Minnesota Vikings First Round Favorites

The 2023 NFL Draft is less than a month away. A few scattered Pro Days still remain but the opinions on players are mostly set. The Minnesota Vikings have the 23rd pick in the first round. The dream of all teams is to have a roster that is talented and balanced and that all draft selections can focus on “best player available.” It rarely works that way. In reality, all teams have needs. This Vikings team has many needs. Despite serious salary cap restraints, they managed to massage a few of those needs. Many needs remain. In no particular order, here are those needs.

Vikings Draft Needs

Interior defensive line

Cornerback

Linebacker

Wide Receiver

Quarterback

Interior offensive line

Actually, the only positions that have little to no need are safety, tight end, running back, and offensive tackle. 

Here are some of my favorite draft prospects that could be available when the Vikings are on the clock with the 23rd pick.

Vikings First Round Favorites

Interior defensive line:

Bryan Bresee, Clemson

Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh

Mazi Smith, Michigan

Cornerback:

Deonte Banks, Maryland

Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State

Joey Porter Jr., Penn State

Brian Branch, Alabama

-Branch played safety in college. If the Vikings were to select him, I imagine he’d be a “chess piece” player mostly playing as an extra corner. 

Linebacker:

Nolan Smith, Georgia

Drew Sanders, Arkansas

Daiyan Henley, Washington State

Trenton Simpson, Clemson

Wide Receiver:

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State

Zay Flowers, Boston College

Quentin Johnston, TCU

Jordan Addison, USC

Quarterback:

Hendon Hooker, Tennessee

Will Levis, Kentucky

Interior Offensive Line:

O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida

Steve Avila, TCU

Despite a potentially potent trio of Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport, and Za’Darius Smith being on the roster, edge rusher is still a position that could be addressed in the first round. Especially if any of the following are available.

Lukas Van Ness, Iowa

Myles Murphy, Clemson

Will McDonald IV, Iowa State

If I were to condense the above first round favorites to a favorite 10, that list might look something like this.

Current Favorite 10

Bryan Bresee

Deonte Banks

Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Zay Flowers

Mazi Smith

Emmanuel Forbes

Quentin Johnston

Joey Porter Jr.

Lukas Van Ness

Hendon Hooker

The list will probably look different tomorrow.