6 first-round mistakes that continue to haunt the Vikings

First-Round Mistake No. 5

The Vikings selected Jeff Gladney over other DBs

The Vikings had a trend of taking defensive backs as often as possible, and for good reason. You can never have enough depth in the secondary, especially with how the league has evolved over the past decade or so. Still, Minnesota could have done better in that regard at times, but 2020 was the biggest head-scratcher of all.

After landing Justin Jefferson with their first pick, the Vikings used another first-round selection on Jeff Gladney, an undersized defensive back who never really made an impact at the next level. With Gladney's name called, the Vikings passed on Antoine Winfield Jr., Xavier McKinney, Grant Delpit, and Jaylon Johnson.

There was certainly talent to be had in the secondary, and the Vikings took a swing at a player they liked, but the other defensive backs taken soon after have all had stellar careers up to this point. The thought process was correct, but the Vikings simply missed their mark on a player, and it's become an issue a few years down the road.

If the Vikings had drafted and developed Jaylon Johnson into their top cornerback, they would not be in the same bucket every year of trying to find a perimeter defender. Instead, they continue to throw darts at the board and hope something sticks.