The 2020 NFL draft class isn't just talented. It's also loaded with players who fit the modern pro game.
The NFL continues to trend toward personnel with scheme-specific traits and versatility. That means quarterbacks with movement skills and second-reaction ability. It means three-down running backs with pass-catching traits and explosive receivers who can pick up yards after the catch. And it means sub-package defenders who can create an impact from multiple alignments.
Let's focus on 10 prospects from this class who can be used in today's pro offensive and defensive systems, starting with the ultimate ready-for-the-modern-NFL player: Clemson's Isaiah Simmons.
Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
Why he fits today's NFL: At 6-foot-4, 238 pounds with 4.39 speed, Simmons has a rare combination of size and speed. His athletic traits simply jump off the film. I see the Clemson product as a safety in base defense, playing in a Quarters/Cover 3 system. He can cut crossers, spin down as a "robber" and roam the perimeter to make plays in space.
However, Simmons' value is boosted more by his ability to be a movable chess piece in sub-package personnel, where NFL defensive coordinators can maximize his elite traits in nickel and dime sets as a hybrid linebacker/safety. Picture Simmons defending underneath to match up with tight ends, pressuring from an off-the-ball alignment or dropping in coverage to clog up passing lanes. And with his versatile skill set, Simmons can be rotated to depth after the snap to cloud the coverage looks for opposing quarterbacks.
NFL comp: Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers
Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma
Why he fits today's NFL: Hurts projects as a high-floor, Day 2 pick with the traits to produce in a system that caters to his movement skills. With experience both throwing the ball in Alabama's pro passing offense and working in the heavy play-action/RPO system under Lincoln Riley at Oklahoma, Hurts can make the transition to today's pro game.
The ability to move inside and outside of the pocket is on the tape, as is his production on designed QB run schemes. And he brings second-reaction ability to the league as a runner and as a thrower. With the amount of boot and misdirection passing concepts we see in today's NFL, Hurts is a fit for a pro coaching staff that can devise a game plan that plays to his strengths at the position.
NFL comp: Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
D'Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
Why he fits today's NFL: Swift is a prime fit for today's zone run schemes in the NFL. The juice is there to bend the ball back on inside zone runs or to press the edge on a stretch scheme. But Swift's pro impact jumps even more because of his receiving traits. He shows the sudden ability to change direction and the immediate burst to separate from coverage when put in an NFL scheme that features the running back in the pass game.
Whether the Georgia product is releasing from the backfield on flats, angles and wheels, or flexed into the slot to draw a favorable matchup, Swift has the upside of a dual-threat back in the modern game.
NFL comp: Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
Why he fits today's NFL: With NFL defenses going more man-coverage heavy in the secondary to limit quick-game throws and RPOs, Gladney fits as an aggressive cornerback with on-the-ball production. While the 5-10, 191-pound senior lacks the 6-foot-plus frame of top cornerback prospects Jeff Okudah (Ohio State) and CJ Henderson (Florida), his press coverage skills and ultracompetitive play style pop on the film.
Given the traits I see in Gladney, along with his ability to challenge receivers and finish plays, I'd want to coach this guy in the secondary. You can win with that.
NFL comp: Jaire Alexander, Green Bay Packers
Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
Why he fits today's NFL: Ruggs ran a pretty detailed route tree at Alabama, and his 4.27 40-yard dash time at the combine matches the speed we see on tape. He's a blazer with game-breaking speed to rip off explosive plays at all three levels of the field. That's a fit for the modern passing offense, where Ruggs can separate after the catch on slants and crossers, or create chunk gains on deep over routes. With the ability to play outside the numbers or align inside on 2x2 and 3x1 sets, Ruggs fits into pro passing concepts that create stress for man-coverage matchups.
NFL comp: Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs
Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Why he fits today's NFL: Love is a high-ceiling, low-floor prospect who checks multiple boxes for today's NFL. The arm talent is there to threaten every level of the field. His athleticism shows up when he has to go off-script to make a play. And he can deliver the ball from multiple platforms while on the move.
Yes, Love's 2019 tape is inconsistent, and his decision-making does raise some questions about how quickly he can transition at the pro level. But given the need for quarterbacks with the mobility and arm strength to consistently challenge defenses, coaches using play-action and movement-based concepts can scheme up Love's aggressive throwing traits. Trying to keep my comps current, I suggested Drew Lock as a good match, but he really reminds me even more of Jay Cutler.
NFL comp: Drew Lock, Denver Broncos
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU
Why he fits today's NFL: Roll through the film on Edwards-Helaire and you will find a bunch of pro-level runs. With his compact frame at 5-7 and 207 pounds, and the ideal blend of power and shake, the LSU product can push through contact with his low pad level and leg drive, or simply skate past defenders.
But don't forget about the route-running skills in his game, because he has already shown the ability to produce as a pass target on his college tape. The lateral quicks are there to separate in the slot; he can get rolling on screen passes; and his route tree out of the backfield puts linebackers in the crosshairs. In addition to what Edwards-Helaire brings with his pro-ready running style, the receiving skills will allow NFL offensive coordinators to script pass game matchups for the rookie.
NFL comp: Devonta Freeman, free agent
Kenneth Murray, ILB, Oklahoma
Why he fits today's NFL: With 4.52 speed at 6-2 and 241 pounds, Murray's pursuit speed jumps off the screen. He can move. That's sideline-to-sideline range to track the ball. And the former safety has the traits to play an impact role in nickel and dime packages. He can be added as a blitzer, rush off the edge or drop as a coverage defender. Murray checks the boxes here as a versatile linebacker with three-down ability.
NFL comp: Kwon Alexander, San Francisco 49ers
Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
Why he fits today's NFL: In addition to playing in a pro-ready scheme under Nick Saban at Alabama, McKinney showcased his versatility as a multifaceted safety with coverage traits, range and the physicality to mix it up on the run front. That will allow pro teams to use McKinney as slot defender in "big nickel" packages or to drop him down as a dime back, where the first-round prospect can check tight ends, blitz or prowl the underneath zones. Plus, with McKinney's ability to play in the post, he gives defensive coordinators plenty of flexibility in the game plan.
NFL comp: Malcolm Jenkins, New Orleans Saints
Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado
Why he fits today's NFL: Shenault might be considered a more scheme-specific player given his 227-pound frame and offensive usage at Colorado. He's certainly a fit for the systems we see in Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Chicago and Kansas City. Shenault's catch-and-run ability is terrific for quick-game throws and crossers. Add in the screen game, touches on jet sweeps and schemed over routes that create open coverage voids to attack and you have a real weapon for an NFL offense.
Shenault posted a 4.58 40 time at the combine, running with a core muscle injury that required surgery. But take one look at the game tape and you will see his explosive traits.
NFL comp: Sammy Watkins, Kansas City Chiefs