4 positions the Vikings won’t be targeting with their 2021 first-round pick

Linebacker

The Vikings drafting a linebacker with the No. 14 pick is almost assuredly not going to happen. While former Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons would be the player to make it a slight possibility, Minnesota has plenty of talent at this position and they should, and will, look elsewhere with the 14th choice.

The Vikings have one of the best linebackers in the entire NFL in the middle of their defense in Eric Kendricks, who is a flat out stallion. This guy isn’t just an excellent tackler who can make plays sideline to sideline, but he’s an elite cover linebacker as well.

Kendricks can run stride for stride with running backs, tight ends, and even receivers. He has natural ball skills and he has broken up 41 passes in his career.

Minnesota will get Anthony Barr back next season. While his stats aren’t always eye-popping, he’s another player who understands Mike Zimmer’s defensive system and he makes the entire unit run better when he’s on the field.

Eric Wilson will likely be gone in free agency this season, but Troy Dye did get plenty of playing time and he will be in line to get an increase in snaps. Dye does need to bulk up and add some strength, but he’s got the skill set to be a good one down the road.

The Vikings also have Ryan Connely and undrafted Blake Lynch on the roster and those two provide adequate depth. They could also look to re-sign Todd Davis, who struggles in coverage but is great against the run, and he could be a decent one-game fill-in. Minnesota has a couple of stars at linebacker and decent depth, so taking another one at pick No. 14 is very unlikely.