Vikings Draft 2020: Seven-round dark horse mock draft

First Round (Pick No. 25)

Noah Igbinoghene – CB (Auburn)

There was a strong part of me that wanted to see the Vikings select Cesar Ruiz here, but selecting a guard in the first round might be too obvious for what we’re doing here (and there are later ones in the draft). Instead, Minnesota fulfills their need at cornerback and selects a prospect who has played the position for just two seasons.

Although, the two seasons in which Noah Igbinoghene played cornerback at Auburn showed plenty of promise. In his sophomore season with the Tigers, Pro Football Focus charted him with allowing a 41.9 completion percentage and he held up well against the high-powered offenses of LSU and Alabama during SEC competition. His 81.2 passer rating allowed this past year is a little high, but better than the 109.9 rating that Trae Waynes allowed last season with the Vikings.

To boot, Igbinoghene was extremely solid in the run game, a facet Minnesota will have to replace with Waynes heading to the Cincinnati Bengals. While he has limited experience in the running game, The Draft Network’s Jordan Reid didn’t seem to think it mattered in his latest mock draft.

"“He’s firmly placed his name into the first-round discussion. While he’s not as ready right now as some other options after only playing the position for two seasons, his upside is just as good as any cornerback in this class not named Jeffrey Okudah.”"

There will be a learning curve for Igbinoghene in the NFL, but with Mike Hughes not having to rehab from a multi-ligament knee injury this offseason, the Vikings should only need to fill one spot. Give Igbinoghene time to learn under Mike Zimmer and Minnesota could have a first-round sleeper on their hands.