6 edge rushers the Vikings could select in the 2022 NFL Draft

Boye Mafe (Minnesota)

Measurements:

• Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 261 pounds

2021 stats:

• 34 total tackles (10 for a loss)
• 7 sacks
• 1 forced fumble

Did someone say “One of Us?”

If the Vikings aren’t interested in Johnson, Boye Mafe could be a target. The defensive end starred at Hopkins before signing on to play at the University of Minnesota. Part of a Gophers defense that improved throughout his tenure, Mafe recorded 15 sacks in three seasons as a starter, including a career-high seven last season.

The best part about Mafe’s game is his athleticism. The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman placed Mafe on his 2020 “Freaks List” and he did not disappoint at the NFL Scouting Combine. His 4.53-second 40-yard dash placed in the 98th percentile of edge rushers in this year’s class. His 125-inch broad jump ranked in the 92nd percentile.

With his profile, Mafe could line up as a traditional defensive end or on the outside as an edge rusher. If you’re starting to sense a pattern here, you’re absolutely correct.

The only thing that could give teams pause is Mafe’s age. He will turn 24 in November. But that hasn’t stopped many from considering him a first-round pick. While he would be a reach at No. 12, the Vikings could target him if they trade down or trade back into the first round.