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Overall, the Minnesota Vikings had a good season. After making the NFL Playoffs as a Wild Card with a 10-6 record, the Vikings pulled off the second largest upset in the playoffs with a victory over the New Orleans Saints. However, they lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the next game to end their season. Minnesota is now looking to improve, so let’s take a look at who they picked in the NFL Draft.
Round 1, Pick 22: Justin Jefferson – WR – LSU (6’1″, 202 lbs). Jefferson will start immediately opposite Adam Thielen at wide receiver. Jefferson is a reliable pass catcher after having 111 receptions last season.
Round 1, Pick 31: Jeff Gladney – CB – TCU (5’10”, 191 lbs). Gladney will start from Day 1 at one of the cornerback positions. He is very disruptive as a press corner with 14 pass breakups last season.
Round 2, Pick 26: Ezra Cleveland – T – Boise State (6’6″, 311 lbs). Cleveland played left tackle in college, but could possibly play at either tackle position as a back-up for now.
Round 3, Pick 25: Cameron Dantzler – CB – Mississippi State (6’2″, 188 lbs). Dantzler will compete for the other cornerback starting spot, but will see plenty of time on the field as a corner that can match up in height against tall wide recievers.
Round 4, Pick 11: D.J. Wonnum – DE – South Carolina (6’5″, 258 lbs). Wonnum should see some time in rush packages after securing 9.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks last season.
Round 4, Pick 24: James Lynch – DE – Baylor (6’4″, 289 lbs). Lynch’s stats were pretty good last season with 19.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks. That type of production should give him some playing time along the defensive line at either end or tackle.
Round 4, Pick 26: Troy Dye – LB – Oregon (6’3″, 231 lbs). Dye is a versatile linebacker that led the team in tackles last season along with 2.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 2 fumble recoveries. He should see some time in the linebacker rotation on the outside.
Round 5, Pick 24: Harrison Hand – CB – Temple (5’11”, 197 lbs). Hand should lend a hand in the secondary rotation. (I know that the pun was horrible right there.)
Round 5, Pick 31: K.J. Osborn – WR – Miami, FL (5’11”, 203 lbs). Osborn could see some time as a slot receiver, but his major contribution to the team will be as the possible returner for the team.
Round 6, Pick 24: Blake Brandel – G – Oregon State (6’7″, 307 lbs). Brandel adds depth to the offensive line. He started at tackle in college, but is slotted in as a guard in the NFL.
Round 6, Pick 26: Josh Metellus – S – Michigan (5’11”, 209 lbs). Metellus will compete as a backup safety and could see some time on special teams.
Round 7, Pick 11: Kenny Willekes – DE – Michigan State (6’3″, 264 lbs). Willekes will compete to see some time at the DE position.
Round 7, Pick 30: Nate Stanley – QB – Iowa (6’4″, 235 lbs). Stanley should make the team as a backup quarterback and will be given time to develop.
Round 7, Pick 35: Brian Cole II – S – Mississippi State (6’2″, 213 lbs). His size as a safety will give him an advantage of guarding tight ends in pass coverage in the secondary rotation.
Round 7, Pick 39: Kyle Hinton – G – Washburn (6’2″, 295 lbs). Hinton will add even more depth to the offensive line.
Grade: Having 15 picks in this draft adds plenty of depth to the team. I give it a B.
