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Football analyst- Mel Kiper Jr. has served as an NFL draft analyst for ESPN since 1984. He is a regular contributor on "SportsCenter," ESPN studio shows and ESPN Radio. He is the co-host of the First Draft podcast, and he writes regularly for ESPN+.
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senior NFL draft analyst- Todd McShay is a senior NFL draft analyst for ESPN, providing in-depth scouting reports on the nation's top pro prospects. He also serves as a college football field analyst on Saturdays in the fall. Todd joined ESPN in 2006 and contributes to SportsCenter, NFL Live, College Football Live and ESPN Radio. He is a Massachusetts native and was a backup quarterback at the University of Richmond. You can follow Todd on Twitter via @McShay13.
How much talent is there in the 2020 NFL draft class? You could fill two super rosters with the high-caliber prospects. So that's exactly what we did.
ESPN NFL draft experts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay went head-to-head in drafting their own 2020 all-prospect superteams. They took to ESPN's First Draft podcast to go 22 rounds against each other, alternating picks to fill out their lineups with prospects set to be taken by NFL teams later this month.
Each roster is made up of 11 starters on both offense and defense. Kiper and McShay were allowed to draft positions in any order, and they designed their units around schemes of their own choosing.
How did each team turn out? Who has the edge? Will McShay's roster take down Kiper's all-stars, or does Mel edge the talent in Todd's lineup? Let's go pick by pick; you can also jump to the end to see how each completed roster looks.
First Draft podcast: Listen to
Mel and Todd debate their picks
Mel Kiper Jr.: I'm ready to roll. Who has the first pick?
Todd McShay: All yours, Mel. Have at it.
No. 1 pick, Kiper: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Kiper: OK, if you're giving me the first pick, I have to go and get my quarterback. Right? Burrow is the man in this class. And he's going to be the leader of my team.
No. 2 pick, McShay: Chase Young, DE, Ohio State
McShay: I see your top quarterback, and I raise you the top overall prospect. It's a good thing your quarterback senses pressure well, because Young will be bringing a lot of it off the edge with elite quickness and burst. It's a no-brainer for me here once Burrow is off the board.
No. 3 pick, Kiper: Isaiah Simmons, OLB, Clemson
Kiper: OK, the first surprise: Simmons over cornerback Jeff Okudah.
McShay: Ah, Kiper! You stole my guy.
Kiper: I love Simmons, too. You don't get to claim him as your guy. I mean, what can't he do? And maybe I could still get Okudah with my next pick.
McShay: OK, but where are you playing Simmons?
Kiper: That versatility is why I wanted him on my team. He could play outside or inside linebacker in a 4-3 or 3-4. He could play some safety. Maybe I'll give him a few snaps at running back. Are you going to take a quarterback, Todd?
No. 4 pick, McShay: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
McShay: You bet. I've said in the past that I'd take Tagovailoa over Burrow if their long-term health was guaranteed. Tua is that special. Whoever is running the routes for me will love that elite accuracy. And if he gets injured, I can just grab Utah State's Jordan Love off the waiver wire, right? No, not how it works? Well, it was worth a try.
Kiper: If you love Love so much, why don't you take him over Tagovailoa?
McShay: Slow down. Burrow and Tua are in their own category. I like a lot of things about Love's game, but he isn't Tagovailoa. And it's not particularly close.
No. 5 pick, Kiper: Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Kiper: So I end up with Okudah anyway. That means I have my No. 1 off-ball linebacker and No. 1 cornerback. Not a bad start on defense.
No. 6 pick, McShay: Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
McShay: Don't plan the championship parade just yet, Mel. I'm just focusing on the front, something you don't seem too concerned about doing yourself. And you can't do too much better than Young and Brown, both top-four prospects for me. This line is going to be trouble for you.
No. 7 pick, Kiper: Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
Kiper: OK, I'll go the other way with the top offensive tackle in this class. The 6-foot-7, 364-pound Becton will protect Burrow's blindside, and I'm trusting him to stop Chase Young.
No. 8 pick, McShay: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
McShay: I know this is a deep receiver class, but we're talking about a generational route runner here in Jeudy. Just tell me where to sign.
Kiper: Tagovailoa and Jeudy? I see what you're doing here. I'll take my chances on a receiver later because this is a loaded class. I had seven in the first round in my Mock Draft 3.0.
McShay: Yeah, and I had 12 in my two-round mock last week. But there is only one top guy, Mel. And he's on my roster.
No. 9 pick, Kiper: Jedrick Wills Jr., OT, Alabama
Kiper: So you're going to let me get the top left tackle and top right tackle in this class? Burrow, Becton, Wills -- I love my team so far.
No. 10 pick, McShay: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
McShay: OK, that's fair. We aren't building a fantasy team, so I do need to think about the line. But you can go ahead and take Becton and Wills. I'll happily take this explosive 320-pounder who ran a 4.85 40-yard dash and posted a 36.5-inch vertical at the combine.
No. 11 pick, Kiper: Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Kiper: Let's address the defensive line with Kinlaw, my second-ranked tackle. He's also going to give my defense some flexibility because he could be a nose tackle in a 3-4.
McShay: Man, that's a good pick. Kinlaw is a physical freak, and I have him in my top 10 overall.
No. 12 pick, McShay: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
McShay: Yeah, yeah. Go ahead and bring up the deep class again. But you have to admit a combination of Jeudy and Lamb is lethal. And I hope your guys can tackle because Lamb will create, create, create after the catch.
Oklahoma wideout CeeDee Lamb can play both slot and outside and is considered one of the most evasive offensive players in the 2020 NFL draft.
No. 13 pick, Kiper: CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
Kiper: I'll counter your taking the top two wide receivers by drafting the top two cornerbacks in this class. With Okudah and Henderson, I'm getting two long defensive backs who are going to lock down your guys in man-to-man coverage. And they're going to pick off a few passes.
No. 14 pick, McShay: Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
McShay: Take all the corners you want, Mel. I'm not even close to done with this high-octane offense. I have Jeudy's route running, Lamb's ability after the catch and now Ruggs' 4.27 speed in the vertical game? Consider it unstoppable.
Kiper: Unstoppable? C'mon. Are you going with an all-Alabama skill position team? That's not a terrible idea. Except you don't have any defensive backs.
No. 15 pick, Kiper: Cesar Ruiz, C/G, Michigan
Kiper: This is a little bit of a reach, but I wanted to get the top center because this isn't a great class for interior offensive linemen. Ruiz might be the only one to go in the first two rounds. If you're keeping track of my offense, this means I have the top-ranked quarterback, left tackle, right tackle and center. I'm building from the inside out.
No. 16 pick, McShay: D'Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
McShay: Hmm, a center at No. 15. With all these high-caliber first-rounders still on the board? Suit yourself. Me? I'm getting the most complete and explosive running back in the class. When I give my three elite receivers a breather and hand the ball off, it'll be one-cut-and-go with Swift.
Kiper: Finally a running back off the board. You have a nice offense, but you're picking from positions of strength. There's not that much difference between Swift and No. 2 running back J.K. Dobbins, who is still on the board for me.
No. 17 pick, Kiper: K'Lavon Chaisson, OLB/DE, LSU
Kiper: I'm surprised Chaisson is still here, and he's going to add to my versatile defense. I could play him at defensive end in a 4-3, or I could put him at outside linebacker in a 3-4. And he's going to speed rush Wirfs and get to Tagovailoa. After Young, Chaisson is the best edge rusher in this class. He has all the tools to be a double-digit-sack defender.
No. 18 pick, McShay: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
McShay: All right, I'm biting on your earlier quips. You're right, the secondary needs a little attention. I'll go with my No. 1 safety in the class. McKinney is so versatile, allowing me to go multiple with my looks and keep you on your toes.
Former Alabama safety Xavier McKinney asks Mel Kiper Jr. why he isn't the No. 1 safety on his mock draft board.
No. 19 pick, Kiper: Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota
Kiper: You can have McKinney. I'll take Winfield, who could play some slot corner or deep safety. And he's going to be a ball hawk -- he had seven interceptions last season. Winfield is only 5-9, but he's not afraid to tackle. He's one of my favorite prospects in this class.
McShay: Damn. I love Winfield, and I was hoping I'd be able to steal him in a few picks.
No. 20 pick, McShay: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
McShay: I recently moved him up to No. 11 overall on my board, so I love what I got here at No. 20. I have Wirfs' athleticism on the right side and Thomas' quickness and length on the left. You were calling out my O-line, but I still ended up with two of my top three tackles.
No. 21 pick, Kiper: Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
Kiper: Time to fill out my skill positions. Higgins will be my big outside target and red zone vacuum. I mean, seeing as you don't have any cornerbacks yet, I like my chances.
No. 22 pick, McShay: Patrick Queen, ILB, LSU
McShay: Range, instincts and much better tackling ability than you'd expect from a 229-pound off-the-ball linebacker. Queen will be all over the place on defense.
No. 23 pick, Kiper: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Kiper: I'll take Burrow's guy here. Thanks, Todd. Jefferson caught 111 of 134 targets from Burrow last season, and I'm going to stick him in the slot and keep the connection going. He could also play outside, but he's best in the slot. And since you've used up your receiver spots, I can wait on my No. 3.
No. 24 pick, McShay: Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
McShay: Who said I used up my receiver spots?
Kiper: Wait -- you're taking four wide receivers? Is that legal?
McShay: Why not? I'll just go no tight end and spread you out with 10 personnel and four wide outside. Mismatches galore. And for those counting at home, that's five skill position players -- Jeudy, Lamb, Ruggs, Swift and Aiyuk -- who rank in my top 20, all on one roster.
Kiper: OK, that's sort of cheating the system. Is there a commissioner of this draft? You know I have Simmons and Chaisson, right?
McShay: No matter. I'll get my favorable matchups and put the ball in the hands of my elite playmakers, even if it's mostly quick passing.
Kiper: All right, I'll allow it. But let's see what happens when you get in the red zone.
No. 25 pick, Kiper: J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
Kiper: Let's get back on track here. Dobbins isn't Swift in the passing game, but he's going to break off chunks of yardage and do his job. And he can pass protect. And Burrow is familiar with Dobbins from their time together at Ohio State.
No. 26 pick, McShay: Grant Delpit, S, LSU
McShay: I'm still mad you took Winfield, but I really can't complain about a Delpit-McKinney duo on the back end.
Kiper: Don't you think there's a chance Delpit drops out of Round 1, Todd?
McShay: Of course. He has versatility and the ability to match up with tight ends, and I love his instincts. But like most NFL teams, I would have liked to see him work out at the combine or LSU's pro day, and that 2019 tape wasn't what we were all hoping to see. But he's still my No. 2 safety in the class, even ahead of our guy Winfield.
No. 27 pick, Kiper: Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne
Kiper: At this point, I need to start taking my guys, and Dugger is my guy. And even if I have Delpit ranked slightly ahead of Dugger, I love the pairing of Dugger with Winfield. Dugger can play in the box, and Winfield can play deep. And my defensive backs are going to tackle, too.
No. 28 pick, McShay: Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU
McShay: I know you have other defensive tackles still available who are ranked higher than Blacklock ... but you're wrong. He might just be the most underrated prospect in the class. Good luck to your guy Dobbins trying to run up the middle through Brown, Blacklock and Queen.
No. 29 pick, Kiper: Kenneth Murray, ILB, Oklahoma
Kiper: Speaking of Queen, Murray is just barely behind him on my board, and Murray has more position flexibility and experience, with 42 starts for the Sooners. Since my defense is going to switch between a 3-4 and 4-3, Murray can play everywhere. I have three freaky linebacker hybrid players -- Simmons, Chaisson and Murray -- to confuse Tagovailoa.
No. 30 pick, McShay: Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
McShay: I'll have my defense in press-man coverage against those average-speed receivers you have there, Mel. And that's where Diggs excels. Plus, he's a former receiver who will haul in a few of Burrow's passes.
No. 31 pick, Kiper: Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame
Kiper: I mean, I guess I get the top tight end no matter what, right? I'll take Kmet, who is raw but has a high ceiling. And he can develop into a solid blocker. Unlike your team, my big pass-catchers will be factors in the red zone.
McShay: I have Kmet as my No. 1 tight end, too, though I really like Dayton's Adam Trautman. But wow, this class just isn't what we saw in 2019 -- and it's part of the reason I went with four receivers. We won't see a tight end on Day 1 this year.
No. 32 pick, McShay: A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa
McShay: Epenesa fits better as a 3-4 DE, but I've committed to primarily a 4-3 scheme with those two tackles on my roster, unless I get really creative. Epenesa has power and can set the edge, and he won't be getting double-teamed with Young at RDE. The lackluster edge-rushing class is showing here, huh, Mel? It's not often you see three tackles off the board before three ends.
Kiper: Yeah, it really is. It's a strange year for edge rushers, but there are some interesting options in Rounds 2 and 3. Speaking of defensive tackles ...
No. 33 pick, Kiper: Justin Madubuike, DT, Texas A&M
Kiper: There is some redundancy here with Madubuike and Kinlaw, but they're going to be interior menaces, and I could put Kinlaw at nose tackle and Madubuike at end when I switch to a 3-4.
Check out some of the highlights that make former Texas A&M defensive tackle Justin Madubuike a player to watch in this year's NFL draft.
No. 34 pick, McShay: Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State
McShay: Yes, I already have two defensive ends, and yes, Gross-Matos is 266 pounds. Not really a traditional outside linebacker in a 4-3. I'm breaking the rules here a little bit, but I want him on my team and I'm willing to make him fit in at 'backer. He can chase guys down, and in third-and-long, I'll be sending him after the QB. Plus, this sort of pushes you down your DE rankings, Mel.
No. 35 pick, Kiper: Marlon Davidson, DE, Auburn
Kiper: Yes, but there isn't much difference between Epenesa, Gross-Matos and Davidson. And there aren't many 300-pounders with the pass-rushing ability of Davidson, a four-year starter who still has room to grow into his athleticism.
No. 36 pick, McShay: Zack Baun, OLB, Wisconsin
McShay: We'll be getting after the quarterback. Young. Epenesa. Gross-Matos. Even Brown and Blacklock on the inside. And now Baun, who had 12.5 sacks last season. Is Burrow sweating yet?
Kiper: My squad will be OK, Todd. Have you forgotten what Burrow can do with his feet?
No. 37 pick, Kiper: Jordyn Brooks, ILB, Texas Tech
Kiper: Todd, you need to go back to the tape on Brooks. He's 6-foot, 240, ran a 4.54 40 at the combine -- a really good player.
McShay: Yeah, he's fast and a good tackler. But this is a reach no matter how you spin it.
Kiper: I'm telling you, Brooks is underrated. He's my inside linebacker in a 4-3, and he'll line up next to Murray in a 3-4. And they're going to chase down Swift with ease.
No. 38 pick, McShay: Josh Jones, OT, Houston
McShay: Jones played tackle at Houston, but I'm bumping him inside -- as the NFL team that drafts him likely will. And then we're running some zone schemes. Jones -- like Wirfs, who is already on my roster -- is great at getting to the second level. He's unofficially my No. 1 or 2 guard, since that's where he best projects.
No. 39 pick, Kiper: Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
Kiper: I'll get my third wideout here with Mims, who ran a 4.38 40 at the combine. That's blazing. And I like my trio of Mims, Higgins and Jefferson. Again, you can't go wrong with the top 10 wideouts in this class, because there is something for every team.
No. 40 pick, McShay: Tyler Biadasz, C/G, Wisconsin
McShay: I'll keep chipping away at the interior line. I can play him at center or guard, depending on what I do with my final O-line pick. He's great at anchoring against bull rushers, so he'll handle Kinlaw inside.
No. 41 pick, Kiper: Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State
Kiper: OK, down to my last two picks, and I need guards. Cleveland is rising after the combine, and there's a chance he sneaks into Round 1. I'm telling you -- this a loaded tackle class. And as you mentioned, the guard class isn't great, so I'll move Cleveland inside.
No. 42 pick, McShay: Lloyd Cushenberry III, C, LSU
McShay: Tough call, but I'll take a center here and bump Biadasz to guard. Cushenberry has terrific length and fits well with my zone scheme.
No. 43 pick, Kiper: Robert Hunt, G, Louisiana
Kiper: I'm glad Hunt is still here. Thanks for passing, Todd. My interior offensive line is going to block its ass off. I love this team.
No. 44 pick, McShay: Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
McShay: Final pick. Just need a second corner. I like Damon Arnette and A.J. Terrell, but let's go with Johnson opposite Diggs. He reads the QB so well, and he's solid in press with good balance and speed.
Kiper: OK, let's see, I ended up with 13 prospects in my top 25. On offense, I have the Burrow-to-Jefferson connection to pick up first downs, and I have big pass-catchers for the red zone plus a powerful running back to get the ball across the goal line. On defense, I have an elite secondary and a versatile front seven. I'm happy. Fans of my team are thrilled, and season-ticket sales are booming.
McShay: I love what I have, too. Twelve of my top 20 players in the class ended up on my roster, and nine of the top 15. I'm going to spread your defense out and break tons of big plays. And on defense, get ready for tons of press and my front seven getting home on Burrow. I got the top three receivers, top running back, top edge rusher, top defensive tackle, top inside linebacker and top two safeties. Stacked.
Kiper: You just wanted a flashy offense, Todd. You went with names. I have the defensive backs to counter your spread. Top to bottom, my team is better.
McShay: No way. Bottom line, you won't be able to stop my offense. Tagovailoa finding Jeudy, Lamb, Ruggs and Aiyuk -- and handing off to Swift -- is a recipe for 40-plus points.