Lunchbreak: Draft Analysts Say Vikings Had 'Best Night,' Give High Grades for 1st-Round Picks

[Viktor]

Winfield, Jr., among ESPN's best players still available


Only 32 players heard their names called Thursday night, leaving dozens more to wait until Friday and Saturday for a life-changing moment.


There is still plenty of talent left on the board, as ESPN listed its best remaining players available heading into Day 2 of the draft.


ESPN's Steve Muench has Alabama safety Xavier McKinney as the best player available, followed by Georgia running back D'Andre Swift, Boise State tackle Ezra Cleveland and TCU defensive tackle Ross Blacklock.


Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins was fifth, followed by Minnesota safety Antoine Winfield, Jr., whose father was a three-time Pro Bowl cornerback with the Vikings.


Muench wrote that Winfield, Jr., reminds him of watching his father play.


Just like his father, Antoine Winfield, a first-round pick by the Bills in 1999, Winfield is an instinctive defensive back with excellent toughness for his size. He's a ball hawk, is competitive when the ball is in the air and has above-average hands. Winfield is an aggressive run defender who looks for contact and has good stopping power.


Muench's top 10 is rounded out by Clemson wide receiver Tee Higgins, Iowa defensive end A.J. Epenesa, Penn State defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos and Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor.


Day 2 of the 2020 draft begins at 6 p.m. (CT) with a singular broadcast on ESPN and NFL Network, as well as a unique broadcast on ABC.