2020 NFL Draft: Free agency, big trades shake up 2-round mock draft

Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images
Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images /
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Xavier McKinney, 2020 NFL Draft
ORLANDO, FL – SEPTEMBER 01: Xavier McKinney #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in action during a game against the Louisville Cardinals at Camping World Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. Alabama won 51-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Alabama. Xavier McKinney. 17. 123. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. S. player

The Dallas Cowboys have invested heavily in the offensive side of the ball, but they had to watch some truly stud defensive players walk in 2020 free agency.

Not only is pleasant 2019 acquisition Robert Quinn off to the Chicago Bears on a $70 million contract, but the Cowboys also lost a stud interior player in Maliek Collins (Raiders) and obviously the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history now — Byron Jones, who departed for South Beach and the Miami Dolphins.

When the Cowboys drafted Jones, his positional versatility was an attractive attribute.

While Xavier McKinney doesn’t have that same kind of positional versatility as a corner/safety, he can play all over the defensive formation as a safety, nickel, and dime linebacker, and they can send him on blitzes, match him up in man coverage, or let him feast in zone.

The Cowboys have to do plenty of work to the secondary but a player like McKinney could be ideal for them in round one.