The Vikings have 12 total draft picks after trading Stefon Diggs to the Bills.
Minnesota has let a lot of talent leave this offseason, so Rick Spielman and the Vikings have some work to do in the draft this season. With the expectations of this team, plus the lack of depth at corner, defensive end and other positions, this draft needs to be a good one for Minnesota.
Here are some boxes the Vikings should check leading up to and during the draft.
Trade some of the picks
The Vikings have 12 picks, and a lot of positional needs. It makes sense for the team to trade some of those picks in order to move up. That way, the team can acquire more talented players, and also giving up multiple picks results in having to pay less rookies.
I would like for at least one of those seventh round picks, and both the sixth-round picks, in exchange for picks earlier in the draft. You can see the trade values of the Vikings’ draft picks here.
Draft an offensive lineman
Whether the team is drafting a tackle or guard, the Vikings have to fix the offensive line on draft day.
Minnesota terminated the contract of Josh Kline, and though the Vikings offensive line improved in 2019-20, they still have to make some more moves.
Guard is the obvious choice because of Kline, but it’s a strong draft class for tackles, so maybe the Vikings should take a tackle and move Riley Reiff to guard.
Draft multiple defensive backs
The Vikings are reportedly discussing a long-term deal with safety Anthony Harris, so corner is less dire than it was a few months ago.
The Vikings reportedly acknowledged to teams that Harris was a tag-and-trade candidate earlier in the offseason, but now it’s possible that Harris is here to stay.
However, the Vikings have lost Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander in free agency, according to multiple reports. Besides Alexander, Rhodes and Waynes struggled at times in 2019-20. Rhodes and Waynes aren’t devastating losses for the Vikings.
But still, Minnesota has to add at least one corner out wide and nickel in order for the defense to not drop off. Mike Hughes and Holton Hill have both been good, but the two have question marks around them. I think those two could very well be serviceable starters, but it’s also risky to not replace the talent lost and assume both those players will step into bigger roles and thrive.
When corners fall to the Vikings throughout the draft, the team should take them early and often.
Draft a backup quarterback
The Vikings reportedly re-signed quarterback Sean Mannion, who was a backup to Kirk Cousins in 2019-20.
Mannion adds depth to the quarterback position, but Minnesota should think about drafting a rookie with a high ceiling. That way, Minnesota can have a quarterback in waiting if Cousins doesn’t work out in Minnesota.
Don’t be afraid to go for the best player, rather than positional fit
The Vikings have a lot of positional needs, so it’s probably tempting for the team to prioritize filling those voids.
However, with the talent in this draft at certain positions, and the number of picks the Vikings have right now, the team shouldn’t be reluctant to take the best player available, rather than focus on filling positional needs each and every time.
Sometimes, a team has to take a talented player rather than one that fits. It also gives Minnesota options in regards to potentially trading a player who’s good, but might not be a starter next season. Or, the team can trade the incumbent starter, and have the talented rookie rise to the occasion in 2020-21.
