What the Vikings can expect from Jeff Gladney in 2020
By Adam Carlson
The bad
Jeff Gladney had so many good traits for the second pick in the first round, but there are some legitimate issues that the defensive back could face when he acclimates to the NFL level. Here are some of the things that could hold the cornerback back:
Height
These days, NFL wide receivers are tough to cover. With heights up to 6’5, smaller defenders can struggle to stop the bigger pass catchers. Gladney only stands 5’10, meaning he may be mismatched in some situations. Scheming may help to solve that problem, but the old saying of “You can’t coach height” can stand true.
Slender build
At 191 pounds, both NFL.com and CBS Sports feel Gladney could afford to put on some weight to avoid getting pushed around. This is debatable since the TCU product has gone on record as benching and power cleaning 400 pounds in the weight room. He may be lean, but he doesn’t lack the strength or power to be physical.
The negatives
Jeff Gladney can add some bulk and muscle but he can’t grow a few inches. To knock him down because he doesn’t have the ideal attributes for a cornerback would be silly. Still, it’s likely some teams didn’t see Gladney as a top prospect if they only see him as a nickel corner.