Could Moss, Winfield, and Diggs follow in their Vikings family footsteps?
By Dean Jones
Antoine Winfield Jr. – S (Minnesota)
Antoine Winfield Jr. is another intriguing proposition for the Vikings and he would be an immensely popular pick.
The former Minnesota Golden Gopher lit it up at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine after enjoying a prolific college career that has him in the first-round conversation this year. Winfield recorded seven interceptions, three sacks, two forced fumbles, and 85 total tackles in 2019 from the safety position at Minnesota.
There are a lot of similarities between Winfield and his father, who was an enormously influential figure during his time with the Vikings. Being around an NFL player growing up has clearly had a positive effect on the young prospect.
He is an instinctive player who has a real knack for getting around the ball on passing downs. Winfield is also a hard hitter who has no trouble coming up to assist in run schemes.
He might not be the best athlete available in this year’s draft, but Winfield is NFL ready right now and he is the sort of character that Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer loves on his defense.
Anthony Harris’ status with the franchise in the coming weeks will go a long way to determining whether Winfield is a viable option for Minnesota this year. The veteran safety is a free agent and given the amount of financial commitment it will likely take to keep him with the Vikings, it could result in him moving on.
This would make drafting a safety a top priority for Minnesota this offseason and Winfield is sure to be high on their shortlist.