Vikings 7-Round NFL Mock Draft: Trade down in first round gives Brian Flores multiple weapons on defense
A trade down is likely for the Vikings to add more depth to the roster.
The Minnesota Vikings are going to be a fun team to watch when it comes to the NFL Draft.
They currently select 18th overall in the first round, and the choices they have are plentiful. Across 271 mock drafts, 24 different players have been sent to the Vikings. Nobody really knows what the Vikings will end up doing, especially given their needs.
The other aspect that will be discussed is the possibility of a trade. A trade down to acquire extra draft capital would be smart, especially is that capital is on day two. That’s what we did here in our latest mock draft.
Minnesota Vikings 7-round NFL mock draft
22. Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Vikings trade No. 18 to the Los Angeles Chargers for No. 22 and No. 86
A small trade down could be a huge benefit for the Vikings, as they net a third-round pick to do so, which will give them more depth, which they need after previously failed draft classes.
Terrell is my top cornerback in this class. He may be a little smaller at 5-11 and 190 pounds, but he plays bigger than that. His click-and-close ability, ball skills, and versatility are something that every team can use, especially the Vikings, with only Byron Murphy Jr. being good in the slot. Now, the Vikings will have multiple options, which will allow them to be more versatile.
49. Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
We’ve talked a lot about the potential of adding a wide receiver in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft. In the first round, there are a lot of intriguing players, but it’s not likely they end up investing in WR3 that high. Where they could is at No. 49.
Bernard isn’t going to be the sexiest pick, but he has exactly what head coach Kevin O’Connell likes: a well-rounded, nuanced route runner. He similarly plays the game to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, and having that ability is key to being successful in his offense.
82. Connor Lew, C, Auburn
Finding a center in this draft is a likely priority for the Vikings, but they don’t have to be desperate in their attempt to fill it. Blake Brandel and Michael Jurgens both deserve to compete for the starting job, and their presence will allow them to be selective.
Lew was likely going to be the runaway top center in this class before suffering a torn ACL during the season. He will likely be ready for Week 1, but not having a fully healthy training camp could set him back initially. The Vikings have the flexibility to let him develop, and potentially be the starter going into year two.
86. Kyle Louis, LB, Pitt
Having versatile players on the back end has been a priority for defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Josh Metellus and Murphy are players who fit that mold, and Louis is another one. He is a little bit undersized for a linebacker, but he played overhang a lot, and with how the Vikings like to use dimebackers, Louis fits that mold to a T, and he will be a plus blitzer.
97. Genesis Smith, S, Arizona
When you look at how the Vikings have focused on versatility, the one thing they don’t have is someone who is really good playing centerfield. Smith showed at Arizona he isn’t just comfortable playing there, but he thrives. Having that element will allow Metellus to do what he does best: be a versatile chess piece.
161. Zane Durant, DT, Penn State
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores hasn’t been afraid to take an undersized defensive lineman, and that’s exactly what Durant is. Despite his size, Durant is an explosive player who thrives in shooting gaps and being an explosive playmaker. That is exactly what the Vikings need as a pass rusher. It’s something to build upon for Durant in the NFL, and something that the Vikings need.
195. Eli Heidenreich, RB, Navy
Running back is going to be an interesting position for the Vikings to address this year. They have Aaron Jones for one more year and Jordan Mason for two more. They need to get depth and find a future starter. Heidenreich is a versatile chess piece the Vikings can use on all three downs with 4.44 speed, and can run a more expansive route tree than most running backs. Plus, he has a lot of special teams utility.
234. Cole Payton, QB, NDSU
The one thing about this draft and the quarterbacks is that we don’t know where any of them are going to be selected after Fernando Mendoza at first overall. Payton might be the most interesting of all of them. He is 23 years old and a fifth-year senior with just one year of starting experience. The reason why he started just a single season was the presence of Cam Miller, who started for four seasons, winning two national championships.
Payton is a hyper athlete with a strong arm, but a slightly elongated throwing motion due to being left-handed. He is likely going to be selected on day two, but you never know how the NFL Draft will go. If he’s available on day three, it’s worth a swing for the Vikings.
235. Ahmari Harvey, CB, Clemson
Harvey is a member of the All Forno team, and he is everything I want in a cornerback. While he’s slightly undersized, it’s how he plays that matters the most. He is a physical player with all the dog in the world. Nobody is going to intimidate him, and he will attack any wide receiver who steps up to him. He attacks the football with aggression, and it’s an impressive package.
244. Eric Gentry, LB, USC
Gentry is one of my favorite players in this class. He’s got the oddest of profiles for a linebacker, but that’s why he’s such a draw. Gentry doesn’t have much play strength, with a lot of that stemming from him weighing 228 pounds at 6-6 5/8 with 35.5″ arms. He also runs a 4.54 40-yard dash with versatility to play in the slot, as a box safety, or traditional linebacker. There’s a good chance it doesn’t work out in the NFL due to his unique profile, but it’s worth trying to see if it’ll work in Flores’ scheme as a versatile chess piece. At the very least, he could be a special teams contributor.
