5 first-round targets for the Vikings in the 2022 NFL Draft

Who are some of the prospects the Minnesota Vikings should already be thinking about as possible targets in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft?

After their Week 8 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, the Minnesota Vikings left the field inside U.S. Bank Stadium with a 3-4 record. The loss made it more clear that the Vikings probably aren’t going to find themselves among the teams contending for a championship this season.

Most likely, Minnesota will finish the 2021 campaign in the middle of the pack just as they have during the majority of their time with Mike Zimmer as the team’s head coach.

In 2022, it’s possible we could see the Vikings experience some major changes. Notable veterans will likely be on their way out and Zimmer’s time with the franchise might even be over.

Projected to have a limited amount of salary cap space in 2022, Minnesota will need to find a bunch of players from next year’s NFL Draft that can make an immediate impact. Looking at some of the current 2022 draft prospects, who are some that the Vikings should already have their eyes on as potential first-round targets?

Prospect No. 1

Kenyon Green – OG (Texas A&M)

After the disaster that was Dakota Dozier at right guard in 2020, Minnesota attempted to fix their problem on the right interior of their offensive line by using Oli Udoh as their starting right guard this season.

So far, it hasn’t gone very well for Udoh who, before this year, was never utilized as an interior blocker in his time with the Vikings.

In an effort to add someone to the roster that has experienced actual success as an interior offensive lineman, Minnesota should have their eyes on Texas A&M offensive lineman Kenyon Green.

In his time at Texas A&M, Green has started as both a guard and a tackle, but the majority of his college career has been spent as an interior blocker. Strength and run-blocking ability are two of his best attributes which should just be music to the Vikings’ ears.

Using a first-round pick on a guard is typically not ideal, but the 6-foot-4, 325-pound Green has the tools to live up to the expectations that come with being selected in the opening round of the draft.