04-06-2021, 09:33 PM
About 3 weeks until D-day which probably means its about time to see how the Vikings could approach their remaining needs post Free Agency *cough* *cough* no that isn't COVID, just the O-line. With that said I will try to complete a mock each of the next few weeks leading up to the draft. As always this isn't necessarily how the Vikings will approach the draft but it will lay out one of the many ways they could practically fill their needs by the end of the month.
1(14) - TRADE: The Vikings elect to trade back with the NYJ who move up to grab a top end CB ahead of the Patriots and Cardinals. The Vikings move back to pick 1(23) and pick up 3(66) and 4(104) to do so.
1(18) via MIA - Christian Darrisaw / OT - Virginia Tech: After moving back the Vikings elect to move up to jump a few O-line hungry teams. The Vikings trade 1(23) via the Jets and 3(90) to do so. The Vikings elect to go with a big OT in Darrisaw who fits their stretch zone offense extremely well. Although Darrisaw lacks the elite physical traits he is an efficient mover that consistently hits his spots. He also is a pro-ready pass blocker on day one. In the NFL he will need to develop a better knack for finishing his assignments but no collegiate lineman enters the league without flaws. Darrisaw and O'Neil compete for the two OT spots but both project as day one starters.
2(56) via SEA - Joe Tyron / DE - Washington: By trading back in the 1st round the Vikings nabbed a high enough 3rd round selection to move into the 2nd for a pass rusher. Seattle lacks draft picks and happily moves back from 2(56) and adds 7(250) for the Vikings 3(66), 4(119), and 5(157) selections. In Tyron the Vikings are getting a day one pass rush threat who can either line up on the LOS or on-top of it. He needs some coaching but his high-end athleticism projects very favorably. He likely rotates in to begin the season but possesses the upside to replace Stephen Weatherly opposite of Danielle Hunter by mid-season.
3(78) - Kyle Task / QB - Florida: Finally the Vikings stick in one of their original draft slots and surprise by taking a quarterback. If you connect the dots on the QBs in this year's class the Vikings have been doing plenty of work. More realistically they are targeting a backup/development QB in the mid-rounds. Although he has his flaws, Trask does a lot of what the Vikings do on offense well. He throws with great anticipation, plays within the offense, and lets his weapons do the talking. Although its debatable if Trask will become an NFL starter he serves as a high-end backup compared to Sean Mannion and buys the Vikings some major insurance.
4(104) via NYJ - Andre Cisco / S - Syracuse: The signing of Xavier Woods pushes safety down the list of needs for this season. Although the Vikings may keep Woods around in subsequent seasons they need to continue adding depth on the back-end of their secondary. Cisco likely would have gotten drafted in the late 2nd round if it were not for tearing his ACL this past season. Although he may not be ready for training camp or week 1, he should return this season to begin his development. With proper recovery he fits the mold of a ball-hawking FS.
4(125) - Kendrick Green / OG - Illinois: The Vikings could easily double up on the O-line earlier depending on the board. But in the mid-4th Green is a swing at hitting on a lottery ticket. After beginning his career on the defensive side of the ball, Green transitioned to the interior O-line. Playing both center and guard Green's athleticism and ability to play with leverage shined. Although there is plenty of technical refinement needed he has all the tools in his toolbox to be successful. Green can compete in camp but could be an eventual starter at guard or center.
4(134) - Jalen Twyman / DT - Pittsburgh: The 4th round marathon continues in the trenches with the selection of Twyman. In free agency the Vikings bolstered the D-line with Dalvin Tomlinson but still lack gap-shooters who can quickly pressure the QB. Twyman is exactly that, he just isn't very well-rounded and can get washed out in the run game. Twyman does not profile to be a 3-down NFL interior D-lineman but could have a long career in a Tom Johnson like pass rushing role. The Vikings offer the type of unique role he could find early success in.
4(143) - Benjamin St-Juste / CB - Minnesota: As much as the Vikings have improved the secondary they still lack long-term developmental pieces. Patrick Peterson is on a one year deal, Mike Hughes is in the final year of his contract, and Jeff Gladney... well isn't likely playing in week 1. St-Juste isn't likely going to start in week 1 but has the length and tools to develop into a #2 outside CB in the NFL if given the time. Having the luxury to be coached up will serve St-Juste well as he could be a valuable piece in the future. Good depth for now.
5(168) - Dazz Newsome / WR - North Carolina: Similar to guard in the 4th round, the Vikings could easily draft a WR as early as round 3 to improve their depth in the slot. In this mock the value doesn't make sense until the 5th where they can add Newsome to compete with Chad Beebe. Outside of being a slot receiver Newsome also is a lethal returns specialist which was sorely missing on the roster last season.
6(199) - Shaun Beyer / TE - Iowa: I get the feeling this might be one of those "it just makes sense" picks that is hard to top in future mocks. After moving on from Kyle Rudolph the Vikings have room to add depth a TE, especially with Tyler Conklin playing on the final year of his rookie deal. Beyer has a lot of the physical traits you look for as a pass catcher and natural ball skills. The Iowa offense had its own struggles in the passing game that hid what Beyer may be able to become in the NFL. A solid #3 TE for now who could eventually develop into a #2 who can play in-line.
7(250) via SEA - Isaiah McDuffie / LB - Boston College: To wrap up the draft the Vikings get to select in their favorite frame, the 7th. McDuffie is a player who faded during the 2020 NCAA season but was a likely mid-round pick as early as last fall. Featuring the size and coverage skills you look for in a LB, there is some untapped potential here. Although we likely aren't looking at a starting LB the Vikings could add depth and have gravitated towards players who can stick on the roster by playing STs. This is another attempt at that.
1(14) - TRADE: The Vikings elect to trade back with the NYJ who move up to grab a top end CB ahead of the Patriots and Cardinals. The Vikings move back to pick 1(23) and pick up 3(66) and 4(104) to do so.
1(18) via MIA - Christian Darrisaw / OT - Virginia Tech: After moving back the Vikings elect to move up to jump a few O-line hungry teams. The Vikings trade 1(23) via the Jets and 3(90) to do so. The Vikings elect to go with a big OT in Darrisaw who fits their stretch zone offense extremely well. Although Darrisaw lacks the elite physical traits he is an efficient mover that consistently hits his spots. He also is a pro-ready pass blocker on day one. In the NFL he will need to develop a better knack for finishing his assignments but no collegiate lineman enters the league without flaws. Darrisaw and O'Neil compete for the two OT spots but both project as day one starters.
2(56) via SEA - Joe Tyron / DE - Washington: By trading back in the 1st round the Vikings nabbed a high enough 3rd round selection to move into the 2nd for a pass rusher. Seattle lacks draft picks and happily moves back from 2(56) and adds 7(250) for the Vikings 3(66), 4(119), and 5(157) selections. In Tyron the Vikings are getting a day one pass rush threat who can either line up on the LOS or on-top of it. He needs some coaching but his high-end athleticism projects very favorably. He likely rotates in to begin the season but possesses the upside to replace Stephen Weatherly opposite of Danielle Hunter by mid-season.
3(78) - Kyle Task / QB - Florida: Finally the Vikings stick in one of their original draft slots and surprise by taking a quarterback. If you connect the dots on the QBs in this year's class the Vikings have been doing plenty of work. More realistically they are targeting a backup/development QB in the mid-rounds. Although he has his flaws, Trask does a lot of what the Vikings do on offense well. He throws with great anticipation, plays within the offense, and lets his weapons do the talking. Although its debatable if Trask will become an NFL starter he serves as a high-end backup compared to Sean Mannion and buys the Vikings some major insurance.
4(104) via NYJ - Andre Cisco / S - Syracuse: The signing of Xavier Woods pushes safety down the list of needs for this season. Although the Vikings may keep Woods around in subsequent seasons they need to continue adding depth on the back-end of their secondary. Cisco likely would have gotten drafted in the late 2nd round if it were not for tearing his ACL this past season. Although he may not be ready for training camp or week 1, he should return this season to begin his development. With proper recovery he fits the mold of a ball-hawking FS.
4(125) - Kendrick Green / OG - Illinois: The Vikings could easily double up on the O-line earlier depending on the board. But in the mid-4th Green is a swing at hitting on a lottery ticket. After beginning his career on the defensive side of the ball, Green transitioned to the interior O-line. Playing both center and guard Green's athleticism and ability to play with leverage shined. Although there is plenty of technical refinement needed he has all the tools in his toolbox to be successful. Green can compete in camp but could be an eventual starter at guard or center.
4(134) - Jalen Twyman / DT - Pittsburgh: The 4th round marathon continues in the trenches with the selection of Twyman. In free agency the Vikings bolstered the D-line with Dalvin Tomlinson but still lack gap-shooters who can quickly pressure the QB. Twyman is exactly that, he just isn't very well-rounded and can get washed out in the run game. Twyman does not profile to be a 3-down NFL interior D-lineman but could have a long career in a Tom Johnson like pass rushing role. The Vikings offer the type of unique role he could find early success in.
4(143) - Benjamin St-Juste / CB - Minnesota: As much as the Vikings have improved the secondary they still lack long-term developmental pieces. Patrick Peterson is on a one year deal, Mike Hughes is in the final year of his contract, and Jeff Gladney... well isn't likely playing in week 1. St-Juste isn't likely going to start in week 1 but has the length and tools to develop into a #2 outside CB in the NFL if given the time. Having the luxury to be coached up will serve St-Juste well as he could be a valuable piece in the future. Good depth for now.
5(168) - Dazz Newsome / WR - North Carolina: Similar to guard in the 4th round, the Vikings could easily draft a WR as early as round 3 to improve their depth in the slot. In this mock the value doesn't make sense until the 5th where they can add Newsome to compete with Chad Beebe. Outside of being a slot receiver Newsome also is a lethal returns specialist which was sorely missing on the roster last season.
6(199) - Shaun Beyer / TE - Iowa: I get the feeling this might be one of those "it just makes sense" picks that is hard to top in future mocks. After moving on from Kyle Rudolph the Vikings have room to add depth a TE, especially with Tyler Conklin playing on the final year of his rookie deal. Beyer has a lot of the physical traits you look for as a pass catcher and natural ball skills. The Iowa offense had its own struggles in the passing game that hid what Beyer may be able to become in the NFL. A solid #3 TE for now who could eventually develop into a #2 who can play in-line.
7(250) via SEA - Isaiah McDuffie / LB - Boston College: To wrap up the draft the Vikings get to select in their favorite frame, the 7th. McDuffie is a player who faded during the 2020 NCAA season but was a likely mid-round pick as early as last fall. Featuring the size and coverage skills you look for in a LB, there is some untapped potential here. Although we likely aren't looking at a starting LB the Vikings could add depth and have gravitated towards players who can stick on the roster by playing STs. This is another attempt at that.
