5 biggest Vikings 2020 draft needs at the midpoint of the season

Defensive Tackle

The Vikings have a solid tandem of defensive tackles with “The Big Goon” Linval Joseph and his partner in run-stuffing crime, Shamar Stephen. They are a load for interior offensive lines to handle as they have done well at shutting down opposing rushing attacks and providing interior pressure. The problem that arises for Minnesota, and why this is an issue, is the depth behind them is very suspect.

Jaleel Johnson is Joseph’s primary backup and he, once again, is having a very quiet season. Johnson just doesn’t do much with the limited snaps he’s given. It’s been that way his entire career and he has just six tackles this year.

Jalyn Holmes hasn’t done much either. He was supposed to be able to provide interior pressure on a rotational basis, but he has only been active for three games and he hasn’t registered a stat yet. The Vikings have to start wondering if he’ll ever breakout, as opposed to when.

Hercules Mata’afa had a nice preseason and the team seemed to have big plans for him this year, but he only has one tackle on the season. Rookie Armon Watts rounds out the depth, but he is always a healthy scratch on game day this year.

Like wide receiver, this isn’t a need the Vikings will address early in the 2020 draft unless there is some great value where they are picking in the first round. This is likely another mid-round need, but the depth has to be improved here for the Purple, especially when Joseph’s age (31) is factored in.