The wide receiver class for the 2020 NFL draft has a chance to be special. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper put five underclassmen wideouts in his early Big Board rankings, and I can see why after I spent time studying the tape this summer. Production, pro size, advanced route running — these guys check off every box for NFL scouts.
While there will no doubt be some movement — and surprises — in the rankings before the draft rolls around next April, it’s a good time to take a deeper look at the top prospects heading into the college football season.
I picked out the top traits and gave NFL player comps for Kiper’s top 10 2020 receivers — five underclassmen and five seniors. Here’s what I see from a super-talented class, starting with the player who ranked No. 1 overall on Kiper’s board:
Top five underclassmen
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 192
2018 stats: 68 receptions, 1,315 yards, 14 TDs
Top trait: Play speed
Jeudy has an extremely deep tool box of pro traits — he’s a complete receiver. The route running and separation ability in the Alabama quick passing game are there. So is the catch-and-run talent. And don’t sleep on Jeudy as a vertical threat. He can scoot. But I focused on play speed here because it jumps off the film. Jeudy can attack all three levels of Bama’s pro route tree with a silky-smooth style that leaves defenders in the dust. Play fast. That wins.
NFL comp: Odell Beckham Jr. (Cleveland Browns)
The combination of Jeudy and Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa averaged over 20 yards per reception last season, the best of any QB-WR duo with at least 50 receptions. And there’s the explosive play ability that draws the comp to OBJ.
Catch a slant and make a house call? Check. Expose a nickel corner off the line to win on the slot fade. Yep. Set up a safety on deep double move to cash in for six points? You got it. Just take a look at the clip below of Jeudy running the post-corner route for a touchdown early in the College Football Playoff national title game versus Clemson. Like Beckham, the Alabama star can rip off chunk gains and flip the field in an instant.
0:24
Tua Tagovailoa hits Jerry Jeudy in stride for a 62-yard strike to draw Alabama even with Clemson.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 191
2018 stats: 65 receptions, 1,158 yards, 11 TDs