23. Minnesota Vikings: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
The Minnesota Vikings are a team that wins with defense. Yes, their offense has been fantastic this season and Adam Thielen is on a record pace for receiving yards. His connection with new quarterback Kirk Cousins has been great. Also clicking is the combo of Cousins and Stefon Diggs, their other star wideout.
Even with that being the case, this team wants to dominate on defense. They do so with a fantastic defensive line which features some of the better edge rushers and interior linemen in the league. One of those big guys may not return in 2019, which is what leads them to look here with their selection of Christian Wilkins out of Clemson.
Sheldon Richardson lines up next to Linval Joseph but is in Minnesota in just a one-year deal. Already close to the cap, the Vikings may decide it’s best to allow him to walk in free agency and land a talent in this stacked D-line class.
Wilkins would have been a first-round selection in 2018, but decided to return for his senior season. He’s a disruptive force in the middle of a very good Tigers defense and will be working with one of the better defenses minds in the game in head coach Mike Zimmer should he land here. That would surely get the most out of this impressive young player.