4 mid-round draft prospects the Vikings could steal in 2021
By Dean Jones
Which projected mid-round 2021 NFL Draft prospects could the Minnesota Vikings potentially steal next month?
Although the free agency period is now well underway, it might be worth remembering that the 2021 NFL Draft is also just around the corner for the Minnesota Vikings and the rest of the league.
The Vikings have a bounty of selections at their disposal once again as they look to bolster their roster, with COVID-19 restrictions preventing the normal evaluation process from taking place in the lead-up to April’s all-important weekend.
This is yet another thing NFL teams have had to adjust to over the last year. Safety is still of paramount importance despite the encouraging rollout of vaccines across the country. So if this is a sacrifice needed for the greater good, then it is a small price to pay.
Minnesota doesn’t have a second-round selection, thanks to the ill-fated Yannick Ngakoue trade last year. However, general manager Rick Spielman has accumulated 11 picks despite recently losing their seventh-rounder for violating salary-cap protocols.
Getting the right sort of college recruits that can make an instant impression would be more welcome than ever. Who are some of the mid-round projected prospects that could eventually become steals if the Vikings got their hands on them?
Prospect No. 1
Trey Smith – OG (Tennessee)
It’s no secret that Minnesota needs some assistance on their offensive line. Riley Reiff is no longer around after becoming a cap casualty, and outside of Brian O’Neill and Garrett Bradbury, there is plenty of uncertainty surrounding other positions on the line.
It would be a huge surprise if Ezra Cleveland wasn’t starting in some capacity, but the Vikings still need two more players in free agency or the draft with plug-and-play potential. Trey Smith might be the biggest name out there, of that there is little doubt. However, this is a deep class for offensive linemen and the Tennessee star has plenty going for him once he gets to the next level.
This will be a waiting game for Minnesota with no second-round pick. But if Smith makes it into the third, then they should strongly consider bringing the player on board.