Current buzz with only days until NFL draft

There is no indication that the Miami Dolphins’ interest in Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa has cooled.

The Dolphins with pick No. 5 and the Chargers with No. 6 like Tagovailoa, and either could try to trade up to get their guy. There is also interest from both teams in Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert as well.

There is much speculation that the Lions will not be making the No. 3 overall pick in this draft. Looking to trade down, it seems a team targeting Tagovailoa or Herbert would be talking extensively with Detroit.

Another story that the Jaguars are trying to trade running back Leonard Fournette means a team looking to win now might want to give up draft capital for the workhorse runner.

Some players have been flagged for a failed drug test at the combine but so far the only confirmed case was offensive tackle Mekhi Becton, a first round prospect from Louisville. I don’t think it will hurt his draft stock much but he will face a two-month testing program once he enters the league.

Quarterback Jordan Love from Utah State is an interesting prospect to watch on draft day. He is all over the map in the many mock drafts, from a top 10 selection to where he probably will go in the bottom third of round one. Some mocks have him going to the Saints at No. 24. If Sean Payton sees star potential, it could happen.

The wide receivers are expected to go early but there is speculation the offensive tackles could slide down a bit. Tristan Wirfs (Iowa) and Jedrick Wills (Alabama) are still top options but Becton may slide as well. Andrew Thomas should maintain his top 15 draft position due to his experience and extensive film showing what he can do.

There seems to be very little interest in the running back position in round one. Most mocks have only one running back in the first round, D’Andre Smith from Georgia. There are some very talented running backs in this draft but the draft value of running backs has declined over the past 10 years.

Jonathan Taylor of Wisconsin is a very good blend of power and speed but has not been used in the passing game. J. K. Dobbins Ohio St. is a patient runner with great instincts. LSU’s Clyde Edwards-Helaire brings excellent athleticism and production to the position. All three could be value picks on day two of the draft.

There are prospects that I am a bit hesitant about that are rated high. It may surprise some but Chase Young, the top rated edge out of Ohio State expected to go with pick No. 2 to the Redskins, may not be as much of a sure thing as his rating by some as the best overall player in the entire draft. He seemed to disappear in the last three games of the 2019 season when the Buckeyes were battling for championships.

Of course, Tagovailoa’s injury question makrs may be the top story of the 2020 draft.

K’Lavon Chaisson, the edge rusher of out LSU, is athletic with speed and quickness but is undersized. That limits him perhaps to teams who would use him as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Chaisson missed the 2018 season with a torn ACL and still needs more experience.

LSU’s Patrick Queen had a strong finish to the season but he is undersized, lacks length. His inexperience is a negative as well. Projection is a big part of the draft process, and that’s what teams who see Queen as a first round pick are doing based on just one season to evaluate.