Sure, the 2020 NFL draft is still nine months away. But with the college football season cranking up and the NFL preseason in full swing, there's no better time for an early look at the best prospects in next year's draft class.
Obviously a lot will change between now and when the first name is called in Las Vegas next April, but you can still get a good feel for who the best NFL prospects are at this point in the process -- and a lot of them are on the offensive side of the ball.
So after grinding through game tape this summer, here is my preseason evaluation of the top 32 players for 2020. Rankings will be updated consistently throughout the college football slate and right into draft season.
Note: Underclassmen are marked with an asterisk, and grades are from Scouts Inc.
1. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama*
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 218 | Grade: 94
Simply put, Tagovailoa is a special talent. The lefty has elite accuracy at all three levels, displaying a smooth delivery, solid arm strength and excellent touch. His high-end anticipation and fast eyes helped him to 3,966 passing yards, 43 touchdown passes and only six interceptions in 2018. Tagovailoa threw a touchdown on 12.1% of his passes, the highest in FBS history. And he does have some twitch to him, allowing him to add another five scores on the ground. Durability is a bit of a concern, but he's my top prospect at this point in the process.
2. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama*
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 192 | Grade: 92
Jeudy is a really fun prospect to watch. He caught 68 balls for 1,315 yards and 14 touchdowns last season with the Crimson Tide, averaging almost 20 yards per catch. He's a truly polished route runner with soft hands, and he does an excellent job tracking the deep ball. Though he might not have elite size and strength, Jeudy should be an immediate impact player in the NFL.
Alabama's Jerry Jeudy is a star, but he's not the only stud WR in college football. Look out for Laviska Shenault, Justyn Ross, CeeDee Lamb and more.
3. Grant Delpit, S, LSU*
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 203 | Grade: 91
A smooth safety, Delpit piled on 74 tackles, 5 interceptions, 9 passes broken up, 5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss in 2018. He has good speed and ball skills, and he shows great instincts on the back end, although he's inconsistent as a tackler. Delpit is really effective in an overhang position where he can play closer to the line of scrimmage and affect the game against the run and pass.
4. Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State*
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 200 | Grade: 91
A big, long corner, Okudah broke up eight passes last season, thanks to smooth hips and quick feet. He does occasionally lunge, but he also shows the ability to recover quickly when in press coverage with his athleticism. Though he has yet to haul in an interception, he has the tools to become a No. 1 corner. I love his versatility, as he lines up on both sides and in the slot while also helping out in run defense.
5. Chase Young, DE, Ohio State*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 265 | Grade: 90
When you post 9.5 sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss and nine QB hurries as a sophomore, you're going to get the attention of NFL scouts. Young has quickness and above-average bend, and he flashes the ability to convert speed to power, although I'd like to see some improvement getting off blocks. He best fits as a 4-3 defensive end, but he does have experience dropping into coverage and could end up converting to a 3-4 outside linebacker role.
6. Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 318 | Grade: 90
Brown is a real easy mover for his size and does a good job locating the ball. He has quick hands, although he needs to be more effective with them. Brown has some versatility, but probably ends up as a three-technique in a one-gap-heavy scheme in the NFL. He closed the 2018 season with 10.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
7. Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 237 | Grade: 89
Remember when Herbert was being considered as a potential top-10 pick for the 2019 draft? Well, he's right back in the fold this time. The big QB has a huge arm and good mobility, and in that regard, he reminds me a little of the Bills' Josh Allen. There's a whole lot of ability there, but Herbert needs to find some more consistency and iron out some decision-making issues. He threw for 3,151 yards and 29 touchdown passes last season.
8. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma*
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 191 | Grade: 89
After having 65 catches for 1,158 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2018, Lamb will surely get plenty of attention from Jalen Hurts this season. He is an above-average route runner with excellent separation skills and the ability to settle into pockets when facing zone coverage. Lamb has some wheels to challenge vertically, the hands and body control to haul in the pass and then the instincts to create after the catch. And as a bonus, he can return punts.
9. A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa*
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 280 | Grade: 89
The production was incredible last season, as Epenesa posted 10.5 sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles. He is an active hand fighter and displays good effort when rushing the passer, getting his arms in passing lanes. And he has the strength -- and size -- to set the edge against the run when he needs to. But Epenesa lacks lower-body flexibility and closing speed, and still needs a little improvement getting off blocks.
10. Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 200 | Grade: 88
I really like the way Fulton makes "splash" plays. He has really good ball skills, recording nine passes broken up in 2018, and stops and starts so quickly, despite just average straight-line speed. He bats balls and shows good instincts in coverage. Now Fulton just needs to get a bit stronger, as bigger receivers can push him around at times. Scouts will also be mindful of off-field concerns; the corner was suspended for the 2017 season after allegedly tampering with a drug test.
11. Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama*
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 190 | Grade: 88
Ruggs is a burner who scored 11 times in 2018. He explodes off the line of scrimmage and is very savvy in his route running. He isn't afraid to work the middle of the field, but Ruggs needs to build some strength still to generate better late separation. Thanks to that elite speed and some crisp cutting ability, he is a real threat to opposing defensive backs. He made 46 catches for 741 yards last season.
12. CJ Henderson, CB, Florida*
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 202 | Grade: 88
Primarily an outside corner who is at his best in man-to-man coverage, Henderson had 60 tackles, 11 passes broken up and six interceptions over 24 games in the past two seasons. He possesses smooth hips and easy speed -- he doesn't stress to stay in stride with receivers going vertical. Henderson locates the ball well and displays good ball skills. But heading into this season, run support and physicality at the line of scrimmage are his weaknesses. Those will improve as he gets stronger.
13. Lucas Niang, OT, TCU
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 328 | Grade: 88
Niang started all 13 games at right tackle in 2018 but also has experience on the left side. He is massive at 6-foot-7 with very good length and is an elite pass-blocker. His wide frame and balance make it tough to cross his face. However, Niang is not the most technically sound run-blocker. He needs to do a better job of maintaining his base once engaged, even though he possesses the size and strength to move defenders off the ball and the foot speed to get to the second level.
14. Isaiah Simmons, OLB, Clemson*
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 225 | Grade: 87
The biggest question about Simmons at this point: What position does he play at the next level? He's a bulked-up converted safety who can play all over -- corner, safety, linebacker -- thanks to his excellent athleticism. He has smooth hips and long arms, and he is pretty talented in coverage. In 2018, Simmons had 89 tackles, including 9.5 for loss, and had 1.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.
15. Walker Little, OT, Stanford*
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 309 | Grade: 87
Little has made 13 career starts -- all at left tackle -- at Stanford, where he was was an All-Pac-12 first-teamer last season. He does fall off run blocks a bit too much, though, and he gets compromised versus speed off the edge in pass protection. But he's a talented offensive lineman with great size.
16. Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado*
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 220 | Grade: 87
This guy is a real weapon for any offense. Shenault can play any receiver position and is terrific with the ball in his hands. Don't expect him to run a normal route tree, instead snagging a lot of short catches underneath, but he is good on contested balls, and his ability to create after the catch stands out as a plus trait. Shenault will need some time to develop and learn effective deep routes, but his short-area quickness is something else. In 2018, he hauled in 86 passes for 1,011 yards and six touchdowns -- and had five more on the ground.
17. Julian Okwara, DE, Notre Dame
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 248 | Grade: 87
Okwara recorded 38 tackles, including 12.5 for loss, and eight sacks in 2018. He is a long, athletic hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker with good range. He flashes good speed to power as a pass-rusher and stacks tights ends as a run defender. Okwara is just scratching the surface in terms of his potential, though. He needs to develop an effective inside move and improve his ability to counter. And he fits better as a 3-4 OLB than a defensive end.
18. Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 207 | Grade: 86
Diggs played only six games in 2018 because of a broken foot, but he finished with 20 tackles, six passes broken up and one pick. He is a versatile athlete with great size and good straight-line speed on tape. He has experience working on the perimeter but has also played the overhang and free safety roles on defense -- and returned kicks. Diggs has tightness in his hips and will give up separation to quicker receivers out of their breaks, but he can be effective in coverage in press-man and/or zone defense. He closes well and limits gains after the catch. And he will mix it up physically.
19. Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 312 | Grade: 86
Over the past two seasons, Davis produced 124 tackles, 15.5 TFL and 11 sacks. He flashes the ability to jar offensive linemen with initial contact and frequently gets pressure when turned loose. Davis lacks some body control and can be slow to redirect, which leads to some sacks being left on the field, but he is stout enough to control single blocks when he keeps his pad level low enough. He is highly gifted and scheme versatile, but discipline will be a concern for scouts.
20. Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 320 | Grade: 86
Thomas is a powerful left tackle who started all 13 games with Georgia in 2018. He will need some time to develop his hands and footwork, but you can see the strong movement and natural ability on tape. And though he will occasionally give up some ground to bull-rushers, he shows initial pop. His game is raw, but the athleticism and potential are there.
21. Terrell Lewis, OLB, Alabama*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 252 | Grade: 86
Lewis missed the 2018 season because of a torn ACL, but he is a menace off the edge. He has the ideal size, speed and athleticism to develop into an every-down edge rusher in the NFL. He has upside but will need a big 2019 season to keep his name high on draft boards. Lewis had a sack in five games back in 2017.
22. Jared Pinkney, TE, Vanderbilt
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 260 | Grade: 85
Pinkney flashes as a route runner, separates well for his size and has enough speed to threaten down the seam. He tracks the ball well and shows good body control adjusting to passes and a wide catch radius. As an in-line run-blocker, he has some problems sustaining and needs to get stronger at the point of attack, but his athletic ability and frame make him an effective blocker in space when his technique is sound. A breakout 2018 season saw 50 catches for 774 yards and seven scores.
23. Tyler Biadasz, C, Wisconsin*
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 321 | Grade: 85
Biadasz has started every game at center over the past two seasons. He is a positional run-blocker who does a good job of walling off his assignments, though he's not a powerful drive blocker who regularly moves defenders off the ball. Biadasz has above-average range and takes sound angles when climbing to the second level. He gets set quickly in pass protection, but power rushers give him some problems.
24. Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson*
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 205 | Grade: 85
I like Higgins' game a lot. He's an athletic playmaker who will catch anything in his neighborhood. Higgins doesn't have elite speed and still has some work to do getting off press coverage, but he has tremendous size. And he can make guys miss with his strength. He had 59 catches for 936 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2018.
Todd McShay expects Tua Tagovailoa will be the No. 1 pick in his way-too-early 2020 NFL mock draft.
25. Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU*
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 195 | Grade: 84
Reagor is an undersized receiver who primarily lines up on the outside and has the speed to take the top off the coverage. He makes defenders miss and has the potential to develop above-average separation skills over time. But he's still inconsistent as a route runner and doesn't have the frame to regularly win 50-50 balls. And he will need to clean up some drop and ball-security issues (three fumbles in 2018). He pulled in 72 passes for 1,061 yards and nine touchdowns last season.
26. D'Andre Swift, RB, Georgia*
Height: 5-9 | Weight: 215 | Grade: 83
Man, I'm excited to see more of Swift this season. His game is all about explosion. He's a one-cut-and-go type who just explodes through the line of scrimmage. Swift also has good hands and can run routes as a pass-catcher, which is unusual for a college running back. He is well-built with good strength, and if he gets going, he can be a real problem for opponents. However, he does dance a little too much sometimes and gets into trouble. On 163 carries, Swift recorded 1,049 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, and he added 32 catches for 297 yards and three scores.
27. Curtis Weaver, DE, Boise State*
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 265 | Grade: 83
Weaver uses his power to be effective as a pass-rusher. He extends his arms against tackles to find the quarterback. And that ability shows up on the stat sheet, as he registered 9.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss last season. Weaver also has the ability to make plays in the backfield as a run defender and can set the edge when his technique is sound. But there's some room for improvement when it comes to getting off his blocks.
28. Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 310 | Grade: 82
Kinlaw has played in 25 of 26 games (22 starts) over the past two seasons and totaled 58 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He is twitchy with a quick first step and some good initial power to walk offensive linemen back, although I think he still needs to develop a better counter off his bull rush. Kinlaw has a good motor, but I would like to see a little more nastiness fighting through double-teams. He waves the white flag a bit too early. He fits best in a one-gap-heavy scheme and is at his best when active as a run defender.
29. Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 200 | Grade: 81
After leading the nation with 22 pass breakups in 2018 and nabbing a pair of interceptions, Hall is getting plenty of draft attention. He's a big corner with enough top-end speed to compete on vertical routes, and he has the frame and length to develop into an effective press corner. Hall is tight with average burst, making him more effective in zone than man coverage. He's also an aggressive run defender who wraps up.
30. Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 322 | Grade: 81
Wirfs has the ability to shoot his hands and lock on in pass protection, and he's athletic enough to mirror when he wins with his hands. But he loses inside-outside leverage at times, and explosive speed rushers give him some issues. Wirfs can move defenders off the ball, but he's not a fundamentally sound run-blocker at this point. His initial footwork and angles are inconsistent, and he plays on his toes and leans, so he occasionally ends up on the ground. Wirfs grades out as an intriguing right tackle with good upside yet lacks polish.
31. Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 305 | Grade: 81
I remember watching Wanogho struggle as a freshman, and he has come a long, long way. He has great size and super long arms, and I really like his athleticism and the way he moves for that size. There are some inconsistencies in his technique, but with the development trajectory he's on, I think Wanogho could make some big strides this season. He has a lot of potential.
32. Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, Missouri*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 255 | Grade: 81
Albert O knows how to find the soft spots in coverage and has the ability to go up and get the ball. He has strong ball skills and body control. And even at 6-foot-5, 255 pounds, he still has the potential to get bigger and stronger. Okwuegbunam is essentially a slot receiver, and he is a really intriguing matchup piece in the NFL. He has 17 touchdowns over two seasons with the Tigers, and he had 43 catches for 466 yards last year.