5-round post-Za’Darius Smith signing mock draft for the Vikings
By Luke Parrish
Second-round pick:
Jalen Pitre – SAF (Baylor)
The secondary continues to get better with the addition of Jalen Pitre in the second round. After a strong week down in Mobile for the Senior Bowl, Pitre emerged as an early Day 2 selection with a ton of versatility in the secondary. For the Vikings, getting someone with coverage and run-stopping abilities in the second round will clean up the secondary.
Harrison Smith needs another safety next to him that can handle the deep zones while Smith lives near the line of scrimmage. Cameron Bynum showed flashes as a rookie but there is still a lot of room for growth as he transitions to the position. Pitre gives them flexibility right away.
He can serve as a traditional deep safety or as a nickel defender that provides sticky coverage in space and can tackle down near the box when needed. In his final two seasons at Baylor, Pitre recorded nine pass breakups, four interceptions, and two touchdowns.
After starting his career as a linebacker, Pitre has developed into a promising defensive back and after just two seasons of playing in the secondary, he looks like an NFL safety. With safeties flying off the board in this mock draft, the Vikings still find a starter without having to reach for it.
Other needs exist at this spot in the draft but the value simply does not fit as well as taking Pitre with the 46th overall pick. The Minnesota Vikings will once again have to wait to address the interior offensive line.