Vikings Draft 2022: Prospects impacted the most by the NFL Combine

Which prospects are no longer in reach for the Vikings?

There are a couple of prospects that were hovering around Minnesota’s range in the first round heading into Indianapolis but they no longer fit that description. After a strong week of testing and interviews, both players seem to be heading towards much larger paydays at the end of April.

Jermaine Johnson – EDGE (Florida State)

In a crowded pass-rushing class, Jermaine Johnson has been rising to the top of the class at an astronomical rate lately. Johnson dominated at the Senior Bowl to solidify himself as a first-round player and kept that trend rolling into the NFL Scouting Combine.

Following another exceptional week in Indianapolis, Johnson has worked his way all the way up above the Vikings with the 12th overall pick. With so many teams needing pass rushers in the top 10, Johnson seems to be set to go that high.

The Giants and Jets both have needs at EDGE and hold two top-10 selections. The Seattle Seahawks could use more pass rushers while holding the 9th overall pick following the trade of Russell Wilson. After Kayvon Thibodeaux and Aidan Hutchinson, Jermaine Johnson is probably the best pass rusher in the class.

If the Vikings had their eyes on him with their pick, they need to start looking in a different direction.

Malik Willis – QB (Liberty)

Yes, Malik Willis is going to go a lot higher than anyone expected about a month ago. He put on a dazzling performance at the Combine during the on-field drills but he was just as impressive in his interviews. Willis faced plenty of scrutiny for playing at Liberty after failing to win the starting job at Auburn but that’s always been an unfair assessment. College coaches have a tendency to stick to their guy without seeing out a true competition (just Google Justin Fields at Georgia).

There are rumors of the Lions having an interest in Willis with the 2nd overall pick after a strong pre-draft cycle from the quarterback. Even if Willis does not go second overall, there are plenty of teams in the top 10 that have their eyes on him. The Seahawks, Giants, Texans, and Panthers could all pull the trigger.

The Commanders, who hold the 11th overall pick, are another team in need of a quarterback ahead of the Vikings. There are also several teams below the Vikings in the draft that could easily trade up into the top-10 to land him.

Unless the Vikings want to sell the farm to move into the top of the draft, Malik Willis is going to be playing in a different city on Sundays.