Third Round (Pick No. 91)
Jabril Cox – LB (LSU)
Jabril Cox might not make it to the end of the third round or even out of the second. He was an absolute stud at North Dakota State before transferring to LSU for his final season of college ball.
The Vikings are not desperate for a linebacker, but they need depth in a major way. When Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr went down this past season, the second level of Minnesota’s defense was an embarrassment, just ask Alvin Kamara.
Cox is a guy that can bring leadership and plenty of experience to that linebacker room. He is an excellent coverage linebacker who can take the role of Eric Wilson for the Vikings while also being a cheaper option. Not to mention Cox is a much better tackler and run defender than Wilson, who was a massive liability at times in 2020.
Adding Cox to the defense next to Barr and Kendricks would be a respectable move for Minnesota and it might even pave the way for them to move on from Barr’s contract in 2022 should they feel the desire to do so.
By no means is Cox a perfect prospect, but the value at this spot is incredible. The Vikings have to find a way to fix the defense and add depth however they can this offseason and Cox is someone who can provide just that.