It’s a Different Player for Vikings in Todd McShay’s 2nd Mock Draft

So far in this draft lead-up cycle, the Minnesota Vikings have been predominantly linked to cornerbacks like Ahmad Gardner and Derek Stingley Jr. Minnesota holds the 12^th-overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

And now another corner is theorized to land in Minnesota, but it’s not a Garnder or Stingley.

It’s Trent McDuffie from the University of Washington, sent to the Vikings by Todd McShay from ESPN. This was McShay’s second mock draft of the season, following up his Gardner-to-Minnesota prediction from last time with McDuffie in February.

This time, it was McDuffie, likely because Gardner was the first cornerback off the board (Carolina Panthers), and Stingley Jr. was hypothesized to the New York Jets.

On the McDuffie-Vikings theory, McShay wrote:

“The Vikings have used four first-round picks on defensive backs since 2013, and one more here would tie them with the Packers for the most over that 10-draft span. It’s still an issue. Minnesota allowed 5.7 yards per play in 2021 (26th), and its top two cornerbacks — Patrick Peterson and Mackensie Alexander — aren’t under contract. McDuffie is smooth and displays good route recognition. As an aside: This is another spot where quarterback wouldn’t be shocking. Kirk Cousins has one more year left on his deal, so perhaps new GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and new coach Kevin O’Connell opt to take a step toward the future, especially with Liberty’s Malik Willis still available.”

Todd McShay | ESPN

Here’s the deal – the Vikings need cornerbacks. From somewhere, whether it’s free agency or the draft, new general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah must find corners. Right now, it’s Cameron Dantzler, Kris Boyd, and Harrison Hand. And that threesome is not suitable for a pass-happy NFL (or really any era).

Of course, the Vikings could re-sign veteran Patrick Peterson – he sounds like he wants to stay with the team – so that would help. Regardless, though, because the team struck out on Jeff Gladney and Mike Hughes in recent years, the CB cabinet is barren.

The bulk of mock drafts you will read from now until free agency will send a corner to the Vikings. The Vikings are wildly deficient at the position compared to the rest of the league. Some mock drafts will nominate Gardner; others believe Stingley is the guy. McShay, for now, says McDuffie.

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Notably in McShay’s mock, Minnesota passed on Malik Willis, who landed with the Pittsburgh Steelers after a theoretical trade-up in the draft. All signs point to another year or two of Kirk Cousins at quarterback, so the Vikings may wait until the 2023 NFL Draft to examine a new QB1.

The NFL draft takes place on April 28^th.

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. 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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