Daniel Jeremiah updates top 50 draft prospect rankings
With the draft less than three weeks away, NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah released the fourth edition of his Top 50: 2020 NFL Draft prospect rankings. The top five remained the same as last month, with Ohio State EDGE Chase Young coming in at number one, followed (in order) by LSU QB Joe Burrow, Clemson LB/S Isaiah Simmons, Auburn DT Derrick Brown and Ohio State CB Jeff Okudah.
Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa moved up to No. 6, while Louisville OT Mekhi Becton, still the top ranked offensive lineman according to Jeremiah's rankings, moved down to No. 7. Becton is no longer the only offensive lineman in the top 10 though, as Alabama's Jedrick Wills moved up two slots and now comes in at No. 10.
Some of the biggest risers in this edition of Jeremiah's rankings were Oklahoma LB Kenneth Murray (up to No. 18 from No. 22), Arizona State WR Brandon Aiyuk (up to No. 24 from No. 27), Wisconsin LB Zack Baun (up to No. 33 from No. 38), and Southern Illinois LB Jeremy Chinn (up to No. 43 from No. 48).
LSU C Llyod Cushenberry (No. 49) and Oklahoma QB Jalen Hurts (No. 50) joined the top 50 after previously being unranked.
Some of the biggest fallers in Jeremiah's rankings were Alabama S Xavier McKinney (dropped to No. 22 from No. 18), Iowa EDGE A.J. Epenesa (dropped to No. 26 from No. 24), USC OT Austin Jackson (dropped to No. 28 from No. 26), LSU S Grant Delpit (dropped to No. 38 from No. 33) and Oklahoma DT Neville Gallimore (dropped out of the rankings from No. 45). Ohio State CB Damon Arnette is also now unranked after coming in at No. 50 last month.
Check out photos of every prospect in Daniel Jeremiah's top 50 NFL Draft prospect rankings in the gallery below.
Fackrell adds versatility, ability to get to the quarterback to Giants D
Outside linebacker Kyler Fackrell spoke to the New York media for the first time on Thursday. The newest Giants defender will provide the team with some versatility at the linebacker position. In 2018, his third season in the NFL, Fackrell racked up 10.5 sacks as a member of the Green Bay Packers, highlighting his ability to get to the quarterback.
But Fackrell offers more than just his pass rushing abilities. In his four seasons in the league, the 6-foot-5 linebacker has proven to also be able to cover tight ends and running backs. In fact, Blake Martinez, who spent all four years in Green Bay with Fackrell and will join him as part of the Giants' new linebacker corps, referred to him as "one of the best zone coverage linebackers in the NFL."
Fackrell will now be reunited with defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, who served as the linebackers coach in Green Bay for the 2018 season.
"I'm super excited," Fackrell said. "I've heard nothing but great things about the Giants organization, and obviously, I know Pat Graham pretty well. He's a great coach, he's a great dude. I know my wife really loved his wife. We're really excited to get out there."
While players have been unable to talk game plan with the new coaching staff, Fackrell feels confident that Graham will allow him to showcase his entire skill set.
"As a 3-4 outside linebacker, I like to rush," Fackrell said. "That's what I prefer to do. But I definitely recognize the value in being able to drop from the outside linebacker position and having kind of that versatility. That's something that is a big deal for me, to be able to be in space and to try to make plays just as much as rushing the passer."
Fleming thrilled about reuniting with Jason Garrett, Marc Colombo
Offensive tackle Cam Fleming was the second member of the Giants to be introduced to the New York media on Thursday. Fleming spent his first four seasons with the New England Patriots and Joe Judge. While he admitted to not spending a ton of time with Judge due to limited snaps on special teams, Fleming said he was excited to get to work with his new head coach, who he described as a "high-energy guy."
While Fleming may not have gotten a ton of exposure to his new coach during his time in New England, the same cannot be said about his tenure with the Dallas Cowboys. Fleming spent the last two seasons in Dallas with Giants offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, who was then the Cowboys' head coach, and offensive line coach Marc Colombo, who held the same position in Dallas. The offensive lineman did not deny the fact that these two coaches were a "big factor" in him deciding to sign with the Giants.
"You're talking about two coaches that I've worked with for the past two years," Fleming said. "They know exactly what I can do. They definitely believed in me enough to try to get me with them when they went to the Giants."
Fleming grew a special appreciation for his offensive line coach while a member of the Cowboys. Colombo, who played 10 seasons in the NFL as an offensive lineman, is very knowledgeable and is not afraid to show some passion.
"I love playing for Coach Colombo," Fleming said. "He's excited about football every day. He comes in with that energy, that big Boston accent. A lot of passion coming out of him. He has a really good focus on technique. He spends a lot of time workshopping us. He does a really good job of fine-tuning. We watch a lot of individual film to make sure that our techniques are where they need to be.
"I think him playing, he knows exactly what it takes to survive in this league. He played a long time. He obviously picked a few things up in his ten-plus years playing professional football. He has a knowledge on both sides that really help."
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