LSU’s Grant Delpit ranked among elite prospects for 2020 NFL draft
By Bryan Perez
LSU’s Grant Delpit has a chance to be the highest-drafted safety since Eric Berry went fifth overall in 2011.
The 2020 NFL draft is being billed as a star-studded class overflowing with talent at the offensive skill positions. With two quarterbacks jockeying for first-overall status, a potential record-setting number of first-round receivers and even running backs who should crack the top-32, it’s going to be a great year for fans of fantasy football.
Don’t worry; the defensive purist won’t be left out of the party.
LSU safety Grant Delpit has been pegged as the top defensive prospect in the class and already sits at or near the top of preseason big boards published by draft analysts in August. The Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling rated Delpit as the No. 1 player in the class, while the team of scouts at The Draft Network have Delpit ranked third on their Big Board.
That’s high praise for Delpit, considering safeties generally don’t get picked in the top five of the first round. Since 2012, the highest a safety has been drafted was Jamal Adams (Jets) with the sixth overall pick in the 2017 draft. He happened to play for LSU, too.
Delpit has a chance to break that traditional draft narrative. His game is well-rounded with few flaws. He has top-tier field speed and can disrupt offenses both in coverage and as a run defender. He offers some intensity as a pass-rusher when needed, too.
The NFL has evolved into a pass-first (and second, and third) league. Players with Delpit’s ability to take over a secondary and force opposing quarterbacks to think an extra second or two before throwing the ball have a value that extends beyond any stat or measurable.
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The question isn’t whether Delpit will be an impact player in the NFL. Instead, it’s whether NFL teams will value his likely impact ahead of attention-grabbing positions like pass-rusher and wide receiver.
If Delpit has the kind of season in 2019 that just about everyone is expecting, he’ll push to be the first safety selected in the top five since Eric Berry in 2011.