The Minnesota Vikings have a lot of pressing needs on their roster as they head into free agency and the NFL Draft. They’ll get their first opportunity to dive deeper into that process when the NFL Combine kicks off. The event is slated to start on February 28th, and it’s a chance for teams across the league to come and get to know the prospects who are expected to be drafted in April.
On Friday, Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire put together an article ranking the top 50 prospects who are going to participate at the event next week. Let’s see how those players fall in conjunction with our managing editor Tyler Forness’ piece, where he ranked the Vikings’ biggest needs by position.
1. Wide Receivers
There is a lot of conversation about whether the Vikings should prioritize taking a wide receiver early in the draft. It’s a great group of receivers again this season, and the Vikings could really set themselves up for the future if they are able to snag one of the guys listed below.
12. Quentin Johnston-TCU
15. Jaxon Smith-Njigba-Ohio State
18. Jordan Addison-USC
26. Jalen Hyatt-Tennessee
32. Zay Flowers-Boston College
47. Josh Downs-UNC
2. Cornerback
Cornerback is another group that the Vikings need to prioritize this offseason, and they could look to the NFL Draft. They only have three cornerbacks currently under contract for the upcoming season, and with a loaded cornerback class, it’d be a failure if they didn’t come away with one.
5. Devon Witherspoon-Illinois
9. Christian Gonzalez-Oregon
11. Joey Porter Jr.-Penn State
23. Cam Smith-South Carolina
27. Emmanuel Forbes-Mississippi State
35. Deonte Banks-Maryland
36. Kelee Ringo-Georgia
3. Edge Rusher
This is a question that could surprise Vikings fans, as it’s not an immediate need per se. If the Vikings believe that building for the future after Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith is the way to go, they could target one of the edge rushers listed below.
4. Will Anderson-Alabama
8. Myles Murphy-Clemson
10. Tyree Wilson-Texas Tech
14. Keion White-Georgia Tech
31. Nolan Smith-Georgia
33. Lukas Van Ness-Iowa
38. Derick Hall-Auburn
40. Will McDonald-Iowa State
44. Felix Anudike-Uzomah-Kansas State
48. Tuli Tuipulotu-USC
4. Running Backs
With the future of Dalvin Cook in doubt here in Minnesota and Alexander Mattison likely to leave in free agency, it gives the Vikings only two options at running back. Kene Nwangwu and Ty Chandler They could try to find a guy who could step in and be a three-down back for them, or at the very least, bring in extra competition.
6. Bijan Robinson-Texas
30. Jahmyr Gibbs-Alabama
43. Zach Charbonnet-UCLA
50. Tyjae Spears-Tulane
5. Interior offensive line
The Vikings have Ezra Cleveland and Ed Ingram both slated to play guard again next season, so the likelihood they take one early is slim to none. That doesn’t mean a center won’t be a need though. While no center cracked Doug Farrar’s top 50, the Vikings could still look to use a pick on one at some point in the draft.
34. O’Cyrus Torrence-Florida
6. Linebackers
20. Trenton Simpson-Clemson
7. Quarterbacks
This is the wild card spot, and it is one that most fans will be looking for. There is not an immediate need for a quarterback, but that doesn’t mean the Vikings won’t look to add one. Kirk Cousins is getting older, and it’s good to have succession plans. Is this the year the Vikings pull a Kansas City Chiefs and trade up for the next Mahomes? Or maybe they snag a guy like Hendon Hooker later in the draft. Either way, this door is very much open.
2. Bryce Young-Alabama
3. C.J. Stroud-Ohio State
25. Anthony Richardson-Florida
28. Will Levis-Kentucky
49. Hendon Hooker-Tennessee
8. Tight Ends
I have a hard time seeing the Vikings go tight end early when they just traded for T.J. Hockenson last season. While many of the players listed below will be names to watch early in the draft, the Vikings may target some later-round tight ends to help bolster their depth at this position.
16. Michael Mayer-Notre Dame
22. Dalton Kincaid-Utah
37. Darnell Washington,-Georgia
39. Luke Musgrave-Oregon State
9. Safety
Safety seems like an unlikely position the Vikings would target, while Cam Bynum played decently last year, Harrison Smith is getting older, and Lewis Cine is an unknown. If the Vikings think one of these prospects is a can’t-miss player, they could pull the trigger.
24. Brian Branch-Alabama
29. Antonio Johnson-Texas A&M
10. Defensive Line
There are numerous unknowns regarding how the Vikings will handle this situation. Brian Flores’ defense needs some interior pass rush from their defensive line, and there are some guys in this draft who could help fill that void. While they aren’t likely to get the top guys unless they free fall in the draft, they could look to target day two or early day three players with potential.
1. Jalen Carter-Georgia
19. Bryan Bersee-Clemson
44. Siaki Ika-Baylor
45. Keeanu Benton-Wisconsin
46. Calijah Kancey-Pittsburgh
11. Offensive Tackle
I feel confident in saying the Vikings won’t be drafting a tackle anytime soon. The Vikings are set for the next half-decade or more with Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neil at tackle, and they can feel confident passing on any prospect that falls to them.
7. Paris Johnson-Ohio State
13. Peter Skoronski-Northwestern
17. Broderick Jones-Georgia
21. Anton Harrison-Oklahoma
42. Darnell Wright-Tennessee
