4 prospects the Vikings might trade up for in the 2021 NFL Draft
By Dean Jones
Which 2021 NFL Draft prospects could be worth the Minnesota Vikings trading up for in the first round this spring?
The Minnesota Vikings are entering something of a crossroads offseason period after missing the playoffs in 2020. There remains plenty of exciting young talent on both sides of the ball that obviously went through some growing pains. But if the organization can get its recruitment right in free agency and in the 2021 NFL Draft, they might not be too far away from postseason contention once again.
Finances are going to be tight, of that there is little doubt. The NFL’s revenue losses due to COVID-19 will see the salary-cap drop for the first time in years next season and the Vikings need to make some substantial sacrifices to not only keep the team competitive in 2021 but also to preserve its long-term chances moving forward.
Building through the draft is more important than ever. Fortunately for the Vikings, they have plenty of selections to do just that despite giving up their second-rounder in the ill-fated trade for Yannick Ngakoue that lasted just six games before he was shipped to the Baltimore Ravens.
Making another bold move to secure an elite prospect is not out of the question, either. So with this in mind, here are four incoming college recruits worth trading up for in the first round.
Prospect No. 1
DeVonta Smith – WR (Alabama)
This might not seem like a great need for the Vikings given the presence of Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson on their roster. But it’s hard not to look at DeVonta Smith‘s skill set and not think he wouldn’t be a significant asset to call upon.
Outside of Thielen and Jefferson, Minnesota didn’t get much in the way of production from anybody but Dalvin Cook in the passing game. Every leading contender has at least three wideouts who can make a difference and if the Heisman Trophy winner does make it out of the top-five, then moving up to acquire such a dynamic prospect is not out of the realm of possibility.
Smith offers something a little bit different from what the Vikings currently have. He has fantastic hands, is incredibly elusive, and comes to the next level on the back of a starring role for Alabama in their National Championship winning 2020 season.