Football fans are getting more and more excited about the 85th National Football League. With the NFL Draft 2020 just around the corner, teams are finishing up their draft evaluations and reviewing different plays for the start of draft picks on April 23.
Mock Draft Mondays are always anticipated by avid football fans. Football experts had already predicted how the first round of draft picks might turn out. Below is a quick overview of the results of NFL Draft Picks by College thi season.
Joe Burrow of LSU Tigers
Joe Burrow is the senior quarterback for the LSU Tigers. His career highlights include the Davey O'Brien Award, Maxwell Award, Heisman Memorial Trophy, Walter Camp Award, and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, all of which he received in 2019.
He was pegged as the first one to be drafted for the NFL Draft 2020. Burrow’s senior year is one of his best seasons in college. He was one of the best players for LSU in 2019, completing 76 percent of his passes with 60 touchdowns and six interceptions for 5,671 yards. His size, mobility, and accuracy will help him start his NFL career.
Accuracy is one of the traits that a quarterback needs, which Joe Burrow has. His agility, impressive anticipation, timing, and passing instincts make him a great passer. The balls he passes are catchable, making it easier for his receivers to receive the ball.
Chase Young of Ohio State Buckeyes
Football experts might be keeping their eyes on Burrow, but they are not discounting Chase Young’s skills. Named as a generational talent and a rare prospect, he is considered to be the safest and most competent contender for the draft.
Young is an excellent pass-rusher for the Buckeyes. He never missed being on the list of draft prospects for five mock draft picks, even though he is not a quarterback. His record shows 16.5 sacks that broke the Buckeyes record. In 2018, he finished the season with 14.5 tackles and 9.5 sacks.
Jeff Okudah of Ohio State Buckeyes
Jeff Okudah is a junior cornerback for the Buckeyes. Ohio State had been known to send its cornerbacks to the NFL. Thanks to him being the highest-regarded back defense, Okudah is one of the top prospects for the NFL Draft.
He is known for his size, speed, intelligence, and direction. His build helps guard receivers, and his speed allows him to intercept the threats against his team. One of the biggest reasons he might succeed in the NFL is due to him playing and learning alongside future NFL Draft Picks.
Isaiah Simmons of Clemson Tigers
Isaiah Simmons is a junior linebacker for the Clemson Tigers. Experts claimed that Simmons could not be put in a box since he has played the entire field for the Clemson Tigers. Different coaches saw him fit as a linebacker, cornerback, or rover/safety.
He had eight sacks on 71 pass-rush attempts last season. He led the Tigers in their championship season during his sophomore year, with 89 total stops, seven pass breakups, and three forced fumbles.
Thanks to his performance during the national title season of the Tiger, Simmons earned his Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker. During the said season, he played eight sacks, 102 tackles, nine pass breakups, and three interceptions.
Tua Tagovailoa of Alabama Crimson Tide
Tua Tagovailoa is the junior quarterback for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He is known to be a big threat to players because he can easily beat them with his strong arms and legs. He’s also known as the best ball passer of his class, and his agility makes him have great anticipation on short or intermediate routes.
In 2019, he completed 71 percent of his passes for 2,840 yards with 33 touchdowns and three interceptions.
Tagovailoa also has a notable running ability. In 2018, he ran five touchdowns, his mobility allowing him to buy time and escape the defenses of their opponent.
Justin Herbert of Oregon Ducks
Justin Herbert is the senior quarterback of the Oregon Ducks. The Patriot’s general manager has already expressed their interest in Herbert, saying that they would love to have him on their team. He is also projected to come in second place behind Joe Burrow in the draft.
In 2017, this Offensive MVP threw for 1,983 yards, completing 67 percent of his throws, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions. While in 2018, he threw 3,151 yards, completed 59.4 percent of his passes, and 29 touchdowns against eight interceptions.
Derrick Brown of the Auburn Tigers
Derrick Brown is known to have strong and strategic tackles during plays. His remarkable speed and incredible strength helped the Auburn Tigers win their games.
Brown is also an excellent runner. It didn’t matter who he was against, making the blockers irrelevant. His outstanding performance led him to win the 2019 Lott IMPACT Trophy.
Takeaway
As the 2020 NFL Draft is closing in, football fans are on the edge of their seats, anticipating to know who will make the draft. They are excited to know whether their favorite draft prospect will be part of the cut or not. With the process still ongoing, fans can only wait until the Draft day finally comes.