Kiper & McShay's 2020 CFP National Championship Game preview: Top LSU, Clemson NFL draft prospects

The LSU Tigers and Clemson Tigers meet on Monday night (8 p.m. ET on ESPN) in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. It won't just be a meeting of the top two teams in college football. It'll also be a showcase of more than 15 high-end 2020 NFL draft prospects -- and a handful of potential future first-rounders -- facing off one final time before they hit the pro ranks.

Ahead of a game loaded with NFL talent and the potential No. 1 pick in each of the next two drafts, we asked ESPN NFL draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay to break down the best LSU and Clemson prospects in the class (and beyond). Remember, though: A lot can change between now and April -- even a big performance on Monday night can boost a prospect's stock.

Here are Mel and Todd's answers to 12 big questions surrounding the title game, including who wins it all.

Which team has the better 2020 draft talent?

McShay: On talent alone, there is almost no difference. But because Clemson has a younger team, the LSU draft class for 2020 is a bit stronger and will have more first-rounders. I have nine LSU players ranked right now, with quarterback Joe Burrow (No. 2), safety Grant Delpit (No. 6), pass-rusher K'Lavon Chaisson (No. 12), receiver Justin Jefferson (No. 19), cornerback Kristian Fulton (No. 27) and running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (No. 37) all graded in the first two rounds. I have first-round grades on two Clemson prospects: linebacker Isaiah Simmons (No. 5) and Tee Higgins (No. 20).

Kiper: If we're just talking 2020, LSU gets the edge because of its depth. Aside from the six you mentioned, I have center Lloyd Cushenberry III, tight end Thaddeus Moss and offensive tackle Saahdiq Charles ranked among the top 10 at their positions, though all three are underclassmen who could return to school in 2020. LSU is loaded.

Clemson, which had four players drafted in the top 40 picks in 2019, including three in Round 1, can't match LSU's 2020 talent. I think I'm higher on running back Travis Etienne and cornerback A.J. Terrell than you, though, Todd -- they could be second-round picks if they enter this draft.

If Trevor Lawrence were eligible for the 2020 draft, where would he be ranked?

Kiper: OK, let me be clear. I really like Burrow. He's No. 2 on my Big Board. He's likely to go No. 1 to the Bengals when I do my 2020 Mock Draft 1.0 in less than 10 days. He's a great quarterback prospect.

But Lawrence would be the clear No. 1 prospect in this class if he were eligible, ahead of Burrow and Ohio State pass-rusher Chase Young, who I have ranked No. 1. Lawrence is just that good, a 6-foot-6 specimen with every physical trait NFL teams look for in a top-tier starting quarterback. Do you disagree, Todd?

McShay: No, I don't. I would take Lawrence over Burrow, but it's close. Burrow is finishing up one of the best single-season performances in many years, and I love his pocket presence, toughness, accuracy and competitiveness. Lawrence might not be as advanced in the pocket right now, but another season of game experience should bridge the gap. He has unique mobility for his size and already possesses a stronger arm than Burrow. Lawrence's intangibles are exceptional for his age.

Choosing between the two would keep me up at night, but I would give the slight edge to the Clemson quarterback.

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Who's the better wide receiver prospect, LSU's Justin Jefferson or Clemson's Tee Higgins?

McShay: Man, this is an extremely tough call. I have identical grades for them (88), and Jefferson (No. 19) is ranked one spot ahead of Higgins (No. 20). Sure, Higgins is bigger (6-4, 205) and I think he has a higher ceiling. But Jefferson is more consistent, and his ability to generate late separation and make contested catches jumps out on tape. He absolutely torched an overmatched Oklahoma secondary for 14 catches, 227 yards and four touchdowns in the semifinal.

Kiper: The biggest knock on Higgins is his inability to consistently create separation, and you really saw it against Ohio State. He caught just four of seven targets for 33 yards. He can high-point the ball and outjump defensive backs, but he's not going to wow you with his speed.

As you mentioned, the arrow is pointing up on Jefferson, which is why I'll have him slightly higher than Higgins in my next position rankings. Both have the chance to be first-round picks in April, though the combine will be important for them to show off their speed and agility.

Todd, who is the key player to watch on that Clemson defense? We know Isaiah Simmons is your guy in this class.

McShay: Oh yes, it's definitely Simmons. I love his game. The outside linebacker has elite range versus the run -- which Clemson will need versus Edwards-Helaire -- but can also get home as a pass-rusher. But what Simmons does best is provide unique cover skills against the pass. Simmons' interception against Ohio State was a prime example of the ground he can cover as a single-high safety -- even as a 225-pound 'backer.

Defensive coordinator Brent Venables maximizes his versatile skill set, and the Tigers use him all over. The junior does it all: Simmons has seven sacks, 95 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, six pass breakups, three interceptions and one forced fumble in 14 games this season.

How good is the LSU secondary, Mel?

Kiper: You should know by now about Delpit, who could be a top-10 pick. He's a complete safety in the mold of former LSU star Jamal Adams. Delpit didn't have a stellar season, but he was better after returning from a midseason ankle injury, and he'll be key in keeping a close eye on Lawrence. Fulton, a senior corner, is a gifted player whom scouts will be watching closely -- he'll be tasked with locking down Higgins or Justyn Ross throughout the game. Then there's true freshman Derek Stingley Jr., a Day 1 starter for the Tigers who has top-five-pick potential for the 2022 class. So with three potential first-round picks in the secondary, yes, LSU is loaded.

Who is the pass-rusher to watch in this game?

McShay: Chaisson is big, athletic and fast. His production has been a bit inconsistent, and the 6-foot-4, 250-pound LSU edge rusher needs to add power to his game and refine countermoves. But he is rising in this class, coming off a dominating six-tackle, two-sack performance against the Sooners at the end of December. In fact, 4.5 of his 6.5 sacks this season have come in his three most recent games.

Mel, who are the most interesting offensive linemen in this game?

Kiper: I'll give you one from each team. For Clemson, it's sophomore tackle Jackson Carman, who did a nice job against Chase Young in the win over Ohio State. He has a chance to be a big-time left tackle prospect. Carman is going to have to limit the pressure by Chaisson & Co. to keep Lawrence clean.

For LSU, it's Cushenberry, an athletic but unrefined fourth-year junior who was lightly recruited before landing an offer in 2016. I have him ranked as my No. 6 center for the 2020 class -- he struggled at times against bigger defensive tackles this season -- but he could return to play his senior season and enter the 2021 draft. He'll have his hands full with Clemson true freshman Tyler Davis.

What is the NFL ceiling for each team's running back?

McShay: Edwards-Helaire was one of the most underrated players in college football this year. If the tailback leaves LSU early, he will be right behind J.K. Dobbins, D'Andre Swift and Jonathan Taylor at the top of this RB class as a likely second-round pick. He has excellent lateral quickness to make defenders miss in tight spaces and high-end contact balance to break tackles.

Etienne, meanwhile, is more of a downhill runner and isn't as instinctive, but he's an explosive runner with outstanding initial acceleration. It's no surprise he has 55 rushing touchdowns over three seasons. Think Day 2 for the Clemson running back.

Is there an underclassman you're watching closely as the deadline to enter the draft approaches?

Kiper: I'm really curious about LSU left tackle Saahdiq Charles, who has already started three seasons in the SEC. He's far from a finished product, but he has some tools that will make NFL teams covet him. I have him ranked as my No. 8 offensive tackle in this class, but he could rise if he goes back to school for another year, cleans up his game and is more consistent.

Let's go deeper: Who is your favorite under-the-radar prospect in this game?

Kiper: Clemson offensive lineman Tremayne Anchrum. Clemson has a veteran offensive line, with four senior starters from left guard through right tackle. And one potential 2020 sleeper I like is Anchrum, who plays right tackle for the Tigers but will likely play guard at the next level. At 6-foot-2, he doesn't have a huge frame, but he's powerful in the run game and has decent feet. I'm looking forward to watching him at Senior Bowl practice later this month, and he's likely to be a fourth- or fifth-round pick.

McShay: Clemson safety K'Von Wallace. I love his versatility, instincts and fast eyes. Wallace lacks twitch as an athlete and is probably a 4.6 40-yard-dash guy, but he's a better player than natural athlete. Wallace has 62 tackles, 10 passes broken up and two interceptions this season. I'm looking forward to seeing him at the Senior Bowl workouts, but right now I think he's an early Day 3 pick.

Which 2021 draft prospect not named Trevor Lawrence will you be watching closely?

McShay: LSU defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin. He has been a nightmare to deal with in the middle of LSU's base three-man front. His stats don't jump off the page -- no sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss -- but his play sticks out on tape. A 6-foot-3, 346-pound sophomore, Shelvin consistently anchors versus double-teams, which opens up room for the rest of the front seven. He also does a good job of moving quarterbacks off the spot with his bull rush.

Kiper: LSU wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase. Jefferson was better late in the season, but the sophomore Chase matched Jefferson's total touchdowns -- 18, which led the FBS -- and is a better downfield threat, as he averaged 20.8 yards per catch, which ranked sixth in the country. Chase could be a top-20 pick next year.

OK, time to pick: Who wins this game?

Kiper: It's college football's No. 1 scoring offense (LSU averages 48.9 points per game) against college football's No. 1 scoring defense (Clemson gives up 11.5 points per game), but it just feels like LSU's year, right? LSU 38, Clemson 31.

McShay: Burrow has the football intelligence, poise and weapons at his disposal to deal with Clemson's aggressive defense. LSU's offensive line is underrated, and Edwards-Helaire will be healthy. The undefeated season is completed with a close win in New Orleans. LSU 38, Clemson 34.