17. Dallas (8-8) — Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
McKinney is the type of player who might creep up draft boards and surprise as one of the top picks of the draft. For now, he fills a need with the Cowboys, who would drop him right into a safety vacancy. But he can do much more than that — he might grow into a versatile role not unlike what Tyrann Mathieu displayed this season with the Chiefs.
18. Miami from Pittsburgh (8-8) — Mekhi Becton, OL, Louisville
Becton is one of the top talents in this draft, and he just so happened to slip this far to Miami, which already took a tackle at No. 5. But they’ll stick to their board, and cement their right and left tackle spots for years to come. It’s so crazy it might just work.
19. Las Vegas from Chicago (8-8) — Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
Out goes Vontaize Burfict, a pending free agent. In comes Murray, who is a bicep-on-his-bicep short of looking like D.K. Metcalf. Murray is pretty darn good at playing inside linebacker, too.
20. Jacksonville from L.A. Rams (9-7) — C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
Cornerbacks Trevon Diggs (Alabama) and Kristian Fulton (LSU) were in the limelight more often than Henderson, but he may just jump them in the draft. With one of the picks the Jaguars acquired in exchange for Jalen Ramsey, Jacksonville gets a replacement for him. Also, Henderson is really fast. (Forget the fact that he took a bad angle. There’s no tackling at the combine.)
I don't think we're going to be questioning C.J. Henderson's speed after the NFL Combine… pic.twitter.com/82TiU5EL3p
— Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL) February 14, 2020
21. Philadelphia (9-7) — Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
An elite cornerback for a secondary lacking eliteness. The Eagles badly need to address their talent issues at cornerback.
22. Buffalo (10-6) — Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Jefferson is the perfect compliment to John Brown and Dawson Knox. The LSU receiver can line up anywhere in the offensive formation, and he had little problem beating up on some of the best cornerbacks in the country. He was at his best in big games. This draft is stocked at receiver, but Jefferson has No. 1 wideout potential, even if he’s fallen to the second half of the first round.
23. New England (12-4) — Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame
If Brady returns. he will like this pick as much as Patriots fans do. After a pathetic season from the team’s tight ends in the wake of Rob Gronkowski’s retirement, Kmet will provide some hope. He finished with 43 catches, 515 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He was Notre Dame’s second-leading receiver in every category. For what it’s worth, the Patriots would also be a prime landing spot for Jefferson, even after New England took receiver N’Keal Harry in the first round last year.
24. New Orleans (13-3) — Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Jeudy’s film is extremely impressive, with an extensive route tree where the Alabama standout has impressive savvy and athleticism in creating separation. The Saints (and Drew Brees?) would be thrilled if Jeudy fell this far.