We’re finally here.
After much anticipation and a busy free agency where the Minnesota Vikings made significant moves on both sides of the ball, it’s draft day. While last year’s draft might have had more hype surrounding it because the Vikings had two first-round picks and the all-but-confirmed notion that they were taking a quarterback in Round 1, there’s still plenty to be intrigued about in this class.
The Vikings had a stellar offseason where they addressed most of their major needs, but they only have four picks in this class. Therefore, most experts are confused about who they will pick or whether they will pick in the first round.
With this in mind, let's see what these experts have the Vikings taking in their final mock drafts.
Matt Miller (ESPN+)
Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
With Cam Bynum departing in the offseason, the Vikings need a safety, and Emmanwori's stock has jumped massively with historical combine testing numbers. Miller also mentions the potential for the Vikings to trade back and acquire more capital. Still, he ultimately has them taking Emmanwori, who he believes can take an already good Vikings defense to another level.
Peter Schrager (ESPN+)
Omarion Hampton, RB, UNC
Schrager has the Vikings selecting Hampton, a running back, in Round 1 despite re-signing Aaron Jones and trading for and extending Jordan Mason this offseason. While this might be the most apparent need, Hampton would help spell Jones and Mason while providing an excellent solution for the future of Minnesota’s running back position.
NFL Nation (Kevin Seifert) (ESPN+)
Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Seifert also has the Vikings selecting Emmanwori, citing Harrison Smith's advanced age, along with other players they would also be targeting falling off the board. Seifert also states that the Vikings will only trade down if the return is a slam-dunk win for them and will stick and pick if it is not.
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com)
Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
Jeremiah has the Vikings taking Derrick Harmon out of Oregon in the first round. While this might feel a bit surprising given the Vikings adding Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in free agency, given their age, having Harmon to rotate in on certain snaps and learn from them might be a smart move.
Field Yates (ESPN+)
Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Yates also has Minnesota taking Emmanwori, citing the aging Smith and the loss of Cam Bynum as reasons the Vikings should go safety. He also cites Emmanwori’s exceptional physical traits, which he displayed at the combine, and his ball-hawk ability – two things that defensive coordinator Brian Flores loves in his defensive backs.
Think you could write a story like this? Hockey Wilderness wants you to develop your voice, find an audience, and we'll pay you to do it. Just fill out this form.


Recommended Comments
There are no comments to display.