Derrick Brown – DT (Auburn)
Derrick Brown is the closest thing the 2020 NFL Draft has to an Aaron Donald. This guy is extremely quick for having such a thick build. He can beat his man with a bull rush, with speed, or by just using his long powerful arms to create separation.
With his ability to anchor and to create interior pressure, he will be a difference-maker for whatever team that drafts him and a starter from the opening day of the 2020 season.
The Vikings do need to get an interior defensive lineman who can constantly create pressure this year. Their current starters are both better suited at stopping the run and Mike Zimmer’s defense works better with at least one penetrating defensive tackle in the middle.
Brown could fill this role nicely for Minnesota. The problem is how far up they’d have to move to get him. Brown is one of the better prospects in the entire 2020 NFL Draft. He could go as early as third overall to the Detroit Lions.
Trading with a division rival is always tricky business. The Vikings wouldn’t want to give up too many assets to them, but they’d also do what it takes to get the man they covet.
The Lions would probably ask for this year’s first-round pick as well as next year’s and probably a couple of second or third-round selections in the next couple of drafts.
That’s a lot to ask for, but Detroit clearly wouldn’t want to face this beast twice every season for the next decade and they would need to get properly compensated for it. Minnesota moving up for Brown probably won’t happen, but he’d be a force in the middle of their defensive line and a true difference-maker.