The Minnesota Vikings have plenty of needs heading into the 2021 NFL Draft.
We are now officially at the midseason point in what has been a rollercoaster ride for the Minnesota Vikings. A 1-5 start resulted in plenty of speculation regarding a fire sale before the trade deadline that never really materialized. But Mike Zimmer’s men have come out of their bye week looking like a completely different team.
It’s amazing what a couple of wins will do. The Vikings have gone from the bottom of the league to a potential playoff outsider providing they come through in some winnable games in the coming weeks and if they could achieve this feat, it would be one of the great turnarounds in franchise history.
Regardless of whether Minnesota secures a postseason berth or not this season, it is clear significant reinforcements will be needed next spring.
There won’t be much in the way of financial wiggle room for the Vikings given their upcoming salary-cap complications. But Minnesota does possess plenty of 2021 NFL Draft picks despite giving up their 2021 second-rounder for Yannick Ngakoue who was subsequently shipped to the Baltimore Ravens after just six games.
Using The Draft Network’s mock simulator, where the Vikings are currently picking at No. 12 in the first round, let’s look at which college prospects they might end up taking in the first four rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft.
First-Round Selection
Wyatt Davis – OG (Ohio State)
One of the primary objectives for Minnesota next spring will be to solidify their interior offensive line. Center Garrett Bradbury looks the part for the Vikings, but there isn’t much in the way of consistent protection coming from either guard position.
Ohio State’s Wyatt Davis would change that instantly. He is a human wrecking ball that is an instant plug-and-play starter at the next level and if he is still around when Minnesota is on the clock in the first round, they shouldn’t think twice about taking him.
Davis is a big body that is incredibly difficult to move off the block. He excels in run blocking and he is even quick enough to impact the game at the second level should the opportunity arise.