THE EXTRA YARD: 2020 NFL DRAFT Top 5 WR/TE

Welcome to the Five Reasons Sports 2020 NFL Draft Guide.

We will be bringing you a top 5 list compiled by Alfredo Arteaga (@Alf_Arteaga), and a counter list by Simon Clancy (@SiClancy) for each position, for the 2020 NFL Draft. By offering you rankings of prospects 1 thru 5 for each position, we hope you will better understand this most important draft. Enjoy!

Miami Dolphins Picks:
Round1· Pick 5(5)
Round1· Pick 18(18)PIT > MIA
Round1· Pick 26(26)HOU > MIA
Round2· Pick 7(39)
Round2· Pick 24(56)NO > MIA
Round3· Pick 6(70)
Round4· Pick 35(141)Compensatory
Round5· Pick 7(153)
Round5· Pick 9(154)JAX > PIT > MIS
Round5· Pick 28(173)BAL > LA > MIN
Round6· Pick 6(185)
Round7· Pick 13(227)IND > MIA
Round7· Pick 32(246)KC > MIA
Round7· Pick 37(251)Compensatory

WIDE RECEIVERS

1. CEEDEE LAMB- Oklahoma- 6’-2” 198 lbs.

Plays bigger than his size, which is actually ideal. Speed checked out at the combine with a 4.5 flat. Good at the contested catch, and is probably the best YAC guy in this great WR class. Very quick out of breaks, and is physical with his hands, creating natural space on his routes. CeeDee is the most complete WR in this class.

2. JERRY JEUDY- Alabama- 6’-1” 193 lbs.

Very light feet, make Jeudy the best route runner in this class. Jeudy is also quick to transition from catch to run, and is an excellent runner in the open field. Been slippery at times breaking tackles, and his quickness in the intermediate passing game, allow space for him to get his stride going toward the goal line. His slow, developed stride gets on you quick, which makes him a sneaky good deep route runner.

3. JUSTIN JEFFERSON- LSU- 6’-1” 202 lbs.

The star of the 2020 NFL Combine, Jefferson plays much bigger than his size, and plays much longer than he is. Great catch radius, and also elevates above man coverage to own his space. Will be a good slot and red zone threat due to his large catch radius. An easy mover, that always absorbed hits better than most. Smart vs. zone, clean with his hands, although he is not the best YAC guy. Fastest mover up the board in this draft class.

4. TEE HIGGINS- Clemson- 6’-4” 216 lbs.

A former “Mr. Football”, top 20 recruit, who came into Clemson with much hype, has faded over the past 2 seasons, as others in the class have surpassed him. Long, angular, with a massive catch radius, make Higgins a TD threat in the red zone, which will be something in his favor when teams weigh him versus better prospects. The fear on Higgins is that he was never asked to do much more than abuse lessor players in the ACC with a very simple route tree. Has shown a lack of physicality when faced with press, which is a concern for the NFL.

5. LAVISKA SHENAULT JR.- Colorado- 6’-1” 227 lbs.

The highest ceiling for any prospect in this WR draft class. Big and strong, and plays like it. Strong with YAC, as he has favorable comparisons to Dez Bryant. Also plays faster than he timed at the combine (4.58), where he complained of a muscle core injury, that later required surgery. He has struggled to stay healthy. Shenault’s wide running base creates space for him on in cuts, and make him an easy and friendly target for QB’s. The risk / reward ratio is obviously there. It’s his availability versus his obvious gifts.

SIMON CLANCY’S (@SiClancy) VIEW:

1. Jerry Jeudy – Alabama
2. Laviska Shenault – Colorado
3. CeeDee Lamb Oklahoma
4. Justin Jefferson – LSU
5. Henry Ruggs – Alabama

TIGHT ENDS

1. COLE KMET- Notre Dame- 6’-6” 262 lbs.

Big rangy target, that squares well to his QB. Pretty clean hands as well, and he transitions to securing the ball just as well. Is a load to bring down, as he runs through half hearted tackles. Kmet is not much of a blocker, although he is very quick out of his 3 point stance, and even faster on his stand up release. This is not a very good Tight end class, so it makes sense for a guy that could be at the top of it, to be such an incomplete player. Best suited for Y-Tight end work. Needs drilling on his blocking.

2. BRYCEN HOPKINS- Purdue- 6’-4” 245 lbs.

A quick twitch player at Tight End, will garner some attention, as Hopkins is rather fluid in his movement. He is not stiff as most of this class is. Good high pointing the ball, and could be the best red zone target of the class, due to his versatility, and route running. It was really hard to find positive blocking video on Hopkins. Lacks technique and tends to do a lot of grabbing. Best route runner of the group, and the most polished pass catcher as well.

3. ADAM TRAUTMAN- Dayton- 6’-5” 255 lbs.

Probably the most complete prospect of the class. Trautman did not test well, and ran painfully slow for such a good looking athlete (4.8). Trautman is tough to project due to clear downgrade in competition. Highly productive with 70 catches for 916 yards (13.1 YPC) and 14 TD’s, Trautman has showed he can handle the activity and attention throughout his college career, and his professionalism has impressed scouts. His potential, and projection alone makes him likely to be the first Tight end off the board.

4. HUNTER BRYANT- Washington- 6’-2” 248 lbs.

The latest in the long list of combine disappointments, Bryant was expected to run fast, because he plays fast. Bryant is the most unlikely of these Tight end prospects in that he is actually a good/decent blocker. Good driving from a 3 point stance, and even better blocking in space. It’s that ability that will get him to stick for many years in the NFL as a special teams performer. Not the most elusive in this class, and not very powerful in YAC. Bryant is rather smooth in transitioning in and out of breaks, and has a polished look as a pass receiver. In this weak Tight end class, Bryant is as good as any. His size concerns, and inability to get open versus physical coverage is also a big concern. His underrated blocking saves him overall, but Bryant needs a weight room.

5. COLBY PARKINSON- Stanford- 6’-7” 252 lbs.

A big target with rather clean hands. Looks and plays athletically, although he tested poorly at the combine. For his obvious imposing size, Colby is a mediocre in-line blocker, and has a hard time keeping contact with his blocks on the edge. An accomplished route runner, which si to say that a large man with skill is going to get open versus smaller, equally athletic college players. Will he be overwhelmed by NFL type athleticism from his opponents? That is the concern. His size, and pedigree will get him drafted higher than he probably deserves to be in any other draft year. The upside is still there, though.

SIMON CLANCY’S (@SiClancy) VIEW:

1. Adam Trautman – Dayton
2. Cole Kmet – Notre Dame
3. Thaddeus Moss – LSU
4. Brycen Hopkins – Purdue
5. Albert Okwuegbunam – Missouri

Alfredo Arteaga (@Alf_Arteaga) and Simon Clancy (SiClancy) are two-thirds of the trio that does the Three Yards Per Carry (@3YardsPerCarry) podcast.