The 2020 NFL Draft was truly one for the books – from having it be an all-virtual setting that started in commissioner Roger Goodell’s home to teams like the Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Chargers, and Miami Dolphins (jury is still out on the Green Bay Packers) getting their franchise quarterbacks, it was something that had never been seen before.
But value selections dominated this draft after the first day, as plenty of solid players and potential Pro Bowl candidates were taken across the final two days of the draft, showcasing that even in a strange year, the collegiate level once again produced copious amounts of talent for teams to select from. This article will dive into those elements, showcasing how non-first round talent has taken the league by storm and shown that teams may be better off investing more time in the final six rounds.
The following three players were all selected after the second round of the 2020 NFL draft, and all have outplayed their draft status, much to the appreciation of their respective teams. Other options not included on this list, like wide receiver Darnell Mooney and safety Kamren Curl, produced at higher-than-expected levels in their rookie seasons, and look to be well on their ways to having solid NFL careers.
2020 NFL Draft: 3 Most Underrated Steals
Antonio Gibson, Running Back – Washington Football Team
Having been taken with the 66th overall selection (the 2nd of the 3rd round), Memphis running back Antonio Gibson entered the league as somewhat of an unknown prospect. While his athleticism and receiving abilities were duly noted from his days being split out as a wideout more than a typical running back is, not a lot more was known about Gibson, but that did not stop Washington from selecting him.
All that Gibson has done to repay that favor was put up over 1,000 total yards and 11 rushing scores, putting himself firmly on the map as the lead back in Washington. 795 of those yards came on the ground for Gibson, as he regularly found holes behind a solid offensive line, and his 11 rushing scores placed him seventh-best in the league last season.
Washington’s offense is the element that is holding them back, and with the offseason signings of QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and WR Curtis Samuel, they have decided to finally try and upgrade it, surrounding Gibson with established talent. Plus, with their mid-round pick in the first round for this year’s NFL draft, they can certainly choose to add another offensive weapon to the deck that also includes incumbent wideout Terry McLaurin.
The potential for this front office to decide to select another RB with a Day 2 pick is not necessarily out of the question, which would hurt Gibson’s stock, but it would also do a lot to help keep him fresh, maximizing his potential output while helping him stay healthy and on the field.
Gabriel Davis, Wide Receiver – Buffalo Bills
The second member of the offense on this list is wide receiver Gabriel Davis, who has steadily increased his role in Buffalo’s offense alongside Stefon Diggs and Cole Beasley. With the former UCF Knight showcasing his staying ability in this league as a fourth-round selection (128th overall), the Bills look to have hit a home run with Davis.
Not all that highly regarded coming out of school (hence why he was not selected until the 4th round), Davis became a key member of the Bills’ offense, even with the emergence of Diggs and the steadiness of Beasley. QB Josh Allen’s gunslinger mentality benefits a deep threat like what Davis brings to the table, and while he may be the third option on the pecking order, the writing is on the wall for the kind of role that Davis could have, starting even as soon as this year.
Across all 16 games, Davis hauled in 35 passes for 599 and 7 touchdowns, averaging just over two receptions, just under 40 yards, and just over 17 yards per reception. In Buffalo’s lone postseason affair last season, he earned a large target share, as Allen threw his way 11 times, only connecting on four for 85 yards.
The early trust that Allen has shown in Davis is a great sign for the kind of emergence he can make in his sophomore year, and more great things can be expected out of this fourth-round selection, having already outplayed his NFL draft stock.
Tyler Bass, Kicker – Buffalo Bills
Specialists can be better than they are expected to – just as Tyler Bass, the Georgia Southern product who was also taken by the Bills and produced an excellent rookie campaign.
His 82.4 percent field goal percentage (28/34), coupled with his 96.6 percent extra point percentage (57/59), and Buffalo looks to have their kicking game solidified for years to come. The 188th overall selection in the 6th round has outplayed every other kicker from his NFL draft class, and while coming out of Georgia Southern may not have afforded him the typical look that a kid coming from a bigger school may have, he has proven eye tests and school choices to not be the correct deciding factors for if players can make the league.
Bass has a strong leg, having been given six chances to make field goals of 50 yards or more (hitting on four attempts), and his career-long of 58 yards Week 10 against the Cardinals helped push BUF out to a seven-point lead.
The 2020 NFL draft certainly was able to produce its fair share of stars and studs, but they did not all live in the first round. Guys like Gibson, Davis, and Bass, as well as plenty others, were hanging around in the second and third days of the draft waiting to be selected, and having been forced to wait to live out a lifelong dream may have given them just what they needed to break through.
With this year’s draft just around the corner, who are some likely picks to fill the role of underrated selections?
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