The college football season is now three weeks old, and the 2020 NFL draft class is just starting to take shape. 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.
Here is my evaluation of the top 32 players for 2020, updated from my Aug. 14 edition. Rankings will continue to 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 anticipation and fast eyes are high-end, and he does have some twitch to him. Durability is a bit of a concern, but he's still my top prospect at this point in the process. Tagovailoa already has 1,007 passing yards and 12 touchdowns through the air this season -- and he has yet to throw an interception. His 95.5 Total QBR is second in the nation to Oklahoma's Jalen Hurts.
2. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama*
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 192 | Grade: 92
Jeudy is a really fun prospect to watch. 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. Consider that he already has 24 catches for 308 yards (tied for 14th in the country) and four touchdowns (tied for seventh) in just three games.
3. Grant Delpit, S, LSU*
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 203 | Grade: 91
A smooth safety, Delpit has good speed and ball skills. He shows great instincts on the back end, although he's inconsistent as a tackler -- he has 10 tackles, including 1.5 for loss, in 2019. 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. Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State*
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 200 | Grade: 91
A big, long corner, Okudah has 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. In three games, Okudah has 13 tackles and has broken up two passes.
5. Chase Young, DE, Ohio State*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 265 | Grade: 90
Young already has 5.0 sacks (tied for third in the country) and 5.5 tackles for loss through three games. He 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. Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 237 | Grade: 90
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 has thrown for 868 yards, 11 scores -- tied for third in the FBS -- and zero interceptions thus far, and the senior is rolling off of back-to-back five-touchdown games.
7. 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 has seven tackles this season but has not recorded a sack yet.
8. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma*
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 191 | Grade: 90
Lamb is an above-average route runner with excellent separation skills and the ability to settle into pockets when facing zone coverage. He 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. Lamb has caught a touchdown in each of his three games this season -- and added another one rushing -- and caught nine passes overall for 229 yards.
9. 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 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. While he has yet to make an interception in 2019, he does have four passes broken up through three games, which is tied for the sixth most in the FBS.
10. Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama*
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 190 | Grade: 88
Ruggs is a burner who 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. After having just 14 yards in the opener, Ruggs has touchdowns in each of his past two games, and he posted 122 yards on six catches this past weekend at South Carolina to average more than 20 yards per reception.
11. 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 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, breaking up two passes this season. Run support and physicality at the line of scrimmage are his weaknesses, but those will improve as he gets stronger.
12. Lucas Niang, OT, TCU
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 328 | Grade: 88
Niang has experience at both right and left tackle. 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.
13. 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. He's done it all so far, recording a pair of sacks, 27 tackles and breaking up a pass.
14. Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford*
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 190 | Grade: 87
Adebo is a long corner with tons of speed and elite ball skills. Cardinal coach David Shaw raves about his work ethic and pro approach to the game. After recording four interceptions a season ago, Adebo has one this year to go along with four passes broken up (tied for sixth in the nation) and 17 tackles. He's a riser on draft boards through the first month of the season.
15. 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. He has 16 catches for 203 yards, along with nine carries for 66 yards, through three games. And he has three total touchdowns.
16. Julian Okwara, DE, Notre Dame
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 248 | Grade: 87
Okwara is a long, athletic hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker with good range. He flashes good speed to power as a pass-rusher -- he has a sack so far in 2019 -- and stacks tight 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.
17. Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 207 | Grade: 87
Diggs played only six games in 2018 because of a broken foot, but he already has a pick and six tackles in three 2019 games. He is a versatile athlete with great size and good straight-line speed. 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 zone defense. He closes well and limits gains after the catch. And he will mix it up physically.
18. Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 312 | Grade: 87
Davis 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 (he doesn't have any yet this season), 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. Davis has 16 tackles this year.
19. Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 320 | Grade: 87
Thomas is a powerful left tackle who will need some time to develop his hands and footwork, but you can see the strong movement and natural ability. 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.
20. 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, as evidenced by his sack, three tackles for loss and four QB hurries in just three games this year. He has the ideal size, speed and athleticism to develop into an every-down edge rusher in the NFL.
21. D'Andre Swift, RB, Georgia*
Height: 5-9 | Weight: 215 | Grade: 85
His game is all about explosion. He's a one-cut-and-go type who just explodes through the line of scrimmage, rushing for 290 yards and two touchdowns this season. But Swift also has good hands and can run routes as a pass-catcher (three catches for 73 yards and a score), 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.
Wendi Nix and Mike Tannenbaum talk about the top WR prospects in the 2020 class, with Tannenbaum praising the skills of Alabama's Jerry Jeudy.
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. Pinkney has five catches for 72 yards over two games this season, averaging 14.4 per reception.
23. Tyler Biadasz, C, Wisconsin*
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 321 | Grade: 85
Biadasz 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. He 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, shown by his 15 catches for 318 yards and a touchdown this season. 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.
25. A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa*
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 280 | Grade: 84
Epenesa 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 he still needs a little improvement getting off blocks. He's produced a sack and five QB hurries in three games in 2019.
26. 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 already has 6.0 sacks this season in three contests, tied for the most in the nation. 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.
27. Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 310 | Grade: 82
Kinlaw has three sacks so far in 2019. 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.
28. Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 200 | Grade: 81
After leading the nation with 22 pass breakups in 2018, Hall is getting plenty of draft attention with three more in three games in 2019. 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 (12 tackles this season).
29. 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.
30. 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 very long arms, and I really like his athleticism and the way he moves for that size. There are some inconsistencies in his technique, but Wanogho has a lot of potential.
31. Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 264 | Grade: 81
Gross-Matos is an effective hand fighter who makes it tough for offensive linemen to get their hands on him. He flashes an effective change-of-pace inside move, but he rarely overwhelms blockers with power or speed to power. He's more effective shooting gaps than he is stacking and shedding as a run defender. Gross-Matos is an above-average pass-rusher, as his 3.5 sacks (tied for 11th in the FBS) through three games show.
32. Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson*
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 210 | Grade: 80
Etienne has explosive speed and knows how to find the end zone. The 2018 ACC Offensive Player of the Year rushed for 1,658 yards (8.1 per carry) and 24 touchdowns last season, and he already has 334 rushing yards -- good for 12th in the country -- and three more scores this year.