With the 205th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings added more to their secondary and selected former Michigan safety Josh Metellus.
The Minnesota Vikings continued to address the holes in their secondary on Saturday when they selected Michigan defensive back Josh Metellus with the 205th pick. Metellus was a four-year contributor at Michigan and he is coming off of his most productive season for the Wolverines.
Metellus recorded 74 tackles and two interceptions as a senior in 2019. He projects as a box safety who can cover running backs but has a home as a run-stopping defender. Until he reaches that point, Metellus can offer some upside on special teams as a gunner and tackler.
His final two seasons in college were kind to Metellus as he was able to find the ball more. He racked up five interceptions, 10 pass breakups, and a defensive touchdown since 2018. Metellus is still growing as a player, but he has shown flashes as a downhill thumper who will drop into the box.
At 5-foot-11 and a little over 200 pounds, Metellus is built to play a ranging linebacker role and impact special teams right now. He might not be long enough to cover tight ends in the NFL, but his speed and tackling ability are building blocks as a sub-package player.
With most of the picks in this range being shots in the dark, there is no telling what the Vikings will do with Metellus once he arrives. He is a fine player with some traits to be excited about. However, he only had one season of eye-popping production and another with solid numbers.
Perhaps he can be groomed as a potential backup and replacement to Anthony Harris or Harrison Smith when the time comes.