SALT LAKE CITY — Nine days remain until the 2020 NFL Draft unfolds in homes around the country.
For a pair of Utah college stars — Utah State quarterback Jordan Love and Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson — the draft’s first night could reveal where they are headed.
For Love, one of the top quarterbacks in this draft class, the expectation is he’ll likely be a first-round pick. That’s less certain for Johnson, but he’s still in the mix as a strong cover corner.
For what is worth, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has both going in the first round in his latest mock draft, released Tuesday morning.
Kiper has Love being picked by the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 19 overall: “This would be a coup for Las Vegas, which isn’t tied to Derek Carr or Marcus Mariota past 2020,” Kiper wrote.
Johnson comes off the board five picks later, at 25th overall to the Minnesota Vikings. “With length and athleticism he fits the profile of what Mike Zimmer likes in his defensive backs,” Kiper wrote.
The 2020 NFL draft runs April 23-25.
Kiper’s picks for Love and Johnson changed from his previous mock draft, released three weeks ago. In that mock, he had Love headed to the New England Patriots with the No. 23 overall pick and did not have Johnson as a first-round selection.