Vikings Draft 2020: Pre-Super Bowl seven-round mock draft
By Luke Parrish
Third Round (Pick No. 89)
Khalid Kareem – DE (Notre Dame)
Khalid Kareem is a player that I am starting to like more and more. He is a lengthy defensive end with a lot of potential as a pass rusher.
Kareem dominates when attacking inside and stopping the run. His long arms let him jab the opposing offensive tackle and pull off a deadly swim. Kareem has a ton of size and a powerful demeanor to his game.
If the Vikings move on from Everson Griffen this offseason, Kareem could be in their future plans. He is not a polished pass rusher, but he is a disrupter in the run game and he can give opposing offensive lines fits.
Minnesota has notoriously developed pass rushers from later in the draft. Kareem struggles with his bend and speed off the edge. He was primarily an inside rusher from an end position in college. He is a little small for a true interior lineman, but he lacks the speed and pass-rush of an end.
Rather than winning with speed and a good burst off the snap, Kareem relies on timing the snap. He needs the perfect jump rather than beating the opposing offensive tackle straight up.
In round three, there is no guarantee a team will find a starting-caliber player. However, if the Vikings continue to develop talent, Kareem could be a staple of the defensive line in the future.
Remember, Danielle Hunter was once a raw, unproven prospect. At the very least, this selection would give Minnesota more defensive line depth on the cheap.