The secondary is the obvious direction for the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. While many people have been mocking safeties to the Cowboys and even though both top-tier safeties are still available, cornerback seems to be the bigger need to me.
That is assuming Byron Jones leaves in free agency, which I think he will. Even if he stays, Dallas could still use an upgrade at the position. C.J. Henderson has the potential to be the best lockdown corner in this draft. While he isn’t as complete of a player as Okudah, he is an incredible athlete with elite ball skills.
Henderson has the footwork and hip mobility to stay right with any NFL wide receiver. He has the speed to make up ground, the quickness to close in fast and the instincts and ball skills to make a play. Sometimes his instincts lead to some bonehead plays and he isn’t a very good tackler which is likely why he isn’t a top 10 pick, but Henderson could wind up as one of the best cover corners in the NFL.
What a fall Andrew Thomas has taken without even playing a game. At the end of the playing season, Thomas was viewed as the clear number one tackle prospect. But now the more that evaluators analyze the tape on Thomas and the other prospects, people just seem to be finding more upside elsewhere.
Thomas is a tenacious run blocker. He is also extremely mobile and very powerful as a moving blocker, easily finishing of his man and getting to the next level. As a pass protector, however, Thomas leaves a little to be desired. His footwork and technique could stand to improve, although he does have experience in an NFL-style offense going against some of the best players in the nation in the SEC.
Thomas has as much potential as any tackle prospect in this draft and the Miami Dolphins take advantage of over-analysis of the tape. After landing Tua Tagovailoa at five, the Phins are able to add someone to protect him and to lead the run game for years to come.
traded from Las Vegas Raiders
Here we are! Our first trade of the mock and of the 2020 NFL Draft. The New Orleans Saints are in a very interesting spot this offseason. What will they do about their quarterback position? All three quarterbacks that played last season for New Orleans will be hitting free agency in some capacity. Could the Saints really retain all three? Highly doubtful.
The scenario that seems the most likely to me is that the Saints will resign Drew Brees for a couple more seasons and match anything that Taysom Hill is offered. There has been talk that the Saints really see Hill as a possible franchise option for their future, but I’m not so sure. Why not bring in another young quarterback that could develop into something great?
Jordan Love is one of the most polarizing players in the 2020 NFL Draft. Some compare his to Patrick Mahomes while others say he’s an underdeveloped Jameis Winston. I am definitely intrigued by his potential and think he certainly falls somewhere in the middle, but more good than bad.
With Love being so raw, the best thing for him would be to develop for a year or two behind a guy like Drew Brees. Sit and learn, compete with Hill for the back-up job and then the Saints may have multiple options to take over the reins of the franchise in a couple of years.
With the pick acquired from the Rams in the Jalen Ramsey trade, the Jacksonville Jaguars take a stab at finding his replacement. Kristian Fulton is one of the most physical man corners in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Fulton has a long frame with heavy hands and great ball skills in terms of breaking up passes. He is a very good tackler with the ability to mirror receivers in man coverage. Across from A.J. Bouye, Fulton could develop into a high-level NFL corner. Paired with Javon Kinlaw at nine, the Jags are really working towards reshaping their defense.