Which talented prospects will the Minnesota Vikings add to their roster with their selections in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft?
During the 2023 offseason, the Minnesota Vikings have made their intentions for the future pretty clear. Currently, the Vikings are heading into the 2023 campaign with Kirk Cousins as their starting quarterback. But beyond next season, Minnesota has made multiple decisions during the last few months to indicate that they would like someone else to start under center for them for the first time since 2017.
With this in mind, the 2023 NFL Draft is an opportunity for Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to put his stamp on the organization. In this mock draft, that is exactly what Adofo-Mensah decides to do when, first, he makes a trade to acquire the No. 5 overall pick from the Seattle Seahawks, and then he sends Minnesota running back Dalvin Cook to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a 2023 second-round selection.
Trade No. 1
Minnesota Vikings Receive:
- 2023 First-Round Pick (No. 5 Overall)
- 2023 Third-Round Pick (No. 83 Overall)
Seattle Seahawks Receive:
- 2023 First-Round Pick (No. 23 Overall)
- 2024 First-Round Pick
- 2024 Fifth-Round Pick
- 2025 Second-Round Pick
Trade No. 2
Minnesota Vikings Receive:
- 2023 Second-Round Pick (No. 58 Overall)
Dallas Cowboys Receive:
- Dalvin Cook - RB
- 2023 Third-Round Pick (No. 87 Overall)
Some might believe the Vikings gave up too much in this trade involving Cook since they also had to send a third-round pick to the Cowboys. But after Minnesota acquired a second selection in the third round from their first trade with the Seahawks, it allowed the Vikings to have a little more firepower to make sure they could acquire a very valuable pick in the second round from Dallas.
With a total of six selections after these two trades, how will Adofo-Mensah transform Minnesota's future with the team's picks in the 2023 NFL Draft?
Let's begin with the Vikings first opportunity to add a player at the No. 5 spot in the first round.