Tag: Justin Jefferson

How did the rest of the NFC North fare in the 2020 NFL Draft?

The Bears have earned solid grades for their 2020 draft class. But how did NFC North foes the Lions, Packers and Vikings do in the draft?

When it came to the 2020 NFL Draft, most Chicago Bears fans were glued to their televisions and phones, wondering who the team would select with their respective draft picks.

The Bears selected seven draft picks over the weekend and have already received fairly high grades. But what about the other three teams in the NFC North? How did the Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings do in the draft? Read below to see their complete draft classes and how they made out.

Detroit Lions

Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
  • Round 1, Pick #3 – CB Jeff Okudah, Ohio State
  • Round 2, Pick #35 – RB D’Andre Swift, Georgia
  • Round 3, Pick #67 – EDGE Julian Okwara, Notre Dame
  • Round 3, Pick #75 – G Jonah Jackson, Ohio State
  • Round 4, Pick #121 – G Logan Stenberg, Kentucky
  • Round 5, Pick #166 – WR Quintez Cephus, Wisconsin
  • Round 5, Pick #172 – RB Jason Huntley, New Mexico State
  • Round 6, Pick #197 – DT John Penisini, Utah
  • Round 7, Pick #235 – DT Jashon Cornell, Ohio State

Analysis: The Lions have been the doormat in the NFC North for quite some time, but their 2020 draft class could be a key factor in their resurgence. They grabbed a pair of Buckeyes with two of their top picks, highlighted by their top selection of Jeff Okudah. The shutdown corner replaces recently-traded cornerback Darius Slay and instantly improves the Detroit secondary under head coach Matt Patricia. Jackson, the other Ohio State player drafted early on, has the opportunity to earn a starting spot on the offensive line.

Other highlights include D’Andre Swift, who should fit nicely with running back Kerryon Johnson, and Julian Okwara, an edge rusher from Notre Dame who slid down draft boards due to injury concerns. While the Lions puzzled some people by doubling up at certain positions during the draft, they clearly improved and addressed a number of needs.

How their draft impacts the Bears: The Lions certainly improved in this draft and could give a few Bears some problems, starting with Okudah. He’ll immediately draw the assignment of covering Bears receiver Allen Robinson. Okudah is extremely talented, but will need to deal with a learning curve. Can he keep up with Robinson? Another tough matchup may include Okwara against the Bears tackles. If healthy, Okwara could give the Lions pass rush a boost against Charles Leno Jr. and Bobby Massie. Finally, Swift will be a mismatch at times against the Bears linebackers as a change-of-pace back.

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B/R tabs Vikings WR Justin Jefferson as an ‘Offensive Rookie of the Year dark horse’

Bleacher Report thinks Justin Jefferson could put up some big numbers for the Vikings in 2020.

The Vikings traded away Stefon Diggs to the Bills this offseason for draft picks. The team used one of those picks — No. 22 overall — to draft LSU wideout Justin Jefferson.

If he’s to replace Diggs’ production, Jefferson has a chance to come in and put up pretty big numbers for the Vikings.

Bleacher Report has taken notice. Tyler Brooke, who writes about football for the outlet, said that Jefferson’s “skill set will mesh great with fellow receiver Adam Thielen, giving the Vikings a younger, much cheaper replacement for Diggs.”

He also said this:

“Jefferson projects well as an NFL slot receiver because of his quick release off the line of scrimmage and the ability to effortlessly shift gears in and out of his routes. Once the ball is in his hands, his excellent change-of-direction ability makes him elusive, and he has the toughness to finish catches and the strength to pick up extra yards.”

Brooke also projected Jefferson to go for 85 receptions, 950 yards, six touchdowns, and that the wideout is a “Offensive Rookie of the Year dark horse.”

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson says ‘teams that took a receiver instead of me are going to pay’ 

“I felt like I was the best receiver in this draft class, and being the fifth receiver off the board, it was kind of a shocker.”

The Vikings’ first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft joined CBS’ Zach Gelb on Thursday. Justin Jefferson, the former LSU wide receiver, was asked about the teams that took a receiver in front of him.

“I felt like I was the best receiver in this draft class, and being the fifth receiver off the board, it was kind of a shocker,” Jefferson told Gelb. “But also having having that on my shoulder going into this next season with Minnesota, I’m definitely excited to show the world what I have.”

Jefferson was a standout at LSU, and it was surprising to see Jalen Reagor go ahead of him to the Eagles. The Vikings got their guy at 22, though.

In his final season at LSU, Jefferson recorded 111 catches for 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns. Jefferson has drawn comparisons to Michael Thomas, Keenan Allen and Reggie Wayne, and he is ready to show the teams that passed on him that they made a mistake.

“Every single person that picked a receiver instead of me are going to pay,” Jefferson told Gelb. “I’m going to show them that I am the better receiver than the pick they had.” 

The new Vikings receiver has some big shoes to fill with the departure of Stefon Diggs, but he sounds like he’s up for the challenge. The team needed to find help at multiple positions and ended up getting one of their favorite receivers in this draft class. 

Handing out awards for the Vikings 2020 Draft Class

Vikings Wire gave some awards out for the 2020 NFL Draft Class.

Each year Minnesota drafts players who can fulfill spots on the team, but this year, it was different for a number of reasons.

Reason one: There were mass departures in free agency. Minnesota lost both starting cornerbacks, a starting defensive tackle and plenty of other key players. Given the Vikings’ lack of cap space, this draft became crucial for adding talent.

Reason two: The Vikings had 15 picks. The team traded wide receiver Stefon Diggs for draft picks, and the team ended up with a record-breaking total for a seven-round NFL Draft.

All that pointed to this draft being an interesting one when Vikings fans look back at the Mike Zimmer-Rick Spielman era. Vikings Wire decided to give out early rewards for this draft class, predicting how the players will do down the road.

Here they are:

Most likely to succeed: Jeff Gladney

Photo: Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire)

Cornerback Jeff Gladney gets the nod for the most likely to find success in Minnesota. He beats out fellow Vikings first-round pick Justin Jefferson.

Jefferson could very well be a strong candidate to find success, but it’s not as much of a given as it is with Gladney. The cornerback enters into a system with depth at corner, and two of the best safeties in the league.

Based on draft history, the team also values the corner position quite a bit, and the Vikings have been good about finding talent at that position in the draft. It’s hard to see Gladney, a physical corner playing in a Zimmer-led defense, not have a decent 2020.

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Full list of jersey numbers for Vikings draftees, recent signings

Check out the jersey numbers of Vikings rookies and recent signings!

It’s been an eventful offseason for Minnesota so far. The team has seen plenty of talent sign elsewhere, but they’ve also added players in the form of free agency signings and draft picks.

There will almost certainly be some new faces on the field for the Vikings in 2020, so here’s a list of some of the newer players, and their corresponding numbers, according to the Vikings’ official website. 

Below is the list:

  • WR Justin Jefferson — No. 18
  • CB Jeff Gladney — No. 20
  • OT Ezra Cleveland — No. 72
  • CB Cameron Dantzler — No. 27
  • DE D.J. Wonnum — No. 57
  • DT James Lynch — No. 66
  • LB Troy Dye — No. 45
  • CB Harrison Hand — No. 29
  • WR K.J. Osborn — No. 17
  • OT Blake Brandel — No. 62
  • S Josh Metellus — No. 44
  • DE Kenny Willekes — No. 60
  • QB Nate Stanley — No. 7
  • S Brian Cole II — No. 39
  • OL Kyle Hinton — No. 68
  • WR Bralon Addison — 89
  • LB DeMarquis Gates — 47
  • CB Marcus Sayles — 36
  • OL Brady Aiello — 67
  • TE Jake Bargas — 40
  • WR Dan Chisena — 85
  • CB Nevelle Clarke — 34
  • WR Quartney Davis — 14
  • S Myles Dorn — 43
  • LB Jordan Fehr — 49
  • TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart — 87
  • OL Tyler Higby — 60
  • OL Jake Lacina — 63
  • K Blake Lynch — 48
  • DT David Moa — 60

Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson has the eighth-best odds of winning Offensive Rookie of the Year

Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson has the eighth best odds of winning Offensive Rookie of the Year, according to BetMGM.

Minnesota lost wide receiver Stefon Diggs this offseason after trading him to the Bills for draft picks.

One of those draft picks was at No. 22 in the first round, and the Vikings ended up taking a player who could replace a lot of Diggs’ production.

The team drafted Justin Jefferson out of LSU. Jefferson has a chance to come in and start at the wide receiver two spot, in an offense that is effective at getting the ball down field through play-action passes and rollouts.

According to BetMGM, Jefferson has decent odds of winning offensive rookie of the year. The LSU product is at +1750, the eighth best odds of winning the award. That’s pretty good, considering he was a late draft pick.

No big surprise for which draftee had the best odds. No. 1 overall pick quarterback Joe Burrow, now on the Bengals, is the odds-on favorite at +200. Former Georgia running back D’Andre Swift, who is now on the Lions, has the second-best odds at +850.

Pro Football Focus gives Vikings an ‘A’ grade for 2020 NFL Draft

Most draft experts agree that the Vikings did an excellent job in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Vikings certainly had an eventful 2020 NFL Draft, ending up with 15(!) players.

Rick Spielman’s squad filled necessary holes out of the gates, drafting wide receiver Justin Jefferson, cornerback Jeff Gladney, tackle Ezra Cleveland and cornerback Cameron Dantzler with the first four picks.

Beyond that, the team replenished a roster that lost so many players in the offseason.

For their work, the folks over at Pro Football Focus gave the Vikings an A grade for their draft efforts.

Of course, these grades aren’t a guarantee that these picks will hit. But by all accounts, Spielman did a great job grabbing talent in this draft, while also securing two extra mid-round picks in next year’s draft. The Vikings already have 10 picks for next year’s draft, and that doesn’t include the compensatory picks that they’ll get for players like Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander.

To round out the NFC North, the Lions also earned an A grade, the Bears got a B+ while the Packers had a D.

Should Eagles fans temper their expectations over the 2020 NFL Draft class?

Philadelphia Eagles fans should temper their expectations for the Eagles’ 2020 NFL Draft. History has shown Day 3 picks are question marks.

The 2020 NFL Draft is officially over and the Philadelphia Eagles have drafted 10 new players. They also traded for former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Marquise Goodwin, so they added 11 new players over the 3-day event.

The Eagles selected former TCU wide receiver, Jalen Reagor, with the 21st overall pick. Reagor may never be a true No. 1 receiver in the NFL, but he will certainly be a weapon for the Eagles. It will be interesting to see Reagor’s career progress and watch the No. 22 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Justin Jefferson’s career progress as well.

Regardless, the addition of Reagor will help quarterback Carson Wentz and the Eagles offense.   Reagor also is able to return punts and kicks as well, so he is versatility will pay off for the Eagles no matter what.

Day 1 of the draft may not have been a home run, but the Eagles did not strikeout.

Day 2? Well, the Eagles got hit by a pitch, if we keep the baseball talk going. They selected former Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts with the 53rd overall pick. Many people thought the Eagles could add another impact player with their second-round pick, but taking Hurts instead was a huge gamble. Hurts is a solid quarterback, but the pick has sparked up controversy regarding Wentz and his backup.

The Eagles then drafted former Colorado linebacker Davion Taylor in the 3rd round. Taylor is a freak athlete. He ran a 4.49 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, but he is extremely raw and more of a project than a starter at this moment.

After what could be deemed a disappointing Day 2, the Eagles and their General Manager Howie Roseman went to work on Day 3. They added 7 players total throughout the final three rounds, and here they are:

Round 4, Pick 127: K’Von Wallace, Safety, Clemson
Round 4, Pick 145: Jack Driscoll, OL, Auburn
Round 5, Pick 168: John Hightower, WR, Boise State
Round 6, Pick 196: Shaun Bradley, LB, Temple
Round 6, Pick 200: Quez Watkins, WR, Southern Miss
Round 6, Pick 210: Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn
Round 7, Pick 233: Casey Toohill, EDGE, Stanford

A couple quick notes from this list:

–K’Von Wallace was a pick universally loved. He was a team captain at Clemson and can play multiple positions. We had him mocked to the Eagles a couple of times this offseason and he should hopefully be a perfect fit for the Eagles secondary.

-Adding depth to the offensive line is always good and hopefully one of the players can emerge with the potential to start if needed.

-Speed! It was clear the Eagles needed speed this offseason and Roseman delivered that. John Hightower and Quez Watkins are burners for sure, so they will give the Eagles receiver group a bump in that category.

Day 3 was a much better day than Day 2, but the only problem with that is these Day 3 picks may excite fans, but they are far from a sure thing for the Eagles. Since Roseman took over again for the 2016 NFL Draft, here is a list of his Day 3 picks and their impact on the Eagles throughout their careers:

The chart is color-coded, with green being good and red obviously being bad. As you can see, there is a lot more red than green. 2016 was probably the best year for the Eagles’ Day 3 picks, as Halapoulivaati Vaitai and Jalen Mills played significant roles in their Super Bowl victory. Wendell Smallwood deserves some love too, as he put up solid numbers as an Eagle.

2017 featured Nathan Gerry, who isn’t great, but he has had good value for a 5th round pick. 2018 was the second-best year since Roseman took back over. Avonte Maddox is a solid piece on defense, but he needs to stay healthy. Josh Sweat isn’t an elite pass rusher, but he has made plays when called upon.

2019 was a complete flop. Yes, we do not know if Shareef Miller will help or not, but they traded for Genard Avery last year, so that doesn’t bode well for Miller. And I think we can all agree that Clayton Thorson was a horrendous pick.

Out of these 17 Day 3 picks since 2016, six of them could be chalked up as solid Day 3 picks. However, only 4 of them made any sort of real impact in their rookie season. Smallwood started 3 games and had 367 total yards and a score in 2016. Big V started 6 games in 2016. Mills played in all 16 games and had 62 tackles in 2016. Maddox started 9 games and had 35 tackles and 2 interceptions. None of these contributions is ‘needle-moving’ either in their rookie season, but they did play a part of the team in their rookie season.

It is also worth noting that every Day 3 receiver (Mack Hollins and Shelton Gibson) the Eagles have drafted since 2016 has been horrible. Gibson has 3 career receptions and Hollins was cut this year after being one of the worst receivers in the NFL. Two receivers are a small sample size, but it should not be overlooked.

What does this all mean? Well, it means that as nice as it was that Roseman had a solid Day 3 on paper, you can’t put too much weight into thinking that Day 3 players will be able to contribute in their rookie season or become impact starters for the Eagles.

So, while many will say Roseman saved the draft by having a great Day 3 after a solid Day 1 and a terrible Day 2, the facts show you that you should temper your expectations for the Philadelphia Eagles 2020 NFL Draft class.

Vikings receive A- grade in Mel Kiper’s post-draft grades

Draft guru Mel Kiper handed out his post-draft grades over at ESPN and gave the Vikings an A- grade.

What a draft it was for the Minnesota Vikings.

The Vikings drafted an NFL-record 15 players. Surely, it will be difficult for all of those players to make the team, but landing players like Justin Jefferson, Jeff Gladney, Ezra Cleveland and Cameron Dantzler not only filled positions of need, but should be players who can help Mike Zimmer’s squad right away.

Draft guru Mel Kiper handed out his post-draft grades over at ESPN and gave the Vikings an A- grade.

Here’ a bit of what Kiper wrote about the Vikings:

Minnesota came into Thursday night with 12 picks and ended Saturday night with 15 picks, plus an extra fourth-rounder and two extra fifth-round picks in the 2021 draft. With that much capital, it takes a lot not to get an A from me. And really, I like the value the Vikings got throughout, starting with extracting a first-round pick for wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who was disgruntled in Minnesota.

For me, to add those four players listed above and to come away with three mid-round picks for next year is huge.

Of course, a grade now doesn’t mean a whole lot. These players need to perform and they’ll certainly get that opportunity in Minnesota. But it is good for Vikings’ fans to see that most draft experts agree that Rick Spielman and his crew did a very solid job.

Vikings’ rookie Justin Jefferson and Jeff Gladney pick jersey numbers

The jerseys are already for sale on the team’s website.

The Vikings drafted wide receiver Justin Jefferson and cornerback Jeff Gladney in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

It took about a day for the two to pick what will be their jersey numbers in the NFL.

Jefferson will wear No. 18:

If you remember right, Randy Moss wore No. 18 after being drafted before switching to 84, for whatever that’s worth.

Gladney on the other hand, will wear No. 20.

Over the last few years, we’ve seen Mackensie Alexander wear the No. 20 jersey. Alexander is now with the Bengals.

If you’re interested in buying one of these jerseys, they are for sale on the team’s website here.