With their first pick in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings added more depth to their defense with defensive tackle Armon Watts.
Last offseason, the Minnesota Vikings took a chance and signed talented defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson to a one-year deal. There were some thoughts that he might re-sign with the Vikings this offseason, but Richardson decided to take his talents to the Cleveland Browns instead.
With his departure, depth on the interior of their defensive line became an immediate need for Minnesota this year. On Saturday, the Vikings improved this depth with their first selection in the sixth round.
At pick No. 190, Minnesota went ahead and added former Arkansas defensive tackle Armon Watts. It was the second-straight selection for the Vikings on the defensive side of the ball after using their first four picks on offensive prospects.
Watts didn’t get a ton of time on the field for Arkansas until his senior season in 2018. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound defensive tackle took advantage of his increase in opportunities last year and finished with 49 total tackles (8.5 for a loss), seven sacks, and three forced fumbles.
Watts will be a good addition to a Minnesota defensive line that will be searching all summer to figure out who will replace Richardson in the starting lineup as the team’s three-technique for 2019.
Free-agent signing Shamar Stephen seems like the front-runner, but he should see some intense competition from Jaleel Johnson, Jalyn Holmes, and now Watts.
The Vikings should at least feel a little bit more comfortable about their depth at the defensive tackle spot for next season.