The Vikings recently extended quarterback Kirk Cousins, but Minnesota can still look at other options, especially if one falls to them in the draft.
Justin Herbert has a high ceiling, but has shown weaknesses under pressure. I think he’s worth the risk if he’s available for the Vikings at pick No. 22 or pick No. 25.
In this case, Herbert managed to fall to the Vikings in a draft simulation done on The Draft Network. I decided to take him because he might pan out to be a competent quarterback. And if that were to happen, since Cousins’ no-trade clause is gone, the Vikings could deal Cousins, and get a decent package for him. I actually think Cousins gets a bad wrap from Vikings fans, and he’s shown to be a pretty good quarterback. However, if Herbert reached his full potential on a rookie contract, Minnesota would be smart to deal Cousins and improve other position groups.
You can see what other teams did in the draft simulation here.
Here’s what I did in the draft.
Round 1: Oregon QB Justin Herbert
As I mentioned, I went with Herbert in the first round. I think it’s worth the risk, and his arm strength and deep-ball accuracy might translate to the NFL well. He could very well be off the table by pick No. 5, but if that’s not the case, he might slip a little bit. There will inevitably be players who fall later in the draft than some expect, and in this simulation, the Vikings got lucky with Herbert.
Round 1: Houston OT Josh Jones
Despite Herbert’s potential, it still felt risky to take a player at No. 22 who the Vikings probably wouldn’t need for a couple years. That’s why I went for positional need with the next pick. Jones has the physical tools to be successful in the NFL. He could come in at left tackle, and the Vikings could move Riley Reiff to guard in place of Josh Kline, who had his contract terminated by the team.
Round 2: Michigan WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
Peoples-Jones probably would’ve been off the table earlier in the mock draft, had it not been for the depth at wide receiver in this current class. I think he could definitely compete for the second wide receiver spot on the team. He could be a competent slot receiver. He disappointed a bit at Michigan after earning a five-star rating out of high school. However, his upside is high, and the Vikings already have decent receiving threats in Adam Thielen and Kyle Rudolph. Minnesota might have to lean on Rudolph more than in seasons past, if Peoples-Jones was hypothetically picked and doesn’t pan out.
Round 3: Florida OLB
Greenard projects as either an outside linebacker or finesse defensive end to some, but either way, he can rush the edge. The Vikings need a new edge rusher after Everson Griffen announced on Instagram that he was leaving.
Greenard is listed at 6 feet 3 inches and 263 pounds, so he already has good size. He might want to put on a little more weight to play defensive line in the NFL, but the pass rushing instincts are clearly there.
Round 3: Wisconsin C Tyler Biadasz
Biadasz adds depth to the interior of the offensive line. If Riley Reiff moves to guard, then Biadasz can compete for the other guard spot with Pat Elflein and Dru Samia. If he loses out, he would be a solid reserve for the Vikings to have in 2020-21.
Round 4: Missouri DT Jordan Elliott
Elliott is another big body to pair with Pierce on the defensive line. He might not be a starting-caliber defensive tackle right away, but he could come in for certain packages where the Vikings are emphasizing stopping the run. Elliot could eventually win a starting spot, and if not, he’s a solid defensive tackle in limited situations.
Round 5: Arkansas DT McTelvin Agim
Linval Joseph reportedly agreed to terms with the Chargers in free agency, and even with Joseph, the defensive tackles weren’t a strong suit for the Vikings. That means the team needs all the help they can get. Agim is another big body who can compete for a starting spot on the defensive line. If enough of these defensive linemen pan out in the draft, Minnesota’s defensive line will look a lot different.
Round 6: Arkansas CB/S Kamren Curl
Curl is really only a reserve at this point, so the Vikings would either have to do something in free agency or go with Mike Hughes and Holton Hill out wide next season. Maybe Curl can compete for the nickel spot, but Minnesota has some cap space left, so the team should use it on one of its remaining needs. Also, Curl played safety and corner for the Razorbacks, but safety probably has less openings than corner next season. If this is the way the draft goes, the Vikings will have had to spend money on a corner in free agency.
Round 6: Michigan State CB Josiah Scott
Scott will hedge the bet of whether Minnesota has depth at corner next season. Between Curl and Scott, one of those two is bound to pan out as the nickel corner.
Round 7: Alabama S Shyheim Carter
The Vikings still have Anthony Harris and Harrison Smith at safety, but Carter can be an adequate reserve, and maybe if the team can’t work out a deal with Harris and Carter plays well, the Vikings’ replacement for Harris could be Carter.
Round 7: Michigan OT Jon Runyan
The Vikings added depth on the interior of the offensive line in this draft, but not the exterior yet. Runyan does just that. He can compete for the opening at tackle, and he probably won’t win it, but he can be a solid backup in case anyone suffers an injury.
Round 7: South Carolina LB T.J. Brunson
Brunson is good at blitzing and can be physical. He probably wouldn’t be a starter, but he gives the Vikings linebacking core a different dimension. He could be a solid backup.
