As NFL Draft approaches, Vikings’ biggest offensive needs are offensive line and wide receiver
With the NFL declaring the 2020 Draft will proceed virtually on the originally scheduled dates of April 23-25, Vikings GM Rick Spielman and his staff are in final preparation mode. They’re working daily via teleconferencing as they get ready to add 12 new players—pending trades—to the current Vikings roster in a critical draft where the team is hoping to find immediate starters in several positions vacated by salary cap motivated releases and free agent departures.
In this week’s column, I’ll analyze the Vikings offensive draft needs and offer some players from this year’s draft class who could soon be added to Minnesota’s roster for the 2020 season that hopefully will start on time. Next week I’ll focus on the defense. The kicking area of special teams is in great shape with the recent re-signing of kicker Dan Bailey and punter Britton Colquitt and the team returns an excellent snapper in Austin Cutting. More players to fill in on special teams should come from the draft.
Here’s my offensive breakdown listed in order of priority:
1.Offensive line: Analysis--The Vikings O-line was improved last season compared to the year before in both the running game and pass protection but played poorly in late season tests against the Packers and 49ers. So more improvement is needed and it’s expected to come from this talented draft class—especially at offensive tackle—along with returning players who were drafted and basically red-shirted last year—fourth round guard Dru Samia and sixth round tackle Oli Udoh.
The starting right guard spot is open after Josh Kline was released to save money under the cap. Kline played fairly well last season and has not yet signed elsewhere so he could return under a less expensive deal.
The left side of the line could be in flux as left guard Pat Elflein had an inconsistent season and left tackle Riley Reiff played ok until he had trouble with the Packers and 49ers pass rushers. I think it would be a great move for the Vikings to draft a tackle in the first or second round and move Reiff to guard if he would accept a pay cut from the $11 million he is scheduled to earn in 2020 and if their rookie tackle is capable of stepping into the starting lineup quickly as Brian O’Neill did effectively in 2018.
O’Neill is a Pro Bowl caliber player at right tackle and he could move to the left side (QB Kirk Cousins’ blind side) to make room for a rookie starter or Udoh if either is ready to step up. The center spot is solid with last year’s first rounder Garrett Bradbury who played well at times but had his rookie struggles too and he should be even better in Year 2.
Potential O-line draft targets: There are four excellent tackles who should be gone when the Vikings pick at No. 22 and No. 25 in the first round—Tristan Wirfs-Iowa, Jedrick Wills-Alabama, Mekhi Becton- Louisville and Andrew Thomas-Georgia. The Vikings could pick a tackle in the first or second round from the following group: Josh Jones-Houston, Austin Jackson-USC, Prince Tega Wanogho-Auburn, Ezra Cleveland-Boise State, Isaiah Wilson-Georgia, Robert Hunt-Louisiana-Lafayette (also can play guard) or a local player who looked good at the Senior Bowl and is more likely to go in the third round-Ben Bartch of St. John’s.
Here are several guards who are likely to be second or third rounders and could be targeted by the Vikings who have one second and two third round picks: Cesar Ruiz-Michigan (could go in first round as a top center-guard), Solomon Kindley-Georgia, Shane Lemieux-Oregon, Jonah Jackson-Ohio State, Damien Lewis-LSU, Lloyd Cushenberry-LSU, John Simpson-Clemson, Darryl Williams-Missouri, Ben Bredeson-Michigan and Logan Sternberg-Kentucky.
2. Wide Receiver: Analysis--After the trade of Stefon Diggs to Buffalo that got a great return for Minnesota with four draft picks including the No. 22 pick in the first round, wide receiver has gone from a team strength to a question mark and thus is a priority in this draft. The Vikings have a two-time Pro Bowler in Adam Thielen to lead the group and the team made a good, inexpensive free agent signing in Tajae Sharpe who could start. He’ll compete with a likely first or second round pick along with talented returnees Bisi Johnson and Chad Beebe (who needs to prove he can stay healthy) for the No. 2 and No. 3 wide receiver spots. While the Vikings want to be a run-oriented team, they still want to throw it effectively with their $32 million per year QB in Cousins and need threats at wide receiver to prevent defenses from loading the box to try and stop Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison.
The Vikings return three other wide receiver prospects in Alexander Hollins, Dillon Mitchell and Davion Davis who will compete for roster spots. But I expect Spielman to draft at least two wide receivers including one in the first or second round.
Potential wide receiver draft targets: This is reputedly one of the deepest wide receiver classes in draft history. Time will tell if that pans out but it appears to be a great year for the Vikings to be seeking a highly drafted receiver which had to part of Spielman’s thinking when he traded the talented Diggs.
Three wide receivers will likely be top 15 picks who the Vikings would have to trade up for—CeeDee Lamb of Oklahoma and two Alabama receivers in Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs. With one of their first round picks, Minnesota could have a shot at these potential first rounders—Justin Jefferson-LSU, Tee Higgins-Clemson, Jalen Reagor-TCU, Denzel Mims-Baylor, Laviska Shenault-Colorado and Brandon Aiyuk-Arizona State (and a couple of them could fall to the second round).
Then in the second or third round, the Vikings could select from this group: Tyler Johnson-Minnesota’s career record holder in receiving yards and TDs, Michael Pittman-USC, K.J. Hamler-Penn State, Bryan Edwards-South Carolina, Van Edwards-Florida and Antonio Gandy-Golden from Liberty.
There also could be some sleepers in the later rounds and even among undrafted players. Remember Diggs was a fifth round pick in 2015 and Thielen was signed as an undrafted free agent two years earlier.
3. Quarterback: Analysis-With Cousins signed for three more years, coming off his best season and having proven himself to be highly durable over his career, there’s no urgency to pick a quarterback in the early rounds. This is especially the case with more significant needs at cornerback, offensive line and wide receiver plus another outside pass rusher to rotate with Danielle Hunter and Ifeadi Odenigbo unless a bigger pass rushing role is planned for linebacker Anthony Barr.
We can expect Spielman to grab a young quarterback for development on the third day of this year’s draft in Rounds 4-7 and remember Cousins and Cowboys’ starter Dak Prescott both were fourth round picks, not to mention a pretty renowned sixth round selection in Tom Brady. I’d like to see a solid prospect picked who can challenge last year’s No. 3 QB Jake Browning and make a run soon at No. 2 QB Sean Mannion. And under the tutelage of Gary and Klint Kubiak, perhaps such a prospect could become a starter in several years.
Potential quarterback targets in draft: The cream of this year’s crop are three QBs expected to be picked in the top six—Joe Burrow-LSU, Tua Tagovailoa-Alabama and Justin Herbert-Oregon. Jordan Love of Utah State also has a chance to be picked in the first round, possibly as high as the top 10 with quarterbacks always in demand.
The next tier of QB prospects could go in the second or third round but it’s possible one or more could drop to the fourth round. This group that includes Jacob Eason-Washington, Jake Fromm-Georgia and Jalen Hurts-Oklahoma.
And don’t be surprised if the Vikings tap a QB from among the following group with one of their six picks in Rounds 5-7: Anthony Gordon-Washington State, James Morgan-Florida International, Cole McDonald-Hawaii, Steven Montez-Colorado or from among a trio of Big Ten QBs—Nate Stanley-Iowa, Brian Lewerke-Michigan State or Shea Patterson-Michigan.
4. Running Backs: Analysis—No need to use a high draft choice here as the Vikings have one of the league’s best one-two punches in their starter Cook who is a thousand yard rusher, excellent receiving back and just made his first Pro Bowl along with his fine backup in Mattison who as last year’s No. 3 pick rushed for 462 yards and an impressive 4.6 average per carry.
The Vikings also are in good shape with their other backup running backs. Mike Boone showed his ability with 148 rushing yards against the Bears in last season’s finale and he’s a valuable special teams player. Ameer Abdullah did a good job as the team’s kickoff returner and contributed as a third down back.
I think the Vikings would only take a running back if he’s rated much higher than the later round in which he’s still available and if he can be a good special teamer.
5. Tight ends: Analysis—This is another position of strength in which there’s no need to draft anyone at this juncture. Kyle Rudolph and Irv Smith Jr. are among the best pair of tight ends in the league. They are on the field together for a majority of snaps in Gary Kubiak’s offense and both are excellent receivers and run blockers.
Third year man Tyler Conklin is a fine backup tight end who plays a lot when Kubiak goes to his three tight end package and he’ll have a chance to move up to a top two spot in the future either with the Vikings or another team. Adding depth is Brandon Dillon who made the Vikings practice squad last season as the fourth tight end on the team after playing well in training camp and preseason games. So it’s doubtful that the Vikings would pick a tight end this year.
COVID-19 and Around the NFL Observations:
1. The Thielen Foundation donated $100,000 to COVID-19 relief efforts with the funds going to Second Harvest Heartland, Salvation Army North, M Health Fairview and Minnesota Disaster Recovery Fund for Coronavirus. “We are all in this together, and supporting one another is needed now more than ever,” said Adam Thielen.
2.The pre-draft rumor mill says Detroit is willing to trade out of their No. 3 spot in the first round if they receive an attractive offer to move down a few spots and pick up additional picks. I think the Dolphins at No. 5 and holding three first round picks are a good possibility to trade up to the Lions’ spot to be sure they can pick their quarterback of choice after Joe Burrow goes to the Bengals, which would likely be Tagovailoa but could be Herbert.
Jeff Diamond was the NFL Executive of the Year in 1998 after the Vikings' 15-1 season. He also is former president of the Tennessee Titans. He does sports/business consulting, media and speaking work including corporate and college speaking on Negotiation, Management, Leadership and Sports Business--contact him at diamondj4@comcast.net