3 Factors That Prompted Vikings to Break NFL Draft 7-Round Record

Viktor

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Mar 19, 2019
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3. Draft capital kept growing | By Craig Peters


As Eric pointed out, the Vikings didn't have the desire to pole vault up the board. They could simply repel down it when taking a call from a team that wanted to move up.


New Orleans, for instance, traded into the back of the third round Friday night to select TE Adam Trautman at 105 and sent a choice in the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds to Minnesota.


Spielman could pretty much keep his draft capital and even add to it for next year, collecting a couple of picks for 2021 that will go along with scheduled picks and selections likely to be awarded through the NFL's compensatory formula. Future picks can sometimes serve as contingency plans in case a trade for a player is needed during camp or before the trade deadline.


"I treasure [picks] and I try to collect as many as I can," Spielman said. "So that's why we — when you have that much draft capital going into it and you're able to flip some picks into next year's picks — I don't know what the depth of next year's draft's going to be — but to start off right now where we stand to [potentially start with] 12 draft picks, who knows where we're going to end up next year."


Who's who in the Vikings draft class of 2020? | By Lindsey Young


Round 1, 22*
nd*Overall: WR Justin Jefferson (LSU) – Believes he's "pro ready" because of experience with 2019 National Champion LSU


Round 1, 31*st*Overall: CB Jeff Gladney (TCU) – "Battle-tested" defensive back is ready for the heat Coach Zimmer brings


Round 2, 58*th*Overall: T Ezra Cleveland (Boise State) – Ready to get back to work with Boise State teammate Alexander Mattison


Round 3, 89*th*Overall: CB Cameron Dantzler (Mississippi State) – Garnered attention for performance against LSU's go-to target Ja'Marr Chase


Round 4, 117*th*Overall: DE D.J. Wonnum (South Carolina) – Excited to learn from Vikings DE Danielle Hunter, whom he's drawn some comparisons to


Round 4, 130*th*Overall: DT James Lynch (Baylor) – Watched the Vikings while growing up and has admired Zimmer's defense in recent years


Round 4, 132*nd*Overall: LB Troy Dye (Oregon) – Led the Ducks in tackles for four consecutive seasons, a program record


Round 5, 169*th*Overall: CB Harrison Hand (Temple) – Tied with Jeff Okudah at the combine for best vertical jump among corners with 41 inches


Round 5, 176*th*Overall: WR K.J. Osborn (Miami) – Attracted Vikings attention with potential at punt returner and high character off the field


Round 6, 203*rd*Overall: T Blake Brandel (Oregon State) – Started all 48 games with the Beavers, which is the third-longest streak in school history


Round 6, 205*th*Overall: S Josh Metellus (Michigan) – A versatile athlete, having played linebacker, both safety spots, outside corner and nickel for the Wolverines


Round 7, 225*th*Overall: DE Kenny Willekes (Michigan State) – Made it from a walk-on for the Spartans to an NFL Draft pick


Round 7, 244*th*Overall: QB Nate Stanley (Iowa) – Grew up a Bears fan but changed his allegiance within the division


Round 7, 249*th*Overall: S Brian Cole II (Mississippi State) – Journey to the NFL included JUCO stop


Round 7, 253*rd*Overall: G Kyle Hinton (Washburn) – Played 40 games (34 starts) for the Ichabods and participated in the NFLPA Bowl Game in January
 
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