What the Vikings can expect from their 2020 sixth-round picks

Josh Metellus – S (Michigan)

The Vikings finally took a safety in the 2020 NFL Draft with their final pick of the sixth round. Heading into the draft, they had zero depth behind their starters, Anthony Harris and Harrison Smith. They had to get someone to back these guys up and they found good value with former Michigan safety, Josh Metellus.

Metellus is coming off a nice season where he was named a Big Ten All-Conference honorable mention. He had 74 tackles (four for a loss), five pass breakups, and two interceptions.

He’s a high energy player who loves playing near the line of scrimmage. Metellus is a big hitter who wraps up nicely, looking like a linebacker on many plays.

Metellus has just average speed, running a 4.55-second time in the 40-yard dash at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine. There are questions about his ability to stick stride-for-stride with a receiver streaking down the field and if he has the speed to recover after he gets beat.

Metellus is likely to make the team by default in 2020. The Vikings have no depth at the safety position and Metellus provides that while he learns the game.

He will have to compete with fellow rookies Brian Cole II and Myles Dorn for a job on Minnesota’s roster. But he is arguably more talented than either of these two guys and he would really have to have a bad preseason to not end up on the Vikings’ final roster.

Expect to see Metellus as a gunner on special teams during his rookie year, as his style of play is built to exceed in that area. He has the potential to develop into a starter down the road, but he will have to improve his overall coverage skills for that to happen.