7 Predictions for the Vikings Draft Choice | After FA
NFL free agency is now about one week old, and the Minnesota Vikings were not shy about breaking the bank on new players.
7 Predictions for the Vikings Draft Choice | After FA
The NFL Draft is less than six weeks away, and the Vikings are scheduled to pick four times — Rounds 1, 3, and 5 (twice).
So, we asked all VikingsTerritory writers to name one player apiece, after seeing the haul from free agency, whom they predict the Vikings will draft. We’ll do this exercise one more time before draft night, but here’s where our writers stand after free agency’s first wave.
These are their responses.
1. Derrick Harmon (DT)
Oregon
Prediction Maker: Henrique Gucciardi
The Vikings addressed defensive tackle in free agency with Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. But as we’ve seen with the Eagles, you can always use another great player in the trenches.
2. Kenneth Grant (DT)
Michigan
Prediction Maker: Adam New
The Vikings have answered their interior pass rush problem with several big-name veteran additions. Going to the well again for the defensive line in the draft and getting a monster like Kenneth Grant, who can dominate the middle of the defensive line for years to come, just makes sense to me.
3. Tyler Booker (iOL)
Alabama
Prediction Maker: Cole Smith
I believe the Vikings will ultimately trade down in the draft. After that, they will select Alabama guard Tyler Booker, a high-school teammate of J.J. McCarthy, to continue bolstering the offensive line.
4. The Best Player Available
Prediction Maker: Ted Schwerzler
The Vikings shouldn’t have a name set in their minds. Let the board fall where it may, and then take the best player available. The roster is flush with starters, so force the talent to work wherever it comes from.
t5. Omarion Hampton (RB)
North Carolina
Prediction Maker: Ali Siddiqui
The Vikings will trade down and take the UNC running back. Aaron Jones is back but also 30 years old. A running back for the future is needed.
t5. Omarion Hampton (RB)
North Carolina
Prediction Maker: Brevan Bane
Minnesota could finesse him in a trade-down, but either way, the Vikings get their RBOTF, which could very well be better than the draft’s consensus top back in Ashton Jeanty.
t6. Trey Amos (CB)
Ole Miss
Prediction Maker: Wes Johnson
**TRADE**
Minnesota trades picks 24 and 97 to the NY Giants for picks 34, 65, and 154.
With the 34th pick, the Vikings select DB Trey Amos from Ole Miss. Amos possesses ideal size at 6’1″ and excels as a press man defender. The Vikings met with Amos at the combine, and his skill set fit seamlessly into DC Brian Flores’ scheme.
t6. Trey Amos (CB)
Ole Miss
Prediction Maker: Kyle Joudry
Minnesota needs help at the position, and he offers good height. Thinking the pick occurs after a trade down.
t7. Shavon Revel Jr. (CB)
East Carolina
Prediction Maker: Dustin Baker
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will trade back, and the only real roster need that can be reasonably argued on March 15th is more cornerback help.
So, because other teams will be scared by Revel Jr.’s ACL recovery, he’ll fall to the Vikings, and they’ll finally — finally — connect on a CB draft pick.
It’s only taken a decade.
t7. Shavon Revel Jr. (CB)
East Carolina
Prediction Maker: Josh Frey
The Vikings filled their needs in the trenches and then some through free agency. Now, the big question remains at CB. Revel is a talented player, and Brian Flores will love his tenacious, physical style of play at the position.
t7. Shavon Revel Jr. (CB)
East Carolina
Prediction Maker: Janik Eckardt
The Vikings could still use another corner despite re-signing Byron Murphy Jr. and acquiring Isaiah Rodgers. Revel Jr. has the ball skills, the length, and the athleticism to make a difference, and coming off a torn ACL, he might actually be gettable.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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