Vikings 2022 Draft: End of regular season five-round mock draft

Fifth-Round Pick:

Cade Mays – OG (Tennessee)

The Vikings’ offensive line does have some hope for the future. They are set at the tackle positions with both Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill locked in for years to come. They also probably have their left guard of the future in Ezra Cleveland but there are question marks in the middle and at right guard, and they could look to upgrade with their fourth choice of the draft.

One guy who has recently thrown his hat into the 2022 NFL Draft ring, is former Georgia Bulldog and current Tennessee Volunteer guard/tackle Cade Mays. Mays is a big powerful road grader who is a stout 6-foot-5 and 325 pounds.

Mays primarily played right tackle and right guard but does have experience at all five spots on the offensive line. That versatility is extremely attractive to teams and the Vikings currently have a handful of players who possess that type of ability and had to rely on it in 2021.

Mays would come in and battle for the right guard job in Minnesota. Who knows what type of competition Wyatt Davis will be for him, but chances are the moment he’s drafted he’ll usurp Oli Udoh on the depth chart. Hopefully, Mays proves to be a guy who can anchor against big powerful defensive linemen and will put an end to all the interior pressure the Vikings receive up the middle.

Worst case he could make the team as a backup guard, swing tackle, and emergency center, and that is worth a fifth-round choice.