5 targets for the Vikings in every round of the 2021 NFL Draft
By Dean Jones
Third Round
- Ben Cleveland – OG (Georgia)
- Quincy Roche – DE/OLB (Miami)
- Kellen Mond – QB (Texas A&M)
- Paulson Adebo – CB (Stanford)
- Pete Werner – LB (Ohio State)
As of right now, the Vikings don’t have a second-round selection after their ill-fated trade last year with the Jacksonville Jaguars for Yannick Ngakoue, who played just six games in purple and gold before he was shipped off to the Baltimore Ravens.
Trading Ngakoue to the Ravens gave Minnesota another third-round pick to call upon and there should be plenty of exciting talent available at positions of need.
Much will depend on what the Vikings do at No. 14 overall. However, they might decide this is the time to get a solid quarterback prospect to sit behind Kirk Cousins for a couple of years before potentially assuming command under center.
Kellen Mond would fit the bill. He represents an upgrade over anything Minnesota currently has behind Cousins and providing he can become more fluid in his movements in addition to improving his decision making, there is every chance the former Texas A&M star can become a starting option down the line.
There might also be the chance to get a plug-and-play guard in this round, which could see Ben Cleveland enter the equation. Quincy Roche has some eye-catching upside rushing off the edge and could be around in the third round, with Minnesota’s linebacking corps also needing some depth that could cause the team to look in the direction of Pete Werner.
If the Vikings avoid the temptation of drafting a cornerback in the first round, then this is something they should target on Day 2 before the talent drops way off. Paulson Adebo is right on this cut-off and he may even be taken higher.