5-round post-Za’Darius Smith signing mock draft for the Vikings

Fifth-round pick:

Cade Mays – IOL (Tennessee)

Finally, Minnesota addresses the offensive line on the final day of the draft by taking a chance on a former big-time recruit. Cade Mays was a highly-touted recruit out of high school who started for four years in college at two noteworthy programs.

After starting his career at Georgia, Mays transferred to Tennessee and continued to rack up quality experience. In his four years, he saw playing time at all five spots on the offensive line while spending most of his time at right guard.

Minnesota has a massive question mark at right guard with Wyatt Davis currently being the frontrunner to start despite not having any reps as a rookie. Spending a Day 3 pick on a player that can create competition at a position of need is a good opportunity cost for the Vikings.

Mays can be a starter down the road but expecting immediate success is dangerous for any player taken this late. With several needs to fill, the Vikings can only do so much in the draft and they have to make sacrifices elsewhere.

Teams typically devalue interior linemen so waiting to take one yet again should not be all that alarming given the other needs on the roster. The Minnesota Vikings can live without a top-50 selection lining up at right guard in 2022.