With Monday night's 42-25 victory for LSU in the College Football Playoff national title game, the season is officially over. With its conclusion, the 2020 NFL draft picture becomes clearer, and many players who took the field during bowl season appear on my board, including seven from the championship matchup.
But let's not forget about the three-plus months of showcase events, pro days and combine workouts ahead of the draft's opening night in Las Vegas this April. There's still a lot of time for prospects to rise and fall.
Here is my evaluation of the top 32 players right now, updated from my Dec. 12 edition. Rankings will continue to be updated right through draft time.
Note: Underclassmen are marked with an asterisk, and grades are from Scouts Inc.
1. Chase Young, DE, Ohio State*
Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 265 pounds
Grade: 96 | Previous rank: 1
Despite missing two games, Young led the nation in sacks with 16.5, tied for fourth in tackles for loss (21.0) and ranked 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 is 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 is now perhaps the No. 1 overall pick. He made quicker decisions with the football in his senior season, displaying complete control of the LSU offense and extending plays. And he has elite anticipatory accuracy throwing into tight windows, as evidenced by an FBS-best 76.3% 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 finished the 2019 season No. 1 in the nation in passing yards (5,671), passing touchdowns (60) and Total QBR (94.9).
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 had 77 catches for 1,163 yards and 10 touchdowns even while playing alongside other big-time playmakers. He fell short of 50 receiving yards only twice in 13 games and ended his season with a 204-yard outburst against Michigan in the Citrus Bowl.
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 14 games, Okudah hauled in three interceptions -- including a highlight-reel-worthy snag -- and he had 35 tackles, two forced fumbles and nine pass breakups.
5. Isaiah Simmons, OLB, Clemson*
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 225
Grade: 92 | Previous rank: 5
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 did it all this season: 8.0 sacks, 102 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 8 pass breakups, 3 interceptions and 1 forced fumble in 15 games. Simmons is exactly the type of player NFL defenses are looking for in today's game.
6. 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 had 4.0 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 55 tackles (12.5 for loss) and 4 pass breakups this season. Against Florida in 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.
7. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama*
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 218
Grade: 91 | Previous rank: 12
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 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 eighth in the FBS) and only three interceptions. His 94.6 Total QBR was second in the nation, and he completed 71.4% of his passes (fifth).
Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa announces his decision to forgo his senior season and enter the 2020 NFL draft.
8. Grant Delpit, S, LSU*
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 203
Grade: 91 | Previous rank: 6
A smooth safety, Delpit has good speed and ball skills. He shows great instincts on the back end (two interceptions and seven pass breakups), but he's inconsistent as a tackler. He had 65 tackles, including 4.5 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.
9. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma*
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 191
Grade: 91 | Previous rank: 8
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 21.4 yards per catch ranked No. 3 in the country. Lamb hauled in at least one touchdown in nine of his 13 games this season, giving him 14 (tied for fifth in the FBS) with an additional rushing score, and he caught 63 passes overall for 1,327 yards (sixth). As a bonus, he can return punts.
10. CJ Henderson, CB, Florida*
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 202
Grade: 91 | Previous rank: 9
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 (only 33 tackles in nine games), but those will improve as he gets stronger.
11. Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 320
Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 10
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.
12. K'Lavon Chaisson, DE, LSU*
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 250
Grade: 90 | Previous rank: NR
Chaisson is big, athletic and fast. His production was a bit inconsistent during the 2019 season, and he needs to add power to his game and refine countermoves. But he tallied 13.5 tackles for loss and made 60 tackles in 13 games. Chaisson was a big riser late in the season, posting 4.5 of his 6.5 sacks in his final four games.
13. Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU*
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 305
Grade: 90 | Previous rank: NR
Blacklock is one of the more underrated prospects in the country. He missed the entire 2018 season with an Achilles injury, but he returned in 2019 with 40 tackles, 3.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss. He is an athletic lineman with great size and power, and he plays with good effort.
14. Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 310
Grade: 89 | Previous rank: 13
Kinlaw had 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.
15. Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama*
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 190
Grade: 89 | Previous rank: 14
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 four games of fewer than 35 receiving yards this season, Ruggs had seven touchdowns and 746 yards while averaging 18.6 yards per catch.
16. D'Andre Swift, RB, Georgia*
Height: 5-9 | Weight: 215
Grade: 89 | Previous rank: 21
His game is all about explosion. He's a one-cut-and-go type who just explodes through the line of scrimmage, rushing for 1,218 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.
17. Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn*
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 200
Grade: 89 | Previous rank: NR
Igbinoghene is a long and instinctive corner, and he displays great speed for his size. He made 42 tackles and broke up seven passes in 2019, though he did not have an interception.
18. Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 237
Grade: 88 | Previous rank: 17
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 was a real problem this season, and the more tape I watch, the more it concerns me. He threw for 3,471 yards, 32 scores -- tied for 11th in FBS -- and only six interceptions.
19. Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU*
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 192
Grade: 88 | Previous rank: 16
Jefferson established himself as Burrow's go-to guy in the passing game, racking up 1,540 yards (third in the FBS) and 18 touchdowns (second) on 111 catches (tied for first). In the Tigers' two playoff games alone, he caught 23 balls for 333 yards and four scores. Jefferson doesn't have elite physical tools, but he has good size and speed, and he will continue getting bigger and stronger. I really like the way he adjusts his routes, coming back to his quarterback on scrambles and finding windows in zone coverage. He has the ability to generate late separation and make contested catches.
Joe Burrow slips a pass to Justin Jefferson, who speeds up the sideline and fools a Clemson defender to the turf.
20. Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson*
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 205
Grade: 88 | Previous rank: 18
I like Higgins' game a lot. He's an athletic playmaker who will catch anything in his neighborhood, as shown by his 59 catches for 1,167 yards and 13 touchdowns (tied for seventh in the FBS) this season. His 19.8 yards per catch tied for seventh in the country. 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. If you need an example, just rewatch his rushing score in the national title game.
21. Curtis Weaver, DE, Boise State*
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 265
Grade: 88 | Previous rank: 15
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 had 13.5 sacks this season in 14 contests, tied for 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.
22. Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama*
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 200
Grade: 87 | Previous rank: 22
McKinney 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 13 games, McKinney had 3 sacks, 4 forced fumbles (tied for fifth in the nation), 3 interceptions, 5 passes broken up and 95 tackles. He shows really good range in coverage and fills alleys in the run game.
23. Jedrick Wills Jr., OT, Alabama*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 320
Grade: 87 | Previous rank: NR
The Crimson Tide's right tackle had a huge 2019 season, outplaying Alex Leatherwood for most of the year. Wills has good 6-foot-5, 320-pound size and is strong at the point of attack, though his mobility is limited. He displays a good base and anchor, and he is a really nasty finisher. Wills projects as a right tackle or guard in the NFL.
24. Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado*
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 220
Grade: 87 | Previous rank: 19
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 had 56 catches for 764 yards and 23 carries for 161 yards in 11 games, and he had six total touchdowns.
25. Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 312
Grade: 87 | Previous rank: 20
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 (just 0.5 in 12 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 had 47 tackles this season.
26. J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State*
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 217
Grade: 86 | Previous rank: 24
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. Dobbins was tied for third in the nation in rushing yards (2,003) with a 6.7-per-carry clip, and he ran it into the end zone 21 times (tied for third).
27. Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 200
Grade: 86 | Previous rank: 25
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 had just one interception in 2019, he broke up 14 passes (tied for eighth in the country).
28. Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia*
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 220
Grade: 86 | Previous rank: 27
There's a reason talented quarterbacks such as Justin Fields and Jacob Eason kept 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 had 2,860 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, 5 interceptions and a 76.6 Total QBR this season.
Desmond Howard explains that he is surprised but understanding about Jake Fromm entering the NFL draft, and Ryan Leaf voices his support of Fromm's decision.
29. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 206
Grade: 86 | Previous rank: 23
His 65 catches for 1,192 yards (15th in the nation) and eight touchdowns had 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 had 446 kickoff return yards and 226 more returning punts.
30. Kenneth Murray, ILB, Oklahoma*
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 234
Grade: 86 | Previous rank: NR
Murray has elite straight-line speed and shows high-end closing burst. He plays with great effort and is a really strong tackler, as evidenced by his 102 tackles, 17 tackles for loss (tied for 19th in the country) and four sacks this season. However, Murray lacks the man-to-man coverage skills you'd want to see from an insider linebacker in the NFL.
31. Jacob Eason, QB, Washington*
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 227
Grade: 85 | Previous rank: 28
Eason has a big, strong frame and an even bigger arm. I saw better timing and anticipation on his throws this season. Eason had 3,132 passing yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Game experience is a concern. 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.
32. A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa*
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 280
Grade: 85 | Previous rank: 31
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 produced 11.5 sacks (tied for 11th in the FBS) and four forced fumbles (tied for fifth) in 2019, and he's been on a tear to close the season, with 8.0 sacks in his final five games.