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NFL Draft 2020: 5 biggest snubs from the first round

By Michael Hanich

D'Andre Swift, Georgia football (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
D'Andre Swift, Georgia football (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 26: Antoine Winfield Jr. #11 of the Minnesota Gophers looks on during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at TCF Bank Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Gophers defeated the Terrapins 52-10. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 26: Antoine Winfield Jr. #11 of the Minnesota Gophers looks on during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at TCF Bank Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Gophers defeated the Terrapins 52-10. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Like Xavier McKinney, Antoine Winfield Jr. is a safety that has pushed mostly due to the lack of dire need for an immediate impact deep coverage player. He has the talent and production value to be a first-round selection but slipped to some questionable picks of some teams addressing the quick passing game concerns.

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Winfield is a tackling machine that has the reactivity to make the big tackles needed or the big plays to force fourth down. His instincts make him a great deep safety to read plays and be the last man needed to make the play. Winfield was ranked the second-best safety and the 29th best prospect by ESPN as he was graded with an 88 overall grade.

The Minnesota star was one of the best and most tackles this season for the Golden Gophers as he led the team in total tackles (88 tackles) and solo tackles (62). There are some concerns about the lack of height and athleticism as well as his health and durability. He encountered two significant injuries in 2017 and 2018.

The Ravens, Seahawks and Dolphins are teams that could have made the late first-round selection on a reliable tackler in Winfield. The Dolphins will be back in the second round with the 39th overall pick to potentially get Winfield along with the Houston Texans with the 40th overall pick.

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