Minnesota Vikings: 4 Realistic options with No. 22 pick in 2020 NFL Draft

A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa

In a matter of days, the Vikings went from boasting one of the NFL’s top defensive end groups to one that doesn’t inspire much confidence. Sure, Danielle Hunter is still around, which is great. With that said, the losses of Everson Griffen and Stephen Weatherly can’t be understated.

With the two of them gone, the Vikings not only lose Hunter’s co-star but they also lose their underrated No. 3 pass rusher. Weatherly didn’t get as many opportunities as he probably deserved due to the talent that was ahead of him on the depth chart, but he was capable of being a menace. The problem is that now he’ll be wreaking havoc for the Carolina Panthers.

So what’s the plan? Because the Vikings don’t exactly have a ton of cap space to throw around, especially after the Michael Pierce signing. They may be able to find a capable veteran backup on the open market, but that’s not going to fix the problems that free agency created.

Spending a first-round pick on Iowa’s A.J. Epenesa might, though.

Yes, Epenesa didn’t have as explosive of a 2019 campaign as the scouting community hoped. He started the year as a potential Top 5 prospect, and now looks like a mid- or late-first-round pick. Despite that, the talent is there. Combining impressive power, technique and versatility, Epenesa could be just what the Vikings need to get over the split with Griffen.