THE EXTRA YARD: 2020 NFL DRAFT Top 5 LB’s

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

LINEBACKERS

1. ISAIAH SIMMONS- Clemson- 6′-4″ 238 lbs.

Star from the combine, jumping 39 inches and running a solid 4.39. Simmons has played Linebacker, Safety, Slot Corner, been a wide rusher in base, and done just about everything on defense. Simmons has displayed the range to play single high in college, and shown the chops to stay with Tight Ends and Running backs in man coverage. Has the physicality to overwhelm the uninitiated slot wide receiver, and the speed to recover if beaten across his face. A willing tackler if not a thumper, Simmons is a true hybrid that you fit a scheme around.

2. PATRICK QUEEN- LSU- 6′-0″ 229 lbs.

Queen continues a hot streak of LSU LB’s in the pros with Devin White being the latest. Queen is a playmaker in every sense of the word, with impressive tracking skills as he bounces to fill his fits all along the line of scrimmage. Queen also had a knack of showing up real big in the biggest games, including a standout effort vs. Clemson in the title game. A good athlete, with quick feet capable of staying with Running backs in pass coverage. The knock if there is one, is that Patrick Queen plays in a system that caters to his skill set and he would have to fit in, rather than be fitted for a system in the NFL.

3. KENNETH MURRAY- Oklahoma- 6′-3″ 241 lbs.

Long and lean playmaker that draws comparisons to Darius Leonard. Murray was highly decorated throughout his playing career, with good high school pedigree carrying him as a 4 star recruit out of Texas. All American nods and first team Big 12’s followed. An easy mover, that shows up constantly around the ball. A good decision maker, and smart to recognize the action. The most instinctual of all the Line backers in this class. His weaknesses come with tackling in space, and some free lancing that is evident on film, especially in the bigger games.

4. MALIK HARRISON- Ohio State- 6′-3″ 247 lbs.

A top 50 recruit that played Quarterback in High School. The latest in what si a popular body type in this year’s class, Harrison has a sleek, athletic, lean build. Good in pursuit, and has shown an ability to rush the passer as a disguised blitzer. Poor in coverage, and lacks the coordination to play man to man with a running back in space. Will need help at the next level in play recognition, and understanding fits. Can sometimes have a raw look to him, although he has filled out the stat sheet at times. A real thumper, that pops all over the place on film.

5. JORDAN BROOKS- Texas Tech- 6′-0″ 240 lbs.

All conference, all 4 years of his career, with some All Big 12 honors, Brooks has piled on he accolades throughout his stint at Texas Tech. Twitchy, and quick to diagnose plays, Jordan Brooks is the most ready made starter of the class as a pure inside backer. Good instincts to fill gaps, and chases the play effectively. Clear weakness in space, in zone coverage, and picking up pass catchers. It’s just not what he is good at. Brooks is a run defender in every sense of the word, with a knack for playmaking in the backfield. One dimensional, but could be a very good fit in some systems.

SIMON CLANCY’S (@SiClancy) VIEW:

1. Isaiah Simmons – Clemson
2. Patrick Queen – LSU
3. Kenneth Murray – Oklahoma
4. Markus Bailey – Purdue
5. Willie Gay – Mississippi State

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