2020 NFL Draft Review

Well lets just say this: this year's draft was very memorable for lots of reasons. The Vikings have 15 total picks from the draft and start off with a minimum of 10 for next year! Very obvious that Spielman and Company believe that the draft is the only way out of this cap hell we are in currently.  On top of this the NFC North had mixed receptions at the draft this year. Everyone is wondering if the Aaron Rodgers' days in Green Bay are numbered with the Pack drafting Utah State's QB Jordan Love with the 31st pick. No one, including their front office, seems to know what the Bears are doing with their 10 tight ends. Detroit had a relatively mediocre draft compared to the rest, they didn't screw up their #3 pick (that we know of). Lets being the Vikings draft analysis.

First Round
Pick 22 - Justin Jefferson WR, LSU
This is a spectacular pick by the Vikes! Many already believe Jefferson will make all of us Minnesota fans forget about Stefon Diggs by the end of the 2020 season. I sure hope so! This will be a very entertaining season! Now the downside is Jefferson strengths are when he lines up in the slot, which is where Thielen thrives. So I am curious to see how Kubiak will respond to this.

Pick 31- Jeff Gladney CB, TCU
Mainly used to fill a huge hole here. So far with this first two picks, the Vikings front office is showing which positions are their priority this year and what they realize is a problem. After trading Diggs and virtually all of our starting corners walk this year the Vikings needed some desperately needed help there. Gladney sounds like not the typical Zimmer CB but I am sure Mike will figure something out.

Round 2
Pick 58 - Ezra Cleveland OT, Boise State
Now this may seem like not much of a flashy pick for the Vikes, and it never was meant to be. A good practice this front office seems to be starting is drafting good linemen. Elflein seems to be panning out as well as our lineman from last year, Brian O'Neill. Also this pick comes to a very familiar face Minnesota fans are already acquainted with: Alexander Mattison. Cleveland and Mattison played together in 2018 at Boise State so there will be quite the connection between the two already illustrated by the conversation on Twitter during the draft!

Round 3
Pick 89 - Cameron Dantzler CB, Mississippi State
Another cornerback to add to Zimmer's arsenal of young corners. This one seems more like our coach's M.O. and he has the confidence to start early, which is desperately needed on this Minnesota defense. I think the Vikings got a nice steal in the 3rd round.

Round 4
Pick 117 - D.J. Wonnum DE, South Carolina
While Wonnum may not be ready to start immediately, he has lots of promise and should turn out to be a great edge rusher for the Vikings front four. With the departure of Everson Griffen this year, the front office is looking for who could eventually could replace him. Wonnum could be the answer, but not this season.

Pick 130 - James Lynch DT, Baylor
Mr. Lynch comes from a very stout Baylor Bears defense and shows off lots of ability to get to the passer quick with his fast hands. He also shows off lots of effort needed to become an effective NFL pass-rusher. He should benefit the Vikings in the next couple seasons.

Pick 132 - Troy Dye ILB, Oregon
Troy Dye comes from another defensive school in Oregon. This fits the bill the Vikings need at linebacker. While they haven't had either of their great linebackers leave the team quite yet, it is expected within the next couple years those two will split up as well. So this will benefit them when they need Dye to play in a year or two. 

Round 5
Pick 169 - Harrison Hand CB, Temple
Very decent corner in Harrison Hand. He should add some more depth the Vikings room of cornerbacks, a very historically strong position for Minnesota. Hand's strengths tend to land in the run game, which is something Vikings are stronger at then other teams.

Pick 176 - K.J. Osborn WR, Miami
This pick reminds me a lot of some of the late WR picks the Vikings have made in past years. While the receiver probably won't produce in the next couple years, they could be a huge benefit on special teams and they look good on depth charts. But then again, anything can happen as Stefon Diggs was drafted in the fifth round by the Vikes way back in 2015, and Adam Thielen was undrafted in the same year.

Round 6
Pick 203 - Blake Brandel OT, Oregon State
Another lineman the Vikings needed to add some depth to the roster. Lots of people are curious if Minnesota may move Brandel to guard since that is where most of his strengths are at. Good curiosity for a 6th round pick.

Pick 205 - Josh Metellus S, Michigan
Something I never really thought of, is that it may not be a bad time to start stocking up on safeties for the Vikings. Harrison Smith isn't getting any younger so eventually the Vikings will need a free safety, and Anthony Harris has been showing he wants to leave this past offseason. Metellus should for sure assist the special teams unit for the time being.

Round 7
Pick 225 - Kenny Willekes DE, Michigan State
Another very good football school is where Kenny Willekes comes from. Not a very flashy pick by the Vikings here but it is the 7th round. Now they are mainly looking at practice squad material. Since they have so many picks not all of them may stay. Willekes looks to have the skills to become a pro d-end one day, so they may keep him purely on potential.

Pick 244 - Nate Stanley QB, Iowa
I remember talking about this in my pre-draft analysis. I didn't specifically name a QB for the Vikings to draft but I have stressed for most of the year its time for them to draft another QB just to see if they can develop into a great asset for this team. Cousins won't last forever and he isn't getting any younger. Its time to start looking at QB's and Stanley appears on paper to fit the bill of a young QB that needs some time to season.

Pick 249 - Brian Cole II S, Mississippi State
Another safety to add the unit already, the front office appears to know where their future lies. It must be in transforming the safety unit. Also another Mississippi State asset to go with the CB Dantzler the Vikes drafted in the 3rd round. Should compete in training camp.

Pick 253 - Kyle Hinton OG, Washburn
I am happy with the position but I am kind of upset with who they picked. I have nothing against Hinton and Washburn but I really wanted Minnesota to draft Tuszka from North Dakota State here, he was still on the board and would be a steal for any team to take him at that point. But Hinton should compete for a roster slot in training camp. I wish the best for both Hinton and Tuszka. 

Overall I think the Vikings had an excellent draft and should be set for a while on lots of positions! I give them a A draft grade!

Also the NFL Schedule comes out tonight at 8 PM ET (7 PM CT) so I will be posting on that in the coming days!

​#SKOL