57. Los Angeles Chargers
With a trade from the Houston Texans and the 57th pick, the Los Angeles Chargers select Van Jefferson out of Florida.
Jefferson started his collegiate career at Ole Miss and transferred to Florida in 2018. In his first year with Florida, he recorded 35 receptions for 503 yards and six receiving touchdowns. Last season, he recorded 49 receptions for 657 yards and six receiving touchdowns.
Jefferson stands at 6-foot-1 and weighs 200 pounds.
Growing up with his father, Jefferson developed a strong competitive streak. He has an above-average release against the press and changes his speed and foot quickness to keep the cornerbacks off balance. Jefferson’s hand usage is effective and subtle at the top of the route and his attention to detail allows him to separate underneath.
The Chargers came into the draft with the immediate need to fill the number three receiver spot and Jefferson comes ready to fit in at that spot.
58. Minnesota Vikings
With the 58th pick, the Minnesota Vikings selected Ezra Cleveland. Cleveland is an offensive tackle from Boise State.
Cleveland played with Boise State for two years, his sophomore and junior years after redshirting his freshman year.
Cleveland started 40 games in his collegiate career, although he had an injury in the second game of the 2019 season and was unable to practice for most of the year.
Cleveland’s strengths come from his low cut frame and a good center of gravity with the ability to accelerate quickly out of stance and into initial pass slides. Cleveland is patient in his pass sets, gets set quickly, and doesn’t lunge or chase the ball with his hands. He needs to work on his play strength and better punch timing to improve his length, but these things come with experience, and going on to the next level of play will give him that experience.
Cleveland gives Minnesota greater depth on the offensive line and is a good fit for the zone run game in Minnesota. He will adapt well with the Vikings offensive line and should become a solid tackle for the team.
59. New York Jets
With the 59th pick in the second round, the New York Jets select Denzel Mims. Mims is a wide receiver from Baylor. Mims spent all four years of his collegiate career at Baylor and recorded 186 receptions for 2,925 yards and 29 receiving touchdowns. In his last season with the Baylor Bears, Mims posted 66 receptions for 1,020 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Mims stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs 207 pounds, possessing an above-average combination of size and speed. His build-up speed allows him to bypass opponents and stack coverage, and he is quite effective in locating and adjusting to the throw. He is a fluent ball snatcher and his full body extensions give him a vast catching radius. He has a slow gather and break from a normal stride and needs to become more physical at the top of his route.
The Jets came into the draft needing offensive line, cornerback, and edge rusher prospects, especially after Robby Anderson’s departure to Carolina. Mims gives the Jets a receiver with the talent to improve on his passing attack.
60. New England Patriots
With a trade from the Baltimore Ravens, the New England Patriots select Josh Uche with the 60th pick of the NFL Draft.
Uche is a defensive end from the Michigan Wolverines and posted a total of 52 tackles, 28 solo and 14 assists with 19 and a half tackles for loss and 15 and a half sacks, in addition to two pass deflections, two fumble recoveries, and three forced fumbles.
In his senior year with Michigan, Uche stacked his stats, playing in 12 games, posting 33 total tackles, 21 solo and 12 assists for 10.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. He also recorded one pass deflection, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble.
Uche has a compact build with good strength and speed, standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 245 pounds. He possesses the physicality, athleticism, and range for the position. His feet are quick and lively on the second level, he diversified his rush attack and can peel and cover when lined up as a rusher.
Uche lacks the length to become a full-time situational rusher and he can be engulfed by size as an edge rushed. He needs to learn to read key and could struggle in cover-man at first.
The Patriots have had an interesting, to say the least, offseason and come into the draft needing offensive line, tight end, and safety prospects. Uche will help fill the voids left by Kyle Ban Noy and Jamie Collins and fits the Patriots history of drafting developmental players and turning them into the players that work best for the organization.
