Minnesota Vikings Fifth Round 2020 NFL Draft Picks

Vikings Trade 155th Pick to Bears for 2021 4th-Round Selection | By Eric Smith Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman hinted Friday night that he might use Minnesota’s draft capital to look ahead to the 2021 draft. That scenario then occurred in the fifth round, when the Vikings sent the 155th overall pick to the division-rival Bears in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Vikings made three picks in the fourth round, all on defensive players, and now have nine picks left in the 2020 draft, including fifth-round selections at Nos. 169 and 176.Vikings Select Temple Cornerback Harrison Hand with 169th Overall Pick | By Craig Peters After taking defensive players with all three of their picks in the fourth round, the Vikings continued to add to that side of the ball Saturday by selecting cornerback Harrison Hand out of Temple. Hand is the third cornerback drafted by the Vikings in 2020, joining first-round selection Jeff Gladney and third-round pick Cameron Dantzler. “I’m just grateful for this opportunity and ready to work,” Hand said Saturday during a video conference. A native of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, Hand measured 5-foot-11 and 197 pounds at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, where his vertical leap of 41 inches tied first-round pick Jeff Okudah for the best among cornerbacks in this class. “[Hand] was a corner with very good athletic ability,” Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman told Vikings Entertainment Network. “We need to continue to build depth in the secondary; he’ll come in and compete. Also, I know what he can do and contribute on special teams.”Will Hand play at corner, or might he have some opportunities at safety? “I don’t have a pure sense, but I’m just ready to go in,” Hand said. “However they want to use me, I’ll be ready to do it to the best of my ability.” Vikings Director of College Scouting Jamaal Stephenson was asked whether Hand would play at corner or might transition to safety. Stephenson pointed out that would be up to the coaches but did say Hand has shown some “traits where you say, ‘I think this guy has some of that versatility where he could maybe transition to safety because he’s a very physical guy in the run game.” Stephenson said he most liked the competitive nature with which Hand plays. “He’s a guy who is from New Jersey and was recruited by Matt Rhule and that staff, went out to Baylor and played there for a couple of years,” Stephenson said. “His position coach (Fran Brown) left Baylor and went to Temple, and Harrison followed him back to Temple. “He’s a guy who is really smart. He’s instinctive, has good size. He worked out really well at the combine,” Stephenson said. “He’s a guy who is really just scratching the surface of what he can be. He’s a young player, and we think he has a lot of upside, particularly with where we got him in the draft.”The junior played one season at Temple after beginning his college career at Baylor. He was granted the opportunity to play immediately instead of sitting out as a transfer and recorded 59 tackles (4.0 for loss) and three interceptions for the Owls in 2019. Hand is a cousin of former NFLer Turk McBride, who started 24 of 66 games for the Chiefs, Lions and Saints from 2007-12. Hand overlapped at Baylor with Vikings 2020 fourth-round pick James Lynch from 2017-18. Hand started 13 of 22 games in two seasons with the Bears, totaling 55 tackles, 11 pass breakups and an interception. “That’s my boy. We go way back at Baylor,” Hand said. “We always talked, so it’s a blessing to be a part of the Vikings Nation and do so with my guy, James Lynch.” At Cherry Hill West High School, Hand played defensive back, earning two-time all-league honors, and running back in high school and was rated as the No. 1 cornerback prospect in New Jersey by Scout.Vikings Select Miami Receiver K.J. Osborn with 176th Overall Pick | By Lindsey Young The Vikings selected wide receiver K.J. Osborn with the 176th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Osborn, a redshirt senior out of Miami, measured 5-foot-11 and 203 pounds. He started all 13 games he played for the Hurricanes last season, leading the team in receiving with 50 catches for 547 yards and five touchdowns. Osborn also contributed on special teams. He returned 16 punts for 255 yards (15.9 average) and 10 kickoffs for 201 yards (20.1 average). Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman anticipates Osborn being able to make an impact on special teams in Minnesota, as well. “[He’s] a slot-type receiver. I know when our coaches evaluated him, they thought he could continue to improve as a receiver, but his value is going to come as a potential punt returner for us,” Spielman said. “We think he has a legitimate [shot at] winning the punt return and the kick return job with his explosive speed and power.”Osborn spoke with Twin Cities media members via video conference and was asked about his affinity for special teams. The 22-year-old emphasized the aspect of “hidden yardage” that special teams – and specifically the return game – allows a player to mine. “What I love about it is it changes the game, and it’s so undervalued,” Osborn said. “I feel like at punt return or at kick return, there’s so much hidden yardage. I’ll give you an example: At punt return, when you get a big punt return, you’re setting the offense up with great field position, it’s a big spark-plug play, it gets the sideline going, it gets the fans going. “Over the game, you figure out how much yardage you got in punt return, that could be a whole drive,” he added. “It’s a huge part of the game, and I’m excited for it.” Osborn transferred in 2019 to Miami after spending four seasons at Buffalo, where he served as one of the Bulls top playmakers in 2017 and 2018. He finished his career there with 96 catches for 1,490 yards and 12 touchdowns and earned 2018 All-MAC honors.Vikings Director of College Scouting Jamaal Stephenson called Osborn “a phenomenal kid,” praising not only his football skills but his character. “This was only [at Miami] for a spring, and they took him to ACC Media Days as a rep for the University of Miami, so that speaks to his leadership,” Stephenson said. “He’s a hardworking kid.” Stephenson added that Osborn celebrated the news with his family. “He is very family oriented. They were very excited,” Stephenson said. “He’s been real excited throughout this whole process about the prospect of becoming a Viking, and we’re happy we were able to make it come true, because he’s a good player and an even better person.” Stephenson also described Osborn as “self-made,” and Osborn agreed with the portrayal. “I’ve kind of bet on myself my whole life,” he said. “I’m a blue-collar hard worker. I’m one of the hardest workers in the room. I come first; I leave last. And I’m an above-the-line guy. “I’m coming to get the job done,” Osborn added. “I’m self-motivated, and again, I’m ready go. I’m excited.” Prior to his collegiate career, Osborn stood out at IMG Academy (Florida), where he scored seven touchdowns as a senior. He also excelled in track-and-field, setting the school record in the 100- and 200-meter dashes. The selection of Osborn marked the third time in franchise history the Vikings have selected from the 176th spot in an NFL Draft – and second time they tabbed an Osborn, albeit no relation. In 1965, Minnesota snagged running back Dave Osborn, who went on to start 68 of 137 games played for the Vikings over 11 seasons in Purple. The Vikings drafted linebacker Rufus Alexander in 2008; he played one game for the Vikings.

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Minnesota Vikings Fifth Round 2020 NFL Draft Picks

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