The college football regular season is over, conference titles have been settled and bowl games are set to kick off in the coming weeks.
Without a doubt, the 2020 NFL draft picture is becoming more and more clear with each passing week. But there is also plenty of time still for draft-board shuffling, with four-plus months of bowls, showcase events, pro days and the scouting combine ahead of the first draft pick next April.
Here is my evaluation of the top 32 players right now, updated from my Nov. 20 edition. Rankings will continue to be updated right through draft time.
Note: Underclassmen are marked with an asterisk, and grades are from Scouts Inc.
30 draft questions | Tua Tagovailoa FAQ
Nuggets for every team | Projected order
1. Chase Young, DE, Ohio State*
Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 265 pounds
Grade: 96 | Previous rank: 1
Despite missing two games, Young leads the nation in sacks with 16.5, is tied for fourth in tackles for loss (21.0) and ranks second in forced fumbles (six). Let those numbers sink in for a minute. He has quickness and above-average bend, and he flashes the ability to convert speed to power, though he still has room for a little improvement getting off blocks. And I currently have a higher grade on Young than I had on former Buckeyes pass-rushers Joey and Nick Bosa. He best fits as a 4-3 defensive end, but he has experience dropping into coverage and could end up converting to a 3-4 outside linebacker role. He has been nothing short of dominant this season, head and shoulders above the rest of the edge rushers in the class.
2. Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 216
Grade: 93 | Previous rank: 2
Burrow appeared to be a fringe NFL prospect in August, but he has become a potential first-rounder and perhaps even the No. 1 pick. He is making quicker decisions with the football, displaying complete control of the LSU offense and extending plays. And he has shown elite anticipatory accuracy throwing into tight windows, as evidenced by an FBS-best 77.9% completion percentage. His pocket presence and toughness really stand out to me. He moves around the pocket like a pro, sensing pressure and protecting the football all while keeping his eyes downfield. And when he takes a hit, he pops right back up. Burrow is currently No. 2 in the nation in passing yards (4,715) and Total QBR (93.7) and is No. 1 in passing touchdowns (48).
Take a look at highlights from Joe Burrow's senior season at LSU, during which he won the Heisman Trophy and led the Tigers to a No. 1 ranking.
3. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama*
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 192
Grade: 93 | Previous rank: 3
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. Although he doesn't have elite size and strength, Jeudy should be an immediate impact player in the NFL. Consider that he has 71 catches for 959 yards and nine touchdowns even while playing alongside other big-time playmakers. He has fallen short of 50 receiving yards only twice in 12 games.
4. Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State*
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 200
Grade: 93 | Previous rank: 4
A big, long corner, Okudah has smooth hips and quick feet. He occasionally lunges, but he also shows the ability to recover quickly in press coverage with his athleticism. 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 helping out in run defense. In 13 games, Okudah has hauled in three interceptions -- including a highlight-reel-worthy snag -- and he has 30 tackles, two forced fumbles and seven passes broken up.
5. Isaiah Simmons, OLB, Clemson*
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 225
Grade: 92 | Previous rank: 8
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 has done it all so far: 7.0 sacks, 91 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 6 passes broken up, 2 interceptions and 1 forced fumble in 13 games. Simmons is exactly the type of player NFL defenses are looking for in today's game.
6. Grant Delpit, S, LSU*
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 203
Grade: 92 | Previous rank: 6
A smooth safety, Delpit has good speed and ball skills. He shows great instincts on the back end (two interceptions and six passes broken up), but he's inconsistent as a tackler. He has 56 tackles, including three 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.
7. Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 318
Grade: 92 | Previous rank: 7
Brown is an easy mover for his size and does a good job locating the ball. He has quick hands, though he needs to be more effective with them. Brown has some versatility but probably ends up as a 3-technique in a one-gap-heavy scheme in the NFL. He has 4.0 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 50 tackles (12.5 for loss) and 4 passes broken up this season. Against Florida this October, the big man returned a pair of fumbles for 53 total yards -- and it would have been more had he kept his balance on one of them while breaking down the sideline.
8. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma*
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 191
Grade: 91 | Previous rank: 9
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 the instincts to create after the catch -- his 20.8 yards per catch ranks No. 7 in the country. Lamb has hauled in at least one touchdown in nine of his 12 games this season, giving him 14 (tied for third in the FBS) with an additional rushing score, and he has caught 58 passes overall for 1,208 yards (seventh). As a bonus, he can return punts.
9. CJ Henderson, CB, Florida*
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 202
Grade: 91 | Previous rank: 10
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 11 passes this season. Run support and physicality at the line of scrimmage are his weaknesses (just 33 tackles), but those will improve as he gets stronger. Henderson declared for the draft in December.
10. Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 320
Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 11
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. Although 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.
11. Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford*
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 190
Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 12
Adebo is a long corner with tons of speed and elite ball skills. Cardinal coach David Shaw raves about his work ethic and professional approach to the game. After recording four interceptions in 2018, Adebo has four more this season (tied for 17th in the nation) to go with 10 passes broken up and 33 tackles in just nine games. Considering the ball hawk missed three consecutive games to injury to end the regular season, Adebo's 0.44 interception-per-game rate ranks in the top 10.
12. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama*
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 218
Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 13
Tagovailoa's season ended when he suffered a dislocated hip and posterior wall fracture, but he is expected to make a full recovery. NFL teams will have to take his medical concerns -- along with his prior durability concerns as a whole -- into serious consideration. But I'd still rank Tagovailoa as QB1 above Burrow if he were healthy today, and I still have him as a first-round pick and the No. 2 quarterback in the class. He is a special talent.
The lefty has elite accuracy at all three levels, a smooth delivery, solid arm strength and excellent touch. And his anticipation and fast eyes are high-end. One thing to watch post injury will be whether Tagovailoa regains his suddenness and the ability to keep his feet aligned with his eyes as he moves quickly and smoothly through his progressions. He ended his season with 2,840 passing yards, 33 touchdown passes (tied for sixth in the FBS) and just three interceptions. His 94.6 Total QBR still leads the nation, and he completed 71.4% of his passes (sixth).
Trevor Lawrence throws to Tee Higgins who runs down the sideline for a Clemson touchdown.
13. Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 310
Grade: 89 | Previous rank: 14
Kinlaw has six sacks in 2019. He is twitchy with a quick first step and some good initial power to walk offensive linemen back, though I think he 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.
14. Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama*
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 190
Grade: 89 | Previous rank: 15
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 to generate better late separation. Thanks to that elite speed and some crisp cutting ability, he is a real threat to opposing defensive backs. Despite two games of fewer than 15 receiving yards this season, Ruggs has seven touchdowns and 719 yards. He is averaging 18.9 yards per catch.
15. Curtis Weaver, DE, Boise State*
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 265
Grade: 89 | Previous rank: 16
Weaver uses his power to be effective as a pass-rusher. He extends his arms against tackles to find the quarterback. That ability shows up on the stat sheet, as he has 13.5 sacks this season in 13 contests, fifth 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.
16. Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU*
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 192
Grade: 88 | Previous rank: 17
Jefferson established himself as Burrow's go-to guy in the passing game, racking up 1,207 yards and 14 touchdowns on 88 catches. All three of those figures rank within the top eight in the country. Jefferson doesn't have elite physical tools, but he has good size and speed, and he will continue getting bigger and stronger. He shows a real knack for getting open, and I really like the way he adjusts his routes, coming back to his quarterback on scrambles and finding windows in zone coverage.
17. Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 237
Grade: 88 | Previous rank: 5
The big quarterback 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 iron out some decision-making issues. Establishing consistency in his game continues to be a real problem, and the more tape I watch, the more it concerns me. He has thrown for 3,333 yards, 32 scores -- tied for 10th in FBS -- and just five interceptions thus far.
18. Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson*
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 205
Grade: 88 | Previous rank: 22
I like Higgins' game a lot. He's an athletic playmaker who will catch anything in his neighborhood, as shown by his 52 catches for 1,082 yards and 13 touchdowns (tied for sixth in the FBS) 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. His 20.8 yards per catch ranks No. 8 in the country.
19. Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado*
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 220
Grade: 87 | Previous rank: 24
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 56 catches for 764 yards and 23 carries for 161 yards through 11 games, and he has six total touchdowns.
20. Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 312
Grade: 87 | Previous rank: 18
Davis flashes the ability to jar offensive linemen with initial contact and frequently gets pressure when turned loose. He lacks some body control and can be slow to redirect, which leads to some sacks being left on the field (he has just 0.5 in 11 games 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 45 tackles this season.
21. D'Andre Swift, RB, Georgia*
Height: 5-9 | Weight: 215
Grade: 87 | Previous rank: 20
His game is all about explosion. He's a one-cut-and-go type who just explodes through the line of scrimmage, rushing for 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns this season. But Swift also has good hands and can run routes as a pass-catcher (24 receptions for 216 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 dances a little too much sometimes and gets into trouble.
22. Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama*
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 200
Grade: 87 | Previous rank: 21
McKinney has become the guy in the Alabama secondary. He is a real leader on defense, getting teammates lined up in the right scheme and then playing hard and showing toughness on every snap. In 12 games, McKinney has 2 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 3 interceptions, 5 passes broken up and 85 tackles. He shows really good range in coverage and fills alleys in the run game.
23. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 206
Grade: 86 | Previous rank: 19
His 65 catches for 1,192 yards (10th in the nation) and eight touchdowns have Aiyuk turning heads. The big receiver comes with great versatility, lining up in the slot and on the outside. Aiyuk has been really good after the reception, aiding his 18.3 yards per catch, and he has certainly developed as a route runner. He has pretty good speed, which shows in his explosive return game -- he has 446 kickoff return yards and 226 more returning punts.
24. J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State*
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 217
Grade: 86 | Previous rank: 23
Dobbins has above-average balance and core strength. He shows average quickness through the hole and builds to above-average playing speed. Dobbins is a little tight and isn't an ankle-breaker in space, but he's shifty between the tackles. As a pass-catcher, he flashes soft hands and is efficient after the catch. Through 13 games, Dobbins is third in the nation in rushing yards (1,829) with a 6.5-per-carry clip, and he has run it into the end zone 20 times (fifth).
25. Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 200
Grade: 86 | Previous rank: NR
I really like the way Fulton makes "splash" plays. He has really good ball skills and stops and starts so quickly, despite average straight-line speed. He bats balls and shows good instincts in coverage. Now Fulton 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. Although he has just one interception in 2019, he has 12 passes broken up (tied for 15th in the country) through 13 games.
26. Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 311
Grade: 86 | Previous rank: 32
Wilson moves really well for his size and is a quick penetrator on the interior of the line. He isn't a sack artist -- he had five in 10 games this season -- but he is disruptive against the pass and run. Wilson has tallied 44 tackles and a forced fumble in 2019, and he has become a real leader for the Seminoles. His 2019 season ended when he underwent hand surgery in November.
27. Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia*
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 220
Grade: 86 | Previous rank: 25
There's a reason talented signal-callers such as Justin Fields and Jacob Eason keep transferring out of Georgia. Though he is the least physically gifted of the top five quarterbacks in the class, Fromm is the type of QB who will always find a way to win and excel with high-end football intelligence. He is an elite competitor, a tough kid and a real grinder. Fromm doesn't have a big arm, but he knows when to take a shot. And he possesses really good accuracy, layering the ball on short-to-intermediate throws with good release, trajectory and touch. His ability to time and place back-shoulder throws stands out. Fromm has 2,610 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, 5 interceptions and a 75.1 Total QBR this season.
28. Jacob Eason, QB, Washington*
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 227
Grade: 85 | Previous rank: 26
Eason has a big, strong frame and an even bigger arm. I'm really starting to see his timing and anticipation improve on his throws. In 12 games, Eason has 2,922 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He still needs more game experience. Although he played in 13 games for Georgia in 2016, he threw just seven passes during the 2017 season before redshirting when he transferred to Washington in 2018. But he has high-level natural tools, including some good mobility for a quarterback with his size.
29. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin*
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 219
Grade: 85 | Previous rank: 27
Taylor has been nothing short of incredible this season. After seasons of 1,977 and 2,194 rushing yards, he has gained 1,909 yards (second) and scored 21 times (tied for second) on the ground in 2019. Taylor is an instinctive between-the-tackles runner who displays patience and burst. He will make defenders miss in the hole and at the second level. In years past, he wasn't featured in the passing game, but Taylor has already set career highs in that regard this season, with 24 catches for 209 yards and five more touchdowns through 13 games.
30. DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama*
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 175
Grade: 85 | Previous rank: 28
Smith brings a little bit of everything to the Alabama offense. Ruggs is the burner for the Crimson Tide, and Jeudy is known for his elite routes. But Smith is a jack-of-all-trades as a steady, reliable pass-catcher who has a feel for the game. He has great hands and displays some jump after the catch. Smith has 65 catches for 1,200 yards (ninth in the country) and 13 touchdowns (tied for sixth) while averaging 18.5 yards per reception. Never in the common NFL draft era (since 1967) have three receivers from the same college been selected in the first round of the same draft. But thanks to Smith's quick rise in draft stock this season, there's a chance it will happen in April with Alabama's trio.
31. A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa*
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 280
Grade: 85 | Previous rank: NR
Epenesa is an active hand fighter and displays good effort when rushing the passer, getting his arms in passing lanes. 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 has produced 9.0 sacks and three forced fumbles in 12 games in 2019, and he's been on a tear to close the season, with 5.5 sacks in his final four games.
32. Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama*
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 310
Grade: 85 | Previous rank: NR
Leatherwood might be better suited inside at guard than at tackle, but he has good pop in pass protection and shows good balance and quickness. When he's used as a run-blocker, I like his first step and initial power to jar defenders. But Leatherwood is inconsistent with his angles in space and has limited mobility as a second-level blocker.