4 prospects the Vikings missed out on in the 2021 NFL Draft

Justin Fields – QB (Ohio State)

Okay, let’s get this one out of the way. Justin Fields is among the top prospects selected at his position, and for very good reason.

In his three seasons between Georgia and Ohio State, Fields racked up over 5,700 passing yards, 67 passing touchdowns, and only nine interceptions along with an additional 1,123 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground. He also helped eliminate the Clemson Tigers from the CFB Playoffs last season led by the first overall pick in this year’s draft, quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

While many evaluators viewed Fields as the second-best quarterback in the 2021 draft, teams with selections at the top of the first round preferred other prospects for various reasons, resulting in the signal-caller briefly falling down the board until the Chicago Bears traded up to the 11th overall pick to acquire him.

ESPN’s Courtney Cronin reported the Vikings were also prepared to take Fields if he was still on the board when they made their first-round selection, but the Bears grabbed him before that could happen.

Minnesota still managed to land an exciting quarterback prospect in Kellen Mond in the third round. But the gap in talent between the two favors Fields heavily, at least for now.

Now, Vikings fans have the privilege of experiencing first-hand if they truly missed out on the young talent at the most important position in football, or if they avoided a Draft Day disaster.