Expect the Vikings to Draft This Position — Somewhere
Janik Eckardt
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The draft begins on April 25 with the first round, and for the first time since 2020, Minnesota has two draft choices in the top round. However, the likely scenario is that the franchise will package those two picks. 11 and 23, and ship them in exchange for a top-five slot, allowing the franchise to find Kirk Cousins’ true successor.
Expect the Vikings to Draft This Position — Somewhere
Everyone is focused on the identity of the new passer, for good reason. He will be the franchise’s most important person in the next few years. If he’s good, the team will be an annual playoff team, but if he’s not, drafting in the top five will be common without any trades.
Other positions require an upgrade, too, although general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has already filled some holes. The best example is the arrival of a new pass-rushing group. Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and backup Jihad Ward reinforce a position group that had been a disaster when free agency opened.
One crew that hasn’t undergone the desired overhaul is the defensive line. While the Vikings added veterans Jonah Williams and Jerry Tillery, they failed to sign one of the top guys on the market. A former disciple of Brian Flores, Christian Wilkins, was linked to the Vikes, but the Raiders made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. Arik Armstead joined Jacksonville while the Lions swooped at D.J. Reader.
Because the Vikings lack a top defensive tackle and depth, at least one will arrive during the draft. Whether that guy will be an immediate contributor also depends on the first round. If the Vikings miss out on a signal-caller in the first round, drafting Texas Longhorns defender Byron Murphy has been reported to be the top alternative plan.
Although defensive tackle is a position in which most difference-makers fly off the board in the first round, the Vikings will still address it later in the draft if they fail to acquire Murphy because the drat capital is used for a QB.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell praised virtually everyone in the DT room and then proceeded to say this: “In that room, the list goes on and on and on, and we can’t forget about the draft. I think there’s going to be some really impactful options, potentially throughout the depth of the draft.”
The depth of the draft is where the Vikings have the majority of their picks. Minnesota has set multiple meetings, but most folks only pay attention to the quarterbacks. However, when it’s all set and done, at least three defensive tackles, three in addition to Murphy, will have met with the franchise.
- Khristian Boyd, Northern Iowa
- Michael Hall Jr., Ohio State
- Taki Taimani, Oregon
- Byron Murphy II, Texas
Boyd and Taimani are viewed as day-three picks, while Hall Jr. has drawn late first-round buzz, which might require another trade.
Currently, Minnesota’s roster includes three returning linemen from 2023, Harrison Phillips, Jonathan Bullard, and Jaquelin Roy, as well as two added players, Jerry Tillery and Jonah Williams.
Expect at least one defensive lineman to be selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the draft.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and Classic rock is his music genre of choice. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt
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