Early Vikings 2023 mock draft after Week 1 of the college football season

Third-Round Pick

Joe Tippmann – C (Wisconsin)

If things go poorly for Garrett Bradbury once again in 2022, the Vikings will almost certainly replace him next season. Rather than reaching for a center in this past draft, Minnesota was patient, and they can, instead, add a starting-caliber interior lineman in 2023.

The interior offensive line class is expected to be much better next season, and that’s when the Vikings should capitalize on the final piece of the offensive line. Joe Tippmann is the leader in the middle for Wisconsin, a program that pumps linemen into the NFL every year.

Tippmann is a massive human being in the middle of the line, something Minnesota might want to try after the Bradbury experiment backfired. At 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds, Tippmann is an absurd athlete that can anchor an offensive line like the best of them.

For all we know, Tippman could become a top-30 player in next year’s draft if he performs well at the Scouting Combine. His shuttle times that were reported heading into this season are unheard of from a player of his size, but the real test will come when the NFL is watching.

Whether it is Tippmann or not, the Vikings should be in the hunt for a new center in the middle rounds of the draft if Bradbury does not get it together in the new system. The options in the draft next year are plentiful, it is time to attack that need.