The 2020 NFL draft takes place this weekend and in a sports-less world that we live in, its about the only thing we have to look forward too. I am so thankful that the NFL decided to carry on with the original draft date and give us fans something to talk about and look forward to during the last couple weeks.





This year’s draft will definitely be weird with it being totally virtual and I am sad because the original plan of it being in Vegas sounded pretty sweet. But I'm sure the NFL will make it a great experience for everyone involved.

Here at In The Cave Sports, we are everything Minnesota so I am going to preview all the NFL prospects that have anything to do with the state of Minnesota. These athletes were either born in Minnesota and/or played college ball in Minnesota.

Minnesota born draft prospects that stayed in Minnesota

Carter Coughlin - LB - Minnesota Golden Gophers

Carter is a Eden Prairie native and came to the Gophers in 2016 as 4 star prospect. His father, Bob Coughlin also played for the Gophers from 1986-1990. In 2018, Carter was second team all-conference with 48 total tackles with 15 of those being tackles for loss. He was also tied 4th in the FBS in forced fumbles with 4. In his senior year with the Gophers, Carter was a second team all-conference selection while he recorded 49 tackles with 4.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 4 pass breakups. Carter is 6' 3" and weighs 236 pounds, a smaller linebacker but has a very high football IQ and has a motor that is always running while he's on the field. Look for Carter Coughlin to be drafted somewhere in the 6th or 7th round.

Tyler Johnson - WR - Minnesota Golden Gophers

Tyler was born in Minneapolis and went to North High school. In his junior season with the Gophers, he broke school records with 1169 receiving yards, 12 touchdowns and was recognized with first team all-conference honors. Tyler returned to school his senior year to make sure he gets a degree and his stat line was 86 receptions, 1318 yards, 13 touchdowns in 13 total games. Tyler is 6' 1" and weighs about 206 pounds. He is very competitive on the field and has great instincts along with great body control to help keep defenders away. He is on the lower end with arm reach and speed. Look for Tyler Johnson to be drafted somewhere in the 2nd or 3rd round.

Kamal Martin - LB - Minnesota Golden Gophers

Kamal played high school ball at Burnsville high school where he was a MR. football finalist as a star quarterback and defensive back his senior year. He came to the Gophers in 2016 and ran into trouble when he got suspended for the Gophers bowl game in 2018 and the first game of the 2019 season for violating team rules. He finished the 2018 season with 59 tackles. Kamal also has surgery on his knee his senior season and only played in 8 games. Despite his injured knee, he still had a very strong final season with 66 tackles,1 sack, 2 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles. He was recognized with honorable mention All-Big-Ten honors. Kamal, a 6' 3", 245 lb. linebacker is a very good tackler and does a great job filling holes. Look for Kamal Martin to be drafted in the late rounds of the draft or picked up as a free agent.

Minnesota born draft prospects

Jashon Cornell - DL - Ohio State Buckeyes

Jashon was born in St. Paul and played for Cretin-Derham Hall during high school. Jashon played college ball at Ohio State and had a great senior year with 30 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks. He is a very explosive defensive linemen that shows great athleticism with his play. Jashon is 6' 3" and weighs about 285 pounds but needs to get a little bigger to thrive in the NFL. Look for Jashon Cornell to be drafted somewhere in the late rounds or picked up as a free agent.

Zack Johnson - OL- North Dakota State Bison

Zack is from Blaine, MN and played highschool ball at Spring Lake Park high school. Zack went to NDSU in 2016 and redshirted his freshman year. In 2017, he started 15 games at right tackle and was All Missouri Valley Football honorable mention. In 2018, he also started all 15 games at right tackle and was recognized as an All American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation and All-America second team by Stats FCS. In his senior year, Zack was switched to right guard and was All Missouri Valley Football Conference first team. Zack helped the Bison go undefeated while the team rushed for a school-record 4,601 yards and ranked fourth in the FCS with 287.6 rushing yards per game. He was also elected to play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. Zack is 6' 6" and weights 315 pounds and has the size and strength to make it in the NFL. With no combine invite and the inability to have any pro days due to the coronavirus outbreak, look for Zack Johnson to be drafted in the late rounds of the draft or picked up as a free agent.

Non-Minnesota born prospects that played College football in Minnesota

Rodney Smith - RB - Minnesota Golden Gophers

Rodney was born in Jonesboro, GA and came to the Gophers in 2015. In his sophomore season, Rodney had 240 rushing attempts, 1158 rushing yards, and 16 touchdowns. Rodney ran into some injury problems and bounced back for his senior year where he rushed 228 times and gained 1163 years with 8 touchdowns. Rodney is a 5'11'' and weighs 210 pounds. He is a good balanced runner that can bounce off tacklers in tight spaces. He does lack explosiveness and the speed to break longer runs. Look for Rodney Smith to be drafted in the late rounds of the draft or picked up as free agent.

Antoine Winfield Jr - S - Minnesota Golden Gophers

Antoine was born in Texas and is the son of the former Vikings all pro corner. Antoine played as a true freshman with Gophers and recorded 52 tackles, 1 interception that was returned 82 yards for a touchdown, and 4 pass deflections in 9 games. In 2019, Antoine played all 13 games and lead the team with 88 tackles, he also had 7 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles. His play was recognized and was first team Associated Press All American and a first team All-Big Ten selection. Antoine has great body control and balance on the field and takes great angles to the ball. Antoine also shows great instincts and shows great tackling technique. Look for Antoine Winfield Jr. to be drafted somewhere in the 2nd or 3rd round of the draft. Vikings?????

Good luck to all these draft prospects and make the great state of Minnesota proud.

Be sure to turn into the 2020 NFL draft Thursday, April 23 - Saturday, April 25th. The draft starts Thursday at 7pm





-JK































