First Minnesota Vikings 7-Round Mock Draft

It’s mock draft season. Here’s the first stab at a Minnesota Vikings 7-round mock draft. Many are sure to follow. 

1. Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois

2. T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas

4. Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan

4. Zack Zinter, OG, Michigan

5. Steve Linton, Edge, Texas Tech

5. Dillon Johnson, RB, Washington

6. Xavier Thomas, Edge, Clemson

6. Elijah Jones, CB, Boston College

7. Tatum Bethune, LB, Florida State

First of all, the lack of a third-round pick is frustrating. T.J. Hockenson is definitely worth all of the picks that the Vikings sent to the Detroit Lions. There’s no questioning the deal or the missing picks. Come draft day, it’s frustrating to sit out an entire round. 

This is a defensive-centric draft. If this is the sort of draft that the Vikings pull, Kirk Cousins must have already been re-signed. With Illinois defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton and Texas defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat, this draft refreshes the defensive interior. It was in serious need of refreshing as the front was probably the biggest weakness of the defense. Pairing Newton and Sweat with incumbents Harrison Phillips and second-year Jaquelin Roy should push the group to a strength. 

I believe that I fell for Michigan cornerback Mike Sainristril in the National Championship game. He’s a versatile defender and should find an immediate role in Brian Flores’ defense. 

Zak Zinter is the wildcard of this mock draft. He suffered a brutal broken leg late in the season. If not for that injury, he’d be a first- or second-round pick. When he’s healthy, he should develop into a cornerstone player on the offensive line. 

Beyond the fourth round picks, it’s all blind fishing. It’s too early in the evaluation process to be familiar with most of the players. I was really just selecting positions. I’m intrigued by pass rushers Steve Linton and Xavier Thomas. 

I really like this mock draft. More accurately, I really like the four picks at the top of this mock draft. While the 2024 NFL Draft could be the draft in which the Vikings find their young, franchise quarterback, it doesn’t fall their way in this mock. So, Kirk Cousins must come back. With Cousins on the roster, focusing on the defense is the best route.