04-14-2021, 06:28 PM
15 days until the real deal, can't wait. To build off last weeks mock draft here is an entirely different scenario that could play out for the Vikings over the course of draft weekend:
TRADE 1(8) via CAR: Penie Sewell OT / Oregon - It was a long wait for the Vikings front office between picks 5 - 7 but they are able to pull off a significant move up the board to grab one of the highest upside LTs to hit the draft in years. To make the move the Vikings give up 1(14), 4(125) and a 2022 2nd to get 1(8) and 6(222). It is a significant price to pay but there is no denying the Vikings need a pure LT and adding one on a rookie deal is the cherry on-top. There is an increasing chance the run on O-lineman will begin earlier in the 1st round than anticipated making a move up more palatable. Sitting at #14 does open the Vikings up to the risk they are forced into the last remaining O-lineman, trading back, or focusing on defense. As a player Sewell fits nearly all offensive schemes and is a day-1 starter at LT. Although there are some questions on how he will handle himself in the NFL he was a prolific freshman at Oregon and arguably was the best lineman in the NCAA within 3 starts.
TRADE 3(67) via HOU: Milton Williams DT / Louisiana Tech - For a team that loves to collect draft picks its crazy to imagine them trading up two time in the first three rounds, but both represent the unique opportunities the Vikings jump on. Milton Williams may sneak into round 2 but will go in the top 10 picks of round 3 necessitating the move up. Although the Vikings filled their immediate need at 3T with the addition of Dalvin Tomlinson they still could use additional pass rushing juice inside. Williams is more a pure 3T who plays with great leverage and has the quickness to get after the QB. Although he needs technical refinement he's an athletic freak who can get after the passer on 3rd downs immediately. Considering how often the Vikings rotate their interior lineman it would be foolish to overlook a pure 3T as a need.
3(90): Tylan Wallace WR / Oklahoma State - Finally staying put the Vikings turn back to the offensive side of the ball and add one of the more underrated receivers in this years class. Tylan Wallace is an all around WR who bring a lot of average to above average traits to the table. Although he isn't a "slot" receiver he is a starting option on the outside which would allow the Vikings to cycle both Thielen and JJ inside when it makes sense. On the outside Thielen/Jefferson win with finesse and route running, Wallace is a contested catch guy who has high-end ball tracking skills and is willing to go up and over DBs. The physicality would be a nice edge to bring into the room. The Vikings loved Brandin Aiyuk last year and Wallace brings a similar skillset.
4(119): James Wiggins S / Cincinnati - Although the Vikings signed Xavier Woods to a 1 year contract during free agency they still could use added depth and a long-term developmental prospect at the position. Position aside, James Wiggins is one of the freakiest athletes in this years draft class. Unfortunately he's had a recurring knee injury that's undercut his draft stock a bit. On the field he shows the ability to track the ball in the air but is equally as proficient as an enforcer. With some time to get his feet under him he should become an NFL starter in 1-2 years. He provides immediate upside on special teams, an added bonus.
4(134): Daelin Hayes DE / Notre Dame - Mike Zimmer mentioned in a recent press conference that they plan to modernize the Viking defense and install some new twists. Hint, hint, the team has done a lot of pre-draft scouting on DE who can stand up over the OT vs. always having a hand in the dirt. Hayes fits that mold and he's met with the Vikings on multiple occasions over Zoom. On the field Hayes is a burn slow, finish fast DE who's athleticism is hidden in how smoothly he moves. Like most of the Vikings mid-round pass rushers you're taking a player who has the size/length/speed and projecting their ability in the future. Hayes is one of a few guys who fits this mold and he should provide year one production as a situational guy.
5(157): David Moore OG / Grambling State - The hot name in the mid-rounds for stretch-zone offenses is Kendrick Green, Moore possess a similar upside but needs added development. On the field Moore is an easy moving lineman who understands how to make an impact at the 2nd level. He's a bully on the football field that needs to be reigned in by the right coaching staff. On most plays Moore is attempting to end the opponent which leads to technical and balance flaws. Those are fixable in time. Outside of the 1st round there are not a ton of natural fits for the Vikings on the interior line that match their current draft position. Taking a player like Moore and doubling up with another FA signing (Lane Taylor?) makes more sense.
5(168): Garrett Wallow LB / TCU - A season ago the Vikings linebacker depth became a very large issue. Re-watch the Saints film if you don't believe me. Adding depth to compete with FA Nick Vigil is a must and there is a chance Anthony Barr will no longer be with the team after this season. Honestly, I wouldn't be shocked to see the Vikings spend a much higher pick on a LB. In this mock however that didn't work out and Wallow is a nice consolation. As a converted safety, Wallow is still learning the nuances of the LB position but has the natural athleticism to get to his landmarks and make plays. He is versatile in the sense that he isn't purely an ILB or OLB, he can be either. I doubt he would be able to unseat Nick Vigil as a rookie but can plays special teams and could be serviceable in a pinch.
6(199): Avery Williams CB / Boise State - I promise I won't laugh when the Patriots shock the NFL and draft Williams in the 2nd or 3rd round (Matt Slater 2.0) but Williams is probably the best special teams player in this draft. He is the best punt returner in the class, can return kicks, and is an above average gunner. If you can add him in the 6th he's nearly a guarantee to make your roster for those reasons alone. As an actual CB he is on the small size but has the potential to compete in the slot. With Jeff Gladney's status being up in the air, Williams fixes a lot of the Vikings special teams worries and is depth behind Mac Alexander.
6(222) via CAR: Jarret Patterson RB / Buffalo - If it were not for the decreasing salary cap the Vikings likely would have tendered and held onto Mike Boone. It is no coincidence that he ended up signing with the Broncos on the first day or two of free agency. Jarret Patterson is an all-around back that can adequately pass protect and catch the ball out of the backfield. He isn't the most explosive back but has the long speed to outrun the angle in the open field. The Vikings could easily bring in a slew of UDFA to compete at RB but Patterson is worth a shot later in the 6th or 7th.
TRADE 1(8) via CAR: Penie Sewell OT / Oregon - It was a long wait for the Vikings front office between picks 5 - 7 but they are able to pull off a significant move up the board to grab one of the highest upside LTs to hit the draft in years. To make the move the Vikings give up 1(14), 4(125) and a 2022 2nd to get 1(8) and 6(222). It is a significant price to pay but there is no denying the Vikings need a pure LT and adding one on a rookie deal is the cherry on-top. There is an increasing chance the run on O-lineman will begin earlier in the 1st round than anticipated making a move up more palatable. Sitting at #14 does open the Vikings up to the risk they are forced into the last remaining O-lineman, trading back, or focusing on defense. As a player Sewell fits nearly all offensive schemes and is a day-1 starter at LT. Although there are some questions on how he will handle himself in the NFL he was a prolific freshman at Oregon and arguably was the best lineman in the NCAA within 3 starts.
TRADE 3(67) via HOU: Milton Williams DT / Louisiana Tech - For a team that loves to collect draft picks its crazy to imagine them trading up two time in the first three rounds, but both represent the unique opportunities the Vikings jump on. Milton Williams may sneak into round 2 but will go in the top 10 picks of round 3 necessitating the move up. Although the Vikings filled their immediate need at 3T with the addition of Dalvin Tomlinson they still could use additional pass rushing juice inside. Williams is more a pure 3T who plays with great leverage and has the quickness to get after the QB. Although he needs technical refinement he's an athletic freak who can get after the passer on 3rd downs immediately. Considering how often the Vikings rotate their interior lineman it would be foolish to overlook a pure 3T as a need.
3(90): Tylan Wallace WR / Oklahoma State - Finally staying put the Vikings turn back to the offensive side of the ball and add one of the more underrated receivers in this years class. Tylan Wallace is an all around WR who bring a lot of average to above average traits to the table. Although he isn't a "slot" receiver he is a starting option on the outside which would allow the Vikings to cycle both Thielen and JJ inside when it makes sense. On the outside Thielen/Jefferson win with finesse and route running, Wallace is a contested catch guy who has high-end ball tracking skills and is willing to go up and over DBs. The physicality would be a nice edge to bring into the room. The Vikings loved Brandin Aiyuk last year and Wallace brings a similar skillset.
4(119): James Wiggins S / Cincinnati - Although the Vikings signed Xavier Woods to a 1 year contract during free agency they still could use added depth and a long-term developmental prospect at the position. Position aside, James Wiggins is one of the freakiest athletes in this years draft class. Unfortunately he's had a recurring knee injury that's undercut his draft stock a bit. On the field he shows the ability to track the ball in the air but is equally as proficient as an enforcer. With some time to get his feet under him he should become an NFL starter in 1-2 years. He provides immediate upside on special teams, an added bonus.
4(134): Daelin Hayes DE / Notre Dame - Mike Zimmer mentioned in a recent press conference that they plan to modernize the Viking defense and install some new twists. Hint, hint, the team has done a lot of pre-draft scouting on DE who can stand up over the OT vs. always having a hand in the dirt. Hayes fits that mold and he's met with the Vikings on multiple occasions over Zoom. On the field Hayes is a burn slow, finish fast DE who's athleticism is hidden in how smoothly he moves. Like most of the Vikings mid-round pass rushers you're taking a player who has the size/length/speed and projecting their ability in the future. Hayes is one of a few guys who fits this mold and he should provide year one production as a situational guy.
5(157): David Moore OG / Grambling State - The hot name in the mid-rounds for stretch-zone offenses is Kendrick Green, Moore possess a similar upside but needs added development. On the field Moore is an easy moving lineman who understands how to make an impact at the 2nd level. He's a bully on the football field that needs to be reigned in by the right coaching staff. On most plays Moore is attempting to end the opponent which leads to technical and balance flaws. Those are fixable in time. Outside of the 1st round there are not a ton of natural fits for the Vikings on the interior line that match their current draft position. Taking a player like Moore and doubling up with another FA signing (Lane Taylor?) makes more sense.
5(168): Garrett Wallow LB / TCU - A season ago the Vikings linebacker depth became a very large issue. Re-watch the Saints film if you don't believe me. Adding depth to compete with FA Nick Vigil is a must and there is a chance Anthony Barr will no longer be with the team after this season. Honestly, I wouldn't be shocked to see the Vikings spend a much higher pick on a LB. In this mock however that didn't work out and Wallow is a nice consolation. As a converted safety, Wallow is still learning the nuances of the LB position but has the natural athleticism to get to his landmarks and make plays. He is versatile in the sense that he isn't purely an ILB or OLB, he can be either. I doubt he would be able to unseat Nick Vigil as a rookie but can plays special teams and could be serviceable in a pinch.
6(199): Avery Williams CB / Boise State - I promise I won't laugh when the Patriots shock the NFL and draft Williams in the 2nd or 3rd round (Matt Slater 2.0) but Williams is probably the best special teams player in this draft. He is the best punt returner in the class, can return kicks, and is an above average gunner. If you can add him in the 6th he's nearly a guarantee to make your roster for those reasons alone. As an actual CB he is on the small size but has the potential to compete in the slot. With Jeff Gladney's status being up in the air, Williams fixes a lot of the Vikings special teams worries and is depth behind Mac Alexander.
6(222) via CAR: Jarret Patterson RB / Buffalo - If it were not for the decreasing salary cap the Vikings likely would have tendered and held onto Mike Boone. It is no coincidence that he ended up signing with the Broncos on the first day or two of free agency. Jarret Patterson is an all-around back that can adequately pass protect and catch the ball out of the backfield. He isn't the most explosive back but has the long speed to outrun the angle in the open field. The Vikings could easily bring in a slew of UDFA to compete at RB but Patterson is worth a shot later in the 6th or 7th.
