When it comes time for the Minnesota Vikings to make their selections in the 2022 NFL Draft, they have to address the defense.
Each week has been a new experience for the Minnesota Vikings this season. The defense took a while to get on the right page, while the offense has struggled to maintain consistency throughout the ups and downs of the season. Minnesota can still reach the playoffs, but their path to a Super Bowl is far from an easy one.
Mike Zimmer and Kirk Cousins are at the end of their ropes with the Vikings and another year without a deep playoff run has to be the final straw. If an overhaul is on the way, things must start on defense.
The 2022 NFL Draft is loaded with talent on the defensive side of the ball that could immediately improve the Vikings. Injuries and age have caught up to one of the NFL’s most promising units and now it is time to look at the future. Anthony Barr, Patrick Peterson, and Harrison Smith cannot be viewed as long-term pieces anymore.
Danielle Hunter has suffered a brutal season-ending injury in each of the past two seasons and the team lacks any sort of pass rush with him out of the lineup. In order for this team to get back to the top of the NFC North, the front office has to make significant changes to the defense.
Here is an early 2022 mock draft that just so happens to fill some key holes on the defense.