Touchdown Wire’s mock draft 4.0: Anticipating trades and surprises
In Touchdown Wire’s mock draft 4.0, trades alter the strategy of several teams, with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa at the heart of the action.
Tag: Xavier McKinney
Vikings take WR Jalen Reagor, and S Xavier McKinney in Draft Wire mock draft
Vikings go with a skilled wideout and a talented safety in the first round of a Draft Wire mock draft.
After the Vikings reportedly traded Stefon Diggs, there is an opening at wide receiver alongside Adam Thielen.
Minnesota has also acknowledged to teams that safety Anthony Harris is a potential tag-and-trade candidate.
That means there could be two openings at wide receiver and safety. Our friends at Draft Wire thinks the Vikings should fill those openings in the first round.
Minnesota selected TCU wide receiver Jalen Reagor with pick No. 22 of the Draft Wire mock draft. Here’s what Draft Wire said about the choice:
“In trading away Stefon Diggs, the Vikings lost a polished route-runner and explosive playmaker from their passing game. It only makes sense for them to use one of their first-round picks to fill that void with a similar player, and Reagor has the skill set to be the perfect fit.”
Minnesota selected Alabama safety Xavier McKinney with the 25th pick. Here’s what Draft Wire said:
“There are bigger needs on both sides of the ball for Minnesota, but the value just isn’t there at corner or offensive tackle. Instead, they opt for the best safety in this year’s class, grabbing a smart, athletic and punishing defender in McKinney. The Vikings would have one of the league’s most talented safety groups if this is the pick.”
Personally, I’d love for the Vikings to keep Harris and even if they don’t, the team could probably find value at safety a little later in the draft. But McKinney would still be a talented player, so he might be worth using a first-round pick on.
Touchdown Wire’s mock draft 4.0: Anticipating trades and surprises
In Touchdown Wire’s mock draft 4.0, trades alter the strategy of several teams, with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa at the heart of the action.
NFL mock drafts can take on a variety of forms. You can see a predictive mock draft, where the author assembles selections based on what he or she expects to see happen. You can see a what I would do mock, where the author makes selections based on what they would do with each pick.
Touchdown Wire’s 2020 Mock Draft 4.0 for blends the predictive with the suggestive. While the majority of positions for each team are predictive, there are some suggestive elements based on scheme fit and potential usages for each player upon arrival in the league.
So sit back, pour your #QuarantineLife drink of choice, and enjoy.
What should the 49ers do with the 13th overall pick?
After trading DeForest Buckner to the Colts, the 49ers have new flexibility with the 13th overall pick. How should they spend it?
The biggest news on Monday so far has been the Houston Texans trading DeAndre Hopkins and a fourth-round pick in 2020 to the Arizona Cardinals for running back David Johnson and a fourth-round pick in 2021. The wisdom of that deal for the Texans has been hotly debated — well, actually not hotly debated as much as it’s been universally (and rightly) panned.
After that, the second-biggest news was unquestionably the San Francisco 49ers signing defensive lineman DeForest Buckner to a five-year, $85 million contract and then trading him to the Indianapolis Colts for Indy’s first-round pick, which is the 13th overall.
It’s an interesting move for the 49ers, who have Nick Bosa, Dee Ford, and Arik Armstead on their defensive line already. Buckner has been a relative multi-gap force since San Francisco selected him with the seventh pick in the 2016 draft, but given what the Colts gave up, this sets the defending NFC champions up nicely to restock an already stacked roster.
So, what should the 49ers do with that 13th overall pick? They also have the 31st overall pick, so they could ostensibly trade up even higher than 13 if they wanted to, but if they stand pat, there are all kinds of interesting options. Let’s look at positional need and draft possibility.
Vikings draft Alabama safety Xavier McKinney in CBS Sports mock
The Vikings went with a safety in a recent CBS Sports mock draft.
Minnesota might have to move on from Anthony Harris in free agency, and it seems like Jayron Kearse doesn’t want to come back to the team.
So the Vikings may need a safety. In that case, Xavier McKinney seems like a good fit.
CBS Sports picked the Vikings to draft McKinney in the first round of a recent mock draft.
Here’s what the outlet said about the pick:
“If Anthony Harris leaves in free agency, then McKinney can fill the void. Regardless, I like him in a role where he can play a variety of positions and be allowed to operate freely in the secondary.”
Personally, I think the choice of McKinney probably won’t happen regardless of the fit and his caliber as a player. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said safety isn’t the most important position on his defense, so I doubt the team will take a safety with its first-round choice this season.
5 safety options for Cowboys in 2020 NFL draft
As we continue to preview prospects at positions of need for the Dallas Cowboys I can’t help but to think back to the old attage, the more
The more things change the more they stay the same. Its been 18 years since the Cowboys drafted a safety in the first round of the NFL draft, when they spent the eighth-overall pick on safety Roy Williams from the University of Oklahoma. As of recently, the safety positions seems to be the one position of need that never gets addressed enough to actually improve the position. It could be how they value the position or the options available to improve the position but to their credit they have kicked the tires over the last two years to acquire impact players at the position.
First it was attempting to trade for Earl Thomas then eventually trying to sign him the following off-season but was outbid for his services by the Baltimore Ravens. This past season at the trade deadline they flirted with trading for Jamal Adams but the price was to steep as they did not want to part ways with a first-round pick plus other assets. However, after passing on safety prospects like Taylor Rapp, Nassir Adderley and Juan Thornhill in the second round of last years draft the Cowboys find themselves again searching to improve the position. Luckily for the Cowboys the 2020 draft class is equipped with some potential Day-1 impact starters.
Grant Delpit, S, LSU
The 6-foot-2, 213 pound safety has been one the most popular players mocked to the Cowboys and for good reason. Delpit was a three-year starter at LSU lining up as both a free and strong safety. He is a ball-hawk with very good instincts in coverage. He has quick feet with loose and flexible hips. He does a good job reading quarterback eyes and breaking to the football.
Delpit has excellent ball skills and finished with eight interceptions throughout his college career. He struggles at times as a tackler often lunging with his shoulders and missing tackles. He must shore up his tackling inconsistency, but Delpit is a very real option at pick No. 17. Delpit completed his junior season with 65 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, seven passes defended, one forced fumble an one fumble recovery.
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What the experts say:
Aggressive, urgent striker with good upside who posted a disappointing follow-up to an exciting 2018 campaign. His evaluation requires a full load of 2018 tape, where his coverage potential was better illustrated. He transitions with instinctive eyes and plays physically against tight ends. Willingness to rush in and hit has never been a problem in the alley or in his fits, but tackle inconsistencies have plagued him throughout his career due to angles and technique that could be challenging to fix. LSU sources say NFL teams won’t be getting the alpha leadership Jamal Adams provided for the Tigers, but Delpit should find a starting role early in his career as a versatile safety with big nickel potential.
Grant Delpit projects as an impact defender at the NFL level. Tackling issues in the open field will put off some teams, but he’s physically capable of booming hits and his foundation as a player is a pretty rare blend of skills — making him an enticing every down defender that can be a centerpiece to weekly game plans. Delpit has high football intelligence and can handle any number of roles or responsibilities, adding him to a roster will add infinite flexibility to back-end coverage combos.
Some players are so good they jump out at you even when you are studying other players for a another draft. That was the case with Delpit in 2018, as he was impossible to miss when watching LSU. The fast and physical safety was all over the field for the Tigers, commanding viewers to take notice. He totaled 74 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, five sacks, nine passes batted and five interceptions that season. Delpit showed an excellent combination of size and speed to be a difference-maker at safety in the professional ranks. His impressive high-quality play to go along with his skill set had NFL teams thinking he had top-20 potential for his draft class.
Prospect for the Pack: Alabama DB Xavier McKinney
Breaking down the draft profile of Alabama DB Xavier McKinney, a potential draft pick for the Packers in the 2020 draft.
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 Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney:
What he can do
– So versatile. Alabama played him everywhere. Deep safety, linebacker, slot cornerback. Versatility in Bama’s defense suggests high football IQ
– Highly active and comfortable in coverage in intermediate areas. Played down in the box a ton vs. several teams and was effective closing passing windows to the middle of the field and flying down to handle the flats
– No problems covering tight ends and running backs
– Played over 200 snaps in the slot and rarely looked overmatched
– Twitchy athlete in space. Doesn’t have impressive long speed but is quick and explosive in short areas. Loose hips give him effortless change of direction ability
– Fearless playing the run. Not a high impact run defender but more than willing to mix it up inside
– Doesn’t look big enough (6-0, 201) to play in the box at the next level. Slender-type build. Could be easily overwhelmed by physicality near the line
– Gave up a few big plays and isn’t super rangy playing deep but is generally strong in coverage in the free safety role
– Inconsistent tackler. Will stick and drive a ball-carrier on one snap and then dive and miss on another. Big-time hitter and can really lay the wood when he squares someone up, but still missed too many tackles in 2019
– Super effective blitzer. Knows how to time up blitzes with the snap. Slippery getting through gaps and around the edge and can be disruptive once he reaches the quarterback
– Can be late getting to the right spots. LSU had him in chase mode early
– Likely to have production playing the ball at the next level. Loves playing the quarterback’s eyes. Awareness, quickness and instincts keep him near the ball always
– Could really be an impact player on special teams, especially early in NFL career
How he fits
The Packers signed Adrian Amos and drafted Darnell Savage in the first round just last year, but Mike Pettine’s defense uses the safety position interchangeably between the deep half and in the box. McKinney lacks size and doesn’t look perfectly suited to play the hybrid linebacker position at the next level, but his ability to cover all positions in the intermediate areas and handle slot responsibilities should give him serious appeal to Pettine and the Packers. Amos, Savage and McKinney would really increase the versatility of the secondary, providing Pettine with a multitude of options for deploying the trio across the field, especially in passing situations.
NFL comp
Pro Football Focus compared McKinney to Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Malcolm Jenkins, a fitting pick for Alabama’s versatile safety/slot cornerback. Another great comp is Jimmie Ward, who blossomed as a versatile defensive back for the San Francisco 49ers.
Where Packers could get him
Possibly at No. 30 overall, although it’s possible he’ll be gone by then. Teams love versatility and players who can cover multiple positions. McKinney’s lack of straight-line speed and overall athleticism might scare off some teams. He figures to be in play for the Packers if he’s still there at No. 30.
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
S Antoine Winfield Jr.
DL Raekwon Davis
Latest CBS mock draft has Tua climbing, Ruggs dropping
With the 2020 NFL Combine complete and the draft just over a month away we now have a better idea as to where players from programs all across the country will land. Alabama products in the draft such as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, wide receivers …
With the 2020 NFL Combine complete and the draft just over a month away we now have a better idea as to where players from programs all across the country will land.
Alabama products in the draft such as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III and even offensive lineman Jedrick Wills have bounced all around the first round during mock drafts leading up to now.
CBS draft analyst Chad Reuter’s most recent mock draft has some interesting moves regarding former members of the Crimson Tide.
Here’s where they land in Reuter’s draft:
25. Minnesota Vikings – Trevon Diggs, CB
His absence at the combine was acknowledged by Reuter, but his performance under Nick Saban in 2020 was more than enough to land him in the first round of this mock draft. It’s also a bonus that Diggs would be teammates with his older brother, Stefon Diggs.
Could the Eagles pass up a WR in the first-round for a defensive playmaker?
The Philadelphia Eagles could choose to go defense with their first-round pick because of the deep draft class
The talk of the NFL Draft process has centered around the Philadelphia Eagles coveting a wide receiver in the April selection process.
Whether it be Henry Ruggs III, Tee Higgins or Justin Jefferson, the Eagles have been linked to a wide receiver, but with this draft class being so deep, could Howie Roseman forgo an offensive player in the first round to target a defensive playmaker at No. 21?
Whether it be at the safety, cornerback, or defensive end position, the quality of player drops after the top 3 or 4 highest rated guys come off the board.
At wide receiver, the Eagles could get a player in the second, third or fourth round with the same NFL projection as some of their first-round counterparts.
In a recent NFL mock draft from The Athletic’s Bo Wulf and Zach Berman, the Eagles go defense in one mock, choosing to double-back and address the wide receiver position with later round picks.
If guys like Ruggs III and Justin Jefferson, the Eagles could decide that guys like Tee Higgins, Laviska Shenault, Jalen Reagor, KJ Hamler, Denzel Mims, and Brandon Aiyuk could hold similar value.
At that point, could the Eagles choose to address the needs at defensive end or safety with their first-round pick?
It hasn’t been a hot topic during the NFL draft process, but the Eagles could definitely be in the market for youth and more talent along the defensive front.
With guys like A.J. Epenesa, Javon Kinlaw, Neville Gallimore, Marlon Davis of Auburn, Xavier McKinney, Grant Delpit and others available, the Eagles could shock the world and go defense with the first-round pick.
it would have to be a player the Eagles could utilize as an integral part of their defense for years to come, but it’s definitely a possibility, especially if the player the Birds covet is off the board.
Saints pick a safety in Dane Brugler’s updated mock draft
The New Orleans Saints invested early in their secondary but waited on help at wide receiver in Dane Brugler’s latest 2020 NFL mock draft.
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The 2020 NFL Scouting Combine is in the books, and everyone is updated their mock drafts. We took a shot at our own take earlier this week, and the latest mock-up comes from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, one of the most accurate experts in the business. Brugler projects the Saints to select Alabama Crimson Tide prospect Xavier McKinney, one of the best safeties in this year’s draft class. But he only sees that happening with a few important caveats:
If Vonn Bell leaves in free agency and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson stays in a nickel role, safety becomes a question mark for the Saints. McKinney will have spacing issues in coverage, but he limits mental mistakes, especially vs. the run as a downhill tackler.
McKinney measured out as a marginal athlete at the combine, timing the 40-yard dash in 4.63 seconds at 6-foot-0, 201 pounds. His best results came in the jumps, leaping 36 inches vertically and 122 inches broad, both good-but-not-great marks.
However, freakish athleticism isn’t really McKinney’s best bid for the NFL. He’s regarded as a heady player who is quick to learn from his errors, and is difficult to fool with complicated passing concepts. He was disruptive in two years as a starter at Alabama, creating plenty of splash plays. He was credited with 169 combined tackles (104 solo, 11.5 for loss of yards), 6 sacks, 15 passes defensed (5 interceptions), and 6 fumbles forced (1 recovered) in his final 28 games. That would go a long way towards replacing Vonn Bell’s impact plays.
Later on in the third round, Brugler connected the Saints to Liberty wide receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden. Gandy-Golden was the 13th wide receiver to be selected in the top three rounds in Brugler’s mock draft, ahead of UCF’s Gabriel Davis, South Carolina’s Bryan Edwards, and Florida’s Van Jefferson.
Gandy-Golden is a huge target (6-foot-4, 223 pounds) who lacked speed and flexibility in athletic testing at the combine, performing best in the broad jump (127 inches). He still starred at Liberty with 150 receptions for 2,433 yards and 20 touchdown grabs — in just 24 games over two years. The jump in quality of competition from Liberty’s schedule to the NFL would be tremendous, but there might not be many better options if the Saints wait so long to address the position.
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