2020 NFL Mock Draft: Pre-Combine 3-round projection fueled by trades
25. player. 60. . CB. Minnesota Vikings. Jeff Gladney
Anyone who has watched Jeff Gladney knows that he’s going to tear up the NFL Combine but the TCU product isn’t getting the buzz that some others are. Regardless, when you think about his potential athletic testing and what he showed on film, the Vikings are a natural fit. Likely moving on from Xavier Rhodes this offseason, they need more long-term options at cornerback and Gladney could come in right away and add necessary help to that group in Minnesota.
50. . S. Detroit Lions. Xavier McKinney. 26. player
(Pick via Dolphins by way of Texans) Getting an extra first-round pick from the Dolphins in the early trade up to No. 3 is huge for the Lions. They already addressed the secondary once by taking Okudah at the fifth pick but they now look to replace Quandre Diggs at safety by taking Xavier McKinney. When you look at what the Alabama product did this past season. He’s great in coverage in multiple capacities and is a strong tackler overall that should end up really helping the Lions defense become much more sound on the back end.
Trade: Bengals trade No. 33, 129, 2021 fourth-round pick to Seahawks for No. 27
56. . LB. Cincinnati Bengals. Kenneth Murray. 27. player
After Queen and Kenneth Murray, the linebacker class has a big drop-off in 2020. The Cincinnati Bengals were at their best when the middle of their defense was at its fiercest. So to get back to that, they make an aggressive move back into the first-round to take Murray.
While he’s not the greatest overall athlete, Murray is tremendously fast when crashing down and moving sideline-to-sideline. He can be a stout run defender as a sure tackler and has the tools to be a great asset in coverage as well. Though it does sacrifice some draft capital, his value to the defense is worth trading up from No. 33 to No. 27.
26. . EDGE. Baltimore Ravens. Yetur Gross-Matos. 28. player
The Ravens would love to add Kenneth Murray but, obviously, he’s gone. Furthermore, they could add a receiver to the mix but that’s not my preferred option here. With Matt Judon possibly out via free agency, Baltimore needs to get edge rush help and Yetur Gross-Matos out of Penn State is left on the board for them. A strong run defender with flashes as a pass-rusher, Gross-Matos needs technical help in the latter regard but his potential to be an all-around force on the edge is apparent.