The draft is this 7 days, folks. Right after all the mocks and prophecy, we’ll shortly know what the Minnesota Vikings really choose to do in the draft.
For this explanation, I’m providing up a piece to remind viewers of some vital numbers to bear in mind. This can be everything from statistics to draft developments, the present roster to the age of gamers. Ideally, you will have a much better knowledge of where by the Vikings have been and at present are. From there, we might catch a glimpse of exactly where the Minnesota Vikings are going on draft evening.
A shout out to Professional Soccer Reference. Let us get to the numbers.
2005
This was the previous time the Vikings opted for a RD1 defensive conclude. Now, we really should insert a minor nuance to our assessment of this year’s select. If the team decides to bring in an OLB whose key purpose is to hurry the passer, then I imagine we can say that the curse has been broken. The dry spell ended in 2022 since a 3-4 OLB fills a in close proximity to identical position to defensive ends. No matter, it has been a prolonged time.
27 & 29
The ages of Minnesota’s two starting edge rushers: Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith. Neither belong in an previous folks property, and but neither are younger. Both equally will need to have to locate relaxation all through the gruelling 17-match agenda.
73.8
That’s Cameron Dantzler’s PFF score from very last period. It places him at 17th-ideal among qualifying corners. In other words and phrases, PFF implies that Dantzler is a tier-1 NFL corner. What do the Vikings think of their third-12 months player from Mississippi State? If they are assured he’s really a CB1, then perhaps the emphasis on opting for a RD1 corner is a tiny significantly less prominent.
3
Minnesota has preferred 3 initially-round corners since 2015. None of them continue being on the workforce. Trae Waynes is a free agent, Mike Hughes is now in Detroit, and Jeff Gladney is with the Cardinals.
4
It appears like the Vikings have 4 players competing for the RG location: Oli Udoh, Jesse Davis, Chris Reed, and Wyatt Davis. May possibly a Working day 2 range bump that quantity higher? There has been a small chatter about this exact possibility on Purple PTSD.
3
Minnesota has chosen 3 experts due to the fact 2013: punter Jeff Locke, kicker Daniel Carlson, and very long snapper Austin Slicing. The present-day expert trio is Jordan Berry, Greg Joseph, and Andrew DePaolo. All a few veterans can be lower with no financial consequence. Hold an eye on punter Matt Araiza.
2008
The last time the Vikings did not consider a linebacker was in 2008. At this time, Minnesota has two robust, albeit more mature starters at linebacker: Eric Kendricks and Jordan Hicks. From there, it is a whole lot of younger, unproven depth. I know there’s a new leadership team, but I’m anticipating the operate on LBs to keep on for a further 12 months.
8
Over the previous 3 yrs, the Vikings have selected 8 gamers in the seventh round. They didn’t have a seventh-round pick in past year’s draft.
4
The Vikings have preferred 4 defensive finishes in the previous two yrs: D.J. Wonnum, Kenny Willekes, Patrick Jones II, and Janarius Robinson. One particular of them needs to move up in 2022. It is plausible 1 or more really do not make the staff.
38
Minnesota has made 38 alternatives in excess of the past three a long time. The main consequence of the Kirk Cousins deal(s) is not that the staff has not been able to place high-conclude gamers all around him. Somewhat, it is that there hasn’t been ample funds to keep middle course gamers. The strategy has thus concerned bringing in tons of rookies to harmony the books. In 2022, Cousins will account for 15% of the Vikings’ income cap.
8
Final 1. The Vikings have 8 picks heading into the draft. Here they are in order: 12, 46, 77, 156, 184, 191, 192, and 250. By the time it is all mentioned and carried out, Minnesota will have probably traded around a pair times.
