Minnesota Vikings: Redrafting the team’s 2020 NFL Draft class

Original Pick: Jeff Gladney – CB (TCU)

Jeff Gladney has been pretty good for the Minnesota Vikings so far. Injuries had forced him onto the field sooner than the Vikings expected but he’s been improving every week. Gladney does tend to run hot and cold in coverage and will give up the occasional big play. That is expected from a young corner still learning the game, and playing in a complex system like Mike Zimmer’s.

While Gladney has been inconsistent in coverage, one area where he’s extremely good at is tackling. He isn’t the biggest guy on the field but doesn’t hesitate to come flying in and make a tackle whether it is a receiver or a back twice as big as he is. Gladney has already racked up 42 tackles on the season with three tackles for a loss. The Vikings have to be excited about Gladney’s progress and potential but there is one player out there who could’ve had a bigger impact for them in 2020.

Redraft: Antoine Winfield Jr. – CB/S (Minnesota)

That player who would’ve been even more productive and helpful to the Vikings this season would have been the spawn of one of their own, Antoine Winfield. Winfield Jr. has been everything in the NFL so far that he was in college. What he was in college was a ball-hawking playmaker and he’s been just that with the Bucs.

Winfield Jr. has been a beast for the Bucs this season and a big reason why their defense has been much improved. He’s got 51 tackles on the season, two sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception.

The Vikings could have played him at corner this season while knowing his future would be as Anthony Harris’ replacement. The Vikings could have potentially even attempted to get some sort of compensation for Harris at the trade deadline knowing this dynamic playmaker was waiting in the wings. While the Minnesota Vikings are happy with Gladney, Winfield has the potential to be a star in this league for a very long time.