The Vikings hold pick no. 14 in this year’s NFL draft, after last years 7-9 season. Here are a few things that the Minnesota Vikings could do with that pick, from prospects to potential trades.
Prospect 1-OG Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC
Let’s face it, the Vikings biggest need heading into this years draft is offensive line. The only things the Vikings have done are re-sign well below average G Dakota Dozier, and trade for another well below average G/C in Mason Cole from the Cardinals. Alot of the reason is because QB Kirk Cousins did not accept a pay-cut to give him protection. However, in my opinion AVT will 90% be here at 14, and maybe even lower for a trade-down spot (stay tuned.) Vera-Tucker is obviously a run blocking type of guard, and will be a day 1 starting guard for us, and if the big 3 tackles in Sewell, Darrisaw, and Slater are gone, AVT is the guy for the Vikings to pull the trigger on.
Prospect 2-DE Kwity Paye, Michigan
The Vikings leading sack leader last year had 6 sacks, and got traded midway threw the year. Yea, Yannick Nguake lead the Vikings in sacks last year. Other then him, DE Ifeadi Odenigbo was the sack leader, with only 3 sacks, and he signed with the Giants this offseason. Part of the reason the D-line play was poor was because DE Danielle Hunter was out all year with a neck injury, and Michael Pierce had opted-out. The Vikings did sign DT Dalvin Tomlinson this offseason. Pair up Paye on the other side of Hunter, and with Tomlinson and Pierce at DT, recipe for success for Mike Zimmer’s D.
Prospect 3-DE Jaelan Phillips, Miami
Many experts have Miami DE Jaelan Phillips as there no. 1 EDGE, and some, including Chris Collinsworth have his as there no. 1 defensive player in the draft. The Vikings would pull the trigger on Phillips for the same reason they would with Kwity Paye. Phillips is a little smaller and faster then Paye is, and Paye is built bigger and like a DT more then Phillips is. Now, if Zimmer does go EDGE at 14, the question is, Paye or Phillips? Or even a dark horse end they could trade down for, like Azzez Ojulari.
Final Prospects the Vikings should trade down for, or pull the trigger on if they fall
If they fall: QB-Trey Lance, OT Penei Sewell, OT Christan Darrisaw, OT Rashawn Slater, WR DeVonta Smith, TE Kyle Pitts, QB Justin Fields, LB Micah Parsons, WR Jaylen Waddle.
Trade down: LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, OG Wyatt Davis, OT Teven Jenkins, WR Rashod Bateman, S Trevon Moehrig, OG Alijah Vera-Tucker, DE Kwity Paye
Responses
Personally I think the only choice in R1 is OL. As you said, no Hunter or Pierce last season which was a big reason for the lack of pass rush, will both be back along with Dalvin Tomlinson being brought in, I just see 0 reason for DL to be selected.
If Sewell or Slater fell to 14 no question that’s the pick, but AVT would be a great value pick, especially for a team that has a workhorse back in Dalvin Cook. Look out for the Vikings to potentially compete for the division if they do everything right.
This team always looks like they have potential, but are never elite.
thats litteraly every minnesota team lol
They’ve made some good moves this offseason, they could be very good this upcoming season.