The Minnesota Gophers football team had their first draftee on Friday night as Antoine Winfield Jr. was selected with the 45th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Winfield led the Big Ten with seven interceptions last season and was an All-American for the Gophers. There were concerns coming into the draft about Winfield’s size at 5-foot-10 and several injuries that cost him his first two seasons in Minnesota.
“Range, instincts and the ability to drive on the football from the deep hash.” NFL Network Draft Analyst Daniel Jeremiah said of Winfield’s game. “Once the ball is up in the air, it is his.”
Winfield should be an excellent addition for the Bucs, who appear to be going all-in after signing quarterback Tom Brady. In an interesting parallel, the younger Winfield has a connection with his father as Antoine Sr. intercepted Brady in his rookie season in 2001.
The Bucs select Antoine Winfield, Jr., whose father Antoine Winfield, Sr. intercepted new Bucs QB Tom Brady all the way back in 2001, Brady’s first season as a starting QB.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 25, 2020
The Gophers could have a few other prospects waiting to have their name called in the draft as wide receiver Tyler Johnson and linebackers Carter Coughlin and Kamal Martin could hear their names called.
