Minnesota Vikings 2020 NFL Draft grades. The Vikings had a pair of first round picks but did they make the best of them? And nail the Day 2 and Day 3 picks?
The Minnesota Vikings were armed with a dozen 2020 NFL Draft picks entering the draft after the Stefon Diggs trade with the Buffalo Bills gave them an extra first round pick as well as a fifth and sixth-rounder. The Vikings also had a third round compensatory pick and two more comp picks in the seventh for general manager Rick Spielman to add a lot of youth to the roster.
22
Justin Jefferson
WR LSU
Justin Jefferson was one of Joe Burrow‘s leading receivers at LSU where he put up huge numbers all year. He then answered any remaining questions about his long speed when he ran a blistering 40 at the Combine to cement his first-round status. I thought Jefferson could have gone in the teens and didn’t think he’d get past the Eagles at No. 21, so to get him at No. 22, is a certifiable steal. He’ll slot right into the position left open by Diggs, fittingly enough this pick acquired in the Diggs trade nets his replacement.
31
Jeff Gladney
CB TCU
The Vikings addressed their biggest needs with their first two picks. With Xavier Rhodes struggling last year, the Vikings defense missed the shutdown corner on that side of the field. Jeff Gladney isn’t a shutdown corner but he has played well in man and zone coverage. He’s a little short at 5-foot-10 and will struggle vs. large receivers, but is tough and has good speed.