Vikings Stealing a Former Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 4th Round Seems Unfair
By Michael Luciano
The Minnesota Vikings own Day 3 of the 2020 NFL Draft given their armada of picks, and they used one of their three fourth-round picks on a productive interior pass rusher.
The Vikings used the 130th overall pick on Baylor defensive lineman James Lynch, who was expected to be drafted much higher given his college production.
Vikings land college football's leader in total QB pressures.
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 25, 2020
Baylor ED James Lynch - 70 pic.twitter.com/Wqii7ZaAGY
Lynch starred under Matt Rhule and defensive coordinator Phil Snow last year in Waco, winning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year after a season in which he piled up 13.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss.
Lynch is a bit of a tweener, but he'll likely kick inside in the pros given his subpar athletic ability. While he is far from a perfect prospect, this guy just kept making plays in a Power 5 conference, and that production is a major feather in his cap.
Round 4, No. 130 overall: @Vikings select @BUFootball DT James Lynch.https://t.co/DgV6wR09iY#NFLDraft
— NFL Draft (@NFLDraft) April 25, 2020
Lynch is perfect for a depth addition to the Vikings defensive line, as he can play multiple positions on the line while providing Mike Zimmer with serviceable or above-average production at all of them.