Vikings Draft 2022: Realistic five-round mock draft 1.0

Second Round (Pick No. 46)

Travis Jones – DT (UConn)

Measurements:

• 6-foot-4
• 325 pounds

2021 Stats (in 11 games):

• 48 tackles (7.5 for a loss)
• 4.5 sacks

Another defensive tackle? Vikings fans are probably tired of hearing about the defensive tackle position, but it’s still a part of the roster that the team could look to improve during this year’s NFL Draft.

Minnesota signed Harrison Phillips earlier this offseason to a three-year contract, so he should be on the roster for at least the next two seasons. But aside from Phillips, the Vikings don’t really have a ton of options at defensive tackle after the 2022 campaign ends.

Dalvin Tomlinson’s deal is set to expire in 2023 and so will the contract of Armon Watts. Phillips, Jaylen Twyman, James Lynch, and Jordan Scott are currently the only Minnesota defensive tackles that are signed through the 2023 season.

So if Travis Jones is still on the board when the Vikings are ready to make their pick in the second round of this year’s draft, he is someone who could wind up with the purple and gold.

During his college career, Jones performed well when it came to stopping the opposing team’s rushing attack, and he was also an underrated pass rusher (25 pressures in 2021).

If Minnesota is already thinking about moving on from Tomlinson in 2023, Jones could be the guy to replace him.