2020 NFL Draft recap: NFC West
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| Arizona Cardinals | Notable Pick: The pick of Simmons has major significance because the Cardinals drafted former Temple linebacker Haason Reddick just three seasons ago. DC Vance Joseph has to move Simmons around, but will it be natural within his defensive structure? | |||
| Round, Selection, | Player | School | DN Big Board Rank/ Grade | ‘Nasty’ Take: |
| 1 (8) | Isaiah Simmons | 6’4 238 LB-Clemson | 4/1st Round | Simmons is clearly one of the more talented defenders to come into the league in quite some time. The consensus first-team All-American seems intent on wanting to play linebacker at the next level. |
| 3 (72) | Josh Jones | 6’5 311 OT-Houston | 71/2nd Round | After just an okay junior campaign, the first-team All-AAC tackle took his game to another level in 2019. It easily could have resulted in him going off the board much earlier than 72nd. |
| 4 (114) | Leki Fotu | 6’5 327 DT-Utah | 46/2nd Round | Fotu’s value should not be diminished in today’s pass-happy NFL. He is still an important entity and routinely handled double teams in school. |
| 4 (131) | Rashard Lawrence II | 6’2 308 DT-LSU | 274/4th Round | Lawrence is a heavy-handed player who will surprise on occasion with his snap count reactions. His balance on line games proved to be up-and-down in the film viewed. |
| 6 (202) | Evan Weaver | 6’2 237 LB-California | 102/3rd Round | Arguably the most active collegiate linebacker in the country the last two years, Weaver slipped because there are questions about his ability to transition into a three-down linebacker. |
| 7 (222) | Eno Benjamin | 5’9 207 RB-Arizona State | 117/3rd Round | Benjamin can catch, run in-between the tackles bigger than his size and he’s slippery. It was a surprise that he lasted until Round 7. |
| Seattle Seahawks | Notable Pick: The Seahawks have traditionally found a way to involve the tight end and Parkinson’s arrival means that trend will continue. He expands the team’s Red Zone capability while also extending the seams of the field. | |||
| Round, Selection, | Player | School | DN Big Board Rank/ Grade | ‘Nasty’ Take: |
| 1 (27) | Jordyn Brooks | 6’1 240 LB-Texas Tech | 116/3rd Round | Brooks is fast, long and generally at his best going forward. He became the team’s first All-American LB since former Red Raider and NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Zach Thomas. |
| 2 (48) | Darrell Taylor | 6’4 253 DE-OLB Alabama | 185/4th Round | Taylor had a knack for punching balls loose in school (six forced fumbles) and played two-to-three different spots for the Vols. He was equally effective from a two-point or three-point stance. |
| 3 (69) | Damien Lewis | 6’2 327 OG-LSU | 60/2nd Round | Lewis provides options at any of the three interior line spots. His heavy nature belies his movement skills. The former junior college All-American has to improve picking up line games. |
| 4 (133) | Colby Parkinson | 6’7 252 TE-Stanford | 191/4th Round | Parkinson (see above) finished his career averaging 13.5 yards per reception with 12 touchdowns. |
| 4 (144) | DeeJay Dallas | 5’10 217 All-purpose-Miami (Fla.) | 38/2nd Round | Dallas -a former WR for the Hurricanes- averaged 17 yards per punt return in 2018. He is excellent in the screen game and has positive contact balance. |
| 5 (148) | Alton Robinson | 6’3 264 DE-Syracuse | 169/4th Round | Robinson did not match his breakout junior year with a sparkling senior campaign. Nevertheless, his ability to generate speed-to-power will make him a challenge for offensive tackles. |
| 6 (214) | Freddie Swain | 6’0 199 WR-Florida | 176/4th Round | Swain carries his equipment on game day and provides savvy as a slot receiver. In addition -particularly at this point in the draft- his value comes on special teams, where he was solid as a punt returner. |
| 7 (251) | Stephen Sullivan | 6’5 245 TE-LSU | 386/5th Round | Sullivan -a former four-star recruit at WR- was satisfactory at that position in school. He is a flex option either on the outside or in the slot. |
| San Francisco 49ers | Notable Pick: Of the draft’s first three selections, McKivitz will be in the battle for a roster spot with the 49ers depth at tackle. He has improved as a run blocker, but his ability to slide down to guard, if necessary, will likely determine his fate. The fact that NFL teams can now have three extra offensive linemen helps his charge. | |||
| Round, Selection, | Player | School | DN Big Board Rank/ Grade | ‘Nasty’ Take: |
| 1 (14) | Javon Kinlaw | 6’5 324 DT-South Carolina | 5/1st Round | Kinlaw was an effective player in school but it could be argued that he can give even more. His quickness is supplemented by heavy hands. His fit into the 49ers defensive line rotation should be something to monitor in 2020…and beyond. |
| 1 (25) | Brandon Aiyuk | 6’0 205 WR-Arizona State | 20/2nd Round | Aiyuk got more opportunities as a featured receiver in 2019 but it did not take away from his impact in the return game. The positive aspect of this draft pick is that he has yet to fully tap his vast upside at the receiver spot. |
| 5 (153) | Colton McKivitz | OT-West Virginia | 204/4th Round | McKivitz was a durable 47-game starter in school. He added positive play strength as he went along. He fits the profile the 49ers seek in their tackles. |
| 6 (190) | Charlie Woerner | 6’5 244 TE-Georgia | 427/5th Round | One of the top recruits in the Class of 2016 when he came out of Rabun County HS (Ga.), Woerner had limited opportunities in school. He still flashed all of the skills that made him a four-star recruit at the prep level when given his opportunities. Very good blocker on the move |
| 7 (217) | Jauan Jennings | 6’3 215 WR-Tennessee | 331/5th Round | Jennings dealt with injuries, suspensions and inconsistency but, when wired, he was one of the nation’s most competitive players. His run after the catch ability and field speed eases concern over average workout testing numbers. |
| Los Angeles Rams | Notable Pick: The Rams got to a Super Bowl on the strength of former PK Greg Zuerlein. He came from a small school and now the team will give Sloman a look late in the draft. The former Redhawk took his game to another level in 2019. | |||
| Round, Selection, | Player | School | DN Big Board Rank/ Grade | ‘Nasty’ Take: |
| 2 (52) | Cam Akers | 5’10 217 RB-FSU | 58/2nd Round | The former five-star recruit out of Mississippi averaged just under five yards per carry in school but was effective as a runner, receiver and passer during his three-year run in Tallahassee. Akers is stronger than his frame suggests. |
| 2 (57) | Van Jefferson | 6’1 197 WR-Florida, Ole Miss | 17/2nd Round | Jefferson was productive at two different stops in the SEC due to his combination of body control and football intelligence. Some of his press-man releases have been unorthodox, yet sudden and effective. |
| 3 (84) | Terrell Lewis | 6’5 258 OLB-Alabama | 48/2nd Round | It would have been interesting to see how Lewis’ career would have gone had he not been sidelined by injury in two consecutive seasons. He uses 83 1/2-inch wingspan to pole OTs back into the lap of QBs. Can he stay healthy? |
| 3 (104) | Terrell Burgess | 6’0 202 DB-Utah | 285/4th Round | Burgess’ movement skills gives the team options with him as a nickel, outside cornerback or safety. He largely was drafted off of one productive year, but his skills translate to the next level. |
| 4 (136) | Brycen Hopkins | 6’4 245 TE-Purdue | 135/3rd Round | Hopkins had some issues with the occasional concentration lapse, but the Big Ten’s Kwallick-Clark TE of the Year in 2019 averaged 17 yards per reception as a junior (2018). his speed and ability to stretch the seams of the field adds yet another layer to the Rams attack. |
| 6 (199) | Jordan Fuller | 6’2 203 S-Ohio State | 279/4th Round | Fuller generally played a sound game in school. His movement skills for a taller safety were substantiated by some of the tough coverage assignments Ohio State gave him early in his career. |
| 7 (234) | Clay Johnston | 6’0 229 LB-Baylor | 301/5th Round | Johnston’s impressive start to the 2019 season was upended by a midseason knee injury. Prior to the injury, he had already posted four double-digit tackle games. |
| 7 (248) | Sam Sloman | 5’8 207 PK-Miami (OH.) | 586/7th Round | Sloman connected on 87-percent of his field goals in school, but it was his senior year uptick in range that caught the eyes of scouts. Prior to 2018 he was not as effective as a kickoff specialist. Over the last two years, he posted a 63-percent touchback percentage on kickoffs. |
| 7 (250) | Tremayne Anchrum | 6’2 314 OL-Clemson | 241/4th Round | For a player who operated exclusively on the edge in school, Anchrum was fairly impressive turning out the opposition on designed runs to his side. In pass protection (either outside or inside), he will have to get better at handling inside movement. |
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