Follow along here for quick analysis of the Minnesota Vikings draft selections.
Round 1, Pick 22: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Via our Zone Coverage Draft Guide Profile: As part of the 2019 national champions, Justin Jefferson compiled a remarkable season working alongside the nation’s top yardage receiver Ja’Marr Chase and catching passes from likely No. 1 pick Joe Burrow. Jefferson operated from the slot and tied for the college football lead with 111 receptions while compiling 1,540 yards. He has a big frame and can move, though his pre-draft height measurements put him at 6-foot-1, as opposed to the 6-foot-3 he was listed at in college. The question around Jefferson is whether he benefited too much from playing with Burrow, Chase and the out-of-this-world LSU offense. His brother, Jordan Jefferson, was the former LSU quarterback.
What it means: The Vikings found Stefon Diggs‘ replacement immediately with their third first-round wide receiver in the last eight drafts. Jefferson will be able to play out of the slot or outside and can reel in contested catches with the best of them. He provides a quick answer at the No. 2 receiver spot.
Round 1, Pick 31: Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
Via our Zone Coverage Draft Guide Profile:Jeff Gladney’s TCU career was a slow burn but it ended brightly with Gladney on an NFL path. Redshirted as a freshman and used his full five years of eligibility. Gladney is an older prospect at 23 but more seasoned. While on the small side, he plays a strong brand of coverage. He reportedly ran a 4.34 40-yard dash before his senior year but was slower at the NFL Combine. But there’s plenty of tape on this first-team All-Big 12 star that also participated at the Senior Bowl in January.
What it means: Minnesota addresses arguably its biggest need of cornerback with Gladney, a fiery competitor that will resonate with Mike Zimmer. He’ll immediately vie for a starting job along with Mike Hughes and Holton Hill.
ROUND 2, PICK 58: Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State
Via our Zone Coverage Draft Guide Profile: A wrestler and football player in high school, Ezra Cleveland turned into a durable three-year-starting left tackle at Boise State. Named an all-conference first-teamer twice, Cleveland used his big frame to allow fewer than 20 pressures in all three of his college seasons. Showed up big at the NFL Combine with top-ranking agility scores at his position. His competition level was less-than-perfect out of the Mountain West, but Cleveland stood out with a well-rounded game.
What it means: The Vikings draft their tackle of the future in Boise State’s Ezra Cleveland. The next question is what it means for left tackle Riley Reiff, who is still under contract. Perhaps a move to guard? Cleveland fits the Vikings’ athletic mold for Gary Kubiak‘s zone-blocking scheme.
ROUND 3, PICK 89: Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State
Via our Zone Coverage Draft Guide Profile:Cameron Dantzler has the height of a first-round corner and an above-average college resume to go with it. Played the better part of three seasons after redshirting and allowed just 41 receptions combined while intercepting five passes. His leanness at 6-foot-2 could make him a liability as a tackler, however, and he had the second-worst combine 40-yard dash, which could only get slower if he adds weight. That’s likely why he’ll fall into Day 2, even though he was dominant in the SEC.
What it means: The Vikings have another corner. Minnesota takes two corners in the first three rounds to replenish their stock. Dantzler is tall and lean like Trae Waynes was, but not as fast. He’ll need to get more muscular and work on his tackling, but the Vikings have a good track record of coaxing more physicality out of their defensive backs.
ROUND 4, PICK 117: D.J. Wonnum, DE, South Carolina
Player Profile: Georgia native D.J. Wonnum, 22, totaled 29.5 tackles for loss and 14 sacks for the Gamecocks over his four-year career. Wonnum was named a captain as a sophomore and looked to be a dynamite prospect heading into his junior year, but an ankle injury slowed his junior season, and his senior year wasn’t as impressive as some hoped. Wonnum’s PFF analytics were underwhelming, but he rebuilt his stock at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine, where he finished top five in 40-yard dash (4.73), vertical (34.5), broad jump (123″) and 3-cone drill (7.25). Stands at 6-foot-5, 258 pounds.
What it means: The Vikings have used the fourth round to find defensive linemen for years, and they do the same here by taking an All-SEC talent in D.J. Wonnum. Minnesota is unlikely to get Everson Griffen back, and Stephen Weatherly is gone in free agency. Danielle Hunter and Ifeadi Odenigbo need help at edge rusher, and Wonnum provides that.
ROUND 4, PICK 130: James Lynch, DT, Baylor
Player Profile: A three-year contributor at Baylor for Matt Rhule, James Lynch exploded his junior year with a Big 12-leading 13.5 sacks to win the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Despite being nearly 300 pounds and 6’4″, he often lined up outside and overpowered tackles. At the next level he’ll likely slide inside — he was announced as a tackle — and provide another option at 3-technique. Lynch, out of Round Rock, Texas, had an average combine but did finish top 10 in the 3-cone and short-shuttle agility drills.
What it means: The Vikings go heavy on the defensive line in the fourth round with Wonnum at No. 117 and James Lynch at 130. Minnesota has a lot of options at defensive tackle with no real standouts. Jaleel Johnson, Jalyn Holmes, Armon Watts and Hercules Mata’afa are all on the roster, but none are clear-cut starters.
ROUND 4, PICK 132: Troy Dye, ILB, Oregon
Player Profile: At 23 1/2 years old, Troy Dye has plenty of experience under his belt. Dye led the Ducks in tackles all four of his seasons in Eugene, finishing with the third-most in team history and earning first-team All-Pac 12 last year despite playing through a broken thumb and torn meniscus for a stretch. Those injuries kept him from competing at the combine, but his athleticism suggests he might’ve been a big performer. Dye excels in coverage, as well as a tackler. At 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, he is a bit undersized, but linebackers are being asked to cover more than ever. He finished his college career with five interceptions.
What it means: Minnesota has its top five linebackers coming back next season, so Dye may not play much beyond special teams duty, but with Eric Wilson playing on a one-year tender and Ben Gedeon in the final year of his deal, there is room for another backer in the future to complement Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr.
ROUND 5, PICK 169: Harrison Hand, CB, Temple
Player Profile: For the second time on Day 3, the Vikings take another Matt Rhule product in former Baylor CB Harrison Hand. Hand transferred to Temple after the 2018 season, presumably to get closer to his Pennsylvania home. At 5-11, 200 pounds, Harrison Hand is built like a traditional corner. Like Gladney and Dantzler taken before him this draft, Hand is reportedly very physical and has experience playing a variety of coverages. His combine performance was top of the class in the jumping drills and toward the bottom in speed and quickness, which likely forced him down into Day 3.
What it means: You thought the Vikings were done taking corners? Nope. That’s three so far. With Trae Waynes, Mackensie Alexander and Xavier Rhodes out the door, Minnesota needs to cast a wide net to find their replacements. It’s not realistic to expect each rookie to contribute immediately, but the Vikings are aiming to create as much competition as possible.
ROUND 5, PICK 176: K.J. Osborn, WR, Miami
Player Profile: K.J. Osborn profiles as a potential slot receiver at the next level. At 5’11”, 200 pounds, he has good speed with a 4.48 40-yard dash and a 7.0 3-cone drill at the combine. Osborn is shifty, as he demonstrated in the first four years of his college career at Buffalo playing with QB Tyree Jackson. He started making an impact as a redshirt sophomore with over 1,300 combined receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. For his final season he transferred to Miami, where he played on the boundary and led the team in virtually every receiving and special teams category: 50 catches, 547 yards, five touchdowns, 15.9 punt return average and 20.1 kick return average. He’s an older prospect at nearly 23 years old.
What it means: The Vikings have built up their corner depth. Now they focus on receiver. Osborn gives them another competitor for the WR3 spot, presumably behind Adam Thielen and rookie Justin Jefferson. He’ll compete with last year’s rookie class of Dillon Mitchell, Davion Davis and Alexander Hollins, as well as Chad Beebe and Tajae Sharpe.
ROUND 6, PICK 203: Blake Brandel, OT, Oregon State
Player Profile: Brandel is an Oregon native that stayed in-state to play for the Beavers. He is a colossal 6’7″ and 307 pounds. Brandel’s first three seasons were average at Oregon State as he played primarily as a left tackle, but the 23-year-old quietly put together one of the nation’s best seasons at the tackle position in 2019. His pressure rate allowed of 1.1% was the nation’s best, and he posted a top 15 run-block grade, per Pro Football Focus. He proved to be very durable in college, but he’ll need to bulk up in the pros.
What it means: The Vikings snag another developmental tackle, as they often do in the late rounds. Hopefully Brandel isn’t needed in 2020 with the development of Oli Udoh and the selection of Ezra Cleveland in the second round, but that’s all part of the process. Brandel’s size is worth taking a risk on.
ROUND 6, PICK 205: Josh Metellus, S, Michigan
Player Profile: A 22-year-old safety that contributed all four years at Michigan, Josh Metellus started getting splashier in his final two seasons with five combined interceptions. Pro Football Focus tracked his career passer rating against as a stellar 68.1. Metellus, though, clocked in with average speed in the combine at 4.55, and scouting reports indicate he lacks recovery ability. His best year was arguably 2018, when he was a first-team All-Big Ten selectee.
What it means: The Vikings simply don’t devote resources at safety. This is the eighth straight draft they’ve not drafted one in the first five rounds, despite the fact that Minnesota only has two safeties presently on the roster, one of which is a trade candidate. Metellus is in a great spot, though, considering he’s only the third safety on the 90-man roster. It’s possible fifth-round pick Harrison Hand could experiment at safety, too.
ROUND 7, PICK 225: Kenny Willekes, DE, Michigan State
Via our Zone Coverage Draft Guide Profile:A Michigan native who stayed in state to play for the Spartans, Kenny Willekes went the full five years at Michigan State including a redshirt freshman season. Once he got an opportunity in 2017, he ran with it, playing over 2,000 snaps the next three seasons, racking up 23.5 sacks and an all-time program high 51 tackles for loss, per MSU’s stats. Haled as an excellent run defender, Willekes was named first-team All-Big Ten twice. Earned a Senior Bowl invite and participated at the combine with average results. Scouts constantly speak about his motor, which is how Willekes will have to compensate for a lack of god-given athleticism.
What it means: The Vikings further bolster their edge depth with Willekes, a high-motor competitor that should pair well with Andre Patterson. More interesting, though, is that the Vikings have yet to address guard in this draft.
ROUND 7, PICK 244: Nate Stanley, QB, Iowa
Player Profile: Nate Stanley put up impressive raw totals in his three years as the full-time Iowa starter, compiling over 8.000 passing yards with 68 touchdown passes and 23 interceptions. His accuracy, though, never seemed to improve with three seasons under 60 percent. At 6’4″, 235 pounds with a nice athletic profile, Stanley looks the part, but he wasn’t much of a playmaker with his legs in college, nor did he show many signs of improvement. Turns 23 years old this August.
What it means: Before people get too worked up, this is essentially the equivalent of the UDFA passer the Vikings acquire every year, usually from the Big Ten. With so many picks, Rick Spielman said he’d be getting a jump on college free agency in the later rounds, so Stanley will likely serve as the team’s development quarterback in camp, probably starting No. 4 on the depth chart.
ROUND 7, PICK 249: Brian Cole II, S, Mississippi State
Player Profile: Cole is a 23-year-old project that spent one year as a full-time player at Mississippi State, making one interception, 7.5 tackles for loss and 67 tackles. He began his career at Michigan in 2015 but was released from the program after one year. He went the JUCO route before landing at Mississippi State, where he spent a year as a reserve before taking the starting spot. Cole is 6’2″, 215 pounds and has good speed. His physical gifts, on top of his four-star ranking out of high school, were enough for the Vikings to take a chance.
What it means: More safety help. The Vikings try to find value in a player with limited experience that might be able to learn from the sidelines in his rookie year. Cole is their fifth defensive back taken.
ROUND 7, PICK 253: Kyle Hinton, G, Washburn (D-II)
Player Profile: Kyle Hinton is a 6’3″, 310-pound prospect that grew up in Arizona and played four years at Division-II Washburn in Topeka. Hinton was a left tackle at Washburn but is widely considered a guard at the next level. He made 34 college starts with also starring as a thrower on the Ichabods’ track and field team. Hinton was invited to play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl after the season.
What it means: A guard! The Vikings once found a sleeper in Brandon Fusco from D-III Slippery Rock. They go back to the small school well with Hinton, who was surprisingly their only guard selection. After releasing Josh Kline, Minnesota has done little to clear up who their future right guard is.
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