2020 NFL Draft: Under-the-Radar Prospects

  Under-the-Radar Prospects:

         2020 NFL Draft

QB Jacob Eason, Washington

After one season in Seattle, WA, declares for NFL Draft. In 2015, named Gatorade National Player of the Year and USA Today All-American Offensive Player of the Year as a senior in high school. Enrolled at Georgia and started 12 games as a true freshman, passing for over 2,400 yards and 16 touchdowns. In 2017, suffered a season-ending knee injury in first game and eventually lost job to Jake Fromm. Transferred to Washington and redshirted entire 2018 campaign. Last year, passed for 3,132 yards and 23 touchdowns. At 6-foot-6 and 231 pounds, premier pocket passer with stupendous size and astounding arm strength. Broad shoulders on big frame. Impressive velocity: Ball explodes out of hand and fits passes into minuscule holes. Stretches field vertically and throws a very catchable deep ball. Played in two different pro-style schemes. Below average pocket mobility and does not gain yards with legs. Falls apart in muddy pocket. Average anticipation. Makes ill-advised throws and relies on arm strength. Must learn to throw touch passes not just fastballs. NFL organizations like Eason far more than my film study and production model indicate.

Key Career Stats

Games: 26

Passing Efficiency: 132.2

Completion Percentage: 59.8

Yards per Attempt: 7.1

TD:INT Ratio: 39-16

Career Rushing Yards: -125

Escapability Score: D+

Scholar's Score: Third round

RB Lamical Perine, Florida

During tenure at Gainesville, performed in 50 games and concluded career eighth in rushing yards. In 2019, team co-captain: High-character individual who is leader on the gridiron and in the locker room. 2019 Orange Bowl MVP with 139 yards on 13 carries, five catches for 43 yards and three touchdowns. Cousins to Samaje Perine and Myles Jack. Led Florida in rushing three consecutive campaigns: 2017-19. All-purpose back who orchestrated a consistent career. At 5-foot-11 and 216 pounds, a patient ball carrier with vision. Compact and powerfully built. Three-down back: good pass catcher and blocker. Relentless runner who is difficult to tackle. Power to move the chains in short-yardage. Retains balance through contact. Subtle shifts and sharp cuts to avoid tacklers. Hard-charging competitor with good leg drive. Intuitive in red zone: Finds paydirt. Special teams’ contributor. One-speed runner with average flash and more physicality than elusiveness. Better between the tackles than on the perimeter. Average long speed. Limited ceiling as a professional. Ranked outside of top twelve running back prospects.

Key Career Stats

Rushing Yards: 2,485

Yards per Carry: 5.0

Receptions: 72

2019 Season

Yards from Scrimmage: 938

Team Scrimmage Yards Distribution: 17%

Breakaway Ability

40-yard Dash: 4.62

3-Cone Drill: 7.13

20-yard shuttle: 4.31

Scholar's Score: Fifth round

RB/WR Antonio Gibson, Memphis

JUCO transfer from East Central Community College who played in 29 games for the Tigers. One of the more fascinating prospects. A late bloomer who played both receiver and running back at Memphis. Over past two seasons, logged 44 catches for 834 yards, totaled 369 rushing yards and scored 10 times. In 2019, AAC Special Teams Player of the Year and Second Team All-Conference. At Combine, 40-yard dash awoke scouting community in regard to athletic ability. At 6-foot-0 and 228 pounds, a dynamic playmaker with ball in hands and excels in the open field. Electric game breaker who immediately reaches top gear: Leaves opponents in the dust. A slasher who rapidly flips hips to change directions. Stupendous spatial vision. Fluid athlete with good body control. Tracks ball well downfield. Physically built: Concludes runs with a punch. Limited route tree on resume and employed mostly in the slot. Does not easily gain separation versus press coverage. Does he have a natural position? Is he a runner or receiver? Unfinished competitor at both positions. As a professional, day one kick returner  and versatile offensive weapon.

Key Career Stats

Rushing Yards: 369

Receiving Yards: 834

Yards per Carry: 11.2

Receptions: 44

2019 Season

Yards from Scrimmage: 1,104

Team Scrimmage Yards Distribution: 16%

Catch Percentage: 68%

Breakaway Ability

40-yard Dash: 4.39

3-Cone Drill: n/a

20-yard shuttle: n/a

Scholar's Score: Fourth round

WR/TE Chase Claypool, Notre Dame

40-yard dash, vertical jump (40.5”) and broad jump (126”) illuminated high-caliber athletic ability at Combine. 2019 PFF All-Independent Team. 4-star recruit from British Columbia, Canada. Improved production every year on campus. As a senior, late bloomer who excelled with 66 catches for 1,039 yards and 13 touchdowns. At 6-foot-4 and 238 pounds, big-bodied playmaker who defeats press, and hands, coverage. Uses size to box out defenders with big frame and enjoys being physical. Shines in the red zone and bullies defensive backs with size and strength. Very good hands. Thrives in congested situations and wins one-on-one battles. Beats corners vertically. Height and wingspan provide large catch radius. High-caliber concentration and easily elevates to snatch high passes. Excels on special teams. Outstanding blocker. Versatile resume: slot (Y) as sophomore, outside (Z) as junior and boundary (X) as a senior. Must improve technique and timing as a receiver. Does not separate well and is not smooth in-and-out of breaks. Lacks creativity and burst. Mismatch from the slot. A move to tight end in the NFL would greatly enhance professional outlook.

Key Career Stats

Receptions: 150

Yards per Reception: 14.4

2019 Season

Catch Percentage: 55%

Team Aerial Dominator: 32%

Breakaway Ability

40-yard dash: 4.42

3-cone drill: n/a

20-yard shuttle: n/a

Scholar's Score: Fourth round

WR Devin Duvernay, Texas

Very good Senior Bowl performance increased draft stock. In 2019, First Team All-Big 12 and honorable mention Offensive Player of the Year in Conference. Three-time First Team Academic All-Big 12. Cousin to Cardinals’ QB Kyler Murray. In high school, played in 2016 Under Armour All-America Game, named All-America, two-time all-state in Texas and 100-meter Texas state champion. As a freshman, started two games and recorded 20 catches for 412 yards. Over past two seasons, recorded 147 receptions for 1,932 yards and 13 touchdowns. At 5-foot-10 and 200 pounds, a burner who hits home runs from the slot: Excelled from the coveted H-position in Longhorn’s scheme. Above average ball tracking skills. Uses blockers well in space to acquire RAC yards. Sturdy frame of a running back and rambles like a ball carrier downfield. Makes tough catches with solid hands. Played mostly from the slot. Limited routes on resume: Lots of short and quick touches. Needs to improve intermediate route abilities, identify zones promptly and uncover from defenders. Small catch radius. Professional success foreshadowed as a slot receiver but will need time to learn at the next level.

Key Career Stats

Receptions: 176

Yards per Reception: 14.0

2019 Season

Catch Percentage: 82%

Team Aerial Dominator: 37%

Breakaway Ability

40-yard dash: 4.39

3-cone drill: 7.13

20-yard shuttle: 4.20

Scholar's Score: Fourth round

WR K.J. Hamler, Penn State

Electrifying, undersized playmaker leaves Happy Valley after three seasons. Missed entire 2017 campaign at Penn State with an ACL tear. As a redshirt underclassman in 2018, established a school freshman record with 1,417 all-purpose yards, and versus Ohio State, hauled in a 93-yard pass, which is the second-longest in program history. Named Freshman All-America by FWAA, returner/all-purpose Freshman All-America by The Athletic and honorable mention All-Big Ten. As a high school senior, unfortunately, missed season due to injury, rated a 4-star prospect by many scouting services, competed at The Opening and captured the MVP award at the Rivals Camp Series. Last year, Second Team All-Big Ten with 56 catches for 904 yards and eight touchdowns. A 5-foot-9, 178-pound jitterbug who easily eludes tacklers and explodes in the open field. In the slot, blazing speed to attack the secondary vertically. Ultra-quick competitor who effortlessly darts and weaves through traffic. Astounding acceleration in-and-out of breaks and splendid suddenness as a route runner. Turns quick passes into homeruns. Not a natural hands catcher, and occasionally, allows ball into chest. Bigger, and physical, corners will press at line of scrimmage. Projects as a slot receiver with limited professional upside.

Key Career Stats

Receptions: 98

Yards per Reception: 16.9

2019 Season

Catch Percentage: 60%

Team Aerial Dominator: 31%

Breakaway Ability

40-yard dash: n/a

3-cone drill: n/a

20-yard shuttle: n/a

Scholar's Score: Fourth round

WR Quintez Cephus, Wisconsin

Big-time Badger enters NFL after three seasons in uniform. In 2019 and 2017, honorable mention All-Big Ten. As high school senior, averaged over 20 yards per catch, recorded 12 touchdowns and registered six interceptions: Three-star prospect and First Team All-State in basketball and football by Georgia Sports Writers Association. Received FBS-level scholarship offers in both sports. At 6-foot-1 and 202 pounds, relishes physical nature of game and owns tremendous ball skills. Quick off line of scrimmage. Excels versus press coverage. Worthy and strong mitts and aggressive engagement with hands. Ball sticks to him through contact. Ventures into middle of the field. Excellent ball tracker of the ball in the air. Deadly footwork, accelerates smoothly and nasty spin moves. Very good leaping ability. Wins jump balls with large frame and good body positioning. Played in pro-style offense with a run-heavy scheme. Memorable highlight catches and absorbs big hits without dropping ball. Did not play 2018 season due to suspension. Dismissed from program following sexual assualt allegations: All charges eventually dismissed. Dreadful 40-yard dash at Combine: Finished last among participants. Lacks second gear in open field. Tight hips and deficient burst out of breaks. Limited athleticism: A better football player than athlete. Well-built competitor who projects as a physical slot receiver.

Key Career Stats

Receptions: 93

Yards per Reception: 16.1

2019 Season

Catch Percentage: 63%

Team Aerial Dominator: 32%

Breakaway Ability

40-yard dash: 4.73 (4.56 Pro Day)

3-cone drill: 7.20

20-yard shuttle: 4.33

Scholar's Score: Fourth round

TE Josiah Deguara, Cincinnati

Undervalued Bearcats’ playmaker with competitive toughness. 2019 First Team All-AAC and 2018 Second Team All-AAC. In high school, a three-sport athlete who won CIF State Division I Championship in California and logged 240 receptions for 3,274 yards and 42 touchdowns. At 6-foot-2 and 242 pounds, strong competitor with a thick frame. In-line blocker who shines in run blocking and pass protection. Seals the edge in run game. Captivating route runner who uses sharp head fakes and stutter steps to get open. Outstanding ball skills. Gets open in the middle and deep zones of the defense. Snatches ball in traffic and adjusts to ball in flight. Catches football outside of frame. Reads coverages well. Good character and high-football IQ. An undersized tight end who projects as a H-back and possibly fullback. Contributor on special teams. Can he push the pile in the run game? Not creative or dynamic with the ball in hands. Shorter arms and smaller catch radius. An idyllic No. 2 tight end as a professional.

Key Career Stats

Receptions: 92

Yards per Reception: 12.1

2019 Season

Catch Percentage: 55%

Team Aerial Dominator: 20%

Breakaway Ability

40-yard dash: 4.72

3-cone drill: 7.15

20-yard shuttle: 4.35

Scholar's Score: Fourth round

TE Jared Pinkney, Vanderbilt

Disappointing senior crusade after a terrific junior campaign. Kicked off 2019 season on the John Mackey and Biletnikoff Awards watch lists. Plummeted in every statistical category: Poor quarterback play and injury hampered production. In 2018, AP Second Team All-SEC and two-time Mackey Tight End of the Week. Posted career high in catches (50), yards (774) and touchdowns (2). At 6-foot-4 and 257 pounds, redshirt senior who looks like an archetypal prospect from the 1990s. Solid frame and NFL body. Fluid athlete for his size and nice straight-line runner. Plucks football out of the air away from body. Adjusts to ball at catch point. Absorbs big hits and remains focused on the ball. Powerful runner with ball in hands. Enjoys getting dirty and works hard. Willing run blocker: Releases from a three-point stance and engages with sound hands. Does not threaten defenses deep down the seam. Average field vision and breaks out of routes. Intermittently overpowered as a run blocker. Projects as a No. 2 tight end on a team’s depth chart.

Key Career Stats

Receptions: 114

Yards per Reception: 13.7

2019 Season

Catch Percentage: 45%

Team Aerial Dominator: 11%

Breakaway Ability

40-yard dash: 5.0

3-cone drill: n/a

20-yard shuttle: n/a

Scholar's Score: Sixth round

It is John Laub’s seventh year publishing The Scholar’s Study Sheets: NFL Draft Prospects. With his Masters in history and professional experience as an educator, Laub is uniquely qualified to research, analyze and discover new insights and trends in college and professional football. Laub has played fantasy football over thirty years and published articles for FootballDiehards.com for well over 25 years. He won $10,000 in 1993, defeating nearly 15,000 owners, and published Audibles: Winning is Everything in the 1990s. He truly is The Gridiron Scholar.