Minnesota Vikings: 5 Targets in 2020 NFL Draft to help win NFC North

2. Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State

The Vikings must replenish the defense to get back to playing their patented brand of football. Everson Griffen was a key cog in the identity of Mike Zimmer’s defense. He locked down the base side, doing all the scrappy, dirty work of Zimmer’s 4-3 defense and more.

Without Griffen, the Vikings leader in sacks, Danielle Hunter will see more attention. There will also be a leak in run defense. For the Vikings to continue their success, having a dominant front is a necessity on the edge. Curtis Weaver is the plug-and-play prospect the Vikings need to help their cause.

The Boise State edge rusher put up excellent numbers during his college career. He lived in the backfield, totaling 47.5 tackles for loss and 34 sacks in his time playing on the blue turf. The former Bronco is built similarly Griffen at 6-2, 265 pounds. What he does best is dominate the line of scrimmage with great hands, solid get-off and flexibility as a great outside rusher.

With his well-refined technique, great movement skills and high motor, Weaver is a Day 1 starter on edge with the versatility to rush from the interior as well. Weaver is a Day 1 lock who should be wearing a Vikings uniform in 2020. Other prospects that make sense for the Vikings are A.J. Epenesa, Yetur Gross-Matos and Jabari Zuniga.