The Minnesota Vikings continued to build off a strong first day of the 2020 NFL Draft on Friday, adding Boise State offensive tackle Ezra Cleveland and Mississippi State cornerback Cameron Dantzler while continuing to stockpile picks for the final day of the draft on Saturday.
Vikings take Cleveland at No. 58
The selection of Cleveland was made without the need for a trade-up, which had been rumored heading into the second round on Friday afternoon. After seeing a run on many of the skill positions, the Vikings were willing to wait and add a prospect who many regarded to be a first-round pick.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW7NH0u95cs
Although he has some high-end qualities, The Draft Network’s Kyle Crabbs believes he’s a prospect that will need some work before he can contribute.
“Cleveland needs to focus on gaining functional strength and improving his framing of blocks and ability to finish,” Crabbs explained. “Cleveland’s movement skills offer promise but the test will be whether or not he’s able to maintain that mobility once he’s stacked extra muscle on his frame.”
The selection of Cleveland also appears to end the Vikings’ pursuit of Washington offensive tackle Trent Williams as both ESPN’s Courtney Cronin and NFL Network’s Tom Pellissero report the Vikings have moved on.
Makes sense for them to address the O-line here. By the time they pick again at 89, both of those players are probably gone. Vikings were the leaders in the Trent Williams race, but given nothing happened earlier, Minnesota moved on for now and could be eyeing a developmental OL.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) April 25, 2020
With the #Vikings using the No. 58 pick on Boise State OL Ezra Cleveland, a trade for #Redskins LT Trent Williams is now off the table, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
Minnesota had extensive discussions with Washington, which never pulled the trigger on a deal.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 25, 2020
Vikings take Dantzler in the third round
With their second pick of the night, the Vikings selected Mississippi State cornerback Cameron Dantzler. At 6-foot-2 and 191 pounds, Dantzler has the size of a Mike Zimmer cornerback and has the physical play to match it.
TDN’s Joe Marino believes that by adding some muscle, Dantzler could be another starter for the Vikings.
“Dantzler features plenty of height and length, but he has a thin and narrow frame which presents some restrictions playing through contact and dealing with more physical receivers at the catch point and the top of routes,” Marino said. “Dantzler profiles as a versatile starter and adding functional strength will bring that opportunity quicker.”
Much like their first-round pick, Jeff Gladney, Dantler turned in a sub-par time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, running a 4.6-second time in Indianapolis. But Dantler rebounded to run a 4.38-second time in his virtual pro day.
Mississippi’s 6-foot-2, 188-pound CB Cam Dantzler ran his 40 at Wednesday’s Baton Rouge Pro Day in 4.38 seconds. pic.twitter.com/O2VInZyTXX
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 9, 2020
Vikings trade down with final pick
The Vikings wrapped up their night by trading down in the draft with the New Orleans Saints. In the deal, the Vikings traded away the 105th overall pick for Nos. 130, 169, 203 and 244 overall for Dayton tight end Adam Trautman.
With the deal, the Vikings now have 13 picks in the final four rounds of the draft, which will take place on Saturday.
