Minnesota Vikings 7-round 2021 mock draft: Extremely early edition
By Adam Carlson
Round 4 Pick 1: Ambry Thomas, CB – Michigan
The Minnesota Vikings defense continues to reload with a young cornerback that opted out of the 2020 campaign at Michigan. Ambry Thomas played in 34 games at the college level but didn’t see significant action until 2019 when he registered two fumble recoveries, three interceptions, and three tackles for a loss in 12 games played.
At six feet tall and 183 pounds, Thomas isn’t going to blow anyone away with his size, but he is a high-effort player that doesn’t have to make a big splash right away. Still, the team needs to make sure they get young defensive backs to grow and develop.
Round 4 Pick 2: Shi Smith, WR – South Carolina
One thing that Minnesota could really use is a true third option at wide receiver. While the team has some great options at tight end and running back, an elusive player to put in the slot and take advantage of the attention Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen draw would be great for the offense.
Shi Smith averaged over 10 yards per catch in each of four collegiate seasons and hauled in 57 catches as a senior for 633 yards and four touchdowns. Smith is always trying to prove he’s the best, and that determination in a locker room with Thielen and Jefferson could be a best-case scenario for him.
Round 4 Pick 3: Deonte Brown, G – Alabama
Two guards in the first four rounds? Absolutely. Any new competition to the Vikings roster is more than welcome and a player like Deonte Brown could be just what the doctor ordered for an offensive line that struggled mightily on the interior.
Brown was a four-year player who was part of an elite unit at Alabama that was extremely efficient in both pass protection and run blocking. The six-foot-four, 350-pound blocker would have a chance to fight for a starting role in 2021 and have a realistic chance of winning one of them.
Round 4 Pick 4: James Wiggins, S – Cincinnati
Sadly, Anthony Harris will likely be moving on from the Minnesota Vikings and that leaves only Harrison Smith and Josh Metellus as the only returning players from the team’s 53 man roster. For that reason, Minnesota will be looking for someone to compete for a starting role, even against Paris Ford in this situation.
James Wiggins is a highly athletic defensive back that will open some eyes at the 2021 NFL Combine. However, it is his clutch plays that should be remembered as he has been known to grab some walk-off interceptions during his time in Cincinnati.