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Diamonds in the rough heading into the 2020 NFL Draft
Antoine Winfield Jr. could be a steal in the draft. Jesse Johnson/USA Today Images

Diamonds in the rough heading into the 2020 NFL Draft

The early picks in the NFL draft get most of the attention from fans and analysts, but finding quality players after the first round is what often turns good teams into great teams. These 20 players have the potential to be difference makers at the next level despite likely falling out of the first round of the 2020 draft.

 
1 of 20

Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State

Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
Darren Yamashita / USA Today Sports Images

Aiyuk is overlooked in a great wide receiver class, but he has a chance for stardom. The JUCO transfer exploded for the Sun Devils last season with 1,192 yards (18.3 yards per reception) and is terrific with the ball in his hands. He could sneak into the late first round.

 
2 of 20

Ben Bartch, OT, St. John's (MN)

Ben Bartch, OT, St. John's (MN)
Vasha Hunt / USA Today Sports Images

Bartch moved over from tight end to tackle at Division III St. John's and is now looking at the possibility of being a Day 2 pick. His inexperience at the position might make some teams nervous, but Bartch has eye-popping athleticism for an offensive lineman.

 
3 of 20

Tyler Biadasz, C, Wisconsin

Tyler Biadasz, C, Wisconsin
Douglas DeFelice / USA Today Sports Images

Although his draft stock probably puts him in the Round 3-4 range, Biadasz is a safe NFL starter for that relatively minimal investment. He started three seasons at center for the Badgers and won the Rimington Trophy as the country's top center.

 
4 of 20

Lynn Bowden Jr., WR, Kentucky

Lynn Bowden Jr., WR, Kentucky
Jim Dedmon / USA Today Sports Images

The Wildcats put Bowden at quarterback out of necessity last season, which shows his athleticism and playmaking ability. He did have 114 receptions in three seasons at Kentucky and has also proved to be a capable returner. Bowden could be a nice fit as a slot receiver.

 
5 of 20

Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois

Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

Chinn had a terrific combine given his size as a 6-foot-3 safety. He had a highly productive career against inferior competition at SIU and has the coverage skills to play in a variety of roles.

 
6 of 20

Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame

Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame
Matt Cashore / USA Today Sports Images

Whether he ends up at wide receiver or tight end in the NFL, Claypool has the pass-catching potential to be a fine player. Standing at 6-foot-4, he ran a 4.42 second 40-yard dash at the combine after finishing his senior season with 1,037 yards and 13 scores. He's safely forecast as a Day 2 pick.

 
7 of 20

Bryan Edwards, WR, South Carolina

Bryan Edwards, WR, South Carolina
Randy Sartin / USA Today Sports Images

Edwards didn't put up huge numbers in college and didn't test at the combine due to a foot injury. Those factors could push him toward Day 3, but there's still interesting potential for a 6-foot-3 wide receiver who had 71 catches in only 10 games during his senior season for the Gamecocks.

 
8 of 20

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU
Brett Davis / USA Today Sports Images

Edwards-Helaire is the best receiving running back in the draft, a feature that should make him attractive to most NFL offenses. He's no slouch as a runner either, averaging 6.6 yards per carry for LSU last season on top of his 55 receptions. Edwards-Helaire's 4.6 second 40 time at the combine does hurt his stock slightly, but he could be an every-down back in his rookie season.

 
9 of 20

Leki Fotu, DT, Utah

Leki Fotu, DT, Utah
Joe Camporeale / USA Today Sports Images

Measuring up at 6-foot-5, 330 pounds, Fotu is a massive run stuffer who has nose tackle written all over him. He will be pushed down in the draft because of his lack of pass rushing ability, but Fotu is a safe NFL starter who could be had in Rounds 3-5.

 
10 of 20

Willie Gay Jr., LB, Mississippi State

Willie Gay Jr., LB, Mississippi State
Matt Bush / USA Today Sports Images

Gay's final season at Mississippi State was cut short due to off-field issues, but he has first-round upside after the playmaking ability he did show when on the field. He tested well at the combine and could be a Day 2 pick.

 
11 of 20

K.J. Hamler, WR, Penn State

K.J. Hamler, WR, Penn State
Rich Barnes / USA Today Sports Images

Hamler is an undersized slot receiver prospect with explosive speed.  He averaged 16.9 yards per catch in two seasons at Penn State and also contributed regularly as a return man. He's among the exciting potential first-round prospects who make the 2020 wide receiver class so impressive.

 
12 of 20

Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma

Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma
Jason Getz / USA Today Sports Images

Hurts is hardly an unknown. In fact, he's one of the most well-known prospects in the 2020 draft class, but the college star is likely to drop well past Day 1. However, with the success of Lamar Jackson in the NFL, Hurts should draw plenty of interest from teams and has the multi-faceted ability to be a quarterback whom teams could build around in the NFL.

 
13 of 20

Van Jefferson, WR, Florida

Van Jefferson, WR, Florida
Melina Myers / USA Today Sports Images

The son of Jets wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson, Van didn't put up big numbers in college at either Ole Miss or Florida. However, he's a terrific route runner with enough size to play any wide receiver position. He's likely to fall into Day 2 but could make an immediate impact in his rookie season.

 
14 of 20

Terrell Lewis, DE, Alabama

Terrell Lewis, DE, Alabama
Vasha Hunt / USA Today Sports Images

In a draft without many impressive edge rushers, Lewis is an excellent sleeper. He missed a lot of time in college due to injuries, which could be a red flag for some teams. Still, Lewis recorded six sacks in 10 games at Alabama last year and has the frame that teams dream about on the edge. He's a Day 2 pick with top 10 upside.

 
15 of 20

James Lynch, DT, Baylor

James Lynch, DT, Baylor
Jerome Miron / USA Today Sports Images

A breakout junior season puts Lynch on the Day 2 radar as an interior pass rusher. He had 13.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss in 14 games last season, showing rare upside for his position.

 
16 of 20

Thaddeus Moss, TE, LSU

Thaddeus Moss, TE, LSU
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

The son of NFL Hall of Famer Randy Moss, Thaddeus is slightly undersized for a tight end, at 6-foot-2, and he has had foot problems. He certainly doesn't have the electrifying speed of his father, but Moss does have good hands and could develop quickly for a Day 3 tight end pick.

 
17 of 20

Zack Moss, RB, Utah

Zack Moss, RB, Utah
Daniel Dunn / USA Today Sports Images

Moss doesn't have the type of profile that will play 10 years in the league, but the bruising back could be a rookie starter. He ran for more than 1,000 yards in three straight seasons at Utah and has also proved to be a more than adequate pass catcher. A slow 40 time at the combine could push him to as late as Day 3 in the draft.

 
18 of 20

Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC

Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

The son of the former NFL running back, Pittman was everywhere in his senior season at USC with 101 catches for 1,275 yards and 11 touchdowns in 13 games. He doesn't have elite speed but should be a reliable red-zone target for a Day 2 pick.

 
19 of 20

Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU

Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
Kevin Jairaj / USA Today Sports Images

Reagor had a disappointing junior season due to TCU's quarterback play but had more than 1,000 yards in 2018. He's a scary player with the ball in his hands due to his explosive speed, and he can also contribute as a returner. Reagor could be a plug-and-play in the slot as a Day 2 pick.

 
20 of 20

Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota

Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota
Jesse Johnson / USA Today Sports Images

The son of the long-time NFL cornerback, Winfield is undersized at 5-foot-9 but has shown excellent versatility in college. He's willing to get his nose dirty, with 83 tackles and seven interceptions last season, and he has the football smarts to be a quick study as a rookie. He could be drafted as early as Day 1, but Day 2 seems more likely.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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