6 defensive tackles the Vikings could select in the 2020 NFL Draft

Derrick Brown (Auburn)

Measurements:

• Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 326 pounds

2019 Stats:

• 54 total tackles (11.5 for a loss)
• 4 sacks
• 4 pass deflections
• 2 forced fumbles
• 2 fumble recoveries

The crown Jewell of the interior defensive line prospects is Derrick Brown, who will likely go early in this year’s NFL Draft. Brown was a force at Auburn, routinely stopping the run while using his strength to push the pocket and make opposing quarterbacks uncomfortable.

Stopping the run became Brown’s calling card with the Tigers as his 9.7 percent run stop rate was 20th in the nation according to Pro Football Focus. In addition, PFF had him charted with a 5.6 percent pass rusher productivity rating, which ranked a lower at 62nd in the nation, but it was still pretty good.

Mix that in with a tremendous tackling ability (only five missed tackles on 139 career attempts) and an elite versatility and Brown is a complete defensive tackle prospect.

He would be fine with the Vikings who are currently relying on Shamar Stephen to clog up gaps, but he doesn’t offer much else. Analysis from The Draft Network’s Jordan Reid suggests that Brown would offer much more thanks to his ability to penetrate along with taking up space.

"“He isn’t just a space eater that occupies multiple gaps. His ability to penetrate and get up-the-field constantly wreaks havoc on offenses and forces them to game plan around the issues that he presents.”"

As much as Brown would be a good fit with Minnesota, he would be a good fit for anyone in the NFL, hence why he’ll be a top-10 selection. There are worse players the Vikings could trade up for, but with so many needs on both sides of the ball, they are probably better off waiting to see who could fall.