2020 NFL Draft IDP Review: AFC

The AFC made huge splashes in the NFL Draft mostly on the offensive side of the ball. Several teams focused hugely on defense, the Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens particularly. The Buffalo Bills strengthened an already-stout defense and the New England Patriots addressed a few huge needs. The Cleveland Browns drafted some underrated players which could return huge dividends. Las Vegas retooled their secondary as well.

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills

AJ Epenesa, DE (Round 2, Pick 54)

One of the toughest defensive units in the NFL adds one of the best ends in the class. Epenesa will rotate in right away and help year one. He has a few elite moves and his swipe move is simply nasty. He has great instincts and anticipates moves well. He is also solid in run defense. He is the third defensive end in my rankings and would be a great target later in the third round of mixed rookie drafts.

Dane Jackson, CB (Round 7, Pick 239)

Jackson is a tenacious and sticky corner. He does have a slight frame which could be a liability. He doesn’t give up easily but will likely be a slot corner at best and a non-factor in IDP leagues.

Miami Dolphins

Noah Igbinoghene, CB (Round 1, Pick 30)

The Auburn corner isn’t afraid to stick receivers at the line and loves to hit when in run support. Igbinoghene is also surprisingly agile and moves well. He is a rare combination of power and athleticism but is a raw prospect with much to learn. He likely will not play right away as well. He is a later round target in balanced scoring leagues. He should get tackle opportunities as he grows and if the Dolphins move on from Xavien Howard after 2020.

Raekwon Davis, DT (Round 2, Pick 57)

Davis will team up with last year’s draft pick Christian Wilkins to give the Fins a solid duo to build around. Davis is a strong, stout, and huge interior presence. He is a tough run defender but not much of a factor in pass rushing. I am not targeting him in rookie drafts at all as he will be a much better NFL asset than IDP asset.

Brandon Jones, S (Round 3, Pick 70)

Jones was a downhill thumper at the University of Texas and projects to be the same in the NFL. He plays better with the play in front of him and has a relentless motor. He is slightly undersized to play the box safety role and needs work on instincts. He is worth a later round grab in mixed rookie drafts and could develop into a solid strong safety over time.

Jason Strowbridge, DE (Round 5, Pick 154)

This was a puzzling pick to me, Strowbridge is a solid end but not overwhelming in any area. He is sound in run defense with a motor and good mental processing. His burst and lack of agility seemed to limit him tremendously. He was often overmatched and taken out of plays. He could be a rotational player but is not an IDP asset for me at all, and is undraftable in most leagues.

Curtis Weaver, DE (Round 5, Pick 164)

Weaver dominated inferior competition and looked like a tremendous end in college. He has great acceleration and has an array of polished moves. He can drop back in coverage and has good moves and agility. When he faced tougher offensive lineman, he was at times overmatched. Weaver is worth a later round dart throw in rookie drafts – he could be a solid IDP asset with some added strength and refinement.

New England Patriots

Kyle Dugger, S (Round 2, Pick 37)

The Patriots grabbed the athletic Division II safety at the beginning of the second round after trading back. Dugger brings some thump in his game, he loves to hit and is a sound tackler as well. He is good in coverage – athletic and smooth enough to cover tight ends and running backs. His strength is in run defense and he will be a solid IDP safety asset. He will need a little time to grasp the NFL game. I currently have him as my second-ranked safety in the class and would be targeting him at the end of the fourth round in mixed rookie drafts.

Josh Uche, DE (Round 2, Pick 60)

Uche finally saw playing time as a senior and then impressed at the Senior Bowl. He is a versatile player with insane urgency. He has good moves while rushing the passer, with bend and agility. He has the athleticism to drop back in coverage as well. He will also need time to grasp the NFL game but there is a lot to build on. He’s a late-round flier in IDP drafts, he likely will be a better NFL player than IDP asset.

Anfernee Jennings, DE (Round 3, Pick 87)

The Alabama defensive end will likely see the field early and give the Pats an instant source of pressure. He has the moves and strength to have a role immediately. He is smart and understands his role. He is worth a late target in rookie drafts but will likely never be a dependable IDP contributor.

Cassh Maluia, LB (Round 6, Pick 204)

The Wyoming linebacker was not on my list to be drafted but he does have a few tantalizing traits. He is an athletic linebacker with range to cover. He struggles shedding blockers and his instincts are lacking. Maluia is not worth an add except in super-deep leagues.

New York Jets

Ashtyn Davis, S (Round 3, Pick 68)

Davis was drafted into a good secondary which already features Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye. He is a competitive defender, loves to come into the box and hit, and also is solid in coverage. He is not a drop deep and cover free safety type, but not quite physical enough to play strong safety. He is a target later in rookie drafts – fifth round or later. It will be tough for him to produce consistent numbers for IDP squads.

Jabari Zuniga, DE (Round 3, Pick 79)

At times, Zuniga looked like one of the best edge-rushing ends in the class. At times, he looked like an undrafted free agent. He converts speed to power and has power in bunches. He covers a lot of ground and can bend the edge at times as well. If all of this is consistent – he could be a rookie you grab later with huge returns. Target him in the fifth round if he is still on your boards.

Bryce Hall, CB (Round 5, Pick 168)

Hall slipped to the fifth round and is a corner I liked a lot going into the draft. He doesn’t have the athleticism and quickness to be an elite corner but he does have physicality and tenacity in pass coverage and should fit into the Jets’ scheme. He will likely be a solid source of tackles and has potential to be a solid IDP asset, a late-round target in rookie drafts if you need a corner.

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens

Patrick Queen, LB (Round 1, Pick 28)

The former Tiger lands in one of the best spots possible for a defender and the Ravens need an inside linebacker to lead the defense. Queen is a rangy and athletic player who will never have to leave the field. He is effective in stopping the run and good in coverage. The Baltimore defensive system is a ripe one to produce top linebacker scores. They have been searching for their LB1 since the departure of CJ Mosley. He is my second-ranked defender in the class and should be targeted in the latter half of the second round.

Justin Madubuike, DT (Round 3, Pick 71)

The Ravens draft so intelligently and Madubuike is a great fit in their defense. He is explosive off the snap and has a great array of moves. He has good lower body strength and works off blocks well. He is a good target later in drafts that have balanced scoring and could produce decent numbers from the middle of the Baltimore defense.

Malik Harrison, LB (Round 3, Pick 98)

Harrison gives the Ravens another tough linebacker to pair with Queen. He is more of a run thumper and was not asked to drop in coverage much while at Ohio State. He plays with a violent streak and disrupts play, often causing havoc which allows teammates to clean up with a tackle for loss. He should produce solid LB3 numbers so look to target him later in the fourth or possibly fifth round.

Broderick Washington Jr., DT (Round 5, Pick 170)

Washington is a huge, run-stuffing interior tackle and will rotate in early on running downs. He is a load to deal with and fills gaps to force runners out to the tackling defenders. He is not someone I am targeting in mixed rookie drafts though as he won’t be an IDP asset except on deep rosters.

Geno Stone, S (Round 7, Pick 219)

Stone is a nasty safety from Iowa and one of the toughest hitters in the draft. Slightly limited athletically, he will be a downhill safety and a rotational piece initially. At this point, I am not attempting to draft him but a name to keep on your radar.

Cincinnati Bengals

Logan Wilson, LB (Round 3, Pick 65)

The Bengals quietly had an exceptional draft and the trio of linebackers here addressed a big need. Wilson is a productive four-year starter from Wyoming, and was captain three years. He is a sound tackler and reads plays exceptionally. He keeps plays in front of him and has the athleticism to develop in pass coverage. He is currently a target in the later third round of mixed rookie drafts as he should be a consistent source of tackles.

Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB Round 4, Pick 107)

Davis-Gaither is a rangy player with solid coverage skills and a great special teams player. He can play inside or outside and will likely spell Wilson and Germaine Pratt in times of need. He is explosive and has the speed to be an effective blitzer. He is a late-round target at best as he will play but likely not be productive enough for IDP.

Khalid Kareem, DE (Round 5, Pick 147)

Kareem was productive at Notre Dame, and could work his way into a productive role with Cincinnati. He is a balanced end – good at setting the end, rushing the passer, and can also drop back in coverage. He will likely be a good role player with the Bengals, in time working into IDP relevance, but for the time being he would just be a depth piece on deep IDP rosters.

Markus Bailey, LB (Round 7, Pick 215)

Bailey is an athletic linebacker with good range in coverage and a solid pass rusher. He is a smart player who dealt with injuries while at Purdue his entire career. He’s another depth piece and not an asset for IDP rosters.

Cleveland Browns

Grant Delpit, Safety (Round 2, Pick 44)

At this spot in the draft, Delpit was nearly a steal for the Browns based on potential. He was a consensus top safety before the season but struggled with tackling issues in 2019. His athletic ability and mental processing are the best in the class. If he can overcome his tackling issues, he could be the steal of the draft. In a mixed IDP draft, the earliest I consider Delpit is the latter half of the third round. He is an avoid for me – let someone else take the risk by drafting him due to his name.

Jordan Elliott, DT (Round 3, Pick 88)

Elliott only started for one season but looked like he could be productive in the NFL. He is a tough run-stopper and great at filling gaps. He plays with a high motor and is slippery when engaged. He can generate pressure from the middle as well. From an IDP standpoint, he is a deeper league late-round pick.

Jacob Phillips, LB (Round 3, Pick 97)

Another player with limited starting experience, Phillips could end up being another steal for the Browns. He is a smart linebacker with good instincts and range who makes plays all over the field. He is used to leading defenses when he is on the field. He could develop into a good middle linebacker and is worth a later round target in IDP drafts.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Alex Highsmith, LB (Round 3, Pick 102)

Highsmith is a small school linebacker with some enticing traits. He is explosive with great short-area agility. He has a tremendous motor and uses his hands to fight off blockers well. He projects to be a solid outside linebacker who can get at quarterbacks and not be a run liability. From an IDP standpoint, he is only worth a deep stash at this time.

Antoine Brooks Jr., S (Round 6, Pick 198)

Strictly a run-stopping downhill thumper, Brooks will give the Steelers a depth safety and someone who could develop into more. He loves to blow stuff up and is a violent hitter but a liability in coverage. I am not targeting him in IDP drafts but if the chips fall right, he could become a box safety who produces. Keep him on your radar.

Carlos Davis, DT (Round 7, Pick 232)

Davis is a huge tackle who can eat up multiple linemen and clog up the middle. He is not an IDP asset even in the deepest leagues.

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos

Michael Ojemudia, CB (Round 3, Pick 77)

Ojemudia is a well-rounded coverage corner who could be a solid starter for the Broncos. He has great instincts in coverage and has fluid movement. He is tough and likes to get physical at the line of scrimmage. He struggles in run coverage and I don’t see him being startable in IDP leagues.

McTelvin Agim, DT (Round 3, Pick 95)

The former Razorback gives the Broncos a potential day-one starter, Algim has impressive short-area quickness and phenomenal acceleration off the snap. He is slippery when blocked and great lateral movement. He could be a solid rotational starter and as far as IDP, a potential late-round depth grab at best.

Justin Strnad, LB (Round 5, Pick 178)

Strnad is an older linebacker with impressive range and coverage ability. His play speed and athleticism will translate well and he will play his way onto the field. The Broncos will love his playing style but IDP owners won’t find a lot of success with him on their roster.

Derrek Tuszka, DE (Round 7, Pick 254)

Tuszka might be moved to outside linebacker where he can rotate in as a situational pass rusher. He has great hands, solid moves, and showcased solid athleticism at the Combine. He may make a small splash in the NFL but not on IDP teams.

Kansas City Chiefs

Willie Gay, LB (Round 2, Pick 63)

The former Mississippi State linebacker could be the answer the Chiefs have been searching for at linebacker. He has great size and speed to play an every-down role in the NFL. He is smart playing the run and keeps plays in front of him. He started only six games but looked impressive. He is the fourth linebacker off the board for me as his opportunity should be ripe for production.

L’Jarius Sneed, S (Round 4, Pick 138)

A product of FBS school Louisiana Tech, Sneed is a versatile defender which can play cornerback or safety. He is a ballhawk with good speed and clocked a 4.37-second 40-yard dash at the Combine. He is someone the Chiefs can use at several spots and likely is not an IDP asset unless his role grows and he contributes with turnovers and tackles.

Mike Danna, DE (Round 5, Pick 177)

Danna lacks in the athleticism department but he brings a high motor and high character to the Chiefs’ defensive line. He is best as a rotational piece and likely will not help out an IDP roster.

Thakarius Keyes, CB (Round 7, Pick 237)

Keyes is a lengthy corner good in man-to-man coverage. He needs to work on physicality and tackling form to be a starter in the NFL. He is another corner not draftable as far as IDP goes.

Los Angeles Chargers

Kenneth Murray, LB (Round 1, Pick 23)

The Chargers have also been searching for a good middle linebacker and Murray fits the bill. I could watch Murray play all day – he is always around the ball and plays with so much intensity. He attacks and has great range, can play in coverage, and is a vicious tackler. Occasionally his motor takes him out of position and he can get dinged up playing so physically. He is the second linebacker off the board for me and a target late in the second round or early third.

Alohi Gilman, S (Round 6, Pick 186)

Gilman is another downhill attacker and gives the Chargers another player with pop. He raked in loads of tackles at Notre Dame and is always attacking the ball. The Chargers have a stacked defense and he may not see many tackle opportunities without an injury on the depth chart. Gilman is definitely worth a late-round grab, especially in deeper leagues.

Las Vegas Raiders

Damon Arnette, CB (Round 1, Pick 19)

The Raiders grabbed the other corner from Ohio State with the 19th pick and surprised nearly everyone. He is a physical corner with sound technique and great awareness. He was projected to go much later in the draft but he is not a bad corner. He could be an IDP asset if your league uses balanced scoring, he should see tackle opportunities if he gets the starting nod.

Tanner Muse, S (Round 3, Pick 100)

Muse is a player I love and will probably be much better of an NFL player than IDP asset. He plays with tremendous hustle and urgency. He can handle tight ends and backs in coverage as well. He may fit better as an outside linebacker and has a blue-collar mentality that is infectious to his teammates. I am targeting him later in drafts, I like his playstyle and he could be a solid IDP asset.

Amik Robertson, CB (Round 4, Pick 139)

A feisty and physical corner, Robertson should start as a nickel corner this season. He is sound in run defense and has great anticipation. He had 14 picks and 34 pass deflections in college – his instincts are a strength. He is a smaller corner so he likely will never be the top corner for his team and also will not be a consistent IDP contributor.