6 offensive tackles the Vikings could select in the 2021 NFL Draft
By Luke Parrish
Jalen Mayfield (Michigan)
Measurements:
- Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 319 pounds
If the Vikings do not wind up with a pick in the second round, there are two names to keep an eye on in the third or fourth rounds.
The first is Jalen Mayfield, a raw but exciting tackle prospect out of Michigan. His early tape at Michigan is hurt by his workload and expectations, as he was thrown into the mix against some of the top pass rushers in the country as a freshman.
Mayfield was very good for the Wolverines in 2020 despite having a shortened season and he has a lot of traits to love as a developmental piece. He could land a starting spot in camp if he performs well enough, but he could also be a very good piece in a year as he gets reps and coaching at the NFL level.
His ceiling might be highest as a guard, but that does not mean he should immediately make the move inside. In fact, Mayfield should be given a chance to prove himself as a tackle and have the move inside as a backup plan just in case he can’t hit his stride on the outside.
Mayfield did not test well this year and that is going to scare some teams away, but it should not be that big of a deal. His tape still shows an excellent athlete that can play pretty much anywhere but center and with success.
Even if the Vikings take a tackle earlier in the draft, adding Mayfield in the middle rounds as a depth piece and potential starter after camp should still be something worth considering.