The 2020 NFL Draft Prospects continue with part 4. Time to focus on the defensive side of the ball with Cornerbacks and Safeties.
North Needs Summary
The Vikings need two CBs after losing Xavier Rhodes(cap cut), Trae Waynes (FA) and Mackensie Alexander (FA). They should go CB early and often.
The Bears cut Prince Amukamara but added Artie Burns on a one-year deal. They could still use an upgrade at CB over Burns for the long term on day 2.
The Lions need a CB after trading Slay for a 3rd and 5th round pick.
The Packers have Kevin King in a contract year, haven’t had much success with Josh Jackson and old Tramon Williams still looms on the free agency market. The Packers for the millionth year in a row could take a DB in Round 1. However, day 2 is a more likely bet if they still have confidence in King as a starter.
TIER 1
Jeff Okudah is the best CB in this draft class. He is a big (6’1 200 lb), fast CB with great man coverage skills. Okudah possess strong ball skills and sticky coverage with tackling ability. He would be a great choice to the Lions at pick 3 to replace Slay for the long-term. Detroit may be able to get him at pick 6 after a trade down with the Chargers.
CJ Henderson has been climbing up draft boards at 6’1 202 pounds out of Florida. He is good in man coverage with size, speed and ball skills. Despite his size, Henderson needs to work on his run game support. Henderson will be a Round 1 selection.
Kristian Fulton is 6’0 200 pounds out of LSU. He is another lock for day 1 of the draft. Fulton is great in man coverage as well but needs run support work. He was suspended in 2017 for tampering with a drug test so that is a red flag to watch. He will be a starting CB in this league.
Jeff Gladney is 6’0 183 pounds out of TCU. Gladney is sticky in man coverage with solid press skills but needs to work on his zone coverage. Gladney could be the last corner off the board on day 1.
TIER 2
AJ Terrell is the next CB in line from Clemson. Terrell produced at 6’1 190 for the Tigers. Terrell is another excellent man cover corner but needs to turn his head more and be less physical to draw PI flags. He needs some run D work but he has starting CB potential early.
Damon Arnette is another Ohio State CB who worked opposite of Okudah. Arnette excels in man coverage as well but didn’t produce with ball skills or in off-coverage. Arnette can develop into a starter on day 2.
Noah Igbinoghene is a DB out of Auburn. He has only been a two player CB so needs to develop more at 5’11 200 pounds. His ball production is fine but he could do more. He may be best suited in the slot but must learn how to read wide receivers better on routes.
Trevon Diggs is more of a zone coverage corner but needs to tackle better. He doesn’t have the recovery speed but has good anticipation. Diggs should be a day 2 pick for a zone team and has good size at 6’2 from Alabama.
Bryce Hall is 6’1 200 pounds from Virginia. He is developing man cover skills but has good size and length. He needs work on his foot work to stick with WRs but has zone cover skill ability as well. Hall is a good developmental CB with good size.
Jaylon Johnson is another 6’0 200 -pound CB out of Utah. He is a physical corner but gets too physical drawing penalties at times. Need to work on his ability to read WRs but has size and speed to become a starter from day 2.
TIER 3
Darnay Holmes (UCLA), Cameron Dantzler (Miss State), Amik Robertson (LA Tech), Michael Ojemudia (Iowa), Troy Pride (Notre Dame) should hear their names called on day 3 of the draft.
This is a pretty deep CB class with lots of day 1 and day 2 talent. All four NFC North teams could use a corner or two so look forward to some of these names manning the NFC North for the next four years or more.
Safety
The Packers are set at safety with Savage and Amos. The Lions are happy with Tracy Walker, Harmon and 3rd round 2019 pick Will Harris. The Bears could add a day 2 safety after losing Clinton-Dix in free agency. The Vikings could use safety depth but love Harrison Smith. Anthony Harris got the franchise tag so will be back for one more year in Minnesota.
TIER 1
Xavier McKinney (Alabama) and Grant Delpit (LSU) are the only Round 1 worth safeties in this class.
McKinney is 6’1 200 pound thumper with coverage skills. He could play in the big nickel role, box safety or free safety. He must work on his tackling angles but he is versatile with cover skills.
Delpit is 6’3 201 pounds out of LSU. Delpit is super physical thumper with solid coverage skills. He takes some bad tackling angles like McKinney but that can be refined by coaching. Delpit will be a day 1 starter for an NFL team.
TIER 2
Antoine Winfield Jr is the son of the former Minnestoa CB. Winfield junior is a solid ball hawking safety that packs a punch despite his size.
Jeremy Chinn comes from a small school of Southern Illinois but at 6’3 200 has day 2 potential. Chinn is physical but needs to develop play diagnosis better.
Ashtyn Davis is a wild card that was hurt for the combine and didn’t get a pro day. He has good range and will be a free safety. Needs to work on his run support but can develop into a starting FS. Despite his injury, day 2 is a good bet for Davis.
TIER 3
Kyle Dugger (Lenoir-Ryne), K’Von Walace (Clemson), Terrell Burgess (Utah), Alohi Gilman (Notre Dame) are day 3 safeties in play to try and develop for depth.
Day 3 is the best bet to add a safety but for North teams but the Bears could nab one on day 2 from TIER 2.