Mock Draft No. 1
Scenario: Trade back
In our first mock draft scenario, the Vikings trade back. As I touched on before, Minnesota is used to this, and it is a good way to stock up on draft capital to fill out roster depth.
The idea of trading back can be great, but it takes a team willing to trade up to make it happen. Will the Vikings partner with a team wanting one of the QBs in this class?
In this mock, the Chargers were willing to trade up from pick No. 17, offering picks 17, 79, and 123 for pick No. 12. This is a somewhat similar deal to what the Vikings got from the New York Jets last year when they moved back from pick No. 14 to 23. Since they only moved back five spots, they get a fourth-round pick instead of another third-rounder, recouping a similar pick to the one they gave up for Chris Herndon.
Now to the actual picks.
R1: Pick No. 17
- Chris Olave – WR (Ohio State)
Minnesota makes an exciting selection here, adding to Kirk Cousins‘ weapons on offense. Kevin O’Connell comes from the Rams, who ran plenty of three-receiver sets, making an additional pass-catcher make sense.
This pick doubles as solid depth at an important position, as well as prepares the team for life after Adam Thielen eventually. With Justin Jefferson already in the fold, Minnesota does not need Olave to be a WR1, instead, he can thrive off of the space defenses left from chasing Jefferson and Thielen.
R2: Pick No. 46
- Jalen Pitre – CB (Baylor)
You will often find Jalen Pitre available at this pick in mocks and it is very tempting to take him. He played primarily slot CB at Baylor, which the Vikings could still use.
The signing of Chandon Sullivan should not dissuade Minnesota from taking the DB out of Baylor. The Vikings still need plenty of DB depth. PFF projects Pitre to switch to safety, which the team could also use.
R3: Pick No. 77
- Dylan Parham – OG (Memphis)
It should not take much thought to figure out this pick for Minnesota. The interior offensive line still needs to be addressed and a shot at one in the middle rounds just makes sense.
Parham has played LG, RT, and RG for Memphis, so he could provide depth at a few positions along the line.
R3: Pick No. 79
- Carson Strong – QB (Nevada)
The Vikings’ current staff has no ties to Kellen Mond, so the selection of him last year should not dissuade them from taking Strong here.
The strong-armed QB surely has supporters around the league. It is worth a shot at this point in the draft.
R4: Pick No. 123
- Tyreke Smith – EDGE (Ohio State)
Minnesota goes back to the Ohio State well here to provide depth behind Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith, both of whom have been injured lately.
Smith had above-average testing numbers, so please refrain from making the “he is the next Danielle Hunter” comps. You can do it.
R5: Pick No. 156
- Noah Elliss – DL (Idaho)
With Ed Donatell’s new 3-4 defense coming to town, the Vikings will take all the bodies they can get to stuff the interior defensive line.
R6: Pick No. 184
- Sterling Weatherford – S (Miami – OH)
As it currently stands, the Vikings need more depth at safety. Pitre could slide to safety, but if not, a safety here makes sense, even if a veteran one is still brought in.
R6: Pick No. 191
- Eyioma Uwazurike – EDGE (Iowa State)
More pass-rushing depth because why not? With the Ngakoue’s and Odenigbo’s of the world gone, Minnesota needs a hard name to pronounce on their defensive line.
R6: Pick No. 192
- Hassan Haskins – RB (Michigan)
If history has told us anything, it is that late-round running backs can still be beasts in the NFL. Haskins could make the roster, especially with this potentially being Alexander Mattison’s last year in purple.
R7: Pick No. 250
- Matt Araiza – P (San Diego State)
Yes, a punter. Look up his highlights and be amazed. The only thing more amazing would be if he lasted this long in the draft.