The Minnesota Vikings have a lot of different ways they can go in the NFL draft. There will be some discussion on what needs are most important but the Vikings can address most of them through both free agency and the NFL draft.
Each week throughout the leadup to the NFL draft, I will be doing different seven round mock drafts for the Vikings as a way to explore different scenarios. You never know who might fall to you and how that could cause a ripple effect and being ready for those situations is paramount come draft weekend.
In the second rendition of our seven round mock draft series, what could a draft look like that has the Vikings trading up into the back of the first round to take a quarterback?
11. Florida State EDGE Jared Verse
Edge help is something the Vikings desperately need. Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport and D.J. Wonnum are all free agents after the season and getting help is going to be a priority, especially if they don’t sign someone to a long-term deal in free agency.
Verse is a versatile player that would be a really good fit for what Brian Flores likes to do on defense. Verse’s game is power based and he can take you out with his speed-to-power or with a single punch. Paired (likely) with Danielle Hunter would be a dynamite duo.
32. Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy
The Vikings trade picks 32 and 177 to the San Francisco 49ers for 42, 108 and 129
McCarthy is going to be a fascinating evaluation for many reasons. There could be 13 Michigan Wolverines from the 2023 roster playing on Sunday’s next year and the limited production from McCarthy raises a lot of questions. My read on it is that Jim Harbaugh doesn’t like to focus his quarterback but rather build around the running game and defense.
The trade is rather simple. Pay two fourths to get a fifth and move up 10 spots. Could be an overpay but you make it happen if he’s your guy. This is similar to the Teddy Bridgewater trade from 2014 which is what the basis of this one is.
148. Rutgers CB Max Melton
The cornerback room is going to need to be fortified in some way, shape or form. Is it going to be better to bring in a veteran backup? Maybe a sure-fire starter? How about a first-round pick? All of those are options for the Vikings but they choose to do that in round five. The brother of Bo, Max has a great athletic profile with the patience to thrive at the position.
160. Troy RB Kimani Vidal
The size of Vidal (5’7.5″ and 215 lbs) is going to have some teams concerned but the talent of the player overcomes poor measurables at some point. Vidal carried the Trojans team this year and has power and some explosiveness to his game, along with the ability to use his size in pass blocking.
168. Notre Dame CB Cam Hart
If Hart is there, the Vikings need to jump on it. Hart has the size at nearly 6’3″ and 32 5/8″ arms. He thrived in the Senior Bowl in man coverage, specifically stifling Devontez Walker on the outside. He is a player worth betting on.
177. Missouri LB Ty'Ron Hopper
The linebacker position is potentially becoming more and more important. You see teams with really good second level defenders in the Super Bowl and prioritizing athletes is going to be a priority. Hopper is that and then some. The Florida transfer is a talented player that needs some refining but he moves incredibly well and could make an impact on special teams right away.
179. Western Carolina WR David White Jr.
Wide receivers late in the draft are a really interesting bet. Do you prioritize the athlete or a technician? In a deep class, some guys can slide and go relatively unnoticed. White could fall into that trap because he played at relatively unknown Western Carolina. A height/weight/speed guy, White thrived at the Shrine Bowl practices and is a player worth developing.
230. Oklahoma C Andrew Raym
The depth on the offensive line is one that the Vikings are going to need to address. Raym is a multi-year starter for the Sooners and has ample strength and athletic to thrive at the next level.
