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2020 NFL Draft: Ranking the top 5 non-quarterback prospects

By Lucas Schuh

NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 9: Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb #2 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates his touchdown on a 63-yard pass and run with wide receivers Trejan Bridges #8 and Nick Basquine #83 in the game against the Iowa State Cyclones on November 9, 2019 at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners lead 35-14 at the half. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 9: Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb #2 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates his touchdown on a 63-yard pass and run with wide receivers Trejan Bridges #8 and Nick Basquine #83 in the game against the Iowa State Cyclones on November 9, 2019 at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners lead 35-14 at the half. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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Despite the quarterbacks in the 2020 NFL Draft class, not every team needs a signal-caller. And these are the best non-quarterback prospects in the group.

Everybody knows the top quarterback prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft class; Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert have dominated headlines throughout the season. All three are high-end quarterback prospects that could change a team’s fortunes. But there are also plenty of other players at other positions that could spark a franchise as well.

You only need to look back at the 2019 NFL Draft to find examples of this. Yes, Kyler Murray and (surprisingly) Gardner Minshew had huge impacts on the teams that drafted them. However, you also can’t ignore the impact that Nick Bosa and Josh Jacobs have had on the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders, respectively.

Subsequently, let’s look beyond the quarterbacks that will enter the league in 2020. These are the five best, potentially franchise-changing, prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft that don’t line up under center.

5. Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson

When you think of the traditional linebacker, you think of a big guy who can stand between the tackles, fill the gaps, play the run and drop into coverage and be decently effective. With Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons, you get all of that but also a player who can be elite when asked to cover.

Simmons is 6-4, 230 pounds and extremely athletic. He is exceptionally quick and fast with insane athletic ability. His physical tools allow him to play an odd role at Clemson in which he plays a safety/deep linebacker hybrid.

The primary concern about Simmons as an NFL prospect is he doesn’t have the length most teams would prefer. Moreover, he doesn’t play between the tackles and take on blocks like most linebackers do in the NFL. Even with these issues and concerns about him as a run-stopper, Simmons’ ability in coverage makes him a coveted commodity.

Simmons will be an immediate NFL starter and give defensive coordinators versatility they covet. Though he has his warts, he could develop quickly under the right coaching staff into one of the best linebackers in the NFL.

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