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News | Minnesota Vikings – vikings.com

Vikings Sign Final 14 of Historically Large 2020 Draft Class

EAGAN, Minn. — All 15 members of the Vikings 2020 draft class — the largest harvested in a seven-round draft in NFL history — have signed their rookie contracts, the team announced Thursday.

Minnesota's draft class broke a seven-round draft record of 14 selections made by the 1997 Dolphins and 2016 Browns. The draft became seven rounds in 1994.

Quarterback Nate Stanley signed his rookie deal on July 13.

View photos of the Vikings 2020 draft class signing their rookie contracts.

Here's a refresher on the 14 other members of his class.

Justin Jefferson

Jefferson, the Vikings first draftee in 2020, is expected to compete for the No. 2 job at wide receiver.

He was the 22nd overall pick in the draft — the fifth wide receiver selected overall — after recording one of the best receiving seasons in LSU history as a junior in 2019.

He tied for the national lead with 111 catches (a school single-season record) and finished second in the country overall with 18 touchdown receptions, which trailed only Tigers teammate Ja'Marr Chase's 20.

View photos of LSU WR Justin Jefferson who was selected by the Vikings in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Jefferson drew praise from teammates and coaches during the Vikings virtual offseason, including from Vikings Offensive Coordinator Gary Kubiak.

"I think he's done some things that give him a good head start moving forward," Kubiak said in mid-June.

Jefferson, who stands at 6-foot-1 and weighs 202 pounds, was clocked at 4.43 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Jeff Gladney

Gladney, the 31st overall pick, is among a handful of cornerbacks who will vie for playing time in 2020.

The former TCU standout is 5-foot-10 and weighs 191 pounds but brings a feisty attitude to the team.

He started 10 of 12 games in 2019, totaling 31 tackles (24 solo), one interception and 1.5 tackles for loss. His 14 passes defensed led the Big 12.

Gladney is the first TCU player to be drafted by the Vikings in the first round in franchise history.

Ezra Cleveland

Cleveland, who starred at left tackle for Boise State, was a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and was taken 58th overall.

Cleveland started all 13 games at left tackle for the Broncos and was named a First-Team All-Mountain West selection for the second consecutive year. The 6-foot-6, 313-pound lineman started all 40 games in three seasons with the Broncos.

He will reunite with former college teammate Alexander Mattison in Purple. Cleveland helped the running back rush for 2,501 yards and 29 scores for Boise State in 2017-18.

Cleveland was one of the most athletic offensive tackles in the 2020 draft. That was evident by his time of 4.93 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, the third-fastest by an offensive lineman.

The 22-year-old Cleveland also ran a zone-scheme offense in college, which overlaps with offensive system that Vikings Offensive Coordinator Gary Kubiak has installed in Minnesota.

Cameron Dantzler

Dantzler, a third-round selection, was the 89th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

A redshirt junior out of Mississippi State, the cornerback measures in at 6-foot-2 and 188 pounds.

Dantzler allowed a passer rating of just 57.0 last season, which ranked fourth among FBS cornerbacks.

He started 22 of 35 games from 2017-19 for the Bulldogs, including all nine that he played last fall. Dantzler led Mississippi State with 10 passes defensed in 2019. He recorded 40 tackles (31 solo) and two interceptions last season.

Dantzler is in the mix for cornerback depth, as well as playing time on special teams.

D.J. Wonnum

Wonnum was picked in the fourth round (117th overall pick) of the draft, and has comparable measurements to Danielle Hunter and former defensive end Stephen Weatherly.

Wonnum, a senior out of South Carolina, measured in 6-foot-5 and 258 pounds. Hunter, who was 6-5 and 252 pounds out of LSU in 2015, is now a two-time Pro Bowler who has recorded back-to-back, 14.5 seasons. Weatherly was a seventh-round pick in 2016 and signed with Carolina as a free agent.

A team captain in 2019, Wonnum collected Second-Team All-SEC honors from The Associated Press after recording 37 tackles, including 9.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.

Wonnum was also South Carolina's 2019 Comeback Player of the Year, as he was limited to just five games in 2018.

Wonnum appeared in 43 games with 30 starts in college, recording 137 career tackles with 14.0 sacks and 29.5 career tackles for loss.

James Lynch

Lynch was a fourth-round selection (130th overall) after a standout career as a defensive tackle at Baylor.

He earned First-Team All-American honors in 2019, and was also named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. He led the Bears with 19.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks, ranking in the top 10 nationally in both categories. He also broke up five passes, forced three fumbles and blocked two kicks as a junior.

View images of Vikings fourth round draft pick Baylor DT James Lynch.

In 38 career games, the 6-4, 289-pound Lynch tallied 101 tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss and 22 sacks.

The selection of Lynch added depth to Minnesota's defensive line and thrilled Hall of Famer defensive tackle John Randle, who hit it off with Lynch at the combine.

Troy Dye

Dye, the 132nd overall pick, was the third defensive player Minnesota selected in the fourth round of the draft.

He started 13 games last season, recording 84 tackles with 9.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. Dye earned First-Team All-Pac-12 honors and participated in the 2019 Reese's Senior Bowl.

View photos of Vikings new fourth round draft pick Oregon LB Troy Dye.