First Round
Daxton Hill – S (Michigan)
Harrison Smith is still playing at a high level, but he isn’t going to be around forever, and this might be a good opportunity for the Vikings to scoop up a top talent with their 2022 first-round selection. With Xavier Woods also out of contract, strengthening this positional group becomes one of the team’s main priorities this offseason.
One prospect that’s really stood out during the 2021 season is Daxton Hill. The Michigan star is an elite performer at the college level, with his speed and high football IQ sure to make him a hot commodity throughout the upcoming evaluation process.
Hill is one of the primary reasons why the Wolverines have turned things around. Especially from a defensive standpoint that might end up with a surprise playoff spot depending on other results.
His instincts to be around the football consistently are notable. Hill gets a lot of freedom from the free safety spot to make things happen, something that he manages to do consistently despite his relative inexperience as a starter.
There aren’t many safeties with more upside than Hill entering the draft this year. Perhaps only Kyle Hamilton out of Notre Dame, but it’s highly unlikely the Vikings will be in a position to draft him.
Still, Hill wouldn’t be a bad consolation prize by any stretch.