2021 NFL Draft: Minnesota Vikings 7-round mock

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Because the Minnesota Vikings look to bolster their expertise base for a push again to the playoffs in 2021, right here is how April’s draft could shake out for them.

The Kirk Cousins Period has not gone fairly how the Minnesota Vikings envisioned after they signed him in March of 2018. They’ve acquired a 25-21-1 file in Cousins’ begins (25-22-1 general), with one journey to the playoffs in three seasons. However alas, the Cousins period may be 5 seasons in complete.

The Vikings are within the spot they all the time appear to be in. Not a legit Tremendous Bowl contender, however by no means unhealthy sufficient to select within the prime 5-10 of the primary spherical and get a younger franchise quarterback. This yr will likely be no completely different, with the No. 14 choose within the first spherical, and so long as Mike Zimmer is the the top coach he’ll make each effort to by no means backside out to 3-13 in a season.

Within the draft, each side of the road of scrimmage ought to wind up being a precedence for the Vikings. Maybe a 3rd broad receiver or some extra items within the secondary can be on the radar too, ought to the board fall a sure method.

Be aware: That is the results of a mock I did on Professional Soccer Focus’ simulator on Feb. 16, 2021. Compensatory picks are included, although remaining location continues to be TBD. I didn’t attempt any trades, to make it extra lower and dry.

Minnesota Vikings 7-Spherical 2021 Mock Draft

Spherical 1

14

If Danielle Hunter’s season-long absence final season proved something, it’s that the remainder of Minnesota’s edge rushers are a bunch of J.A.G.s (Simply. A. Man.). Yannick Ngakoue solely performed six video games for the Vikings in 2020, between being acquired from the Jaguars and being traded to the Ravens, however he led the crew with 5 sacks.

Paye had a breakout season in 2019, with 6.5 sacks, 50 complete tackles and 12.5 tackles for loss, however he got here again for his senior season. He adopted it with a second All-Large 10 season in 2020. (two sacks, 4 tackles for loss in 4 video games). Matt Miller of The Draft Scout.com cited Paye’s versatility in touting him as a prospect.

“A standout alongside the Michigan defensive position, Paye was requested to line up in varied positions from standing up over the middle to placing his hand within the dust exterior the sort out. And he produced irrespective of the state of affairs.”

Mock drafts proper now have Paye going throughout a variety within the first spherical. But when he’s there for the Vikings at 14, as he was for me, they’ll take him with out query.