2020 NFL Draft: 10 Prospects being valued way too high

9. Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU

The TCU product missed all of 2018 with an Achilles injury, but he looked healthy in 2019 and saw his draft stock rise toward the bottom of the first round. While he didn’t produce many sacks this past season, Blacklock did show the ability to pressure quarterbacks and close rushing holes.

However, Blacklock struggled against stronger linemen in 2019. Once an opponent deadens his momentum, Blacklock struggles to recover his power. Especially against NFL guards and centers, I can see Blacklock struggling to make an impact. He needs to make better decisions and react faster to offensive linemen during his initial pass rush.

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Blacklock’s game may translate to the NFL well, but that could only prove he’s ranked too high in mocks right now. While the TCU product could become a fine professional contributor, he won’t become a Pro Bowl anchor or top pass-rushing defensive tackle. Blacklock’s ceiling sits too low, and that should keep him out of the first round.

8. Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon

The best professional quarterbacks read defenses like they’re children’s books. Combined with anticipation, the ability to diagnose schemes can make a defensive game plan useless. While he flashes the physical traits and arm talent writers love to laud, Justin Herbert lacks the crucial mental aspects all great quarterbacks need.

While Herbert’s 6-6 frame makes him “look like an NFL quarterback”, he doesn’t hold his own against the top two quarterbacks in this draft. In this draft, there’s a severe drop after the first two quarterbacks. Herbert should still hear his name called in the first round, especially since so many teams need quarterbacks, but does he check off the boxes an NFL signal-caller should?

Most mock drafts predict Herbert will go in the top ten picks. I could see the Los Angeles Chargers taking Herbert at six. Even if he fell past that spot, the Carolina Panthers at seven and Jacksonville Jaguars at nine could also be in the quarterback game.

While I understand why Herbert will go in the top 10 picks, I think he severely lacks the talent we usually equate with players taken that high.