2020 NFL Draft Preview: The top 15 defensive players available
Apr 16, 2020, 6:35 AM
The NFL Draft is slated for April 23-25, providing seven rounds for the Broncos and other teams to find their stars of the future. At this point, Denver is slated to have 10 total picks, five of which will fall within the first 95 selections. In other words, John Elway will have plenty of assets to work with throughout the weekend.
What will he do with those picks? That’s anyone’s guess. But in the coming weeks, 1043TheFan.com will provide an overview of the best prospects.
Today, we continue by looking at the side of the ball that most believe will be the Broncos strength in 2020 – defense. They’ve invested heavily there, with the majority of their cap space committed to the phase of the game. That said, it is a group that is getting older. Von Miller is in his 30s, Jurrell Casey is entering his 10 season and A.J. Bouye turns 29 in August. So if the Broncos are looking to add depth and look toward the future on defense, here are the players to consider for the job:
***
1. Chase Young | DE | Ohio State – If quarterback wasn’t such a valuable commodity, Young would be the first-overall pick in the draft. He’s the most pro-ready player on the board, able to step in on day one and be an impact player. At Ohio State, he showcased all of the skills needed to thrive at the pro level. He’s strong, athletic, has a great motor and a high football IQ. He’ll be a dominant outside pass rusher for years to come.
2. Isaiah Simmons | LB | Clemson – In terms of versatility, there might not be a defender in this year’s draft who brings more to the field than Simmons. The Clemson star has the run-stuffing ability to play middle linebacker, but also has the speed to be a safety and/or outside linebacker at the NFL level. In today’s game, where elite tight ends cause teams fits, those skills will make him a defensive coordinator’s dream come true.
3. Jeff Okudah | CB | Ohio State – There are plenty of reasons why Okudah was a first-team All-American and a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award; he simply possesses all of the skills necessary to be a great cornerback. He has the size and length to match up with big receivers, the foot quickness to stick with wideouts off the line of scrimmage and the closing speed to make up room in the open field. It all adds up to a probable top-five pick.
4. Derrick Brown | DT | Auburn – In many games at Auburn, Brown appeared to be a man amongst boys. He’s a physically dominant player who seems to toss aside offensive linemen with ease. He’s also versatile, as he can line up in various spots in the trenches, allowing him to excel in a 3-4 or 4-3 defense. Brown is almost assured of going in the top 10, as he’s a day one starter at the NFL level.
5. Javon Kinlaw | DT | South Carolina – Kinlaw is a disruptive force, as he was constantly in the opposing team’s backfield during his time at South Carolina. Whether against the run or rushing the passer, his combination of strength and quickness allows him to split blockers and create havoc. Like Brown, he’s a player who can line up all along the defensive line, something that will allow defensive coordinators to get creative and cause offensive coordinators nightmares.
6. C.J. Henderson | CB | Florida – His 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame make him an ideal cover corner, skills he showcased at Florida on a weekly basis. But it might also be the reason why he doesn’t seem too eager to help against the run, as tackling was never his forte with the Gators. That one-dimension aspect of his game will drop him into the teens or 20s of the first round, but his ability to cover will make him an NFL starter for years to come.
7. K’Lavon Chaisson | DE | LSU – At 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, Chaisson looks the part of an outside pass rusher. And he has a lot of the physical tools needed to excel at that position. He’s quick and explosive, which allows him to hit the edge quickly. He still needs to work on some of his pass-rushing moves, but that can come with time. The only other red flag is a torn ACL he suffered during the 2018 season at LSU.
8. Kristian Fulton | CB | LSU – After being a highly touted recruit, Fulton’s career at LSU got off to a rocky start. Injuries and a suspension derailed parts or all of his 2016, ’17 and ’18 seasons. But he finally got a chance last season to show what he could do, becoming a major part of a defense that helped the Tigers win a national title. He has all the physical tools needed to be a great corner, plus the swagger to excel at the position. He just hasn’t played a ton of football.
9. Xavier McKinney | S | Alabama – McKinney is the best safety in this year’s class because of his versatility. He’s good in coverage, both in zone and picking up tight ends, and he’s strong against the run. He’s also good as a blitzer, which is an underrated skill. At Alabama, it was impossible not to notice him, as McKinney was constantly around the football. That’s what jumps off the film and gets scouts excited.
10. Trevon Diggs | CB | Alabama – A converted wide receiver, Diggs benefits from having a good understanding of what’s happening on the other side of the ball; it helps him get into the heads of opposing receivers. In addition, he got the chance to play a lot of different coverage schemes at Alabama, which will help with his transition to the NFL and make him a versatile cornerback in any defense.
11. Kenneth Murray | LB | Oklahoma – At 6-foot-2, 235 pounds, Murray has the frame to fill the hole and stuff a team’s running game. With 4.5 speed, he also possesses the skills to play sideline to sideline, something that is invaluable in today’s game; that’ll also allow him to cover tight ends and backs out of the backfield, which makes him a three-down linebacker.
12. Patrick Queen | LB | LSU – At LSU, Queen lined up in the middle of the Tigers defense. Given his size (6-foot-1, 225 pounds), however, a lot of scouts project him to be an outside linebacker in the NFL. Wherever he winds up playing, he’ll be a force. Queen has speed to burn, making him a terrific sideline-to-sideline player and a good pass rusher. His ability to stop the run would make him great on the outside.
13. A.J. Epenesa | DE | Iowa – When it comes to being a disruptive force on defense, it’s hard to find someone who fit that description more than Epenesa. During his last two seasons at Iowa, he posted 22.0 sacks, 30.5 tackles for a loss, eight forced fumbles and seven passed defended. He seemed to be everywhere on the field, particularly in the opposing team’s backfield. He’s a big-time playmaker who will make an immediate impact in the NFL.
14. Yetur Gross-Matos | DE | Penn State – There’s some concern that Gross-Matos may be a bit of a “tweener,” as teams aren’t sure if he should play end in a 4-3 scheme or outside linebacker in a 3-4. His ability to excel with his hand in the dirt is the question. That said, his production at Penn State suggests getting him on the field and turning him loose is the best bet. Teams shouldn’t overthink it a player who had 17 sacks across the last two seasons.
15. Grant Delpit – Delpit won the Jim Thorpe Award in 2019 for a reason; he was the best defensive back in college football. There isn’t anything his game doesn’t possess. He’s fast and physical, smart and aggressive; all of these traits translate well to the NFL. The only knock on his game is his tackling ability, as that wasn’t always flawless during his time at LSU. But given his other skills, that seems like a fixable problem.
