Brady Podloski | April 20th, 2020
The 2020 NFL Draft is this week and each team has an ideal prospect in mind. For us in the public, all we can do is look at the schemes, the team history, and the offensive and the defensive needs to determine the perfect prospect for each team. I pair each team in the NFC with a player who fits their profile and who is attainable with the pick they have. These perfect fits aren’t just limited to first-round players, but players in any round. With that said, here is the perfect draft fit for each team in the NFC.
NFC West
San Francisco 49ers – Neville Gallimore, DT, Oklahoma
With the departure of DeForest Buckner, there is a void for a pass-rushing interior defensive tackle who can also take on double teams. Gallimore has the pass rushing moves to be successful, but gets bogged down and can struggle with double teams. He has the lateral quickness and explosive first step to beat guards and centers during pass reps. Additionally, he has some problems stopping the run due to a lack of technique. He’s a high upside prospect and should be available to be selected with the 31st pick.
Seattle Seahawks – Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia
At 6’6”, 350 pounds, Wilson is a close second to Mekhi Becton in terms of physicality and size, but he doesn’t have the same footwork as Becton. Wilson does have the functional athleticism to be a successful starter in the NFL but is inconsistent with his technique. While the Seahawks just signed Brandon Shell, he will allow Wilison to develop his technique for a year. Wilson should be the selection with the first pick for the Seahawks.
Arizona Cardinals – Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
The Cardinals need more protection for Kyler Murray, but someone with movement skills to adapt to their offense. Movement skills are significant in this offense primarily due to the number of screens and wide splits the Cardinals use. Becton would be a great fit for the Cardinals because of his athleticism and dominant size. While he lacks experience with pass blocking, the Cardinals run lots of quick passing plays, which alleviate the pressure tackles have to face. Overall, Becton is one of the biggest boom-or-bust players in the draft and has a good chance of being drafted in the top ten.
Los Angeles Rams – Willie Gay Jr., LB, Mississippi State
With the departure of Cory Littleton, there is a void in the second level of the defense. While Samson Ebukam is a good starter, the Rams need another linebacker who they can rely on to make tackles in space. Gay is explosive, but it is his reliable tackling that makes him a capable starter. He can be a day one starter and make an impact on the Ram’s defense. Gay could go anywhere from second to the third round but should be in range for the Rams to select.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys – Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State
The Cowboys have a significant need at cornerback with Byron Jones departing in free agency. Arnette is a physical press-man corner who has some refined man to man cover skills. Overall, he can be a viable starter in the league but needs to be in a system where they allow him to press. Arnette could be one of the best values in the draft, as he will most likely be selected on day two, but can contribute immediately.
New York Giants – Patrick Queen, OLB, LSU
Giants have a significant need at linebacker even with new signings of Kyler Fackrell and Blake Martinez. Both are solid in the box, but they have limited range. Enter Queen, an ultra-athletic linebacker with the ability to get anywhere on the field. He’s dynamic in the run game and has the coverage ability to be a three-down linebacker in the league. Queen could be there at the beginning of round two and would be able to immediately start on the defense.
Philadelphia Eagles – Logan Stenberg, iOL, Kentucky
A nasty guard paired with Jason Kelce and Brandon Brooks, Stenberg would be a perfect fit at 6’6” and 317 lbs. Stenberg is powerful but is surprisingly quick for the size. His consistent play in pass blocking and in the run would make him a good fit. He has a chance to be a ten-year starter at guard and the best part is the Eagles could probably get a starting guard in round three.
Washington Redskins – Matt Peart, OT, UConn
Trent Williams is likely to be traded during the NFL draft, leaving a void at left tackle. However, the Redskins don’t have a second-round pick from the Montez Sweat trade last year. So they have to look at targeting a third-round tackle, who has upside. Peart fits the profile as a high upside project with movement skills. He has the potential to be a starting left tackle in the league, it’s just a matter of development and time. Currently, he has poor hand usage and blocking skills but if he can develop behind a veteran and refine his play, I’d be confident starting him in year two.
NFC North
Chicago Bears – Jonah Jackson, iOL, Ohio State
The Bears offensive line has a significant hole after right guard Kyle Long retired. However, the Bears are in win now mode, meaning they have to draft players who can contribute immediately. Jackson is the most pro-ready guard in the class, but also offers the versatility to play either guard position. Arguably, Jackson is one of the best pass setting guard prospects in the draft. His biggest flaw is his inconsistency, but he should be available for the Bears to take with the 46th overall pick
Detroit Lions – Troy Pride Jr., CB, Notre Dame
With the departure of Darius Slay, there is a need for a cornerback who plays man to man coverage. The team signed Desmond Trufant, but only as a placeholder with a two-year contract. Getting Pride doesn’t mean he’ll replace the Slay’s position, but rather take over for Trufant in two years. Pride is a fluid mid-round man to man corner with speed and playmaking to be a starter by year two or three.
Green Bay Packers – Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
The Packers need to find a complementary receiver across from Davante Adams. Ideally, they’re looking for someone who has run after the catch ability but can also be a deep threat. Reagor is a threat to all levels of the field with his separation ability and body control. He profiles as a deep threat, but he has an equally impressive run after catch ability. Reagor can ultimately be the focal point of the offense and draw double coverage. Overall, he has the potential to be an elite wide receiver in the NFL. Reagor will most likely be available with 30th pick but I’m not sure how much longer he will last afterward.
Minnesota Vikings – Devin Duvernay, WR, Texas
The Vikings need to find a receiver to take over the role of recently traded wide receiver, Stefon Diggs. Duvernay is built like a running back, and in 2019 he demonstrated significant improvement in his receiving game. He has reliable hands that fight for the ball in contested catch situations. As well, his run after the catch is special and can be a gadget player early on. Overall, he has to improve his route running, but he will be a starter in the league. He should be available in the third to the fourth round.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons – K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
With the release of Vic Beasley, the edge position across from Takkarist McKinley is open. Chiasson has significant upside and only caught fire at the end of the 2019 season as he was recovering from a torn ACL. If Chaisson continues the same progression we saw at the end of the season, he will be a dominant player. He has the bend and quickness to be a dominant player in the NFL. His profile fits what head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff like in their edge players.
Carolina Panther – Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Matt Rhule signed a six-year contract giving him the long term safety to draft high upside developmental players. In the first round, there are a few players who can be elite, but none with the size and athleticism like Kinlaw. He is one of the top defensive tackles in this draft, but his upside comes from his pass rushing ability. If developed properly, he has the potential to be an elite ten-plus sack a year guy.
New Orleans Saints – Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Drew Brees is 41 years old, and the saints need to draft the next franchise quarterback. Herbert is one of the most polarizing players with the widest ranges of play. One game he looks like the next elite quarterback, but the next game he looks like a borderline back up. Lots of his problems come down to a lack of trust in himself, and sometimes in slow decision-making. The Saints have a history of trading up and are a candidate to trade up for a quarterback.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Antonio Gibson, RB, Memphis
Gibson is special, and it was illustrated in his limited carry count this past year (33 carries). However, each carry was electric and had the potential to score a touchdown. He’s got incredible speed (ran a 4.39 forty yard dash) and significant size at 6’3” and 228 lbs. What makes Gibson dynamic is his receiving ability; he would be the perfect outlet for Tom Brady to dump short passes off with. Ultimately, he’s a potential starter, and will most likely be available in round three.
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