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Football analyst- Mel Kiper has served as an NFL draft analyst for ESPN since 1984. He is a regular contributor on "SportsCenter," ESPN studio shows and ESPN Radio. He is the co-host of the First Draft podcast, and he writes regularly for ESPN+.
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senior NFL draft analyst- Todd McShay is a senior NFL draft analyst for ESPN, providing in-depth scouting reports on the nation's top pro prospects. He also serves as a college football field analyst on Saturdays in the fall. Todd joined ESPN in 2006 and contributes to SportsCenter, NFL Live, College Football Live and ESPN Radio. He is a Massachusetts native and was a backup quarterback at the University of Richmond. You can follow Todd on Twitter via @McShay13.
Welcome to 2020 NFL draft season. The College Football Playoff field is set, the Heisman race is all but over, and we're 135 days away from the first round, which is April 23 in Las Vegas. That means it's time for ESPN NFL draft experts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay to tell you what you need to know about the Class of 2020.
A lot has changed since Kiper and McShay previewed the class heading into the season, including the meteoric rise of LSU's Joe Burrow and a devastating injury to Tua Tagovailoa. But a lot has remained the same, too.
What's next for Burrow and Tagovailoa? Which other quarterbacks could go in Round 1? Could a pass-rusher go No. 1 over the QBs? Kiper and McShay answer 30 big questions to get you ready for the draft:
Who's the No. 1 prospect now?
Kiper: Thank you for an easy one to start. It's Ohio State edge rusher Chase Young, who has 16.5 sacks and is on a run of dominance. He's clearly the best prospect in this class, and I expect him to stay at the top of my Big Board through April.
Now, that doesn't mean Young is a lock to be the No. 1 pick, particularly if the Bengals keep losing. Teams covet quarterbacks. And LSU's Joe Burrow, the best quarterback on my board, could be a franchise-changing player.
Is Burrow the clear top quarterback?
McShay: Yes, particularly following Tua Tagovailoa's season-ending hip injury. No player in the 2020 class has improved his stock like Burrow, going from fringe prospect before the season to potential No. 1 overall pick. Burrow's rise is very similar to Baker Mayfield's and Kyler Murray's the past two years. Burrow has shown elite accuracy and anticipation on throws, and I really like his pocket presence and toughness. Oregon's Justin Herbert is the No. 2 QB in my rankings -- No. 5 overall -- but he hasn't been nearly as consistent as Burrow this season.
If Tagovailoa were completely healthy, this QB picture would be much cloudier -- the Alabama lefty would still be QB1 for me if this was based on talent and tape alone. He is a special prospect, with incredible accuracy at all levels, a strong arm and great vision.
What are the chances Tagovailoa drops out of Round 1?
Kiper: Slim to none -- if there are no setbacks in his rehab from his hip injury. As you said, Todd, Tagovailoa is just too gifted. You're talking about the best pure passer in this class. Could he drop to the middle of the first round because of the injury? Yes. But he's going to go earlier than most people think. And some team is going to find its quarterback of the future.
Should the Bengals target a quarterback if they get the No. 1 pick?
McShay: They absolutely need to. I'm going to have a higher grade on Young than I did on former Ohio State pass-rushers Joey and Nick Bosa, but the Bengals -- or any team, for that matter -- can't compete for a Super Bowl without a top-tier quarterback. Andy Dalton could be gone this offseason, and while I liked rookie fourth-round pick Ryan Finley coming out of NC State, he doesn't have the ceiling of Burrow, Tagovailoa or Herbert. Go get your quarterback, Bengals!