6 prospects from the 2022 class who are getting late buzz from the Vikings

Sauce Gardner – CB (Cincinnati)

Sauce Gardner has been a target for the Vikings in the 2022 Draft from the moment the 2021 NFL season ended. Since that time he has shot up draft boards to the point where many expect him to go in the top five picks on Thursday night.

There is a great reason for that. The guy’s got impressive size, speed, and length and didn’t allow a single touchdown in his college career.

However, a recent rumor started by the voice of the Vikings himself, Paul Allen suggested the team is considering moving up to the fourth overall pick to grab this potential shutdown cornerback.

Obviously, with Kwesi Adofo-Mensah being in his first draft, we have no idea what kind of approach he would take or how aggressive he’ll be. If he values quality over quantity when it comes to rookies, then this could be a deal he’s willing to make.

To trade up that far would basically cost Minnesota their first two days’ worth of picks. They’d have to give up 12, 46, and 77 to get to where the Jets would be willing to move down the eight spots.

That’s a hefty price to pay, but if the Vikings truly think Sauce Gardner is the missing piece and adding him to the roster can make them legit Super Bowl contenders, then perhaps there is some flame to this smoky rumor.