Vikings Draft 2021: Four-round mock draft after big free agency signings
By Nik Edlund
Fourth Round (No. 144 overall)
Divine Deablo – S (Virginia Tech)
Safety is one position the Vikings could definitely double-dip at during this year’s NFL Draft. It wouldn’t be one bit surprising to see them take two safeties before the fifth round starts and that’s because their depth is so poor at the position.
Minnesota has yet to bring in a free agent safety this offseason and they only have Josh Metellus and maybe Patrick Peterson as the options after Harrison Smith. They need to find a starter here and also another backup for next season. Taking two safeties in the first four rounds of this year’s draft should help ensure that they at least get one who can start from the jump.
Divine Deablo is a safety prospect who has great size standing a whopping 6-foot-3 and weighing in at 226 pounds. He is extremely athletic and he can cover a ton of ground in a hurry.
Deablo has shown some above-average ball skills, knocking away 11 passes in his career, and coming down with six interceptions (four of which came a season ago).
He does need to work on reading the field a little better and anticipating where the quarterback is going to go with the ball. But all the tools are there for him to develop into a quality starter.
Deablo could be a big score in the fourth round and if he proves to be a quick learner, he could compete with Talanoa Hufanga to be the starter across from Smith next season. Worst case, he’s a solid special teamer and top backup in year one.