2020 1st-round NFL Mock Draft: Alabama gets all of the love

Paulson Adebo is one of many talented corners in the 2020 NFL draft, but instead of providing the trail-man skill set, it gives teams an option for an over-top cover 3 cornerback. Adebo has drawn comparisons to fellow Stanford cornerback, all-pro Richard Sherman. Both have great length, and do their best work with their ball skills and breaking down on routes from their over-top zone.

Dallas has had a shortage of corners, having to start Chidobe Awuzie and an out of position Byron Jones, forcing safety Jeff Heath into action. This shortage is not fully due to roster mismanagement, with a season-ending injury coming to cornerback Anthony Brown, but this Cowboys team seriously lacks depth. Paulson Adebo is a long, athletic corner who when put into the right scheme (*insert Jason Garrett firing here*) can become an all-pro corner.

Josh Rosen can’t catch a break, as Miami goes with the former Bulldog. Fromm has had a well-rounded career at Georgia, proving to be a responsible passer who wins with his accuracy and decision-making over his pure arm talent. Miami receiver DeVante Parker has begun his breakout after many patient seasons, and a smart passer like Fromm would love to have this safety blanket on their roster

Flores needs a consistent, responsible passer who can execute his system and develop under veteran Rayn Fitzpatrick. Fromm’s development time could also be a window of opportunity for Josh Rosen to prove his worth to not only Miami but other NFL franchises.

Laviska Shenault Jr. is a 6’2″, strong 220-pound receiver out of Colorado who has shown a great combination of size, hands, and route running. Shenault is a strong receiver who can use his body well to create separation, as well as his route running prowess. Shenault does not have game-breaking speed, by can produce after the catch with his strong, tough-to-tackle frame.

The Vikings are currently in a state of limbo, being consistent playoff contenders but lacking the talent to make a super bowl push. Placing more faith into Kirk Cousins and letting the ball fly between a trio of star receivers in Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, and Shenault would be brutal for NFL defenses to account for, not considering Dalvin Cook and a second-year Irv Smith Jr.

C.J. Henderson has been a starting corner for the Florida Gators and produced both as an outside an nickel corner. Henderson has been used for blitz concepts as well as conventional outside coverage. Henderson has generated concerns about his tackling, tendings to throw his body into a tackle rather than using a more consistent technique.

The Kansas City Chiefs have lacked defensive playmaking thus far, being led by safety Tyrann Mathieu. Safety fill-in Juan Thornhill has begun to become a more integral part of this defense, and EDGE Frank Clark has begun to come into his own. Adding another playmaker to this defense would be a valued addition to attempt to turn the tides.

Alex Leatherwood is a 6’6″, 310-pound mauling tackle who does his best work when moving downhill. Leatherwood has been used mostly as a pin-down or second-level blocker in Alabama’s power-run/west coast scheme. Leatherwood does best using his size and strength to move bodies downfield, but not when trying to hold an edge against a faster pass-rusher.

Miami lost their franchise left tackle in a trade to the Texans, and Miami has their opportunity with this late-first round pick. Leatherwood’s strong downhill blocking could open more opportunities for running back Kalen Ballage, transitioning Miami to a strong running team with the combination of both Leatherwood and rookie G/T Michael Deiter.