The 2020 pre-draft process has been a unique one, and with the absence of traditional pro days, much of the true NFL interests remain a mystery. Even Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach is preparing for the unexpected in this draft.
Your mock draft simulators are probably telling you that these players will be available long after the first round, but that’s not a certainty. None of us know how the draft will turn out and more likely than not there will be some surprises along the way. Veach even has a history of being bold and bullish with the players that he likes.
The following three players are being underrated as potential first-round draft picks. I could also see any of them ending up with Kansas City when it’s all said and done.
Colorado WR Laviska Shenault Jr.
If there’s one receiver being overlooked as a first-rounder it’s Colorado WR Laviska Shenault Jr., who is on the mend from a core muscle injury. Really a big reason that he’s being overlooked is because of his extensive injury history. During the 2018 season, he dealt with a toe injury and a torn labrum, both of which required surgery. He only missed a total of three games with those two injuries.
Shenault Jr. has eye-popping production in his 31 games with the Buffaloes. During that span, he recorded 149 receptions for 1,948 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging over 13 yards per catch. The 6-1 and 227-pound receiver has been named one of the most elusive receivers in this draft class. He’s forced 44 missed tackles since 2018 according to Pro Football Focus, and that number is good for the most in this draft class. His numbers after the catch are staggering with a total of 7.7 yards averaged throughout his career.
His versatility is something should spark the interest of Andy Reid and the Chiefs’ coaching staff. Shenault Jr. is a threat rushing the ball, with 42 career rushing attempts for 280 yards and seven touchdowns. He can line up outside, in the backfield, and even in the slot with over 28% of his catches coming lined up inside. Another 21% of his catches came on screen passes, which are a big part of Reid’s gameplan in Kansas City.
Our friends at Touchdown Wire recently compared Shenault Jr. to Sammy Watkins. It’s not a perfect comparison. For instance, Watkins was a much more polished route runner coming out of college. However, if the Chiefs are looking for their future replacement for Watkins in the first round, Shenault Jr. makes a ton of sense as an understudy in Kansas City.
Notre Dame DE/LB Julian Okwara
If there’s one thing this draft class is lacking for it is talented pass rushers. After projected top 3 draft pick Chase Young, there doesn’t seem to be a true consensus on who will be the next player selected. One player flying well under-the-radar for first-round consideration is Notre Dame’s bendy pass rusher Julian Okwara.
Okwara is a guru getting after the quarterback and did so against some top tier talent in 2019. Guys like Mekhi Becton, Isaiah Wilson and Andrew Thomas all suffered the wrath of Okwara. He earned a PFF pass-rush grade of 90.4 for the 2019 season, despite missing the final four games with a leg injury.
While he only did the bench press (27 repetitions) at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, his virtual pro day was a smashing success. He ran a 4.60 40-yard dash time according to his agency. That time would have tied James-Smith Williams’ top time at the combine.
At 6-4 and 252 pounds, some have likened Okwara to Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr. It makes sense, not only because of his size and ability rushing the passer, but also his rare coverage ability. In short, don’t doubt the possibility of a freak athlete with production against top tier talent to be drafted higher than expected.
The Chiefs are very familiar with this player because defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo coached his brother when he was with the New York Giants. Okwara spoke to us a bit about his meeting with Kansas City at the combine.
LSU RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
If there is one prospect that isn’t being talked enough among first-round running backs, it’s LSU’s wrecking ball Clyde Edwards-Helaire. He burst onto the scene during LSU’s national championship season and has been drawing rave reviews ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft.
First off, let’s talk about his ability as a receiver. He consistently creates separation against linebackers in coverage and does so at a level that no other running back in this class does. In 2019, he had 55 receptions for 453 yards and a touchdown, averaging 3.65 yards after the catch. Those receptions helped him become the only running back in SEC history to rush for over 1,000 yards and catch 55 passes in a single season.
As a runner, Edwards-Helaire is tough as nails, averaging 6.6 yards per carry in 2019. His spin move is ruthless and polished. His footwork and movements are deliberate and nuanced. His vision, anticipation and burst make up for his lack of size and long speed.
One area that he needs improvement, like most college players coming to the NFL, is pass protection. He didn’t do it very often in college because so much of the LSU offense was 5-man protection calls. He seems to have the mental makeup to be able to excel at pass protection at the next level, he just needs the repetitions to work on it.
