Vikings Draft 2021: Four-round best available mock draft

(Photo by Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports) Dyami Brown
(Photo by Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports) Dyami Brown /
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Minnesota Vikings
(Photo by Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports) Daelin Hayes /

Fourth Round (Pick No. 136)

Daelin Hayes – EDGE (Notre Dame)

The Vikings have yet to address the defensive line in this mock draft, another area of tremendous need heading into next season. Danielle Hunter will return to the squad in 2021, but he cannot be the only reliable pass rusher fresh off of a neck injury that sidelined him for a full season.

While the defensive line will probably be a focal point in both the draft and in free agency for Minnesota this year, finding the right value for an edge rusher has to be more important than reaching. Daelin Hayes is a player that could be a nice project to follow in the footsteps of Hunter and Ifeadi Odenigbo.

He’s got the build and the makeup to be a starting edge rusher down the line, but that’s probably a bit in the distance as things stand. His single-season career-high at Notre Dame was only three sacks, which does not pop off the page, and it will raise questions about his production.

Nine total sacks over five seasons at Notre Dame is not going to do Hayes any favors and it will be a big reason why he will likely be available this late in the draft.

He was originally an outside linebacker and has bounced to the line, but his best fit is still probably as a standup rusher. While that doesn’t fit Minnesota’s defense at all, they could take a chance on him as a three-point rusher.