While I never believe that the Minnesota Vikings are out of the playoffs until they are actually out of the playoffs, the loss to the Chicago on Sunday dealt a serious blow to any postseason dreams. As those dreams fade it becomes easier to look toward the 2021 NFL Draft. Those that follow the annual draft evaluation process closely probably know Jordan Reid. Those that follow it in passing might not. I like his takes and I like his mocks. When I do start thinking about the draft I often look to him. The timing was right as he posted his new mock of the 2021 NFL Draft this week. It's already his fourth. In-season mocks are a shaky thing for a variety of reasons. For one, the draft order isn’t set. For another, so much changes between December and April. I remember an in-season mock of the 2014 NFL Draft that projected Stanford offensive lineman David Yankey as a first-round pick. The Vikings selected him in the fifth round. Then there was the time that Georgia Tech receiver Kelly Campbell was projected to be an early round selection. The Vikings signed him after he went undrafted. Mock drafts are a guess no matter when they’re done. The earlier the mock the greater the number of variables. This hacked-up year presents more than most years. Despite all of the variables and guesses, Jordan Reid's mock still gives us an early idea of how some of the best college football talent stacks. Besides, the draft is fun and thinking about some of the college football players that could help the Vikings takes some of the sting out of the latest loss.
Jordan Reid’s 2021 Mock Draft 4.0
1. Jacksonville Jaguars-Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
2. New York Jets-Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
3. Cincinnati Bengals-Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
4. Carolina Panthers-Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
5. Atlanta Falcons-Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
6. Miami Dolphins-Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU
7. Philadelphia Eagles-DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
8. Dallas Cowboys-Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
9. Los Angeles Chargers-Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
10. Detroit Lions-Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
11. San Francisco 49ers-Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
12. Denver Broncos-Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami
13. New York Giants-Kwiti Paye, EDGE, Michigan
14. Minnesota Vikings-Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
15. New England Patriots-Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
16. Chicago Bears-Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
17. Las Vegas Raiders-Daviyon Nixon, IDL, Iowa
18. Baltimore Ravens-Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
19. Washington Football Team-Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan
20. Arizona Cardinals-Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
21. Miami Dolphins-Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami
23. Cleveland Browns-Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
24. Indianapolis Colts-Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame
25. Jacksonville Jaguars-Alijah Vera-Tucker, IOL, USC
26. New York Jets-Wyatt Davis, IOL, Ohio State
27. Tennessee Titans-Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas
28. Buffalo Bills-Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
29. New Orleans Saints-Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
30. Pittsburgh Steelers-Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
31. Green Bay Packers-Christian Barmore, IDL, Alabama
32. Kansas City Chiefs-Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri
Rashawn Slater. I like it. I like it a lot. As it’s been for most of the past decade, improving the offensive line should be an offseason priority. With Brian O’Neil, Garrett Bradbury, and Ezra Cleveland the Vikings finally have some talented foundational players on the offensive line. They still need to get better. Kirk Cousins, Dalvin Cook, and their playmaking friends need them to get better. When the draft rolls around, I’m pretty sure that Slater will more likely be a top-10 pick than a middle of the first pick. Wyatt Davis, Alijah Vera-Tucker, and Alex Leatherwood are more likely the players that could be available when the Vikings are on the clock. Who knows? Slater is 6’3”. He doesn’t fit the physical picture that many teams have for their offensive linemen. Especially for the tackle position that he played in college. Maybe he falls to the Vikings. I’d like that. I’d like that a lot.
Offensive line isn’t the only need of the Vikings. They haven’t presented much of a pass rush all season. Getting Danielle Hunter back next season will help. Getting newcomer Michael Pierce back will help as well. Even getting linebacker Anthony Barr back will help the pass rush. The Vikings were missing a lot of talent in their front seven. One thing that they don’t currently have in the front seven or on the roster is an interior defensive lineman that can get into the backfield in a hurry. Mike Zimmer and Andre Patterson have been looking for an impact three-technique since a surgeon hacked up the knee of Sharrif Floyd. They could find that player with their first pick of 2021 NFL Draft.
At this too early stage process (The playoffs are still a possibility!) I see improving the talent on both of the lines as the primary need of the Minnesota Vikings. Jordan Reid’s selection of Rashawn Slater works nicely.
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