Three Mocks Where The Vikings Stay at 14
K. Joudry
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The Vikings mock drafts are quickly coming to an end. For some people, that’s good news. Others may be inclined to mourn this inevitable reality. Regardless, mock drafts will reign supreme for at least a couple more days until fading into obscurity. Our final installment of this mock draft series follows the trade down mocks, the trade up mocks, and the full Round 1 mock. In this mock, we complete three drafts and see what the Vikings could do if they stay put. Once again, we offer our thanks to PFF for their nifty mock draft simulator.
Draft #1: C, LB, OT
In the first draft, Mac Jones fell. I therefore had four trade offers, so I needed to resist every Rick-Spielman-esque impulse and refuse to trade down. Instead, I opted for a Round 1 corner – Jaycee Horn – a decision that is sure to enrage any number of fans. Look, I don’t think taking a corner in RD1 makes a ton of sense, but Zim loves the secondary. Horn is long, physical, and commits too many penalties. In other words, he’s the perfect Zimmer corner.
In the third, I continued to prioritize the defense. Jamin Davis fell, and we’ve already addressed how linebacker is going to be thin sooner rather than later. Davis at 78 makes sense. At 90, I took the super athletic Brady Christensen to try and offer at least some support to the offensive line. He’s a really intriguing prospect, one who fans should remember once the third round arrives.
Draft #2: iOL, iOL, S
Draft #2 put me in a similar scenario. Jones fell, so there were plenty of trade offers. Instead of making a move, I snagged Alijah Vera-Tucker, a decision that will surely draw applause from the purple fans. He is the Day 1 starter at LG.
Feeling guilty for my first draft where I did a defensive double dip, I tried to redeem myself by picking another offensive lineman: Illinois iOL Kendrick Green. In PFF‘s estimation, Green is a player who will have more success in a zone scheme. I’m all about bringing in a ton of competition among players who fit the Vikings well. At 90, I addressed safety, the thinnest position on the roster. Jamar Johnson offers plenty to be excited about: “He’s got a proven nose for the football and, at 6-foot-1 and 197 pounds, he has the kind of physicality that you’re looking for in a D-gap presence in the nickel as well. Johnson has generated strong ball production and made the most of his opportunities to generate turnovers for the Hoosiers’ defense; he accounted for six interceptions over his final 21 games with the program between 2019 and 2020.”
Draft #3: OL, QB, DE
Dreams do come true (insert KG “Anything is Possible” gif). Rashawn Slater miraculously falls to 14th in the third mock, and I’m pleased to say that he is now an employee of the Minnesota Vikings. PFF gave me an A+ for this selection, and I’d have a difficult time disagreeing.
At 78, I solidified the backup quarterback position by snagging Kellen Mond. We’ve tried to connect the dots a few times on some potential backup QBs, and Mond is someone who makes sense. The 90th pick ended up being spent on Osa Odighizuwa. He offers some flexibility along the defensive line because of his size. The Vikings love d-linemen who can move up and down the line.
Conclusion
There you have it, folks. Our final Vikings mock features three drafts where Spielman & Friends decide to stay put at 14. After completing these scenarios, I still think that trading down is Minnesota’s best option. There are great players in the second round, and it’s painful waiting between the 14th and 78th pick; so many great prospects get scooped up. That said, if Slater falls, the Vikings would be wise to pick him.
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