5 biggest myths about the Vikings plans for the 2021 NFL Draft

Minnesota’s top pick will be a DE or an OL

This was touched on earlier, but it’s time to expand on this myth a little bit. While many assume the Vikings will take an offensive lineman with their first-round pick, the second part of this myth is if they don’t, then they will take an edge rusher.

Most mocks have Minnesota addressing their two biggest needs, and that makes sense. The Vikings still have to complete the overhaul of their offensive line and they need to find a starting-caliber pass-rusher opposite Danielle Hunter. They could definitely choose to go this route with their top pick, but the team could also choose to take the best player on the board.

The best player available when Minnesota’s on the clock could be a wide receiver, linebacker, or even a cornerback. While those aren’t immediate needs for the team, they are secondary needs.

The Vikings need to upgrade at wide receiver No. 3 and they need to get Adam Thielen’s future replacement on the roster. Anthony Barr could be gone after next season, making linebacker a bigger need than at first glance. Patrick Peterson and Mackensie Alexander are signed to just one-year deals, and Jeff Gladney’s future is in doubt, which makes corner a more pressing issue than first believed.

So if DeVonta Smith, Micah Parsons, or Patrick Surtain II are still available when Minnesota goes on the clock in the first round, they should grab one. These three are some of the best players in this year’s class and all of them can help address needs that will be bigger issues a year from now for the Vikings.