2020 NFL Draft: Grading all 15 Minnesota Vikings picks

The Minnesota Vikings were originally set to draft at 25th overall after this postseason run was ended by the eventual NFC champion San Francisco 49ers. General Manager, Rick Spielman made his second of many draft trades by sending the 25th overall pick to the team that ended their playoff run in exchange for the 31st, 117th, and 176th picks in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Spielman was able to get the player the Vikings were likely targeting at 25h by selecting TCU cornerback, Jeff Gladney. Gladney was the sixth corner off the board after the Falcons, Raiders, and Dolphins made surprising picks by selecting A.J. Terrell, Damon Arnette, and Noah Igbinoghene, respectively. Despite being the sixth corner off the board, Gladney was possibly the best fit for head coach Mike Zimmer’s defense.

While the 5-foot, 10-inch Gladney is an undersized corner, he is a top press-man corner. Gladney is very physical at the final of scrimmage through the whistle and is surprisingly long for his height. Gladney’s physicality make him an ideal fit for the Vikings and his flexibility allows Zimmer to use Gladney on the outside or as a nickel corner.

The Minnesota Vikings lost corners Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, and Mackensie Alexander during free agency and the struggling corner group needed addressing this offseason before those departures. Spielman brought in a player that will be expected to start immediately and is an ideal scheme fit. The Vikings were able to address their biggest position of need entering the draft by bringing in a top fit and hauling in an additional two picks capping off a perfect night one.

Grade: B+