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Minnesota Vikings trade back, draft cornerback Jeff Gladney

By David Glancy

SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 28: Cameron Scarlett #22 of the Stanford Cardinal runs after a reception defended by Jeff Gladney #12 of the TCU Horned Frogs in the fourth quarter during the Valero Alamo Bowl at the Alamodome on December 28, 2017 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 28: Cameron Scarlett #22 of the Stanford Cardinal runs after a reception defended by Jeff Gladney #12 of the TCU Horned Frogs in the fourth quarter during the Valero Alamo Bowl at the Alamodome on December 28, 2017 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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After trading their 25th overall pick to the 49ers, the Minnesota Vikings select corner Jeff Gladney with the 31st overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

After Justin Jefferson fell to 22, it felt the only downside to the Minnesota Vikings draft was having to watch Rodger Goodell do the Skol chant. The Vikings then took advantage of a favorable draft board by trading their 25th overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for the 31st, 117th, and 176th picks, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The Minnesota Vikings entered the 2020 NFL Draft tied with the second most picks with 12. The Vikings added two their haul with two additional picks giving general manager Rick Spielman options to move up in the upcoming rounds. After addressing the Stefon Diggs trade, the Vikings had multiple positions to address at 31 and several strong fits for head coach Mike Zimmer.

After the departures of Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, and Mackensie Alexander, the depleted Viking’s secondary was the biggest position of need entering the draft. The Vikings used the 31st pick to address their secondary by bringing in TCU corner, Jeff Gladney. Gladney was the sixth cornerback taken in the first round after the Dolphins selected Noah Igbinoghene one pick prior. While he may have been the sixth corner selected, Gladney may be the best fit for Zimmer’s defense.

While the Minnesota Vikings have a history of drafting corners in the first round, Gladney fills a big hole and was one of the top available defensive players on the board. Gladney is a tremendous press-man corner and is a multi-year starter at TCU after breaking into the starting line-up his redshirt freshman year. Despite measuring at 6-foot, Gladney is surprisingly long and has top level physical attributes.

Gladney is a flexible corner that can fit into multiple schemes and can cover any receiver. Gladney is a very physical corner at the line and plays through every whistle. Gladney is a great scheme fit, has all the physical attributes, and is a developed prospect after playing for TCU head coach Gary Patterson. The Minnesota Vikings could not ask for much more to kick off the 2020 NFL Draft than adding a top receiver in Jefferson and a top corner in Gladney.

With 12 more picks to be made Friday and Saturday, the Minnesota Vikings will have the options to move up in the upcoming rounds. With a significant hole still at tackle, the Vikings could move up to draft a Josh Jones or Ezra Cleveland if they do not make a move for Redskins left tackle, Trent Williams. The Vikings could consider making a variety of other day two moves which could include a move Minnesota favorite, Antoine Winfield Jr.

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