Jeff Gladney

Gladney was selected in the first round by the Vikings in 2020. Waived after his rookie season following domestic violence charges, Gladney was found not guilty. After missing all of 2021, Gladney was ready to resume his career with the Cardinals before losing his life in an early morning car crash. Our thoughts are with his loved ones.

The Vikings took Gladney with the No. 31 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft but he was released by the team after one year because of a domestic violence charge. After sitting out the 2021 season, Gladney was found not guilty of assault by impeding breathing. This allowed him to sign anywhere with no threat of a lengthy suspension looming. Jordan Schultz noted that the Cardinals added him for his ability to play both inside and outside corners. Gladney struggled as a rookie but was a well-regarded prospect coming out of TCU. He should get the chance to earn a starting role if Arizona sees him living up to his first-round pedigree in the offseason.

Gladney was drafted 31st-overall by the Vikings in the 2020 NFL Draft. He was indicted on third-degree felony domestic violence charges after his rookie season and the team waived him. He missed the entire 2021 season but was found not guilty in court last week. Now facing no criminal penalties and no suspensions from the league, Gladney will be a name to monitor on the open market. He started 15 games as a rookie but allowed 8.3 yards per target and received a below-average coverage grade from Pro Football Focus. Expect a cheap, short-term deal from the Cardinals or any other team that takes a flier on the former first-round pick.

Gladney had been charged with "assault by impeding breathing." Gladney's NFL future remains dismal, though he has now been legally cleared by a jury of his peers. It is not impossible to believe that someone will sign the No. 31 overall pick of the 2020 draft to their 90-man offseason roster.