2020 NFL Mock Draft
The NFL draft is always one of my favorite sporting events of the year, and in our current sports-starved environment amidst the COVID-19 shutdown, anticipation for this year’s draft is higher than ever. And I have a feeling that this draft is going to be extra fun, unpredictable, and absolutely wild. A bunch of (mostly) older and not exactly tech-savvy coaches and GMs conducting a draft remotely over Microsoft Teams ... what could go wrong? I’m expecting a draft chock full of technological issues, surprises, and unexpected comedy, and I couldn’t be more excited for it. There is also a really high degree of uncertainty coming into this draft. With most players unable to hold pro days or do medical check-ins with team doctors, teams are relying solely on game tape and combine metrics. There’s also a somewhat strange lack of the typical pre-draft rumors and scuttlebutt – that sort of gossip typically comes from team scouts talking to each other on the road at players’ pro days, so the rumor mill is definitively quieter this year. All of these factors should make for a really surprising, weird, and unpredictable 2020 draft, and I couldn’t be more excited for it.
Before we dive into the projected picks, here are a few a big picture thoughts about this year’s draft:
Expect teams to play it safer than usual this year. Teams were mostly unable to conduct in-person interviews or medical checks with prospects, so I think teams may steer away from players with medical concerns or character red flags even more than usual.
I’m projecting four QBs to go in the first round (Burrow, Tua, Herbert, and Jordan Love), and then two more (Jacob Eason and Jalen Hurts) in the second or third round. There is a strange oversaturation of QBs on the market this year with veterans like Cam Newton, Jameis Winston, and Andy Dalton still available, so demand for QBs in the draft may be less than usual.
The deepest position in this draft is wide receiver. I’m predicting 6 WRs to be taken in the first round, and that number could easily be higher. There will be an even greater run on WR picks in the second round, with prospects like Brandon Aiyuk (Arizona State), Laviska Shenault (Colorado), Jalen Reagor (TCU), Michael Pittman (USC), K.J. Hamler (Penn State), and Chase Claypool (Notre Dame) all likely to be high day two picks.
Offensive Tackles are going to be a really hot commodity. There are four top OT prospects all graded fairly equally (Wirfs, Becton, Wills, and Thomas) and I expect them to all be gone by pick 14. The second tier of tackle prospects like Josh Jones (Houston), Austin Jackson (USC), Ezra Cleveland (Boise State), and Isiah Wilson (Georgia) will then be off the board by early round two.
This is not a great draft for edge pass rushers or interior defensive lineman. Teams looking for a playmaking pass rusher will need to strike early.
As always, running backs are a bad investment as a first round pick. I’m not predicting any RBs to be selected in the first round, but D’Andre Swift (Georgia), J.K. Dobbins (Ohio State), Jonathan Taylor (Wisconsin), Cam Akers (Florida State), and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (LSU) should all be taken by the end of day two.
A top priority for many teams coming into this draft: speed on defense. With teams like the Chiefs and Ravens playing at lightning speed on offense, teams are realizing that your goose is cooked if you’re not able to match up with an abundance of speed and fast players on the second level of your defense. Speedy linebackers, safeties and corners will therefore be a hot commodity in this draft, and players at those positions where speed is a concern will be dropping down boards. Speed at cornerback is especially important in today’s NFL, and I’m predicting six CBs to go in the first round.
Without further ado, let’s make some picks:
1. Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
It’s not hyperbole to say that Joe Burrow is coming off one of the greatest seasons in college football history. En route to a 15-0 National Championship season that included 7 wins over teams ranked in the Top 10, Burrow threw for 5,671 yards, 60 touchdowns and completed over 76% of his passes with only 6 interceptions. Those numbers are absolutely insane, and about as flawless as you’ll ever see for a QB prospect. He doesn’t have the strongest arm, he has smallish hands, and he’s old for a rookie QB prospect (he’s actually older than Sam Darnold and Lamar Jackson). But what makes Burrow a truly special prospect destined for success is his incredible pinpoint accuracy and ability to move within the pocket. Those traits are amongst the most important factors for success as a NFL quarterback, and Burrow’s aptitude in those areas are reminiscent of Andrew Luck and the GOAT Tom Brady. Add in the fact that Burrow flashes functional athleticism, high football IQ, and extreme competitiveness (plus the fact that Burrow is an Ohio native), and this pick is an absolute no brainer for the Bengals.
2. Washington Redskins – Chase Young, Edge Rusher, Ohio State
Washington is already fairly loaded on the defensive line with Montez Sweat, Daron Payne, Jonathan Allen, and Ryan Kerrigan, and I don’t think anyone is sold that they’re set at the QB position with Dwayne Haskins quite yet. Personally I think they should be considering Tua at this spot, but the Redskins view Chase Young as just too special of a prospect to pass up here. He is an insane physical specimen, and was also highly productive as a pass rusher in college logging 16.5 sacks last season despite serving a two game suspension. Elite pass rushers are one of the most valuable assets in today’s NFL, and Young is a prospect on the level of a Myles Garrett, Von Miller, or Nick Bosa. Unless they receive a crazy over-the-top trade offer, Chase Young will be the pick here.
3. L.A. Chargers (from Detroit) – Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
The Tua vs. Herbert debate has become one of the biggest talking points and mysteries of this draft, and there is starting to be a lot of buzz that many teams (including Miami) may prefer Herbert over Tua. This may just be a smokescreen, but some teams will undoubtedly be scared away from Tua due to his season-ending hip injury and other injury concerns from his time at Alabama. Personally, I think it’s borderline insane to rate Herbert over Tua as a prospect. Tua is coming off an extremely prolific college career at Alabama, and what sets Tua apart from Herbert most of all is his elite accuracy. Being able to throw the ball accurately is probably the most important factor of success for a NFL QB, and Tua is one of the most accurate passers in recent college football history, whereas Herbert has been inconsistent at best. Per PFF’s Mike Renner, the percentage of uncatchable off-target throws when targeting an open receiver 5-18 yards downfield for Tua was just 4.3% (the best amongst top prospects), and was 18.1% for Herbert (the worst amongst top prospects). Tua also flashes an incredibly quick release, and is known for his ability to anticipate reads and throw receivers open. The injury concerns with Tua are obviously very real. But drafting a quarterback is always a risk – why not roll the dice with the better player who has consistently excelled with elite accuracy and football intelligence? The other factor the Chargers have to consider is that they’re moving into a massive new stadium in Los Angeles, and they need to sell some tickets. Tua is a big and exciting name, and I think that will ultimately drive their decision to trade up ahead of Miami and grab Tua in this spot.
4. NY Giants – Isaiah Simmons, Linebacker/Safety, Clemson
Giants GM Dave Gettleman is notorious for two things when it comes to the draft: never trading down, and being obsessed with drafting offensive and defensive linemen. They will definitely be tempted to take an offensive tackle here to protect QB Daniel Jones, but I think the Giants will buck the trend this year and take a truly unique talent in Simmons. Simmons is an extremely versatile chess piece with the size (6’4” 238 lbs) and off-the-charts athleticism (4.39 second 40, 39 inch vertical leap) to play all across the defense. He excelled playing linebacker, safety, and cornerback for Clemson, and he can do the same at the NFL level. New head coach Joe Judge is a Bill Belichick disciple, and nobody values versatile multi-functional defensive players like Belichick. I think Judge will emulate his mentor’s ethos and bang his fists to get this extraordinarily gifted and versatile defensive talent.
5. Miami Dolphins – Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Despite the concerns I’ve outlined above, Herbert has been a very highly regarded prospect for years now, and NFL teams seem to genuinely love his potential. It’s not hard to see why: he brings elite size (6’6”, 236 lbs), athleticism (4.68 second 40 yard dash), and arm strength. He’s also known for being highly intelligent, and he won a lot of games during his four years as a starter at Oregon. He also performed very well at the Senior Bowl, where a lot of NFL scouts were on hand to fall in love with him. There’s a lot of similarity between Herbert and Buffalo’s Josh Allen: a tantalizing physical specimen with all the tools to be great if he can refine his footwork and decision making, and become more accurate. From a physical tools and arm strength perspective, Herbert is probably the most talented QB in this draft. Miami will be happy to take Herbert here and have him sit behind Ryan Fitzpatrick for a while as he develops, and hope that he will eventually become the anchor of their rebuild to go along with their other two first-round selections this year.
6. Detroit Lions (from LA Chargers) – Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State
It would almost be crazy if Detroit didn’t trade down from the third pick. Given their holes on defense, the Lions will most likely be targeting DT Derrick Brown or CB Jeffrey Okudah. Those players will almost certainly be available at picks 5 or 6, so it makes too much sense for the Lions to trade down with a quarterback needy team and recoup some draft capital. Detroit lands its man here in Okudah. The Lions are desperate for secondary help after trading away Darius Slay this offseason, and Okudah is the best corner in this draft with elite coverage skills and top level athletic traits (4.48 second 40 yard dash time, 41.0 inch vertical leap). His blend of size, strength, competitiveness, and speed makes Okudah one of the highest rated cornerback prospects in years.
7. Carolina Panthers – Derrick Brown, Defensive Tackle, Auburn
Derrick Brown has been one of the most productive defensive linemen in the country during his four seasons in the SEC. He brings an elite mix of size, strength, and athleticism that makes him extremely valuable as an inside pass rusher, as well as a formidable force in the run game. Carolina’s defensive front seven is desperate for an infusion of talent after finishing with one of the worst run defenses in the NFL last season, and Brown can be the anchor of their rebuild in the trenches for new coach Matt Rhule. They’re probably dreaming of a scenario where Simmons falls to them as a replacement for Luke Kuechly at linebacker, but they will happily settle for the draft’s top interior defensive lineman in Brown.
8. Arizona Cardinals – Tristan Wirfs, Offensive Tackle, Iowa
Here comes the run on offensive tackles. Now that Arizona has filled its need at WR by trading for DeAndre Hopkins, they are free to address the offensive line with this pick. Kliff Kingsbury needs an athletic tackle to protect Kyler Murray and facilitate their run and shoot offense, and Tristan Wirfs certainly fits the bill. He’s a top level athletic specimen for his size (6’5”, 320 pounds, 4.85 second 40 yard dash), and was a four year starter at an Iowa program known for developing NFL ready and technically sound offensive linemen. Keep an eye out for the Cardinals as a much improved team this season.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars – C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
The Jags lost a ton of talent on defense from last year, including both of their starting cornerbacks in Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye. So I think they’ll jump at the opportunity to snag the second highest rated corner in this draft in Henderson. Henderson brings top level speed (4.39 second 40) and size (6’1” 204 lbs), and he held up well against tough competition in the SEC. The Jags are attempting to execute an accelerated rebuild, and a top cornerback prospect in Henderson is a good start.
10. Cleveland Browns – Andrew Thomas, Offensive Tackle, Georgia
The Browns’ offensive line was a total dumpster fire last year, and Baker Mayfield was left running for his life most Sundays. They took steps to address their offensive line woes in free agency by signing RT Jack Conklin, but they still have a gaping hole at left tackle. Enter Andrew Thomas, a rock solid, high floor left tackle, who was a dependable anchor for Georgia’s line for four years. He can step right in and be a day one starter for Cleveland.
11. NY Jets – Jedrick Wills, Offensive Tackle, Alabama
The Jets probably have the worst wide receiver group in the league, so they’ll be very tempted to take a top wideout like Jeudy or Lamb here. But I think new GM Joe Douglas is committed to rebuilding through the trenches, and they will instead opt for the top tackle on their board. A former five-star recruit, Wills was a three year starter at right tackle for the Crimson Tide. He excelled at right tackle against elite SEC defenses, but Wills also has the top-tier footspeed and arm length to transition to left tackle successfully. Many teams view Wills as the top tackle prospect in this draft, and he should be a high-level starter in the NFL for many years to come.
12. Las Vegas Raiders – CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Jon Gruden’s squad needs explosive weapons on offense, and they would be ecstatic to grab Lamb at this spot. Lamb isn’t a burner and doesn’t have great top end speed, but what sets him apart is his strength, ability to bring down contested balls, and incredible capacity to make big plays after the catch. He consistently tortures defenses by turning short throws into long gains with his ability to big make plays after the catch, and he averaged an incredible 19 yards per reception during his career at Oklahoma. He has a knack for getting the ball into the endzone as well, logging 14 touchdowns in 2019. Many people compare Lamb to DeAndre Hopkins, and that would be a great asset for this Raiders offense whether they’re led by Derek Carr or Marcus Mariota next season.
13. San Francisco 49ers – Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
The 49ers snagged this pick from the Colts in their trade for DeForest Buckner, and I think they will use this selection to target another offensive weapon for Jimmy Garoppolo. Deebo Samuel proved to be an awesome pick for the Niners in the second round last year, but they still have a deficit of explosive receivers on offense after losing Emmanuel Sanders this offseason. Enter Jerry Jeudy, who’s coming off an illustrious college career at Alabama. Jeudy brings solid size (6’1” 193 lbs) and speed (4.45 second 40), but what really sets him apart is his route running ability. His elite ability to create separation with quick feet and precise routes has drawn comparisons to Antonio Brown, and some scouts consider Jeudy to be the best route runner they’ve ever seen. Jeudy could come in and have a big immediate impact on a team whose Super Bowl window is wide open.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Mekhi Becton, Offensive Tackle, Louisville
With a legendary 42 year old quarterback now on board, the Bucs are squarely in win-now mode, and should be fully committed to surrounding Brady with as much talent as possible. Protection is key for an older quarterback with declining mobility, so the Bucs should be eager to take the top remaining offensive tackle prospect on the board. Becton is an absolute physical freak: he stands at 6’7”, weighs 364 lbs, and he ran a 5.1 second 40 at the combine. He’s a true dancing bear with quick feet and imposing power, and the level of agility he displays for a man his size is incredible. Being only 20 years old, he also still has a lot of room to improve and develop.
15. Denver Broncos – Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
I would really love to see one of the top four offensive tackle prospects fall to the Broncos so they can finally move on from the Garett Bolles disaster. They could also really use a speedy inside linebacker (I think all Broncos fans have had just about enough of watching Todd Davis get burned every Sunday), but it would be a bit of a reach to take LBs Patrick Queen or Kenneth Murray at this slot. With the top four tackle prospects already off the board in this scenario, the Broncos will instead opt for a dynamic offensive weapon in Ruggs. Courtland Sutton has established himself as a solid WR1, but the Broncos still need a better speed element on offense to take the top off of defenses. If nothing else, Ruggs certainly brings lightning-fast speed to the table. He ran a 4.27 second 40 at the combine, and also logged a top tier 42 inch vertical jump. He didn’t put up a ton of production at Alabama, but the talent is undeniable. Adding Ruggs to go with Sutton, Noah Fant, Phillip Lindsay and Melvin Gordon will give the Broncos a bounty of weapons to support QB Drew Lock in his second year.
16. Atlanta Falcons – Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
The Falcons desperately need help at cornerback, and it’s very possible that they’ll try to trade up and grab C.J. Henderson. If they can’t move up, I think they’ll reach and take the next best available CB on their board. Stefon Diggs’ younger brother Trevon is everything you want in a cornerback prospect, with elite size, strength, and ball skills. The knock against Diggs is that he’s still fairly raw and mistake prone. He has only been playing cornerback for a couple years after converting from wide receiver, so he’s still developing and learning the position. There’s also some medical red flags after Diggs missed substantial time at Alabama with injuries. But Diggs’ physical makeup and raw tools make him worth the gamble here.
17. Dallas Cowboys – K'Lavon Chaisson, Edge Rusher, LSU
Expect the Cowboys to target a defensive playmaker with this pick. Dallas’ pass rush was almost non-existent last season, with a dud of a performance from Demarcus Lawrence after he received his big contract. Chaisson didn’t put up huge sack numbers as a member of LSU’s talent-stacked defense, but he flashed his huge potential with tons of big plays and 4.5 sacks in LSU’s final three games en route to the National Championship. There are some injury concerns with Chaisson and he needs to bulk up and add some weight, but he plays with a super high motor and has all of the tools and potential to be a dynamic pass rusher worthy of this pick.
18. Miami Dolphins – Josh Jones, Offensive Tackle, Houston
The Dolphins grabbed their QB of the future with the fifth pick, so they will now need to prioritize protecting that asset with more talent on their offensive line. Jones is still a bit of a work in progress, but he improved greatly during his time at Houston and was a dependable cog at left tackle for the Cougars for the past three seasons. He has the athletic traits (6’5” 319 lbs, 34 inch arms) and footspeed to be a starting NFL tackle, and he can lock down the left side of Miami’s offensive line for years to come.
19. Las Vegas Raiders – A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
Gruden and GM Mike Mayock love taking players from the big-time winning college programs, and they’ll turn to Clemson again for this pick. Some people have a bit of a bad taste in their mouth with Terrell because the last time we saw him he was getting torched all over the field by LSU receiver Ja'Marr Chase in the National Championship game. But Terrell has excelled on the Tigers defense since he was a true freshman, and he brings elite size and speed for the position. He stands 6’1” and has 4.42 second 40 speed, and he plays a physical brand of press-man coverage. Gruden and Mayock will love his toughness, and Terrell will bring an infusion of talent to the Las Vegas secondary.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars – Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Color me unconvinced that the Jags truly believe that Gardner Minshew is the answer at QB. In a league full of copycats, everyone is looking for the next Patrick Mahomes. Jordan Love is not a prospect on Mahomes’ level, but there are certain similarities in his game. Love has an extremely strong arm, and his greatest asset is his ability to improvise and make plays outside the pocket. He demonstrates Mahomes-level flashes of greatness on plays like this, but also makes a ton of totally boneheaded and baffling decisions, and threw a lofty 17 interceptions in 2019. He’s raw and really needs to refine his footwork and decision making, but he may have the highest ceiling of any QB in this draft. Minshew has proven himself to be a high floor prospect who can at least be an average starter in this league. Love has a much higher ceiling though, and has the potential to be a star if groomed properly. He’s worth the gamble for the Jags here.
21. Philadelphia Eagles – Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
The Eagles are in desperate need of wide receiving weapons, and Jefferson would be a great pick for them here. Jefferson was LSU’s most dependable and productive receiver last season, and he tied for the FBS lead with 111 receptions (for 1,540 yards, 13.9 yards per catch). He brings solid size (6’1”) and speed (4.43 second 40), and has really great hands. Carson Wentz would be ecstatic to have a dynamic and dependable receiving option like Jefferson on board to give a boost to their offense.
22. Minnesota Vikings – Yetur Gross-Matos, Defensive End/Edge Rusher, Penn State
The Vikings pass rush lacks teeth and they really need a difference-making playmaker on the defensive line. Gross-Matos is a perfect fit for the Vikings 4-3 scheme. He has an extremely long and athletic frame at 6’5” with 35” arms, and he flashes an explosive first step coming off the edge. He was highly productive for the Nittany Lions in 2019, logging 15 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. If he can add bulk to his slender frame, he has the potential to be a dynamic pass rusher in the NFL.
23. New England Patriots – Javon Kinlaw, Defensive Tackle, South Carolina
Kinlaw has an incredible story, having spent most of his childhood growing up homeless in the Washington D.C. area. After a successful career with the Gamecocks, Kinlaw is now one of the draft’s best defensive tackle prospects. He has the talent to come off the board much earlier and could even be a top 10 pick, so the Patriots would be eager to capitalize on the value of drafting him here. Kinlaw brings elite size (6’5” 324 lbs) and speed for the position, and showed flashes of brilliance in the SEC and at the Senior Bowl. His tape is a bit inconsistent however – he tends to disappear for long stretches of games, and he doesn’t always play with the highest motor. If his effort and technique can become more consistent, Kinlaw has the talent to be an All-Pro.
24. New Orleans Saints – Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
The Saints are a Super Bowl caliber team without many holes on their roster. But with Eli Apple still unsigned, depth at cornerback could be a priority for New Orleans. Jaylon Johnson is a big, tough corner who excels in press coverage. He brings prototypical size (6’0” 193 lbs) and speed (4.5 second 40), plays a physical style, and tackles well. He is mistake prone at times and gives up occasional big plays, but he has the tools and tenacity to continue to grow and improve.
25. Minnesota Vikings – Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
After trading away Stefon Diggs this offseason, the Vikings need another receiving weapon opposite Adam Thielen. A former five-star recruit who made tons of big plays for Clemson during his career with the Tigers, Higgins is a special talent. His greatest asset is his ability to elevate and come down with contested catches. He’s tall (6’4”) and a great vertical leaper, and he has the body control and strong hands to come down with lots of jump balls. Higgins could really excel in Minnesota’s play action attack.
26. Miami Dolphins – Cesar Ruiz, Interior Offensive Lineman, Michigan
The Dolphins commit even further to protecting their new QB of the future by grabbing the top interior lineman in this draft. Ruiz is one of my favorite players in this class, as he plays with an awesome blend of athleticism and ferociousness. He’s got a stout bulky frame (6’3” 307 lbs), and is incredibly quick for his size (5.08 second 40 yard dash, 4.64 20 yard shuttle). He’s quick off the snap and tenacious in driving blocks, and he has the versatility to be a day one starter at either guard or center.
27. Seattle Seahawks – Austin Jackson, Offensive Tackle, USC
The Seahawks offensive line has seemingly been a mess for years now. They finally addressed the left tackle position by bringing in Duane Brown, but they still have a gaping hole at right tackle. Austin Jackson is really young and raw, but he has all the tools to be a successful NFL tackle. He has top level size (6’5” 322 lbs) and athleticism (5.07 second 40), but he is inconsistent and often displays poor technique and footwork. But at only 20 years old and with a boatload of athletic skill, Jackson has a lot of room to get stronger and improve and he has a really high ceiling.
28. Baltimore Ravens – Patrick Queen, Linebacker, LSU
The Ravens should be competing for Super Bowls for years to come, but they are going to need to improve their speed on defense in order to keep up with the Chiefs. Baltimore lacks talent and speed in the middle of their defense, and they’ve had a gaping hole at linebacker since C.J. Mosley departed last offseason. Enter Patrick Queen, a super fast middle linebacker who is a perfect fit for the modern NFL. He brings elite speed (4.50 second 40 time), and flashed his incredible motor when he was seemingly all over the field in the College Football Playoffs for LSU.
29. Tennessee Titans – Zack Baun, Edge Rusher, Wisconsin
Baun is coming off a stellar senior season at Wisconsin, where he wreaked havoc with 19.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks. He is only 6’2” 238 lbs, so he doesn’t necessarily have the size that teams often look for in edge pass rushers. But he makes up for his lack of size with his explosive athleticism, a high motor, and rangy sideline-to-sideline coverage abilities. He adds obvious value as a pass rusher, and also flashes the ability to drop back in coverage to match up with opposing RBs and TEs. Tennessee needs playmakers in the defensive front seven after losing Jurrell Casey this offseason, and I think head coach Mike Vrabel would hold a versatile and dynaimic player like Baun in very high regard.
30. Green Bay Packers – Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
Green Bay fans have been begging to get Aaron Rodgers some wide receiver help for years now. They have bypassed the opportunity to draft top WR prospects in past years (including passing on D.K. Metcalf and A.J. Brown last year), but I think they’ll finally pull the trigger this year and go for a super talented WR in Denzel Mims. Mims is 6’3” with 4.38 speed, so he has all the size and athleticism you could ever want in a WR. He doesn’t always play with consistent effort, and he had a tendency to disappear at times during his career at Baylor. But Mims’ stock has been rising significantly throughout the pre-draft process, especially following his great performance at the Senior Bowl where he wowed coaches with his potential. If Aaron Rodgers can help him develop and become more consistent, Mims has the tools to become one of the greatest receiving weapons he’s ever had.
31. San Francisco 49ers – Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
San Francisco is in need of more depth at cornerback, with all of the 49ers corners except for Richard Sherman struggling mightily at times last year. Gladney is a bit undersized for the position at 5’10” 191 lbs, but he makes up for his smaller stature by being extremely physical and aggressive. He has solid 4.48 speed, and wins in man coverage with great twitchiness and anticipation. He may fit best as a slot corner in the NFL, but he has the coverage skills and instincts to make a big impact on the 49ers secondary.
32. Kansas City Chiefs – Xavier McKinney, Safety, Alabama
The Chiefs already have one of the NFL’s most versatile secondary pieces in Tyrann Mathieu, and could add another extremely versatile player here in Xavier McKinney. McKinney played slot corner, free safety, and box safety for the Crimson Tide, and he brings an abundance of speed, toughness, and high football IQ no matter where he lines up. He has the speed to excel in coverage as a free ranging safety, and the physicality to come up and make plays in the running game as well. Between him and Mathieu, the Chiefs would have a uniquely versatile secondary capable of matching up well with a variety of offensive styles.
