5 early defensive possibilities for the Vikings in the 2023 NFL Draft

Siaki Ika – IDL (Baylor)

Dalvin Tomlinson has not been able to stay healthy for long stretches, and the middle of Minnesota’s defensive line has been far too inconsistent. They have tried adding players in free agency over the years but there has not seemed to be a clear answer just yet.

The run defense has not been as miserable as it had been in years past, but it is still just about average. Anchoring down up front and dominating the trenches would do wonders for this defense, which is exactly why Siaki Ika is the perfect Day 2 prospect.

Ika is a massive human being up the gut, but he plays so much smoother than his 358-pound frame might suggest. He is quick, nimble, and nasty lining up over the A-gap. While his addition would primarily improve the run defense, he also adds value as a pass rusher.

He has the size and athleticism to be a game-wrecking nose tackle, but that sheer athleticism is also indicative of his ability to cut weight and play a more traditional tackle role if the Vikings really needed him to be that sort of player.

The pedigree and talent are undeniable for Siaki Ika. He was part of the 2019 LSU defense that won the National Championship, and all he has done since then is transfer to Baylor and earn Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. Now he holds a top-50 projection for the 2023 NFL Draft.

There may not be a more interesting player from a physical profile perspective in the entire draft. A nose tackle of his stature should not move as freely as Siaki Ika does. He would save the Vikings a first-round pick – at least right now – while being a steady contributor out of the gate. That’s hard to pass up when your defense has struggled as much as Minnesota’s has.