5 prospects the Vikings hope fall to the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft

Jalen Mayfield – OT (Michigan)

Jalen Mayfield was once seen as basically a lock to go in the first round, with some having him go as high as the early 20s. As the draft season has progressed, Mayfield’s stock has taken a hit and he’s now seen as a likely second-round pick who could ultimately end up in the third round.

There’s a lot to like about Mayfield. He’s got great size at 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds but also has high-level athletic ability. He’s already a great run defender who can push defenders out of the way with ease as he makes his way to the second level.

His skill set is an ideal fit for what the Vikings look for in their offensive linemen and he would do well in their zone blocking scheme. He would compete with Ezra Cleveland for the left tackle job, and if he doesn’t win the gig, he’d give the team some insurance in case Cleveland fails in that role as the season progresses.

There are some concerns about Mayfield. His pass protection needs work, and he’s very inexperienced. Mayfield has only started only 15 games and opted out after getting hurt early in 2020. These issues could cause Mayfield to slide on draft day, and the Vikings could get themselves a prospect with a very high ceiling in the third round.