Vikings Draft Needs

 

Another season, another year of disappointment for Vikings fans. Mike Zimmer being replaced by Kevin O’Connell is likely the most important move of the offseason. The Vikings have been underachieving for the last three years. Their roster has a lot of talent, a good mix of young and veteran talent at that. There are definitely some holes on the team though, as well as some big decisions that need to be made. 

 

Cornerback

 

Vikings CB Patrick Peterson covers DK Metcalf.

Vikings CB Patrick Peterson covers DK Metcalf.

The Vikings biggest need is cornerback. Even if they resign Patrick Peterson to a short term deal, they still need guys that can cover. Opposing receivers were able to get open easily, though that could be from Mike Zimmer’s outdated defensive schemes. Still, Minnesota needs at least one corner and I would be surprised if that’s not the direction they go in the first round of the NFL Draft. Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Kaiir Elam, Andrew Booth Jr. and maybe even Derek Stingley Jr. could be available when their first pick comes around. I would expect the Vikings to be able to add a shutdown corner to go along with at least rising star Cameron Dantzler. 

 

Offensive Line

 

The other glaring hole the Vikings have is along the offensive line. I was baffled by Wyatt Davis’ lack of playing time this past season and I expect him to step up and be one of the starters this coming season. Zimmer famously hated playing rookies, so I’m going to hope that was the reason for his lack of playing time. The Vikings still need a center, Garrett Bradbury can’t pass block. It would be very interesting if Tyler Linderbaum is available at pick number 12.

I wouldn’t fault the Vikings for waiting on a corner if they could snag Linderbaum and really shore up their line. Christian Darrisaw, Ezra Cleveland and Brian O’ Neill are all good offensive lineman. If Davis plays the other guard position well, then they just need a center to have a complete line.

 

Kirk Cousins

 

Everyone wants to talk about quarterback, it makes sense since it’s the most important position. Kirk Cousins is good not great, that’s who he is. He’s top 15, possibly the bottom of the top 10 of quarterbacks in the league. However, Vikings fans have their worries and they’re well founded. He makes too much money and he doesn’t win the big ones. The NFL Draft is interesting this year as it’s entirely possible the Vikings could have their choice of quarterbacks at number 12.

There’s been a lot of talk about trading Kirk Cousins, but I think the Vikings have the talent to make a playoff run. I think Aaron Rodgers is gone to Denver as well (whoops I was wrong). This makes the Vikings NFC North favorites. When it looks like you have a good chance to make the playoffs, you don’t want to get rid of your veteran quarterback and start a rookie. I expect Cousins to be a Viking in 2022, for better or for worse.

 

Defensive Line

 

I expect the Vikings to look to add talent along their defensive line as well. Dalvin Tomlinson and Michael Pierce are good, but they’ve been injury prone. One of the best young pass rushers in the NFL, Danielle Hunter, has been hurt for the majority of the past two seasons. I actually don’t think defensive line is as glaring a need as most people do because of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Patrick Jones II will rotate in more this coming season. Draftdive favorite Jaylen Twyman should be healthy as well. With all the injuries the Vikings had along the defensive line this past season, they still had the most sacks in the NFL. They already have decent depth and that should only improve with rookies from this past year. With that being said, I would expect them to add depth on day three of the draft or with some inexpensive free agent signings.

 

Linebacker


The bigger need on the Vikings is linebacker. The Vikings are switching to a 3-4 scheme and they need to add talent at linebacker. Anthony Barr will be gone, which is fine because he’s been average for years and that’s when he’s healthy. Still, it leaves an open starting linebacker spot. I would expect Chazz Surratt to step up to one of the starting linebacker openings, but Minnesota still needs another inside linebacker to complete their 3-4.

 

Mock Drafting Time

 

This draft is a little hard to predict, but I’m going to give my best guess on who will be available for the Vikings to take. I’m going to run The Draft Network’s Mock Draft Machine and see who they say will be available. Also, I go seven rounds because I like to go deep into prospect scouting.

 

Round 1 Pick 12: Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson.


Round 2 Pick 46: Damone Clark, ILB, LSU. 

 

Pick 77: Ed Ingram, G, LSU

 

Round 5 Pick 155: Isaac Taylor Stewart CB USC

 

Pick 182: Otito Ogbonnia, DT, UCLA

 

190: Cole Turner, TE, Nevada

 

206: Jeffrey Gunter, DE/OLB, Coastal Carolina

 

  1. Noah Elliss, DT, Idaho

 

Clemson CB Andrew Booth

Clemson CB Andrew Booth

I think Andrew Booth Jr. is likely to be available at pick 12 and he’s a shutdown man corner. He steps in and is a day one starter. I love Damone Clark, he’s underrated because of his position, but he’s an extremely talented linebacker. He steps in as the second inside linebacker with Eric Kendricks. Ed Ingram can come in and compete for a starting guard position, or at worst, provide valuable depth for the Vikings thin interior offensive line.

 

Day 2 Draft

I see the Vikings doubling up on cornerback in the draft, they need multiple corners. Isaac Taylor-Stewart is a 6’2” 4.4 40 guy out of USC, who can be coached up and hopefully contribute. I think Minnesota will be looking for additional 3-4 nose tackles as well, and that’s where Otito Ogbonnia from UCLA comes in. When Irv Turner Jr. went down, Tyler Conklin played well but Conklin isn’t a playmaking tight end. I expect the Vikings to add another tight end and Cole Turner is a good athlete to add an additional pass catcher for Cousins to throw to.

Jeffrey Gunter was an edge at Coastal Carolina, but he’s made to be a stand up linebacker in a 3-4. He would be a nice depth piece to rotate in on passing downs. Finally, Noah Elliss is a beast nose tackle. He’s 350 pounds, but plays much lighter. Elliss is an athlete. He’s a steal and another valuable rotational nose tackle for the Vikings to use.

 

Final thoughts on Minnesota Vikings Draft Needs

 

The Vikings are good enough to make a playoff run this coming year, unless they decide to blow everything up and rebuild. I believe it’s become clear that their recent struggles have been due to poor coaching. Zimmer’s gone, Rodgers is probably gone (D’oh) and now it’s our time. Skol to the future kings of the north.