We’re less than a week out from the 2020 NFL Draft. Here are the guys I’m throwing the cape on for across various positions. It would be cool if the Raiders drafted a couple of them.
Note, all the names listed and shared below are in no particular order.
Running Back
I won’t bore you guys with the top names. We know Jonathan Taylor is good. We know the Louisiana State back was hyper-productive in 2019 and has great hands. We know that J.K. Dobbins still profiles like a future three-down back, despite some noise from the outside to the contrary. Here are “the other guys” you need to know and appreciate.
Antonio Gibson: Tony Pollard all over again — which is a good thing. He’s a running back to me, obviously, but just get him involved.
Darrynton Evans: He’ll go higher than many, maybe even myself, expect, I think.
JaMycal Hasty: Caught a ton of balls (79 for his career) and runs like Devonta Freeman (the healthy version of course).
Wide Receiver
I have fallen in love with Jerry Jeudy. CeeDee Lamb is a stud in his own right. The really fast player from Alabama, the other late-risers. Heard it all. This is where my heart lies this year:
Denzel Mims: DeVante Parker all over again, but like, one that smashes much earlier in his career. I’ll never quit Baylor wide receivers.
Bryan Edwards: Poor timing with foot injury, but does it all. Elite mid-round pick with plenty of upside, despite recovering.
Tee Higgins: For the most part, a top-5 wide receiver, just not consensus enough for me. He’s very good, not sure what some are missing? More speed? Who cares.
Michael Pittman Jr.: Been one of the hottest names throughout the process. In any other year, feels like a mainstay inside the top-10. This year, with this class, maybe a little forgotten about? He game feels so easily translatable.
Lynn Bowden Jr.: Too dynamic (and fun) to fail?
Linebacker
The Raiders splashed in this position group during free agency. They should keep adding talent, especially in the middle-late rounds. I like the depth of this class. Patrick Queen’s the crush at 19, but I’m not sure Jon Gruden considers him at this point.
Akeem Davis-Gaither: “Perfect fit for today’s game” is the best cliche to use here.
Willie Gay Jr.: Apply that same cliche to Gay; made money at the Combine.
Logan Wilson: A Wyoming football player so nobody really got around to him until now but #watch #the #tape and he can clearly play.
Cornerback
Maybe we’ll cheat a little bit here, as these names are probably early-round-ish picks for the most part. I’m just likely higher on them than most. Think this group thins out a bit, so I’ll lazily tout the top talent.
Jeff Gladney: Don’t care about the size.
Jaylon Johnson: If more people watched Pac-12 ball…
Cameron Dantzler: Don’t care (too much) about the 40 (that Combine versus Pro Day difference is something to talk about though, as it often is). He can cover, and did so in the much-talked about SEC.
Noah Igbinoghene: Raw, but athletic as heck (that’s my #brand, the athletic part anyway). Kinda like this year’s Isaiah Johnson (former Houston corner, current Raider).
Safety, and Other Players of Note
Jeremy Chinn: Was once the dream in the 80’s for the Raiders. Now, I’m not sure he’s hanging around in the 50’s. Versatile, plus-athlete.
Antoine Winfield Jr.: Play-maker in every sense of the word; best safety in the class.
Chase Claypool: Is he a wideout or a tight end? I don’t really care. Just know he’s a special athlete, one you want catching passes for you favorite team.
Stephen Sullivan: Big wideout, basically. Think Darren Waller.
Justin Madubuike: The best defensive lineman in this class not named “Javon Kinlaw”.
been pounding the table for mims and Wilson both are football players and **** good at their positions. one RB you didn’t mention I like around late 3rd or4th is lamichal perine. very similar to Jacobs in a lot of ways (size, abilities and stuck in a rb by committee) not as shifty or violent but a pretty decent rb2 option imo. I like gladneys and johnsons attitudes as well as their skills. hopefully 3 or 4 of these guys are wearing s & b next year.
Need to get Eli Riley on the raiders. Leader of leaders. Can play the hybrid SS spot. No higher character in the draft.