There have been more questions than answers as to whom the Vikings will take with the 25th pick and beyond in the 2020 NFL Draft.
From corner, to offensive line, to even trading picks, there has been endless suggestions and mock drafts speculating about Minnesota’s decisions.
But in this mock, I’m the one who had to make the choice. I recently compiled a mock simulation on The Draft Network (pretty fun if you haven’t done it) and this is what I came up with after seven rounds of drafting. It’s hard to say what will actually happen in April, but if these players fall to the Vikings in their respective rounds, I wouldn’t be mad at all.
See what all the teams did in the draft simulation here.
These are the players I chose.
Round 1: Houston OT Josh Jones
For an offensive line that is improving but needs a tackle, this pick was almost a no-brainer. Riley Reiff could be a cap casualty, which means there’s an opening at tackle. Houston tackle Josh Jones struggles with certain fundamentals but is physically opposing and his ceiling is high. I think the Vikings should take a chance.
Round 2: Alabama CB Trevon Diggs
Tackle is definitely a need for Minnesota, but an argument can be made that cornerback is a more pressing (no pun intended) matter. But if Alabama’s Trevon Diggs is somehow there in round two for Minnesota, the team has no choice but to take him. Diggs is a physically imposing corner who would fit well in Mike Zimmer’s defense, and in case you didn’t know, he’s Stefon’s brother. It’s a good match.
Round 3: Oklahoma QB Jalen Hurts
This is the first player who plays a position that is not a dire need for Minnesota. The team has Kirk Cousins, and adding a quarterback would put the draftee in a backup role. However, I think if Hurts is there in the third round, the Vikings should take him. Hurts is considered a bit of a project, but has shown that he can lead an electrifying offense. And the team needs a backup quarterback. Not every pick has to start 16 games in 2020-21.
Round 4: Texas S Brandon Jones
It might make more sense to take a safety in the third round, cause there might be an opening at that position next season, but Brandon Jones is still decent. He had 64 solo tackles and two interceptions for the Longhorns in 2019.
Round 6: Liberty WR Antonio Gandy-Golden
The Vikings have no pick in the fifth round, so the sixth-round pick becomes even more crucial for adding depth at a position. The position I chose was wide receiver, and the player was Antonio Gandy-Golden. He put up big numbers for Liberty and is physically imposing. He could compete for the third-string wideout spot on the Vikings.
Round 7: Utah S Terrell Burgess
This is one of Minnesota’s two picks in the seventh round of the draft. This time, instead of positional need, I went best player available. Safety Anthony Harris might be on the move, so it’s important that Minnesota has depth at safety in order to not drop off defensively. Burgess can compete for a spot, and if he doesn’t get it, he could fill out a reserve role.
Round 7: Tulsa DE Trevis Gipson
With Minnesota’s second pick in the seventh round, I went back to a position that might lack depth. Defensive end Everson Griffen voided his contract with the Vikings and will enter free agency. It seems very possible they could get Griffen back, but even if they do, it doesn’t hurt to have a player like Gipson. He dominated opposing offensive lines at Tulsa, and could be a decent reserve.
