2020 NFL Draft Sneak Peek

D'Andre Swift, RB, Georgia

After months and months of speculation, scouting and rumors, the 2019 NFL Draft is in the books. Now, the 2020 NFL Draft process unofficially kicks off, as teams will already begin scouting the newest wave of future NFL stars. Of course, things are bound to change and evolve in the next year, but taking an early peek at next year's class gives us a list of guys to keep an eye on this fall. Here is a way-too-early look at some of the big names your favorite NFL squad will be watching all season long:

Quarterbacks

Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
With a National Title and Heisman runner-up finish under his belt, Tua Tagovailoa enters his junior season as the face of college football. NFL scouts are already drooling about Tua's arm talent, pocket mobility and understanding of the game. With that being said, he still has plenty to work on if he wants to be the first name off the board next spring. Tagovailoa was really beat up towards the end of 2018 and doesn't know how to give up on plays, which can lead to turnovers and further injury. The good news is he'll have ample opportunities to answer these concerns in front of premier SEC competition.

Justin Herbert, Oregon
A lot of people were surprised that Herbert opted to return for his senior season in Eugene despite numerous first-round projections. However, the Oregon signal-caller has unfinished business with the Ducks and plenty to work on. He does have ideal NFL size and impressive accuracy, but has played in an offense much different than you see in the pros. Yet, former Oregon QB Marcus Mariota was able to make the adjustment from the spread to the pro-style offense, so Herbert should be able to evolve.

Jordan Love, Utah State
Jordan Love doesn't have the name recognition of others in the 2020 Draft Class, but don't expect that to be the case for very long. Love had a huge sophomore season, managing 3,567 yards and 32 touchdowns while completing 64% of his passes. Love is a tremendous athlete with excellent scrambling ability, but he has to bulk up before he reaches the next level. He should put up huge numbers in the Mountain West in 2019.

Others to Keep an Eye On: K.J. Costello (Stanford), Shea Patterson (Michigan), Jake Fromm (Georgia)

Runningbacks

Najee Harris, Alabama
Alabama produces NFL runningback after NFL runningback and it appears former five-star recruit Najee Harris is the next in line. Now entering his junior campaign, Harris flashed superstar potential despite being third on the depth chart. He is a powerful, hard-nosed runner with a little bit more wiggle than former 'Bama rushers Josh Jacobs & Damien Harris. He'll have to become a better pass-catcher, but all the tools are there.

J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State
After a huge freshman year, J.K. Dobbins slowed down during his sophomore season. Despite this, he will still enter '19 with plenty of eyes on him from scouts, as a dynamic, talented running back. Dobbins has breakaway speed in the open field, but has to improve his consistency, which will hopefully happen with more games under his belt. He will also not be sharing carries as much this fall, as he did with Mike Weber this past season.

D'Andre Swift, Georgia
Much like Harris & Dobbins, D'Andre Swift will go from splitting carries to the clear-cut feature back. Swift flashed serious potential his freshman season, but wasn't ever completely healthy this past fall. When 100 percent, Swift is absolutely explosive and can break out a big run any time he gets a little bit of daylight. He'll have to answer durability questions, but big things should still be expected in Athens.
Others to Keep an Eye On: Zack Moss (Utah), Jonathan Taylor (Wisconsin), Travis Etienne (Clemson)

Receivers/Tight Ends

Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
How scary will Alabama's offense be in 2019? Tagovailoa, Harris and Jerry Jeudy all have the chance to be the first taken from their position group in the 2020 NFL Draft. Jeudy had 1,315 yards and 14 touchdowns on the year, proving to be a potent deep threat. He averaged 19.3 yards per catch, with burning speed and an insane catch radius. With Tua's big arm getting him the ball, he is the favorite to win the Biletnikoff in '18 (nation's best receiver).

Collin Johnson, WR, Texas
Collin Johnson is the type of prospect scouts drool over, with a perfect blend of size and athleticism. He stands at 6'5", 220 pounds with lengthy arms and the ability to catch over the top of defenders. He is also a skilled blocker, opening up lanes on the outside all of last year. Can he take an even bigger leap in 2019 and surge into the Top 10?

Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, Missouri
Okwuegbunam is another guy who decided to spurn the NFL and instead return for a grand finale. He now has the chance to catch passes from stud QB Kelly Bryant, and for an offense that should be a force in the SEC. Okweugbunam has exceptional hands for his position, and is a great route runner. He is the perfect vertical tight end for the modern NFL.

Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State is a school that has produced some impressive NFL talent at receiver and Tylan Wallace is the next in line. He had a breakout season, notching 86 receptions for 1,491 yards, burning Big 12 defenders all along the way. Wallace is a little bit undersized for the pros, but he projects pretty favorably as a quick, move-the-chains slot receiver.
Others to Keep an Eye On: Henry Ruggs III (WR, Alabama), Laviska Shenault (WR, Colorado), CeeDee Lamb (WR, Oklahoma)

Offensive Line

Trey Adams, OT, Washington
Even though he suffered a torn ACL in 2017, Trey Adams has recovered as one of the premier protectors in collegiate football. He's a smooth, well-built blocker who projects as a franchise left tackle. Again, he will have to stay healthy but he has proven himself as a consistent protector of his quarterback.

Trey Smith, OT, Tennessee
A former five-star recruit, Trey Smith is sure to be a high selection after Tennessee did not have a single player taken in the 2019 NFL Draft. He is still somewhat inconsistent but he has impressive athleticism, quick feet and big hands. Considering how weak this past Draft Class was on the offensive front, plenty of teams should be looking for tackles.

Walker Little, OT, Stanford
Yet another high-profile recruit, Walker Little is bound to attract plenty of attention to the West Coast in the fall. He plays in an NFL-style offense with the Cardinal, and at 6'7", 305 pounds he is long and strong. He'll hope to have an even bigger junior year after an all-around solid performance during the 2018 campaign.
Others to Keep an Eye On: Andrew Thomas (OT, Georgia), Matt Hennessy (OC, Temple), Alex Leatherwood (OL, Alabama), Darryl Williams (OG, Mississippi State)

Defensive Line

Chase Young, DE, Ohio State
Following in the footsteps of Nick Bosa, who went No. 2 overall this past week, Chase Young is sure to be one of the first off the board in 2020. The uber-athletic pass rusher was a force off the edge all season for a Buckeyes team that needed it. He had 14.5 TFL and 9.5 sacks on the season, showcasing a powerful first step and potential in run support. He has all the talent to be an absolute phenom on the perimeter.

Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
Derrick Brown is another guy that received a first or second-round projection early in the 2019 NFL Draft process but decided to come back. He can play inside or out, although he is more natural playing as a run stuffer in the heart of the line. He moves extremely well laterally, enabling him to move across the defensive front with impressive speed. He needs to up his production this season on the Plains to ensure a first-round selection.

Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama
Overshadowed by Quinnen Williams this past fall, Raekwon Davis is now the unquestioned leader of the Alabama D-Line. He's an electrifying, monstrous presence who is often too quick or too athletic for interior blockers. However, there have been off-the-field concerns and questions about him taking off plays at times. Will an impressive senior campaign change these perceptions?
Others to Keep an Eye On: A.J. Epenesa (DE, Iowa), Nick Coe (DL, Auburn), Yetur Gross-Matos (DE, Penn State), Jabari Zuniga (DL, Florida)

Linebackers

Dylan Moses, Alabama
The factory that is the Alabama linebacker group continues with Dylan Moses, who was Butkus Award finalist after posting 86 tackles in '18. A physical, downhill tackler who can also get after the quarterback, Moses is almost sure to get more action in the middle for a Tide defense that is without linebacker mate Mack Wilson.

Paddy Fisher, Northwestern
A former linebacker himself, Pat Fitzgerald has done a great job developing consistent talent at the position while with the Wildcats. His latest 'backer prodigy may be his best ever; Fisher isn't necessarily a flashy prospect but he is about as effective as they come. He was a major reason why Northwestern's rush defense was so dominant this past fall, a huge contributor to their Big Ten Championship Game appearance.

Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
Isaiah Simmons is a pretty intriguing prospect who will play a huge larger role on the Clemson defense with all four D-Linemen off to the NFL. Simmons is most natural at outside linebacker where he can create chaos coming off the edge, but he is versatile enough to help at safety or as a nickelback. Simmons really is excellent in man coverage, and his length would be ideal for getting in opposing quarterbacks eyesight.
Others to Keep an Eye On: Anfernee Jennings (Alabama), Troy Dye (Oregon), Jabril Cox (North Dakota State)

Secondary

Grant Delpit, S, LSU
The best LSU safety since Tyrann Matheiu, Grant Delpit is the real deal. The rangy defender did it all this past season for the Tigers, with 74 tackles, 9.5 TFL and five interceptions. NFL personnel will fall in love with his size (6'3", 208 pounds) and incredible instincts. He should be a high draft pick, even at a position that normally doesn't get a lot of love in the early rounds.

Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
Even though he was just a two-star prospect coming out of Bishop McDevitt High (Harrisburg, PA), Bryce Hall has really developed into a stud defender while at Virginia. He flirted with the NFL Draft this past off-season before deciding to return, where he will lead a strong Cavalier secondary. Hall is an absolute pest for opponents, batting down a whopping 21 passes and forcing two fumbles a year ago.

Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
The younger brother of NFL star receiver Stefon, Trevon Diggs will be a fascinating prospect to watch this fall. Diggs played both offense and defense in high school but is now a full-time defender, where he flashed serious potential in '18 before a broken foot ended his season. His athleticism and ball skills are off the charts, but he'll have to develop more consistency to lock in a first-round grade. Diggs can also be a help on special teams, where he has made a number of plays for the Tide over the years.
Others to Keep an Eye On: C.J. Henderson (CB, Florida), Xavier McKinney (S, Alabama), Jaylon Johnson (CB, Utah), Rashad Robinson (CB, James Madison)