Minnesota Vikings 7-round 2021 mock draft: Extremely early edition
By Adam Carlson
Round 5 Pick 1: Phidarian Mathis, DT – Alabama
If you made it this far in the mock, you likely are frustrated at the lack of a defensive tackle. While filling that gap next to Michael Pierce does need to happen, the team has a possible filler on the roster in Armon Watts or James Lynch…and that is if the team finally decides to move on from Shamar Stephen.
Mathis isn’t going to wow anyone at the combine or be the next Aaron Donald, but the six-foot-four and 312-pounder will be a project for Mike Zimmer to work with while he sees if the answer is currently on the roster. If nothing, he will be a backup with some decent potential moving forward after finishing with career-highs in nearly every category including tackles, tackles for a loss, sacks, and pass defenses.
Round 5 Pick 2: Kellen Mond, QB – Texas A&M
Minnesota could be in the hunt for a quarterback if they decide to let Sean Mannion walk in free agency. Honestly, almost anyone would be an upgrade to Mannion, but there is something really interesting about Kellen Mond that would be appealing to the Vikings if he falls to this point,
Mond is a bit of a dual-threat quarterback that can beat defenses with his arms or his legs. In 2020, he finished with a QB rating of 146.9 by throwing 19 touchdowns to only three interceptions. He is truly an underrated prospect that could climb draft boards, but for now, he would be a fun fit for the Vikings in Round 5.
Round 4 Pick 3: Isaiah Thomas, Edge – Oklahoma
The Minnesota Vikings cannot have enough edge rushers. After the team’s dismal pass rush during the 2020 NFL season, it became obvious that accumulating some more talent needs to be a priority…even if star defensive end Danielle Hunter returns for 2021.
Isaiah Thomas not only has a great name that is reminiscent of Detroit’s Bad Boys of Basketball, but his production in 2020 can’t be denied. The six-foot-seven monster of a man recorded 14 tackles for a loss with 7.5 of those being sacks in ten games played as a junior and would be a great toy for Mike Zimmer to play with.