Minnesota Vikings select Iowa DT Jaleel Johnson in the fourth round

The Minnesota Vikings went defense for the first time in the 2017 NFL Draft and selected a former member of the Iowa Hawkeyes.

After trading with the San Francisco 49ers late Friday night, the Minnesota Vikings had the second pick in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft on Satrurday. With that selection, the Vikings went with Iowa defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson.

Listed at 6-foot-4, 310 pounds, Johnson will be a beast in the middle next to now, fellow Minnesota defensive tackle Linval Joseph.

Johnson played four years at Iowa and was an integral part of the school’s defense for the last two seasons. In 2016, he finished with 56 total tackles (10 for a loss) and 7.5 sacks.

With Sharrif Floyd’s future on the team unfortunately in doubt, this was a pick the Vikings had to make. Johnson immediately adds depth to a Minnesota unit that needed it even when Floyd was healthy and on the field.

The Vikings are hoping that the addition of Johnson will improve their run defense that was less than impressive in 2016. Last season, Minnesota finished the year with a defense that ranked 20th in terms of stopping the opposing offense’s rushing attack.

Next: Who's left to draft for the Vikings on Day 3?

For a head coach that prides himself on his team having a good defense, improving the Vikings’ run defense will likely be a big point of emphasis for Mike Zimmer this offseason. Thanks to the draft, now he gets to do that with a new defensive tackle.