The Minnesota Vikings entered the 2023 NFL Draft with a numerous questions to answer and a handful of holes to fill. The Vikings addressed their most glaring need by selecting WR Jordan Addison out of USC.

Addison immediately fills the void left behind by Adam Thielen, who signed with the Carolina Panthers this offseason. Joining Addison in Minnesota is his college teammate CB Mekhi Blackmon. The Vikes add an excellent cover cornerback who figures to have an immediate impact in Brian Flores' defense.

The Vikings cleaned up on Day 3 with two LSU standouts in Jay Ward and Jaquelin Roy to fill depth needs on defense. BYU QB Jaren Hall and UAB RB DeWayne McBride could usher in a new era of Vikings football if the stars align down the road.

Minnesota Vikings 2023 NFL Draft picks

Round 1, No. 23 overall: Jordan Addison, WR, USC

Jordan Addison joins an elite group of pass catchers in Minnesota. With superstar WR Justin Jefferson lining up alongside him, Addison should have plenty of opportunities in one-on-one coverage with TE T.J. Hockenson and WR K.J. Osborn also demanding attention from opposing defenses.

Round 3, No. 102 overall: Mekhi Blackmon, CB, USC

The Vikings traded back with the San Francisco 49ers to add dynamic cornerback Mekhi Blackmon out of USC, along with two draft picks. He is reunited with his college teammate Jordan Addison, who Blackmon sought out every day in practice with the Trojans. Blackmon is an effective cover cornerback in man and zone who will compete for a starting role in Brian Flores’ defense.

Round 4, No. 134 overall: Jay Ward, S, LSU

While Ward can certainly hold his own in coverage, he is a hard-nosed defensive back who doesn’t shy away from contact. He’s a downhill player who can come up to the line of scrimmage and make a play. Ward is effective as a blitzer as well, which is a calling card in Flores’ secondaries.

Round 5, No. 141 overall: Jaquelin Roy, DT, LSU

The Vikings ranked 20^th in run defense last season, but Roy (6’5″ 310lbs.) figures to play a rotational role in short-yardage and goal line situations. In 2022, Roy registered 49 tackles, including 24 solo stops, and 3.5 TFLs.

Round 5, No. 164 overall: Jaren Hall, QB, BYU

With a big arm and a completion percentage of 65.2%, Hall has plenty of upside if his injury issues do not reappear. The Vikings aren’t contractually tied to a quarterback beyond the 2023 season, so if Hall can develop quickly he could have a chance to compete in 2024. 

Round 7, No. 222 overall: DeWayne McBride, RB, UAB

McBride led the FBS in rushing in the 2022 season en route to being named a Third-team All-American. The 5’11” 210-pounder accumulated a total of 3,523 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns in his last two seasons with the Blazers. In 2022, McBride averaged an astonishing 7.4 yards per carry.

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• Round 1, Pick 23: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
• Round 3, Pick 102 (from SF): Mekhi Blackmon, CB, USC
• Round 4, Pick 134 (from KC): Jay Ward, DB, LSU
• Round 5, Pick 141 (from IND): Jaquelin Roy, DT, LSU
• Round 5, Pick 164 (from SF): Jaren Hall, QB, BYU
• Round 7, Pick 222 (from SF): DeWayne McBride, RB, UAB