2020 NFL mock draft: Final 1st-round projections with trades

Luke Easterling makes his final projections for the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, with a handful of big trades and surprise picks

23. New England Patriots

Xavier McKinney | S | Alabama

Quarterback is obviously the big question mark here, but I don’t see Bill Belichick spending this pick on a raw prospect like Love, or any other passer left on the board at this point.

No, the Pats need to get back to their roots and rebuild their defense, which is aging fast, particularly on the back end. They don’t have to worry about drafting enough offensive weapons to keep Tom Brady happy anymore, so it’s time to start restocking the defensive cupboard.

McKinney is the perfect defender for today’s NFL. He’s versatile enough to play in the box, single-high, or even in the slot when needed. He’s fast and physical, with the intelligence Belichick demands.