Minnesota Vikings Draft 2021: Way-too-early watch list

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 28: Rashod Bateman #13 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers runs the ball after a reception during the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium on September 28, 2019 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 28: Rashod Bateman #13 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers runs the ball after a reception during the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium on September 28, 2019 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
1 of 6
Minnesota Vikings
(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) Carlos Basham Jr.

The 2020 NFL Draft has come and gone, leaving the Minnesota Vikings with an abundance of young talent on the roster. If you thought 2020 was a fun draft, there is even more in store for the 2021 class.

If you are like me, the infatuation with the NFL Draft never really comes to an end. With the 2020 draft in the rearview, let’s take a quick look ahead at some early targets for the Minnesota Vikings in 2021.

The 2021 draft class has the potential to be just as exciting as the class we just watched. The top two quarterbacks have received a ton of hype heading into the summer, and for good reason. Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields make up one of the most exciting quarterback duos in recent memory. However, they will not be on this watch list for the Vikings because odds are, they will not be in play for Minnesota.

Instead, let me direct you towards some of the other superstars who could hear their names called early in the 2021 draft.

The running back, wide receiver, and defensive back groups are especially exciting as we sit a year out. The Vikings may very well be looking for help at each of these spots once again after addressing the latter two heavily in this year’s draft.

Minnesota general manager Rick Spielman has already added plenty of draft capital for the upcoming draft, giving the team some ammunition to move up if they want. So who are some of the biggest names in college football to keep an eye on in during the upcoming season?

Schedule