’s talent-laden offense, but teams were more focused on a sub-4.3-second 40-yard dash. That was evident on draft night when he went ahead of Jerry Jeudy, who tallied ~1,500 yards and 24 touchdowns over the last two years. Ruggs, meanwhile, cleared 700 yards in each of his final two seasons.

More importantly, he averaged 17.5 yards per grab over the course of his collegiate career. The 6’0″ receiver projects as a potent deep threat, one that Jon Gruden & Co. could not pass up. Along with Tyrell Williams and Hunter Renfrow, Ruggs figures to give fits to opposing defenses.

Here’s the full rundown of the Raiders’ 2020 class, via PFR’s tracker:

1-12: Henry Ruggs III, WR (Alabama): Signed
1-19: Damon Arnette, CB (Ohio State)
3-80: Lynn Bowden Jr., WR (Kentucky)
3-81: Bryan Edwards, WR (South Carolina)
3-100: Tanner Muse, LB (Clemson)
4-109: John Simpson, OL (Clemson)
4-139: Amik Robertson, CB (Louisiana Tech)

Cardinals, Isaiah Simmons Agree To Deal

July 21st, 2020 at 10:09am CST by Zachary Links

The Cardinals have agreed to terms with Isaiah Simmons, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). Per the terms of his slot, the No. 8 overall pick will earn $20.66MM over the course of his four year deal, with $12.58MM coming in the form of a signing bonus.

Evaluators were enamored by Simmons’ versatility heading into the draft, seeing him as a player who could seamlessly move between outside linebacker, inside linebacker, and the secondary. However, Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury says he’ll allow the Clemson star to focus on just one position as he learns the ropes.

“His ability to play so many positions and not really having a chance to focus on one, we just think the sky could be the limit for what he can be if we really lock him in one position for the majority of the time,” said Kingsbury.

Kingsbury didn’t specify which position that would be, but defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has indicated that he’ll play linebacker.

Simmons broke out as a sophomore in 2018 with 88 total 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 and a 6’4″, 230-pound frame, the Cardinals say the sky is the limit for Simmons.

Jaguars Sign K’Lavon Chaisson, 3 Others To Wrap Draft Class

July 20th, 2020 at 6:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Jaguars became the latest team to wrap their 2020 draft class’ deals. They reached an agreement with first-round pass rusher K’Lavon Chaisson and three others to do so Monday.

In addition to their agreement with the LSU-developed edge defender, the Jags signed fifth-round safety Daniel Thomas, sixth-round quarterback Jake Luton and seventh-round cornerback Chris Claybrooks.

Chaisson will join a revamped defensive front, one that is thin on contributors from the acclaimed “Sacksonville” era. Jacksonville traded Calais Campbell and released both Malik Jackson and Marcell Dareus in the past two offseasons. Yannick Ngakoue must play this season on the franchise tag, but the team’s top pass rusher has vowed not to return to Jacksonville for a fifth season.

Jacksonville used first-round picks on edge defenders in two straight years, with Chaisson following Josh Allen to north Florida. Chaisson broke out for the national champion Tigers last season, registering 6.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss. For his career, however, Chaisson only finished with 9.5 sacks.

Luton, who played at Oregon State, will compete for a job behind starter Gardner Minshew. Considering Mike Glennon and Joshua Dobbs are on the roster, Luton profiles as a candidate for the Jags’ practice squad. Thomas (Auburn) and Claybrooks (Memphis) will attempt to impress, despite limited offseason work, in training camp to earn jobs in the Jaguars’ secondary.

Here is the Jags’ 2020 draft class:

1-9: C.J. Henderson, CB (Florida): Signed
1-20: K’Lavon Chaisson, DE (LSU): Signed
2-42: Laviska Shenault, WR (Colorado): Signed
3-73: Davon Hamilton, DT (Ohio State): Signed
4-116: Ben Bartch, OT (St. John’s (MN)): Signed
4-137: Josiah Scott, CB (Michigan State): Signed
4-140: Shaquille Quarterman, ILB (Miami): Signed
5-157: Daniel Thomas, S (Auburn): Signed
5-165: Collin Johnson, WR (Texas): Signed
6-189: Jake Luton, QB (Oregon State): Signed
6-206: Tyler Davis, TE (Georgia Tech): Signed
7-223: Chris Claybrooks, CB (Memphis): Signed

Dolphins Sign Round 1 CB Noah Igbinoghene

July 20th, 2020 at 5:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Dolphins are one player away from finishing up their draft class agreements. But they took care of a key contract Monday, coming to terms with first-round cornerback Noah Igbinoghene, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

Miami acquired first-round picks from its Laremy Tunsil and Minkah Fitzpatrick trades last year. The team made the Igbinoghene pick — at No. 30 overall — with the selection acquired from the Texans. The Dolphins traded down four spots, when the Packers moved up for Jordan Love, and further bolstered their new-look cornerback contingent.

Despite the Dolphins rostering two of the league’s three highest-paid corners — Byron Jones and Xavien Howard — the team used one of its three first-round picks to add to the group. Igbinoghene projects as a slot defender, one that may need some developmental time before assuming such a role. The Auburn alum has been a full-time cornerback for barely two years.

Igbinoghene moved from wide receiver to cornerback early in his college career, moving to defense in spring practice in 2018. He started the next two seasons on defense for the Tigers, however. Igbinoghene also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns during his three-year Auburn career.

This agreement leaves only second-round offensive lineman Robert Hunt unsigned. Here is how the Dolphins’ rookie class now stands:

1-5: Tua Tagovailoa, QB (Alabama): Signed
1-18: Austin Jackson, T (Miami): Signed
1-30: Noah Igbinoghene, CB (Auburn): Signed
2-39: Robert Hunt, OL (Louisiana)
2-56: Raekwon Davis, DL (Alabama): Signed
3-70: Brandon Jones, S (Texas): Signed
4-111: Solomon Kindley, OL (Georgia): Signed
5-154: Jason Strowbridge, DT (UNC): Signed
5-164: Curtis Weaver, DE (Boise State): Signed
6-185: Blake Ferguson, LS (LSU): Signed
7-246: Malcolm Perry, WR/RB (Navy): Signed

Chiefs To Sign Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Wrap Draft Class

July 20th, 2020 at 3:02pm CST by Zachary Links

The Chiefs have verbally agreed to deals with all six players in their draft class, as Terez A. Paylor of Yahoo Sports tweets. Here’s the full rundown of the group, headlined by one of this year’s most intriguing rushers:

1-32: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB (LSU)
2-63: Willie Gay Jr., LB (Mississippi State)
3-96: Lucas Niang, OT (TCU)
4-138: L’Jarius Sneed, S (Louisiana Tech)
5-177: Mike Danna, DE (Michigan)
7-237: Thakarius Keyes, CB (Tulane)

Don’t let Edwards-Helaire’s 5’7″ frame fool you – he’s tough, durable, and a proven three-down back. His agility and soft hands made him one of this year’s most coveted rookie RBs, though some evaluators were concerned about his speed. That’s not a huge problem in KC, where they already have ample quickness on offense.

The LSU product is expected to serve as the Chiefs’ top running back, ahead of Damien Williams and Darwin Thompson. Elijah McGuire, Darrel Williams, and former Raiders rusher DeAndre Washington are also on the offseason roster.

Eagles Sign Jalen Hurts, Wrap Draft Class

July 20th, 2020 at 2:49pm CST by Zachary Links

That’s a wrap. On Monday, the Eagles formally announced the signing of second-round quarterback Jalen Hurts, plus five other draft picks. With that, the Eagles have formally inked all ten of their rookies in advance of training camp.

The Birds surprised everyone with their selection of Hurts at No. 53 overall. Few saw the QB2 role as a priority, but Howie Roseman and Doug Pederson couldn’t pass up the chance to grab the Oklahoma star.

“I think this player, obviously with Jalen Hurts, he has a unique skillset and you see what Taysom Hill has done in New Orleans,” Pederson said earlier this year. “And now he and Drew Brees have a connection there and a bond there. You look at with (Joe) Flacco and Lamar (Jackson) in Baltimore in the short period of time, how they gelled together. It’s just something we’re going to explore.”

During his lone season at Oklahoma, Hurts ran for 1,298 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns on 233 carries. He also had five receptions during his collegiate career, including two for 25 yards and a score during the 2019 campaign. His versatility is a major plus, and so is his salary – he’ll make just $6.025MM over the course of his four-year deal, allowing the Eagles to spend elsewhere and save in advance of their 2021 cap crunch.

The Eagles also inked deals with third-round linebacker Davion Taylor, fourth-round guard Jack Driscoll, fifth-round receiver John Hightower, sixth-round linebacker Shaun Bradley, and seventh-round linebacker Casey Toohill to round out the group. Here’s the full rundown, via PFR’s Tracker:

1-21: Jalen Reagor, WR (TCU): Signed
2-53: Jalen Hurts, QB (Oklahoma): Signed
3-103: Davion Taylor, LB (Colorado): Signed
4-127: K’Von Wallace, S (Clemson): Signed
4-145: Jack Driscoll, G (Auburn): Signed
5-168: John Hightower, WR (Boise State): Signed
6-196: Shaun Bradley, LB (Temple): Signed
6-200: Quez Watkins, WR (Southern Miss): Signed
6-210: Prince Tega Wanogho, T (Auburn): Signed
7-233: Casey Toohill, DE (Stanford): Signed

2020 NFL Draft News & Rumors