5 guys who could be the B1G's first player drafted in 2020

The 2020 mock drafts are out, which means we can start to discuss an interesting question.

Who will be the B1G’s top draft pick in 2020?

Last year, it seemed somewhat obvious that it would be Nick Bosa. That was the case for most of the process, even when he suffered his season-ending injury. The year before, Saquon Barkley was the obvious choice.

This year, I’m not under the impression that’ll be so obvious.

Sure, there are preseason All-Americans and talented pro prospects in the B1G, but being the first player picked from the conference usually means a player is top-5 worthy.

These 5 B1G players are the guys who could accomplish that goal in 2020:

1. A.J. Epenesa, Iowa DE

I tweeted on Monday that if I had to bet my paycheck on any one player being a top-10 pick in 2020, it would be Epenesa. That’s not to say he’s my consensus No. 1 overall pick, but I just believe he has such a high floor. That’s why I said he could become the next Bosa.

In case you forgot, this will be the first time that Epenesa enters the season as a starter. He’s going to get a ton of reps after a year in which he led the B1G in sacks (10.5), he was second in forced fumbles (4) and he finished fourth in tackles for loss (16.5). The former 5-star recruit has an extraordinary combination of athletic ability and size, which we’ve seen improve in Chris Doyle’s strength program.

Epenesa’s 2-year production is arguably better than Bosa’s was, and that’s without a career start. Sure, teams are going to game plan to shut Epenesa down and his numbers might not be quite what they were last year, but he impacts the game in so many was from his position, and he’s going to be an ideal prospect in the pre-draft process.

I’m all in on Epenesa, just as I’ve been since he was a junior in high school.

2. Chase Young, Ohio State DE

Young is the more natural comp for Bosa because both were 5-star recruits who showed impressive growth as sophomores. Perhaps that’s why Matt Miller had Young as the No. 1 overall player in his way-too-early 2020 mock draft.

That system, with Larry Johnson Sr. running the show, always seems to yield these incredible defensive line prospects, and Young is the next bet to follow that path. Part of that is because of how well the Maryland native finished the season (6 TFLs, 5 sacks, 1 forced fumble in final 4 games).

The question now is if Young can continue that and dominate games like Bosa did. The speed, explosion and strength are all there. If Young puts together a full season, Miller’s way-too-early prediction could be spot on.

3. Jeffrey Okudah, Ohio State CB

Wait a minute. How is a cornerback without a college interception going to be the B1G’s top player taken in the draft?

I’m glad you/I asked.

Don’t confuse a lack of interceptions for a lack of ability to cover. Okudah can certainly to just that. He had 8 passes defended last year as a full-time starter. No, it wasn’t exactly a banner year for the Buckeye secondary, but Okudah as a lot of the skills that they look for at the next level. He’s got the size at 6-1, 200 pounds, he can cover a team’s top wideout and he’s not afraid to make tackles in space.

Okudah has the makings of a guy who can rise up draft boards in a hurry if he forces a couple turnovers early, though obviously that would be a knock on him if he couldn’t at least get a couple picks as a junior. Even without Greg Schiano around anymore, Okudah should still be able to develop into a first-round prospect.

I’m not the only one who thinks that:

Got this text from an NFL scout this morning pic.twitter.com/tDlpTeYkZE

— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) April 29, 2019

4. Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin OL

I realize that at this time last year, we talked about Michael Deiter and Beau Benzschawel like they were going to be first-round picks and that obviously didn’t happen. And with an interior lineman like Biadasz, there’s a perceived ceiling in the pre-draft process that would likely prevent him from being a top-5 pick.

But as for a set-it-and-forget-it, 10-year starter? Biadasz can certainly look like that and shoot up draft boards as a result. Well, he’s already on mock draft boards as a mid-to-late first round guy. That’s because he’s been Wisconsin’s starting center in each of the first 2 years of Jonathan Taylor’s All-American seasons.

It’s worth noting that Biadasz is coming off offseason hip surgery and he missed all of spring ball. But the All-American is the lone returning starter from that Badger offensive line, and he’s going to garner all of the preseason accolades and attention.

If he can pave the way for Taylor’s best season yet and get Wisconsin back to a Playoff hunt, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Biadasz work his way into that top-10 conversation.

5. Kenny Willekes, Michigan State DE

Yes, I hear you loud and clear, Michigan State fans. Rashan Gary got all the love and Willekes didn’t get enough respect. But could I envision a scenario in which Willekes is getting more J.J. Watt comparisons during the pre-draft process than anyone? Absolutely.

How’s that for respect?

Like Watt, Willekes was a former walk-on who is going to get all the clichés. It literally says in his MSU bio page that he’s a “high-motor defensive end.” Sure. You know what else Willekes is? A really good defensive end who just makes plays all over the place.

He’s coming off an All-American season in which he led the B1G in tackles for loss (20.5), he was fifth in the B1G in sacks (8.5) and he ranked sixth in FBS in quarterback hurries (39), according to Pro Football Focus. Few defensive ends have been better than Willekes the last 2 years.

He’s obviously working his way back from the broken fibula he suffered in the bowl game, but as long as he can do that, there’s nothing to suggest that Willekes’ production is going to tail off.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see Willekes go even higher than Watt’s No. 11 overall selection in 2011.