7 prospects for the Vikings to watch on Day 4 at the 2020 Combine
By Dean Jones
The final day of workouts at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine will see defensive backs take center stage, which is a big area of need for the Minnesota Vikings.
The Minnesota Vikings have plenty of needs in their secondary this year and the NFL Draft may be the best place to find reinforcements.
The Vikings are up against it this offseason due to salary cap difficulties. That means striking gold in the draft is going to be even more crucial and substantial clues can be found at this week’s NFL Scouting Combine.
There are so many questions surrounding the Minnesota secondary that could see a critical area of the field completely transformed during the offseason. Standout safety Anthony Harris is after a new deal and he is sure to get considerable interest in the free-agent market this year.
Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander are also free agents this offseason and they might not be with the Vikings next year.
The poor play of former All-Pro Xavier Rhodes also makes him a prime candidate for release by Minnesota this offseason. Rhodes is due to count $12.9 million against the Vikings’ salary cap next season and the team would free up just over $8 million in cap space if they were to part ways this year.
Mike Hughes has had plenty of injury problems since being drafted in the first round back in 2018, leaving his ability to fill any potential void in doubt.
Although Harrison Smith is still playing at an elite level, he is 31-years-old and he will be a free agent in 2022. Minnesota might need to start making plans for his long-term replacement in the not-too-distant future.
One of his potential replacements might be among the prospects the Vikings should be watching closely during the fourth and final day of workouts on Sunday at this year’s Combine.