The 2020 NFL Draft Round 1 dust has settled to reveal a handful of talented players still available on the big board. With 32 picks down and 223 to go, these prospects, while disappointed about the results of the first round, will be picked soon.
Big names like DeAndre Swift, Xavier McKinney, A.J. Epenesa, Zach Baun and Tee Higgins are still available as Round 2 of the draft arrives Saturday at 9 a.m. AEST.
2020 NFL DRAFT:
Complete Round 1 results | Round 1 grades
Using our big board of the top 100 players in the 2020 NFL Draft as the pool, below is the list of the best players still available after Round 1.
NFL Draft picks 2020: Best players still available after Round 1
(Rankings reflect original positions on Sporting News' big board of top 100 overall players.)
16. DeAndre Swift, RB, Georgia (5-8, 212 pounds)
Swift (5-9, 229 pounds) is capable of both getting the tough yards inside and breaking free for big plays in the open field. He also flashed as a receiver for the Bulldogs and can excel in the screen game.
19. Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama (6-0, 201 pounds)
McKinney is a complete safety who can get physical in run support and also drop back and handle intermediate coverage. There is nothing he can't do, and he is willing to do whatever asked of him for a defense, toggling seamlessly from extra linebacker to short-area subpackage back.
20. A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa (6-5, 275 pounds)
Epenesa is a powerful, explosive, big-bodied player. He can push blockers out of the way to get to the QB, and he also stands strong against the run. He has the length, quickness and intimidation factor to wear down opponents.
24. Zach Baun, EDGE/OLB, Wisconsin (6-2, 238 pounds)
Baun is a smart, motivated player who comes through with great technique against the run. He also has started to get more attention for his pass-rush repertoire and the athleticism that fuels it.
25. Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson (6-4, 216 pounds)
Higgins works the perimeter as a dangerous, all-around playmaker who can be a force in the red zone. He posted 59 receptions for 1,167 yards and 13 TDs in 15 games last season. His size and skill set are reminiscent of former Clemson and current Chargers receiver Mike Williams.
26. Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama (6-1, 205 pounds)
Diggs offers a nice blend of strength and downfield speed to go along with his big frame. He shot up the board quickly during his big senior season (3 interceptions in 12 games).
29. Josh Jones, OT, Houston (6-5, 319 pounds)
Jones has terrific athleticism for his size and plays with toughness and relentlessness. He is a bit raw, however, as his handwork and footwork both could use refinement to maximize his natural skills.
32. Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State (6-5, 266 pounds)
Gross-Matos is a well-built, explosive and versatile defender made to be disruptive in a hybrid scheme. He is an accomplished edge-rusher who doesn't get enough credit for what he can do against the run.
33. Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado (6-1, 227 pounds)
Shenault is a sure-handed field stretcher who has some nice big-play flair after the catch. He posted 56 catches for 764 yards and 4 TDs for the Buffaloes in his final college season and stood out despite his team's overall struggles.
34. Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU (6-0, 197 pounds)
Fulton has the size, speed, smarts and sound coverage skills to have a long, prosperous career, which is why he felt confident enough to pull out of the Senior Bowl. Other Tigers defensive backs had more flash, but he can offer an NFL team steady substance without getting burned.
35. Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU (6-3, 290 pounds)
Blacklock has risen up boards as teams have realized he can convert his power into energy while trying to disrupt plays in the backfield.
37. Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah (6-0, 193 pounds)
Johnson is an aggressive, physical cover man with the quickness to stick with receivers on the perimeter. If he can use his frame better to that end, he has true shutdown potential.
38. J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State (5-9, 209 pounds)
Dobbins is ideal for a zone scheme in the NFL with his quickness, agility and ability to read blockers. He is an adept receiver with explosive burst once he sees a hole, hits it and gets into the open field. He will need to hold up better as a blocker to be a three-down back.
39. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin (5-10, 226 pounds)
Taylor has great vision and burst as a runner. He also doesn't get enough credit for what he can do as a receiver, which was on display more during his final college season. In three years for the Badgers, he posted 6,581 scrimmage yards and 55 total TDs.
40. K.J. Hamler, WR, Penn State (5-9, 178 pounds)
Hamler is a smart, smooth route-runner with reliable hands and toughness in tight spaces, making him an ideal NFL slot receiver.
41. Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama (6-5, 262 pounds)
Lewis has had some injury issues and needs to refine some of his pass-rushing skills, but he carries potential to get to the quarterback consistently with natural quickness and explosiveness.
42. Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota (5-10, 203 pounds)
As one might expect, the son of the former Vikings Pro Bowl cornerback plays with smarts and toughness. He excels at diagnosing plays, knowing when to be aggressive against the run and how use his frame in short-area coverage.
43. Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor (6-3, 207 pounds)
Mims is a big, physical target who also knows how to use his frame to his advantage. He is best suited to be a vertical and red-zone threat on the outside.
45. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC (6-4, 223 pounds)
Pittman is an interesting prospect for his size because he is more of a tough technician and route runner than just a big body working to stretch the field. That gives him high-end possession qualities.
46. Marlon Davidson, DT, Auburn (6-3, 303 pounds)
Davidson has climbed up boards because more teams have realized he can be a terror rushing the passer from both the interior line and the edge. He has a nice blend of strength, power and quickness to go along with sudden finishing moves.
47. Jordan Elliott, DT, Missouri (6-4, 302 pounds)
Elliott plays with power against the run but also has proved to have some natural interior pass-rushing skills. He is a bit raw in the latter area but can be a force in a hurry with more technique work.
48. Grant Delpit, S, LSU (6-2, 213 pounds)
Delpit flies around the field, stopping the run like an extra linebacker and making big plays on the ball in downfield coverage. He plays like the Chargers' Derwin James with tremendous hybrid size for the position.
49. Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame (6-4, 238 pounds)
Claypool matches his size with great speed and downfield burst. He is not the most technically sound route runner, but he often wins with physical domination, and his elite blocking skills make him an intriguing tight end hybrid.
51. Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama (6-6, 311 pounds)
Davis is a massive, versatile player made for a 3-4 scheme. He can line up at either end or tackle to eat space against the run.
52. Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State (6-6, 311 pounds)
Cleveland has gotten more attention of late for his quickness and agility. He is fluid with his hands and legs in pass-protection. His skills are rather raw, but his upside has him moving up boards in a hurry.
53. Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame (6-6, 262 pounds)
Kmet is still developing as a run-blocker, but his size, speed, quickness and hands make him a top-flight receiver for the position. He can create mismatches either working off the line or from the slot.
55. Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State (6-2, 265 pounds)
Weaver is a high-energy pass rusher with some untapped upside as he makes the jump. He was an absolute beast on the blue turf with 13.5 sacks in 14 games during his final college season.
56. Zack Moss, RB, Utah (5-9, 223 pounds)
Moss profiles as a compact NFL power back suited to get the tough yards between the tackles and more yards after initial contact. He is underrated with his quickness when in the open field and his receiving skills.
58. Cam Akers, RB, Florida State (5-10, 217 pounds)
Akers is a patient runner who follows his blocks well and shoots through holes. He has a good blend of power and explosiveness. He is willing to get physical but also shows a second gear in the open field. Akers is a capable receiver, too, giving him some feature potential in a zone scheme that can take advantage of his cutback ability.
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59. Malik Harrison, LB, Ohio State (6-3, 247 pounds)
Harrison's best qualities lie in how he flies upfield against the run and finishes so well as a physical tackler. His ability to grow and develop as a more viable cover man has caused his recent rise.
60. Tyler Biadasz, G/C, Wisconsin (6-4, 314 pounds)
Biadasz is straight out of the Badgers' fine interior blocking tradition (Travis Frederick, Kevin Zeitler). His strength is converting his frame into pure power for the downhill running game.
61. Neville Gallimore, DT, Oklahoma (6-2, 304 pounds)
Gallimore got more attention last season for the powerful punch he showed on the Sooners' interior line, blossoming as a senior with four sacks. He backed that up with a strong Senior Bowl week, and his relentlessness in practice can translate to the NFL.
62. Jacob Eason, QB, Washington (6-6, 231 pounds)
Eason has a strong arm made to deliver impressive deep balls, which makes him a great fit for a vertical passing game that plays off the power running game with play-action shots. He needs to be more consistent and efficient to hold a starting job in the NFL.
63. Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia (6-2, 202 pounds)
Hall is on track to be fully healthy after coming off season-ending left ankle surgery. He is a promising, nice-sized corner made to be solid on the perimeter for several seasons.
64. Lloyd Cushenberry, G/C, LSU (6-3, 312 pounds)
Cushenberry is a powerful run-blocker who uses his hands and strong upper body well. He is consistent in pushing interior defenders out of the way and projects a rock-solid NFL starter.
65. Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne (6-1, 217 pounds)
Dugger dominated his small-school competition with the kind of size, speed, strength and explosiveness that would have made him stand out at any level. He can be the complete package, capable of starting at either safety spot because he brings it hard against the run and has the hands and instincts to blossom as a coverage player.
66. Alton Robinson, EDGE, Syracuse (6-3, 264 pounds)
Robinson has natural pass-rushing skills and gets by a lot with top-level strength and athleticism. He needs to refine the mental parts of his game and expand his repertoire of moves in order to tap into his great NFL production potential.
68. Bradlee Anae, EDGE, Utah (6-3, 257 pounds)
Anae is a relentless pass-rusher who never gives up on a chance to get to the quarterback. His limitations in technique and agility make him a good fit as a 4-3 end.
69. Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma (6-1, 222 pounds)
Hurts' toughness and leadership intangibles are off the charts, and while finishing his career in Lincoln Riley's offense, he improved as a runner and as a downfield passer. His winning qualities are hard to ignore, even with his need to improve his mechanics and overall fundamentals.
70. Justin Madubuike, DT, Texas A&M (6-3, 293 pounds)
Madubuike won't be confused with the giants at the position, but he has a great combination of power and quickness. He uses his lower body to gain leverage against the run.
71. Hunter Bryant, TE, Washington (6-2, 248 pounds)
Bryant is a dynamic athlete who can get down the seam and cause coverage problems because of his good hands, toughness and quickness finishing routes. He won't provide much early in his NFL career in the way of inline blocking, an area that remains a work in progress.
72. Jabari Zuniga, EDGE, Florida (6-3, 264 pounds)
Zuniga is a pure, explosive pass-rusher who flashes because of his athleticism. He will need to be more consistent and productive in the NFL, likely as a 4-3 end.
73. Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State (6-2, 188 pounds)
Dantzler has nice size and uses his hands and hips to be disruptive against receivers downfield. He is at his best operating in zone.
74. Bryan Edwards, WR, South Carolina (6-3, 212 pounds)
Edwards projects as a physical possession receiver who can dominate the short-to-intermediate area. He is a lot better working inside than he is trying to win on longer routes outside.
75. Josh Uche, EDGE, Michigan (6-1, 245 pounds)
Uche has gained more recent appeal than other pass rushers because he also has some juice as a blitzer and can play outside linebacker in passing down subpackages. He would fit best in a scheme where can toggle between that situational position and end.
76. Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn (6-5, 308 pounds)
Wanogho is a raw prospect who needs work on his technique and footwork to maximize his natural, fluid athleticism. With a little more development and hard work, he has a high ceiling because of his rare physical skills.
77. Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois (6-3, 221 pounds)
Chinn has been on the rise because it has become evident his size, speed and athleticism translate to elite coverage skills for the position, giving him both free safety starting potential and immediate subpackage appeal.
78. Brycen Hopkins, TE, Purdue (6-4, 245 pounds)
Hopkins fits the profile of a "move" tight end in the NFL. He is an elite athlete who can get open running every kind of route and is a mismatch when working the deep middle of the field. Whoever takes him, however, must accept he might never be a significant asset as a blocker.
79. Tyler Johnson, WR, Minnesota (6-1, 206 pounds)
Johnson is a physical receiver who positions his body to impose his will on the end of routes. He fights hard for the ball and looks the part of a tough possession and red-zone target.
81. Solomon Kindley, G, Georgia (6-3, 337 pounds)
Kindley worked with Thomas to blast defensive linemen and pave the way for Georgia's running game. He has the skills to develop into a nimble interior pass-blocker in the NFL.
82. Robert Hunt, G/C, Louisiana-Lafayette (6-5, 323 pounds)
Hunt is a mighty run-blocker with good athleticism to succeed while playing either guard or right tackle.
83. Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia (6-2, 219 pounds)
Fromm's best attributes — his smarts, leadership qualities and decision-making skills — come from his experience. Where he falls short is his lack of an elite arm or other outstanding physical attributes.
84. Harrison Bryant, TE, FAU (6-5, 243 pounds)
Bryant has natural athleticism and intelligence built for New England's passing game and has the toughness and willingness to grow into a plus run blocker.
85. Netane Muti, G, Fresno State (6-3, 315 pounds)
Muti has had some injury issues and needs to improve his technique with both his hands and feet. On the surface, however, he has the frame, upper-body strength and power to smash NFL foes as an interior run-blocker.
86. K.J. Hill, WR, Ohio State (6-0, 196 pounds)
Hill is a good route-runner with reliable hands, a technically sound receiver best suited to play from the slot when a scheme can give him some space inside.
87. Jack Driscoll, OT, Auburn (6-5, 306 pounds)
Driscoll is being appreciated more for his smarts, athleticism and technical skills to the point where more teams are OK with him needing to bulk up and get stronger to become a steady outside force.
88. Jauan Jennings, WR, Tennessee (6-3, 215 pounds)
File Jennings under the "big slot" possession type. He won't be a game-breaker in the NFL, but he could become a reliable third, inside target for a long time.
89. Matt Peart, OT, Connecticut (6-7, 318 pounds)
Peart has attracted more teams with his wingspan and fluid athleticism. If he can get stronger to raise the power aspects of his game, he has the potential to start at either tackle spot.
90. Troy Pride Jr., CB, Notre Dame (5-11, 193 pounds)
Pride showed off his athleticism and speed at the Combine to get into Day 3 consideration. He needs to become more refined and aggressive with his coverage skills to get the most out of those agility traits.
91. Jonathan Greenard, EDGE, Florida (6-3, 263 pounds)
Greenard is a smart defender who knows how to uses his athleticism to both get after the quarterback and work upfield quickly against the run. His well-rounded qualities give him appeal as a strong rotational 4-3 end at worst.
92. John Simpson, G, Clemson (6-4, 321 pounds)
Simpson stands out because of his strong, sturdy frame, which makes him a natural asset as a power run-blocker. His underrated mobility and technique suggest he can be effective inside in a zone-blocking scheme.
93. John Hightower, WR, Boise State (6-1, 189 pounds)
Hightower is a classic size-speed prospect with pure field-stretching skills. He needs to get more polished with his hands, routes and toughness to keep those big plays coming consistently in the NFL.
94. Darrell Taylor, EDGE, Tennessee (6-4, 267 pounds)
Taylor is a unique prospect because he is a pure power pass-rusher. He has shown flashes of explosive burst, and some improvement with his moves, mobility and instincts can make him a well-rounded contributor.
95. Jonah Jackson, G, Ohio State (6-3, 306 pounds)
Jackson is a unique prospect because he is a pure pass-protecting interior blocker. He has the frame and strength to develop in the running game.
96. Ben Bartch, OT, St. John's (6-6, 309 pounds)
Bartch, who stood out at the Combine, has natural smarts and athleticism. He has shown more power and refined technique to raise his stock through the entire pre-draft evaluation process.
97. Troy Dye, LB, Oregon (6-3, 231 pounds
Dye is a little undersized but he’s a smart, instinctive and active defender. His biggest NFL appeal is his potential in coverage.
99. Darnay Holmes, CB, UCLA (5-10, 195 pounds)
Holmes' best traits are his toughness and quickness for his size. Although he lacks the top-end speed and coverage skills to play outside, he can have a long, solid career as a nickel corner against slot receivers on short-to-intermediate routes.
100. Lucas Niang, OT, TCU (6-6, 315 pounds)
Niang is a smart, athletic tackle whose size makes him a good asset for the running game working on the right side.
Contributing: Tadd Haislop
