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Minnesota Vikings: 2020 NFL Draft groupings to watch

By Luke Parrish

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 29: Damon Webb #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates his touchdown pass interception with Damon Arnette #3 against the USC Trojans in the second quarter during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 29: Damon Webb #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates his touchdown pass interception with Damon Arnette #3 against the USC Trojans in the second quarter during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 13: Pete Werner #20 of the Ohio State Buckeyes and Jordan Fuller #4 of the Ohio State Buckeyes team up to tackle Seth Green #17 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers short of the goal line in the first quarter at Ohio Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 13: Pete Werner #20 of the Ohio State Buckeyes and Jordan Fuller #4 of the Ohio State Buckeyes team up to tackle Seth Green #17 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers short of the goal line in the first quarter at Ohio Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

Ohio State Secondary

We all know Mike Zimmer loves his defensive backs. The Vikings have spent countless first-round picks on the back end of the defense during his tenure. He will be excited to study Ohio State this upcoming season. The Buckeyes have quickly become a pipeline that sends defensive backs to the NFL. Six Buckeye defensive backs have been selected in the first round since 2014. The 2020 NFL Draft just might see a couple more.

Cornerbacks Damon Arnette and Jeffrey Okudah are fast coverage guys with downfield talent. Arnette has battled injuries during his collegiate career, but he is a tough corner to beat when he’s on the field. He comes up in the run game and punished ball carriers. In coverage, Arnette does a masterful job of finding the ball and making a clean play on it. His ball skills and speed are the perfect building blocks for a young cornerback.

Okudah is a bit longer than Arnette and is more of an outside corner in the making. His long arms and quick reactions allow him to break on the ball in the air. He also has quick feet. The combination of a quick first step and length makes him a good press corner. The Vikings love to add cornerbacks, and the potential loss of Trae Waynes next season could make this an even bigger need.

However, what if the Vikings decide to add a safety? Ohio State has the answer still. Jordan Fuller is a true cover safety. He has speed over the top of the defense. Fuller is reliable in man and zone coverage. His pure ability to defend the pass makes him a versatile defensive back — he can play single-high, cover 2, or even in a nickel corner role.

Fuller is a bit of a boom or bust risk in tackling situations, especially against the run. He comes in hot and goes for the kill shot far too often. When he connects, it’s a big stop. When he doesn’t, the offense is set for a big gain. Fuller could be a fun piece next to Harrison Smith in the future.

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