Minnesota Vikings full 2020 NFL mock draft

Rounds 5-7

James Lynch was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year last year, as he led the conference in sacks (13.5) while also tallying 20 tackles for loss. As a sophomore in 2018, he had 5.5 sacks on his way to earning Second-Team All-Big 12 honors.

Lynch is a developmental prospect. He needs to add to his pass rush repertoire, and he can get overwhelmed by blockers at times due to lack of secondary power or lack of sound technique.

He would be the next project for Vikings’ defensive line coach Andre Patterson, and he’s a worthy fifth-round flier.

The Vikings may (and maybe should) take a left tackle some time in the early rounds, but Frantz becomes a pretty clear choice here with a pick they got from Buffalo in the Diggs trade.

Frantz was a three-year starter at Kansas State. While he probably needs to add some weight to thrive at the next level (303 pounds), he is well-regarded in pass protection and as a run blocker with notable physicality and mobility.

With back-to-back late picks, the Vikings add two offensive lineman. Iwuagwu exclusively played left guard at TCU, and Lance Zierlein of NFL.com pointed to his foot movement and comfort pulling as strengths. That would seem to make him a great fit for the zone-blocking scheme favored by Vikings’ offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak, and coached by offensive line coach/run game coordinator Rick Dennison.

Pinter started his career at Ball State as a tight end, before moving to right tackle for his final two seasons. In 2019, he earned first-team All-MAC honors. He projects to be a guard in the NFL though, where his athleticism would also fit nicely in a zone-blocking scheme.

K.J. Osborn transferred from Buffalo to Miami for his final college season last year, and he finished with 50 catches and five touchdowns as the Hurricanes again struggled to find capable quarterback play. At Buffalo in 2018, he averaged 16.8 yards per catch with notable production as a return man.

Osborn ran a nice 4.48 40 at the NFL Combine, but his greater strengths are work ethic, fearlessness and savvy. He might be good enough to stick.

Coughlin fell from 9.5 sacks in 2018 to 4.5 sacks last year, but he did generate 37 quarterback hurries and nine quarterback hits while tallying 9.5 tackles for loss. Over his sophomore and junior seasons, he totaled 26.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks.

Coughlin (236 pounds) is too small to be a defensive end in the NFL, but his speed (4.57 40 at the combine) and motor may make a transition to an off the ball linebacker possible. He could carve out a role on special teams right away.