How Have the Vikings Other Draft Picks Fared?
Matthew Sparrow
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Despite another frustrating loss this past Sunday to the Tennessee Titans, there was a major silver lining: Justin Jefferson. The rookie wide receiver out of LSU broke out to the tune of seven catches for 175 yards and a touchdown. Given that the 22nd overall pick only had five catches for 70 yards and no touchdowns going into the game, he was a bright spot that will be vital to the future success of the Vikings.
In the 2020 NFL Draft, Minnesota had 15 picks, three more than the second-highest team (Miami Dolphins). As the inaugural member of Minnesota’s 2020 draft class, it’s promising to see Jefferson hit the ground running. But what kind of start have the rest of his classmates gotten off to?
Jeff Gladney (TCU), CB, 1st round, 31st overall: In the hopes of shoring up a shaky secondary, the Vikings chose a cornerback in the 1st round for the second time in three drafts (Mike Hughes, 2018). Gladney didn’t see much action in the season opener against the Packers, but he started at slot corner in the following two games as injuries took their toll on Hughes and fellow rookie Cameron Dantzler. While he has struggled in pass coverage at times, the Vikings will be patient in his development as he has plenty of potential.
Ezra Cleveland (Boise St.), T/G, 2nd round, 58th overall: Cleveland predominantly played left tackle at Boise St., but he figures to convert to guard with the Vikings. He was inactive for Minnesota’s first game, but has been active for the last two despite not seeing the field at all. He’ll continue in his role as backup and remains one for the future.
Cameron Dantzler (Mississippi St.), CB, 3rd round, 89th overall: The Vikings doubled down on cornerback in the 3rd round with Dantzler. He actually started in Week 1 at slot corner but a rib injury has held him out the past two weeks and cleared the way for Gladney. Luckily for the Purple and Gold, Dantzler appears to be healthy and likely to return to the lineup in Week 4.
D.J. Wonnum (South Carolina), DE, 4th round, 117th overall: Another Week 1 inactive, Wonnum has carved out a role for himself in Mike Zimmer’s defense. He played about one-third of the defensive snaps in each of the past two games, totaling four tackles, and even recorded the first tackle for loss of his career in Week 3.
James Lynch (Baylor), DT, 4th round, 130th overall: Lynch decided to forgo his senior year and enter the draft after his true junior season. He is the second-youngest member on the Vikings roster with Jefferson only edging him out by five months. It’s no wonder that he’s been inactive for every game thus far and will have to wait for his chance to make an impact.
Troy Dye (Oregon), LB, 4th round, 132nd overall: A four-year starter for the Ducks, Dye was active but didn’t see the field in the first game of the season. He saw some action in Week 2 due to the injury to Anthony Barr, but hit the injured reserve after the game with a foot sprain. His return is unknown, but he’s eligible to be back as soon as Week 6.
Harrison Hand (Temple), CB, 5th round, 169th overall: The Vikings third and final cornerback of the class has seen the least amount of playing time. After being inactive for the first two games of the season, Hand made his debut in Week 3, only playing 17 snaps on special teams.
K.J. Osborn (University of Miami), WR, 5th round, 176th overall: Life in the NFL has been a bit of an adjustment for Osborn. After beginning the year as the Vikings starting kick and punt returner, Osborn was made inactive for Week 3 as Ameer Abdullah and Chad Beebe took over his roles. If Osborn has lost his special team duties permanently, he likely won’t see the field very much.
Blake Brandel (Oregon St.), T, 6th round, 203rd overall: The first six months of Brandel’s career have been quite the rollercoaster ride. He was placed on the COVID-19 list by the Vikings in late July but was activated after only four days. He was then waived during the final round of cuts and then signed to the practice squad, where he still is to this point.
Josh Metellus (Michigan), S, 6th round, 205th overall: Metellus, like Brandel, was waived when the Vikings made their last cuts prior to the season, and then signed to the practice squad. Since then, he was promoted to the active roster before Week 2 where he saw the first snaps of his career before not playing at all the next week.
Kenny Willekes (Michigan St.), DE, 7th round, 225th overall: Unfortunately for Willekes, his season ended before it even got started as he was placed on IR with a leg injury and will miss the entire year. He’ll hope to be healthy and make a difference next season.
Nate Stanley (Iowa), QB, 7th round, 244th overall: With Kirk Cousins as the starter and Sean Mannion signed to be his backup, it was always going to be tough for Stanley to make the roster. He was cut and signed to the practice squad before Week 1, where he and Jake Browning will compete to be the third quarterback should anything happen to the Vikings’ top two.
Brian Cole II (Mississippi St.), S, 7th round, 249th overall: The sole member of the draft class that is no longer a part of the Vikings organization, Cole was placed on the COVID-19 list on the same day as Brandel and then activated eight days after. Less than a month later, he was waived. The Dolphins then scooped him up and signed him to their practice squad.
Kyle Hinton (Washburn), G, 7th round, 253rd overall: The Vikings went off the map to Washburn University, a Division II school located in Topeka, Kansas to find Hinton. Evidently, they found him a little raw as he was cut before the season, but they saw enough to bring him back onto the practice squad. The Purple and Gold hope that they can coach him up to be a useful contributor one day.