Minnesota Vikings NFL Draft Picks 2020: Round-by-Round Results, Grades

Last yer, the Minnesota Vikings improved on their 8-7-1 2018 season and returned to the postseason. In the Wild Card round, Minnesota pulled off a 26-20 overtime upset victory over the Saints, but the next week the Vikings lost 27-10 to the 49ers in the Divisional Round. 

In the 2019 NFL draft, the Vikings selected center Garrett Bradbury in the first round. They added solid offense contributors in the second and third rounds, respectively, by taking tight end Irv Smith Jr. and running back Alexander Mattison. The Vikings had a number of late-round selections to help build out their roster. They selected guard Dru Samia in the fourth round, linebacker Cameron Smith in the fifth round and defensive tackle Armon Watts, safety Marcus Epps and offensive tackle Olisaemeka Udoh in the sixth round. They finished their draft by taking wide receiver Dillion Mitchell, wide receiver Olabisi Johnson and long snapper Austin Cutting in the seventh round. 

According to the MMQB's NFC North team needs, Minnesota has a gaping hole at wide receiver, needing a No. 2 target to pair with Adam Thielen. The Vikings also could use additional guard depth to improve their outside zone blocking scheme. On defense, the Vikings will enter the 2020 NFL draft having moved on from their three top corners from past years. Additionally, the departures of Everson Griffen and top defensive end backup Stephen Weatherly leaves a void on the right side of their defensive line. 

Minnesota enters this year's draft with two first-round picks: No. 22 and 25. You can follow along with InsideTheVikings' live blog. 

A full list of Minnesota's picks will be updated below as the draft progresses. 

Vikings Picks: 

Round 1, Pick 22 (No. 22 overall): Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU

Andy Benoit's analysis: At LSU, 109 of Jefferson’s 111 catches came from the slot. The Vikings, however, often play with just two wide receivers on the field (which usually means no slot position to fill) and likely see the 6' 3", 192-pounder as an outside weapon. Jefferson played with polish and a sound sense of tempo in LSU’s offense and should transition effectively to a new role in a Vikings scheme that will make heavy use of in-breaking routes off play-action. He is not as explosive as predecessor Stefon Diggs, but he’ll likelier be a happier camper to deal with. Grade: B

Round 1, Pick 31: Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU

Andy Benoit's analysis: Minnesota badly needed help at defensive back after losing Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander earlier this spring. Mike Zimmer historically prefers to develop cornerbacks from the bench in Year One, but with so few quality corners on the roster, don’t be surprised if Gladney starts in 2020—perhaps in a nickel slot role, which plays to his skill set. Zimmer’s corners are always sound tacklers. That, and blitzing, were two things Gladney did well at TCU. Grade: A

Round 2, No. 58 overall: Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State

Andy Benoit's analysis: Is this curtains for left tackle Riley Reiff? The Vikings could dump his $13.2 million cap number this year at a cost of just $4.4 million in dead money. More likely, though, Reiff will be on the outs next year, when his cap number rises to almost $14 million and his dead money drops to just $2.2 million. Cleveland has many of the desired traits you look for in a left tackle, though some observers were concerned about what they perceive as his inconsistent competitiveness. But Cleveland’s high-level athleticism will fit well in a scheme that’s predicated on quickness and agility along the O-line. Grade: C+

Round 3, No. 89 overall: Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State

Andy Benoit's analysis: We covered this on the Jeff Gladney blurb in Round 1: Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer does not like to play rookie defensive backs. But given Minnesota’s paucity of talent here, it’s possible Dantzler could see significant playing time in 2020. Ideally, though, he’ll follow the traditional Zimmer route and develop from the bench early on, as his game needs some polish. Best case scenario is he plays outside in nickel situations, where he is physical and competitive. Grade: B+

Round 4, No. 117 overall: D.J. Wonnum, EDGE, South Carolina

Round 4, No. 130 overall: James Lynch, DE, Baylor

Round 4, No. 132 overall: Troy Dye, LB, Oregon

Round 5, No. 169 overall: Harrison Hand, CB, Temple

Round 5, No. 176 overall: K.J. Osborn, WR, Miami (Fla.)

Round 6, No. 203 overall: Blake Brandel, G, Oregon State

Round 6, No. 205 overall: Josh Metellus, S, Michigan

'Round 7, No. 225 overall: Kenny Willekes, DE, Michigan State

Round 7, No. 244 overall: Nate Stanley, QB, Iowa

Round 7, No. 249 overall: Brian Cole II, S, Mississippi State

Round 7, No. 253 overall: Kyle Hinton, G, Washburn

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