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.
Trey Lance – QB (North Dakota State)
Although Kirk Cousins is still performing at a very high standard – especially since the bye week in 2020 – the time is almost upon the Vikings to start looking for his long-term replacement.
There wouldn’t be a great deal of pressure for any incoming college prospect to come in and make an immediate impression for Minnesota, which might actually be a good thing for their overall development.
One name that would be a surprise is Trey Lance. The North Dakota State phenom will be one of the most polarizing figures during the evaluation process. It would be nothing short of a bombshell if the Vikings selected the quarterback at No. 14 overall.
Lance has surged up draft boards over the last year, thanks to his outstanding displays. He looks to have all the tools necessary to make a real go of things at the next level. But there are some concerning factors to consider if Minnesota wants to go in this particular direction.
The signal-caller comes from a small school program, where he has thrived in no uncertain terms. However, the strength of opposition isn’t exactly that of the SEC, and there is also the matter of inactivity this season to consider due to COVID-19.
Considering how many other needs the Vikings have elsewhere to get themselves back in the playoff picture, this is a luxury they cannot really afford at this juncture. This might all change if the organization likes what it sees from Lance during the evaluation process and being bold is something that Minnesota general manager Rick Spielman is renowned for.
Joseph Ossai – DE/OLB (Texas)
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that the Vikings have some serious questions to answer on the defensive side of the ball.
Minnesota head coach Mike Zimmer freely admitted that the 2020 defense was the worst unit he’s ever coached and it might be losing a couple more key veteran pieces during free agency that they cannot afford to keep around.
One area the Vikings particularly struggled with this past season was generating pressure on opposing quarterbacks. This was down in no small part to Danielle Hunter‘s injury that forced him to miss the entire season, but more will be needed moving forward.
Joseph Ossai is an athletic freak who has come on leaps and bounds in 2020. He is a relentless force off the edge and he has the sort of body that is only going to grow in stature once he gets to the next level.
Ossai has the versatility to play at outside linebacker or as a defensive end, which is where Minnesota could use a spark. Pinning him down to one position will do wonders for his overall development and his physical attributes are sure to generate some substantial interest from Zimmer during the evaluation process.
With 11.5 sacks and 30 tackles for loss, there is plenty to work with where Ossai is concerned and his name should be high on the Vikings’ shortlist.
Wyatt Davis – OG (Ohio State)
Getting better interior protection for quarterback Kirk Cousins is going to be vital for the Vikings in 2021. Selecting Wyatt Davis at No. 14 overall would improve this in an instant.
The Ohio State star is a ruthless individual who strikes fear into the heart of every defensive lineman he comes up against. There is little doubt that Davis is tailormade for the next level and although it wouldn’t be the sexiest pick in the world, it makes a ton of sense for Minnesota, and it’s one they should consider strongly.
Davis has elite power at the point of attack that makes him a force to be reckoned with on running downs. This is coupled with nimble footwork for a man his size that makes all the difference when protecting the passer, so he is as close to a can’t miss prospect as you are likely to find.
Building from the trenches will be crucial for the Vikings in the coming months. Fortunately for them, the 2021 draft is expected to be a deep one for offensive linemen and defensive tackles.
Davis represents arguably the cream of the crop at his preferred position and the guard is a Day 1 starter that comes into the league with a Pro Bowl ceiling.
Jay Tufele – DT (USC)
As stated previously, the Vikings need to bolster their defense significantly during the 2021 NFL Draft. There isn’t going to be much in the way of financial wiggle room to make any sort of splash during free agency. But they do have enough picks at their disposal to reach for a couple of targets and gamble a little bit more on potential instead of production.
Jay Tufele fits into this category. The USC defensive tackle is seen as a late first-round prospect, but he comes with a substantial amount of upside and an ability to impact the game on a three-down basis.
Tufele’s best asset is rushing the passer from the three-technique. He has a relentless motor that is a nightmare to block and once the prospect fully refines other areas of his game, then someone will have a real player on their hands.
The player bypassed the 2020 season to get ready for the crucial evaluation process amid COVID-19 health concerns. Tufele is a likable character who was loved by teammates and coaching staff alike during his time with the Trojans, so it would be a huge surprise if he didn’t come across well during interviews.
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With Michael Pierce returning to Minnesota after opting out in 2020, putting Tufele next to him on the line of scrimmage could improve their fortunes next time around.