Riggo's Rag
FanSided

2020 NFL Mock Draft: Sifting through the pre-draft noise

By Jacob Camenker

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 05: Andrew Thomas #71 of the Georgia Bulldogs warms up on the field before the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 05: Andrew Thomas #71 of the Georgia Bulldogs warms up on the field before the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
26 of 33
Next
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SEPTEMBER 19: Josh Jones #74 of the Houston Cougars in action during a game against the Tulane Green Wave at Yulman Stadium on September 19, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SEPTEMBER 19: Josh Jones #74 of the Houston Cougars in action during a game against the Tulane Green Wave at Yulman Stadium on September 19, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

player. 60. . Offensive Tackle. Minnesota Vikings. Josh Jones. 25

It seems likely that the Vikings will select an offensive lineman at some point early in this draft. And they may opt to take one here at 25 if the board breaks in their favor.

At this point, I have the tackles slipping a bit which has caused Josh Jones to be on the board here. If the Vikings can land Jones, they should probably pull the trigger considering the type of upgrade he’d be for the offensive line.

Jones has a huge 6-foot-7 frame and found a lot of success at Houston. He’s a sound blocker with solid technique and he didn’t allow much pressure at all playing for the Cougars. He’ll be playing against a higher level of competition at the NFL level, but he has all the tools needed to find success in that role.

More from Commanders Draft News

Jones’ ceiling is probably around the 14th pick to the Bucs if the Big 4 offensive tackles all go in the top 11 picks, which is possible. So, in this case, the Vikings are landing a steal. Jones could man the left tackle spot and either replace Riley Reiff, who could be cut to save about $8.8 million in cap room, or Reiff could kick inside to guard where he may be a better contributor and should surely be an upgrade over Pat Elflein. Either way, Jones’ presence would help to better protect Kirk Cousins, which is a must given what the Vikings have invested in him.

The Vikings could consider another tackle like Austin Jackson here if they like him better. Or, they could go with an interior offensive line prospect, and, notably, WalterFootball.com’s Walter Cherepinsky has Temple’s Matt Hennessy mocked to the Vikings at 25. I considered Hennessy here for that reason, but there were ultimately better players on the board that I just don’t think the Vikings will pass on.

Home/Commanders Draft News