2020 NFL Draft: Trades shake up this two-round 2020 NFL mock draft

I would have the Dallas Cowboys taking a Byron Jones replacement, but due to the current board, it would be ideal if they went with the consensus top safety in the 2020 NFL Draft, Xavier McKinney.

McKinney is a natural safety that can be used in a wide array of personnel. Put him in the box or the slot and watch him prosper. He obtains optimal range and is a combative downhill player. He’s marvelous in both man and zone coverage. He takes smart angles to the ball and keeps everything in front of him. McKinney is a truly versatile defensive back and will bolster the Cowboys’ secondary immediately.

No team was crueler to their quarterbacks than the Miami Dolphins were in 2019. Josh Rosen and Ryan Fitzpatrick being under pressure pretty much became second-nature as they got sacked nearly 60 times. The running game was no different as they finished the year with the worst rushing attack in the NFL. They’re obligated to pursue talent in the trenches early with a few of their 14 picks.

With their final first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Dolphins stabilize this problem with Josh Jones from Houston. Jones is a wizard in pass-protection. According to PFF, Jones was awarded the top pass-block grade (86.8) among all offensive tackles in the NCAA.

He is fluid and smooth on the perimeter. Jones specializes in torquing defenders east and west to open pathways. He packs along great athleticism to immediately get up-field on screens, counters, second-level blocks, whatever he’s asked.

The Raiders are back on the clock for the second time on day one of the 2020 NFL Draft. This time around they address the defensive side of the ball with cornerback Kristian Fulton.

Fulton possesses all the solid traits you’d covet for a modern-day defensive back such as a physical frame, balanced footwork, quick change of direction, awareness and mirror-ability. The former LSU Tiger displays impressive closing speed on the ball. He’s feisty on playing through the hands of the receiver and performs with highly instinctive awareness in coverage.

After getting some snacks from the kitchen, the Jaguars’ front-office is back after a short break, and to their surprise, Javon Kinlaw is still on the board. They have no second-thoughts taking him here at 20.

Kinlaw is a fierce competitor at the interior and would be an ideal replacement. He’s extremely explosive, strong and urgent off the snap. Kinlaw was lined up at a handful of techniques during his college tenure.

He’s great at penetrating the inside gaps, stuffs the point of attack and collapses the pocket when able to break the wall. He also has a knack to consistently pressure the passer. The defensive tackle’s talents should help stabilize the unit that has been regressing so fast.

Nelson Agholor is gone, Alshon Jeffrey can’t stay healthy and his future with the organization is currently unknown. Please, someone, get this offense a reliable receiver ASAP. After singing Darius Slay, the Eagles now have the privilege to bring in a luxury of a weapon in Justin Jefferson.

The slot receiver is absolutely outstanding in coming down with the ball in traffic with assistance from his crazy catch radius. He usually creates something from nothing and was a critical factor in LSU’s championship run. He’s fast and wiggly-making it a task to cover him from the inside. There’s logical reasoning as to why he led the nation with 111 catches as a junior. A trustworthy target indeed.

The path is wide open for the top corner spot on the Minnesota Vikings roster after the departure of Xavier Rhodes. The unit struggled last season and Mike Zimmer is desperate to get them back up to par.

Jeff Gladney will be given that job here with the 22nd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He specializes in run support and press coverage as he contains the sidelines. He’s not hesitant to come up and make a tackle behind the line. Through the air, Gladney demonstrates athletic ball skills and man coverage ability as he deflected 27 passes through is last two years at TCU.

The New England Patriots defense was incredible in 2019 and will need to revamp if they wanna keep the momentum going after losing some key pieces in free agency.

The Patriots admire size and power with their edge-rushers and A.J. Epenesa would undoubtedly give them that. He will provide an outstanding impact against the run on this defensive system and is a perfect fit for Bill Belichick and company.

He can be utilized on the perimeter or as a 5-tech. He’s strong with his lower body at the point of attack and pairs along excellent power to simply drive lineman back. He sits patiently to contain the edge on RPOs, screens and stretch runs.

Epenesa was a top fifteen prospect around November, however, quickness and agility became a major concern on film, a major factor in how his draft stock dropped so dramatically. Regardless, I just think he needs to play in the proper scheme to reach his full potential. The Patriots are that scheme.

The New Orleans Saints remain in a ‘win-now’ mode entering the 2020 NFL Draft. In this mock, they fix up the weakest link of their defense (inside linebacker) by selecting Kenneth Murray.

Murray has plenty of range as he displays a sense to attack upfield and laterally on every snap. Attacks the ball with eagerness in his pursuit angles. The off-ball linebacker is a tackling machine, racking up 334 tackles during his three years at Oklahoma. He can always be spotted near the ball and is a true mike linebacker with his competitive toughness. Did I mention he can cover as well? Murray is the real deal and can be an instant plug-and-play prospect on this team.