What the Vikings can expect from Jeff Gladney in 2020
By Adam Carlson
The good
After trading down because Mike Zimmer had so 2-3 cornerbacks he liked while on the clock at 25, the Vikings head coach got one of the top defensive back prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft and will look to groom him into a cornerstone of the Minnesota defense.
Jeff Gladney has quite a few great traits that will help him succeed in the NFL according to the official website of the NFL as well as CBS Sports. Here are some of the best traits he has to offer the Minnesota Vikings:
Toughness
The Vikings lost a physical corner with the exit of Trae Waynes but add a defensive back who can play strong press coverage and is a good tackler. Gladney is not afraid to jostle with a receiver to knock them off a route and disrupt an offense even if that pass-catcher is significantly larger than him.
Length
Despite a smaller frame, Gladney plays big thanks to long arms, anticipation, and tight coverage. He will smother targets in the passing game and frustrate them. When the ball does come his way, he can use his long arms to deflect passes and cause incompletions.
Blitzing
Minnesota loves getting the most out of their pass rush and the Vikings can put Gladney in those situations if they ever want to get extra pressure on the opposing quarterback and get results. A versatile player like that is something Mike Zimmer values, meaning he can stay on the field in many situations.
Other traits to like:
- Anticipation – He has a great eye for a developing play.
- Backpedal – Gladney does a great job keeping the receiver contained off the line.
- Experience – 44 games played at TCU with 146 total tackles and 5 interceptions
Jeff Gladney is one of those players who is hard to hate considering everything he brings to the table. However, not everything to do with the cornerback is what fans and teams look for in a first-round pick.