04-05-2022, 06:03 PM
Vikings gamble on defense in Todd McShay's 2-round mock draftEven as an analytical guy, Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is going to have to roll the dice at some point. ESPN analyst Todd McShay has him doing exactly that in his latest two-round mock draft.
The Vikings have made enough moves in free agency to give them the freedom of taking the best available player on the board. There are still clear areas of need, including cornerback, edge rusher, interior defensive line and interior offensive line.
Mcshay has them addressing two of those problems in the first couple of rounds of the draft.
12. Minnesota Vikings -- CB, Derek Stingley Jr., LSU
Stingley is drawing comparisons to former NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore and New Orleans Saints four-time Pro Bowler Marshon Lattimore. Of course, those comparisons are mostly based around the 2019 version of one of the most complicated prospects in the entire draft.
Stingley hasn’t been able to ascend to the same heights he reached as a freshman at LSU. Injuries have clearly been a big reason for his recent struggles. He has reportedly recovered from his Lisfranc injury and will participate at LSU’s Pro Day on Wednesday.
The Vikings just re-signed Patrick Peterson, along with luring veteran cornerback Chandon Sullivan away from the Green Bay Packers. But the team still needs a lot of help in the defensive backfield, and Stingley would be a big addition.
From McShay: “Stingley is a tough evaluation. If Minnesota gets the 2019 version of his game, this is a steal at No. 12. But the injury-plagued uneven play we’ve seen over the past two years makes this pick risky.
The Vikings still have a need at cornerback despite signing Patrick Peterson (who will turn 32 this summer), and there is no denying what Stingley is capable of doing on the field if he puts it all together. Stingley can wear a lot of different hats on defense, shows great instincts and has the ball skills and speed to lock down receivers. And the Vikings can let Peterson — a fellow LSU alum — help Stingley adjust to the pro game.”
46. Minnesota Vikings -- DT, Perrion Winfrey, OklahomaStingley hasn’t been able to ascend to the same heights he reached as a freshman at LSU. Injuries have clearly been a big reason for his recent struggles. He has reportedly recovered from his Lisfranc injury and will participate at LSU’s Pro Day on Wednesday.
The Vikings just re-signed Patrick Peterson, along with luring veteran cornerback Chandon Sullivan away from the Green Bay Packers. But the team still needs a lot of help in the defensive backfield, and Stingley would be a big addition.
From McShay: “Stingley is a tough evaluation. If Minnesota gets the 2019 version of his game, this is a steal at No. 12. But the injury-plagued uneven play we’ve seen over the past two years makes this pick risky.
The Vikings still have a need at cornerback despite signing Patrick Peterson (who will turn 32 this summer), and there is no denying what Stingley is capable of doing on the field if he puts it all together. Stingley can wear a lot of different hats on defense, shows great instincts and has the ball skills and speed to lock down receivers. And the Vikings can let Peterson — a fellow LSU alum — help Stingley adjust to the pro game.”
One way to eliminate some of the stress on the defensive backfield is boosting things up front. The Vikings already went out and made the splash signing of former two-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith. Pairing him with Danielle Hunter gives the team its very own wrecking crew.
Winfrey would be another powerful addition up front on the defensive line. He’s a powerhouse defender with a knack for blowing up plays and folding up ball carriers like a cheap lawn chair at a Little League baseball game.
From McShay: “I mentioned that the interior defensive line was something to consider when I gave Minnesota a cornerback in Round 1, but Winfrey would be an excellent pick at this point in Round 2 to satisfy that hole. The Vikings allowed 4.7 yards per carry last season, tied for third worst in the NFL. And Winfrey has the first-step quickness and active hands to shoot gaps and blow up plays in the backfield.”
https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/lists/v...ock-draft/
Winfrey would be another powerful addition up front on the defensive line. He’s a powerhouse defender with a knack for blowing up plays and folding up ball carriers like a cheap lawn chair at a Little League baseball game.
From McShay: “I mentioned that the interior defensive line was something to consider when I gave Minnesota a cornerback in Round 1, but Winfrey would be an excellent pick at this point in Round 2 to satisfy that hole. The Vikings allowed 4.7 yards per carry last season, tied for third worst in the NFL. And Winfrey has the first-step quickness and active hands to shoot gaps and blow up plays in the backfield.”
https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/lists/v...ock-draft/
