5 biggest Vikings 2021 draft needs after first wave of free agency

Defensive End

The Vikings added a defensive end prior to the start of free agency and then they lost one after it started.

Minnesota recently brought back a former member of their roster in Stephen Weatherly after he was let go by the Carolina Panthers in February. The Vikings also decided to not place a tender on restricted free agent Ifeadi Odenigbo and he ended up agreeing to terms with the Giants.

So while Weatherly is an upgrade over Odenigbo, Minnesota is kidding themselves if they think he can be depended on as a starter.

Weatherly failed in this role with the Panthers last season, as he didn’t register a single sack in nine starts. The Vikings would be better off using him in a situational role and even moving him inside on passing downs. They still need to find a player who can start opposite Danielle Hunter, like they had when Everson Griffen was still with the team.

Minnesota could look to address this need with their first pick in this year’s NFL Draft at No. 14 overall. There are plenty of pass rushers that could be had there who have the potential to start from day one. They could also wait until the third round and get a pass rusher who falls down the board a bit but could still compete to at least split time with Weatherly.

Getting Hunter back full-time is enough of a boost to lower this need. But the Vikings still need to find another starting defensive end and it will likely have to come from the 2021 NFL Draft.