Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft Round-up

As soon as the season ends for an NFL team it’s mock draft season. It only picks up with the Senior Bowl, the Scouting Combine, and each Pro Day. The Senior Bowl was Saturday. The Scouting Combine is in a few weeks. It’s mock draft season. For this fan of the Minnesota Vikings, mock drafts have been on my mind for a while. Here’s a round-up of some Vikings mock drafts from those that I respect the most. 

Dane Brugler, The Athletic

Round 1: Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA

Diante Lee, The Athletic

Round 1: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com

Round 1: Byron Murphy Jr., DT, Texas

Bucky Brooks, NFL.com

Round 1: Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State

Eric Edholm, NFL.com

Round 1: Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State

Mel Kiper, ESPN

Round 1: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

Jordan Reid, ESPN

Round 1: Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois

Matt Miller, ESPN

Round 1: Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama

Round 2: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington

Eight isn’t a large sample size. Of the eight predictions for the Vikings first round pick, four are going with an edge rusher, two with a corner, and two with a defensive tackle. The only repeat prediction is Florida State edge Jared Verse. There’s really no debate that the Vikings biggest needs are on the defensive side of the ball. At 11, the Vikings are in position to select one of the top two or three edge players, the best corner, or the best defensive tackle. The only need that might top those defensive needs is if the Vikings take a draft day swing at a quarterback. The anointed Big 3 QBs (Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels) should be long gone. Could the Vikings trade a load of picks to grab one of the three? Maybe. It feels a little pricey for a team with so many defensive needs. Or, could the Vikings perhaps reach a bit for a quarterback like J.J. McCarthy at 11? Who knows? I’d love to see the Vikings somehow come out of the first two rounds with one of the draft’s top defensive players and McCarthy. The debate will rage over the next few months. It’s all just getting started.