The Jets selected California defensive back Ashtyn Davis with the 68th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
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The Jets decided to go with a defensive back with some positional versatility for their first pick of the third round.
After addressing offensive tackle by taking Louisville’s Mekhi Becton with the 11th pick on Thursday night and adding a weapon for Sam Darnold to work with in Baylor wide receiver Denzel Mims, Jets general manager Joe Douglas turned his attention to the defensive side of the ball, selecting California’s Ashtyn Davis with the 68th pick.
In four years at California, Davis, who is known for his coverage skills, recorded 166 tackles, 12 pass deflections and seven interceptions. Davis spent his final two seasons of college football playing safety but lined up at cornerback his first two years at Cal. He was also a cornerback recruit coming out of high school.
The Jets are set at safety with Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye, meaning Davis’ future with New York likely lies at cornerback. As long as everything goes as expected with his development this offseason, there is a good chance Davis opens 2020 opposite Pierre Desir as a starting outside corner.
With Douglas addressing the offensive line, selecting a wide receiver and netting a new defensive back, Douglas must now shift his focus to landing a pass rusher. Interior offensive line and running back also remain positions Douglas is likely to target as the draft progresses.
After a few shocks in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts find themselves in a very interesting position as the second round opens up on Friday.
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As the owners of the Nos. 34 and 44 picks, the Colts have unique positioning to draft two players who can have immediate impacts. One of those picks could come at the safety position.
After no safeties were taken off the board in Round 1, there are plenty of value picks in the early portion of the second round. Here are a few options for Chris Ballard and Co. to take with their first two picks of this draft:
Grant Delpit, LSU
Some saw it as a surprise that Delpit did not get picked on Thursday night, but many teams will be thankful that he didn’t. As a three-year starter for LSU, Delpit has won two Consensus All-American awards and was a two-time first-team All-SEC selection.
Delpit would bring an interesting combination of elite coverage skills mixed with run-stopping ability. He would fit in the Colts secondary and could help on stopping the run while blitzing as well. He is a very versatile prospect.
Xavier McKinney, Alabama
McKinney falling out of the first round was also a shock to many around the league. The junior safety out of Alabama was an All-SEC selection in 2019 and decided to leave the Crimson Tide a year early after having a breakout year.
McKinney is great in downfield pass coverage, but where he shines is in blitz packages when he is able to rush the quarterback. He is very fast and has great vision for reading a QB for an interception.
Antoine Winfield Jr., Minnesota
This pick would most likely be at No. 44, but Winfield is no consolation prize. He decided to forego his final two years of eligibility for the Golden Gophers after his breakout year in 2019 where he earned the honors of Unanimous first-team All-American, first-team All-Big Ten and was named Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year.
As a talented safety, Winfield has great coverage skills and excels in zone coverage when he can come across the field for a pick. His ability to read the quarterback and undercut routes is very rare at his age and level of play.
He is also a talented punt returner, which highlights his ability to read the field and use his speed to his advantage. As a very versatile athlete, he is looking to follow in his father’s footsteps.
After a multitude of reports came out about the Colts possibly trading Malik Hooker this week to move up in the draft, many thought the Colts would need to draft a safety coming up in the second round. What nobody thought, however, was the quality of safeties that would still be on the board.
Hooker’s inability to stay healthy is still a concern as he heads into the fourth year of his rookie contract and has yet to receive an extension or a fifth-year option.
Could this be the spot where the Colts make a decision on their future at the safety position? Could other safeties like Jeremy Chinn and Ashtyn Davis be options too?
Either way, the Colts have many options on what to do with their two second-round picks. The way this draft has gone so far, I would not be surprised to see a couple more shocking moves on Day 2 and beyond.
Defensive backs are more important than ever in today’s NFL, and here are the 11 best in the 2020 draft class.
What’s the most desired attribute for defensive backs in today’s NFL? Without question, the answer is versatility. While the old-school lockdown boundary cornerback or deep-third safety is of vital importance, those types of players are in short supply. And in a league that has five or more defensive backs on the field over 70% of the time (for some teams, it’s closer to 90%), you’d better have guys who can play everywhere from the boundary to the slot to the box to single- and two-high alignments.
So, as Mark Schofield and myself complete our Top 11 lists by position for the 2020 NFL draft class, we took the need for versatility to heart. Instead of separating cornerbacks and safeties, we merged those players in the spirit of where the NFL is headed in a big hurry. As a result, there’s everything from man-coverage and press-coverage stars to slot bullies to multi-position safeties on this list.
One thing’s for sure: You’re going to see all of these guys going early in the 2020 draft. Because if you can’t cover from every angle these days, you might as well not show up on the field. It’s why there are 12 defensive backs in our Top 50 big board, and only Kyle Dugger, the safety from Lenoir-Rhyne, didn’t also make this list.
Bio: The son of Nigerian immigrants, Okudah grew up in New Jersey first and then Texas, where he became the top cornerback prospect in the nation at South Grand Prairie High School. He chose Ohio State after getting offers from just about every major program, and found success as he climbed the Buckeyes’ depth chart. In 2019, his first season as a full-time starter, he had 35 tackles, one tackle for loss, two forced fumbles, 21 passes defensed, and three interceptions.
Okudah continued his competitive demeanor at the scouting combine, when some guy at the scouting combine asked him about his “sloppy technique.”
“For me, I kind of try to take bits and pieces from each player,” Okudah said at the combine, when he wasn’t berating impertinent reporters. “So for me, I like watching how Richard Sherman understands real concepts. I like watching Patrick Peterson’s consistency and his technique. Jalen Ramsey’s physicality, his aggressiveness. I watch how Stephon Gilmore switches up his leverage every time to break the quarterback. So, I just take bits and pieces and try to emulate all of that.”
Stat to Know: In 440 coverage snaps last season, Okudah gave up just 27 catches on 58 targets for 282 yards, one touchdown, three interceptions, and an opponent passer rating of 45.3.
Strengths: It does not take long to see how talented – and pro-ready – Okudah is to play cornerback at the next level. Turn on any game and within moments you will see skills and traits that translate to the next level. Take this one play against Maryland, the third defensive play of the game for the Buckeyes:
Okudah is in press alignment to the outside, using inside leverage against the wide receiver. Rather than panic at the start of the play, he is patient with both his feet and his hands, like a cobra waiting to strike. When the receiver declares his route by releasing to the outside on a vertical stem, Okudah then gets his hand into his shoulder pads to maintain his relationship with him, and slow his momentum. But alas! The receiver is actually trying to get the corner to bite on the vertical release and suddenly hits the breaks, to run a hitch route. No matter, Okudah has the hips and the footwork to stop on a dime, drive back downhill and make a play at the catch point.
One play, almost everything you want to see in a cornerback.
Okudah is schematically-diverse, aggressive at the catch point, and plays the position without fear. His Combine positional workout was almost pristine, from his change-of-direction ability to his footwork in the backpedal. I mean…pristine:
As an aside, there is a version of that set to “Smooth Criminal” that is also worth a click.
He checks every box. Except maybe the musical one, but you’re drafting him to cover, not sing.
Weaknesses: If you want perfection, then perhaps you can find a weakness or two. Okudah was hit with flags two years ago, but that was something he cleaned up this past season. Still, he does get a bit physical at times and with how the game is called in the NFL, he might draw his share of flags. He could be a bit better at tracking the football and breaking up passes, Pro Football Focus charted him with 11 forced incompletions, which was only tied for 60th in FBS last season. So he is not perfect I guess. Not sure that really counts as a “weakness” but given that it is “anonymous scout season,” perhaps it does.
Conclusion: The bottom line is simply this: Okudah can flat-out cover. Everything about his is executed at a high-level, and the fact that Okudah is plug-and-play in any defensive system speaks volumes.
Comparison: Aqib Talib makes a great deal of sense as a comparison. Bill Belichick often stressed with his defensive backs the ability to flip their hips and change direction, and that is perhaps why the New England Patriots focus mightily on the three-cone drill as a piece of player evaluations. With Okudah, like with Talib, his footwork and change-of-direction ability is a critical component of what makes him great.
The week is finally here as the Indianapolis Colts put the finishing touches on their prep for the 2020 NFL draft, which is set to begin Thursday night.
Though the Colts won’t be on the clock until Friday unless they make a move up, this week will be all about cleaning everything up and making the final touches before the biggest event of the offseason arrives. The same goes for us as well be making our final predictions for the draft.
Without using a simulator, just good old fashioned projections, here is our final seven-round mock draft for the Colts in the 2020 draft:
*Trade the No. 34 pick to the Vikings for Nos. 58 and 89*
Chris Ballard mentioned in his pre-draft conference call that he wants to add more picks. He wasn’t asked about it but still said it unprompted. As he has done in every draft, Ballard will move around and add some picks. Here, the Colts are able to move back later in the second round but add an extra third-round pick. It makes it easier to move this far back having the No. 44 pick already.
No. 44 | Michael Pittman Jr. | WR | USC
After trading back and adding an extra third, the Colts are likely to use one of their second-round picks on a wide receiver. Pittman Jr. is the perfect prospect for the Colts given his size, length and contested-catch ability on the boundary. He wins with physicality and has shown a knack for beating press coverage. He won’t win with pure speed, but he gets enough separation to be a threat downfield and on the intermediate routes as a possession receiver.
With Philip Rivers under center, Pittman Jr. would quickly become a favorite target. Addin that Pittman Jr. understands the NFL life from his father and was a senior captain with the Trojans, this pick makes too much sense.
No. 58 (from MIN) | Josh Uche | EDGE | Michigan
This spot is really tough because there are so many options. They could add a quarterback here or even an offensive tackle but given Ballard’s propensity for adding to the defensive line, I think we see him select and edge piece earlier than expected. With Uche, Ballard would be drafting another strong athlete with the versatility to work on the edge or as a SAM backer.
While he might be a little undersized to be a full-time edge rusher, Uche wins with speed, length and incredible bend when running the arc. He’s twitchy and rangy but has to develop his pass-rushing plan and overall instincts at the position. Seeing that he doesn’t have to start right away, Uche can hone his crafts and become a strong future piece of the front seven while giving the Colts a bendy, speedy rush on sub-packages to start out.
Safety candidates for Dolphins in 1st round of 2020 draft
The Miami Dolphins have done well this offseason to plug holes along their defensive depth chart — the team has effectively plugged up issues at EDGE defender and bolstered their cornerback room with notable additions through free agency. But the biggest looming hole left in Miami’s defense is still a big one — the free safety position. Adding a free safety would benefit the Dolphins on account of the team’s ability to move Bobby McCain back to the nickel position and in turn allow the Dolphins to simultaneously get better at two spots in one selection.
Who are the most logical targets for the Dolphins early in this year’s NFL Draft? There are four clear, obvious fits for Miami — although each brings a separate skillset to the table and would, to some degree, require unique catering from Brian Flores in order to position them best for success.
Here are the possible 1st-round candidates for the Dolphins’ vacancy at safety.
SAF Grant Delpit, LSU
Delpit entered the 2019 college season widely regarded as the top safety prospect eligible for this year’s draft. Tackling issues throughout his junior season have tempered the excitement regarding his pro stock, but he’s probably the most high ceiling player on this list. He’s physically capable of fulfilling any role you could possibly ask of a safety.
SAF Ashtyn Davis, Cal
Davis is a true “single high” free safety who would excel in a Miami secondary coached by Flores and Davis’ college coach, Gerald Alexander — who is now on Miami’s staff after being added this winter. Davis’ range compliments the press-man abilities of both Byron Jones and Xavien Howard; making him a sleeper pick for Miami if the team doesn’t like their other options or feels he won’t make it to 39.
SAF Antoine Winfield Jr, Minnesota
Winfield Jr. is a versatile defender who has a knack for making big plays. Durability is of concern, however — he missed the end of this 2017 & 2018 seasons due to injuries. He’s got NFL bloodlines and is clearly a student of the game, however. If Miami is confident in his medicals he could feasibly serve as a “jack of all trades” on defense for Coach Flores.
SAF Xavier McKinney, Alabama
McKinney comes from the same pipeline that put a former Dolphin — Minkah Fitzpatrick — into the NFL. McKinney is a better tackler than Fitzpatrick but also isn’t quite the same level of an athlete, nor does he have the same coverage ceiling. But McKinney is capable of doing one of the things that spurned Fitzpatrick here in Miami — covering tight ends and stepping onto the second level to fill versus the run.
Thomas may not excite fans like the massive Mekhi Becton, or be as athletic as Tristan Wirfs, or as dominant in the run game as Jedrick Wills.
But one thing he may be more than the other top three tackles? A very safe pick.
Given the Cardinals’ history of first-round picks that have not worked out very well, safe may be good. Thomas has the potential to be a solid right tackle for years, then take over at left tackle should something happen to DJ Humphries.
In a weak safety class, the Bears need to strike early to nab a quality starting strong safety. Here are five prospects that fit the bill.
With the departure of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, the Chicago Bears have a starting safety spot up for grabs opposite Pro Bowler Eddie Jackson.
Right now, Deon Bush, Jordan Lucas and DeAndre Houston-Carson figure to battle it out for the starting strong safety spot, presumably alongside a rookie.
Many draft analysts have the Bears targeting a safety with one of their two second-round picks, and in a weak safety class, Chicago needs to strike early to nab a quality starting strong safety.
Let’s take a look at five safeties the Bears could target in the NFL Draft:
1. Jeremy Chinn, Southern Illinois
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Chinn’s athleticism, size and speed make him an intriguing prospect, and he proved to a defensive playmaker for Southern Illinois. Chinn’s stock has been on the rise since his impressive outing at the Senior Bowl, and he’s now projected to be a Day 2 pick. Chinn has made it clear that he’d love to play for the Bears, and they appear to feel the same, as they’ve met with him twice during the pre-draft process.
Brugler pays close attention to fit (scheme and culture) and draft trends, visits, and workouts than his own personal opinions.
With that, lets break down what one of the highly touted draft analysts is thinking for Los Angeles in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Round 1 | QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
Tua or Oregon’s Justin Herbert, that’s what it’s come down to in the majority of mock drafts. There’s been growing buzz recently that the Dolphins are leaning towards Herbert, which means that the Chargers would see Tagovailoa fall to their laps.
However, in the draft you never know what’s going to occur, which is why a trade up is possible if they feel like Tua is their guy. Even though he draws some durability concerns, Tagovailoa is an elite passer who possesses all intangibles need, projecting as a high-upside NFL starter if he stays healthy.
With Taylor expected to start, this would allow Tagovailoa to redshirt in his rookie season in order to get to full health before taking the reins.
We aren’t talking enough about Tagovailoa and the potential of him dropping farther than this due to the durability and medical concerns. Each team has its own appetite for risk and we don’t know how the Chargers feel, but it might be worth the risk for that organization.
