Re-drafting the Minnesota Vikings 2019 rookie class

Original Pick:

Kris Boyd – CB (Texas)

Re-draft:

Jimmy Moreland – CB (James Madison)

The Vikings took Kris Boyd early in the seventh round. He was seen as the token Mike Zimmer corner as he is known as the “cornerback whisperer” and he can never have too many on his team. Many thought Boyd was a bit of a steal as he was rated much higher by a lot of draft experts. After seeing him on the field in the preseason though, it was apparent why Boyd was a seventh-round choice.

He struggled badly in coverage and he also couldn’t tackle. He did still make Minnesota’s roster though and he has slowly progressed throughout the year. Boyd has turned into a nice special teams player and in spot-duty, he quietly accumulated 12 tackles. There is some hope for this former Longhorn’s future in purple.

The Vikings would’ve received more of an immediate return on James Madison’s Jimmy Moreland. He started five games for the Washington Redskins this season and he finished 2019 with 41 tackles and four pass breakups.

For a team that was having issues in the secondary all season long, Moreland would’ve given the Vikings some much-needed help without having to go out and make a trade the way they did for Mark Fields.

Original Pick:

Dillon Mitchell – WR (Oregon)

Re-draft:

Jalen Jelks – LB (Oregon)

This is basically an exchange of potential. With Minnesota already taking three receivers in this re-draft they surely don’t need another.

Mitchell never really flashed much of anything in training camp or the preseason for the Vikings and he is currently on the team’s practice squad. If they are going to stash a guy, Jalen Jelks would have been a better option.

Jelks is a defensive end/outside linebacker tweener. He is kind of like Anthony Barr without the elite athletic ability. He would have given Minnesota a young option with potential behind Ben Gedeon. He is still a major unknown, as he missed his rookie season due to an injury, but there is plenty to like about this former Oregon Duck.

Original Pick:

Bisi Johnson – WR (Colorado State)

Re-draft:

Kris Boyd – CB (Texas)

The Vikings already took Bisi Johnson in this re-draft, as they didn’t want to wait on him after seeing how he’s adjusted to the NFL game. So instead, they go with Kris Boyd who they originally took at the beginning of the seventh round.

As we mentioned previously, Boyd has gotten better and better as the season has worn on. He has become a solid special teamer and he could provide some quality depth for Minnesota’s secondary in the future if he continues to heed Zimmer’s advice.

Original Pick:

Austin Cutting – LS (Air Force)

Re-draft:

Cutting

The Vikings used their last pick of the 2019 NFL Draft to take long snapper Austin Cutting. They didn’t know if his commitment to the Air Force would allow him to play in 2019, so it was seen as a pick for the future.

As it turned out, he could fulfill his military commitments while also playing for Minnesota and he ended up winning the long-snapping job for the Vikings this year. He’s been solid all season and there is no reason to think Minnesota wouldn’t make this choice again.