Minnesota, we have a problem. Like, a lot of problems. The Vikings roster has needs at nearly every position group and it is hard to fill all the holes with just one draft, even if Minnesota does have twelve draft picks. This is a team who could very well go from upsetting the Saints in the playoffs last year to not even sniffing the postseason in 2020. I'll use the Mock Draft Simulator from TheDraftNetwork.com to try my best to keep this team prominent going into next season.
The Vikings do have the benefit of owning additional picks, including a second first-round pick, from the Stefon Diggs trade with Buffalo, however, that leaves the cupboard pretty bare behind top target WR Adam Thielen. Bisi Johnson and Tajae Sharpe are probably the two next best receivers on the roster but that is not saying a whole lot. The offensive line is also pretty problematic after the team cut OG Josh Kline after a contract renegotiation could not be agreed upon. LT Riley Reiff has been a sub-par starter for some time now and there is talk of moving him inside to replace Kline but that would leave a pretty large hole at tackle. Adding a potential starter along the offensive line, whether it be a guard or tackle, and adding more receiving talent should be priorities for the Vikings.
It is crazy to think that a team that has spent so many first-round picks on cornerbacks probably has the worst corner group in the NFL as we stand here today. Xavier Rhodes has turned back into a pumpkin and was cut from the roster. Both Trae Waynes and Mackenzie Alexander moved on in free agency to the Cincinnati Bengals of all teams. Mike Hughes is the only former first rounder left and his career has been incredibly inconsistent. Holton Hill and Kris Boyd are interesting options to step into bigger roles but I just don't know if either can be trusted as full-time starters. Along the defensive line, Minnesota did add NT Michael Pierce to replace the departed Linval Joseph, but I would still be looking to upgrade on Shamar Stephen at the defensive tackle spot next to him. Also, DE Everson Griffin is still languishing in free agency as of this article being written. The Vikings should add a young EDGE to the roster anyway but if Griffin departs, it opens up a massive hole in the starting lineup that I am not sure Minnesota can fill with a rookie. And speaking of rookies, here are the ones I assigned to the Vikings:
Round 1, Pick 22: Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
NEW MAN ON THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS! Tired of that joke yet? You will be. Reagor gives Minnesota a dynamic receiving threat to replace Stefon Diggs, one that has all the speed in the world to stretch defenses vertically. He's a twitchy and explosive athlete who can make people miss in the open field. Reagor can also stop on a dime and find the soft spots in zones, catch the ball and explode upfield again. He does lose concentration and drop balls on occasion but nothing too egregious. My favorite part of his game is how smart of a route runner he is. He does a great job selling opposing corners on one route and then running another. Here is a good example of it against Oklahoma State, where he is lined up at the top of the screen:
Reagor does a great job selling a route to the inside before cutting back to the outside hip of the corner, catching him out of position. Then he gets vertical, locates the under-thrown ball (TCU's QB is super bad), and skies up for an incredible contested catch. Jalen Reagor will be a problem for opposing defenses and his vertical chops can create space on underneath throws to Adam Thielen, making him the perfect Diggs replacement.
Round 1, Pick 25: Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn
Noah Igbinoghene (great name AND I spelled it right the first time) is one of the more underrated corners in this draft. Despite only playing corner for two seasons, he looks very comfortable at the position and it opens up the possibility that he will be an even better pro player than he was in college. Igbinoghene is a natural athlete who has no problem sticking with athletic receivers. I love how he uses his hands to disrupt and reroute receivers and while that could get him in trouble with penalties from time to time, I can appreciate his physical style of play. His tackling could use some work as he fails to wrap up the ball carrier but he shows a willingness and an ability to explode downhill to make a hit on runners. Man coverage is really where he excels right now and while his zone coverage will need work in the NFL, I see some really encouraging signs that he will get even better with time. Check out this play against Florida:
It is a Cover-3 look meaning Igbinoghene is responsible for a deep third on his side of the field. I believe the free safety is responsible for this near-breakdown in coverage as he is responsible for any threat working up the seams like Florida WR Freddy Swain is doing here. Igbinoghene keeps his eyes on the quarterback, recognizes the open man and flashes his speed and recognition skills to work his way over and break up the pass. This is a guy who should compete immediately for a starting job in the NFL.
Round 2, Pick 58: Jonathan Greenard, EDGE, Florida
Whether Everson Griffin comes back or not, the Vikings need to invest in the future of the position. DE Danielle Hunter is one of the best EDGE pass rushers in the league and finding him a long-term running mate should be a priority. Greenard is absolutely a starting-caliber pass rusher at the next level. While his lack of athleticism will most likely prevent him from ever being a consistent double-digit sack threat, Greenard showcases length and strong hands that will allow him to bring pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Pull-rip and Swat moves seem to be his bread and butter, allowing him to dip his shoulder on either the inside or outside shoulder of the offensive tackle he is working against. He will even try a spin move occasionally, although that one is a little hit-or-miss. Here is Greenard on a rush against Miami:
Greenard's hand usage is excellent, not allowing the tackle to get his hands into his chest after a nice burst off the snap. He then dips under the outside shoulder of the tackle, using leverage to get upfield and get pressure on the quarterback. Greenard was used as a stand-up rusher at times but he struggled with pad level in those instances, which hurt his ability to gain leverage on these types of rip moves. That makes him a much better fit to rush from a three or four-point stance, much like he would in Minnesota's 4-3 defense.
Round 3, Pick 89: Netane Muti, OG, Fresno State
While I like the idea of moving Riley Reiff to guard and finding a potential replacement at left tackle, I thought the guards left on the board at this point were far and away better than the remaining tackle prospects. Muti is a tough guard to peg as far as where he will go in the draft due to two Achilles injuries and a Lisfranc injury all suffered in the last four years. So while this pick is incredibly risky, I could not help but pick Muti here because he is just too talented when he is on the field to fall too far in this draft. He is an excellent zone-blocker who I felt was the best guy available to step into a starting role from Day One as long as he stays healthy.
Round 3, Pick 105: Harrison Hand, CB, Temple
Hand gives the Vikings a good developmental corner to add into the mix. I am not sure he will push for a starting role right away, however, Minnesota should be looking to add as many warm bodies at cornerback as possible.
Round 4, Pick 132: McTelvin Agim, DT, Arkansas
One of my favorite sleepers in the draft, Agim has starting potential as a 3-tech in the NFL. He could provide an immediate impact as a situational pass rusher along the interior to replace Shamar Stephen in obvious passing situations.
Round 5, Pick 155: Geno Stone, S, Iowa
Stone will probably never be a starter at the NFL level, but with the Vikings losing S Jayron Kearse in free agency, they would be wise to add a depth piece like Stone on the back end.
Round 6, Pick 201: Omar Bayless, WR, Arkansas State
Bayless is a big target that will provide more depth at wide receiver for Minnesota.
Round 6, Pick 205: Darryl Williams, OG, Mississippi State
Williams is a nice depth piece that will be targeted by offensive line needy teams. Williams has the versatility to play all three interior line positions and maybe even tackle in a pinch.
Round 7, Pick 219: James Smith-Williams, EDGE, NC State
Having more than three picks in the last two rounds should be illegal. Here is more pass rush depth up front for Minnesota.
Round 7, Pick 249: Joe Reed, WR, Virginia
Reed is a versatile weapon that can make plays as a receiver, runner and return man. He should make an immediate impact as a special-teamer.
Round 7, Pick 253: Tyre Phillips, OG, Mississippi State
Phillips is a massive guard prospect that is worth trying to develop just purely based off of his size alone.
The Vikings have many bites at the apple in this draft with so many picks and they frankly need it considering the amount of needs that they have. Often times, the teams that get the fewest contributions from their rookies are the ones that go the furthest in the postseason. For Minnesota, they have to hope that they are the exception to the norm here because a lot of these rookies I gave them will have to step into big roles immediately just purely because there is little to no competition for them. The Vikings are a team that need to hit it out of the park with their draft because if they do not, they will be set up for a disappointing season for sure.
By: Daniel Hower
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