It was really hard to miss the 2020 NFL draft as I recovered from the coronavirus, but I am fortunate to be healthy now. I can't even express in words how much I appreciated all of the support. Thank you so much to everyone who reached out; it really meant a lot. (You can hear more about it on a special edition of The Adam Schefter Podcast.)
But even two weeks later, I do have some lingering thoughts on how the draft unfolded. Better late than never, right? As I watched from afar, a handful of teams really impressed me with what they did, and some Day 3 picks particularly stuck out as excellent fits.
So here are some of my takeaways from the 2020 draft, including five teams that did the best job in immediately upgrading their rosters and five late-rounders who could play key roles right out of the gate as rookies.
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Team upgrades | Late-round contributors
FIVE TEAMS THAT IMMEDIATELY IMPROVED
Dallas Cowboys
What a tremendous opening two nights of the draft for Dallas. And it started at No. 17 overall. Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb was nothing short of a gift for the Cowboys there. He's just so good after the catch, and he's a strong route runner with great instincts. The Cowboys' offense led the NFL with 431.5 yards per game last season, and now Dak Prescott has Lamb alongside Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and Ezekiel Elliott. That's a nightmare for defensive coordinators.
Then Dallas came back on Friday with cornerback Trevon Diggs out of Alabama, followed by defensive tackle Neville Gallimore, Lamb's Oklahoma teammate. Diggs brings versatility, ball-hawking and tight press-man coverage skills. He's likely a starter as a rookie and helps pad the free-agency loss of Byron Jones in a secondary that has struggled. Diggs had three interceptions for the Crimson Tide in 2019, while the Cowboys managed just seven -- tied for the lowest total in the NFL.
Gallimore is explosive in the middle of the defensive line. His tape was a bit inconsistent, but the 304-pounder ran a downright silly 4.79 in the 40-yard dash at the combine and flashes the ability to drive offensive linemen back and get off blocks. I expect him to play in some form of rotation and show off his playmaking traits.
The Cowboys didn't get an edge rusher with an early pick, but fifth-rounder Bradlee Anae has upside. He won't be the fastest or most athletic pass-rusher on the field, but I love his technique and he plays with a ton of effort. The Utah defensive end ought to contribute on special teams, too.
While safety will remain a concern, Dallas took care of some other big needs while also taking some of the top talents on the board. The Cowboys were able to land instant-impact contributors with a lot of potential.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens needed to upgrade at linebacker after their top inside guys, Patrick Onwuasor and Josh Bynes, headed out of town in free agency. And did they ever. The stars aligned for Baltimore on Day 1, when LSU's rangy and instinctive Patrick Queen fell to No. 28. He's a plug-and-play starter who can be the quarterback of that defense. His recognition skills and high-end closing burst will immediately make him a threat both in coverage and as a blitzer. Baltimore also added Ohio State's Malik Harrison at linebacker in Round 3 -- he has some pop as a pass-rusher and could rotate at the Sam 'backer spot.
The Ravens also grabbed J.K. Dobbins from Ohio State, even though they do not have an immediate need at the position with Mark Ingram II leading the charge. But Ingram has a potential out on his contract after this season and is set to be a free agent in 2022, and the Ravens will use Dobbins in balance with Ingram in 2020. Dobbins is a talented runner, but he's also one of the better pass-protection backs in the class and can make things happen in the receiving game.
I also have to mention the Justin Madubuike and Devin Duvernay picks. These were pure steals. Madubuike has explosive quickness and should provide 15-20 snaps per game in Year 1. The Texas A&M defensive tackle can really stress interior offensive linemen, and let's not forget he posted a 4.83 in the 40 at the combine at 293 pounds. Duvernay should be a No. 3 or No. 4 receiver as a rookie. The Texas slot receiver knows how to get open and has natural hands. Built like a running back, he adds much-needed depth to the receiver position and can be a reliable underneath target for Lamar Jackson.
The Ravens ended up making 10 picks and found value all over the board. I also liked the late-round grabs of wide receiver James Proche and safety Geno Stone. SMU's Proche popped at the Senior Bowl in January. Sure, he's a little undersized at 5-foot-11, but his quickness, terrific hands and ability to get open and create after the catch will provide Jackson with easy yards. Like Duvernay, he's a real possession guy. In fact, they were two of only four FBS receivers to finish north of 100 catches last season.
As for Stone, the Iowa defensive back is a run-stuffer who will play a part in sub-packages and on special teams right away. But his instincts, interception production and decisiveness in the run game will make him an even bigger factor down the road. There's just no denying that Baltimore, a 14-win team in 2019, got even better in April.
Minnesota Vikings
Even though Minnesota doesn't have Aaron Rodgers, it's clear it has the most well-rounded roster in the NFC North. And a big reason is the way general manager Rick Spielman continues to approach the draft. The Vikings made a ridiculous 15 selections, including two first-rounders. And man, did they make some good ones.
Justin Jefferson is a great fit as a replacement for Stefon Diggs opposite Adam Thielen. The LSU receiver will do most of his work out of the slot, and he's probably the best contested-catch playmaker in the entire class. Jefferson will do the dirty work over the middle and can make some defenders miss with the ball in his hands. Minnesota followed up that pick by moving back a few spots in the first round and addressing the cornerback position with TCU's Jeff Gladney. With good man-to-man skills, he's a future starter and might break through as a top-three option in a barren CB room as a rookie.
Minnesota was just getting warmed up. Boise State offensive tackle Ezra Cleveland was a steal at No. 58 overall. He has a lot of upper-body strength and will thrive in the Vikings' zone-blocking scheme. If he can win the left tackle job, Riley Reiff can bump inside to guard and boost the line overall. I also like the late-round grab of Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley. He has a huge arm and sets up as a good long-term backup at value in Round 7.
If we want to talk about steals, though, I'm not sure it gets much better than Baylor defensive lineman James Lynch at No. 130 in Round 4. The athleticism and testing numbers aren't going to wow anyone, but his tape is impressive. He can play inside or outside, and he displays loads of power and a great ability to finish. In all, it was a really strong three days for the Vikes.
Cleveland Browns
It was obvious to anyone who watched the Browns last season that they needed to upgrade the offensive line. They started by signing Jack Conklin in free agency. They continued by drafting Alabama's Jedrick Wills Jr. at No. 10 overall. He had the best tape of all the linemen in this class and will be a plug-and-play starter, keeping Baker Mayfield a little cleaner this season. Wills is a natural knee bender who packs some power in pass protection, he is a mauler in the run game and he might just be what Cleveland has been searching for at left tackle since Joe Thomas retired.
With the OL mission complete, the Browns shifted their focus to a defense that underperformed in 2019. What they got were three players who project as starters or, at the very least, contributors this season. LSU safety Grant Delpit is what we call a buffet tackler -- he picks and chooses -- but there's no denying the talent there. I think you'll see more of his excellent 2018 tape in the NFL than his 2019 tape. He will join former Tigers teammate Greedy Williams in that backfield and show off his high-end instincts and nose for the football.
Cleveland followed up by selecting Missouri defensive tackle Jordan Elliott and LSU linebacker Jacob Phillips. I was surprised to see Elliott on the board in Round 3, and I think he can win a starting job with the Browns sooner rather than later. His agility and playmaking will give defensive coordinator Joe Woods some depth to work with up front. Phillips should contribute both at linebacker and on special teams as a rookie.
It's also worth pointing out Florida Atlantic tight end Harrison Bryant at No. 115 and Michigan wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones at No. 187. Bryant is underrated and should complement new signee Austin Hooper to make a formidable tight end pairing for Mayfield. That pick gives Cleveland versatility and the ability to stress defenses with their 12 personnel. Peoples-Jones has good hands and, as his combine workout showed us, some explosive traits. He gives depth to the WR room behind Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry. The Browns did good work at the draft -- but can they put it all together in 2020 and find their way into the playoffs?
New York Jets
The Jets dedicated themselves to getting third-year quarterback Sam Darnold some help in the early parts of the draft, landing two huge components for the offense. One of them is literally huge. At No. 11, GM Joe Douglas took 6-7, 364-pound Mekhi Becton, who can neutralize speed rushers with his length in pass protection and erase linebackers when climbing to the second level in the run game. He will be instrumental in fixing a porous OL unit.
Another need was addressed in Round 2: After the Jets moved back, they acquired an additional pick and took Baylor receiver Denzel Mims. He has the speed to challenge defensive backs vertically and the size and hands to make plays in the red zone. I look at Darnold as the best young quarterback in the NFL, and New York made the right moves early in the draft this year to give him a chance to succeed.
The Jets sprinkled in a handful of value finds the rest of the way. Florida defensive end Jabari Zuniga has burst and speed, and he should contribute off the edge in a rotation. Cal safety Ashtyn Davis should end up a starter and could thrive as a center-fielder type. Virginia cornerback Bryce Hall is coming off injury but represents great value at No. 158 overall and is great in press coverage. His 2020 contributions might be limited, but I really like him as a late-round pick with longer-term upside.
The La'Mical Perine grab in the fourth round was smart. The Florida running back offers depth behind Le'Veon Bell as a patient, tough runner. He churns out yards and will help keep Bell fresh this season. It was a good draft for a team looking to make the next step in a division that no longer has Tom Brady.
FIVE INSTANT-IMPACT DAY 3 PICKS
L'Jarius Sneed, S, Kansas City Chiefs
It's no secret that Kansas City needed to add to its defensive back group. It got a good fit with Sneed, a versatile wrap-up tackler out of Louisiana Tech, at No. 138. He has room to fill out his 6-foot frame, and as a former corner, he can move around Steve Spagnuolo's scheme. Sneed ran a 4.37 at the combine and can make plays in underneath zone coverage. Chiefs coach Andy Reid and GM Brett Veach continue to find great fits for what they want to do schematically.
Antonio Gandy-Golden, WR, Washington Redskins
Terry McLaurin looks like the real deal, but Washington doesn't have much at receiver for Dwayne Haskins or Kyle Allen beyond the sophomore speedster. But landing Gandy-Golden in the fourth round at 142nd overall gives the Redskins a big, physical possession target. A lot of teams had third-round grades on the Liberty receiver, and for good reason. He is a natural hands catcher, and while he doesn't have a ton of speed, he can find pockets in zone coverage and break some tackles with his strength.
Joe Reed, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
Reed is built like a running back at 6-foot and 224 pounds, and he has some speed. But what I really like about this pick is his versatility. Reed has experience out wide, in the slot and occasionally in the backfield. And I love the fifth-rounder's special-teams ability -- he has 17 career tackles with that unit and was one of the more dangerous return men in the country at Virginia. He might not see a ton of targets early on behind Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, but his ability to line up all over and make contributions on special teams should provide an impact in Year 1.
Dezmon Patmon, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Getting Michael Pittman Jr. in the second round was fantastic, but let's not discount this sixth-round pick. Chris Ballard continues to show why he's one of the league's top GMs with moves like this. For a team lacking at receiver behind the oft-injured T.Y. Hilton, Patmon is the type of player you gamble on late in Round 6. He has 6-4, 225-pound size and good speed, and he found the end zone eight times in 2019 for Washington State.
K.J. Hill, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
Two rounds after taking Reed, the Chargers selected this average-sized slot receiver at No. 220 overall. The pick screams value. I had a fourth-round grade on Hill, but he was still there in Round 7. As mentioned, Los Angeles has Allen and Williams, along with tight end Hunter Henry, but Hill's ability to work the middle of the field shouldn't be ignored. The Ohio State receiver ran a 4.60 at the combine, but he's tough and smooth as a route runner. And after the catch, he shows strong instincts. Look for him to battle Reed in camp for reps.