Way too early 2022 mock draft for the Minnesota Vikings

First Round

Bubba Bolden – S (Miami)

Safety is a position that could soar to the top of the Vikings’ needs list by the time the 2022 NFL Draft commences.

Harrison Smith is approaching the end of his elite career and free agent Xavier Woods was only signed to a one-year deal. If he isn’t re-signed, and if Smith decides to retire, or he isn’t offered a new contract by the team, Minnesota will be very thin at the safety position.

They’d only have Josh Metellus on the roster with Camryn Bynum as the other option. This is assuming Myles Dorn doesn’t shock and earn a roster spot this season, and the same goes for Luther Kirk. Safety is easily one of the Vikings’ bigger needs and one they could choose to upgrade with their first draft pick in 2022.

One player who would be very intriguing is Miami’s, Bubba Bolden. This guy is a big, physical presence in the secondary standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 200 pounds. He’s definitely an enforcer who can deliver a big hit. But he also has great closing speed and he can come up and play on the line, being a dangerous blitzer.

Minnesota would like to see a little more ball skills out Bolden, but he does have two career interceptions and four pass breakups. He’ll need to improve in this area to secure a first-round grade, but he’s got rare physical traits, and he can bring some physicality to the back end of the Vikings’ defense.