5 positions the Minnesota Vikings will definitely draft in 2019

Linebacker

Now we are getting into the top needs of the Vikings. It looks more and more likely that Anthony Barr will not return to the Vikings in 2019. He’s a free-agent and will be looking for a big payday. The Vikings don’t have a lot of cap space and just can’t afford to bring him back. That leaves a gaping hole at strong-side linebacker.

Now Barr was an interesting player for the Vikings as he wasn’t a typical 4-3 outside linebacker. He was used as a pass rusher at times but had the athletic ability to drop into coverage and stick with tight ends and backs. So the team could be looking for the same type of player which would be kind of an edge type of hybrid player or could be looking for a more traditional type of 4-3 outside linebacker. They could even look at inside linebackers with the intention of moving Kendricks to the strong side.

The team could get by with Eric Wilson, Eric Kendricks, and Ben Gedeon as the starters. It’s unclear if Kendricks or Wilson would play outside but either could be adequate. If they do that, the depth behind the starters is paper thin with just Kentrell Brothers, Reshard Cliett, and Devante Downs as the backups.

This is an area the Vikings could address as soon as round one. If LSU’s Devin White is on the board he’d be a great value. That guy flies to the football and is a big-time hitter and playmaker. He’s so good he’d be worth passing on an offensive lineman for. If they don’t address it in the first round, then they could do so in round two and three with names like Mack Wilson and Terrill Hanks being ones to watch.