5 early contenders to be the Vikings first pick in the 2021 NFL Draft

Who are early contenders for the Minnesota Vikings first pick in the 2021 NFL Draft?

This offseason is one of the most important in recent memory for the Minnesota Vikings. They are coming off a rollercoaster campaign that saw them miss out on the playoffs. Given the organization’s expected financial complications in the weeks and months ahead, selecting the right prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft will be pivotal.

Vikings general manager Rick Spielman was all-too-aware of this. He has loaded up on selections once again and providing they bring in the right sort of recruits, the success of their 2021 draft class might result in the organization returning to the playoffs next season.

It is going to be another eventful preparation period for Minnesota. They are sure to lose some more seasoned veterans due to salary-cap concerns. But change might actually be a good thing in certain areas given their distinct lack of production.

For now, let’s examine some early candidates that the Vikings should consider taking at No. 14 overall this spring in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Prospect No. 1

Christian Darrisaw – OT (Virginia Tech)

There’s a chance that Riley Reiff won’t back with the Vikings in 2021. This has nothing to do with the Reiff’s production – which was pretty solid overall this past season – but Minnesota’s upcoming salary-cap difficulties make him one of the more likely casualties to ease this situation.

This will make getting Kirk Cousins some extra protection crucial for the Vikings during the 2021 draft. Christian Darrisaw looks like a tremendous prospect who could be a plug and play starter on the edge with a smooth transition.

Darrisaw has an exceptional technique that is matched by aggressiveness that sets him apart. He is one of the better tackle prospects entering the NFL this year and Minnesota could do far worse than take him with their first-round selection this year.