Vikings 2023 Draft: Seven-round post-Super Bowl mock draft
By Chris Schad
Sixth-Round (Pick No. 187)
Ricky Stromberg – C (Arkansas)
The Vikings do not have a sixth-round pick in this year’s draft, but for the sake of this mock draft, we’ve traded down again with the New England Patriots to give us the 187th and 210th picks in the draft.
Stromberg was one of the key figures in a powerful rushing attack for the Razorbacks and performed at an elite level in zone-blocking schemes. Unlike current Vikings center Garrett Bradbury, Stromberg also showed that he could hold his own in pass protection with just 11 pressures allowed on 398 pass-blocking snaps.
Bradbury had a decent season last year, but he still allowed 24 pressures in 12 games. The pressures ranked sixth among centers and with a lingering back injury, it’s unclear whether the Vikings would want to re-sign him as he hits free agency.
Stromberg may not be a Day 1 starter, but the Vikings could find a stop-gap in free agency, let him develop, and turn him loose in a couple of years. It’s not an immediate solution, but it’s a step toward finally fixing the Vikings’ issues on the interior offensive line.