5 defensive prospects for the Vikings to watch at the 2021 Senior Bowl

Marvin Wilson – DT (Florida State)

Arguably the Vikings’ biggest need on the defensive side of the football this year will be to find a disrupting, three-technique defensive tackle.

Mike Zimmer’s defense lives and dies on pressure created by his four defensive linemen, especially through the A-gap. Unfortunately, Minnesota hasn’t had a competent player at this position since Sheldon Richardson’s one-year stint with the club in 2018.

There has been some talk about the Vikings taking Alabama’s Christian Barmore with their first-round pick. He could be exactly what Minnesota needs, but the No. 14 selection might be a little too early in the draft to add him.

If the Vikings pass on Barmore in the first round and then wait until they are back on the clock in the third round, Florida State’s Marvin Wilson is someone they could consider.

Williams is a stoutly built defender who was one of the Nation’s top recruits before he came to Florida State. With those high accolades came high expectations, and while Wilson had a productive career at Florida State, many figured he’d be more dominant at the college level.

Wilson had 109 career tackles, with 15 of those coming for a loss. He also added 9.5 sacks in his career, but he only had one in a shortened 2020 season.

Wilson won’t be a starter right away but would be someone the Vikings could plug in on passing downs and let him push the pocket, create havoc, and disrupt the timing of the opposing offense.