2020 NFL Draft: Late-Round sleeper targets for the Minnesota Vikings
By David Glancy
Secondary
The Minnesota Vikings currently have no safeties on the roster behind stars Anthony Harris and Harrison Smith. That is cause for concern and depth will need to be acquired through the draft, especially as Harris will be playing on the franchise tag in 2020. With more pressing needs, safety likely won’t be in play for the first round so the Vikings will look to days 2 and 3 to add depth.
Julian Blackmon was a three-year starter at Utah earning All-PAC-12 honors as a corner his sophomore and junior seasons. Blackmon made the move to safety his senior year and led the team with four interceptions.
He can line up at both nickel corner or safety and could make an immediate impact for a secondary needing reinforcements. Blackmon would be a great selection or a team looking to replace multiple starters at corner while adding depth at safety.
Next. Vikings 7-round 2020 NFL mock draft. dark
With three picks in the seventh round, J.R. Reed is another late-round safety prospect the Minnesota Vikings could target. Reed was a three-year starter for the Bulldogs and earned All-American honors as a redshirt senior. Reed did not stand out on his speed or size in the SEC but he is an instinctive player who will need to position himself well to be a functional professional defender.