Leading up to the 2020 NFL draft, we all talked a lot about the traits of prospects and how they translate to the next level. What gets lost sometimes is that not every prospect could excel in every scheme. Scheme fit and coaching are vital parts of early development and production in the league.
Let's focus on the rookies who landed in the offensive and defensive schemes that will allow NFL teams to maximize their ability, and I'll include stat projections from ESPN's Mike Clay along the way. Here are 10 first-year players who are set up to succeed early in their careers:
Jeff Okudah, CB, Detroit Lions (Pick No. 3)
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 205 | School: Ohio State
Clay's 2020 projections: 67 tackles, two interceptions, one sack, one forced fumble; 127 fantasy points
With high-end coverage traits -- footwork, hips, short-area speed -- Okudah is a natural fit in Detroit's man-heavy scheme. Last season, Matt Patricia's Lions defense played man-to-man coverage on 65.9% of opposing quarterbacks' dropbacks, the second-most in the NFL behind the New England Patriots.
Line up and challenge receivers. That's the drill for Patricia's team. And Okudah will do that. After adding veteran Desmond Trufant in free agency, Detroit now has two scheme-specific coverage corners with the twitch and transition speed to drive on the ball.
Javon Kinlaw, DT, San Francisco 49ers (Pick No. 14)
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 324 | School: South Carolina
Clay's 2020 projections: 37 tackles, three sacks; 61 fantasy points
In a defense that leans on schemed front-four pressure, Kinlaw fits as an interior disruptor with the physical traits and the frame to win at the point of attack.
While the South Carolina product doesn't have the same fluid ability of veteran DeForest Buckner -- whom the 49ers traded for a first-round pick -- I look at Kinlaw's combination of linear burst and power in San Francisco's multiple fronts. That's where defensive coordinator Robert Saleh can scheme interior one-on-ones and use twist stunts to get Kinlaw in favorable pass-rush matchups. He's an ascending talent who can develop into an interior force, and he's a great fit in the middle of this loaded front seven.
Jalen Reagor, WR, Philadelphia Eagles (Pick No. 21)
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 206 | School: TCU
Clay's 2020 projections: 52 catches on 84 targets for 646 yards and five TDs; 147 fantasy points
Reagor brings instant juice to an Eagles offense that last season averaged a league-low 6.5 yards per target on passes to wide receivers. With explosive-play traits and vertical stretch ability, coach Doug Pederson will scheme up deep-ball opportunities and use Reagor on crossers and over routes.
But don't forget about Reagor seeing slot targets in this offense. That's where Carson Wentz can target the TCU product on quick game throws and run-pass option concepts. There are going to be catch-and-run opportunities for him, in addition to the jet sweeps, screens and reverses Pederson can call to manufacture even more touches for Reagor. Those are high-efficiency plays that allow Wentz to get the ball quickly out of his hands.
Check out highlights from TCU's speedy wide receiver Jalen Reagor.
Kenneth Murray, LB, Los Angeles Chargers (Pick No. 23)
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 241 | School: Oklahoma
Clay's 2020 projections: 103 tackles, two sacks, one interception, one forced fumble; 149 fantasy points
Murray is a three-down linebacker with the traits to fit in Gus Bradley's defensive scheme. The Chargers played zone coverage on a league-high 68.2% of opposing quarterbacks' dropbacks last season, so expect lots of of three-deep coverage that meshes with Murray's skill set in 2020. Drop as a hook defender, carry the inside verticals or roam the middle of the field to hunt down crossing routes.
Plus, with Murray's second-level range and 4.52 40-yard dash speed, he elevates a defense that ranked 18th versus the run. Hit the gaps and use that sideline-to-sideline ability to make plays on the edge.
Isaiah Wilson, OT, Tennessee Titans (Pick No. 29)
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 350 | School: Georgia
With veteran right tackle Jack Conklin leaving as a free agent, Wilson fills a crucial need for the Titans, but his playing style is also a scheme fit for Tennessee's heavy run game system. At 6-foot-6, 350 pounds, Wilson can develop into a people-mover on the right side of the offensive line. Drive defenders off the ball, climb and open up daylight for running back Derrick Henry in the outside zone run schemes.
Plus, with the amount of quick-rhythm throws and play-action concepts in the Titans' passing game with Ryan Tannehill at the helm, Wilson will get some help from both tight ends and running backs in pass protection as he grows at the position.
Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts (Pick No. 41)
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 226 | School: Wisconsin
Clay's 2020 projections: 161 carries for 678 yards and five TDs; 16 catches for 136 yards and one TD; 132 fantasy points
This is a prime match in Indianapolis given Taylor's high-end traits as a downhill runner and the Colts' offensive front. One of the best offensive lines in the league, the Colts ranked No. 8 last year with 2.94 yards before first contact. That group is going to create daylight for Taylor on both gap and zone schemes, which will allow the Wisconsin star to showcase his vision, patience and the ability to stack moves to the second level. Plus, with his home run traits and 4.39 speed, Taylor can rip off chunk plays. Don't be surprised if Taylor emerges quickly as the primary first- and second-down runner in Indianapolis this season.
Cole Kmet, TE, Chicago Bears (Pick No. 43)
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 262 | School: Notre Dame
Clay's 2020 projections: 19 catches on 29 targets for 220 yards and one TD; 48 fantasy points
The Bears added veteran Jimmy Graham in free agency, but Kmet gives Matt Nagy's offense a true inline tight end with the pass-catching skills to fit in his system. In addition to giving Chicago an extra gap in the run game as a blocker, Kmet can stretch the seams, run crossers/pops off play-action and RPOs, while also seeing the ball on inside sit routes to move the chains.
With a 6-foot-6, 262-pound frame and 4.7 40 speed, Kmet can rumble after the catch. I like what I see on tape there. The Bears already had an overcrowded tight end room, but I see Kmet as an instant contributor as a rookie because of his pro-style traits. They didn't have a single tight end gain 100 yards last season, but that's going to change in 2020.
Revisit former Notre Dame tight end Cole Kmet's top highlights as he scores big for the Fighting Irish to prepare for the upcoming NFL draft.
Grant Delpit, S, Cleveland Browns (Pick No. 44)
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 213 | School: LSU
Clay's 2020 projections: 46 tackles, one interception; 75 fantasy points
Delpit slid to the second round, but he has all the traits of a multidimensional safety at the NFL level. And the fit is there with new defensive coordinator Joe Wood in Cleveland. Picture Delpit as a Quarters safety, an alley runner who can also drive on crossers. Delpit has the ability to spin down into the front and the play strength to match up versus tight ends, and he could become a moveable piece in nickel/dime sets.
The Browns allowed 10 passing touchdowns by opposing tight ends in 2019, the second-most in the league. That's why they drafted a safety here to boost the middle of the field. Delpit can improve as a tackler, but he should be seeing a lot of defensive snaps as a rookie.
Cam Akers, RB, Los Angeles Rams (Pick No. 53)
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 217 | School: Florida State
Clay's 2020 projections: 172 carries for 719 yards with seven TDs; 18 catches for 142 yards with one TD; 148 fantasy points
The door is open for the No. 1 running back spot in Los Angeles after the team released veteran Todd Gurley II. Enter Akers, who brings a pro-ready running style and pass-catching ability to Sean McVay's offense. He's a fit here as a zone runner, with the contact balance, quick acceleration and the patience to find slices of daylight. Press the edge or bend that ball back. That's going to be extremely important if L.A. wants to get back to the playoffs.
Akers can give the Rams production as a receiver, too. Set him up on screens, hit him in the flat off boot concepts or simply check it down. He has the open-field vision and enough shake to beat defenders in space, and he will take on blitzers in pass protection. He has more upside than Darrell Henderson, whom the Rams picked in the third round in 2019.
Josh Uche, LB, New England Patriots (Pick No. 60)
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 245 | School: Michigan
Clay's 2020 projections: 25 tackles, four sacks, one forced fumble; 56 fantasy points
In New England, Uche fits as a developing edge rusher with the athletic traits and quick-twitch ability to be used like Kyle Van Noy in Bill Belichick's defense. That's where the Patriots can scheme one-on-one pass rushes for Uche off the edge or wrap him inside on twist stunts. If the defensive linemen can occupy blockers, the door is open for Uche to scrape to the quarterback.
With Uche's ability to play off the ball, he can also drop into coverage and close with speed on underneath throws. And we know Belichick likes versatile defenders. I can't think of a better defensive scheme for Uche, who had 8.5 sacks at Michigan last season.