2020 NFL Draft: Grading all 15 Minnesota Vikings picks

The Minnesota Vikings made their first of three picks in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the selection of D.J. Wonnum. With the departure 10-year starting defensive end, Everson Griffen, Spielman looked to add a potential challenger for Ifeadi Odenigbo. Wonnum played in every game as a true freshman at South Carolina and broke into the starting lineup his sophomore year.

Wonnum was a three-year starter for the Gamecocks playing defensive end through his junior year and took on more of a role in Will Muschamp‘s defense in 2019 as a linebacker. Wonnum’s junior season ended after four games due to an ankle injury. Wonnum returned his senior year to start as an outside linebacker and contributed 37 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and an interception.

Wonnum is a developmental prospect for the Minnesota Vikings. Measuring at 6-foot, 5-inches, with a similar hand size, wingspan, and weight, Wonnum is almost a carbon copy of Danielle Hunter, a third-round selection out of LSU. Given the Vikings success in drafting and developing defensive linemen, Wonnum has a bright future ahead of him in Minnesota.

While Wonnum was less heralded than Javon Kinlaw on the South Carolina defensive line, the Vikings are adding a long and athletic that does not need to immediately contend for a starting spot but can be developed into a potential starter over time. Wonnum a two-time captain known for his character will look to learn under Hunter with the expectation of following the former SEC defensive ends route to success in the NFL.

Grade: B