Which 2021 draft prospects have the Vikings met with so far?
By Adam Patrick
Which prospects from the 2021 NFL Draft pool have met with the Minnesota Vikings this offseason?
During Rick Spielman’s tenure as the general manager of the Minnesota Vikings, the team has always emphasized building their roster through the NFL Draft.
The Vikings have signed several notable free agents over the years. But Spielman has always preferred to use the draft to find guys for some of the most important positions on the roster.
So it’s no surprise that Minnesota will be placing a big emphasis on the NFL Draft, once again, this year. The Vikings currently have 10 selections and Spielman is going to do everything he can to make the most of all the team’s picks.
Which 2021 NFL Draft prospects have met with the Minnesota Vikings this year?
Following their moves in free agency this offseason, Minnesota has a better idea of what positions to target during this year’s NFL Draft.
Defensive tackle is no longer a big need with the addition of Dalvin Tomlinson, and for the first time in a while, the Vikings drafting a cornerback with their top pick is something that doesn’t seem to have a high chance of happening after the team added Patrick Peterson and Mackensie Alexander in free agency.
We should be able to get a better idea about what positions Minnesota will be targeting in the 2021 draft by looking at which prospects they have already met with so far. Below is a list of the 2021 prospects the Vikings have met with this offseason, according to WalterFootball.com.
- Chauncey Golston – DE (Iowa)
- Marlon Tuipulotu – DT (USC)
- Derrick Barnes – LB (Purdue)
- K.J. Britt – LB (Auburn)
- Wyatt Hubert – LB (Kansas State)
- JaCoby Stevens – LB (LSU)
- Chris Evans – RB (Michigan)
- Kylin Hill – RB (Mississippi State)
- Kenny Yeboah – TE (Ole Miss)
- Anthony Schwartz – WR (Auburn)
Now, these are just the known meetings that have taken place between Minnesota and this year’s group of prospects (all meetings were conducted virtually). Chances are, the Vikings have met with plenty of other prospects this offseason and we just haven’t heard about them yet.
Judging by the list of prospects Minnesota has met with so far this year, there are a few things we can take away.
It definitely seems like the Vikings are looking to the 2021 draft to find a replacement for linebacker Eric Wilson and possibly someone who could take over for Anthony Barr if he ends up elsewhere in 2022.
This list doesn’t include any meetings with quarterbacks, so it’s hard to imagine Minnesota spending an early-round draft pick on a young signal-caller this year.
The meetings with the two running backs might also indicate that the Vikings would rather draft a young rusher or sign an undrafted free agent to be their new No. 3 running back next season instead of signing a veteran that might still be available in free agency.
The 2021 NFL Draft is less than a month away from taking place and perhaps some of these guys from this list will end up getting selected by Minnesota.