Vikings select DB Brian Cole II in seventh round of 2020 NFL Draft

The Minnesota Vikings were a busy bunch on the third and final day of the 2020 NFL Draft. WIth the 249th overall pick, the Vikings once again selected a defensive back, Mississippi State’s Brian Cole II.

Brian Cole II is a versatile defensive back and the Minnesota Vikings added him with the 249th overall pick on Saturday. Cole played a year at Michigan before heading to JUCO and eventually to Mississippi State, where he served as a big nickel safety. He arrived at Michigan as a wide receiver before switching to defensive back.

Cole is a big safety who has plenty of size to move inside as a nickel in the NFL if that is where the Vikings want him. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound defender has enough of a frame to tackle in the box and cover tight ends when he is on the field. He loves to fly downhill and attack the ball-carrier, which should make him a special team option.

Like any seventh-round pick, the final roster is still a large step away from Brian Cole II. He has to first go out and prove himself in his first camp and show that he can play in the NFL. He is coming off a big season for the Bulldogs, racking up 67 tackles, 7.5 of which went for a loss.

Cole appeared in 17 games in the SEC, totaling 78 tackles, two interceptions, and two pass breakups. He has some upside as a developmental tool on defense but has yet to find a true home on defense.

The Vikings stocked up on defensive backs late in this draft. Hopefully multiple fliers will pan out and give the Vikings some extra depth in 2020 and beyond. Brian Cole II was teammates with Cameron Dantzler, the team’s third-round pick in this draft.