VYPE Houston 2020 NFL Draft Tracker
The pick is in.
With one sentence, lives will be changed during tonight's 2020 NFL Draft, which for the first time in its history is being done virtually. According to multiple NFL Mock Drafts, the Houston-area should shine in the first 32 selections.
VYPE will be watching along with everyone else and be reacting to the Houston-area kids being picked as the night goes on. Below we will be updated our VYPE Draft Board as the night and weekend progresses as well as reaction from the VYPE Staff.
The Picks Are In!
1) CeeDee Lamb, WR Oklahoma (Foster HS) - Dallas Cowboys (17th overall)
2) K'Lavon Chaisson, DE LSU (North Shore HS) - Jacksonville Jaguars (20th overall)
3) Kenneth Murray, LB Oklahoma (Fort Bend Elkins HS) - Los Angeles Chargers (23rd overall)
4) Jordyn Brooks, LB Texas Tech (Stratford HS) - Seattle Seahawks (27th overall)
5) Ross Blacklock, DT TCU (Fort Bend Elkins HS) - Houston Texans (40th overall)
6) Grant Delpit S LSU (St. Thomas/IMG Academy) - Cleveland Browns (44th overall)
7) Antoine Winfield, S Minnesota (The Woodlands HS) - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (45th overall)
8) Jalen Hurts, QB Oklahoma (Channelview HS) - Philadelphia Eagles (53rd overall)
9) Josh Jones, OL Houston (Fort Bend Bush HS) - Arizona Cardinals (72nd overall)
10) Jordan Elliott, DT Missouri (Westside HS) - Cleveland Browns (88th overalll)
11) Bravvion Roy, DT Baylor (Spring HS) - Carolina Panthers (184th overall)
12) Braden Mann, P Texas A&M (Cy-Fair HS) - New York Jets (191st overall)
13) Tyrie Cleveland, WR Florida (Westfield HS) - Denver Broncos (252nd overall)
14) Sewo Olonilua, RB TCU (Kingwood HS) - Dallas Cowboys - UFA
15) Patrick Taylor Jr., RB Memphis (Atascocita HS) - Green Bay Packers - UFA
16) Cordel Iwuagwu. OL TCU (Westfield HS) - Houston Texans - UFA
17) Darrell Stewart Jr., WR Michigan State (Nimitz HS) - Green Bay Packers - UFA
18) Quartney Davis, TE Texas A&M (Langham Creek HS) -Minnesota Vikings - UFA
19) Chase Harrell, WR Arkansas (Huffman HS) - San Francisco 49ers - UFA
20) Xavier Jones, RB SMU (Spring HS) - Los Angeles Chargers - UFA
21) Rodney Clemons, S SMU (Katy Taylor HS) - Kansas City Chiefs - UFA
22) Darius Anderson, RB TCU (George Ranch HS) -
23) Spencer Nigh, Auburn (Magnolia HS) - Pittsburgh Steelers - UFA
24) Kema Siverand, Oklahoma State (Cypress Ridge HS) - Seattle Seahawks - UFA
25) Travis Bruffy, Texas Tech (Ridge Point HS) - Green Bay Packers - UFA
26) Frankie Griffin, Texas State (Klein Collins HS) - Green Bay Packers - UFA
27) Patrick Carr, University of Houston (The Woodlands HS) - Seattle Seahawks - UFA
The Breakdown
No. 17 overall - CeeDee Lamb (Oklahoma/Foster HS) - Dallas Cowboys
Koch's Breakdown: CeeDee Lamb is heading to Dallas! What a get for the Cowboys at No. 17. Dak Prescott has an awesome new weapon to complement Amari Cooper on the other side of the formation. This is another young weapon for the Cowboys.
Malatesta's Breakdown: What a pick for the Dallas Cowboys? One of the top WRs in the draft dropped to them at No. 17. He will be great being opposite of Amari Cooper. The Foster Falcon couldn't have been selected by a better team – good QB, great OL, great RB, great No. 1 WR – No pressure.
No. 20 overall - K'Lavon Chaisson (LSU/North Shore HS) - Jacksonville Jaguars
Koch's Breakdown: K'Lavon Chaisson is heading to Jacksonville. The former North Shore star becomes the first player in the history of the Mustangs program to be taken in the first round. Chaisson becomes the 14th player all-time to be taken out of North Shore, according to profootballreference.com. Chaisson teaming up with Kyle Allen on that defensive line is going to be a fun combo to watch. The Texans will now have to try and stop Chaisson twice a year. What's neat about this is, Chaisson will get to get his Houston homecoming at NRG Stadium, which is the place he won the 2015 Class 6A Division I State Title.
Malatesta's Breakdown: The OLB won a state title, a college Natty and now has work to do with the Jacksonville Jags. The LSU defender can play OLB or DE. He joins LSU brother Leonard Fournette… for now. He's a little smaller Danielle Hunter of the Minnesota Vikings – also from Houston and LSU.
VYPE Story: North Shore coach Jon Kay reminisces about Chaisson in High School
HS Coach Thoughts: "I think the best football of his career is ahead of him. He's not a guy that's peaked out. I think he's got a lot of football ahead of him. He's going to learn a lot more. He's the kind of athlete that has the physical tools and the mental capacity to put it all together and be the kind of player that can stand out in the league." - North Shore coach Jon Kay
No. 23 overall - Kenneth Murray (Oklahoma/Fort Bend Elkins) - Los Angeles Chargers
Koch's Breakdown: Kenneth Murray is heading to the Chargers. Murray joins a defense that has Joey Bosa on it already and he gets to head to sunny LA! Murray joins former Elkins players like Atlanta Falcon Jake Matthews and Jacksonville Jaguar D.J. Hayden to be a first round pick. In 2014, Matthews was picked sixth overall and in Hayden 12th overall in 2013.
Malatesta's Breakdown: Rangy LB is a football player. He's been programmed to be an NFL player since Little League. Good fit for the Chargers. Will rely on Yates HS DT Damion Square to keep OLs off of him. Great body for NFL.
VYPE Story: Feature on Kenneth Murray
HS Coach Thoughts on Murray: "He was very serious as a youngster about the goals he had made coming in.This kid never made anything less than a B, if he made a B at all. He never missed a practice in season, offseason, summer season. He came in as a leader and left as a leader. Just one of those kids that never had a write up, was never late to class. He had a mission, he had goals and he was serious about it at a young age." - Fort Bend Elkins coach Dennis Brantley
No. 27 overall - Jordyn Brooks (Texas Tech/Stratford HS) - Seattle Seahawks
Malatesta Breakdown: Brooks plays violently in space. Strange pick but Seattle wants to turn him loose. Tackling machine who could put the teeth back to the Seahawks defense. A little undersized but plays fast.
Koch Breakdown: I did not expect Jordyn Brooks to go this early. In most mock drafts he was in the second or even third round. The defense of Seattle just got stronger with Brooks. Brooks becomes the fourth player from Stratford to make it to the NFL and is the first drafted since Andrew Luck. That's not bad company to have.
No. 40 overall - Ross Blacklock (TCU/Fort Bend Elkins) - Houston Texans
Koch's Breakdown: What a story! The former Fort Bend Elkins Knight is coming home to join the Houston Texans! Blacklock will join a defensive line with JJ Watt. What a combo those two could be up front. The best story about Blacklock is as a sophomore at Elkins, he played running back, tight end and defensive end for the Knights. Elkins coach Dennis Brantley said Blacklock is just an "athlete".
High School Coach Thoughts: "He was such an athlete. He could catch the ball as good as anyone. He could run the ball. He could throw the ball. As a freshman, I think Ross was about 280. He was so athletic. He was happy-go-lucky, always laughing. Always had a smile on his face and never took stuff too seriously. Once they turned the lights on and blew the whistle, he played with a lot of 'kid enthusiasm'." - Fort Bend Elkins coach Dennis Brantley
No. 44 overall - Grant Delpit (LSU /St. Thomas/IMG Academy) - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
No. 45 overall - Antoine Winfield Jr. (Minnesota/The Woodlands) - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Koch's Breakdown: Antoine Winfield Jr. becomes the fourth players from The Woodlands to make it to the NFL. Of course, there is Danny Amendola - who has won a couple of Super Bowl Championships - and Daniel Lasco, who was taken by the Saints a few years ago. Winfield Jr. went to Minnesota and made a name for himself playing in the Big 10 Conference. Winfield is the 7th player to be taken that was a former Houston-area standout.
No. 53 overall - Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma/Alabama/Channelview HS) - Philadelphia Eagles
Koch's Breakdown: Jalen Hurts has won wherever he's gone. He helped lead Alabama to a National Championship, then helped get Oklahoma into the College Football Playoff this past year. Hurts is an interesting case. He is soft-spoken, just like his father Averion Hurts, who was his highs school head coach. Jalen has been a leader everywhere he's gone. Now, he will head to the Eagles to back up Carson Wentz.
No. 72 overall - Josh Jones (University of Houston/Fort Bend Bush) - Arizona Cardinals
Koch's Breakdown: Josh Jones is one player who I thought would go higher in the draft. He was projected to go towards the end of the first round or the beginning of the second. Jones tumbled to the 72nd overall pick, which is where he was taken by Kliff Kingsbury and the Arizona Cardinals. This will be a fun team for Jones to head to with the 2019 No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray running around at QB. Jones had a solid career at UH and had a good showing at the Senior Bowl this past year, which is what helped send him up draft boards. Jones becomes the fourth-ever player to make it to the NFL from Fort Bend Bush. In the 2020 NFL Draft, Jones is the third player from Fort Bend ISD to be taken. The last player to make it to the NFL from Fort Bend Bush was Olasunkanmi Adeniyi, who played for the Steelers from 2018-2019. Current former Broncos in the NFL include Emmanuel Ogbah (Kansas City) and Russel Okung (Chargers). Okung is the only first-round pick in Bush HS history.
No. 88 overall - Jordan Elliott (Westside HS/Texas/Missouri) - Cleveland Browns
Koch's Breakdown: Jordan Elliott will head to Cleveland to try and help the Browns reach the playoffs for the first time in 17 years. Elliott came from Westside High School and is the second player to ever be drafted out of that school. Houston ISD has some rich NFL tradition with Yates (21) and Wheatley (18) supplying 39 NFL players all-time. Elliott joins Germain Ifedi as a player to be taken out of Westside HS. Ifedi plays for the Seahawks.
Media Interviews
Josh Jones Reacts to Heading to Arizona
Asked @JoshJones_23 about playing with @K1 @DeAndreHopkins & @LarryFitzgerald.... he's ready. @UHCougarFB @AZCardinals #NFLDraft2020 pic.twitter.com/jDdl6pCe38
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) April 25, 2020
Chaisson talks his long fandom of the Jaguars
There's a good reason @S4CKGURU was wearing a Jaguars shirt while working out.
He's been a fan for a while now.
Full video:https://t.co/HLbsTok5Yj pic.twitter.com/Wec0Oe1jza
— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) April 24, 2020
Social Media Reaction!
Sewo Show heading to Big Dpic.twitter.com/CRtktBk98T
— Sewo Olonilua (@SOlonilua33) April 25, 2020
Jordan Elliott is heading to Cleveland
#MizzouMade 😤
The @Browns select #Mizzou DT @BIGJ5K ‼️#MIZ x #NFLDraft 🐯🏈 pic.twitter.com/ywiq30dQ2k
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) April 25, 2020
Josh Jones to Arizona
Coming soon to the trenches.
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) April 25, 2020
Hurts Flying to Philly!
Introducing your newest Eagle, @JalenHurts!#EaglesDraft | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/aZ8UOt0i40
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) April 25, 2020
Winfield Jr. heads to the Buccaneers
With the 45th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Buccaneers select Antoine Winfield Jr.!
📺: April 24 (7 p.m. ET) and April 25 (noon ET) on ABC, ESPN & NFL Network pic.twitter.com/g4YGRUsnDE
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) April 25, 2020
Delpit heading to Cleveland
“With the 44th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft the Cleveland Browns select … Grant Delpit, Safety, LSU."
📺: #NFLDraft on ABC, ESPN + NFLN pic.twitter.com/x7C6Dj9WYu
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) April 25, 2020
Ross Blacklock taken by Hometown Texans
With the 40th pick in the 2020 @NFLDraft, the #Texans select DT Ross Blacklock from @TCUFootball.#TexansDraft pic.twitter.com/LYwmNO1WWo
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) April 24, 2020
Round 1 Social Media Reactions
CeeDee Lamb taken by the Cowboys
With the 17th pick in the 2020 #NFLDraft, the #DallasCowboys select WR @_ceedeethree from @OU_Football! 🌟 #CowboysDraft
⁰@millerlite | #ItsMillerTime pic.twitter.com/alYibaCZXI
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) April 24, 2020
Foster coach Shaun McDowell Congrats CeeDee Lamb
#NFLDraft2020 : A Message from @FosterFootball HC @coach_mcdowell to newest @dallascowboys WR @_CeeDeeThree
(@KPRC2RandyMc @dmn_cowboys @calvinwatkins @CowboysNation @robphillips3 @jonmachota @TheCowboysWire @nickeatman @DezBryant @michaelirvin88 @FosterHSNews) pic.twitter.com/vqhIRkfc1m
— vypehouston (@vypehouston) April 24, 2020
Chaisson heading to Jacksonville!
J.P. Shadrick, Brian Sexton, Ashlyn Sullivan and John Oehser provide instant reaction and analysis to the Jaguars' selection of DE/LB K'Lavon Chaisson in the 2020 NFL Draft. Watch the NFL Draft on 4/23-4/25 on ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network. https://t.co/RDniC3yk91
— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) April 24, 2020
Murray is heading to Sunny LA!
welcome to LA, @KennethMurray ‼️ pic.twitter.com/nZNVtHzy7o
— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) April 24, 2020
Super Bowl MVP congratulates former Red Raider
Texas tech baby!!! #GunsUp @JordynBrooks_
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) April 24, 2020
NFL Mock Drafts: Where are Houston-area kids heading?
This year, there are a few Houston household names that are about to become the next hopeful superstar for an NFL franchise.
The NFL is standing pat with their plan to hold the 2020 NFL Draft on April 23-25. Unfortunately, not from the new home of the Las Vegas Raiders on an immaculate stage set up in front of the MGM Grand.
Instead, it will be done how most of us draft our fantasy football teams – from our homes.
So, which former Houston stars, VYPE cover kids will hear their names called in the first through third rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft? This is an update to Matt Malatesta's Mock Draft weeks ago.
VYPE scoured multiple NFL Mock Drafts to try and get a consistent answer.
CeeDee Lamb (WR), Oklahoma (Foster HS)
The Experts
Sports Illustrated Matt De Lima – No. 11 to Jets
Bleacher Report Alex Ballentine – No. 11 to Jets
NFL.com Draft Analyst Chad Reuter – No. 12 to Raiders
CBSSports.com Ryan Wilson – No. 12 to Raiders
Good Morning Football Host Peter Schrager – No. 13 to 49ers
NFL Network Analytics Expert Cynthia Frelund – No. 13 to 49ers
NFL Media Analyst Charley Casserly – No. 13 to 49ers
CBSSports.com Bryan DeArdo – No. 13 overall to Eagles (via San Francisco)
NFL.com Analyst Maurice Jones-Drew – No. 15 overall to Broncos
VYPE Prediction: CeeDee Lamb is a freak. Just turn on the film of what he did to Texas during the Red River Shootout. He has done this since high school.
Pick: No. 13 to 49ers
Analysis: The consensus among the experts is that Jerry Jeudy is one of the best WRs in this class and a lot have him going to the Raiders. I think Lamb is a better prospect overall and the 49ers are really interesting. Remember, the 49ers played in the Super Bowl a year ago. That is not a bad team to join. Lamb would be one of the top targets for QB Jimmy Garoppolo. Last year, the 49ers top receiver was their tight end George Kittle. The 49ers need a young receiver in the corps and that's Lamb.
Josh Jones (OT), Houston (Fort Bend Bush HS)
The Experts
CBSSports.com Ryan Wilson – No. 14 overall to Buccaneers
CBSSports.com (Bryan DeArdo) – No. 18 overall to Dolphins
NFL Network Analytics Expert Cynthia Frelund – No. 18 overall to Dolphins
Sports Illustrated Matt De Lima – No. 18 overall to Dolphins
Bleacher Report Alex Ballentine – No. 22 overall to Vikings
NFL.com Analyst Maurice Jones-Drew – No. 27 overall to Seahawks
NFL.com Draft Analyst Chad Reuter – No. 27 overall to Seahawks
NFL Media Analyst Charley Casserly – No. 29 overall to Titans
VYPE Pick: No. 18 Dolphins
Analysis: The Dolphins are fully expected to go all-in taking a QB early. Many expect it to be Tua Tagovailoa. Remember the "Tank for Tua" campaign. Well we have arrived to judgement day to see if the Dolphins really do it. If they take him, they will definitely want to protect him. There is going to be an early run on offensive linemen. By the Dolphins' next pick at 18, Houston OT Josh Jones may be the the guy. He had a good showing at the senior bowl throwing people around. The Dolphins could also combo some picks to move up for a different OL but you figure with a rebuild you want to take as much talent in the first round as you can.
Kenneth Murray (LB), Oklahoma (Fort Bend Elkins HS)
The Experts
Good Morning Football Host Peter Schrager – No. 15 overall to Broncos
NFL.com Draft Analyst Chad Reuter – No. 19 overall to Raiders
Bleacher Report Alex Ballentine – No. 21 overall to Jaguars
NFL.com Analyst Maurice Jones-Drew – No. 21 overall to Eagles
CBSSports.com (Bryan DeArdo) – No. 23 overall to Patriots
CBSSports.com Ryan Wilson – No. 24 overall to Saints
NFL Media Analyst Charley Casserly – No. 28 overall to Ravens
VYPE Pick: No. 21 overall to Jacksonville
Analysis: The Jaguars need desperate help in the run defense after giving up the fifth-most yards on the ground in 2019. Overall, the Jaguars ranked 21st in defense. There seems like there could be a lot of movement in the early 20s so Murray could end up anywhere. The Jaguars need help defensively, especially since the AFC South has bolstered up – Phillip Rivers to Indianapolis and, of course DeShaun Watson in Houston.
K'Lavon Chaisson (LB), LSU (North Shore HS)
The Experts
NFL Network Analytics Expert Cynthia Frelund – No. 11 overall to Jets
CBSSports.com Ryan Wilson – No. 16 overall to Falcons
Sports Illustrated Matt De Lima – No. 16 overall to Falcons
Bleacher Report Alex Ballentine – No. 16 overall to Falcons
Good Morning Football Host Peter Schrager – No. 16 overall to Falcons
NFL.com Draft Analyst Cha Reuter – No. 16 overall to Jets
NFL.com Analyst Maurice Jones-Drew – No. 17 overall to Cowboys
NFL Media Analyst Charley Casserly – No. 23 overall to Patriots
CBSSports.com (Bryan DeArdo) – No. 28 overall to Ravens
VYPE Pick: No. 16 to Falcons
Analysis: Here comes the help the Falcons need. K'Lavon Chaisson ended up having the breakout season at LSU that Ed Ogeron thought he would. The former North Shore star ended up with 6.5 sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss, two pass deflections and 60 tackles. All career highs for a single season. Why do the Falcons take him? Well, Atlanta registered only 28 sacks in 2019, which ranked third-worst in the NFL. They also had a second-worst 109 QB pressures and only blitzed 24.5 percent of the time. These numbers have to change for a team that finished 7-9 overall and ranked 23rd in the NFL in points scored against. Chaisson is the help they need.
Jalen Hurts (QB), Oklahoma (Channelview HS)
The Experts
NFL.com Analyst Maurice Jones-Drew – No. 23 overall to Patriots
CBSSports.com Ryan Wilson – (Third Round) – No. 88 overall to Saints
NFL.com Draft Analyst Chad Reuter – (Third Round) – No. 102 overall to Steelers
VYPE: No. 88 to Saints
Analysis: Jalen Hurts is not going to be the hottest name at the NFL Draft. The former Alabama and Oklahoma QB showed he can play at the highest level. There's no doubt about that. But this is about fit. From the three mock drafts we found Hurts mentioned, the teams are not a surprise. The Patriots have no quarterback and will be drafting a few in this draft. The Saints and Steelers both have aging quarterbacks. I think the Saints is the best fit for Hurts for two reasons – Sean Payton and Drew Brees. First to be coached by Payton would be a big learning experience for Hurts and to learn from a future Hall of Famer in Brees, who has said he will come back for another year, would be a perfect mix. Teddy Bridgewater is off to Carolina and he would be behind Taysom Hill.
Ross Blacklock (DT), TCU (Fort Bend Elkins HS)
The Experts
NFL Network Analytics Expert Cynthia Frelund – No. 27 overall to Seahawks
NFL.com Draft Analyst Chad Reuter – No. 29 overall to Titans
NFL.com Analyst Maurice Jones-Drew – No. 31 overall to 49ers
Good Morning Football Host Peter Schrager – No. 32 overall to Chiefs
CBSSports.com Ryan Wilson – (Second Round) – No. 62 overall to Packers
VYPE Pick: No. 28 to Ravens
Analysis: Pretty much from pick 27 to 32 are teams that are going to address the defensive line. The Ravens are in need of help on the DL. The loss of VYPE Hall of Famer Michael Brockers, who headed back to the Rams, and the trade of Chris Wormley, the Ravens are in need of help. Blacklock could be the best fit at No. 28.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Grant Delpit (S) – LSU (St. Thomas/IMG Academy)
NFL Media Analyst Charley Casserly – No. 19 overall to Raiders
NFL.com Draft Analyst Chad Reuter – (Second Round) – No. 43 overall to Bears
CBSSports.com Ryan Wilson – (Second Round) - No. 51 overall to Cowboys
Jordyn Brooks (LB) – Texas Tech (Stratford HS)
NFL.com Draft Analyst Chad Reuter – (Second Round) – No. 63 overall to Chiefs
CBSSports.com Ryan Wilson – (Third Round) – No. 84 overall to Rams
Antoine Winfield Jr. (S) – Minnesota (The Woodlands HS)
CBSSports.com Ryan Wilson – (Second Round) – No. 50 overall to Bears
NFL.com Draft Analyst Chad Reuter – (Third Round) – No. 78 overall to Jets
More Names to Watch: Tyrie Cleveland (Florida / Westfield HS), Darius Anderson (TCU/George Ranch HS), Quartney Davis (Texas A&M / Langham Creek HS)