The Minnesota Vikings find themselves in an interesting spot. After a stellar free agency period during which they got stronger at almost every position, there isn't an obvious position of need for them at pick 24 — unlike last season, when everyone expected them to take a quarterback early.
Experts differ on who the Vikings will select in the first round, if they even make a selection. Some expect them to trade out and recoup some of the value they have lost in the middle rounds.
With the draft just seven days away, let's see who these experts think the Vikings will select in Round 1.
Mel Kiper and Field Yates (ESPN+)
Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State
Kiper and Yates have the Vikings rounding out their interior offensive line by adding Donovan Jackson to an already improved room. Kevin O’Connell has made it clear that the Vikings would look to improve their offensive line.
Adding Jackson to the mix allows them to have a solid starting five on the offensive line and two good backups in Brandel and free-agent addition Justin Skule.
Marc Ross (NFL)
Jahdae Barron, DB, Texas
Ross has the Vikings taking a versatile chess piece for Flores' defense in Barron. With the loss of many key contributors in the secondary, a do-it-all defensive back could be just what the Vikings’ defense needs. Barron can fill in at almost every position in the secondary, from outside corner to slot defender and even safety.
Bleacher Report
TRADE: Vikings send pick 24 to the Cleveland Browns for 33, 67, and a conditional 2026 pick
Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
With the first pick in the second round, the Vikings take Trey Amos, a valuable addition to their cornerback room. Amos is a long and tall outside cornerback, something the Vikings don’t have. He would immediately come in and challenge for a starting spot in one of the weaker units on the team.
Chad Reuter (NFL)
TRADE: Vikings send picks 24 and 187 to the Kansas City Chiefs for picks 31, 95, and 133
Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Florida State University
Another expert who thinks the Vikings will go corner, Reuter also has the Vikings moving back down to recoup value in the middle rounds. Much like Bleacher Report, Reuter expects the Vikings to look to target a taller cornerback who can be a true outside potential shutdown corner.
Joe Riveria (USA TODAY)
Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
Another expert who thinks the Vikings will go corner, but this time with Hairston. Hairston’s combination of size and speed, along with his coverage ability, makes him an interesting player. Adding a cornerback with his traits to Minnesota’s pass defense would strengthen a unit that may have some question marks.
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