Top positions of need for the Minnesota Vikings in the 2020 NFL Draft
By David Glancy
After the departure of former stars, the Minnesota Vikings have multiple picks to address their holes which includes two first-round selections.
After a strong regular season, the Minnesota Vikings returned to the playoffs as a six-seed following a 10-6 regular-season record and a second-place finish in the NFC North. After losing to the Green Bay Packers 23-10 at home in Week 16 with a chance to pass the Packers in the North, the Vikings dropped their final two regular-season games.
Despite the disappointing end to the regular season, the Vikings went to the Superdome and upset the 13-3 Saints in the first round of the playoffs. After knocking out the Saints, the Minnesota Vikings failed to get anything going in San Francisco and were handled by the 49ers in their path to the Super Bowl.
Following the loss to the 49ers, the Minnesota Vikings extended the contracts of multiple veterans. Kirk Cousins signed to a two-year extension, solidifying the quarterback position while backup Sean Mannion was handed a one-year extension. The Vikings resigned kicker Dan Bailey and punter Britton Colquitt to three-year deals and kept fullback C.J. Ham, backup linemen Rashod Hill and Brett Jones, and running back Ameer Abdullah on the roster.
In addition to the re-signings, the Vikings tagged safety Anthony Harris and reworked the contract of Danielle Hunter. The Vikings marquee signing was defensive tackle, Michael Pierce of the Ravens. In addition to Pierce, the Vikings added replacements to the defensive line through the signature of Anthony Zettel.
The Vikings lost several long-term starters on the defensive line and in the secondary. Veteran linemen Everson Griffen, Stephen Weatherly and Linval Joseph all left the Vikings in free agency and the Vikings saw more departures in their secondary. Cornerback Xavier Rhodes signed with the Colts, corners Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander both signed with the Bengals, and safeties Jayron Kearse and Alejandro Sendejo left for the Lions and Browns, respectively.
After flirting with a move away from Minnesota for months, the Minnesota Vikings’ biggest move of the early offseason came through a trade. Minnesota finally traded receiver Stefon Diggs to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for the Bills first, fifth, and sixth-round picks in the 2020 NFL Draft as well as their fourth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Given the significant departures on both sides of the ball, the Minnesota Vikings have multiple positions to address in the draft.