2020 NFL Draft: Minnesota Vikings Preview

In light of all the crazy things going on and no sports running that usually would at this time of the year, it creates a big opportunity for me to add input to the NFL Draft then ever before.

So this year I will be doing some draft previews and suggestions for the Vikings. During the virtual draft I will be doing live updates on the team's moves and actions.

I am going to do my best to compile some stats and info on players in the draft and which players best fit this Vikings team in 2020. 

Let's start by going over what the Vikings need the most this year in their 2020 draft needs.

Draft Position Needs:
1. Cornerback
Now who would have thought that our head coach, who's defensive strength seems to be drafting cornerbacks, would need a cornerback in a draft. Just 2 years after many believed that the Vikings had the most cornerback depth in the entire NFL, Minnesota is scrambling to find players to take the position. Both Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes, both starters on defense last year, are off to different teams. While I believe the Vikings wanted to keep Waynes at least one more year, it was probably not high on the priorities. They did indeed want Rhodes gone though, they did reach out momentarily after releasing him but Rhodes did not want to play for Minnesota anymore. They also lost another great player in Mackenzie Alexander. Now they do still have a young corner in Mike Hughes. But Hughes hasn't played a full season for the Vikings yet and he will be entering his 3rd year. So cornerback is the number one need for this Vikings team.
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2. Offensive Line
This has been a need year-in and year-out for this team since Rick Spielman took control of the front office. Just seems to be the achilles heel of this Vikings team over the years. Specifically I believe they need some depth at the guard and center.

3. Wide Receiver
Now if you would have told me this time last year that the Vikings would need a new wide receiver I would have said you were crazy. Also the fact that Minnesota traded Stefon Diggs away to Buffalo for a first round pick is crazy. I do think the Vikings will regret this trade from a talent perspective, I have my doubts that Buffalo will enjoy the change to their locker room. Diggs had a grown a large head on his shoulders since Cousins came to town. So maybe this will be the best for both parties long term? Who knows. I think Diggs will like training with a young QB again, as I think he missed Bridgewater along with the rest of the fanbase. But now the Vikings not only need a WR3 but also a WR2, as they still have star Adam Thielen.

4. Linebacker
The Vikings defense has been on a slow until recently very steep decline since 2017. The fact that this is the second defensive position on this list just proves it. While the Vikings still have Eric Kendricks but other then him they only have 2 other linebackers listed on the roster. This needs to change with the draft and whatever cap they have left in free agency.

5. Defensive Line
Another blow to this once historic Vikings defense, is that longtime Viking Everson Griffen decided to part ways with the team this offseason and moved on to another team. This is going to hurt and vividly reminds me of the way Jared Allen left the team before returning to retire on a 1-day contract. So the Vikings need to start feeding the d-line pipeline once again. They do have a couple strong veterans in Danielle Hunter and Ifedi Odenigbo to get a strong sense of maturity for this line. But this needs to be addressed in the draft this year.

Honorable Mention: Quarterback
This is going to be refuted by many of Vikings fans, but I believe the Vikings need to start planning for when Cousins is gone. In fact before his extension, I was a fan of drafting a QB this year and letting Cousins play next year on the last year of his terrible deal. This would allow the rookie to be mentored by a decent QB in Kirk Cousins. I just don't think Cousins will lead us to the promised land of a Super Bowl ring. Which is really disappointing, because this was the prime years for the Vikings. They had a strong number 1 defense and a top 10 offense with Bridgewater at the helm. Then they were able to nab Cousins and paid him like he was Patrick Maholmes. But this team never really competed at the level expected. I can never stress this enough, the Vikings can never have a good quarterback at the helm last more then a year or two. For whatever reason this team can't figure it out.

Suggested Picks (Round 1 only)
First Round
Pick 22: Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Stefon Diggs' younger brother just happens to be one of the best corners in this year's draft. So the question Vikings fans have asked since the 2019 opener is, why not? He is a great corner and after this offseason the Vikings need corners desperately. 
Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
The Vikings need to fill a Stefon Diggs size hole in the wide receiver chart. This could be a way to sew up it sooner rather then later. Jefferson was a great receiver at LSU this past season and should be producing rather quickly. Plus many people believe him and Kirk Cousins might have a great friendship.

Pick 25: Tee Higgins, WR, Alabama
Another outstanding wide receiver from a great school. Higgins has lots of college experience so it can be expected he will produce right away no matter where he goes. This would only happen if the Vikings pick a corner with their last pick.

Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State
Great lineman and another need the Vikings need to fill quickly. This would suit the Vikings quite nicely next to other experienced Vikings D-linemen. 

This wasn't the whole draft like I thought but it is enough to get started. 

Hope you are all staying well and are staying safe!
Look out for a post-draft analysis next week and look for a offseason overview in a month or two.

#SKOL