3 NFC North rookies the Vikings should worry about in 2020
By Nik Edlund
AJ Dillon – RB (Green Bay Packers)
The Packers’ draft this year was ridiculed and negatively received by just about everyone in the media and in the NFL world in general. Instead of drafting for success in 2020, they appeared to be looking towards the future. They needed to find Aaron Rodgers weapons in the passing game, but when talented wide receivers were staring them in the face, they opted to take a quarterback and a third running back. The Packers continued to make odd choices, next taking a fullback and then opting to not draft a single wide receiver. It was a strange and almost arrogant way of drafting that delighted many Minnesota Vikings fans, with its overall lack of value with many of the picks.
If Jordan Love develops into a solid NFL starter then he’ll obviously be someone the Vikings should be concerned about facing twice a season, but that won’t happen for at least three years unless things completely go off the rails with Aaron Rodgers. For now, they should concern themselves with that big running back from Boston College, AJ Dillon.
The Vikings have struggled to stop powerful running backs. They were routinely destroyed by Jordan Howard when he was with the Bears. Even Rashaad Penny, who struggles against everyone he faces, has put up solid numbers against the Vikings, running for 118 yards and a touchdown in two games against the Purple.
Dillon was a reach in the second round there’s no question about that, but he is someone the Vikings could have trouble with. He lacks speed, but at 6-feet and 247 pounds is a guy who will be tough to tackle. The Packers can use him to wear down the interior of the Vikings defense and when they are beaten up and tired, they can unleash Aaron Jones who could explode for a big play against a tired defense. They’ll likely also use him on the goal line and in short-yardage situations and with his size, it’s tough to see him not converting those.
On paper, the Packers draft was horrible, but the Minnesota Vikings should concern themselves with this bruising back who could be a problem if the Packers use him as the battering ram that he is.