The Scorecrow Scout Team | April 19th, 2020
We are almost there! The 2020 NFL draft is almost here and it’s going to be a draft like no other in NFL history. However, once the draft starts and the picks start rolling, everyone will forget about how the draft is being done remotely and focus on who is being picked and what team is trading up. Here at The Scorecrow, five of our NFL draft scouts (Givanni Damico, Mason Thompson, Connor Neal, Byron Jewell, Brady Podloski) have put together a list of their top-five at each position.
In addition to listing off their top-fives, each scout will give a quick explanation for what player at the position is the most underrated and most overrated. Part two of the series is wide receivers and tight ends. Remember all of our scouts hate your favorite prospect and rank them too low or not at all just to annoy you. Without further ado let’s get started on our 2020 NFL Draft Rankings: Wide Receivers and Tight Ends.
Be sure to take a look at all of our scouting reports here and the rest of our rankings here.
Wide Receivers
Most Underrated
Gio – Chase Claypool, Notre Dame
In any other draft class, I’m convinced that Claypool would be a consensus first-round pick. He’s a 6’4” guy who runs a 4.42. He’s a good blocker with great body control and soft hands. Any team that gets Claypool is getting an athletic freak with loads of potential.
Mason – Devin Duvernay, Texas
Duvernay had a teammate in Collin Johnson who seems to have been getting more attention in the draft process than him. For reference, I have Duvernay as my seventh-best receiver in the class while Johnson is outside the top 15. He is most likely to go late on day two or early on day three, but I have an early second-round grade on him.
Connor – James Proche, SMU
Proche is one of my favorite players in this class. As Daniel Jeremiah correctly stated, Proche has the best hands in this class. Although not super athletic, his hands and contested catch ability far makes up for his lack of speed. For being just 5’10” Proche can win some very competitive jump balls due to his hands, making him a pretty good red zone threat as well. Proche is my WR10.
Byron – Tyler Johnson, Minnesota
Johnson has completely tumbled during this draft process ever since his season came to an end. He has been said to have character issues, declined an invite to the East-West Shrine game, withdrew from the NFL Combine, and then his Pro Day was canceled by COVID-19. I’m still a big believer in his game as he has elite footwork, great route running, and has soft hands. Will be a nice slot guy in the league.
Brady – Jalen Reagor, TCU
Reagor is a threat on all levels of the field with his separation ability and body control. He profiles as a deep threat, but he has an equally impressive run after catch ability. Reagor fits any scheme, as he can be a focal point and draw double coverages while taking screens to the house. Overall, he has the potential to be an elite wide receiver in the NFL.
Most Overrated
Gio – Tee Higgins, Clemson
At times, Higgins just looks lazy. He doesn’t have fantastic hands, and he doesn’t win enough jump balls for a guy with his size. He doesn’t move all that well and overall, just doesn’t bring much to the table. I have no idea how this guy is even in the first-round conversation.
Mason – Jalen Reagor, TCU
Reagor has had first-round buzz throughout the draft process but I don’t see it. He’s just a guy that has blazing speed as his best trait, which he couldn’t even display at the combine, almost running over a 4.5 40-time. I’ve seen others with him in their top five receivers, while I have him outside of the top 10.
Connor – KJ Hamler, Penn State
Hamler will more than likely only be a slot receiver in the NFL. He doesn’t have the strength to be able to make tricky contested catches nor run block. For a prospect that is going to play slot full time, they should have good hands. Hamler relies on his body for catching too often which could prove troublesome in the NFL. I don’t think Hamler is a bad wide receiver but I don’t think he is top eight guy like he is on many boards, I have him as my WR13.
Byron – Laviska Shenault Jr., Colorado
Shenault was used in a variety of different ways at Colorado: From playing running back, to slot receiver, to tight end, and even some quarterback. Because of this, Shenault got injured often and didn’t get to play much of a true wide receiver. He’s a bad route runner unless it involves going vertical. He also struggles with press and is a bad run blocker. Sometimes dynamic, but very risky to take a chance on.
Brady – Tee Higgins, Clemson
The draft community has cooled on Higgins from his poor athletic performance, but I’ve always viewed him as overrated because of his lack of consistency. His top 40 to 50 plays are elite with contested catches, but the next 200 plays are below average and lazy. He lacks separation and route running ability and doesn’t have the necessary speed to get vertical.
Tight Ends
Most Underrated
Gio – Josiah Deguara, Cincinnati
Deguara is a good athlete who has good hands. He has great play speed and a non-stop motor with no true weaknesses.
Mason – Harrison Bryant, Florida Atlantic
It’s tough to really say there’s an underrated prospect in this tight end class. I’ve seen Bryant outside of analyst’s top ten, while I have him as my sixth-rated in the class. He’s not going to go in the first round, or even day two most likely, but he’s a good value on day three.
Connor – Josiah Deguara, Cincinnati
Deguara is a well rounded tight end prospect who really only lacks strength. He has pretty solid hands, good athleticism, and speed. Deguara doesn’t excel in any category but is very well rounded but doesn’t have a glaring weakness. However, the best thing about him is how he doesn’t give up on a play. His motor runs all the time, which is very impressive.
Byron – Cheyenne O’Grady, Arkansas
Cheyenne can be a steal for someone looking for a receiving threat at tight end spot in the middle rounds. Athletic guy who has great ball skills, good run after the catch ability, soft hands, and decent route runner. Off the field issues will hurt him a bit in the draft process but I really like his game.
Brady – Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri
Okwuegbunam currently doesn’t have the route running or blocking ability to be a starter, he’s a high upside project with speed and size. He had a sprained knee this past year, which hindered his route running development. Okwuegbunam does, however, catch and track the ball well, giving him an average floor going forward. Ultimately, his size – 6’5”, 258 lbs – with his speed (4.48 40) makes him a mismatched weapon.
Most Overrated
Gio – Thaddeus Moss, LSU
Moss is only being considered because of his last name. I might think about taking him in the sixth or seventh round at best, but he’s just not a great prospect.
Mason – Thaddeus Moss, LSU
Name value isn’t everything. Being the son of one of the best receivers in the history of the NFL has pushed him up the ranks. He still needs a lot more development though. The talk of him going in the second round isn’t to my liking, as I would rather spend an early day three pick on him.
Connor – Thaddeus Moss, LSU
Moss can’t do a lot that a starting tight end in the NFL should be able to do. His hands are impeccable. However, he can not block much at all and he isn’t very good at yards after the catch. He is more suited to play a receiver-tight end hybrid due to his inability to play inline in the NFL.
Byron – Thaddeus Moss, LSU
Moss rose to fame when he caught two touchdown passes during the 2020 National Championship against Clemson. He’s a good blocker with great hands, but he’s an average athlete, bad route runner, and has separation issues. The name is bigger than the player in this case.
Brady – Harrison Bryant, Florida Atlantic
Bryant isn’t a bad player, but the hype he is receiving is unwarranted regarding his draft position. He doesn’t have the speed to be a consistent vertical threat, nor threaten the defense. As well, he has some drops which need to be fixed. I think he can develop into a fine starter in year three or four if he fixes his receiving problems.
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