Mock Draft 2.0

[NFL Draft Guru]

I will preface this mock with saying a lot can change in 24 hours. But the QB race is on and the Vikings are aggressively pursuing a trade into the top 3 for Drake Maye. They would need to sell the farm to get there, which makes me skeptical it will happen. I don't believe the Vikings love JJ McCarthy as much as the media has projected. Of course, they like him, but would they deal a draft away for him? Maybe not. Which leads me to this: 

1(11): The Vikings trade back with the Colts giving 1(11) & 5(157) to add 1(15), 3(83) and 4(117) 

1(15) via IND: Quinyon Mitchell CB Toledo - The Vikings would love to keep Byron Murphy in the slot but need another CB to do so. They add a high upside CB #1 in Mitchell who add the man-to-man coverage skills the Vikings covet. Whether it be Mitchell or Terrion Arnold I see the Vikings targeting a CB early if QB is not a viable option. 

1(23): Trade back again? Yep. The Vikings sell the pick to a team jockeying for an offensive weapon trading 1(23) & 4(129) to the Chiefs for 1(32) and 2(64)

1(32) via KC: Michael Penix Jr. QB Washington - If the Vikings miss out on QBs 1-3 the attempt here to manufacture picks allows them to take a stab at Michael Penix Jr. I am pumping the brakes on Penix going in the top 20 tomorrow night. Which team is going to make that investment? Many scouts have him graded between picks 20 & 40. By moving back off 23 the Vikings retail the 5th year option and find a strong armed QB who can take advantage of all of MNs weapons in the passing game. Its also a low-risk investment at this point allowing MN to hope for the best but continue to assess their QB situation long-term. 

2(64) via KC: Christian Haynes OG UConn - Instead of going back to the defensive side of the ball the Vikings strengthen the trenches to protect their newest QB. Haynes has been a late riser in the draft process, but performed well at the senior bowl and is a near plug and play guard in a zone based blocking scheme. His movement skills are some of the best in this years class. He immediately competes with Brandel at LG. 

3(82) via IND: Michael Hall Jr. DT Ohio State - Added focus on the trenches. Hall Jr. is still raw and developing as a young DT but has the quick hitting penetration skills to make an impact along the D-line. He can align in multiple fronts and has the traits Flores can continue to develop. The Vikings need to add a difference maker on the inside of the defensive front. 

4(108): Tyrone Tracy RB Purdue - A carryover from my last mock, Tracy brings high-end pass catching skills as a prior WR to the backfield and is extremely explosive. He won't need to carry the ball much in 2024 but has starting potential in the future and can contribute on STs immediately. 

4(117) via IND: Trevin Wallace LB Kentucky - I doubt the Vikings will draft a LB high, but they do need added depth behind Cashmann & Pace. Wallace has immense physical abilities but hasn't put it all together on the field quite yet. Wallace enters the fold as an immediate STs contributor with the potential to develop into more. 

5(167): Beaux Limmer C Arkansas - Austin Schlottman is out, Dan Feeney is in and Garrett Bradbury hasn't developed into the level of prospect the Vikings had hoped. Limmer may only be long-term depth but he has SEC snaps under his belt and should have a strong chance of making the 53 man roster which is an important designation in a thin draft class. 

6(177): Grayson Murphy EDGE UCLA - Who loves athletically gifted by undersized pass rushers more than Brian Flores? Possible nobody. Murphy and his draft eligible brother do not possess the measurables you love on the EDGE but they produce and if schemed up have the explosive athleticism to make an impact. 

7(230) AJ Barner TE Michigan - The Vikings made a heavy investment in Josh Oliver last year in free agency. Overall, that move has paid dividends. But bringing in another strong blocking TE may open up new opportunities to pound the rock. Barner is a blocker first and receiver second and was arguably a key cog in Michigan's championship rushing attack. Whether he makes the roster or develops on the practice squad he brings another dimension to the TE room and allows MN to think beyond Josh Oliver in the future. 

7(232) via HOU: Will Reichard K Alabama - The Viking will bring in competition at kicker so would be more surprised if they didn't use a draft pick on the position. Reichard has proven to hit kicks on the biggest stage. Although he doesn't boast the biggest leg, his range is solid for the NFL and he would have a decent chance of opening the season as starting kicker.

[Tyr]

I am not sure what to think of this scenario. There is no guarantee that the Vikings will be able to trade up and I have concerns about moving a future 1st round pick, but at the same time, I would be disappointed if they can't trade up for Maye or McCarthy. Taking a CB first would be painful, I understand it's a need and all of the picks they've burned on corners are a sunk cost, but it's just hard for me to be excited about corners at this point. As for Penix, I love his deep ball, but he's had the worst luck with injuries and I worry whether he'll be good enough in the short to mid range passing game to really thrive in O'Connell's offense.

I like trying to bolster the interior line and adding a developmental DT. I think DT is one of the positions that has suffered because of all of the picks used on corners, so getting some young talent there would be nice. The later picks all look fine, I would prefer to sneak some WR depth in there but they could live with Powell and Nailor as the 3rd and 4th receivers if they had to.

[savannahskol]

Like it!

Especially the trades and picks 1 & 2!

But Picks 3 & 4, you go IOL & then DT.
I would go those same two positions, but go DT then IOL.

@ pick 64, Jeremiah’s board has 3 DT’s graded at 62 (Clemson’s Orhorhoro) 63 (LSU’s Masson Smith) & @ 65 (Oregon’s Dorlus). I’d take Orhorhoro!

@ pick 82, Jeremiah’s board has your guy Haynes listed at grade 77. Grab him there!
If gone, k- states Beebe is there, or my pick would be the local SDSU kid McCormick.

The rest looks great, well done!

I’d be elated with that draft, as I prefer Penix, over the rest.

Hope I see some unbelievable rainbows from Penix to JJ & Addison next yr.

[MaroonBells]

I hate that we're not able to trade up for Maye or McCarthy, but I love that we were still able to land Penix AND a got a 2nd and a 3rd for our trouble. Quin Mitchell is my favorite corner, but I would've taken a DT there. I think a guy like Byron Murphy helps our team a little more than a corner. But that's one helluva corner IMO.

[purplefaithful]

Thx for time and thought Geoff....I like the trench building and we always need corners.

The rest of this is my venting:

If this goes down like that with the QB? They better have riot police at the draft party tomorrow night

As a fan I would be disappointed in not landing JJ. At least at 5-8. 

I have no pretense of trading to 3 for Maye.

I think the trade-back hoping to get a QB end of rd 1 is incredibly risky.

They let Cousins go, they bring in Darnold who has utterly flopped over 66 games, is a turnover machine instead of (at least) a Minschew or Hooker???  

If they dont land a QB this draft? AFter letting Cousins walk when they had 2 seasons to get it done? Its borderline criminal.

[RS_Express]

I doubt5 Penix lasts to 32. Too many teams need or might want QB's. Besides the usual suspects at 1,2,3,6,11,12,and 13 who need QB's, there's also Seattle at 16 who can move off Geno after this year.

I would absolutely love your first 4 picks if that scenario happened, but Tracy at 108 is overdrafting him.

Also, at 232 instead of the Bama K, I'd take Iowa P Tory Taylor. Dude is a literal weapon to flip field position. Last year vs. Wisconsin he punted 10 times for 506 yards. And he can do the old coffin corner kick as well. Now imagine him in a dome.

[NFL Draft Guru]

I hate that we're not able to trade up for Maye or McCarthy, but I love that we were still able to land Penix AND a got a 2nd and a 3rd for our trouble. Quin Mitchell is my favorite corner, but I would've taken a DT there. I think a guy like Byron Murphy helps our team a little more than a corner. But that's one helluva corner IMO.

I went back and forth about 10 times between Mitchell & Murphy. So if it went the other way I’d totally agree. Ironically at both CB and DT you kind of have 2 guys (Mitchell/Arnold & Murphy/Newton) at the top then a drop-off. So think it’s either CB or DT.

---

Thx for time and thought Geoff....I like the trench building and we always need corners.

The rest of this is my venting:

If this goes down like that with the QB? They better have riot police at the draft party tomorrow night

As a fan I would be disappointed in not landing JJ. At least at 5-8. 

I have no pretense of trading to 3 for Maye.

I think the trade-back hoping to get a QB end of rd 1 is incredibly risky.

They let Cousins go, they bring in Darnold who has utterly flopped over 66 games, is a turnover machine instead of (at least) a Minschew or Hooker???  

If they dont land a QB this draft? AFter letting Cousins walk when they had 2 seasons to get it done? Its borderline criminal.

There is a scenario where JJM makes it to 11. I just wasn’t bold enough to do it. But I don’t think your venting is unwarranted. I have a higher opinion of Darnold if he has the right supporting cast, but that isn’t to suggest he’s carrying them to that playoffs. Based on the argument you layout we’ll see if they cave tomorrow and give NE a blank check.

[smleh]

Kwesi should be fired by Sunday if this occurs. You let Cousins walk for Darnold and a qb with 2 torn ACL’s.

And if you need a qb next year you have no second round pick to trade.

This was awful Geoff.

[VikingOracle]

I do think Penix will drop somewhat. Penix's letter to the GMs indicate that he is worried that he is dropping. You don't draft such a letter unless the tea leaves point towards a drop.

[Kentis]

I guess we better tune in Friday after all…!