Who should the Minnesota Vikings target in the 2021 NFL Draft?
Since the Minnesota Vikings failed to reach the postseason this season, watching the playoffs isn’t going to be nearly as fun as last year. Even though there are likely to be some wonderful games played during Super Wild Card Weekend, it just isn’t the same without having the purple and gold to root for.
Instead, Vikings fans are forced to turn their attention to free agency and the 2021 NFL Draft. Minnesota will need to reload their roster with talent in order to be prepared for what already looks like an incredibly challenging list of competition next season.
Sure, Minnesota will likely make a few moves in free agency by re-signing some of their own talent as well as a budget player or two, but most of the new faces on the team for the 2021 NFL season will come through the draft.
Because of their 7-9 record this season, Minnesota holds the number 14 selection in the 2021 NFL Draft. The exact draft order of all seven rounds is yet to be determined due to compensatory picks, but here are the projected selections the Vikings will have according to First-Pick and the team’s official website:
- Round 1: (Pick 14 overall)
- Round 3
- Round 3 (from Ravens)
- Round 4
- Round 4 (from Bears)
- Round 4 (from Bills)
- Round 4 (projected comp. pick)
- Round 5
- Round 5 (from Ravens)
- Round 5 (from Steelers)
- Round 6
- Round 6 (projected comp. pick)
- Round 7
Of course, the Vikings are missing their second-round pick due to their trade with the Jaguars for Yannick Ngakoue. Plus, they received a third-round pick for trading Yannick Ngakoue to the Ravens. Plus, as a result of these trades, the team will own the Ravens’ fifth-round pick instead of their own.
Let’s take a look at a super-duper way too early mock draft that could hopefully help to set the Minnesota Vikings up for success during the 2021 NFL season.
NOTE: Big boards from Pro Football Focus, CBS Sports, and Tankathon were used to make this mock.