Vikings

Vikings Gain Significant Ground in NFC North During NFL Draft

Photo credit: Jeff Hanisch (USA TODAY Sports)

It’s been an offseason of turnover for the Minnesota Vikings thus far in 2020. The free agency period resulted in the loss of many key contributors from the 2019 season and thus created several significant holes on the roster.

The NFL Draft provided the Vikings with an opportunity to begin fixing those holes, and general manager Rick Spielman took advantage. Minnesota drafted 15 players with most of them providing depth at key positions such as wide receiver, cornerback, offensive line, and defensive line.

Most important about the Vikings’ draft picks is that four of them could immediately fill important starting roles. Former LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson was Minnesota’s first selection at No. 22 overall. Jefferson produced in a big way last season with quarterback Joe Burrow and will be counted on to carry some of that production to Minnesota as the Vikings try to replace the void left by Stefon Diggs.

Meanwhile, Spielman grabbed two cornerbacks in the first three rounds of the draft that will be given the chance to play big snaps right away. Jeff Gladney from TCU and Cameron Danztler from Mississippi State provide an immediate boost to a cornerback group that lost Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, and Mackensie Alexander.

And of course, Boise State tackle Ezra Cleveland is another superb athlete that fits the Brian O’Neill mold and projects to be Minnesota’s long-term answer at left tackle. His role in 2020 is still undetermined, however. He may sit behind Riley Reiff or he may be used as a guard.

At any rate, the Vikings made noticeable improvements at wide receiver, cornerback, and offensive line that will help right away in 2020. Minnesota is clearly a better team that it was prior to the draft.

As for the rest of the NFC North, well, the draft classes in Chicago, Green Bay, and Detroit don’t appear to bring the immediate boost that we’ll see in Minnesota.

Detroit Lions

The Lions actually drafted pretty well, all things considered. They used the No. 3 overall pick to select Jeff Okudah, the Ohio State cornerback who will look to fill the role that was previously played by Darius Slay. Head coach Matt Patricia called man coverage more than almost any defensive play-caller last season, so acquiring a talented cover cornerback was a necessity. Okudah was universally recognized as the best cover cornerback in the draft.

Detroit’s decision to draft running back D’Andre Swift at No. 35 overall is a bit questionable since they did use a second-round pick on running back Kerryon Johnson only two years ago. However, Detroit’s offense could certainly use a boost in the ground game and perhaps Swift will deliver that.

In the third round, the Lions drafted defensive end Julian Okwara and guard Jonah Jackson. Detroit needed depth at both spots prior to the draft and both Okwara and Jackson are solid picks to bolster those areas.

With all of that said, the Lions are still the Lions. It’s unlikely Detroit will suddenly become competitive. But the Lions do have one thing going for them (as do the Vikings) — the hideous drafts by division rivals Chicago and Green Bay.

Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears entered the 2020 NFL Draft with nine tight ends. So, of course, the only logical thing was for Chicago to spend its highest pick on a tight end.

The Bears just signed veteran Jimmy Graham to a lucrative contract in free agency, so this move is definitely odd in terms of filling a need. However, Cole Kmet does look like he could be a star in the NFL. Kmet was widely regarded as the top tight end in this draft class and has the athleticism to be a weapon as a receiver. It is fair to wonder how he will fit in with nine other tight ends on the roster.

Chicago also entered the draft searching for a starting cornerback opposite Kyle Fuller. The Bears drafted Jaylon Johnson in the second round to be that guy. Johnson has solid length and physicality. Injury concerns dropped him a bit in the draft and might slot in immediately as Chicago’s No. 2 cornerback.

After Kmet and Johnson, the Bears drafted no players that will make an immediate impact. The Bears did not have a first-round pick in this draft due to the Khalil Mack trade. Edge rusher Trevis Gipson is a project that will be expected to provide depth behind Mack and Robert Quinn.

The Bears also made a risky pick with fifth-round receiver Darnell Mooney. The speed is there, for sure. But Mooney will need to bulk up to improve his chances of lasting a few years in the NFL.

Chicago’s draft class includes two players that could play key roles in 2020. All things considered, that’s not too bad. But, again, Kmet will be battling several tight ends for snaps while Johnson is recovering from a shoulder injury. This draft class doesn’t inspire a ton of confidence for Bears fans.

Green Bay Packers

Green Bay entered this draft with a couple of glaring needs. Wide receiver had been a problem for a couple of years now as players besides Davante Adams have failed to provide any sort of consistency. With Bryan Bulaga gone, the Packers signed Ricky Wagner to play right tackle in 2020. But a long-term solution is still needed. And of course, inside linebacker was the key need prior to the draft as Blake Martinez departed.

The Packers decided to address none of those issues until the fifth round. Instead, they spent their first three picks on a backup quarterback, a two-down running back, and a tight end that is expected to play a fullback role.

Green Bay gave up its fourth-round pick to move up four spots in the first round to draft quarterback Jordan Love from Utah State. It’s perhaps the most puzzling pick of the draft. The Packers played in the NFC Championship game three months ago after a 13-3 season and 36-year-old Aaron Rodgers has made it clear that he wants to play into his 40s. He’s shown no signs that suggest he couldn’t make that happen. However, the Packers are clearly looking forward and getting themselves prepared for life after Rodgers by trading up to get Love.

Then in the second round, the Packers took AJ Dillon, a running back from Boston College. Dillon was incredibly productive at Boston College and put up some big numbers on the ground. However, he doesn’t add much, if anything, to the passing game. And the Packers already have a solid 1-2 punch with Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams. It’s more than fair to question where Dillon fits into the mix and why that selection needed to be made in the second round.

Green Bay then used its third-round pick on tight end Josiah Deguara, who the Packers have said is expected to play a fullback role similar to Kyle Juszczyk in San Francisco. Again, a solid player for sure. But is that pick necessary in the third round when there are so many other glaring needs to address?

The Packers wound up with zero (0) wide receivers selected in this draft. It’s perhaps the best wide receiver class of all-time with talent up and down the board, and Green Bay just ignored the position altogether.

At this point, zero Packers rookies project to play key roles pending some key injuries. It’s fair to question how much better the Packers are than they were prior to the draft, if at all.

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