2023 Draft Prospects for Vikings Fans to Keep an Eye on at the Combine
It’s NFL scouting combine week, and all eyes will be on the 300+ prospects that will take part in the event. This is a particularly interesting draft for the Minnesota Vikings too, so here are a few of the 2023 Draft prospects for Vikings fans to keep an eye on throughout the next few days.
CB Deonte Banks
Maryland CB Deonte Banks has steadily become a popular choice for the Vikings in the 2023 NFL Draft, and for good reason. He fits well into a Brian Flores defense that relies on physical cornerbacks to win in press coverage. He also showcases great speed throughout his tape. If he tests well, there should be an increased desire to put him in purple next season.
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Jaxon Smith-Njigba has two concerns about his game at this point in time: his athleticism and ability to play outside of the slot. The Ohio State wide receiver can’t do much about his versatility until he gets onto an NFL field, but the combine should be a great opportunity to show NFL scouts that he has the speed and explosiveness that warrants a top WR spot in this class.
LB Drew Sanders
The Vikings are in need of improved depth at the linebacker position. We’ve talked about the possibility of either Jordan Hicks or Eric Kendricks being cap casualties this offseason, and behind them, it’s either Brian Asamoah or Troy Dye as replacements. Especially in the second day of the draft, Drew Sanders could be an option for Minnesota.
RB Tank Bigsby
Once again, we’re looking to add depth to the Vikings roster here. With Alexander Mattison hitting free agency, and Dalvin Cook unwilling to take a pay cut, their futures in Minnesota are uncertain at this point in time. In a deep RB class, Tank Bigsby has ideal size in the backfield, and if he impresses at the combine, there’s a chance that he garners interest from the Vikings.
DL Calijah Kancey
The Vikings relied on their depth across the defensive line more often than they probably would have liked. All three of Jonathan Bullard, James Lynch, and Dalvin Tomlinson went through injuries that knocked them out of multiple games. Calijah Kancey is a mid-round prospect that Minnesota could have their eye on in April.
CB Julius Brents
Julius Brents is a physical freak at CB, standing at over 6’3 and with a wingspan of nearly 7 feet, as measured at the Senior Bowl. If he also runs 4.4 40-yard dash (as some are predicting), then he could start flying up draft boards in the weeks prior to the draft.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.