5 prospects the Vikings don’t want to see in the NFC North in 2022

Boye Mafe – EDGE (Minnesota)

There aren’t a whole of things that suck more than seeing a beloved Golden Gopher end up with a division rival. Vikings fans have been lucky in recent years as Rashod Bateman and Antoine Winfield Jr. ended up in different divisions, but will the same happen for Boye Mafe?

Mafe is a guy who has been getting a lot of buzz pretty much throughout the draft season. He has steadily risen up the boards after solid performances at the Senior Bowl and Combine. Mafe has been routinely mocked in the late-round one area and could be in play for the Packers or Lions as the first round closes out.

It wouldn’t just blow to see Mafe end up with the Lions or Packers because he’s a Gopher, it’s also because he’s a darn good football player. Mafe is a tenacious pass rusher with a quick get-off and a nonstop motor. He’d be a thorn in the Vikings’ side as battles against Brian O’Neill or Christian Darrisaw wouldn’t always go the way of the Purple. Seeing him pair with another former Gopher in De’Vondre Campbell would be especially tough for fans of the Vikings and Gophers to see.

Mafe has a real chance to end up in the division and seeing this former Golden Gopher sack Kirk Cousins would always be a sickening sight.