Minnesota Vikings: 2019 NFL Draft prospects who belong on team’s radar

1. Josh Allen, OLB, Kentucky

Admittedly, this is sort of a pipe dream. The chances are very high that Josh Allen doesn’t fall far enough for the Vikings to have a realistic shot at drafting him. And yet, if they do, you better believe Spielman will consider calling his name on draft night.

Allen, one of the 2019 draft class’ more intriguing outside linebacker prospects, offers an excellent mix of pass rushing and stand-up abilities. He’s capable of playing downhill against the run, or dropping into coverage and not looking completely lost. In today’s NFL, that’s not a common combination.

And yet, that’s what Allen brings to the table. That’s also why the Vikings probably won’t have a shot at him.

If they do, though, he’d serve as an excellent replacement for Anthony Barr. At this point, it seems unlikely the Vikings will re-sign their starting outside linebacker. They’ve already got a ton of money invested in the defense, and not a ton of cap space to work with heading into 2019. Re-signing Barr may put Minnesota in too much of a financial bind.

Drafting Allen, though, would completely solve that problem. He’s got the pass-rushing prowess to replace Barr in that department, and may be an upgrade when it comes to coverage skills. I can just imagine Mike Zimmer sitting there with his fingers crossed hoping the Kentucky product falls to the Vikings.