The Green Bay Packers must use the 2020 NFL Draft to provide the finishing touches on a team that won 13 regular-season games and got within one game of the Super Bowl during Matt LaFleur’s first season as head coach.
Between now and the draft, Packers Wire will periodically break down one top prospect fitting the Packers’ roster needs.
Up next is Minnesota safety Antoine Winfield Jr.:
What he can do
– Has NFL roots and was around the game from a young age. His father, Antoine Winfield Sr., was a three-time Pro Bowl cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings
– Similar to his father both in terms of size (5-9, 203) and play style – his father was 5-8, 200. Winfield Jr. has noted watching film and reading playbooks with his dad growing up
– Multiple awards won in 2019, including unanimous First-team AP All-American, First-team All-Big Ten, and Tatum-Woodson B1G Defensive Back of the Year
– Answered questions about his athleticism at the NFL Scouting Combine; recorded a 4.45 40-yard dash, 36″ vertical leap and 10-4 broad jump
– Can play any position in the secondary; logged 399 snaps at free safety, 283 snaps as a box safety and 85 snaps as a slot cornerback in 2019, according to PFF
– Instincts are off the charts; sees plays unfolding right before they happen; high-level processing
– Has an excellent feel for his zone and diagnoses route combinations with ease; rarely out of position; allowed just nine first downs and a combined 138 yards on throws into his coverage last season, per PFF
– Has a nose for the football; grabbed seven interceptions in 2019, tying a school single-season record; forced two fumbles, as well
– Reliable tackler considering his position; though undersized, doesn’t shy away from contact; willing tackler in the run game; led Minnesota in tackles (88) in 2019 but missed 13 tackles
– Capable punt returner; scored a 75-yard punt return against New Mexico State in 2018; has three career returns for 110 yards
– Excels at blitzing; has a good feel for timing his runs and takes efficient angles
– Dealt with season-ending injuries in 2017 (hamstring) and 2018 (foot); played just eight combined games during those two seasons
How he fits
Winfield feels like one of the safest picks in the draft. He comes readily equipped with the tools to succeed on Day 1 as an NFL-caliber safety. It’s an added bonus that he offers the ability to play any position in the secondary.
The Packers have a need at nickel cornerback since Tramon Williams scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. Winfield would work ideally as a “slot defender,” as he excels in both tackling and coverage duties. Think of how Micah Hyde was used during his time in Green Bay.
Winfield’s presence would allow defensive coordinator Mike Pettine the freedom to utilize Adrian Amos closer to the line of scrimmage as a box safety, particularly in sub packages, while deploying Winfield deep with coverage responsibilities.
Additionally, Winfield’s versatility would allow the Packers to disguise different looks. Having Winfield, Amos and Darnell Savage all on the field at once would create confusion for offenses with coverage rotations and blitzes.
NFL comp
In terms of playstyle, Winfield fits the mold of Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu. The “Honey Badger” plays all over the field, similarly to how Winfield was utilized at the University of Minnesota. Mathieu is one of the most versatile players in the NFL. In an interview with the Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar, Winfield mentioned Mathieu, Ed Reed and Earl Thomas as players he models his game after. PFF compared him to former safety Antoine Bethea, while Lance Zierlein of NFL.com compared him to former safety T.J. Ward.
Where Packers could get him
Winfield is slowly creeping up draft boards in the media, notably cracking the top 50 in Daniel Jeremiah’s latest big board. The Packers likely would need to use pick No. 30 in the first round to secure him, but a trade up into the mid-second round makes sense if he starts to fall.
Previous Prospects for the Pack
WR Tee Higgins
LB Kenneth Murray
LB Patrick Queen
WR Jalen Reagor
WR Justin Jefferson
TE Harrison Bryant
WR Denzel Mims
WR Brandon Aiyuk
WR/TE Chase Claypool
LB Zack Baun
LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
OT Josh Jones
WR Laviska Shenault
OT Austin Jackson