5 prospects the Vikings could miss out on without a second-round pick

Carlos Basham – DE (Wake Forest)

The Vikings need to add a pass rusher to the mix this year and there’s a chance they do just that with their first-round pick.

Minnesota is expected to get Danielle Hunter back in 2021 and that will be a huge boost to the defense. But on the other side of the defensive line, there’s nothing but questions.

Ifeadi Odenigbo failed as a starter and D.J. Wonnum showed some potential as a rookie, but he seemed to fade as the 2020 season wore on. The Vikings could be looking for a new starter in this year’s draft and if they don’t take one at pick No. 14, they’ll surely do so with one of their third-round choices. One player who isn’t expected to remain on the board that long is Wake Forest’s, Carlos Basham.

Basham is a fun guy to watch on tape. He’s got a nice, long frame and he diagnoses plays quickly in addition to having a natural feel for where the ball is going. He has great closing speed and he has the strength to fight through blocks.

Basham also lives up to his name as he tends to throw the opposing quarterback down with authority after making a sack. He’ll get flagged for that in the NFL, but seeing this kind of toughness in a young player is refreshing and Minnesota’s defensive line needs that after getting kicked in the teeth time and time again last season.

Basham had 19.5 sacks and 33.5 tackles for a loss in his college career. Those numbers almost guarantee he’ll be off the board within the top 50 picks, which will take him far out of the reach of the Vikings since they traded away that second-round choice.