Latest “33rd Team” Mock Draft Has Defense for Vikings
The 2024 NFL Draft is about eight weeks away, and the Minnesota Vikings possess their highest pick since 2015, when the club chose cornerback Trae Waynes from Michigan State.
Latest “33rd Team” Mock Draft Has Defense for Vikings
Minnesota is scheduled to pick 11th if it doesn’t trade up or down the board on draft night, and per long-term roster needs, could use a quarterback or defensive lineman.
But some believe a cornerback is necessary — even though the Vikings have drafted oodles of those in the last decade — particularly one of the best in the draft class. And according to The 33rd Team, Alabama’s Terrion Arnold would look great in purple and gold clothing.
The 33rd Team’s Connor Livesay published a mock draft this week, and Arnold landed in Minnesota at No. 11. Livesay explained the choice, “The Minnesota Vikings are in an interesting spot. They have a big hole at quarterback and many more on defense. The Vikings could go in many different directions with the 11th overall pick. But with the top four quarterbacks off the board, selecting the top cornerback or edge rusher would likely be the call for the Vikings.”
The Vikings ranked dead last in the NFL during the 2023 campaign per completion percentage allowed, so Brian Flores’ unit must either improve with existing personnel, target a productive veteran in free agency, or get on board with Livesay’s plan.
“Until we get a clearer picture of what the Vikings plan to do with Danielle Hunter, taking my top-ranked defender and the CB1 in this class in Terrion Arnold is an excellent fit for their defense in the middle of the first round,” Livesay concluded about Arnold to Minnesota.
On the Vikings’ plan, Hunter is scheduled to hit free agency, like teammate Kirk Cousins, in two weeks, and if one or both men depart, EDGE rusher and quarterback would soar up Minnesota’s list of roster needs. However, if both men return, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could be enticed by a promising cornerback prospect.
These are the Vikings cornerbacks under contract in 2024, one of the team’s deepest positions, per quantity, entering free agency in 13 days:
- Byron Murphy
- Akayleb Evans
- Mekhi Blackmon
- Andrew Booth
- NaJee Thompson
- Joejuan Williams
- Jaylin Williams
- A.J. Green III
The Draft Network’s Keith Sanchez described Arnold’s scouting report last month, “Terrion Arnold profiles as an elite-level athlete who entered the Alabama program as a safety and made the transition to playing the cornerback position. Arnold became a starter entering the 2022 season and continued to develop his skill set through the offseason, putting together one of the best cornerback seasons and becoming one of the biggest rising 2024 NFL Draft prospects. Arnold’s elite athletic traits combined with his technique allow him to be an impact player in both pass coverage and in the run game.”
SI.com also connected Arnold to the Vikings in a mock draft about two weeks ago.
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,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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