Between now and the scheduled April 23rd opening of the 2020 NFL Draft, WEEI.com will take a position-by-position look at the prospects in this year's class, both in terms of a general overview as well as from a Patriots perspective.
Safety
Supply-and-Demand Overview: There is no question that the Patriots have emerging needs at the safety position. Devin McCourty re-signed this offseason and is coming off one of his better seasons, but isn't getting any younger. Patrick Chung is starting to show the wear of his physical style and probably doesn't have more than a year or two left, if that. Duron Harmon was traded away to save money after seven seasons as a trusted third option and captain. The rest of the depth chart consists of veteran depth pieces known as much for special teams work as anything else. So whether it's this year or next, New England probably needs to inject some younger, higher-end bodies into the safety mix, unless that's a role on the horizon for bigger-bodied 2019 second-round cornerback Joejuan Williams. The safety class in the 2020 NFL Draft is not elite. While there are a few guys who've gotten some first-round buzz – Alabama's Xavier McKinney, LSU's Grant Delpit and Minnesota's Antoine Winfield Jr. – there is no sure-fire, blue-chip first-round option assuming Clemson's Isaiah Simmons is classified as a linebacker. That said, there are a number of versatile, talented players with upside that could be intriguing mid-round options for teams looking to add complementary depth in the back end.
Top Prospect: Xavier McKinney, Alabama. Depending on which mock drafts you believe, McKinney could be going in the middle of the first round or later in the second. He has good but not elite all-around skills. His speed could be better. He could be bigger. But McKinney certainly has some versatility to move around the back end and draws rave reviews for his football IQ and competitive leadership. While he looks the part of an NFL starter, he doesn't seem to have elite upside despite coming from a school that's produced plenty of pro safeties.
Overrated Prospect: Grant Delpit, LSU. Delpit probably has a higher upside than McKinney thanks to better size and athleticism. But, he has one glaring issue – tackling. As a safety and the last line of defense, Delpit's tackling problems have to be a major concern to at least some NFL teams. He can cover. He can hit. He can blitz. He has good ball skills. But tackling is such a key part of the job at safety that Delpit's issues have to be weighed heavily in this process.
Underrated Prospect: Jeremy Chinn, Southern Illinois. Some have called Chinn – the nephew of soon-to-be Hall of Fame former Broncos safety Steve Atwater – a poor man's Simmons. There is a lot to love about Chinn's size, speed, athleticism and overall game even if it comes from a lower level of football competition. Chinn may have as much upside as any safety in this draft. He could be a key modern defensive cog in the back end of an NFL defense for years to come assuming the jump in competition isn't too much for him. Here's betting the four-year starter and captain has a high-end NFL career.
Wild Card: Antoine Winfield Jr., Minnesota. The son of the former NFL defensive back, Winfield is built more like a running back than a safety. But he has elite production – seven interceptions in 2019 – and more than good enough speed. His 5-9 height will bother some. His aggressive style, ball skills and production will entice others. Time will tell which viewpoint is more valuable.
Possible Patriots: Xavier McKinney, Alabama; Ashtyn Davis, Cal; Jeremy Chinn, Southern Illinois; Geno Stone, Iowa, Julian Blackmon, Utah.
McKinney would certainly add long-term potential to the New England back end coming from Nick Saban's respected program, although he might also be seen as a prospect who has maxed out for the Tide. Davis is an interesting, speedy former track walk-on who has a Patriots-like knack for finishing plays and punching the ball out as a mid-round option with upside. Chinn would be unique athlete to put at Bill Belichick's disposal and a certainly offers potential in the pass-happy modern NFL. Stone is more of a later-round prospect who's likely an NFL backup and special teams contributor, but his competitive makeup and tone-setting style could fit in Foxborough. Blackmon has unique skills and some versatility, size concerns and injury issues that might make him a late-round value option.
Estimated chances the Patriots take a S at No. 23: 13
Estimated chances the Patriots take a S at some point in the 2020 NFL Draft: 77
