A consensus 2020 NFL Draft board that includes the rankings of 25 draft analysts has been unveiled. Here’s where your favorite Steelers candidates fall.
The 2020 NFL Draft is now upon us, and Steelers fans are eager to get one final look into the thoughts of draft junkies. Each draft analyst has some rankings that we are sure to agree with as well as other rankings that leave us scratching our heads. Fortunately, we can now see the average rankings of these big boards in one place.
Former Sports Illustrated and Maven Coalition editor, Tyler Jaggi, recently took the liberty of comprising a consensus 2020 NFL Draft Big Board using the rankings of 25 draft analysts. This board takes the top 150 players from each analyst and shows where each player is ranked.
After finding all of the averages, Jaggi was able to come up with a consensus group of rankings from players ranked 1-150 this year. You can click the tweet to view more rankings:
2020 #NFLDraft Consensus Board - Prospects 1-50 pic.twitter.com/qcOfYOS054
— Tyler Jaggi (@TylerJaggi) April 21, 2020
With so many different sets of eyes studying tape and breaking down analytics, it’s nice to be able to see the average of everyone’s draft board. The Steelers own the 49th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and will likely be eyeing players that could make a difference in a closing Super Bowl window.
According to the consensus board, USC offensive tackle Austin Jackon is the 49th ranked player. However, he could go much higher than this due to his prototype size and athleticism for the position.
Starting from names at the top of the list, some of the players the Steelers could be interested in adding include TCU wide receiver Jalen Reagor and Wisconsin running back, Jonathan Taylor. Ranked 26th and 29th on the consensus board, respectively, both players would present great value to Pittsburgh if they fall all the way to pick 49 in the draft.
In addition, skill players like Brandon Aiyuk (35th), J.K. Dobbins (37th), Tee Higgins (38th), and Laviska Shenault (39th) all present very good value if any were to fall to the Steelers in the second round. Just outside of that group, players like Michael Pittman Jr. (46th), and K.J. Hamler (48th) would be considered just above draft value.
Offensive line is also a possibility for the Steelers this year. Because many of the top offensive tackles are sure to be off the board, they could have an interest in interior offensive linemen Cesar Ruiz and Llyod Cushenberry at pick 49. Ruiz would be a solid value pick as the 43rd ranked player overall, while Cushenberry would be considered a reach – landing at 66th on the consensus board.
On the defensive side of the ball, outside linebacker Zack Baun is the 24th ranked player and a longshot to make it to their pick, while potential draft candidates like Ross Blacklock (34th), Jaylon Johnson (41st), Justin Madubuike (45th), and Marlon Davidson (47th) all present solid value at 49.
Based on the consensus board rankings, some of the potential offensive candidates that would be considered reaches for the Steelers include Isaiah Wilson (56th), Cole Kmet (58th), Ezra Cleveland (59th), Chase Claypool (62nd), and Cam Akers (63rd). Defensively, players like Neville Gallimore (53rd), Josh Uche (54th), Julian Okwara (55th), Terrell Lewis (57th), and Curtis Weaver (64th would be considered slight reaches at pick 49.
With the draft looming, all hardcore NFL fans should take some time to familiarize themselves with consensus 2020 NFL Draft rankings. It’s hard to know who the Steelers will take early in the draft, but this guide will help us determine whether or not Pittsburgh made a good value selection.