After Sauce Mania, Vikings Draft Forecast Pivots to Different Defender
Dustin Baker
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The draft mania for a while surrounding Ahmad “Sauce” Garnder faded recently as most Minnesota Vikings mock-draft forecasts pivoted to the organization drafting a different cornerback in April.
There was a large “problem” for Sauce-to-Vikings. He’s too good to be available at the 12th overall pick, where the Vikings will select on April 28th, barring trade. Gardner performed wonderfully at the NFL Combine, so his draft stock soared inside the Top 10 and even Top 5 for some mock drafts.
Ergo, the Vikings — who vividly need a cornerback from free agency or the draft — are most commonly linked to Derek Stingley Jr. from LSU.
The Vikings enjoy LSU alumni — Justin Jefferson, Danielle Hunter, and Patrick Peterson were on the 2021 roster — so adding a CB from the school wouldn’t be too surprising.
In mock drafts this week, taking into account the first wave of free agency and Tyreek Hill trade to the Miami Dolphins, Stingley is “the guy” at twelve for Minnesota. Maurice Jones-Drew, a former pro running back, sent Stingley to the Vikings in his latest mock:
“New general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah takes Stingley with his first draft pick in an effort to find the team’s new CB1. The LSU product comes with questions, but he has the natural talent to end the Vikings’ multi-year search for a top-tier cover man.“
– Maurice Jones-Drew | NFL.com
So did Josh Edwards from CBS Sports:
“Minnesota signed Za’Darius Smith to pair with Danielle Hunter so that opens the door for them to address another critical defensive position. Stingley was once regarded as an eventual top three overall selection but injuries and COVID jarred that plan. The Vikings are taking a bit of a risk but, who isn’t? Stingley could be the lockdown man coverage cornerback that they have been chasing for years.“
– Josh Edwards | CBS Sports
Stingley would be a welcome addition for the Vikings secondary to pair with Cameron Dantzler and whichever corners Adofo-Mensah may sign in the coming days and weeks. Minnesota has about $16 million in cap space in the aftermath of the Za’Darius Smith signing and Adam Thielen contract restructure, so a free-agent CB should be “on the way.”
Stingley Jr.’s defensive coordinator from LSU in 2021 re-joined the Vikings staff in February. His name is Daronte Jones, and he was Minnesota’s defensive backs coach in 2020 before heading south for a season to lead LSU’s defense. Now, he’s back, as the Vikings rebrand with new leadership. Jones in the building is a reasonable indicator Minnesota could seriously explore Stingley at #12.
But write it down. Garnder probably won’t be available — he’s too coveted. Stingley is the next logical choice.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. His YouTube Channel, VikesNow, debuts in March 2022. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, “The Sopranos,” and The Doors (the band).
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