4 prospects the Vikings missed out on in the 2021 NFL Draft
Amari Rodgers – WR (Clemson)
Amari Rodgers became quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s top target after fellow Clemson Tiger Tee Higgins entered the 2020 NFL Draft. Throughout the 2020 season, Rodgers led all Clemson receivers in key receiving categories with 77 catches for 1,020 yards and seven touchdowns.
Rodgers was selected by the Green Bay Packers with the 85th overall pick in the third round, one pick before the Vikings selected Wyatt Davis.
Davis is expected to be a Day 1 starter on Minnesota’s offensive line, so things there shouldn’t make too many fans upset with missing out on a third-string wide receiver. However, Adam Thielen is turning 31-years-old later this year, and if either Justin Jefferson or Thielen were to miss games next season, the Vikings wouldn’t have a dependable secondary receiver at the position.
After Thielen and Jefferson, the wide receiver talent on the depth chart takes a nosedive. Rotational players like Chad Beebe and Bisi Johnson can make the occasional play when called upon. But they simply don’t have what it takes to compete against most starting defenders across the league.
The Vikings eventually selected Iowa wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette to become the next man up with the 157th overall pick in the fifth round. He wasn’t a dominant force in college, but his track speed and playmaking potential provides Minnesota with a valuable skill-set that could be developed into a field-stretching deep-threat.