Vikings use sixth round to get an offensive tackle, a safety and a '21 fifth-round pick

After a draft choice swap with Baltimore, the Vikings took Oregon State offensive tackle Blake Brandel at No. 203 and Michigan safety Josh Metellus at No. 205.

April 25, 2020 at 9:26PM
Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley (9) dives in for a touchdown as Michigan's Josh Metellus (14) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017. Penn State won 42-13.
Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley (9) dives in for a touchdown as Michigan's Josh Metellus (14) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017. Penn State won 42-13. (Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The Vikings used their three sixth-round picks to pick up an offensive tackle, a safety and yet another higher pick in the 2021 draft.

With their first pick of the round, the Vikings traded the 201st overall pick and a seventh-rounder (No. 219) to the Ravens for a seventh-rounder this year (No. 225) and a fifth-round pick in 2021. Earlier today, they traded a fifth-rounder for Chicago's fourth-rounder in 2021.

Later in the sixth round, they took Oregon State offensive tackle Blake Brandel at No. 203 and Michigan safety Josh Metellus at No. 205.

Bradel is a 6-7, 308-pounder who started 48 games at Oregon State. Most of them came at left tackle, but he can play right tackle or be a future No. 3 swing tackle for the Vikings. He's athletic with good feet but needs to get stronger, as most rookies do, especially in the later rounds.

Pro Football Focus sure liked the guy last year. It gave him a 93.1 rating as a pass protector, No. 1 in the nation.

Metellus is 5-11, 209 pounds and runs a 4.55. According to his NFL.com draft profile, he sounds like a hard-nosed, instinctive box safety. He's lauded for his tackling skills and toughness, but criticized for his weak coverage skills.

about the writer

about the writer

Mark Craig

Sports reporter

Mark Craig has covered the NFL nearly every year since Brett Favre was a rookie back in 1991. A sports writer since 1987, he is covering his 30th NFL season out of 37 years with the Canton (Ohio) Repository (1987-99) and the Star Tribune (1999-present).

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