Vikings select CB Jeff Gladney in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft

The Minnesota Vikings entered the 2020 NFL Draft with a huge need at cornerback and they addressed that issue at the end of the first round.

With several holes to fill on both offense and defense, the Minnesota Vikings took to the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft to acquire two of the top prospects available in hopes of returning to the playoffs during the coming season.

After using their first pick on a wide receiver, the Vikings traded down from pick No. 25 overall to acquire picks No. 31, 117, and 176  from the San Francisco 49ers. Thankfully, Minnesota held on to their new spot in the first round and made a selection.

Using that pick, the Vikings enhanced their cornerback grouping by selecting former TCU cornerback Jeff Gladney.

Minnesota could have gone several directions with this choice, including shoring up the offensive line, adding a dynamic pass rusher, or giving Kirk Cousins another weapon. Instead, the team must have loved what they saw from the defensive back.

Gladney brings to the table speed, cover skills, and toughness. He will instantly be a part of a defensive back grouping that will be without former corners Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes in 2020 and hopefully, he will find a role in the defense immediately.

Standing under 6-feet, Gladney doesn’t have the size of some of the other defensive backs in this year’s draft class. But he plays bigger and stronger than his size and he should quickly become a favorite of Mike Zimmer during this summer’s training camp and preseason.

Welcome to the Minnesota Vikings. Jeff Gladney. Hopefully, the former TCU defensive back can continue to succeed in purple and help to keep the team’s defense among the most feared units in the NFL.