First-Round 2020 NFL mock draft: “If I were the GM”

Projected Starters: Nathan Gerry, Jatavis Brown, Alex Singleton

The most standard of the interior linebackers in this 2020 NFL Draft class, Kenneth Murray is a modern 4-3 interior linebacker who uses range and quickness to pursue the play from sideline to sideline. Murray was used in coverage frequently at Oklahoma, dropping into shallow zones and using his athleticism and fluidity to cover ground.

Murray ran a 4.52 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, solidifying his label as a flyer in the middle of the defense. Oklahoma was also able to use this speed on the edge in pass-rushing situations to create mismatches against slower offensive tackles. Philadelphia currently lacks a heart to their defense and Murray is a prototypical candidate to remain in the middle of this defense.

Projected Starters: Mike Hughes, Kris Boyd

Another man-to-man corner with an aggressive mindset, Jeff Gladney is a burner out of TCU who clocked a 4.48 40-yard dash at the combine. After letting Trae Waynes and Xavier Rhodes go in free agency following disappointing performances, Minnesota needs to rebuild their secondary to complement their current safety pairing in Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris.

Gladney is an aggressive trail-man technique corner who has shown his ability to play the ball in his collegiate career. Ball-hawking cornerbacks who can smother receivers through their route are the new trend in coverage, and Gladney fits the concept perfectly.

Projected Starters: Tashawn Bower, Brandon King

After losing both Jamie Collins and Kyle Van Noy to free agency, New England has an apparent need at outside linebacker to bring pressure on the quarterback in their 3-4 defense. Dont’a Hightower could slide from his inside linebacking position to the EDGE, and defensive ends John Simon and Chase Winovich have the capability to move to the EDGE, but New England needs a true pass-rushing presence to replace lost production.

Yetur Gross-Matos is a pass rusher out of Penn State who combines length, strength and technique with a dash of speed to produce from the five to the three-technique positions. Gross-Matos showed a unique ability to use leverage to his advantage and create winning situations, not only using his hands but his body to outwork offensive tackles to the point of attack. New England needs a new presence on the edge to disrupt opposing quarterbacks, and Matos is their answer.

Projected Starters: Demario Davis, Alex Anzalone, Chase Hansen

Another flyer at inside linebacker in the 2020 NFL draft class, Patrick Queen ran a 4.5 40-yard dash at the combine and showed that same speed during his time at LSU. Similarly to Kenneth Murray, Queen is able to pursue the play from sideline-to-sideline as well as drop into coverage with his range and fluidity. One aspect Queen does bring to the table over Murray though is his pass rush.

Coming from the middle of the defense, Queen uses his overwhelming speed to fly past interior linemen while they attempt to sort between LSU’s defensive linemen, sneaking through the middle for clean looks on the quarterback. Even when blocked by an offensive lineman, Queen uses his high motor and superior mobility to find a way into the pocket.

New Orleans currently has a suitable defensive line and secondary but needs a presence in their linebacking corps. Queen could be their answer with his superior athleticism.

Projected Starters: Danielle Hunter, Ifeadi Odenigbo

With Everson Griffin finding his way out of Minnesota, Danielle Hunter needs a new running mate across from him on the Minnesota defensive line. A.J. Epenesa had a disappointing NFL combine with a 5.04 40-yard dash and only 17 reps on the bench press, but his game tape suggesting a much stronger player can not be ignored.

Epenesa is a punishing 4-3 defensive end with the ability to slide into the four-technique and uses his power to punish offensive linemen throughout the course of a game and find his way to the quarterback with his length and hand-fighting.

Combining a 6-foot-6 frame with quality technique, Epensa is able to shuck blockers and toss them aside when getting to the quarterback. Minnesota needs to replace lost talent on their defensive line and Epenesa is a tough presence who can fill in directly for lost assets.