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Buffalo Bills: Reviewing the Vikings picks sent in the Stefon Diggs trade

By Kendall Mirsky

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 20: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up prior to the start of the game aganist the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 20, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 20: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up prior to the start of the game aganist the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 20, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 28: Kenny Willekes #48 of the Michigan State Spartans in action on defense during a game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Spartan Stadium on September 28, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Indiana 40-31. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 28: Kenny Willekes #48 of the Michigan State Spartans in action on defense during a game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Spartan Stadium on September 28, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Indiana 40-31. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

225th overall – Edge Kenny Willekes (Michigan State)

After the Vikings traded with the Ravens on draft day, the 201st pick the Vikings received from the Bills in the Diggs trade turned into the 225th pick. With this pick the Vikings selected defensive end Kenny Willekes from Michigan State.

According to CBS Sports rankings, Willekes ranked as the 16th best edge rusher in the 2020 class and 142nd overall prospect and the Vikings once again found value by managing to grab him in the the seventh round. Through Willekes four year career with the Spartans, he got 229 tackles, 51 for a loss and forced two fumbles. He also got credit for 24 sacks, 160 QB pressures and 115 hurries.

Willekes best traits entering the NFL are his ability to set the edge with heavy hands as well as his high motor. With the departure of Everson Griffen this offseason, the Vikings were desperate for help opposite of young star edge rusher Danielle Hunter.

By selecting Willekes in the seventh round could be a big value pick, but it may be unlikely that he makes key contributions early in the season due to the virtual offseason. However, Willekes’ high motor and willingness to get dirty could push him up the depth chart as the Vikings’ season progresses.

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