Minnesota Vikings’ Mock Draft

Chad Graff and Dane Bugler of the Athletic recently got together for a guess at each of the ten picks that the Minnesota Vikings currently hold in the 2021 NFL Draft. I like Graff’s coverage of the Vikings and I like Bugler’s coverage of the draft. Here are Bugler’s very early guesses at the Vikings’ 10 picks.

1. Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami (6-7, 265)

It’s early but Gregory Rousseau is currently “the pick” for me if it isn’t an offensive lineman. He hasn’t played defensive end long. He was a receiver in high school and he opted out this year as a redshirt sophomore. When Mike Zimmer dreams of a defensive end he’s probably dreaming of Rousseau. He’s ridiculously skilled with ridiculous size. 

3a. Trey Smith, OG, Tennessee (6-5, 335)

I can’t imagine the Vikings sitting out the second round. I’m certain that Rick Spielman will either trade down in the first and add a second round pick or trade into the second round with the extra picks that he has in the third and the fourth. The former is probably the most likely. As the picks stand now, offensive line should be the pick and Trey Smith is a very good player to pick. Depending on what they do with Riley Reiff, the Vikings may need as many as two guards. 

3b. Jaylen Twyman, DT, Pittsburgh (6-2, 290)

Jaylen Twyman is one of the most intriguing players in the draft for me. Improving the play at three-technique is right there with offensive line as the Vikings’ greatest need. Alabama’s Christian Barmore is probably considered the best defensive tackle in this draft. He has ideal size and a real knack for messing things up in the offensive backfield. Twyman might be rated right with Barmore if he hadn’t opted out this year. 

It’s too early in the draft process for me to know much about the players that Bugler mocked for the Vikings in the later rounds. 

4a. Tyler Gillespie, FS, Missouri (6-0, 210)

4b. Ambry Thomas, CB, Michigan (6-0, 185)

4c. Garrett Wallow, LB, TCU (6-2, 226)

5a. Josh Ball, OT, Marshall (6-8, 305)

5b. D’Wayne Eskridge, WR, Western Michigan (5-9, 184)

6. Even McPherson, PK, Florida (5-11, 185)

7.  Feleipe Franks, QB, Arkansas (6-6, 236)

I like what I’ve read on Tyler Gillespie and D’Wayne Eskridge. They have become players to watch.

One thing that truly stood out among the players that Bugler mocked to the Vikings is the height of some of the players. 

-a 6’7” defensive end

-a 6’5” guard

-a 6’8” tackle

-a 6’6” quarterback

Draft season has started.