It’s a Different Defender for Vikings in Mel Kiper’s 2nd Mock Draft
NFL mock drafts are a dime a dozen at this time of year, with the event less than two months away. But some draft predictions pack a heavier punch than others, especially those from the biggest names in the draft industry.
One such man is ESPN’s Mel Kiper, and the long-time draft analyst authored his second mock draft of the 2023 cycle this week. In his first mock draft from January, Kiper theorized the Vikings selection of cornerback Emmanuel Forbes from Mississippi State.
It’s a Different Defender for Vikings in Mel Kiper’s 2nd Mock Draft
Well, in Kiper’s second edition, he rolled with cornerback once again for Minnesota but switched up the players, perhaps because of the Vikings Brian Flores addition at defensive coordinator. This time, it was Deonte Banks from the University of Maryland.
Kiper explained the pick, “New mock draft, same position the Vikings should target. New defensive coordinator Brian Flores wants to be aggressive, but he needs the cornerbacks to do that, even if free agent Patrick Peterson returns. The 6-foot-2 Banks is coming off a breakout season in which he locked down opposing wideouts — often in man-to-man coverage — and had eight pass breakups and a pick.”
“His tape is impressive, and I’ve heard he’s going to run in the low 4.3-second range in the 40-yard dash at the combine. That’s elite for his size. Andrew Booth Jr., a second-round pick last year, should be in the mix for more snaps, but Banks has No. 1 corner potential,” he concluded.
The 2023 Vikings have draft needs at off-ball linebacker, interior defensive line, wide receiver, and possibly center, but no need stands off the page more than cornerback — whether general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah addressed the position in free agency or the draft.
As of March 1st, Minnesota employs Andrew Booth, Cameron Dantzler, and Akayleb Evans as possibly-startable cornerbacks, and that trio doesn’t inspire much conviction. In Flores’ aggressive system, the Vikings need at least one “sure thing” at cornerback, and Booth-Dantzler-Evans are not that yet unless one of them shines this summer at minicamp, training camp, and the preseason.
At 6’2″ and 205 pounds, Banks is a large physical corner in the mold of Xavier Rhodes of Vikings yesteryear. Choosing Banks with the 23rd pick is about where his draft stock stands before the NFL Combine, which kicked off this week.
Not many Vikings faithful would object to the selection of Banks — if the team does nothing at his position in free agency. He tallied up 38 total tackles, 8 passes defended, and 1 interception in 2022, his final season as a Terrapin. The knock on him in injury, as he played just 30 games in college. He’s also said to lack explosiveness and closing speed.
The Draft Network describes Banks as a “physically impressive cornerback with plus-level height and length. He also has rare reactionary athleticism for a corner his size, showing the ability to flip his hips run vertical, then sink his hips and break back downhill toward the ball.”
Banks was also mock-drafted to the Vikings by Pro Football Focus earlier this week and NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah on February 21st.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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