Draft Crushes

There isn’t a draft evaluation process without the development of draft crushes. The 2021 NFL Draft starts this Thursday and this Minnesota Vikings fan has developed some draft crushes. The Vikings first pick is the 14th pick. The players that I find the most dreamy and occupy most of my draft thoughts are the players that might be selected there. The Vikings continue to have a need to improve the offensive line. I’ve fallen for a few offensive linemen. 

Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern

Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC

Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech 

Expectations have Penei Sewell and Rashawn Slater not making it past the first ten picks but you never know. Randy Moss had no business being available at #21 of the 1998 NFL Draft. Adrian Peterson shouldn’t have been available at #7 of the 2007 NFL Draft. Still, Alijah Vera-Tucker and Christian Darrisaw are the realistic options and both would be welcome additions to the Vikings offensive line. 

Offensive line is the likely choice of the Vikings but it’s not the only choice. An explosive edge rusher to pair with Danielle Hunter is a need. I have a crush on a couple of those.

Kwity Paye, Edge, Michigan

Jaelan Phillips, Edge, Miami

The Vikings have several needs but I see offensive line and edge rusher as their first round needs. I really haven’t spent much time considering other options. I’ve seen and heard Vikings fans get squirrelly over the possibility of one, or more, of the top pass-catchers dropping to #14. When When NFL Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah mocked DeVonta Smith to the Vikings, fans were smitten with the possibility of adding another offensive weapon. I’m sure that those fans are the same fans that bitch the loudest when the offensive line continues to be lacking. That being said, approaching each pick with only a couple positions in mind is a mistake. Offensive linemen and edge rushers might be my first round crushes but I know that cornerback, linebacker, receivers, even quarterback are realistic options. 

The Vikings are scheduled to make 10 picks in the 2021 NFL Draft. 

1 (14)

3 (78)

3 (90) (from Ravens)

4 (119)

4 (125) (from Bears)

4 (134) (from Bills)

4 (143) (comp pick)

5 (157)

5 (168) (from Steelers)

6 (199) 

Hopefully, Rick Spielman can swindle a team out of a second-round pick. Sitting out an entire early round would suck. 

Some Day 2 Draft Curshes:

Brady Christensen, OT, BYU

Spencer Brown, OT, Northern Iowa

James Hudson, OT, Cincinnati 

Kendrick Green, IOL, Illinois

Ben Cleveland, IOL, Georgia

D’Wayne Eskridge, WR, Western Michigan

Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson

Carlos Basham Jr., Edge, Wake Forest

Payton Turner, Edge, Houston

Andre Cisco, S, Syracuse

Some Day 3 Draft Crushes:

Cameron Sample, Edge, Tulane

Elerson Smith, Edge, Northern Iowa

Ambry Thomas, CB, Michigan

Tre Brown, CB, Oklahoma

Benjamin St.-Juste, CB, Minnesota

Camryn Bynum, CB, Cal

James Wiggins, S, Cincinnati

The above are some of my current draft crushes.

Just for giggles I think that it’d be fun if the Vikings had a draft haul of players with various derivations of the name Elijah.

Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC

Elijah Moore, WR, Mississippi

Elijah Molden, CB, Washington

Olaijah Griffen, CB, USC

Elijah Sullivan, LB, Kansas State

That would be fun. 

I need the draft to get here.