Vikings Draft 2021: Pre-Super Bowl five-round mock draft

Fourth Round (Pick No. 110)

Aaron Banks – G (Notre Dame)

The Vikings have to add some talent to their offensive line and they could definitely address this need much earlier in the draft. But If they do wait until the fourth round, Aaron Banks from Notre Dame would be a fine choice.

Banks has a ton of experience having played for the Fighting Irish for a number of seasons. He’s got a nice stout base, he is extremely physical, and he is also very intelligent.

This guy would be a mauler in the run game, and that would certainly garner the excitement of Minnesota, who loves running the football. Banks also has experience at playing left tackle and this versatility should make him extra attractive to teams.

The Vikings have to find a starting-caliber guard in this draft. They need someone to take over the left guard spot from Dakota Dozier who was downright awful last year.

Minnesota could potentially need new two starting guards this offseason, depending on what they decide to do with Riley Reiff and Ezra Cleveland. In this scenario, it is assumed the team decides to pay Reiff which would keep Cleveland at right guard and have Banks become the favorite to start on the left side.

There are some concerns that Banks wouldn’t be a great fit in the Vikings’ zone-blocking scheme. But for now, without an offensive coordinator on the staff, there are no guarantees the team will even run the same zone blocking scheme that Gary Kubiak utilized in 2020.

Banks does have the smarts to adjust to what the team asks of him, so it really shouldn’t be a huge issue, making the fourth-round gamble worth it.