5 prospects who could fall to the Vikings in the 2021 NFL Draft

Patrick Surtain II – CB (Alabama)

Even with the uncertain fate of Jeff Gladney, it’s doubtful the Vikings would take a cornerback at pick No. 14. They did bring in Patrick Peterson and Mackensie Alexander during free agency this year, so even if Gladney was going to play for sure, how much he’d see the field in 2021 was already up in the air.

That being said, if Patrick Surtain II fell to the 14th pick, Minnesota would have to seriously consider taking him. This guy is SEC battle-tested, he has ideal size and length, and he has the bloodlines to be a shutdown corner in today’s NFL.

It’s hard to imagine a rookie corner getting a lot of play in year one with the talent at the top of the Vikings’ depth chart. But after realizing that Peterson and Alexander are only signed to one-year deals, drafting a guy who can potentially be the No. 1 corner in 2022, makes more sense than at first blush.

If Surtain were to fall to the Vikings, a certain chain of events would probably have to unfold first. The Atlanta Falcons would have to go with a quarterback or tight end, the Carolina Panthers would need to decide to upgrade the offensive line first, and the Dallas Cowboys would need to either take Jaycee Horn or succumb to Jerry Jones’ desire to always take an offensive player.

Those decisions would put Surtain on the board at pick No. 14 and give Minnesota a chance to take a talent that has no right being available at that point.