Minnesota’s cornerback and wide receiver corps got a lot better Thursday.
The Vikings fixed two positional needs in taking LSU wideout Justin Jefferson and TCU corner Jeff Gladney.
However, the list of positional needs the Vikings had was already so long, that adding those two doesn’t come close to solving their problems. Minnesota has three picks on day two of the draft — one in the second round and two in the third, where they can keep trying to add talent.
Minnesota could even add another corner to make sure that position has more depth. The Vikings were depleted in the offseason with the departures of Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander.
Here are some positions that I think the Vikings could add in day two:
Tackle
It was kind of surprising that the Vikings took a wide receiver at No. 22. I think Jefferson could step into the No. 2 wide receiver spot right away, so I don’t dislike the pick by any means.
However, it was a deep draft class for wide receivers this year, which means Minnesota could have probably waited to take a player at that position. Another reason is that the Vikings have plenty of other problems on offense and defense, one of which is the offensive line.
The Vikings could have used an offensive lineman in the first round, considering the team released guard Josh Kline this offseason. With the opening at guard, Minnesota can draft a tackle on day two and move current left tackle Riley Reiff to guard.
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer told reporters at the NFL Combine that he thought the tackle class was pretty good. Hopefully, there’s one the team likes in the second or third round who could possibly become a starter.
Defensive end
Defensive end Everson Griffen announced on Instagram earlier this offseason that he was leaving after he voided his contract with the team.
Griffen told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network “never say never” about a possible return to the Vikings. However, a source told Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press that Griffen wanted to get the word out to teams that he was available, even though there was still a chance he would return to the Vikings this offseason.
So it seems like the Vikings should be prepared to not re-sign Griffen this offseason. Not only that, but defensive end Stephen Weatherly also signed with the Panthers in free agency.
I think the longer the Vikings wait to draft an edge rusher, the more confident the team will have to be that one of their reserves from 2019 can step into a starting role. It might be a good time to take one on day two.
Defensive tackle
This position isn’t nearly as dire as the two aforementioned ones. The Vikings signed defensive tackle Michael Pierce in the offseason, and Minnesota returns a starter in Shamar Stephen.
But the team lost Linval Joseph to free agency, and Stephen has been inconsistent with his play. It might help to add a more pass-rushing interior lineman to complement Pierce on the defensive front.
Corner
The Vikings just drafted a corner, but as I mentioned before, the position is lacking so much depth, the team could draft another on day two.
Three corners who regularly played for the Vikings in 2019 is a lot to lose in one offseason. Also, Holton Hill and Mike Hughes, two serviceable corners who are currently on the roster, have both had issues staying on the field at times.
A nickel corner could be a big boost to the secondary. If a cornerback like Amik Robertson or Kristian Fulton fall to the Vikings at 58 overall, I could see Minnesota taking one of them.
Linebacker
Barring an injury or anything crazy happening, I think it’s a given that Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr will be starting at linebacker for the Vikings in 2020.
But who will the third linebacker be? Eric Wilson, Ben Gedeon and others have been starters at that position in the past. It might be time to take a chance on a linebacker early, solidifying that position group and strengthening the defense.
Safety
Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said that safety is pretty much set before the draft.
However, Vikings fans have seen that Spielman has no problem making big trades this offseason, so what if he makes another one?
Minnesota has reportedly shown interest in trading for Redskins Pro Bowl tackle Trent Williams, a move that would likely require one of the team’s better assets.
An obvious asset Minnesota could give up is safety Anthony Harris. Don’t get me wrong, Harris has been great for Minnesota. He had six interceptions in 2019, tied for an NFL best.
But the team already has one elite safety in Harrison Smith, and Harris’ long-term future is up in the air considering he’s only under the franchise tag. Safeties like Alabama Xavier McKinney and LSU’s Grant Delpit are both still available, which suggests that even if both those players are taken before Minnesota gets a chance to pick, it could still land one of the better safeties in the draft. Doing so could help the team trade Harris and possibly land a highly touted player at a position group that’s a bigger need than safety.
