Top positions of need for the Minnesota Vikings in the 2020 NFL Draft

Wide Receiver

After multiple years of working a way out of Minnesota, Stefon Diggs received his wish this past offseason when he was dealt to Buffalo. After leading the Vikings in receptions and yards and tied for the most touchdown receptions with Kyle Rudolph since entering the league, the Vikings will not be able to instantly replace Diggs’s production.

The Vikings added depth at the receiver position by signing former Titan, Tajae Sharpe. While Sharpe had a career-high in touchdowns last season with four, the three-year pro has never accounted for 600 yards or more and should not be expected to replicate Diggs’ success as a number one receiver where he averaged 73 receptions, 925 yards and six touchdowns during his five seasons in Minnesota.

While the draft is loaded at the receiver position, with as many as seven receivers projected to go in the first round, it is unlikely the Vikings would trade Diggs only to immediately replace him with a first round selection when there are greater needs and options on the defensive side of the ball. Unless one of the top-ranked receivers – Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb or Henry Ruggs III are available, the Vikings will likely wait on taking a pass catcher.

With 10 picks outside the first round, the Vikings can use multiple selections to add targets alongside Adam Thielen and tight end Kyle Rudolph. Given Minnesota’s draft capital, the Vikings could put a package of picks together to trade up in the second round. Denzel Mims, Jalen Reagor, Laviska Shenault Jr. or K.J. Hamler could be in play in that scenario.

Despite underwhelming at Michigan after early hype as a top recruit, Donovan Peoples-Jones could be in play with the 58th pick. USC’s Michael Pittman Jr. would give the Vikings a large, physical option in the second round or Arizona State’s Brandon Aiyuk could be a big-play replacement if the Vikings stand pat.

While there are several prospects slated for the first two days of the draft, the Minnesota Vikings could find a replacement in the mid-rounds. Minneapolis native and Minnesota Golden Gopher all-time leader in receiving yards and touchdowns, Tyler Johnson is a hard target for the Vikings to miss.

While Johnson lacks the attributes at the line of scrimmage to be a higher ranked prospect, his tape shows he has the talent to line up as a rookie and later carve a more prominent role in the offense.