After three days of telecasts, interviews, and 255 selections the 2020 NFL Draft is now in the books.
We were promised chaos, uncertainty and surprises throughout the entire process. After the first 10 selections that provided no trading, we started to see a little bit of that chaos.
Prior to the undrafted free agency rush, let’s take a look at the 10 biggest steals of the class:
Trevon Diggs | CB | Alabama
Dallas Cowboys | 2nd Round | No. 51 overall
Trevon was a converted wide receiver at Alabama and Nick Saban was able to mold him into one of the best ballhawks at the position among the NFL Draft hopefuls. Most draft boards, including Luke Easterling’s board, ranked him as a top-32 player in the draft. Now he joins a team that seemingly received steal after steal over the three-day event.
Kristian Fulton | CB | LSU
Tennessee Titans | 2nd Round | No. 61 overall
Much like Diggs, Fulton was a player that many felt had first round buzz. He came in as the number 22 player on the Draft Wire board and fell all the way to back end of the second round. The Titans now have another boundary corner that probably would have helped them against the Chiefs in the AFC Championship last season.
Prince Tega Wanogho | OT | Auburn
Philadelphia Eagles | 6th Round | No. 210 overall
Prince comes in at number 56 on the board with a second-round grade and falls all the way to the sixth round and the Philadelphia Eagles. Prince was the second offensive tackle taken by the team. There are some concern with Andre Dillard and the team needed quality depth. The only question remains if there was something in the medical reports that allowed Tega Wanogho to fall so far.
Harrison Bryant | TE | FAU
Cleveland Browns | 4th Round | No. 115 overall
Harrison Bryant checks in at number 112 on the board, however, national perception was that Bryant was going much higher than the fourth round. At Florida Atlantic, Bryant took home the Mackey Award given to the nation’s best tight end. Finished 2019 with 1,004 yards and seven touchdowns. New coach Kevin Stefanski loves his tight ends, so expect Bryant to get plenty of usage in Cleveland.
Bryce Hall | CB | Virginia
New York Jets | 5th Round | No. 158 overall
Hall provides tremendous upside at cornerback for the Jets. Hall was rated 76th on the Draft Wire board. The biggest question surrounding Hall is health related. A broken ankle cost him the remainder of the 2019 season. Hall just another piece for that revamped secondary in New York, and if he stays healthy, he could easily live up to the lofty expectations he had heading into last season.
Curtis Weaver | EDGE | Boise State
Miami Dolphins | 5th Round | No. 164 overall
Weaver comes in as the 53rd ranked prospect on the board, with a second round grade. Weaver drops to the Dolphins in the fifth round, despite great production for he Broncos. Weaver recorded 13.5 sacks this past season, and 34 over his career. He will now take those talents to South Beach, where he fills a big need with great value for the Dolphins.
John Hightower | WR | Boise State
Philadelphia Eagles | 5th Round | No. 168 overall
Hightower made the list as the number 100 prospect with a third round grade on the Draft Wire board. The Eagles were able to upgrade their receiving corps with multiple players in this loaded class, but Hightower was the best bang for their draft buck. A big-play machine who can stretch the field, Hightower averaged 18.5 yards per reception for Boise State in 2019.
Bradlee Anae | EDGE | Utah
Dallas Cowboys | 5th Round | No. 179 overall
Anae comes in ranked at 84th on the Draft Wire board, with a third-round grade. He fills a big need for the Cowboys on the edge, likely lining up opposite of DeMarcus Lawrence. Anae finished his career with 30 sacks for the Utes, and now he will learn from Lawrence and new defensive line coach Jim Tomsula. A great blend of need and value on Day 3.
Donovan Peoples-Jones | WR | Michigan
Cleveland Browns | 6th Round | No. 187 overall
The People’s Jones checks in at No. 96 on the Draft Wire board, carrying a third-round grade. A talented pass-catcher and highly touted recruit, Peoples-Jones was the victim of some poor quarterback play that kept him from maximizing his talent. A great runner with the ball in his hands, Peoples-Jones also provides something in the return game. He’s a player Browns fans will come to love.
Kenny Willekes | EDGE | Michigan State
Minnesota Vikings | 7th Round | No. 225 overall
Willekes comes in ranked 154th overall on the Draft Wire board, with a fourth-round grade, but Mike Zimmer was able to find him in the seventh round. Everson Griffin remains unsigned, and the team could use depth. Willekes racked up 26 career sacks for the Spartans while earning Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year honors in 2018. He was awarded the Burlsworth Trophy given to an outstanding player who started as a walk-on.
