Which rookie from the 2020 NFL Draft will be a surprise gem for each team?
There’s nothing quite like a rookie player coming from nowhere and taking the NFL by storm. Sure, first-round picks are supposed to contribute right away but when a team gets someone later on that is able to not only earn snaps but also prove to be a hidden gem, that’s when the real fun begins.
We have seen this happen in recent seasons like when Dak Prescott, a fourth-round pick in 2016, took over for the Dallas Cowboys and led them to the playoffs. It’s hard for a rookie quarterback to find success and a mid-round pick doing so is even rarer.
For Prescott, his ascension was a shock considering he was supposed to be a project player yet he came into the league and won the NFL Rookie of the Year award as he led Dallas to a 13-3 record.
There’s also the occasional undrafted star who comes in and contributes for his team. One example here is Phillip Lindsay. Undrafted out of Colorado in 2018, Lindsay was a stud out the gate for the Denver Broncos, racking up 1,037 yards and nine touchdown passes as a rookie.
Another solid example of a rookie coming from nowhere and proving to be a gem came in 2019 with Maxx Crosby. A fourth-round pick for the Raiders, Crosby recorded 10 sacks and put his name in the mix for the best rookie defender.
With all that being said, we look at one 2020 NFL Draft candidate from all 32 teams to prove to be hidden rookie gems during the NFL 2020 season, starting with the Arizona Cardinals.
Arizona Cardinals: Leki Fotu, NT
This season, the Arizona Cardinals made some huge news as they landed wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in a lopsided trade with the Houston Texans. The move gives them a great receiving corps now with “Nuk” Hopkins, Larry Fitzgerald, Christian Kirk, and Andy Isabella. That’s a lot of firepower for second-year quarterback Kyler Murray to work with.
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The question is how they will do on defense. Thankfully for the Cards, they did their best to add talent to that side of the ball as well as they used their top pick in the 2020 NFL Draft on Clemson linebacker/safety Isaiah Simmons.
This move was risky as they needed an offensive tackle, but Simmons was the best player on the board. They lucked out when they still landed Josh Jones later on in the draft, giving them a tackle capable of helping keep the defenders off Murray’s back.
As solid as those two selections were, the most bang for their buck might not have come until their first of two fourth-round picks, which was where they landed Utah nose tackle Leki Fotu. A massive player at 6-foot-5 and 330-pounds, Fotu is a menace on the defensive line and simply cannot be blocked by one person alone.
His ability to wreck an offensive gameplan was on full display for the Utes for several years and it was a bit of a surprise to see him fall as far as he did, even with the fact that the nose tackle is a relatively undervalued position.
Fotu is a player who will quickly become a fan-favorite and while he won’t fill up the stat sheets, his disruptiveness will shine on film as he will help everyone around him get better matchups due to the attention he commands.
Atlanta Falcons: Mykal Walker, LB
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dann Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff were on the hot seat for all of 2019 and somehow escaped with their jobs even with their losing record of 7-9 — which oddly enough landed them in second place in the NFC South. Knowing that the seat is even hotter this season, the two got back to work trying to fix their roster, and Quinn, who rose to prominence as the defensive coordinator with the Seattle Seahawks, was focused on that side of the ball.
Four of their six picks in the draft were defensive players, starting with Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell. Next was Defensive lineman Marlon Davidson out of Auburn. They addressed the offensive line in the third as they selected Temple’s Matt Hennessy, which could end up being a very solid pick.
However, the player to keep an eye on as a potential hidden gem is Fresno State’s Mykal Walker. What makes him stand out is his ability to not only play a traditional linebacker role but also serve as a stand-up edge rusher, much like Vic Beasley did for them. He doesn’t come in with the same pedigree as Beasley and has just 6.5 sacks in his career, but that doesn’t mean Quinn won’t find a way to unleash him.
Plus, the ability to rush the quarterback is just an added bonus to his skillset. What really makes Walker a player to watch is his ability to get to the ball carrier, evidenced by his impressive 182 tackles (with 22.5 going for a loss) in his two seasons.
Baltimore Ravens: James Proche, WR
The first three choices for the Baltimore Ravens were all home runs and should contribute immediately for them. At No. 28 overall, they took LSU linebacker Patrick Queen, who gives them a suitable replacement for C.J. Mosely, who left in free agency the year prior. Baltimore remained effective on defense without Mosley but now should fare even better with a playmaker like Queen taking his former role.
Justin Madubuike was also added with the 71st pick, which improves the state of their defensive line. A talented player for the Aggies, Madubuike will be a great fit on the Ravens three-man defensive line, which is always formidable.
Sandwiched between them was J.K. Dobbins, which just doesn’t feel fair. The Ravens were already a dominant running team with Mark Ingram, Justice Hill, and Lamar Jackson. Now, they add the Ohio State running back, which makes them look unstoppable on the ground.
As for their hidden gem, that could be SMU’s James Proche, who they added in the sixth round. Proche might not jump out with any measurables or blazing speed, but he knows how to track the ball in the air and had insane production for SMU, especially over his final two seasons.
In all, Proche pulled in 301 catches for 3,949 yards with 39 touchdowns — 27 of which came in the final two years. With the Ravens, he could be forgotten about by opposing defenses, which could lead to him continuing to make big plays at the next level.
Buffalo Bills: Gabriel Davis, WR
For the Buffalo Bills, the plan this offseason was simple — get weapons for Josh Allen. The Bills third-year quarterback is coming off a 10-win campaign that ended with his team in the playoffs. Of course, the majority of the credit has been given to his defense as they were dominant whereas the offense was inconsistent, to say the least.
Those outside the organization place the blame for that inconsistency on Allen’s shoulders. Some of that is understandable considering his issues with accuracy, which have included struggles throwing the ball deep. Still, some of the problems with their offense centered around his teammates as the offense was without a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver.
For that reason, they went after someone who they felt could provide Allen with the help he needs to improve as they traded their first-round pick for Stefon Diggs. But Diggs isn’t the only weapon Buffalo added on that side of the ball as they also took Zack Moss, the Utah running back in the third round. Then in the fourth, they took UCF’s Gabriel Davis, who could end up being a solid addition for them.
Davis gives them something they desperately need — size. He came into the Scouting Combine at 6-foot-2 and 216-pounds and has a very large catch radius. His talent suggests he should have gone much higher in the draft than he did but due to the depth at the position, he stuck around until day three and Buffalo could have a steal on their hands here.
Carolina Panthers: Troy Pride, CB
New Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule has already started to put his fingerprints on the roster. Known for being able to build an impressive program at the collegiate ranks, Rhule is re-tooling the Panthers as he has started to form a defensive-minded team with a ground-based offense.
Out is Cam Newton and in is Teddy Bridgewater who will likely defer to Christian McCaffrey — who just signed a massive extension. This doesn’t mean Bridgewater can’t deliver when needed, but the offense has the look of a conservative team that will try and keep the ball away from the opponent with a high-IQ quarterback and one of the best running backs in the NFL.
For this to work, Rhule has to have a great defense and he showed his commitment to that by spending all seven picks in the 2020 NFL Draft on defensive players. Defensive tackle Derrick Brown was their prized pick but they also had two second-rounders, which brought in defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos and safety Jeremy Chinn.
In the fourth, they ended up with Troy Pride from Notre Dame who looks the part of an NFL defensive back but has to put it all together and find some consistency. With the right coaching, which he should have in Carolina, he could develop into a solid starter, making him a great value pick at No. 113 overall.
Chicago Bears: Kindle Vildor, CB
The story surrounding the Chicago Bears this offseason will be all about the quarterback position. After another up and down campaign from Mitchell Trubisky, the Bears made a big move and traded for former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles, who was out in Jacksonville following just one season — which he missed the majority of.
Foles has a better resume than Trubsiky, but like the returning starter for the Bears, he struggles to perform consistently. Even with his shortcomings, Chicago is a great place for Foles to be as this is the kind of team he can win with. The defense in the Windy City can carry the team and all they need is a quarterback who has no fear and can make all the throws, which is pretty much how Foles has made a living.
On defense, the Bears boast one of the best front seven’s in the game. They got even better when they signed Robert Quinn away from the Dallas Cowboys but they could use some help in the secondary. That’s where Kindle Vildor comes in. The fifth-round rookie was their second pick at the position after they took Jaylon Johnson from Utah in Round 2.
Vildor has a tougher road ahead of him than Johnson and he also has to overcome playing against lesser competition at Georgia Southern. Having said that, his skill in man coverage and insane confidence should carry him far and help him earn snaps on a talented defense.
Cincinnati Bengals: Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB
One player that we all wanted to see at the Scouting Combine was Appalachian State linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither. He’s undersized for a linebacker at 6-foot-1 and 224-pounds but he makes up for that with his speed and ability to slip away from blockers.
He used those skills and a nose for the ball to rack up 197 tackles, 24 of which went for a loss, and 6.5 sacks over his last two seasons with the Mountaineers. Five of those sacks came in 2019 as he proved to be adept in this area, which isn’t usually expected from a hybrid player such as Davis-Gaither.
Unfortunately, he was unable to go at the Combine due to an injury that robbed us all from seeing him show off his talent. Had he performed there, he might have been able to move into the second night of the draft, but instead, he was the first pick of the fourth-round for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Davis-Gaither was the second linebacker taken by Cincinnati following Logan Wilson out of Wyoming. They also closed their draft out with Purdue’s Markus Bailey as they seem ready to revamp their linebacker corps.
Of the three, Davis-Gaither has the highest ceiling and he should be able to have an impact on their defense, and special teams, as a rookie.
Cleveland Browns: Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR
Kevin Stefanski, the Cleveland Browns rookie head coach, and Andrew Berry, their rookie general manager, have had a great first offseason together. Cleveland took forever to hire these two but it looks as though they might have gotten it right.
Last season, Freddie Kitchens was the head coach and he was simply not the right fit. He seemed to be unorganized and his game plan consisted of shooting from the hip. He was also making some poor choices like wearing the “Pittsburgh started it” shirt after the Myles Garrett helmet fiasco.
Stefanski seems to be the complete opposite of Kitchens as he is calculated and quiet away from the field. Berry also seems to be the exact opposite of Dorsey, who failed to build a complete roster and seemed to absolutely hate depth. Sure, he loved superstars but he had no need for backups that could perform.
Berry, on the other hand, is building a roster that’s deep and competitive. For instance, at wide receiver, he re-signed Rashard Higgins and drafted Donovan Peoples-Jones. Higgins was a favorite target for Baker Mayfield before Kitchens decided to bench him and leave him there. But it won’t be easy for him to keep DPJ on the sidelines.
Peoples-Jones is a savvy route-runner with excellent size and speed. His numbers at Michigan don’t do his skill-level justice and he could be a much better pro than he was a collegiate player. On top of that, Peoples-Jones also had some success as a punt returner, something he can do again with the Browns. There are a couple of ways he can help the team, making him one of the better sixth-round picks this season.
Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Biadasz, C
It was hard to find any team that had as much success in the 2020 NFL Draft as the Dallas Cowboys did. Their big prize was wide receiver CeeDee Lamb but they also hit home runs with cornerbacks Trevon Diggs and Reggie Robinson as well as defensive tackle Neville Gallimore.
They even somehow landed Utah edge rusher Bradlee Anae in the fifth round. All those players have a shot to contribute from day one but the possible biggest steal for them is Wisconsin center Tyler Biadasz, who they traded up for in the fourth round.
Ironically enough, Biadasz comes in just as another former Wisconsin center exits as the Cowboys will be replacing Travis Frederick in the middle of their line. For Biadasz, that will lead to some comparisons to Frederick, who was one of the better centers in the game during his career.
While that’s not fair to Biadasz, he could be up to the task. And according to John Owning of The Dallas Morning News, the younger Badger was actually more accomplished in college.
"“Believe it or not, Biadasz actually had the more accomplished college career of the two. Frederick was only named first-team All-Big Ten once while Biadasz did it twice. Both were first-team All-Americans once but Biadasz was a unanimous selection while also winning a Rimington Trophy (best center in college football) in 2019.” — Owning, The Dallas Morning News"
Biadasz will battle Joe Looney and Connor McGovern for the starting job and he has a real shot of winning that competition. If he does, he could be their best hidden gem, which is saying something considering how well they did in the draft.
Denver Broncos: Netane Muti, IOL
Denver Broncos general manager John Elway was out to improve his offense in the latest NFL Draft and he did exactly that. With the first two picks, he got two wide receivers for his young quarterback, Drew Lock, to work with. At No. 15, they took Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy and them at 46 overall, it was Penn State’s K.J. Hamler who can be a great deep threat for them.
They also added another tight end to play opposite 2019 first-round pick Noah Fant. This season, it was Albert Okwuegbunam who was the tight end for Lock at the University of Missouri. He’s a player to watch that could end up having a large impact but so too can their sixth-round pick, Netane Muti.
A guard from Fresno State, Muti was an absolute mauler for the Bulldogs. His play often looked like that of an early day two pick but the problem was his durability concerns. Muti dealt with a lot of injuries and that limited the number of games he could play in college. He was given a clean bill of health ahead of the draft but that didn’t do enough to convince teams he can shake the bug and suddenly become durable.
Even with the concerns, landing him with a sixth-round pick was well worth the gamble. Should he stay healthy, he could end up being a starting guard and that could be huge for the Broncos, who could stand to get better in this area.
Detroit Lions: Jonah Jackson or Logan Stenberg, IOL
The first three picks for the Detroit Lions all seemed to be home runs with cornerback Jeff Okudah landing with them at No. 3 overall followed by running back D’Andre Swift at No. 35 and edge rusher Julian Okwara at No. 67. All three are expected to contribute immediately, and both Okudah and Swift have the look of being superstars about them.
As for their next two picks, the Lions went out and beefed up the interior of their offensive line with the selection of Ohio State’s Jonah Jackson followed by Kentucky’s Logan Stenberg. Suddenly, the Lions offensive line has a lot more options as they add these two to go along with Frank Ragnow, Taylor Decker, Joe Dahl, and Halapoulivaati Vaitai.
Jackson and Stenberg will also both have a good chance of starting for the Lions this season, as they will likely battle one another for the honor. Stenberg has more experience and played in the SEC, where he faced some elite talent. As for Jackson, he didn’t get as much time on the field, but his ceiling seems to be much higher than Stenberg’s.
Whoever it is that comes out on top, the Lions will surely look wise for landing a starting player in the middle of the draft. And in the end, they both could be long-term solutions, but right now it seems as though only one will be a star as a rookie.
Green Bay Packers: Kamal Martin, LB
In free agency, the Green Bay Packers tried to bolster their linebacker corps as they signed former Cleveland Browns linebacker Christian Kirksey. One of the more talented players on the Browns roster, Kirksey’s ability has never been in question but his durability has. He missed time in each of the past two seasons, which led to his release this year.
As it stands now, Kirksey is the most experienced (and most talented) interior linebacker in the Packers 3-4 defense as they lost both Blake Martinez and B.J. Goodson (who replaces Kirksey in Cleveland) this offseason.
That leaves the door open for several young players to log significant snaps at the linebacker spot, which could be huge for fifth-round pick Kamal Martin from Minnesota. Martin was one of the leaders on a talented Gopher’s defense but he was labeled “stiff” by some scouts in the pre-draft process and there were also concerns about how his play recognition would translate.
Even with his shortcomings, Martin did nothing but make plays for Minnesota. He finished his four-year career with 177 tackles, 13 for a loss, and 3.5 sacks. He also proved he could generate turnovers, hauling in four picks and forcing four fumbles in his career.
Green Bay has done a lot to overhaul their defense over the past two seasons but Martin still finds himself in a good spot to try and get on the field and continue to prove he can make plays. Don’t be surprised to see him take advantage of that opportunity should it present itself.
Houston Texans: Isaiah Coulter, WR
This offseason, the Houston Texans made one of the weirdest moves off all-time. Head coach Bill O’Brien decided to move on from DeAndre Hopkins despite the fact that he’s one of the best wideouts in the NFL. Before trading him though, O’Brien made sure to insult Hopkins — who has never been in any trouble at all off the field — by comparing him to Aaron Hernandez. Yes, that Aaron Hernandez.
In an unsurprising turn of events, Hopkins was bothered by this comparison and it wasn’t long before the two sides were no longer together. For Hopkins, it’s a great new beginning as he’s able to get away from O’Brien, but for the Texans, it won’t be too easy to replace him.
Currently, they will be turning to Brandin Cooks as the No. 1 target, who they added in a trade with the Rams. They also signed Randall Cobb, who is coming off a solid season in Dallas, but there are questions about the contract he was given by O’Brien.
The corps is rounded out with Kenny Stills and Keke Coutee, all players who can perform but also have some concerns around them — mostly with health. For that reason, someone such as Isaiah Coulter could be given an opportunity.
A sleeper pick out of Rhode Island, Coulter looks the part of an NFL receiver and gives the Texans some much-needed size on the outside. He’s also able to test defenses deep, evidenced by his 4.45 time in the 40-yard dash.
Don’t expect him to make fans forget about Hopkins anytime soon, but Coulter has the look of an NFL receiver and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him outplay his draft status.
Indianapolis Colts: Rodrigo Blankenship, K
Our first undrafted free agent makes the list as the Indianapolis Colts ended up landing a solid player once the 2020 NFL Draft wrapped up. Kickers don’t always get the love they deserve but even so, it was expected that Rodrigo Blankenship was going to have his name called in the draft after a successful career with the Georgia Bulldogs.
That didn’t happen but it allowed him to choose where to sign and he landed a deal with a dome-stadium team, which will only help his accuracy as he moves to the next level. Blankenship spent five seasons with the Bulldogs after redshirting as a freshman, and it felt as though the SEC kicker was there for an eternity.
Blankenship was steady and reliable for the Dawgs, knocking in 80-of-97 field goals which gave him a career average of 82.5 percent. As for his extra points, he was an impressive 200-for-200 in his career.
In Indianapolis, Blankenship will compete with Chase McLaughlin for the right to replace Adam Vinatieri, who is one of the best NFL kickers of all-time. McLaughlin spent time with three teams in 2019 and was 18-of-23 on field goals. Blankenship should be able to win that battle and if he does, he could look to be the most important rookie for the Colts this season.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Davon Hamilton, DT
With three picks in the first 42 selections in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars were able to add a lot of talent to their roster. Florida cornerback C.J. Henderson and LSU EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson went to them at No. 9 and No. 20 respectively. They then added Colorado receiver Laviska Shenault.
Seeing all three on the field as starters in year one wouldn’t be a surprise at all. They’re all talented and fill pretty big needs for the Jags. They also were such strong picks that it overshadowed the good move they made in the third round when they selected Ohio State defensive tackle Davon Hamilton.
Measuring in at 6-foot-4 and 320-pounds at the Combine, Hamilton looks the part of the traditional one-technique tackle, a position that often gets overlooked. The reason for that is their lack of presence in the pass-rushing department, and Hamilton is no exception there. Considered a powerful player in run defense, Hamilton likely won’t provide many sacks, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be a star for the Jags.
With other players on the roster capable of getting after the passer, including Josh Allen and Chaisson, Hamilton will be asked to do what he does best — shut down the running lanes. He might not be a player who garners national attention but the Jaguars faithful will grow to love him quickly for what he brings to the table.
Kansas City Chiefs: L’Jarius Sneed, DB
In the first round of the draft, the Kansas City Chiefs raised some eyebrows when they selected LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. He ended up being the first running back taken in this class and was the only one to crack the first night of the draft. Which wasn’t expected with D’Andre Swift, Jonathan Taylor, and J.K. Dobbins all seemingly ahead of him on many draft boards.
You have to hand it to the Chiefs though. They weren’t worried about where others had Edwards-Helaire as they went for the guy they felt fit their system the best and chances are, they are going to look smart for this move since Andy Reid and Eric Bienemy understand how to get the most out of all their players.
As fir their potential surprise gem, that could be their selection in the fourth round. At No. 138 overall, the Chiefs took Louisiana Tech safety L’Jarius Sneed, although it seems as though he could be moved to cornerback according to defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
Spagnuolo not only called him a corner but talked up the size Sneed possesses. Listed at 6-foot-0 and 192-pounds, Sneed fits the mold of the current defensive back as he is built like a wide receiver. He was also able to move well enough to handle slot duties for the Bulldogs, which is a tough ask for many corners, let alone someone who is considered a safety.
Wherever he ends up, the Chiefs got a player with a nose for the ball who will make his share of plays for the defending champions.
Las Vegas Raiders: Amik Robertson, CB
One of the teams that had multiple picks in the first round was the Las Vegas Raiders, who were supposed to be hosting the event in their new home. Due to the COVID-19 scare around the nation, the Raiders and the rest of the NFL had to do their draft virtually. They ended up taking Henry Ruggs III and Damon Arnette with their first two selections. Both players are great options but also came with some questions as not everyone agreed they were the best at their respective positions when selected.
Las Vegas then went with back-to-back receivers at pick 80 and 81, taking Lynn Bowden and Bryan Edwards. Each player seemed to be a great pick for where they were landed but the fact that they added so many receivers so quickly was a bit confusing.
As for their biggest possible hidden gem, that would likely be Amik Robertson, another Louisiana Tech defensive back. Robertson was taken at No. 139 overall in the fourth round which happened to be Las Vegas’ final overall selection. And he could end up proving to be their best value pick.
Robertson was passed over often in this draft due to his size. At 5-foot-8 and 187-pounds, he’s nowhere near the ideal size for a corner and some teams were surely concerned that this could be exploited at the next level. The Raiders will benefit from this as it gave them a steal this late.
The Louisiana Tech product is a fighter who has never been scared to go against the bigger receivers, and his 14-career picks show that he wins often. He’s also great at reading routes and is as physical as they come. Don’t be surprised if he becomes a household name.
Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Reed, WR
Admittedly, Joe Reed was one player I was all in on. As a receiver, he has some untapped potential. In his four seasons, he finished with 129 catches for 1,465 yards with 16 touchdowns. However, he continually improved in this area, and by his senior season with Virginia, he had 77 catches for 679 yards and seven touchdowns.
He’s a solid route-runner but his ability to adjust to the ball when it’s in the air is what stands out — as does his knack for creating yards after the catch. With all that being said, the Los Angeles Chargers found themselves someone who could develop into a decent slot receiver, which will help Justin Herbert — their top pick in the draft — as he develops in the pros.
However, the real impact the Chargers will get from Reed won’t come on offense but on special teams. For the Cavaliers, he was a stud in the return game, averaging nearly 29-yards per kick return with five touchdowns. The kickoff return hasn’t been as prevalent in the NFL but having a guy who can make something happen in this area is always a plus.
On top of that, Reed played on other special teams units for Virginia and has the makings of a stud for the Chargers not only as a returner but as a gunner on punt coverage. Games can be flipped in this area and finding a guy who can shine here is always a plus.
Los Angeles Rams: Terrell Burgess, S
We know that the Los Angeles Rams hate first-round picks, but despite trading them away constantly, they still wound up with nine selections in the NFL 2020 Draft. Their first was at No. 52 overall, which was used on Cam Akers, giving them a replacement for Todd Gurley who was released in the offseason.
From there, they added Van Jefferson with their second pick in Round 2, and he will replace Brandin Cooks who was traded to the Houston Texans. They continued to replace players as Terrell Lewis was their third pick and he will fill in for Dante Fowler, who signed with Atlanta — which is also where Gurley ended up.
Their final pick in the third round (No. 104 overall) was also a bit of a replacement pick, even if it doesn’t seem like it. Nickell Robey-Coleman has served as the nickel back in Los Angeles but he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason. Terrell Burgess is listed as a safety but his coverage skills make him an ideal fit to play as the nickel back and line up in the slot for the Rams.
Head coach Sean McVay has already been raving about his talent and ability to help them mix up their defensive coverages, and this isn’t just lip service. Burgess is a solid player and will start to make an impact from Week 1.
Miami Dolphins: Curtis Weaver, EDGE
The rebuild is on for the Miami Dolphins, who had three picks in the first round of the past NFL Draft. With the first selection, they added a potential star under center in Tua Tagovailoa out of Alabama. They then added a possible starting left tackle in Austin Jackson from USC at No. 18. With their third pick in the first, they landed Auburn cornerback Noah Iginoghene at No. 30.
Miami continued to add talent to their team with the selection of Louisiana-Lafayette offensive lineman Robert Hunt and Alabama defensive tackle Raekwon Davis. Texas Safety Brandon Jones and Georgia guard Solomon Kindley were next for them and all were players that they found at a solid spot for their production and what they bring to the table.
Once they got to the later rounds though, they really found some great value. With the 164th overall pick (in the fifth-round) Miami took Boise State edge rusher Curtis Weaver. Some expected Weaver to go in the second day of the draft, so landing him in the middle of the final day was quite the find.
Weaver doesn’t stand out in any one area and is undersized for his position but he did nothing but produce for the Broncos. He knows how to get after the passer and it won’t be surprising to see him continue to do that — and there is room for him to make an impact in Miami considering their need for help at the position.
Minnesota Vikings: Troy Dye, LB
Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer is a defensive-minded guy and that has been evident by the team he has fielded year after year. Constantly one of the better defenses in the NFC, Zimmer’s Vikings are going through some changes this year after saying goodbye to Everson Griffen and Linval Joseph.
To replace them, they seem to be ready to let the depth already on their roster compete for starting jobs. As for their moves in the draft, they seemed focused on replacing wide receiver Stefon Diggs and cornerbacks Trae Waynes, Xavier Rhodes, and Mackensie Alexander as they drafted Justin Jefferson from LSU and Jeff Gladney out of TCU in the first and later on grabbed Cameron Dantzler in the third from Mississippi State.
These players will all fight for starting roles and should likely get them. As for some of the rookies that could be depth pieces, Troy Dye stands out as a player who could find a niche early on. Dye was all over the field for Oregon, never recording less than the 84 tackles he had in his senior season. He also provided the Ducks with 13 sacks and five interceptions.
At 231-pounds, he might not be the ideal size but he makes up for that with his speed and instincts. He could be a standout on special teams but don’t be surprised if he’s in the mix for the starting WILL linebacker spot at some point during the NFL 2020 season.
New England Patriots: Dalton Keene, TE
For years, we all kept waiting for the New England Patriots to get their two-tight end offense going again. When they had Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez together, it seemed as though they were completely unstoppable. No one could have predicted the way Hernandez’s story was going to end but once he was gone, there was hope year after year that their next duo would emerge.
That never happened and now Gronkowski is gone and we all stopped hoping. A year after he retired, Gronk is now in Tampa Bay with Tom Brady and the fact that Brady is in Florida turned the attention from tight end to quarterback. Instead of looking for their next stud tight end, we all wanted to see who was going to get drafted to replace Brady.
So naturally, the Pats drafted no quarterbacks in 2020 and instead, took two tight ends. And they took those players back-to-back with UCLA’s Devin Asiasi going at No. 91 in the third and Dalton Keene from Virginia Tech being selected at No. 101 in the third.
As for who becomes the hidden gem, it’s anyone guess. Asiasi was a great option in the Bruins offense and turned the majority of his touches into first downs. However, in this prediction, the choice ends up being Keene who is a bit more versatile. For that reason, he seems to be the kind of player that offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels will get the ball often as he could employ him in the slot, in-line, or in the backfield as an H-back.
New Orleans Saints: Zack Baun, LB
It wasn’t easy to find a hidden gem for the New Orleans Saints since they only had four picks in the draft. They started things off with a surprising selection as they took Cesar Ruiz from Michigan. A talented interior offensive lineman, Ruiz wasn’t on many radars for New Orleans since they already had a great offensive line and needed to focus on improving their linebackers corps.
They also needed some help in the passing game and Adam Trautman from Dayton could provide that. However, the 105th overall pick isn’t the selection for them here simply because it feels cliche to drone on about the Saints landing their next great pass-catching tight end. They have been looking for that since Jimmy Graham was traded and until we see their next star there, we won’t even look anymore.
Instead, we tab Zack Baun who may not be ‘hidden’ so much as he was stolen. There were plenty of scouts that felt Baun could be taken in the second round, with some even considering him a late first-round talent.
For the Saints, he fills a great need at linebacker. Not only that, but he can also get after the quarterback, something he proved in his final season with Wisconsin. Ruiz will be the best player the Saints added in this draft but Baun might be the player who is the most impactful since he can improve an area that needed help whereas Ruiz is another major strength being added to their best positional group.
New York Giants: Darnay Holmes, CB
New York Giants general manager Dave Gettelman has been heavily criticized since taking over the role for the G-Men and it’s understandable to see why. He hasn’t made the moves conventional wisdom says he should as he took a running back at No. 2 overall in 2018 with Saquon Barkley and then grabbed Daniel Jones at No. 6 even though many had the Duke quarterback going much later.
He then tried to defend his moves saying his bagel guy approved, which was an example of him just asking people to make jokes. In addition to these moves, Gettleman was laughed at for trading away Odell Beckham, Jr. to the Cleveland Browns.
With OBJ not transforming the Browns offense, the GM is starting to look a little better. Jones’ performance and Barkley’s talent have also helped and after adding left tackle Andrew Thomas as No. 4 and safety Xavier McKinney at 36, his Giants are starting to look better.
He also found a possible starter in the middle rounds as he took UCLA cornerback Darnay Holmes at No. 110. Holmes is known for his hard work on the field and turned two picks into touchdowns for the Bruins. He hasn’t put it all together but with the right coaching, he can turn into a long-term starter — and with the DeAndre Baker saga, the Giants could use that.
New York Jets: Bryce Hall, CB
After grabbing Mekhi Becton in the first, the New York Jets ended up getting sensational value on their next few picks. Wide receiver Denzel Mims was a second-round pick and should be a day one starter. Ashtyn Davis was once considered a top safety prospect in this class and was a steal at No. 68 — as was Florida edge rusher Jabari Zuniga who they took at 79.
They also found a steal at cornerback in the fifth round. It was the Jets eighth selection out of nine total and they landed Bryce Hall at No. 158 overall. The Virginia cornerback entered 2019 as one of the top defensive backs in the nation following a great junior campaign.
That season, he had 62 tackles to go along with 21 pass breakups and two picks. Unfortunately, his senior campaign was marred by injuries and he played in just six games and had 20 tackles with only four pass defenses and no picks.
Should Hall be able to regain his junior form, the Jets will be able to lean on him as a starting cornerback for years to come. Standing in at 6-foot-1 and 202-pounds, Hall’s best assets is his size which allows him to match up with any receiver in the game. He also understands routes and knows how to use his feet to get into position to contest passes.
He’s best suited as a zone cornerback and can excel when there’s talented safety help that allows him to keep his eyes on the quarterback and read and react. In New York, he will have that help which makes this a great pick and fit for both the team and player.
Philadelphia Eagles: John Hightower, WR
No team shook us up quite the way the Philadelphia Eagles did during the 2020 NFL Draft. With the 53rd selection in the draft, Philly grabbed Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts, which was a highly unexpected move. Hurts was a Heisman Trophy semifinalist and has enough promise to believe he can be a franchise quarterback. The problem is, the Eagles already have their guy in Carson Wentz who signed a massive extension less than a year before they drafted Hurts.
As soon as the pick was made, there were comparisons to Taysom Hill of the New Orleans Saints — which are absurd. Hill was an undrafted free agent who is now a backup quarterback in name only. What Hill really does is play tight end, H-Back, and serves on special teams where he sometimes blocks punts, and at other times, he takes down the ball carrier on the other team.
Hurts is not doing any of that. And acting like he will is crazy. Not only that but for those excited about the prospect, a gadget-player is not worth a second-round pick and is also never the difference maker that puts a team over the top.
After that curious pick, things improved for the Eagles and they might have a solid depth piece f in fifth-round receiver John Hightower. A community college transfer, Hightower played well for Boise State and gives Philadelphia some height on the outside, which is something they’re in desperate need of. His talent mixed with their need could help him be a contributor from day one.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Anthony McFarland, WR
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger missed the majority of the 2019 season with an elbow injury that required surgery. With him out, they had to turn to Mason Rudolph, who struggled to hold off Devlin Hodges. Clearly, the return of Big Ben will be the major factor in whether or not the Steelers can rebound from a season that saw them miss out on the playoffs.
It won’t be the only factor though as the Steelers added some help in a couple of key areas, including running back and wide receiver. And that’s where we look to find the possible hidden gem in the Steel City.
Pittsburgh added Chase Claypool in the second round, and the Notre Dame receiver is expected to provide some much-needed help at the position. However, it’s hard to call him a hidden gem when he was taken at No. 49 overall. Anthony McFarland, however, is a different story.
Taken at No. 124 overall, the Maryland running back could end up being on the field a lot for the Steelers as they haven’t had the best luck when it comes to keeping their running back healthy. McFarland isn’t just a guy who will fill in for James Conner should he get injured again but he can also be a solid change of pace back.
McFarland has had his own bouts with durability concerns but he’s a player who has broken off several long runs and could be effective whenever asked to spell Conner.
San Francisco 49ers: Charlie Woerner, TE
Tight end surely isn’t a position of need for the San Francisco 49ers who have one of the best in the game on their roster in George Kittle. He’s an all-around talent which is something rare in this day and age where most tight ends act more as oversized slot receivers. But even with Kittle on the team, the Niners still added some depth as they took Georgia’s Charlie Woerner in the sixth round.
Woerner wasn’t guaranteed to be drafted this season as he finished with only 34 receptions in his four seasons with a high of just 11 in 2018. Still, he’s known for his tenacious blocking and impressive motor. For that reason, there could be a role for him at the next level, especially if head coach Kyle Shanahan wants to employ him in an H-back role to help clear the way for their ground game.
Woerner was one of just five picks for the 49ers, with their first two coming in the opening round. After taking defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw from South Carolina at No. 14, they picked up Brandon Aiyuk, an ASU wideout, at No. 25. They then sat out until the fifth, which was when they took West Virginia offensive tackle Colton McKivitz.
They finished the draft with Tennessee wide receiver Jauan Jennings who could also be a potential gem, but Woerner could be the one to see the most action out of the two.
Seattle Seahawks: Alton Robinson, EDGE
Last season, the Seattle Seahawks took a gamble at the defensive end position as they brought in Jadeveon Clowney via trade and Ezekiel Ansah through free agency. Each player had once been considered a premier edge rusher but were now trying to prove they deserved long-term contracts as they prepared for free agency in 2020.
As of this writing, neither has a new home as they didn’t do enough to get teams to throw big money at them. Clowney played well and has prospects but Ansah’s market has been incredibly quiet after a sub-par campaign.
For the Seahawks, they are hopeful that their top pick from 2019 can end up helping in the absence of these two but L.J. Collier hasn’t shown a lot yet. They did add Darrell Taylor out of Tennessee in the second round this year but he wasn’t the only addition at defensive end.
Seattle wound up using a fifth-round pick on Alton Robinson out of Syracuse who was incredible in 2018 but took a step back in 2019. He still has plenty to offer and looks as though he was built to play on the edge of a defensive line. Seattle’s ability to hit on later picks has been the one thing helping them stay afloat as they seem to reach early and hit late. And in 2020, that’s once again the way things look for them.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tyler Johnson, WR
The big news this offseason was the fact that there’s a new Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback for 2020. Gone is Jameis Winston, the former No. 1 overall pick in 2015, and in his place is Tom Brady — the six-time Super Bowl winner from the New England Patriots.
In addition to signing arguably the greatest quarterback of all-time, the Bucs also added tight end Rob Gronkowski, who has been Brady’s favorite target for many years. Of course, he wasn’t that for Brady in 2019 since he had retired, but seeing his friend join a new club enticed him to return to the field.
Gronk’s addition gives Brady a plethora of weapons including Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, O.J. Howard, and Cameron Brate. That doesn’t mean there’s isn’t room for more offensive firepower and Tampa Bay did find a potential late-round gem in Tyler Johnson from Minnesota.
The 6-1, 206-pound Johnson was a major weapon for the Gophers over the past two seasons, topping 1,000-yards and scoring double-digit touchdowns in each of those seasons. He won’t be able to garner a lot of targets early on due to the talent around him but his talent when it comes to catching contested passes could make him a huge weapon in the red zone.
He could end up being the third receiver in Tampa before long and should he earn Brady’s trust, he might have a strong rookie campaign.
Tennessee Titans: Larrell Murchison, DT
Earlier in the offseason, the Tennessee Titans traded away Jurrell Casey which hurt the talent on their defensive line. They had plenty of faith in the players they still had which is understandable considering they have one of the better defenses in the game. But that didn’t mean they weren’t interested in finding a player capable of filling the void left by Casey.
That’s where fifth-round pick Larrell Murchison comes in. The North Carolina State defensive tackle began his collegiate career at Louisburg College. He then transferred to NC State for his final two seasons and showed off his immense talent.
However, he was considered undersized for a defensive tackle at 6-2 and 297 pounds. For the Titans, that doesn’t seem to be an issue as he would fit nicely as a defensive end in their 3-4 front, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him on the field often as a rookie.
While with the Wolfpack, Murchison turned into a playmaker who was in the backfield often. He had 48 tackles, 12 for a loss, and seven sacks in his final season.
Overall, the Titans had a solid draft as they replaced a lot of talent that they lost. They landed Isaiah Wilson who will take over for Jack Conklin and Kristian Fulton, who replaces Logan Ryan. Doing so was important as it allows them to stay competitive while also being able to pay Ryan Tannehill (although there’s a case to be made that he was vastly overpaid) and franchise tag Derrick Henry.
Washington Redskins: Saahdiq Charles, OT
For more than a year, the Washington Redskins were dealing with some negative press due to a situation surrounding Trent Williams. The former Pro Bowl left tackle was frustrated with the team and their medical staff and said he lost faith in them. Williams vowed not to play for Washington again and he made good on that promise.
The Redskins then tried to trade him at the deadline in 2019 and had a buyer in the Cleveland Browns. However, they continued to ask for far too much and the deal was dead. Then, they ended up trading him to the San Francisco 49ers for a fifth-round pick this season and a third in 2021. They could have had more the year prior but played hardball and lost.
Having said that, they might have been able to recover. Not long after the trade, the Redskins took Saahdiq Charles out of LSU. Talent-wise, he’s much better than where he was taken (No. 108 overall) but has some red flags. Charles missed six games last season due to disciplinary reasons. That hurt his stock but he still proved to be a solid left tackle when he was on the field.
He won’t be the same caliber player that Williams was but for where he was drafted, this could look to be one of their better moves in this draft — at least from a value standpoint because no player will be as impactful for them as No. 2 overall pick Chase Young.