Want to get to know the draft prospects for the 2020 NFL Draft? This weekly column breaks down the best matchups to watch each week in college football.
By Charlie Campbell.
Send Charlie an e-mail here: [email protected]
Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell for updates.
Penn State vs. Ohio State; Saturday, Nov. 23, 12:00 PM FOX
This game features two excellent defensive end prospects for the NFL with Ohio State’s Chase Young and Penn State’s Yetur Gross-Matos. Young should be back from suspension and has been dominant this year to put himself in the discussion to be a top-five pick next April. Penn State has been playing Gross-Matos out of position a lot this year, but Gross-Matos is a tough edge defender who could be a top-20 talent. Gross-Matos will take on a possible mid-round pick in Ohio State tackle Thayer Munford.
Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah is another top-10 talent having a great season, and he will get tested by Penn State redshirt sophomore wide receiver K.J. Hamler. Hamler is a small receiver, but a speedster who can score on any reception. Hamler will see another future NFL competitor with the Buckeyes other cornerback Damon Arnette, a possible second-day pick.
Ohio State has lot of other talent as well. Junior running back J.K. Dobbins could be a second-day pick, and wide receiver K.J. Hill could also go in the top half of the draft. Other Buckeyes to watch include cornerback Shaun Wade, tight end Rashod Berry, wide receiver Austin Mack, guard Jonah Jackson, safety Jordan Fuller and inside linebacker Malik Harrison.
Nittany Lions who were on teams’ preseason draft watch list include defensive tackle Robert Windsor, cornerback John Reid and linebacker Cam Brown.
Texas A&M vs. Georgia; Saturday, Nov. 23, 3:30 PM ET CBS
This game features two quarterback prospects going head-to-head with Georgia’s Jake Fromm and Texas A&M’s Kellen Mond. They are the opposite of each other, as Fromm does not have a first-round skill set but is an accurate game manager with good field vision and decision-making. Mond has a good skill set with arm strength, size, and running ability, but he has consistency issues with accuracy, field vision, timing, precision and decision-making. Fromm looks like a first-round pick if he enters the 2020 NFL Draft, while Mond could be a second-day pick, but Mond should return to Texas A&M for next year.
Bulldogs left tackle Andrew Thomas and guard Solomon Kindley are excellent pro prospects. Thomas is likely a top-10 pick next April, and Kindley is a possible late first-round or early second-round pick. Georgia has future NFL starters at center, right guard and right tackle – Isaiah Wilson – as well. Bulldogs running back D’Andre Swift is the favorite to be the top running back prospect for the 2020 NFL Draft, and they will need to lean on him as their wide receivers have been inconsistent, injured, and/or disappointing this season.
TCU vs. Oklahoma; Saturday, Nov. 23, 8:00 PM ET FOX
This game features two excellent draft matchups, led by TCU cornerback Jeff Gladney taking on Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Lamb sat out last week, but it was a game-time decision and it looks like he could return this week from his head injury. Next April, Lamb could be a first-round pick and Gladney might get selected on Day 2. Gladney can have problems with big receivers, while Lamb has some speed concerns and Gladney is fast, so it will be interesting to see which player’s strengths win out.
On the other side, Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray will take on a talented back in TCU’s Darius Anderson. Murray could go in the top half of the first round next April, while Anderson could be a mid-rounder.
The Horned Frogs have a good receiver prospect of their own in Jalen Reagor. The speedster is a dynamic big-play threat, but he’s been held back this year by inconsistent quarterback play. Despite the lack of targets and accurate passing, Reagor could still be a first- or second-round pick next April.
Washington vs. Colorado; Saturday, Nov. 23, 10:00 PM ESPN
There are two NFL quarterback prospects going head-to-head in this game with Colorado’s Steven Montez and Washington’s Jacob Eason. Montez has a good skill set, but he is inconsistent with his accuracy, field vision, and decision-making. He needs to produce some good tapes to close out his collegiate career.
Eason has a good skill set with a powerful arm, but he has also been inconsistent this year. It sounds like Eason plans on entering the 2020 NFL Draft, but he should go back to Washington next year.
The best prospect in this game is Colorado wide receiver Laviska Shenault. He could be a top-25 pick next April. Washington has a potential first-round offensive tackle in Trey Adams and a mid-round prospect in center Nick Harris.
Utah vs. Arizona; Saturday, Nov. 23, 10:00 PM ET FS1
This game features two quality running back prospects for the NFL with Arizona’s J.J. Taylor and Utah’s Zack Moss. Both have been tough runners for their teams and could contribute quickly at the pro level. Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate could be a third-day pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and the dual-threat quarterback is going to see a tough test with the Utes. Utah’s defense is loaded with mid- and late-round picks for the NFL. Utes defensive end Bradley Anae and nose tackle Leki Foot could be mid-round picks next April. Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson could be a pick on Day 2. Other defenders are draft-able as well, so this is an important tape for Tate to impress pro evaluators.
2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 23
NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22
Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19
NFL Picks - Feb. 12
