6 players the Vikings should have drafted instead of Irv Smith Jr.

D.K. Metcalf – WR

Let’s go back to that photo I was talking about earlier. While Brown was one of the jacked-up receivers in the photo, the other was a raw but talented prospect by the name of D.K. Metcalf.

While Brown’s concerns came from a full four-year career at Mississippi, Metcalf never eclipsed 700 yards in a single season during his three years with the Rebels and fought through a string of injuries. Mix in a spider chart that looked like Pac-Man because of his weak 3-cone drill, and Metcalf was one of the most polarizing prospects in the draft.

This was a terribly wrong take, as Metcalf also became one of the top receivers in the NFL after being selected by the Seattle Seahawks with the 64th overall pick in 2019. Despite Metcalf’s struggles in the 3-cone, the Seahawks focused on his ability to win on go routes.

By utilizing his 4.3 speed, Metcalf became a dangerous target for Russell Wilson. It was a perfect marriage, as Wilson had one of the best deep balls in the league before being traded to the Denver Broncos.

It could have worked out just as well for the Vikings, even if they had moved ahead with Diggs and Thielen, as Metcalf was everything that 2016 draft bust Treadwell wasn’t. He was big, fast, and able to take the top off the defense, which would have allowed Diggs and Thielen to work in the short and intermediate areas as precise route runners.

Again, drafting Metcalf would probably mean Jefferson never becomes a Viking, but it would have been a better use of draft capital than Smith.