Vikings 2023 Draft: Seven-round all-defensive mock draft
By Dean Jones
Third Round (Pick No. 88)
Jordan Battle – S (Alabama)
It’s hard to know what the Vikings have in Lewis Cine following an injury-hit rookie season. The first-round pick in 2022 showed plenty of impressive attributes during his time with the Georgia Bulldogs, but he remains an unknown quantity at the next level heading into his second year.
Harrison Smith is still a huge part of the team. But the All-Pro isn’t getting any younger and those in power need to put a concise long-term plan in place for when the safety eventually calls it a day.
Pairing Cine with another prospect from an SEC powerhouse might be tempting for the Vikings. Jordan Battle‘s career at Alabama was littered with individual accomplishments, which won’t go unnoticed by teams across the league during their independent assessments.
Battle excels in coverage and reads the quarterback extremely well. This is matched by exceptional physicality that can blow up opposing wide receivers at will over the middle.
The former four-star high school recruit has an NFL-ready physique for the position. Battle can also lock down in slot coverage when needed and has the functional strength to assist in run support at the line of scrimmage.
Once the player improves the tackling aspect of his game, anything is possible. This could be a high-value pick at this stage for Minnesota if given the chance.