Minnesota Vikings 2020 NFL Draft Profile: Josh Jones – OT

Where he fits with the Minnesota Vikings:

The Vikings have a handful of needs to address before the start of the 2020 season. Yes, I am aware they need to fix some things on both sides of the ball, but the simple fact of the matter is they only have one first-round pick. They can only really work with what they have in their arsenal, so draft picks are a premium.

The new and improved run game under Gary Kubiak was a pleasant addition to Minnesota’s offense last season. A big reason for success was the athleticism of the offensive line.

Right tackle Brian O’Neill and rookie center Garrett Bradbury made significant strides in their young careers. Adding more athleticism to the line will do wonders for Dalvin Cook and the Vikings rushing attack.

Riley Reiff is a potential roster cut heading into the new season, but he could also slide over to guard. Either way, there should be an opening at left tackle as Minnesota enters training camp this summer. It is time to start fresh on the offensive line and Josh Jones is the perfect left tackle for the Vikings offense, in my opinion.

As Minnesota continues to pound the rock, they will need blockers out in space. Having athletic tackles on either side of the line will open lanes in whichever direction the Vikings want to run and it will give Cook more room down the field. Minnesota also loves to use the screen passing game and adding Jones to that mix does the same magic.

The Vikings are built to win now and Jones is a bit of a project currently. Still, he should be able to play from day one and make a significant difference on the offensive line out of the gate. I love what he brings to the table, especially for Minnesota’s offense.

The Vikings can most likely sit at pick No. 25 and grab Jones in the first round this year. The run on tackles might force them to trade up just a bit, but this is far from a guarantee. As of today, Jones is my dream pick for Minnesota during this year’s NFL Draft.